There was therfore by order of the councell a wise gentleman learned named George Ferrers appointed to that office for this yeare who being of better credit estimation than coÌmonlie his predecessors had beene before receiued all his commissions and warrants by the name of the maister of the kings pastimes Which gentleman so well supplied his office both in shew of sundrie sights and deuises of rare inuentions and in act of diuerse interludes and matters of pastime plaied by persons as not onelie satisfied the common âort but also were verie well liked and allowed by the councell and other of skill in the like pastimes but best of all by the yoong king himselfe as appéered by his princelie liberalitie in rewarding that seruice ¶ On mondaie the fourth of Ianuarie the said lord of merie disports came by water to London and landed at the tower wharffe entred the tower and then rode through tower street where he was receiued by Uause lord of misrule to Iohn Mainard one of the shiriffes of London and so conducted through the citie with a great companie of yoong lords gentlemen to the house of sir George Barne lord maior where he with the chéefe of his companie dined and after had a great banket and at his departure the lord maior gaue him a standing cup with a couer of siluer and guilt of the value of ten pounds for a reward and also set a hogshed of wine and a barrell of beere at his gate for his traine that followed him The residue of his gentlemen seruants dined at other aldermens houses and with the shiriffes and then departed to the tower wharffe againe so to the court by water to the great commendation of the maior and aldermen and highlie accepted of the king and councell This Christmas being thus passed and spent with much mirth and pastime year 1552 wherewith the minds and eares of murmurers were méetlie well appeased according to a former determination as the sequele shewed it was thought now good to procéed to the execution of the iudgement giuen against the duke of Summerset touching his conuiction atteindor of the fellonie before mentioned Wherevpon the two and twentith daie of Ianuarie then next following being fridaie he was brought out of the tower and according to the manner deliuered to the shiriffes of London and so with a great companie of the gard others with weapons was brought to the scaffold where he should suffer without changing either voice or countenance other than he was accustomed to vse at other times The same morning earelie the conestables of euerie ward in London according to a precept directed from the councell to the maior strictlie charged euerie houshold of the same citie not to depart anie of them out of their houses before ten of the clocke of that daie meaning thereby to restreine the great number of people that otherwise were like to haue béen at the said execution Notwithstanding by seauen of the clocke the tower hill was couered with a great multitude repairing from all parts of the citie as well as out of the suburbs And before eight of the clocke the duke was brought to the scaffold inclosed with the kings gard the shiriffes officers the warders of the tower other with halberds where as he nothing changing neither voice or countenance but in a maner with the same gesture which he commonlie vsed at home knéeling downe vpon both his knees and lifting vp his hands commended himselfe vnto God After he had ended a few short praiers standing vp againe and turning himselfe toward the east side of the scaffold nothing at all abashed as it séemed vnto those that stood by neither with the sight of the ax neither yet of the hangman nor of present death but with the like alacriâie and chéerefulnesse of mind and countenance as before times he was accustomed to heare the causes supplications of other speciallie of the poore towards whome as it were with a certeine fatherlie loue to his children he alwaies shewed himselfe most attentiue he vttered these words to the people The words of the duke of Summerset at his death DEerelie beloued friends I am line 10 brought hither to suffer death albeit I neuer offended against the king neither by word nor deed and haue beene alwaies as faithfull and true vnto this realme as anie man hath beene But forsomuch as I am by law condemned to die I doo acknowledge my selfe as well as others to be subiect therevnto Wherefore to testifie mine obedience line 20 which I owe vnto the lawes I am come hither to suffer death wherevnto I willinglie offer my selfe with most hartie thanks vnto God that hath giuen me this time of repentance who might thorough sudden death haue taken awaie my life that I neither should haue acknowledged him nor my selfe Moreouer deerelie beloued friends there is yet somewhat that I must put line 30 you in mind of as touching christian religion which so long as I was in authoritie I alwaies diligentlie set foorth and furthered to my power Neither doo I repent me of my dooings but reioise therein sith now the state of christian religion commeth most neere vnto the forme and order of the primitiue church Which thing I esteeme as a great benefit giuen of God line 40 both to you and me most hartilie exhorting you all that this which is most purelie set foorth vnto you you will with like thankefulnesse accept and embrace and set out the same in your liuing which thing if you doo not without doubt greater mischiefe and calamitie will follow When he had spoken these words suddenlie there line 50 was a great noise heard wherevpon the people were streight driuen into a great feare few or none knowing the cause Wherefore I thinke it good to write what I saw saith Iohn Stow concerning that matter The people of a certeine hamlet which were warned to be there by seauen of the clocke to giue their attendance on the lieutenant now came thorough the posterne and perceiuing the duke to be alreadie on the scaffold the foremost began to run crieng to their fellowes to follow fast after Which suddennes line 60 of these men being weaponed with bils and halberds this running caused the people which first saw them to thinke some power had come to haue rescued the duke from execution and therefore cried Awaie awaie Wherevpon the people ran some one waie some an other manie fell into the tower ditch and they which tarried thought some pardon had beene brought some said it thundered some that the ground mooued but there was no such matter ¶ This amazement of the people is in other words recorded by Iohn Fox in the storie of this dukes troubles death which bicause they be effectuall I thinke good to interlace When the duke had ended his speech saith he suddenlie there was a terrible noise heard whervpon there came a
brought before king Henrie as prisoners ¶ Thus did almightie God grant vnto the king a notable victorie without bloodshed for he lost not a man as for his aduersaries there died in the field not past three score persons This séemeth also to agrée with that which Wil. Malmesburie writeth for he saith that king Henrie with small adoo brought into his hands duke Robert who with a great troope of men came against him then lodging néere the said castell of Tenerchbray The earle of Mortaigne was also taken but the erle of Shrewsburie escaped by flight notwithstanding he was apprehended as he went about to practise some priuie conspiracie against the king ¶ This battell was fought as the same Wil. Malme affirmeth vpon a saturdaie being the daie of S. Michaell In gloria and as may be thought by the prouident iudgment of God to the end that Normandie should be subdued vnto England on that daie in the which 40. yeares passed king William the Conquerour first set foot on land at Hastings when he came out of Normandie to subdue England Neither dooth Simon Dunelmensis varie in any thing from Gemeticensis touching the conclusion of this businesse and the taking of duke Robert These wars being thus finished and the countrie set in quiet which through the méere folie of duke Robert was woonderfullie impouerished the king receiued the keies of all the townes and castels that belonged either to the duke or the earle of Mortaigne and furnished the same with garisons to be kept for his behoofe Hauing thus pacified the countrie of Normandie he came to Bec or Bechellouân where archbishop Anselme then remained year 1107 whome by mediation of freends he receiued to fauour againe and sending him ouer into England immediatlie after followed himselfe Duke Robert being also spoiled of his dominions lands and liberties was shortlie committed to prison within the castell of Cardiff in Wales where he remained about the space of 26. yeares and then died He gouerned the duchie of Normandie 19. yeares he was a perfect and expert warrior comparable with the best capiteines that then liued had he béene somwhat more warie and circumspect in his affaires and therewithall constant in his opinion His woorthie acts valiantlie and fortunatlie atchiued against the infidels are notified to the world by manie and sundrie writers to his high commendation and long lasting praise It is said also that he was after his taking once set at libertie by king Henrie and bound to forsweare the realme of England and Normandie being appointed to auoid within the space of 40. daies and twelue houres But bicause he was perceiued to practise somewhat against the king he was eftsoones taken againe and hauing his eies put out committed to prison where finallie worne through age and gréefe of mind he ended his miserable life ¶ The forme of banishing men out of the realme was ordeined by Edward the Confessor and remained as a law in vse till these our daies for the benefit of them which fled to any church or other priuiledged place thereby to escape the punishment of death due for their offenses By a latter custome it was also deuised that they should beare a crosse in their hand as a signe that they were pardoned of life for the holie place sake where they sought for succour But duke Robert as it should appeere by that which others write found no such fauour saue onlie libertie to walke abroad in the kings forrests parks and chases néere the place where he was appointed to remaine so that vpon a daie as he was walking abroad he got a horsse and with all post hast rode his waiâ in hope to haue escaped howbeit his kéepers being aduised thereof followed him with hue and crie and at length ouertooke him in a medow where he had laid his horsse vp to the bellie in a quauemire Then being brought backe his kéepers kept him in close prison aduertising the king of his demeanour wherevpon he commanded that the sight of his eies should be put out but so as the balles of them should remaine vnbroken for the auoiding of a noisome deformitie that otherwise would ensue if the glassie tunicles should take hurt In his returne out of the holie land he maried one Sibell the earle of Conuersans sister in Puglia hir father hight Roger or Geffrey as some bookes haue and was nephue to Robert Guyshard duke of Puglia and by hir had issue one sonne named William afterward earle of Flanders whereof God willing line 10 more shall be said hereafter Here must I leaue duke Robert and speake somwhat of Anselme the archbishop who shortlie after his returne into England receiued letters from pope Paschall wherein Anselme was authorised to dispose and order things as should séeme to him most expedient Now whereas the greater and better part of the English clergie consisted of préests sonnes he committed to his discretion the order to dispense line 20 with them namelie that such as were of commendable life and sufficient learning might be admitted to the ministerie as the necessitie of time and state of the church should require The pope also by the same letters gaue Anselme authoritie to absolue Richard the prior of Elie vpon his satisfaction pretermitted and to restore him to the gouernement of the priorie of Elie if the king thought it conuenient About the calends of August in this yeare 1107. the king held a councell of bishops year 1107 abbats and other line 30 lords of his realme in his pallace at London where in the absence of Anselme the matter touching the inuestitures of churches was argued vpon for the space of thrée daies togither and in the end bicause the pope had granted the homages of bishops and other prelats to the king which his predecessor Urban had forbidden togither with the inuestitures the king was contented to consent to the popes will in forbearing the same So that when Anselme was come the king in presence of him and a line 40 great multitude of his people granted and ordeined that from thenceforth no bishop nor abbat should be inuested within the realme of England by the hand either of the king or any laie man on the other side it was granted againe by Anselme that no person elected into the prelacie should be depriued of his consecration for dooing his homage to the king These things thus ordred the churches which through England had bin long vacant were prouided of gouernors which were placed without any inuestiture line 50 of staffe or ring About this time Anselme consecrated fiue bishops at Canturburie in one day archbishop William to the sée of Winchester Roger that was the kings chancellor to Salisburie William Warlewast to Excester Remaline the quéenes chancâllor to Hereford and one Urban to Glamorgan in Wales About this season a great part of Flanders being drowned by an exundation or breaking in of the sea
dealing was too manifest although indeed he abused his fathers patience for a while who was desirous of nothing more than to win his sonnes by some courteous meanes and therfore diuerse times offered to pardon all offenses committed by his enimies at the suit of his sonne the king who in déed offered himselfe now and then as an intreatour but that was onelie to win time that his brother with such Brabanders and other souldiers as he had with him in aid beside the forces of the barons of Guien might worke the more mischéefe against their father and their brother earle Richard in wasting and destroieng their countries that stood stedfast on their side In the meane time Richard the archbishop of Canturburie and diuerse other bishops and abbats both of England and Normandie assembled togither at Caen and in the abbeie church of S. Stephan pronounced the sentence of excommunication against all those that did hinder and impeach their purpose which was to haue peace and concord concluded betwixt the king and his sonnes the same sonnes onlie out of the said sentence excepted Diuerse shiftes were made by king Henrie the sonne and his brother earle Geffrey also to get monie for the paiment of their souldiers as spoiling of shrines and such like But at length when things framed not to their purpose and that the harme which they could doo against their father was much lesse than they wished if power had béene answerable to their wââes king Henrie the sonne through indignation and displeasure as some write fell into a gréeuous sicknesse in a village called Mertell noâ farre from Limoges where his father laie at siege At the first he was taken with an extreame feuer and after followed a sore flixe Now perceiuing himselfe in danger of death and that the physicians had giuen him ouer he sent to his father better late than neuer confessing his trespasse committed against him and required of all fatherlie loueth ãâã sée him once before he died But for that the father thought not good to commit himselfe into the hands of such vngratious persons as were about his sonne he sent his ring vnto him in token of his blessing and as it were a pledge to signifie that he had forgiuen him his vnnaturall doings against him The son receiuing it with great humilitie kissed it and so ended his life in the presence of the archbishop of Burdeaux and others on the day of saint Barnabie the apostle He died as some write verie penitent and sorowfull And whereas in his life time he had vowed to make a iourneie into the holie land against Gods enimies and taken vpon him the crosse for that intent he deliuered it vnto his familiar freend William line 10 Marshall to go thither with it in his stead Moreouer when he perceiued present death at hand he first confessed his sinnes secretlie and after openly before sundrie bishops and men of religion and receiued absolution in most humble wise After this he caused his fine clothes to be taken from him and therewith a heare cloth to be put vpon him and after tieng a cord about his necke he said vnto the bishops and other that stood by him I deliuer my selfe an vnworthie and greeuous sinner vnto you the ministers of line 20 God by this cord beséeching our Lord Iesus Christ which pardoned the théefe confessing his faults on the crosse that through your praiers and for his great mercies sake it may please him to be mercifull vnto my soule wherevnto they all answered Amen Then he said vnto them Draw me out of this bed with this cord and laie me on that bed strawed with ashes which he had of purpose prepared and as he commanded so they did and they laid at his feet and at his head two great square stones Thus being prepared line 30 to die he willed his bodie after his deceasse to be conueied into Normandie and buried at Rouen And so after he had receiued the sacrament of the bodie and bloud of our Lord he departed this life as afore is said about the 28. yeare of his age His bodie after his death was conueied towards Rouen there to be buried accordinglie as he had willed but when those that had charge to conueie it thither were come vnto the citie of Mauns the bishop there and the cleargie would not suffer them to line 40 go any further with it but committed it to buriall in honourable wise within the church of saint Iulian. Whereof when the citizens of Rouen were aduertised they were sore offended with that dooing and streightwaies sent vnto them of Mauns requiring to haue the corps deliuered threatening otherwise with manie earnest oths to fetch it from them by force Wherefore king Henrie to set order in this matter commanded that the corps of his sonne the king should be deliuered vnto them of Rouen to be line 50 buried in their citie as he himselfe had willed before his death And so it was taken vp and conueied to Rouen where it was eftsoones buried in the church of our ladie ¶ Thus ended this yoong king in his floorishing youth to whome through his owne iust deserts long life was iustlie denied sith he delighted to begin his gouernement with vnlawfull attempts as an other Absolon against his owne naturall father seeking line 60 by wrongfull violence to pull the scepter out of his hand He is not put in the number of kings bicause he remained for the more part vnder the gouernance of his father so that he rather bare the name of king as appointed to reigne than that he may be said to haue reigned in deed So that héere by the waie a notable obseruation dooth occurre and offer it selfe to be noted of vs namelie that euen princes children though borne to great excellencie and in high degâeâ of dignitie aâe to consider with themselues that notwithstanding their statelie titles of souereigntie they haue a dutie to discharge vnto their parents which if it be neglected and that in place thereof disobedience is substituted God himselfe when politike lawes prouide not to punish such offenses will take the cause in hand will powre vengeance vpon such vngratious children For he will be true of his word both in blessing and curssing in blessing the dutifull child with long life and happie daies and in curssing the obstinate and froward with short life and vnfortunate daies according to the tenure of his law If this man had liued in the old Romans time when aged persons were so reuerenced and honoured much more parents he had beene cut off in the prime of his disobedience and present death had beene inflicted vpon him as a due and deserued reward which Iuuenal noteth excellentlie well in these words Credebant hoc grande nefas morte piandum Si iuuenis vetulo non assurrexerat si Barbato cuicunque puer licèt ipse videret Plura domi farra maioris
eleuenth of Aprill next folowing he was brought to the Tower hill and there was pardoned of his drawing and hanging but had his head stricken off and his bodie cut in foure quarters and set vp in diuerse places about the citie but his head was set vppon the gallowes at Haie hill beside Hide parke line 60 Now here by the waie is to be noted that he being on the scaffold readie to suffer declared that the ladie Elizabeth and sir Edward Courtneie earle of Deuonshire whome he had accused before as it séemed were neuer priuie to his dooings as farre as he knew or was able to charge them And when doctor Weston being then his confessor told him that he had confessed the contrarie vnto the councell he answered thus That I said then I said but that which I saie now is true This was the end of Wiat and his conspiracie as also the like hath béene of others attempting anie rebellion For as their enterprise being according to the proper qualitie thereof considered is flat against Gods ordinance who hath ordeined magistracie to be reuerenced of inferiors so it is vnlikelie to bring other than infortunatnesse and shamefull ouerthrowes vnto the attempters in whome although will want not to compasse anie worke yet force failing they misse the marke all bicause rashnesse giueth them a false aime Wherefore to conclude this tragicall discourse of Wiat it were to be wished that the sage and safe counsell of Cato were put in common practise of all men which is to vndertake doo nothing aboue their strength Quod potes id tentes operis ne pondere pressus Succumbat labor frustra tentata relinquas The seuenth daie of Aprill next following sir Nicholas Throckmorton knight was brought from the tower to Guildhall in London and there arreigned of high treason as adherent and principall counsellor to the said Wiat and the duke of Suffolke and the rest in the fore remembred conspiracie against the quéene But he so stoutlie and therwithall so cunninglie answered for himselfe as well in cleering of his cause as also in defending auoiding such points of the lawes of the realme as were there alleaged against him that the quest which passed vpon his life death found him not giltie With which verdict the iudges and councellors there present were so much offended that they bound the iurie in the summe of fiue hundred pounds a péece to appeare before the councell in the Starchamber at a daie appointed And according to their bond they appeared there before the said councell vpon Wednesdaie being the one and twentith of Aprill and saint Marks daie from whense after certeine questioning they were committed to prison Emanuell Lucar and master Whetston to the tower and the other to the Fléet But now forsomuch as a copie of the order of sir Nicholas Throckmortons arreignement hath come to my hands and that the same maie giue some light to the historie of that dangerous rebellion I haue thought it not impertinent to insert the same not wishing that it should be offensiue to anie sith it is in euerie mans libertie to weie his words vttered in his owne defense and likewise the dooings of the quest in acquitting him as maie séeme good to their discretions sith I haue deliuered the same as I haue found it without preiudicing anie mans opinion to thinke thereof otherwise than as the cause maie mooue him The order of the arreignement of sir Nicholas Throckmorton knight in tâe Guildhall of London the seuenteenth daie of Aprill 1554 expressed in a dialog for the better vnderstanding of euerie mans part SIr Thomas White knight lord maior of London the earle of Shrewesburie the earle of Derbie sir Thomas Bromleie knight lord chiefe iustice of England sir Nicholas Hare knight master of the rolles sir Francis Englefield knight master of the court of wards and liberties sir Richard Southwell knight one of the priuie councell sir Edward Walgraue knight one of the priuie councell sir Roger Cholmeleie knight sir William Portman knight one of the iustices of the Kings bench sir Edward Sanders knight one of the iustices of the common plees master Stanford master Dier sergeants master Edward Griffin attournie generall master Sendall and Peter Tithbourne clearks of the crowne First after proclamation made and the commission read the lieutenant of the tower master Thomas Bridges brought the prisoner to the barre then silence was commanded and Sendall said to the prisoner as followeth Nicholas Throckmorton knight hold vp thy hand thou art before this time indicted of high treason c that thou then and there didst falselie and traitorouslie c conspire and imagine the death of the quéenes maiestie c and falselie and traitorouslie diddest leuie warre against the quéene within hir realme c and also thou wast adherent to the quéenes enimies within hir realme giuing to them aid and comfort c and also falselie and traitorouslie diddest conspire line 10 and intend to depose and depriue the quéene of hir roiall estate and so finallie destroie hir c and also thou diddest falselie and traitorouslie deuise and conclude to take violentlie the tower of London c. Ofall which treasons and euerie of them in maner forme c art thou giltie or not giltie Maie it please you my lords and maisters which be authorised by the queenes commission to be iudges this daie to giue me leaue to speake a few words which dooth both concerne you and me before line 20 I answer to the indictement and not altogither impertinent to the matter and then plead to the indictment No the order is not so you must first plead whether you be giltie or no. If that be your order and law iudge accordinglie to it You must first answer to the matter wherewith you are charged and then you maie talke at your pleasure line 30 But things spoken out of place were as good not spoken These be but delaies to spend time therefore answer as the law willeth you My lords I praie you make not too much hast with me neither thinke not long for your dinner for my case requireth leasure and you haue well dined when you haue doone iustice trulie Christ said Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousnesse I can forbeare my dinner as well as you and care line 40 as little as you peraduenture Come you hither to checke vs Throckmorton We will not be so vsed no no I for mine owne part haue forborne my breakefast dinner and supper to serue the queene Yea my good lord I know it right well I meant not to touch your lordship for your seruice and pains is euidentlie knowne to all men Master Throckmorton this talke néedeth not we know what we haue to doo and you would teach vs line 50 our duties you hurt your matter go to go to Master
Apollo make thee blush you both in beautie passe O Phebus safe and sound returne which banishing the night Bringst backe the daie in all the world nothing of like delight She onelie she the darkenesse draue of poperie quite awaie And by religion hath restord the bright and lightsome daie O Phebus with thy beams which foilst the clouds both blind blacke The world in maner all a thing of like delight doth lacke A thousand dangers and delaies the papists had deuisd To thend our princesse should abridge hir progresse enterprisd Yet this our bright shining sun cast light through euerie cloud Although in clouds thou art content Apollo oft to shroud Thou seest our sunne in comelie course cuts off ech stop and staie Do thou the like and by thy light driue euerie cloud awaie In shadowing clouds why art thou closd O Phebus bright retire Unspoused Pallas present is O Phebus bright âetire Hir kingdome all by prouidence queene Iuno doth vphold And of Minerua ladie learnd is learned lore extold And Uenus faire of countenance hath beautie vncontrold These sundrie gifts of goddesses three Elisabeth possesseth By prouidence hir peoples peace and comfort she increaseth Hir learning learning amplifies hir beautie neuer ceaseth I did but ieast of goddesses to giue them three the name This ladie maist thou goddesse call for she deserues the same Although she will not vndertake a title of such fame Matthew Hamont by his trade a ploughwrite of Hetharset three miles from Norwich was conuented before the bishop of Norwich for that he denied Christ our sauiour At the time of his appearance it was obiected that he had published these heresies following That the new testament and gospell of Christ are but méere foolishnesse a storie of man or rather a méere fable Item that man is restored to grace by Gods méere mercie without the meane of Christs bloud death and passion Item that Christ is not God nor the sauiour of the world but a méere man a sinfull man and an abhominable idoll Item that all they that worship him are abhominable idolaters that Christ did not rise againe from death to life by the power of his godhead neither that he ascended into heauen Item that the Holie ghost is not God neither that there is anie such Holie ghost Item that baptisme is not necessarie in the church of God neither the vse of the sacrament of the bodie and bloud of Christ. For the which heresies he was condemned in the consistorie and sentence was pronounced against him by the bishop of Norwich on the thirtéenth daie of Aprill and thervpon deliuered to the shiriffes of Norwich And bicause he spake words of blasphemie not to be recited against the quéenes maiestie and others of hir councell he was by the recorder master sergeant Windham and the maior sir Robert Wood of Norwich condemned to lose both his eares which were cut off on the thirteenth of Maie in the market place of Norwich and afterwards to wit on the twentith of Maie he was burned in the castell dich of Norwich This yeare in the moneth of Maie Marke Scaliot blacke smith citizen of London borne in the parish of saint Clements Daâe without Temple bar and now dwelling in Cornehill néere vnto Leaden hall for triall of workemanship made one hanging locke of iron steele and brasse of eleuen seuerall péeces a pipe keie filed three square with a pot vpon the shaft the bow with two esses all cleane wrought which weied but one graine of gold or wheat corne He also at the same time made a chaine of gold of three and fortie linkes to the which chaine the locke and keie being fastened and put about a fleas necke she drew the same with ease All which locke keie chaine and flea weied but one graine and a halfe A thing almost incredible but that my selfe amongst manie others haue séene it therfore must affirme it to be true The first of Iune deceased Robert Horne doctor of diuinitie bishop of Winchester and prelat of the garter at Winchester place in Southworke and was buried at Winchester ¶ This man was learned and eloquent of a round and readie vtterance sound in religion and zelous in the truth in testimonie whereof he chose rather to forsake his natiue soile and to liue a stranger in a forren land than with offense of conscience to tarrie at home within the sight and hearing of the manifold abhominations which supported poperie so that although death haue deuoured his mortall bodie yet in respect of his vertue and godlinesse his name shall be immortall line 10 according to the truth of this sentence Corpore deposito viuit virtute superstes De virtute nihil mors violenta rapit Iohn Wolton now liuing was called to be bishop of Excester consecrated at Lambith by Edmund Grindall archbishop of Canturburie in August 1579. He is a professor of diuinitie and a preacher of the gospell and vniuersallie séene in all good letters This William Wolton being in successiue order the eight and fortith that occupied the line 20 said sée from the first that inioied the same episcopall aduancement ministreth iust occasion to insert a catalog of all the bishops of Excester as they followed one after another in that sée being an apt collection and verie answerable to the description of Excester and the ancient foundation of saint Peters church there mentioned in the third yeare of the reigne of king Edward the sixt page 1007 and continued to page 1028. A catalog of the bishops of Excester collected by Iohn Vowell aliâs Hooker gentleman 1 WErstanus at a prouinciall synod holden in Westsex in the yeare 905 was consecrated bishop of Deuon and had his see at bishops Tauton and in the yeare following 906 he died and was buried in his owne church line 40 2 Putta after the death of Werstanus was elected and consecrated bishop and had his sée at Tauton and taking his iourneie towards Crediton to sée and visit the king or as some saie Uffa the kings lieutenant was by the said Uffas men slaine and then vpon his death the sée was remoued to Crediton 3 Eadulphus brother to Alpsius duke of Deuon and Cornewall and founder of Lanceston was consecrated bishop of Deuon but installed at Crediton line 50 where he had his sée and continued bishop two and twentie yeares and then dieng about the yeare 932 he was buried in his owne church 4 Ethelgarus in the yeare 932 succeeded Eadulphus and in his time king Athelstane subdued the Cornish people reedified this citie and compassed the same with a stone wall he founded the monasterie of saint Peters for monks of saint Benets order This Ethelgarus after he had béene bishop ten yeares died and was buried in his owne line 60 church 5 Algarus in the yeare 942 after Ethelgarus was constituted installed bishop at Crediton and hauing béene bishop
these sort are for their contrarie opinions in religion prosecuted or charged with anie crimes or paines of treason nor yet willinglie searched in their consciences for their contrarie opinions that sauour not of treason And of these sorts there haue béene and are a number of persons not of such base and vulgar note as those which of late haue beene executed as in particular some by name are well knowne and not vnfit to be remembred The first and chiefest by office was doctor Heth that was archbishop of Yorke and lord chancellor of England in quéene Maries time who at the first comming of hir maiestie to the crowne shewing himselfe a faithfull and quiet subiect continued in both the said offices though in religion then manifestlie differing and yet was he not restreined of his libertie nor depriued of his proper lands and goods but leauing willinglie both his offices liued in his owne house verie discréetlie and inioied all his purchased lands during all his naturall life vntill by verie age he departed this world and then left his house and liuing to his friends An example of gentlenesse neuer matched in quéene Maries time The like did one doctor Poole that had béene bishop of Peterborough an ancient graue person and a verie quiet subiect There were also others that had béene bishops and in great estimation as doctor Tunstall bishop of Duresme a person of great reputation and also whilest he liued of verie quiet behauiour There were also other as doctor White doctor Oglethorpe the one of Winchester the other of Carlill bishops persons of courteous natures and he of Carlill so inclined to dutifulnes to the quéenes maiestie as he did the office at the consecration and coronation of hir maiestie in the church of Westminster and doctor Thurlebie doctor Watson yet liuing one of Elie the other of Lincolne bishops the one of nature affable the other altogither sowre and yet liuing Whereto may be added the bishop then of Excester Turberuile an honest gentleman but a simple bishop who liued at his owne libertie to the end of his life and none of all these pressed with anie capitall paine though they mainteined the popes authoritie against the lawes of the realme And some abbats as maister Feckenam yet liuing a person also of quiet and courteous behauiour for a great time Some also were deanes as doctor Boxall deane of Windsore a person of great modestie learning and knowledge doctor Cole deane of Paules a person more earnest than discréet doctor Reinolds deane of Excester not vnlearned and manie such others hauing borne office dignities in the church that had made profession against the pope which they onelie began in queene Maries time to change yet were these neuer to this daie burdened with capitall peanes nor yet depriued of line 10 anie their goods or proper liueloods but onelie remoued from their ecclesiasticall offices which they would not exercise according to the lawes And most of them manie other of their sort for a great time were deteined in bishops houses in verie ciuill and courteous maner without charge to themselues or their friends vntill the time that the pope began by his buls messages to offer trouble to the realme by stirring of rebellion About which time onlie some line 20 of these aforenamed being found busier in matters of state tending to stir troubles than was méete for the common quiet of the realme were remoued to other more priuat places where such other wanderers as were men knowne to moue sedition might be restreined from common resorting to them to increase trouble as the popes bull gaue manifest occasion to doubt and yet without charging them in their consciences or otherwise by anie inquisition to bring them into danger of anie capitall law line 30 so as no one was called to anie capitall or bloudie question vpon matters of religion but haue all inioied their life as the course of nature would and such of them as yet remaine may if they will not be authors or instruments of rebellion or sedition inioie the time that God and nature shall yeeld them without danger of life or member And yet it is woorthie to be well marked that the chiefest of all these and the most of them had in time of king Henrie the eight and king Edward the sixt line 40 either by preaching writing reading or arguing taught all people to condemne yea to abhorre the authoritie of the pope for which purpose they had many times giuen their othes publikelie against the popes authoritie and had also yéelded to both the said kings the title of supreame hed of the church of England next vnder Christ which title the aduersaries doo most falselie write and affirme that the quéenes maiestie now vseth a manifest lie vntruth to be séene by the verie acts of parlement and at the beginning of hir reigne omitted in hir stile And for proofe that line 50 these foresaid bishops and learned men had so long time disauowed the popes authoritie manie of their books and sermons against the popes authoritie remaine printed both in English and Latin to be séene in these times to their great shame and reproofe to change so often but speciallie in persecuting such as themselues had taught and stablished to hold the contrarie A sin neere the sin against the holie ghost There were also and yet be a great number of others line 60 being laie men of good possessions and lands men of good credit in their countries manifestlie of late time seduced to hold contrarie opinions in religion for the popes authoritie and yet none of them haue béene sought hitherto to be impeached in anie point or quarell of treason or of losse of life member or inheritance So as it may plainelie appeare that it is not nor hath béene for contrarious opinions in religion or for the popes authoritie alone as the aduersaries doo boldlie and falslie publish that anie persons haue suffered death since hir maiesties reigne And yet some of these sort are well knowne to hold opinion that the pope ought by authoritie of Gods word to be supreame and onelie head of the catholike church through the whole world and onelie to rule in all causes ecclesiasticall and that the quéenes maiestie ought not to be the gouernour ouer anie hir subiects in hir realme being persons ecclesiasticall which opinions are neuerthelesse in some part by the lawes of the realme punishable in their degrées And yet for none of these points haue anie persons béene prosecuted with the charge of treason or in danger of life And if then it be inquired for what cause these others haue of late suffered death it is trulie to be answered as afore is often remembred that none at all were impeached for treason to the danger of their life but such as did obstinatlie mainteine the contents of the popes bull afore mentioned which doo import that hir maiestie is not
with the inhabitants of the countrie of Yorkeshire and Northumberland that he wasted all the land betwixt Yorke and Durham so that for the space of threescore miles there was left in maner no habitation for the people by reason whereof it laie wast and desert for the space of nine or ten yeares ¶ The goodlie cities with their towers and steeples set vpon a statelie height and reaching as it were into the aire the beautifull fields and pastures watered with the course of sweet and pleasant riuers if a stranger should then haue beheld and also knowne before they were thus defaced he would surelie haue lamented or if any old inhabitant had béene long absent newly returned thither had séene this pitifull face of the countrie he would not haue knowne it such destruction was made through out all those quarters whereof Yorke it selfe felt not the smallest portion The bishop of Durham Egelwinus with his cleargie fled into holie Iland with S. Cutberts bodie and other iewels of the church of Durham where they tarried three moneths and od daies before they returned to Durham againe The kings armie comming into the countrie that lieth betwixt the riuers Theise and Tine found nothing but void feelds and bare walles the people with their goods and cattell being fled and withdrawne into the woods and mountaines if any thing were forgotten behind these new gests were diligent inough to find it out In the beginning of the spring king William returned to London and now after all these troubles began to conceiue greater hatred against the Englishmen line 10 than euer before so as doubting that hee should neuer by gentlenesse win their good willes he now determined by a harder measure to meete with them insomuch that he banished a great number other some also not a few he spoiled of their goods those especiallie of whom he was in hope to gaine any great portion of substance Thus were the Englishmen generallie in danger to lose life lands and goods without knowledge or orderlie proceeding in iudgement so that no greater line 20 miserie in the earth could be imagined than that whereinto our nation was now fallen He tooke from the townes and cities from the bishops sées and abbeies all their ancient priuileges and freedoms to the end they should not onelie be cut short and made weaker but also that they for the obteinment of their quietnesse might redeeme the same of him for such summes of monie as pleased him to exact Among other things he ordeined that in time of warre they should aide him with armor horsse and line 30 monie according to that order which he should then prescribe all which he caused to be registred inrolled and laid vp in his treasurie But diuerse of the spirituall persons would not obey this ordinance whom he banished without remorse About this time the archbishop Stigand and Alexander bishop of Lincolne fled to Scotland where they kept themselues close for a season But the king still continued in his hard procéeding against the Englishmen insomuch that now protesting how he line 40 came to the gouernance of the realme only by plaine conquest he seized into his hands most part of euerie mans possessions causing them to redeeme the same at his hands againe and yet reteined a propertie in the most part of them so that those that should afterwards enioy them should acknowledge themselues to hold them of him in yéelding a yéerlie rent to him and his successors for euer with certeine other prouisions whereby in cases of forfeiture the same lands should returne to him and his said successors line 50 againe The like order he appointed to be vsed by other possessors of lands in letting them forth to their tenants He ordeined also that the Termes should be kept foure times in the yéere in such places as he should nominate and that the iudges shuld sit in their seuerall places to iudge and decide causes and matters in controuersie betwixt partie and partie in manner as is vsed vnto this day He decréed moreouer that there should be shiriffes in euerie shire and iustices of the peace to keepe the countries line 60 in quiet and to sée offendors punished Furthermore he instituted the court of the Excheker and the officers belonging to the same as the barons the clearks and such other and also the high court of Chancerie After he had in this sort ordeined his magistrates and ministers of the lawes he lastlie tooke order what ordinances he would haue obserued wherevpon abrogating in maner all the ancient lawes vsed in times past and instituted by the former kings for the good order and quietnes of the people he made new nothing so equall or easie to be kept which neuerthelesse those that came after not without their great harme were constreined to obserue as though it had béene an high offense against GOD to abolish those euill lawes which king William a prince nothing friendlie to the English nation had first ordeined and to bring in other more easie and tollerable ¶ Here by the waie I giue you to note a great absurditie namelie that those lawes which touched all and ought to be knowne of all were notwithstanding written in the Norman toong which the Englishmen vnderstood not so that euen at the beginning you should haue great numbers partlie by the iniquitie of the lawes and partlie by ignorance in misconstruing the same to be wrongfullie condemned some to death and some in the forfeitures of their goods others were so intangled in sutes and causes that by no means they knew how to get out but continuallie were tossed from post to piller in such wise that in their minds they curssed the time that euer these vnequall lawes were made The maner for the triall of causes in controuersie was deuised in such sort as is yet vsed Twelue ancient men but most commonlie vnlearned in the lawes being of the same countie where the sute laie were appointed by the iudges to go togither into some close chamber where they should be shut vp till vpon diligent examination of the matter they should âgrée vpon the condemnation or acquiting of the prisoner if it were in criminall causes or vpon deciding in whom the right remained if it were vpon triall of things in controuersie Now when they were all agréed they came in before the iudges declaring to what agréement they were growne which doone the iudges opened it to the offendors or sutors and withall gaue sentence as the qualitie of the case did inforce and require There may happilie be as Polydor Virgil saith that will mainteine this maner of procéeding in the administration of iustice by the voices of a iurie to haue béene in vse before the conquerors daies but they are not able to prooue it by any ancient records of writers as he thinketh albeit by some of our histories they should séeme to be first ordeined by Ethelred
line 50 and footmen which togither with his Normans he brought ouer into England in haruest season meaning to disburthen himselfe of the charge of their keeping he caused their finding and wages to be borne by the lords and peeres of the realme by the shirifs of shires and other officers Howbeit when he vnderstood that the Danes changed their purpose and would not hold on their iourneie he dismissed part of his power and sent them home againe keeping line 60 the residue all the winter with him in England readie for his defense if anie rebellion or other necessitie should befall The same yeare he kept his Christmasse at Glocester year 1086 and made his sonne Henrie knight at Westminster in Whitsunwéeke insuing Shortlie after calling togither aswell lords spirituall as temporall year 1087 he caused them all to sweare fealtie to him and his heires after him in the possession of this kingdome About this season the people in all places were pitifullie plaged with burning feuers which brought manie to their end a murren also came to their cattell whereof a woonderfull number died At the same time which is more maruellous tame foules as hens géese peacocks forsaking their owners houses fled to the woods and became wild Great hurt was doone in manie places of the realme by fire and speciallie in London where vpon the 7. daie of Iulie a sudden flame began which burnt Paules church and a great part of the citie downe to the verie ground Now when K. William had taken the oth of fealtie and loialtie of all his lords Edgar Etheling who was reconciled vnto his âauour as you haue heard obteining licence of him to depart the realme for a season sailed into Puglia with two hundred souldiers of whose acts there and returne into England I spare to speake bicause I find litle or nothing of moment recorded And now king William who hauing brought the Englishmen so lowe and bare that little more was to be got out of their hands went once againe ouer into Normandie with an huge masse of mony where soone after he fell sicke so that he was constrained to keepe his bed longer than he had beene accustomed to doo whereat Philip the French king in iesting maner said that king William his cousine laie now in childbed alluding belike to his big bellie for he was verie corpulent and withall added Oh what a number of candels must I prouide to offer vp at his going to church certeinelie I thinke that 100000. will not suffice c. This frumping spéech so moued the king that he made this answere Well I trust when I shall be churched that our cousine shall be at no such cost but I will helpe to find him a thousand candels my selfe and light them too to some of their paines if God grant me life Which promise he bound with an oth and in déed performed For in Iulie next insuing when their corne fruit and grapes were most florishing and readie for the sickle he entred France with a great armie set fire on manie of their cities and townes in the westside of that countrie came at last to the citie of Maunt which he burnt with the church of our ladie and an ankresse inclosed in the wall thereof as an holie closet for the force of the fire was such as all went to wrecke In this heat king William tooke such a sicknesse which was likewise aggrauated by the fall of an horsse as he rode to and fro bicause he was not able to trauell on foot about his palace by reason of his disease that cost him his life so that when he had ordeined his last will and taken order for the staie of things after his decease he departed this life on the 9. day of September in the yeare after the birth of our Sauiour 1087. and 74. as Polydor saith of his age hauing gouerned Normandie about 51. yeres and reigned ouer England 20. yeares ten moneths and 28. daies as all writers doo report Not long before his death he released his brother Odo bishop of Bayeux out of prison Marchar earle of Northumberland and Wilnotus the sonne of king Harold or as some say his brother Moreouer he repented him as some say when he lay on his deathbed of his cruell dealing with the English considering that by them he had atteined to such honour and dignitie as to weare the crowne and scepter of a kingdome but whether he did so or not or that some moonke deuised the excuse in fauour of the prince surelie he was a puissant prince and though his time was troublesome yet he was right fortunate in all his attempts Againe if a man shall consider that in a strange realme he could make such a conquest and so exactlie and readilie assure the same to his heires with new lawes orders and constitutions which are like for euer to endure he would thinke it a thing altogither void of credit Yet so it was so honourable were his dooings in the sight of the world that those kings which succeeded sithens his death begin their account at him as from one that had by his prudence renewed the state of the realme and instituted an other forme of regiment in atchiuing whereof he did not so much pretend a rightfull challenge by the grant of his coosine king Edward the Confessor as by the law of armes and plaine conquest than the which as he supposed there could be no better title Herevpon also those that haue sithens succeeded him vse the same armes as peculiar to the crowne of England which he vsed in his time namelie three line 10 liâns passant gold in a field gewels as Polydor writeth the three floure delices were since that time annexed thereto by Edward the third by reason of his claime to the crowne of France whereof hereafter ye shall heare Among other greeuances which the English susteined by the hard deling of the Conquerour this is to be remembrd that he brought Iewes into this land from Rouen and appointed them a place to inhabit and occupie There be that write how the inconstancie of the line 20 English people by their oft rebellions occasioned the king to be so rough and rigorous against them wheras of his naturall disposition and proper inclination he was rather gentle and courteous than sharpe and cruell But sith he continued his extremitie euen to his last daies we may rather beléeue that although from his childhood he shewed some tokens of clemencie bountie and liberalitie yet by following the wars and practising to reigne with sternenesse he became so inured therewith that those peaceable vertues line 30 were quite altered in him and in maner clearelie quenched He was indued with a certeine stoutnesse of courage and skill in feats of warre which good hap euer followed he was frée from lecherous lusts without suspicion of bodilie vices quicke of wit desirous of
blow at his head chanced to light vpon the arme of a clerke named Edward of Cambridge who cast vp his arme to saue the archbishop but when he was not able to beare the weight of the blow he plucked his arme backe and so the stroke staied vpon the archbishops head in such wise that the bloud ran downe by his face Then they stroke at him one after an other and though he fell to the ground at the second blow yet they left him not till they had cut and pashed out his braines and dashed them about vpon the church pauement All this being doone they rifled his house spoiled his goods and tooke them to their owne vses supposing it lawfull for them being the kings seruants so to doo But doubting how the matter would be taken after they had wrought their feat they got them into the bishoprike of Duresme there to remaine till they might heare how the king would take this their vnlawfull enterprise though as they alledged they had lustilie defended his cause and reuenged his quarell as faithfull seruants ought to doo Howbeit it chanced otherwise than they looked it should haue doone for king Henrie gaue them so litle thankes for their presumptuous act sounding to the euill example of other in breach of his lawes that they despairing vtterlie of pardon fled one into one place and another into another so that within foure yeares they all died an euill death as it hath béene reported Some write that they went to Rome by the kings commandement and there presented themselues before the pope to receiue such penance for their wicked act as he should enioine them Herevpon the pope appointed them to go vnto Ierusalem there to doo their penance where they remained certeine yeares applieng themselues verie diligentlie to performe the satisfaction of their offense according to the maner prescribed to them by the pope and so at length died This was the end of Thomas Becket archbishop of Canturburie which was after he had entred into that see eight yeares and six moneths year 1171 in the yeare after the birth of our Lord 1171. On Christmas day before his death which fell that yeare on the fridaie he preached a sermon to the people and when he had made an end thereof he accurssed Nigell de Sackeuille the violent incumbent of the church of Berges and Robert de Broc both which had vpon spite curtailed the horsse of the said archbishop and as the same day whilest he was at the altar according to his custome altogither in teares and lamenâation so at dinner he shewed himselfe verie pleasant merrie insomuch that when those that were at the table séemed somewhat doubtfull to eat of the flesh that was set before them bicause it was friday Why doo ye abhorre saith he to eat flesh This day flesh hath a great priuilege for this same day the word was made flesh and came into light and appeared vnto vs. These his words greatlie contented all the companie ¶ Thus you haue heard the tragicall discourse of ambitious Becket a man of meane parentage and yet through the princes fauour verie fortunate if he had not abused the beneuolence of so gratious a souereigne line 10 by his insolencie and presumption Wherein we haue to note how vnseemelie a thing it was for him being called to so sacred a function to lead so secular and prophane a life as if he had professed open hostilitie to the vocation which he pretended to honour and reuerence We are also taught that promotions atchiued by ambition are not permanent and are so farre from procuring fame and renowne to the obteiners that they turne them in the end to shame infamie and reproch after losse of life and effusion line 20 of bloud The issue of all which tragedie is to be imputed to the prouidence and counsell of almightie God as one writeth verie agréeablie to this purpose saieng Nam facile extolliâ facilè elatúmque refraenat Et clarum obscurans obscuri nomen adauget Erigit miserum facilè extinguitque superbum Iuppiter altifremus cui celsum regia coelum But to let this matter passe King Henrie doubtlesse was right pensiue for his death bicause he wist line 30 well inough that it would be iudged that he himselfe was priuie to the thing and euen so came it to passe for immediatlie vpon notice giuen into France of the archbishops death king Lewes and Theobald the earle of Blois as they that loued him most deerelie were most sorowfull for it and iudging straightwaie that king Henrie was the procurer they wrote their letters vnto pope Alexander giuing him to vnderstand both of the slaughter and how king Henrie had caused it to be put in execution requiring most instantlie line 40 that such an iniurie doone to the Christian religion might spéedilie be punished The pope was much offended and determined to haue the matter throughlie considered and ordered so as might stand with his dignitie and accordinglie as the hainous state of the case required King Henrie whilest these things were a dooing lay certein daies at Argenton so much displeased in his mind that he would suffer no man once to speake to him about any maner of businesse line 50 At length he sent his ambassadors to Rome partlie to purge himselfe of the archbishops death partlie to excuse his fault for that in his furie he had vttered words against the archbishop which had giuen occasion to naughtie men to contriue his death partlie to require the pope to send his legats into England to make inquirie both for the death of the archbishop and also of the state of the clergie The kings ambassadors found the pope at Tiuoli and there were heard to declare their message but little credit line 60 was giuen to their words in so much that the pope plainelie told them that he vnderstood the matter to be much otherwise than they had declared Yet according to the kings request he sent two of his cardinals into England which vpon due examination might vnderstand the truth of the matter thoroughlie as apperteined There be that write that the king sent ambassadours twice vnto the pope for the first that went could not come to his presence nor be suffered to declare their message those that were sent the second time were receiued of some of the cardinals but yet onelie with words without anie other way of freendlie interteinement At length when the feast of Easter drew néere on the which either absolution or excommunication was to be denounced against euerie man there were certeine of the cardinals which gaue intelligence to the English ambassadours that the pope by aduice of the colledge meant on the thursdaie before Easter daie to declare the sentence of interdiction against the king of England and against all his dominions and to confirme that which had beene alreadie pronounced against Richard the archbishop of Yorke and the
demanded also to haue the castell of Lincolne deliuered into his hands which Gerard refused to deliuer and perceiuing that the chancellor would practise to haue it by force he fled vnto earle Iohn requiring him of competent aid and succour The chancellor on the other part perceiuing what hatred diuerse of the Nobles bare him thought good to prouide for his owne suertie the best that he could and therefore sent for a power of men from beyond the sea but bicause he thought it too long to staie till they arriued he came to Lincolne with such power as he could make and besieged the castell Erle Iohn the kings brother aduertised hereof raised such numbers of men as he might make of his freends seruants and tenants and with small a doo wan the castels of Notingham and Tickhill within two daies space This doone he sent to the lord chancellour commanding him either to breake vp his siege or else to prepare for battell The chancellour considering with himselfe that there was small trust to be put in diuerse of those lords that were with him bearing good will to earle Iohn and but hollow harts towards him raised his siege and departed with dishonour Not long after one of his hornes was broken off by the death of pope Clement whereby his power legantine ceased wherewith being somewhat abashed he came to a communication with earle Iohn and vpon certeine conditions made peace with him Shortlie after the souldiers which he had sent for arriued in England and then he began to go from the agréement made with earle Iohn affirming that he would either driue the same earle out of England or else should earle Iohn doo the like to him for it was not of sufficient largenesse to hold them both Howbeit shortlie after a peace was eftsoones concluded betwixt them with condition that if it chanced king Richard to depart this life before his returne into England not leauing any issue of his bodie begotten that then the chancellour renouncing the ordinance made by king Richard who had instituted his nephue Arthur duke of Britaine to be his heire and successour should consent to admit earle Iohn for king of England contrarie to the said ordinance But in the meane time it was agréed that earle Iohn should deliuer vp the castels of Notingham and Tickhill Notingham to the hands of William Marshall and Tickhill to the hands of William Wendenall they to kéepe the fame vnto the vse and behoofe of king Richard that vpon his returne he might doâ with them as should please him prouided that if it so chanced that he should die before he âoâld returne from his voiage or that the chancellour went from the agréement now taken then immediatlie should the foresaâd castels of Notingham and line 10 Tickhill be restored vnto earle Iohn Moreouer âhe other castels of such honours as were assigned to each Iohn by the king his brother were committed vnto the custodie of certeine persons of great trust and loialtie as the castell of Wallingford to the archbishop of Rouen the castell of Bristow to the bishop of Lincâlne the castell of the Peake to the bishop of Couentrie the castell of Bolesofres vnto Richard de Peake or if he refused then should the bishop of Couentrie haue it in keeping line 20 the castell of Eie was committed to Walter Fitz Robert the castell of Herford to Roger Bigot and to Richard Reuell the castell of Excester and Launston These persons to whom these castels were thus committed to be kept receiued also an oth that they should faithfullie kéepe them to the kings behoofe and if he chanced to die before he should returne then the same should be deliuered vnto earle Iohns hands Also there were three castels that perteined to the crowne deliuered likewise in trust as line 30 the castell of Windsor vnto the earle of Arundell the castell of Winchester vnto Gilbert de Lacie and the castell of Northampton vnto Simon de Pateshull It was also agréed that bishops abbats earles and barons valuasors and freeholders should not be disseized of their lands goods or cattels otherwise than by order of the iustices or officers of the king so that they should be iudged in the kings courts according to the lawfull customes and ordinances of the line 40 realme and likewise that earle Iohn should cause the same orders to be obserued through all his lands Prouided that if any man attempted to doo otherwise vpon support or maintenance of earle Iohn he should stand to be reformed by the archbishop of Rouen if he chanced then to be in England and by the kings iustices and by those that had sworne to obserue this peace and also earle Iohn himselfe at their request should see such reformation to be had Moreouer it was agréed that all those castels that line 50 had bin built or begun to be builded since the kings passage ouer towards his iournie should be razed and no new made or fortified till his returne except in manours perteining to the kings demaine if need required or by his speciall commandement either by letters or sufficient messengerrs That the shiriffewike of Lincolne which the lord chancellour had assigned vnto William de Stuteuille should be restored to Gerard de Camuille who had a daie appointed him to appéere in the kings court to heare line 60 what might be laid against him and if such matter could be prooued for the which he ought to loose the said shiriffewike and the castell of Lincolne then he should depart from them by the iudgement of the court or else not Neither should earle Iohn mainteine him against the iudgement of that court nor should receiue any outlawes or such as were notoriouslie knowen for enimies to the king and so named nor should suffer them to be receiued within the precinct of his liberties To hold mainteine and obserue this peace the said earle and chancellour sware in the hand of the archbishop of Rouen with seuen barons on either part On the part of earle Iohn these were the ãâ¦ã Notingham and Tickhill be restored vnto earle Iohn notwithstanding what soeuer the king should command touching the same Thus was the peace concluded eftsoones betwixt earle Iohn and the chancellour In this meane while Geâârey the elect archbishop of Yorke after long suit and manie delaies contriued speciallie by the chancellour obteined his pall being consecrated by the archbishop of Towrs by vertue of his buls obteined from pope Celestine The chancellour aduertised herof and vnderstanding that he meant to come shortlie into England to be installed was in a great chafe bicause that during the time of the vacation he had vsed the reuenues of that see at his pleasure and therefore now to forgo them he was nothing contented Herevpon he wrote his letters vnto Matthew de Clere shiriffe of Kent in this forme The lord chancellours letters to the shiriffe of Kent PRaecipimus tibi quòd si Ebâracen electus
vltra mare Richardum regem Angliae dominum de morte marchisi inculpent iuro per dominum qui regnat in line 60 aeternum per legem quam tenemus quòd in âius mortem nullam culpam habuit Est siquidem causa mortis ipsius marchisi talis Vnus ex fratribus nostris in vnam nauem de Satalei ad partes nostras veniebat tempestas illum fortè ad Tyrum appulit marchisus fecit illum capere occidere magnam pecuniam eius rapuit Nos verò marchiso nuncios nostros misimus mandantes vt pecuniam fratris nostrinobis redderet de morte fratris nostri nobiscum se concordaret noluit Nec non nuncios nostros spreuit mortem fratris nostri super Reginaldum dominum de Sidonis posuit nos tantùm fecimus per amicos nostros quod in veritate scimus quòd ille fecit illum occidere pecuniam rapere Et iterum alium nuncium nostrum nomine Edrisum misimus ad eum quem in mare mergere voluit sed amici nostri illum à Tyro festinanter fecerunt recedere qui ad nos peruenit ista nobis nunciauit Nos quoque ex illa hora marchisum desiderauimus occidere Túncque duos fratres misimus ad Tyrum qui eum apertè ferè coram omni populo Tyri occiderunt Haec ergò fuit causa mortis marchisi benè dicimus vobis in veritate quòd dominus Richardus rex Angliae in hac marchisi morte nullam culpam habuit Et qui propter hoc domino regi Angliae malum fecerunt iniustè fecerunt sine causa Sciatis pro certo quòd nullum hominem huius mundi pro mercede aliqua vel pecunia occidimus nisi priùs nobis malum fecerit Et sciatis quòd has liter as fecimus in domo nostra ad castellum nostrum Messiat in dimidio Septembri anno ab Alexandro 1505. The same in English VEtus de Monte to Lupold duke of Austrich sendeth greeting Where manie kings and princes beyond the seas blame Richard king of England of the marques his death I sweare by the lord that reigneth euerlastinglie and by the law which we hold that he was not in fault for his death For the verie cause of the marques his death was such as followeth One of our brethren in a ship of Satalie came towards our parties and chanced by tempest to be driuen vnto Tyre and the marques caused him to be taken and slaine and tooke a great portion of monie that he had in the ship with him Whervpon we sent our messengers to the marques commanding him to restore vnto vs the monie of our brother and to compound with vs for our said brothers death and he would not Moreouer he also contemned our messengers laid the fault of our brothers death vpon Reginald lord of Sidon and we did so much through our freends that we got full vnderstanding that the marques himselfe caused him to be slaine and tooke his monie And therefore we sent vnto him againe an other messenger named Edrisus whome he would haue drowned in the sea but our freends made such shift that they procured him to depart with speed from Tyre who returned to vs ãâã signified these things to vs for certeine And from that houre euer after we had a desire to slea the marques and so then we sent two of our brethren vnto Tyre who openlie in a manner in presence of all the people of Tyre slue him This therefore was the verie cause of the death of the marques we say to you in good sooth that the lord Richard king of England in this death of the marques was nothing culpable and they that haue doone anie displeasure vnto the king of England for this cause they haue doone it wrongfullie and without anie iust occasion Know ye for certeine that we doo not vse to kill anie man of this world for anie bribe or for monie except he haue doone to vs some harme afore time And know ye that we haue made these letters in our house at our castell of Messuat in the midst of September in the yeare from Alexander the great 1505. ¶ Thus we see how king Richard was cleared of that crime concerning the marques his death by the tenour of this letter And verelie it is most like that line 10 king Richard would haue béene loth to haue communicated his purpose vnto such a wicked kind of pagans as the Assassini were if he had pretended any such matter but rather would haue sought his reuenge by some other meanes Now therefore to our purpose The newes of the taking of king Richard was anon bruted and blowne ouer all Germanie wherevpon the emperour Henrie the sixt the sonne of Frederike the first year 1193 sent in all hast vnto the duke persuading line 20 him to deliuer the king into his hands being able to susteine and abide the malice of all them that would be offended with the taking and deteining of him prisoner as the pope and others The emperour well vnderstood the wealth and riches of England and therefore hoped to make some good purchase by ransoming the king if he might get him out of the dukes hands The duke perceiuing also the emperours meaning durst not well denie his request and therefore he deliuered the king vnto them that line 30 were sent from the emperour who couenanted to giue vnto the said duke the summe of 6000. pounds of Cullen weight for the hauing of the said king The emperour thus receiuing the king at the hands of the duke of Austrich commanded that he should be committed to close prison and would not doo so much as once speake with him This he did to cause the king vpon an indignation and wearinesse of that maner of life to make speed in offering some large masse of monie for his libertie deliuerance ¶ Thus line 40 we sée how couetousnesse infected the hearts of the mightie and what occasion the emperour and duke did take to inrich themselues by the meanes of the king whome they forced not to impouerish so their owne greedie worme were serued But this hath béene a disease not so generall as ancient according to his words that said Vix ego Saturno quenquam regnante videbam Cuius non animo dulcia lucra forent Here is to be remembred by the waie that about line 50 the same time or somewhat before in the yeare of our Lord 1192. the pope sent two legats namelie Octauian bishop of Hostia and Iordane de Fossa noua into Normandie to reconcile the bishop of Elie and the archbishop of Rouen but comming vnto Gisors they were staied from entring any further into the countrie wherevpon they did interdict the whole duchie of Normandie togither with William Fitz Radulfe lord steward of that countrie bicause he was the man that had so staied them
hauing prepared all things necessarie for defense manfullie repelled the Frenchmen who inforced themselues to win the towne with continuall assaults and alarms not suffering them within to rest neither day nor night who yet for certeine daies togither by the valiant incouragement of their capteine defended the towne with great slaughter of the Frenchmen Neuerthelesse at length beginning to despaire by reason of their incessant trauell certeine of them that were somewhat faintharted stale ouer the walles in the night and ran to the Frenchmen and for safegard of their liues instructed them of the whole estate of the towne The French vnderstanding that they within were in no small feare of themselues with such violence came vnto the walles and renewed the assault vpon all sides that streightwaies they entred by force A great number of Englishmen were taken and amongst other their capteine the foresaid Hubert de Burgh This chanced on the vigill of S. Iohn Baptist. After this king Philip tooke diuerse other townes and castels in that countrie of the which some he raced and some he fortified and stored with garisons of his souldiers This doone he passed ouer the riuer of Loir and wan a castell situat néere vnto a promontorie or head of land called Grapelitum which was woont to be a great succour aid to Englishmen arriuing on that coast The occasion why he made wars thus vpon the Britains was as some write for that Guie duke of Britaine who had married the duches Constance and succéeded in the duchie after hir son Arthur without regard to reuenge the death of the same Arthur was ioined in league with king Iohn togither with Sauere de Mauleon line 10 and Almerike de Lusignian lords of great honour power and stoutnesse of stomach King Iohn also in this meane while mooued with the increase of these his new associats and also with desire to reuenge so manie iniuries and losses susteined at the French kings hands preparing an armie of men and a nauie of ships tooke the sea with them and landed at Rochell the ninth of Iulie where he was receiued with great ioy and gladnesse of the line 20 people and no small number of gentlemen and others that inhabited thereabout repaired vnto him offering to aid him to the vttermost of their powers He therefore with assured hope of good spéed departed from thence and wan the towne of Montalban with a great part of all the countrie thereabouts Finallie he entred into Aniou and comming to the citie of Angiers appointed certeine bands of his footmen all hislight horssemen to compasse the towne about whilest he with the residue of the footmen line 30 all the men of armes did go to assault the gates Which enterprise with fire and sword he so manfullie executed that the gates being in a moment broken open the citie was entered and deliuered to the souldiers for a preie So that of the citizens some were taken some killed and the wals of the citie beaten flat to the ground This doone he went abroad into the countrie and put all things that were in his way to the like destruction Then came the people of the countries next adioining of their owne accord to line 40 submit themselues vnto him promising to aid him with men and vittels most plentifullie King Iohn being verie ioyfull of this good successe marched towards Poictou sending out his troops of horssemen to waste the countrie on euerie side In the meane while the French king being hereof aduertised came foorth with his armie readie furnished to resist king Iohn and by the way encountred with the duke of Britaine Sauerie de Mauleon and Almerike de Lusignian which had beene abroad line 50 to spoile the French kings countries But being now ouerset with the kings puissance they were taken and all their companie stripped out of their armour to their great confusion This mishap sore weakened the power and courage of king Iohn But the French king proud of the victorie kept on his iournie and approching néere vnto the place where king Iohn was as then lodged did cause his tents to be pitched downe for the first night and on the morrow after as one desirous of battell brought his line 60 armie into the fields ranged in good order and readie to fight The like did king Iohn so that with stout stomachs and eger minds they stood there in the field readie to trie the matter with dint of sword vpon sound of the warning-blast giuen by the trumpets Howbeit by the mediation of certeine graue personages as well of the spiritualtie as of the temporalâie which were in good estimation with both the princes a communication was appointed which tooke such effect that a truce was taken betwixt them for the terme of two yeares the prisoners on either side being released by waie of exchange and thus the wars ceased for that time Then king Philip returned into France and king Iohn into England where he landed at Portesmouth the 12 of December About this time came one Iohn Ferentino so called peraduenture A ferends a common name to all the whelps of that litter for they neuer came into the land as legats but they would be sure to carrie out with them manie large legacies and vsurped duties a legat from the pope into England and passing through the same as it were in visitation gathered a great summe of monie and finallie at Reading on the morow after saint Lukes day celebrated a councell which being ended he caused his coffers to be packed vp and sent awaie hasting himselfe after to depart the realme and so taking the sea bad England farewell About the same season also pope Innocent confirmed the authoritie and power which the prior and moonks of Canturburie had to elect and choose the archbishop of that see giuing sentence against the suffragans which claimed a right to be ioined with the said prior and moonks in the election as by a letter directed to the same suffragans from the said pope it may more plainelie appeare After this it chanced that king Iohn remembring himselfe of the destruction of the citie of Angiers which bicause he was descended from thence he had before time greatlie loued began now to repent him in that he had destroied it and therefore with all spéed he tooke order to haue it againe repaired which was doone in most beautifull wife to his great cost and expenses which he might haue saued had not his foolish rashnesse driuen him to attempt that whereof vpon sober aduisement afterwards he was ashamed But what will not an ordinarie man doo in the full tide of his furie much more princes great men whose anger is resembled to the roring of a lion euen vpon light occasions oftentimes to satisfie their vnbrideled and brainesicke affections which carrie them with a swift and full streame into such follies and dotages as are vndecent for their
and that all vniust lawes and ordinances should be abrogated line 30 It was also commanded that no shiriffe nor forrester nor other minister of the kings should vpon paine of life and limme take violentlie anie thing of any man by waie of extortion nor presume to wrong anie man or to fine anie man as they had afore time béene accustomed to doo After this the king being come backe from his iournie which he purposed to haue made into Poictow assembled an armie and ment to haue gone line 40 against those lords which had refused to go with him but the archbishop of Canturburie comming to him at Northampton sought to appease his mood and to cause him to staie but yet in his furious rage he went forward till he came to Notingham and there with much adoo the archbishop following him with threatning to excommunicate all those that should aid him procured him to leaue off his enterprise Then the archbishop about the fiue and twentith day of August came to London there to take aduise line 50 for the reformation of things touching the good gouernement of the common-wealth But here whilest the archbishop with other péeres of the realme deuised orders verie necessarie as was thought for the state of the common-wealth the king doubting least the same should be a bridle for him to restreine his authoritie roiall from dooing things to his pleasure he began to find fault and séemed as though he had repented himselfe of his large promises made for his reconciliation but the archbishop of Canturburie line 60 so asswaged his mood and persuaded him by opening vnto him what danger would insue both to him and to his realme if he went from the agreement that he was glad to be quiet for feare of further trouble In this hurlie burlie also the lords and péeres of the realme by the setting on of the archbishop were earnestlie bent to haue the king to restore and confirme the grant which his grandfather king Henrie the first had by his charter granted and confirmed to his subiects which to doo king Iohn thought greatlie preiudiciall to his roiall estate and dignitie The earle of Tholouse hauing lost all his possessions the citie of Tholouse onelie excepted came ouer into England rendred the said citie into the hands of king Iohn and receiued at his departure the summe of ten thousand marks as was reported by the bountifull gift of king Iohn Upon the second of October Geffrey Fitz Peter earle of Essex and lord cheefe iustice of England departed this life a man of great power and autoritie in whose politike direction and gouernement the order of things perteining to the common-wealth chéefelie consisted He was of a noble mind expert in knowledge of the lawes of the land rich in possessions and ioined in blood or affinitie with the more part of all the Nobles of the realme so that his death was no small losse to the commonwelth for through him and the archbishop Hubert the king was oftentimes reuoked from such wilfull purposes as now and then he was determined to haue put in practise in so much that the king as was reported but how trulie I cannot tell séemed to reioise for his death bicause he might now worke his will without anie to controll him The same time to wit about the feast of saint Michaell came Nicholas the cardinall of Tusculane into England sent from the pope to take awaie the interdiction if the king would stand to that agreement which he had made and promised by his oth to performe King Iohn receiued this cardinall in most honorable wise and gladlie heard him in all things that he had to saie This legat at his comming to Westminster deposed the abbat of that place named William from his roome for that he was accused both of wasting the reuenues of the house and also of notable incontinencie Moreouer the burgesses of the towne of Oxford came vnto him to obteine absolution of their offense in that through their presumption the thrée schollers of whom ye haue heard before were hanged there to the great terror of all the residue To be short they were absolued and penance inioined them that they should strip them out of their apparell at euerie church in the towne and going barefooted with scourges in their hands they should require the benefit of absolution of euerie parish preest within their towne saieng the psalme of Miserere After this the said cardinall called a councell or conuocation of the cleargie to reforme such things touching the state of the church as should be thought requisite And though he handled not this matter with such fauour and vprightnesse as the bishops wished on their behalfes yet he caused king Iohn to restore the most part of all those goods that remained vnspent and also the value of halfe of those that were consumed and made awaie vnto those persons as well spirituall as temporall from whom they had béene taken in time of the discord betwixt him and the pope But before all things could be thus quieted and set in order betwixt the king and the bishops manie méetings were had as at London Reading Wallingford and in other places Now the archbishop and prelates for their parts thought this recompense to be but small in respect of the great losses and hinderances which they had susteined and to haue the whole restitution delaied they tooke it not well Howbeit the cardinall leaned so to the kings side hauing receiued of him to the popes vse the charter of subiection of the realmes of England and Ireland now bulled with gold where at the first it was deliuered to Pandulph sealed onelie with wax But their suit came to little effect and in the end it fell out in such wise that their complaint was lesse regarded Moreouer the rating of the value which the king should restore vnto the archbishop and the other bishops was by agréement of the king and them togither appointed vnto foure barons indifferentlie chosen betwixt them At length notwithstanding that deuise tooke no place for it was otherwise decréed by the pope that the king should restore to them the summe of fortie thousand marks of the which he had paid alreadie twelue thousand before the returne of the said archbishop and bishops into the realme and fifteene thousand more at the late meeting had betwixt them at Reading so that there remained onelie 13000 behind for not onelie the king but also the cardinall had sent to the pope requiring him to take direction in the matter and to aduertise him that there was a line 10 great fault in the archbishop and his fellowes In so much that Pandulph which was sent to him from the legat declared in fauour of the king that there was not a more humble and modest prince to be found than king Iohn and that the archbishop and his fellowes were too hard and shewed themselues too couetous in requiring the
discharged by Iohn Mansell one of the kings iustices afore whom and other the kings councell the inquisition was taken and then was the custodie of the citie assigned vnto the constable of the tower and in place of the shiriffes were appointed Michaell Tonie and Iohn Audrian At length the maior shiriffes and Aldermen that were accused perceiuing the kings displeasure towards them submitted themselues wholie to his mercie sauing to them and to all other the citizens their liberties franchises and so in the excheker chamber at Westminster afore the king there sitting in iudgement vpon the matter they were condemned to paie their fines for their offenses committed and further euerie of them discharged of his ward and office Shortlie after was William Fitz Richard by the kings commandement made maior and Thomas Fitz Thomas and William Grapisgate shiriffes The archbishop of Yorke was accurssed by the popes commandement through all England with booke bell and candle that by such terror his constancie might he weakened But the archbishop saith Matthew Paris informed by the example of Thomas Becket and by the example and doctrine of saint Edmund sometime his instructor and also taught by the faithfulnesse of blessed Robert late bishop of Lincolne despaired not of comfort from heauen in bearing patientlie the popes tyrannie neither would he bestow the wealthie reuenues of his church vpon Italians being vnworthie persons and strangers neither would he obeie and incline to the popes will like a faint-harted person by leaning and setting apart the rigor of the law least therby he might séeme to result from his pastorlike office and animate the woolfe of Rome to breake into the shéepfold of the church whose purpose was to sucke the verie bloud quite and cleane out of euerie veine yea to bite out bowels and all Which qualitie to rest in him wofull experience hath taught and the testimonie of written verities hath shewed among which this one for the truth thereof is worthie to be reported euen to the praise of the deuiser for his prettie deuise therein comprised and here set downe as fit for the purpose Non pontifex sed potifex Non potifex sed panifex Non panifex sed carnifex Est papa pater pontifex About âhe beginning of the two and fortith yeare of king Henries reigne the lord Iames Audelie that had béene ouer with the king of Almaine and was latelie returned home in companie of the lord Henrie sonne to the said king who came backe from his father about the feast of saint Michaell last past vnderstanding how the Welshmen in his absence had burnt wasted and destroied his lands possessions and castels which belonged vnto him in the confines of Wales he meant to be reuenged of those iniuries and inuading them he slue a great number of them so reuenging the death of those his freends seruants and tenants whome they before had murthered The Welshmen were not so discouraged herewith but that they brake vpon him out of their starting-holes and places of refuge through the marishes and slaieng their enimies horsses put them backe to their power ceassed not to doo what mischeefe they could line 10 by spoiling killing and burning houses and castels where they might come vnto them and so the realme of England was dailie put to losses hinderances For out of Wales England was accustomed to be furnished with horsses cattell and other things to the great profit of both the countries About the same time there was an ambassage sent from the king of England to the French king by the bishop of Worcester the elect of Winchester the abbat of Westminster the earle of Leicester Hugh Bigod earle line 20 Marshall with Peter de Sauoy and Robert Walcron The effect of their message was to require restitution of those countries lands cities and townes which had bene euicted out of the hands of king Iohn and others apperteining by right of inheritance to the king of England These lords did their message but as was thought they had no towardlie answer but rather were put off with trifling words scornefull âawnts so that they returned shortlie againe all of them the abbat of Westminster onelie excepted line 30 who remained there behind for a fuller answer not ânelie to those requests exhibited on the part of the king of England but also on the behalfe of the king of Almaine The marshes towards Wales in this season were brought almost desert by reason of the continuall wars with the Welshmen for what with fire sword neither building nor liuing creature nor any other thing was spared that fire sword might bring to ruine line 40 In this yeare was an exceeding great dearth in so much that a quarter of wheat was sold at London for foure and twentie shillings whereas within two or thrée yeares before a quarter was sold at two shillings It had beene more déerer if great store had not come out of Almaine for in France and in Normandie it likewise failed year 1258 But there came fiftie great ships fraught with wheat and barlie with meale and bread out of Dutchland by the procurement of Richard king of Almaine which greatlie releeued the poore for proclamation was made and order line 50 taken by the king that none of the citizens of London should buy any of that graine to laie it vp in store whereby it might be sold at an higher price vnto the needie But though this prouision did much ease yet the want was great ouer all the realme For it was certeinelie affirmed that in three shires within the realme there was not found so much graine of that yeares growth as came ouer in those fiftie ships The proclamation was set foorth to restreine the Londoners from ingrossing vp that graine and not without cause for the wealthie citizens were euill spoken of in that season bicause in time of scarsitie they would either staie such ships as fraught with vittels were comming towards the citie and send them some other way foorth or else buy the whole that they might sell it by retaile at their plesure to the needie By means of this great dearth and scarsitie the common people were constreined to liue vpon hearbs roots and a great number of the poore people died through famine which is the most miserable calamitie that can betide mortall men and was well marked euen of the heathen but notablie by Ouid who making a description of famine setteth hir foorth in most ouglie and irkesome sort intending therby the dreadfulnes of that heauie plague saieng Quaesitámque famem lapidoso vidit in antro Vnguibus raris vellentem dentibus herbas Hirtus erat crinis caua lumina pallor in ore Labra incana situ scabrirubigine dentes Dura cutis per quam spectari viscera possent Ossa sub incuruis extabant arida lumbis Ventris erat pro ventre locus pendêre putares Pectus à spinae tantummodo
Culpepper knight at Windsor the lord Francis de Aldham baron and at Canturburie the lord Bartholomew de Badelismere and the lord Bartholomew de Ashbornham barons Also at Cardiffe in Wales sir William Fleming knight was executed diuerse were executed in their countries as sir Thomas Mandit and others But now touching the foresaid earle of Lancaster great strife rose afterwards amongst the people whether he ought to be reputed for a saint or no. Some held that he ought to be no lesse esteemed for that he did manie almesdéeds in his life time honored men of religion and mainteined a true quarell till his liues end Also his enimies continued not long after but came to euill end Others conceiued an other opinion of him alledging that he fauoured not his wife but liued in spouse-breach defiling a great number of damosels and gentlewomen If anie offended him he slue him shortlie after in his wrathfull mood Apostataes and other euill dooers he mainteined and would not suffer them to be punished by due order of law All his dooings he vsed to commit vnto one of his secretaries and tooke no heed himselfe thereof and as for the manner of his death he fled shamefullie in the fight and was taken and put to death against his will bicause he could not auoid it yet by reason of certeine miracles which were said to be doone néere the place both where he suffered and where he was buried caused manie to thinke he was a saint howbeit at length by the kings coÌmandement the church doores of the priorie where he was buried were shut and closed so that no man might be suffered to come to the toome to bring any offerings or to doo any other kind of deuotion to the same Also the hill where he suffered was kept by certeine Gascoines appointed by the lord Hugh Spenser the sonne then lieng at Pomfret to the end that no people should come and make their praiers there in worship of the said earle whome they tooke verelie for a martyr When the king had subdued the barons shortlie after about the feast of the Ascension of our lord he line 10 held a parlement at Yorke in which parlement the record and whole processe of the decree or iudgement concerning the disheriting of the Spensers ordeined by the lords in parlement assembled at London the last summer was now throughlie examined and for their errours therein found the same record and processe was cléerelie adnthilated and reuersed and the said Spensers were restored to all their lands and offices as before And in the same parlement the lord Hugh Spenser the father was made earle of line 20 Winchester and the lord Andrew de Herklie earle of Carleill Moreouer in the same parlement all such were disherited as had taken part with the earls of Lancaster Hereford except the lord Hugh Audelie the yoonger and a few other the which lord Hugh was pardoned bicause he had married the kings néece that was sister to Gilbert de Clare earle of Glocester which was slaine in Scotland at the battell of Bannockesborne as before is mentioned At this time also master Robert Baldocke a man line 30 euill beloued in the realme was made lord chancellour of England This Robert Baldocke and one Simon Reding were great fauourers of the Spensers and so likewise was the earle of Arundell wherby it may be thought that the Spensers did helpe to aduance them into the kings fauour so that they bare no small rule in the realme during the time that the same Spensers continued in prosperitie which for the terme of fiue yeares after that the foresaid barons as before is expressed were brought to line 40 confusion did woonderfullie increase and the quéene for that she gaue good and faithfull counsell was nothing regarded but by the Spensers meanes cléerelie worne out of the kings fauour Moreouer we find that in this parlement holden at Yorke the kings sonne Edward was made prince of Wales and duke of Aquitaine Also the king caused the ordinances made by the earles and barons to be examined by men of great knowledge and skill and such as were thought necessarie line 50 to be established he commanded that the same should be called statutes and not ordinances Beside a great subsidie granted to the king by the temporaltie the cleargie of all the prouince of Canturburie granted fiue pence of euerie marke and they of the prouince of Yorke foure pence Aimer earle of Penbroke being returned home from this parlement holden at Yorke was arrested by certeine knights sent with authoritie therevnto from the king who brought him backe to Yorke where at length thorough line 60 suit of certeine noble men he was vpon his oth taken to be a faithfull subiect and in consideration of a fine which he paied to the king set at libertie The occasion of his imprisonment came for that he was accused and detected to be a secret fauourer of the barons cause against the Spensers in time of the late troubles Moreouer shortlie after the king gathered the sixt penie of the temporall mens goods thorough England Ireland and Wales which had beene granted to him at the foresaid parlement holden at Yorke towards the defending of the realme against the Scots This taâ was not gathered without great murmur and grudge the realme being in such euill and miserable state as it then was ¶ This yeare also the sunne appeared to mans sight in colour like to bloud and so continued six houres to wit from seuen of the clocke in the morning of the last daie of October vntill one of the clocke in the afternoone of the same daie Here is to be noted that during the time whilest the ciuill warre was in hand betwixt king Edward and his barons the Scots and Frenchmen were not idle for the Scots wasted destroied the countrie of the bishoprike of Durham as before ye haue partlie heard the Frenchmen made roades incursions into the borders of Guien alledging that they did it vpon good and sufficient occasion for that king Edward had not doone his homage vnto the king of France as he ought to haue doone for the duchie of Aquitaine and the countie of Pontieu But the true occasion that mooued them to attempt the warres at that present was for that they were in hope to recouer all the lands which the king of England held within France cleerelie out of his hands for so much as they vnderstood the discord betwixt him and his barons and how infortunatlie he had sped against the Scots by reason whereof they iudged the time to serue most fitlie now for their purpose In the octaues of the natiuitie of saint Iohn Baptist Robert Bruce entring into England by Carleill kept on his waie through Cumberland Coupeland Kendall and so into Lancashire till he came to Preston in Andernesse which towne he burnt as he had doone
indictement and line 30 action of trespasse found there the same daie against the said Richard Draiton and others for a like disorder and riot by them committed on the thursday next after the feast of the Purification of our ladie in the same first yeare of this king at what time they did not onelie breake into the abbie and beat the abbats men but also tooke the abbat himselfe being then at home with certeine of his moonks kéeping both him and them as prisoners till the next daie that they were constreined to seale certeine writings line 40 And amongst other a charter in which it was conteined that the abbat and his conuent did grant vnto the inhabitants of the towne of Burie to be a corporation of themselues and to haue a common seale with a gild of merchants and aldermen also they were compelled to seale another charter wherein was conteined a grant to the said inhabitants that they should haue the custodie of the towne gates and likewise the wardship of all pupils and orphans within the same towne beside diuerse other liberties line 50 Moreouer they were in like manner constreined to seale thrée seuerall obligations in which the abbat and conuent were bound to the said inhabitants as to a communaltie of a corporation in seauen thousand pounds as in two thousand by one obligation and in two thousand by an other and in three thousand by the third obligation and further they were driuen to seale a letter of release of all trespasses and other things that might be demanded against the line 60 said inhabitants with a generall acquittance of all debts Beside this the said riotous persons tooke at the same time foorth of the abbie great riches as well in plate armor books apparell as in other things They also brake downe two houses or messuages that belonged to the abbeie and situate within the towne of Burie they also destroied his fish-ponds and tooke out such store of fish as they found in the same they cut downe also thréescore ashes there growing on the soile that belonged to the said abbat and did manie other great outrages and enormities so that it was found by the inquest that the abbat was damnified to the value of other fortie thousand pounds These riots may seeme gréeuous and verie strange but yet the same were not so heinouslie taken as an other which the said inhabitants of Burie attempted against the said abbeie in manner of a plaine commotion vpon saint Lukes day in the same yeare at what time as by the records of that abbeie it should appeare both the abbat and his house were in the kings speciall protection and the said inhabitants prohibited by his letters to attempt anie iniurie against him or his conuent But neuerthelesse we find that not onelie the inhabitants of Burie but also a great number of other misgouerned persons that resorted to them from places there about arraied and furnished with horsse armor and weapons after the manner of warre came and assaulted the abbeie gates set fire on them and burned them with diuerse other houses néere adioining that belonged to the abbeie and continued in that their riotous enterprise all that day and the night following The same night also they burnt a manor of the abbats called Holdernesse barne with two other manors called the Almoners barne and Haberdone also the granges that stood without the south gate and the manour of Westlie in which places they burned in corne graine to the value of a thousand pounds The next daie they entered into the abbeie court and burnt all the houses on the north side as stables brewhouses bakehouses garners and other such necessarie houses and conuenient roomes of offices and on the other side the court they burnt certeine houses belonging to the Almonrie On the next daie they burned the mote hall and Bradford hall with the new hall and diuerse chambers and sollers to the same halles annexed with the chapell of saint Laurence at the end of the hospitall hall Also the manor of Eldhall the manor of Horninger with all the corne and graine within and about the same The next day they burnt the soller of the Sollerer with a chapell there also the kitchin the larder and a part of the farmarie On the thursdaie they burnt the residue of the farmarie and the lodging called the blacke lodging with a chapell of S. Andrew therein In executing of all these riotous disorders one Geffrie Moreman was an aider who with diuerse other persons vnknowne departed foorth of the towne of Burie and by the assent of the other his complices he burnt the manor of Fornham The same day also other of their companie as William the sonne of Iames Neketon Rafe Grubbe Richard Kerie and a great number of other persons vnknowne by the assent and abbetment of the other that committed the said disorders burnt two manors belonging also to the said abbeie in great Berton with all the corne and graine there found Upon knowledge had of these great riots and perillous commotions there was a commission directed from the king vnto Thomas earle of Northfolke high marshall of England to Thomas Bardulfe Robert Morlie Peter Wedall Iohn Howard and Iohn Walkfare authorising them with the power of the countesse of Suffolke and Norffolke to apprehend trie and punish such lewd disordered persons and rebellious malefactors which had committed such felonious enterprises to the breach of the kings peace and dangerous disquieting of his subiects but the said commissioners procéeded not according to the effect of their commission in triall of anie felonies by the same persons committed and doone but onelie caused them to be indicted of trespasse albeit Robert Walkfare and Iohn Clauer with their associats iustices of peace in their sessions holden at Elueden the tuesdaie next after the feast of the apostles Simon and Iude in the said first yeare of this K. Edward the third procéeded in such wise against the said malefactors that Iohn de Berton cordwainer Robert Foxton and a great number of other were indicted of felonie for the misdemenours afore mentioned and the indictements so found were after sent and presented vnto Iohn Stonore Walter de Friskenie Robert Malberthorpe and Iohn Bousser who by vertue of the kings commission of oier and determiner to them directed sat at S. Edmundsburie the wednesdaie next after the feast of saint line 10 Lucie the virgine and then and there sent foorth precepts to the shiriffe commanding him to apprehend the said Berton Foxton and others that were indicted of the foresaid felonies and also to returne a sufficient iurie to trie vpon their arreignment the said malefactors by order of law the fridaie next after the said feast of S. Lucie Herevpon Alane de Latoner and Robert Dalling with seauenteene others being arreigned were found guiltie and suffered death according to the order appointed for felons line 20 One Adam Miniot stood mute and refused
second found means by intelligence had with sir William de Eland constable of the castell of Notingham to take the said earle of March with his sonne the lord Roger or Geffrey Mortimer and sir Simon Bereford with other Sir Hugh Trumpington or Turrington as line 10 some copies haue that was one of his chéefest fréends with certeine other were slaine as they were about to resist against the lord Montacute and his companie in taking of the said earle The manner of his taking I passe ouer bicause of the diuersitie in report thereof by sundrie writers From Notingham he was sent vp to London with his sonne the lord Roger or Geffrey de Mortimer sir Simon Bereford and the other prisoners where they were committed to prison in the tower Shortlie after was a parlement line 20 called at Westminster chéefelie as was thought for reformation of things disordered through the misgouernance of the earle of March But whosoeuer was glad or sorie for the trouble of the said earle suerlie the queene mother tooke it most heauilie aboue all other as she that loued him more as the fame went than stood well with hir honour For as some write she was found to be with child by him They kept as it were house togither for the earle to haue his prouision the better cheape laid his penie line 30 with hirs so that hir takers serued him as well as they did hir both of vittels cariages Of which mis-vsage all regard to honour and estimation neglected euerie subiect spake shame For their manner of dealing tending to such euill purposes as they continuallie thought vpon could not be secret from the eies of the people And their offense héerein was so much the more heinous bicause they were persons of an extraordinarie degree and were the more narrowlie marked of the multitude or common people line 40 nam lux altissima fati Occultum nil esse sinit latebrásque per omnes Intrat obtrusos explorat fama recessus But now in this parlement holden at Westminster he was attainted of high treason expressed in fiue articles as in effect followeth 1 First he was charged that he had procured Edward of Carnaruan the kings father to be murthered in most heinous and tyrannous maner within the castell of Berklie 2 Secondlie that the Scots at Stanop parke line 50 through his means escaped 3 Thirdlie that he receiued at the hands of the lord Iames Dowglas at that time generall of the Scots great summes of monie to execute that treason and further to conclude the peace vpon such dishonorable couenants as was accorded with the Scots at the parlement of Northampton 4 Fourthlie that he had got into his hands a great part of the kings treasure and had wasted and line 60 consumed it 5 Fiftlie that he had impropried vnto him diuers wards that belonged vnto the king and had béene more priuie with queene Isabell the kings mother than stood either with Gods law or the kings pleasure These articles with other being prooued against him he was adiudged by authoritie of the parlement to suffer death and according therevnto vpon saint Andrewes eeuen next insuing he was at London drawne and hanged at the common place of execution called in those daies The elmes now Tiborne as in some bookes we find His bodie remained two daies and two nights on the gallowes and after taken downe was deliuered to the friers minors who buried him in their church the morrow after he was deliuered to them with great pompe and funerall exequies although afterwards he was taken vp and carried vnto Wigmore whereof he was lord He came not to his answer in iudgement no more than any other of the nobilitie had doone since the death of Thomas earle of Lancaster Sir Simon de Bereford knight that had béene one of the kings iustices was drawne also and hanged at London vpon S. Lucies daie In this parlement holden at Westminster the king tooke into his hand by aduise of the states there assembled all the possessions lands and reuenues that belonged to the quéene his mother she hauing assigned to hir a thousand pounds by yeare for the maintenance of hir estate being appointed to remaine in a certeine place and not to go elsewhere abroad yet the king to comfort hir would lightlie euerie yeare once come to visit hir ¶ After that the erle of March was executed as yée haue heard diuerse noble men that were departed the realme bicause they could not abide the pride and presumption of the said earle now returned as the sonne and heire of the earle of Arundell the lord Thomas Wake the L. Henrie Beaumont sir Thomas de Rosselin sir Foulke fitz Warren sir Griffin de la Poole and diuerse other In the fift yeare of K. Edwards reigne Edward Balioll came foorth of France into England and obteined such fauour through the assistance of the lord Henrie Beaumont the lord Dauid of Strabogie earle of Athole the lord Geffrey de Mowbraie the lord Walter Cumin and others that king Edward granted him licence to make his prouision in England to passe into Scotland with an armie of men to attempt the recouerie of his right to the crowne of Scotland with condition that if he recouered it he should acknowledge to hold it of the king of England as superiour lord of Scotland The comming awaie of Edward Balioll out of France is diuerslie reported by writers some saie that he was aided by the French king whose sister he had married and other saie that he being in prison in France for the escape of an Englishman one Iohn Barnabie esquier which had slaine a Frenchman by chance of quarelling in the towne of Dampierre where the same Barnabie dwelled with the said Edward Balioll so it came to passe that the lord Henrie Beaumont hauing occasion of businesse with the French king that fauoured him well came ouer to France and there vnderstanding of Baliols imprisonment procured his deliuerance and brought him ouer into England and caused him to remaine in secret wise at the manor of Sandhall vpon Ouse in Yorkeshire with the ladie Uesciâ till he had purchased the kings grant for him to make his prouision of men of war and ships within the English dominions In the sixt yeare of king Edwards reigne Reignold earle of Gelderland married the ladie Elianor sister to this king Edward the third who gaue vnto the said earle with hir for hir portion fifteene thousand pounds sterling ¶ Isabell the kings daughter was borne also this yeare at Woodstoke ¶ After that Edward Balioll had prepared and made readie his purueiances for his iournie and that his men of warre were assembled and come togither being in all not past fiue hundred men of armes and about two thousand archers and other footmen he tooke the sea at Rauenspurgh in Yorkeshire and from thence directing his course northward he
within that if they would not send bread and wine foorth to vittell the host in that behalfe they would burne all their corne for doubt whereof the citizens sent foorth to the host six charets laden with as much bread and wine as they might carie Thus was their corne saued from destruction and the Englishmen by soft and easie iournies drew towards the citie of Trois in the which was the duke of Burgognie with the dukes of Burbon and Bar the earle of Ewe the lord Coucie sir Iohn de Uien high admerall of France and a great number of others of the French nobilitie They had made a bastide without the towne able to receiue a thousand men of armes but vpon the Englishmens approch to assault it they did forsake that strength and withdrew to the towne Sir Thomas Triuet was here made a baronet Also there were certeine new knights made as sir Peter Berton sir Iohn and sir Thomas Paulie or Paulet sir Iohn Stâugulie sir Thomas Dortingues sir Iohn Uassecoque sir Thomas Brasie sir Iohn Brauin sir Henrie Uernier sir Iohn Colenile sir William Euerat sir Nicholas Stiugulie and sir Hugh Lunit The English host perceiuing the Frenchmen to withdraw into the towne drew togither and stood in order of battell for the space of two houres and then returned to their lodgings The next day they remooued to Maillerois le vicount neere vnto Sens and there they remained two daies and after drew into Gastinois and so into Beause They were coasted all the waie by a great power of men of war as many or more in number as they were themselues But the French king being a politike prince wiselie considered what losses the realme of France had susteined afore time by giuing battell to the Englishmen and therefore was fullie resolued that in no wise he would giue licence to his people to fight with the earle of Buckingham but thought better as he had learned by good experience to keepe his townes close against his enimies and so in the end to wearie them than by giuing battell to put things in hazard whereas he knew they could not take from him his countries by this kind of warre though they sore in damaged the same for a time There chanced manie small skirmishes amongst those that rode foorth to discouer the countrie but no notable incounter at all For the Englishmen in those daies were cats not to be catched without mittens as Iacob Meir in one place saith againe the French men were as warie how they aduentured to come néere them peraduenture for feare as in the reigne of king Edward the 3 as C.O. noteth saieng Contra aciem magnam tremebundo corde Valesus In campum adiunctum vicina coeÌgerat arua Non tamen Angligânas aduersum est ausus aperto Tendere Marte feris confligere fortiter armis Onelie they sought how to inclose them vp in the countrie and to famish them that they might then fight with them at some great aduantage but still the English host passed forward holding on their voiage towards Britaine by Uandosme Pont Uolaine and so ouer the riuer of Sartre In this meane while the French king Charles the fift was taken with a sore sicknesse whereof he departed this life the same daie that the English armie passed ouer the riuer of Sartre which was on the six and twentith of September his brethren the dukes of Aniou Berrie Burbon and Burgognie were at Paris with him at the houre of his death where as a little before they had béene abroad in the countrie with their line 10 powers to defend the cities and townes of importance against the Englishmen and meant indeed if they could haue espied their aduantage and gotten licence thereto of the king to haue giuen their enimies battell But now they were otherwise occupied howbeit they had left their men abroad in the countrie to coast the Englishmen as they had doone before All the French power was assembled in the citie of Mans vnder the leading of the duke of Bar the lord Coucie and others line 20 In this meane while that the earle of Buckingham was passing through the realme of France the French and Spanish gallies did much mischéefe on the coast of England but about the latter end of Iune by a fléet of Englishmen of the west countries part of them were forced to retire and take harbour in an hauen in Ireland called Kingsale where being assailed of the Englishmen and Irishmen they were vanquished so that to the number of foure hundred of them were slaine and their chéefe capteins taken line 30 as Gonsalue de Uerse and his brother Iohn Martin de Motrigo Turgo lord of Morants also the lord of Reith Péers Martin of Uermew Iohn Modit of Uermew the seneshall of Wargarie the seneshall of S. Andrew Cornelis of S. Sebastiano Paschale de Biskey Iohn Martinis Sopogorge of S. Sebastiano and diuerse other There were taken foure of their barges with a ballenger and one and twentie English vessels recouered which they had robbed and taken awaie from line 40 their owners There scaped yet foure of their notable capteins froÌ the hands of our men Martin Grantz Iohn Peris Mantago Iohn Husce Gitario and one Garcias of S. Sebastiano so that the malice of those robbers ceased not For they with the French gallies still lieng on the seas when they espied anie aduantage would land their people and doo what mischeefe they could in taking preies and burning townes and villages although now and then they came short to their vessels againe losing sometimes line 50 an hundred sometimes fourescore that were ouertaken by the Englishmen that came foorth against them But among other inuasions which they made this summer on the coasts we find that they burnt the towne of Winchelsie put the abbat of Battell to flight with his people comming to succor that towne and tooke one of his moonks that was there in armor with the abbat ¶ Some write also that they burnt Rie Hastings and Portsmouth Finallie their boldnesse so farre increased that in August they entring line 60 with their gallies into the riuer of Thames came vp to Grauesend where they burnt the most part of the towne and on the other side of the riuer as well in Essex as Kent they burnt and spoiled diuerse places and with their prisoners and booties returned without receiuing anie hurt bringing with them to France both rich spoiles and good prisoners But to returne to the earle of Buckingham where we left The English armie drew still towards Britaine but with so small doubt of their aduersaries that they laie three or foure daies sometimes still in one place At their approching to the marches of Britaine they came to Uitrie a towne situate at the first entring into that countrie and from thence went to Chateau Briant and there rested whither came to them certeine knights
in warlike enterprises The first and principall was sir Hugh Caluerlie an old man of warre and one that in all places had borne himselfe both valiantlie and politikelie next line 40 vnto him was sir William Farington who stoutlie spake in the bishops cause when the matter came in question in the parlement house touching his going ouer with this croâsie Besides these there went diuerse noble men and knights of high renowme as the lord Henrie Beaumount sir William Elmham and sir Thomas Triuet sir Iohn Ferrers sir Hugh Spenser the bishops nephue by his brother sir Matthew Redman capteine of Berwike sir Nicholas Tarenson or Traicton sir William Farington and line 50 manie other of the English nation of Gascogne there went le sire de Chasteauneuf and his brother sir Iohn de Chasteauneuf Raimund de Marsen Guillonet de Paux Gariot Uighier Iohn de Cachitan and diuerse other Sir Iohn Beauchampe was appointed marshall of the field but bicause he was at that present in the marches of the realme towards Scotland he was not readie to passe ouer when the bishop did The duke of Lancaster liked not well of the bishops iournie for that he saw how his voiage line 60 that he meant to make into Spaine was hereby for the time disappointed and he could haue béene better contented as appeareth by writers to haue had the monie imploied vpon the warres against the king of Castile that was a Clementine than to haue it bestowed vpon this voiage which the bishop was to take in hand against the French king and other in these néerer parts Herevpon there were not manie of the nobilitie that offered to go with the bishop But to saie somewhat of other things that were concluded in this last parlement we find that the fishmongers which through meanes of the late lord maâor Iohn of Northampton and his complices were put from their ancient customes and liberties which they inioied aforetime within the citie were now restored to the same againe sauing that they might not kéepe courts among themselues as in times past they vsed but that after the maner of other crafts and companies all transgressions offenses and breaches of lawes and customes by them committed should be heard tried and reformed in the maiors court ¶ All this winter the matter touching the gathering of monie towards the croisie was earnestlie applied so that there was leuied what of the disme and by the deuotion of the people for obteining of the pardon so much as drew to the summe of fiue and twentie thousand franks When the bishop therefore had set things in good forwardnesse for his iournie he drew towards the sea side and was so desirous to passe ouer and to inuade his aduersaries that although the king sent to him an expresse commandement by letters to returne to the court that he might conferre with him before he tooke the seas yet excusing himselfe that the time would not then permit him to staie longer he passed ouer to Calis where he landed the 23 of Aprill in this sixt yeare of king Richards reigne The armie to attend him in this iournie rose to the number of two thousand horssemen and fifteene thousand footmen as some write though other speake of a far lesser number But it should seeme that they went not ouer all at one time but by parts as some before the bishop some with him and some after him Now when he and the capteins before named were come ouer to Calis they tooke counsell togither into what place they should make their first inuasion and bicause their commission was to make warre onelie against those that held with pope Clement the more part were of this mind that it should be most expedient for them to enter into France and to make warre against the Frenchmen whom all men knew to be chiefe mainteiners of the said Clement But the bishop of Norwich was of this opinion that they could not doo better than to inuade the countrie of Flanders bicause that a litle before earle Lewes hauing intelligence that king Richard had made a confederacie with them of Gaunt had on the other part expelled all Englishmen out of his dominions and countries so that the merchants which had their goods at Bruges and other places in Flanders susteined great losses Howbeit there were that replied against the bishops purpose herein as sir Hugh Caluerlie and others yet at length they yeelded thereto and so by his commandement they went streight to Grauelin the 21 day of Maie and immediatlie wan it by assault Whervpon Bruckburge was yeelded vnto them the liues and goods of them within saued Then went they to Dunkirke without any great resistance entred the towne and wan there excéeding much by the spoile for it was full of riches which the Englishmen pilfered at their pleasure The earle of Flanders lieng at Lisle was aduertised how the Englishmen were thus entered his countrie wherevpon he sent ambassadors vnto the English host to vnderstand why they made him warre that was a right Urbanist The bishop of Norwich for answer declared to them that were sent that he tooke the countrie to apperteine to the French king as he that had of late conquered it whom all the whole world knew to be a Clementine or at the least he was assured that the countrie thereabouts was of the inheritance of the ladie of Bar which likewise was a Clementine and therefore except the people of that countrie would come and ioine with him to go against such as were knowne to be enimies to pope Urbane he would suerlie séeke to destroie them And whereas the earls ambassadors required safe conduct to go into England by Calis to vnderstand the kings pleasure in this mater the bishop would grant them none at all wherefore they went backe againe to the earle their maister with that answer The Englishmen after the taking and spoiling of Dunkirke returned to Grauelin and Bruckburge which places they fortified and then leauing garrisons in them they went to Mardike and tooke it for it was not closed In the meane time the countriemen of west Flanders rose in armour and came line 10 to Dunkirke meaning to resist the Englishmen whereof when the bishop was certified with all spéed he marched thither and comming to the place where the Flemings to the number of more than twelue thousand were ranged without the towne he sent an herald vnto them to know the truth of whether pope they held but the rude people not vnderstanding what apperteined to the law of armes ran vpon the herald at his approching to them and slue him before he could begin to tell his tale The Englishmen herewith inflamed determined line 20 either to reuenge the death of their herald or to die for it and therewith ordered their battels readie to fight and being not aboue fiue thousand fighting men in all the bishop placed himselfe amongst
great seale was directed to the end that they might conueie the duke of Ireland in all safetie vnto the kings presence The shiriffe hauing receiued this commission togither with the foresaid Thomas Molineux raised a power and such as refused to serue in respect of such good will as they bare to the lords he committed to prison commanding the gailors to kéepe them streict in irons with bread and water till his returne Moreuer line 10 the king sent to sir Rafe Uernon sir Richard Ratcliffe willing them to assist the other And so thus they set forward with the number of fiue thousand men When the lords vnderstood that the duke of Ireland was marching towards London with such a power of men meaning to ioine with the Londoners and so to make as it had beene an inuincible armie they bestirred themselues and fell in hand to arme their men and to exhort one another that now they should not be negligent in their owne defense line 20 but make hast for the dispatching of those that craftilie had gone about to conspire their deaths And so these lords to wit the duke of Glocester the earles of Derbie Arundell Warwike and Notingham assembled their powers out of all quarters to incounter with the duke of Ireland and when they had got their companies togither they forelaied all the waies by which he was thought to come But the duke of Ireland hauing with him Molineux Uernon and Ratcliffe rode forward in statelie line 30 and glorious araie with an armie as ye haue heard of fiue thousand men supposing that none durst come foorth to withstand him Neuerthelesse when he came to Ratcote bridge not past foure miles from Cheping Norton which bridge if he could haue passed he had béene out of the danger of all enimies he suddenlie espied where the armie of the lords laie not far distant from him readie in the midst of a vallie to abide his comming Some of the earle of Derbies companie had broken the bridge so stopped his passage line 40 He therefore perceiuing his enimies intention staied and caused the kings banner to be spred and began to set a good countenance of the matter and to exhort his people to shew themselues valiant and herewith caused the trumpets to sound But when it appeared that as some were readie to fight in his quarell so there were other that quite forsooke him and said flatlie they would not fight against so manie noble men in so vniust a cause he being thereof aduertised began to wax faint-harted and to prepare line 50 himselfe to escape by flight and declaring no lesse openlie vnto them said Before we come to ioine I will séeke to withdraw my selfe out of the waie and saue my selfe if I can for me they onlie seeke against you they haue no quarell so that I being shifted awaie you shall easilie be preserued Herewith one of the knights said to him You haue brought vs out of our countrie you haue procured vs to giue you our promise you haue caused vs to take this iournie in hand here therefore are we readie to fight win the line 60 victorie with you if our hap be such or if fortune will not so fauour vs we are readie to spend our liues with you No said he ye shall not so doo and forthwith striking his horsse with spurs he fled from them for feare which had set wings on his héeles as one saith pedibus timor addidit alas Herevpon manie that were with him cursing this his demeanour prepared to yeeld themselues to the lords But Thomas Molineux determined to fight it out sith the lords were not yet all come togither to that place but onelie the earle of Derbie and certeine others Neuerthelesse after he had fought a while and perceiued it would not auaile him to tarie longer as one despairing of the victorie betooke him likewise to flight as the duke of Ireland had led him the waie and plunging into the riuer which was at hand it chanced that sir Thomas Mortimer being present amongst other at the same place willed him to come out of the water vnto him for if he would not he threatened to shoot him through with arrowes in the riuer where he stood If I come said Molineux will ye saue my life I will make thée no such promise said sir Thomas Mortimer but notwithstanding either come vp or thou shalt presentlie die for it Well then said Molineux if there be no other remedie suffer me to come vp and let me trie with hand-blowes either with you or some other and so die like a man But as he came vp the knight caught him by the helmet plucked it off his head streightwaies drawing foorth his dagger stroke him into the braines and so dispatched him This was the end of sir Thomas Molineux which through his bold and rash aduenture in a most dangerous and desperat case he pulled vpon himselfe and might as well haue auoided as incurred if the same prouident care of safetie had taken him in the head that mooued the duke of Ireland to take flight for his indemnitie wherein he séemed to remember that there is no safe attempting of any perilous enterprise without dread of danger for he that can tell when a thing is to be feared can tell in like sort when it is to be vndertaken as the wiseman verie sententiouslie saith Animus vereri qui scit scit tutò aggredi In the meane time the duke of Ireland as ye haue heard séeking to escape by flight came to the riuers side but finding the bridge broken he galoped till he found an other bridge where he found a number of archers readie to stop his passage When he saw that he was thus inclosed with his enimies on the one side and the riuer of Thames on the other he thought to put all in aduenture and casting awaie his gantlets and sword to be the more nimble gaue his horsse the spurres and lept into the riuer but missing the foord and not able to land with his horsse on the further side he forsooke him and swimming ouer so well as he might got to the banke and so escaped It was now night and therefore his enimies hauing no knowledge of the countrie followed him not but his horsse helmet curasses gantlets and sword being found it was thought verelie that he had béene drowned The next newes heard of him was that he had passed the seas and was got into Holland where he had no great freendlie welcome by reason that Albert duke of Bauiere who was lord of that countrie bare such good will to his coosins of England the dukes of Lancaster Yorke and Glocester that he commanded this duke of Ireland to depart foorth of his countrie as immediatlie therevpon he did from thence resorting to the bishoprike of Utreict and after into other countries till finallie he ended the course of his life as after in place conuenient shall
Gascoigne where he remained steward vntill the comming of Henrie the third at what time the said Henrie surrendered his office but the king importunate with him still to reteine the same he flatlie denied it and would no longer remaine there suddenlie returning into England without licence line 50 or knowledge of the king for which contempt the king greeuouslie incensed in reuenge and for satisfaction of the same made the same lands to be extended by Thomas Paslew and others who by the kings processe extended part thereof to a âreble value after which extent returned into the chancerie the king seized the manour of Bremesgraue Bolesoure Strattondale in Norton left in his hands the manours of Lierton Oswardbecke Cundoner Wourfeld and Wigutton whereof the said Henrie line 60 died seized Two yeares before which grant of the lands before said to this Henrie to wit in the twentith yeare of Henrie the third the said Henrie Hastings made his petition to serue in the pantrée as he was bound by tenure at the coronation of euerie prince the record whereof in the ancient written booke of the earls of Huntington is in these words following The record by which Henrie Hastings executed the office of the panteller VIcesimo Henr. tertij quo coronata fuit regina Elionara filia Hugonis comitis Prouinciae apud Westm. factae sunt contentiones magnae de seruitijs ministralibus de iuribus pertinentibus ad eorum ministeria sed respectuatur iuribus singulis saluis vt tumultus requiesceret vsque ad quindena Paschae sequeÌtis c. Et Henricus de Hastinges cuius officium seruiendi de mappis à veteri vendicauit officiuÌ illud habuit Nam quamuis Thurstanus vendicauit officium illud asserens suum esse debere à veteri tamen rex repulsat admisit Henricum de Hastinges ea die assignans eisdem diem de contentione finienda ad praedictum terminum Extractas verò post prandium mappas tanquam suas ad officium pertinentes recepit This Henrie had by Ada his wife his sonne heire Henrie Hastings from whome Buchanan dooth saie that Henrie Hastings now earle of Penbroke is descended whereof I will not now heere dispute Henrie Hastings knight sonne of Henrie after the death of his father finding himselfe greeued that the inheritance which should haue descended vnto him from his mother was so withholden from him for the offense of his father contrarie to law and iustice and without iudgement but by the kings power pursued a bill against the king therby to haue remedie and restitution for the supposed false returne of the extent which was made against his father and vpon the same bill this Henrie Hastings obteined a new writ to make a fresh extent directed to maister Thomas of Wimundham Robert de la Laie Robert de Solham Hugh Peeche Thomas de Braie to vnderstand if the remnant of the lands to him descended beside that by the king extended would counteruaile the value of such lands as he should haue by descent from and of the earle and earledome of Chester which maâter neuer being ended in his time was afterward prosecuted of the Hastings from parlement to parlement vntill the thirtie fourth yeare of Edward the first as more plainelie shall after appeare Of this Henrie Hollingshed intreateth much in the reigne of Henrie the third this man being he that in the time of Edward the first made title to the crowne of Scotland maried Ione one of the daughters of William Cantulpe lord of Aburgauenie in the right of Eua one of the daughters and heires of William Bewsa or Brewcusa for I find both written of which Ione this Henrie had issue Iohn Hastings his sonne and heire Edmund which maried Isabell had great possessions in Wales Ada first maried to Robert de Champane Lora maried to sir Thomas the sonne of sir Iohn de Latimer and Ione which was a nun at Notingham Iohn Hastings knight sonne of the last Henrie was borne at Asleghe in the yéere of our Lord 1262 and in the six fortith yeare of the reigne of Henrie the third This man after his fathers death did in the yeare of our Lord 1274 and the second yeare of the reigne of Edward the first being the kings ward demand the execution of his office of the pantrie at the coronation of queene Elianor wife to Edward the first but could not execute the same by reason of his nonage and also for that he was in ward to the said king After when he was growne to full yeares there arose in the yeare of our Lord 1305 and in the thirtie third yeare of the reigne of Edward the first great contention betweene Antonie Beake bishop of Durham this Iohn Hastings Iohn Balioll and Robert Bruse for the manors of Penrith Castlesoure Salgkill regis Lange Worthbie Carlaton and of Werkine Tinehale whereof Henrie king of Scots kinsman of the said Robert Bruse Iohn Balioll and Iohn Hastings whose heire they were died seized in his demesne of fee. In which sutes after manie delaies made and manie summons against the said bishop the plée went without daie bicause the bishop must go to Rome But after his returne the sute being reuiued and continued it went once more without daie bicause the king seized the same into his hands and held it all the time of his reigne These things thus doone and Edward the first departed this Iohn Hastings as yet not hastie to renew his sute of the land but rather to execute his right of the pantrie did in the first yeare of Edward the second demand the executing of that office line 10 at the coronation of the said Edward the second and Isabell his wife at Westminster which he obteined and laid the clothes and napkins in the great hall by him and other his knights one the tables whereat the king the quéene and other great states should dine which according as I haue seene noted was in this sort The order and number of clothes laied line 20 at the kings table and how Iohn Hastings had them for his fee. AD altam sedem ipsius regis tres mappas super alias mensas in eadem aula 28 mappas vnde quaelibet pecia continebat 4 in parua aula coram regina alibi in illa parua aula 14 quaruÌ quaelibet pecia continebat 3. Et dum fueruÌt ad comestum mappas per se suos custodiebat line 30 post comestum illas trahebat deferre faciebat seruientes ad seruiendum istas cum suis loquelis âabebat sine voluntate vel cum voluntate eas deâinebat per totum festum coronationis licèt petitae erant deliberatione primò à senescallo regis postea ab ipso rege per quod idem rex praecepit domino Willielmo Martin alijs senescallis suis quòd plenam celerem iusticiam ei facerent deliberationem de mappis praedictis
masse Now when she came to the words of the sacrament she line 50 cast hir selfe flat on hir face before the altar made not the sacrament but rising vp dispatched the rest of the masse euen to the verie end hir mother helping hir therein and dooing hir deuotion This errour a long time lasted till at last by a certeine neighbour that was secretlie called to such a masse it was told abroad and came to the bishops eares who causing them to appeare before him talked with them about that errour and compelled the yoong woman openlie to shew the priestlie shauing of hir haire whose head line 60 was found to be all bare and bald The bishop sighing and sorrieng that such an errour should happen in the church in his time made manie lamentations and hauing inioined them penance dispatched and sent them away Thus far Henrie Knighton It is not to be doubted but that in these daies manie of the female sex be medling in matters impertinent to their degrée and inconuenient for their knowledge debating scanning in their priuat conuenticles of such things as wherabout if they kept silence it were for their greater commendation presuming though not to celebrat a masse or to make a sacrament yet to vndertake some publike peece of sâruice incident to the ministerie whose ouer-sawâie rashnesse being bolstered and borne vp with abbettors not a few whether it be by ecclesiasticall discipline corrected I wot not but of the vniformed presbiterie I am sure it is lamented A certeine thing appeared in the likenesse of fier in manie parts of the realme of England now of one fashion now of another as it were euerie night but yet in diuerse places all Nouember and December This fierie apparition oftentimes when any bodie went alone it would go with him and would stand still when he stood still To some it appeared in the likenesse of a turning whéele burning to othersome round in the likenesse of a barrell flashing out flames of fier at the head to othersome in the likenesse of a long burning lance and so to diuerse folks at diuerse times and seasons it shewed it selfe in diuerse formes and fashions a great part of winter speciallie in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire and when manie went togither it approched not neere them but appeared to them as it were a far off In a parlement time there was a certeine head of war made by the art of necromancie as it was reported which head at an houre appointed to speake vttered these words following at thrée times and then ceassed to speake any more These be the words first The head shall be cut off secondlie The head shall be lift vp aloft thirdlie The feet shall be lift vp aloft aboue the head This happened in the time of that parlement which was called the mercilesse parlement not long before the parlement that was named the parlement which wrought woonders In Aprill there was séene a fierie dragon in manie places of England which dreadfull sight as it made manie a one amazed so it ministred occasion of mistrust to the minds of the maruellors that some great mischéefe was imminent whereof that burning apparition was a prognostication In this kings daies as saith Thomas Walsingham whose report bicause I am here dealing with certeine prodigious accidents importing some strange euents I am the more bold to interlace about the troublesome time when discord sprang betwéene the king and his youthlie companions with the duke of Lancaster in the moneth of Maie there happened a coniunction of the two greatest planets namelie Iupiter and Saturne after the which did follow a verie great commotion of kingdoms as in the processe of this historie may appeare The French king about this time summoned a conuocation of the French cleargie to decide and search out the power of the two popes which of them had fuller right and authoritie in S. Peters chaire for the schisme and diuision betwéene the two popes was not yet ended The French clergie wrote in the behalfe of Clement their pope coÌfirmed their script or writing with the vniuersitie seale of Paris Which writing Charles the French king sent ouer to Richard king of England that touching these doubts and difficulties he with the councell of his cleargie might deliberat Wherefore king Richard summoned a conuocation at Oxford of the lerneder diuines as well regents as not regents of the whole realme who wrote for and in the behalfe of Urbane their pope of Rome and confirmed their writing with the vniuersitie seale of Oxford sent it ouer sea to Paris vnto the French king But nothing was doone further in the premisses both popes vnder the shrowd or shelter of schisme preuailing betwéene them iustifieng these title interest This is the last record found in Henrie Knighton who for that which he hath doone touching chronographie hath written the blindnesse of the time wherein he liued and his order considered though not so well as the best yet not so ill as the woorst and whose collections if they were laid togither would affoord a large augmentation to maters of chronicle but O spite that so abruptlie he breaketh off and continueth his an âales no further than this yeare 1395. This yeere the Danes that laie rouing on the seas did much hurt to the English merchants taking and robbing manie English ships and âhen the hauen townes alongst âhe coasts of Northfolke made foorth a number of ships and ventured to fight with those pirats they were vanquished by the Danes so that line 10 manie were slaine and manie taken prisoners which were constreined to paie great ransoms The enimies also found in ransacking the English ships twentie thousand pounds which the English merchants had aboord with them to buy wares with in place whither they were bound to go ¶ In the same yeare William Courtneie archbishop of Canturburie hauing more regard to his owne priuat commoditie than to the discommoditie of others purchased a bull of the pope whereby he was authorised to leauie through his whole prouince foure pence of the line 20 pound of ecclesiasticall promotions as well in places exempt as not exempt no true nor lawfull cause being shewed or pretended why he ought so to doo and to see the execution of this bull put in practise the archbishop of Yorke and the bishop of London were named and appointed Manie that feared the censures of such high executioners chose rather to paie the monie foorthwith than to go to the law and be compelled happilie manger their good willes Some there were that appealed line 30 to the sée of Rome meaning to defend their cause and to procure that so vnlawfull an exaction might be reuoked Speciallie the prebendaries of Lincolne stood most stiffelie against those bishops but the death of the archbishop that chanced shortlie after made an end of those so passing great troubles This yeare Iohn Waltham bishop of Salisburie
Montacute earle of Salisburie Thomas lord Spenser and the lord William Scroope lord chamberleine In the meane time the king fearing what might be attempted against him by those that fauoured these noblemen that were in durance sent for a power of Cheshire men that might day and night keepe watch and ward about his person They were about two thousand archers paid wéekelie as by the annales of Britaine it appeareth The king had little trust in any of the nobilitie except in his brother the earle of Huntington and the earle of Rutland sonne to the duke of Yorke and in the earle of Salisburie in these onelie he reposed a confidence and not in any other except in certeine knights and gentlemen of his priuie chamber In the meane time whiles things were thus in broile before the beginning of the parlement diuers other beside them of whom we haue spoken were apprehended and put in sundrie prisons The parlement was summoned to begin at Westminster the 17 of September and writs therevpon directed to euerie of the lords to appeare and to bring with them a sufficient number of armed men and archers in their best arraiâ for it was not knowen how the dukes of Lancaster and Yorke would take the death of their brother nor how other péeres of the realme would take the apprehension and imprisonment of their kinsemen the earles of Arundell and Warwike and of the other prisoners Suerlie the two dukes when they heard that their brother was so suddenlie made awaie they wist not what to saie to the matter and began both to be sorowfull for his death and doubtfull of their owne states for sith they saw how the king abused by the counsell of euill men absteined not from such an heinous act they thought he line 10 would afterwards attempt greater misorders from time to time Therefore they assembled in all hast great numbers of their seruants fréends and tenants and comming to London were receiued into the citie For the Londoners were right sorie for the death of the duke of Glocester who had euer sought their fauour in somuch that now they would haue béene contented to haue ioined with the dukes in seeking reuenge of so noble a mans death procured and brought to passe without law or reason as the common line 20 brute then walked although peraduenture he was not as yet made awaie Here the dukes and other fell in counsell and manie things were proponed Some would that they shuld by force reuenge the duke of Glocesters death other thought it méet that the earles Marshall and Huntington and certeine others as chéefe authours of all the mischeefe should be pursued and punished for their demerites hauing trained vp the king in vice and euill customes euen from his youth But the line 30 dukes after their displeasure was somewhat asswaged determined to couer the stings of their griefes for a time and if the king would amend his maners to forget also the iniuries past In the meane time the king laie at Eltham and had got about him a great power namelie of those archers which he had sent for out of Cheshire in whome he put a singular trust more than in any other There went messengers betwixt him and the dukes which being men of honour did their indeuour line 40 to appease both parties The king discharged himselfe of blame for the duke of Glocesters death considering that he had gone about to breake the truce which he had taken with France and also stirred the people of the realme to rebellion and further had sought the destruction and losse of his life that was his souereigne lord and lawfull king Contrarilie the dukes affirmed that their brother was wrongfullie put to death hauing doone nothing worthie of death At length by the intercession and meanes of those noble line 50 men that went to and fro betwixt them they were accorded the king promised from thencefoorth to doo noâhing but by the assent of the dukes but he kept small promise in this behalfe as after well appeared When the time came that the parlement should be holden at Westminster according to the tenour of the summons the lords repaired thither furnished with great retinues both of armed men and archers as the earle of Derbie the earle Marshall the earle of Rutland the lord Spenser the earle of Northumberland line 60 with his sonne the lord Henrie Persie and the lord Thomas Persie the said earles brother also the lord Scroope treasuror of England diuerse other All the which earles and lords brought with them a great strong power euerie of them in their best araie as it were to strengthen the king against his enimies The dukes of Lancaster and Yorke were likewise there giuing their attendance on the king with like furniture of men of armes archers There was not halfe lodging sufficient within the citie suburbes of London for such coÌpanies of men as the lords brought with them to this parlement called the great parlement in somuâh that they were constreined to lie in villages abroad ten or twelue miles on ech side the citie In the beginning of this parlement the king greatlie complained of the misdemeanour of the péeres and lords of his realme as well for the things doone against his will and pleasure whiles he was yoong as for the streit dealing which they had shewed towards the quéene who was thrée houres at one time on hir knées before the earle of Arundell for one of hir esquiers named Iohn Caluerlie who neuerthelesse had his head smit froÌ his shoulders all the answer that she could get was this Madame praie for your selfe and your husband for that is best and let this sute alone Those that set foorth the kings greeuances as prolocutors in this parlement were these Iohn Bushie William Bagot and Thomas Gréene The king had caused a large house of timber to be made within the palace at Westminster which he was called an hall couered aboue head with tiles and was open at the ends that all men might see through it This house was of so great a compasse that scarse it might stand within the roome of the palace In this house was made an high throne for the king and a large place for all estates besides to sit in There were places also made for the appellants to stand on the one side and the defendants on the other and a like roome was made behind for the knights and burgesses of the parlement There was a place deuised for the speaker named sir Iohn Bushie a knight of Lincolneshire accompted to be an excéeding cruell man ambitious and couetous beyond measure Immediatlie after ech man being placed in his roome the cause of assembling that parlement was shewed as that the king had called it for reformation of diuerse transgressions and oppressions committed against the peace of his land by the duke of Glocester the earles
of other citizens Also the cleargie met him with procession and such ioy appeared in the countenances of the people vttering the same also with words as the like not lightlie beene séene For in euerie towne and village where he passed children reioised women clapped their hands and men cried out for ioy But to speake of the great numbers of people that flocked togither in the fields and stréets of London at his comming I here omit neither will I speake of the presents welcommings lauds and gratifications made to him by the citizens and communaltie But now to the purpose The next day after his comming to London the king from Westminster was had to the Tower and there committed to safe custodie Manie euill disposed persons assembling themselues togither in great numbers intended to haue met with him and to haue taken him from such as had the conueieng of him that they might haue slaine him But the maior and aldermen gathered to them the worshipfull commoners and graue citizens by whose policie and not without much adoo the other were reuoked from their euill purpose albeit before they might be pacified they coÌming to Westminster tooke maister Iohn Sclake deane of the kings chappell and from thence brought him to Newgate and there laid him fast in irons After this was a parlement called by the duke of Lancaster vsing the name of king Richard in the writs directed foorth to the lords and other states for their summons This parlement began the thirtéenth daie of September in the which manie heinous points of misgouernance and iniurious dealings in the administration of his kinglie office line 10 were laid to the charge of this noble prince king Richard the which to the end the commons might be persuaded that he was an vnprofitable prince to the common-wealth and worthie to be deposed were ingrossed vp in 33 solemne articles heinous to the eares of all men and to some almost incredible the verie effect of which articles here insue according to the copie which I haue séene and is abridged by maister Hall as followeth line 20 The articles obiected to king Richard whereby he was counted worthie to be deposed from his principalitie FIrst that king Richard wastfullie spent line 1 the treasure of the realme and had giuen the possessions of the crowne to men vnworthie by reason whereof new charges line 30 more and more were laid on the poore coÌmunaltie And where diuerse lords as well spirituall as temporall were appointed by the high court of parlement to commune and treat of diuerse matters concerning the common-wealth of the realme which being busie about the same commission he with other of his affinitie went about to impeach and by force and menacing compelled the iustices of the realme at Shrewesburie to condescend to his opinion for the destruction of the said lords in so much that he began line 40 to raise warre against Iohn duke of Lancaster Richard earle of Arundell Thomas earle of Warwike and other lords contrarie to his honor and promise 2 Item that he caused his vncâe the duke of Glocester to be arrested without law and sent him to Calis and there without iudgement murthered him and although the earle of Arundell vpon his arreignment pleaded his charter of pardon he could not be heard but was in most vile and shamefull manner line 50 suddenlie put to death 3 Item he assembled certeine Lancashire and Cheshire men to the intent to make warre on the same lords and suffered them to rob and pill without correction or repréeue 4 Item although the king flateringlie and with great dissimulation made proclamation through out the realme that the lords before named were not attached of anie crime of treason but onlie for extortions and oppressions doone in this realme yet he laid line 60 to them in the parlement rebellion and manifest treason 5 Item he hath compelled diuers of the said lords seruants and friends by menaces extreme pains to make great âânes to their vtter vndooing and notwithstanding his pardon yet he made them fine anew 6 Item were diuerse were appointed to commune of the state of the realme and the common-wealth thereof the same king caused all the rols and records to be kept from them contrarie to promise made in the parlement to his open dishonor 7 Item he vncharitablie commanded that no man vpon paine of losse of life and goods should once intreat him for the returne of Henrie now duke of Lancaster 8 Item where this realme is holden of God and not of the pope or other prince the said king Richard after he had obteined diuerse acts of parlement for his owne peculiar profit and pleasure then he obteined bulles and extreame censures from Rome to compell all men streightlie to kéepe the same contrarie to the honour and ancient priuileges of this realme 9 Item although the duke of Lancaster had doone his deuoire against Thomas duke of Norfolke in proofe of his quarrell yet the said king without reason or ground banished him the realme for ten yeers contrarie to all equitie 10 Item before the dukes departure he vnder his broad seale licenced him to make atturnies to prosecute and defend his causes the said king after his departure would suffer none atturnie to appeare for him but did with his at his pleasure 11 Item the same king put out diuerse shiriffes lawfullie elected and put in their roomes diuerse other of his owne subuerting the law contrarie to his oth and honor 12 Item he borowed great summes of monie and bound him vnder his letters patents for the repaiment of the same and yet not one penie paid 13 Item he taxed men at the will of him and his vnhappie councell and the same treasure spent in follie not paieng poore men for their vittels and viands 14 Item he said that the lawes of the realme were in his head and sometimes in his brest by reason of which fantasticall opinion he destroied noble men and impouerished the poore commons 15 Item the parlement setting and enacting diuerse notable statutes for the profit and aduancement of the common-wealth he by his priuie fréends and solicitors caused to be enacted that no act then enacted should be more preiudiciall to him than it was to anie of his predecessors through which prouiso he did often as he listed and not as the law did meane 16 Item for to serue his purpose he would suffer the shiriffes of the shire to remaine aboue one yeare or two 17 Item at the summons of the parlement when knights and burgesses should be elected that the election had béene full procéeded he put out diuerse persons elect and put other in their places to serue his will and appetite 18 Item he had priuie espials in euerie shire to heare who had of him anie communication and if he communed of his lasciuious liuing or outragious dooings he straightwaies was apprehended and put to a gréeuous fine 19 Item the spiritualtie alledged against
it was found how the earle of Warwike had confessed himselfe guiltie of treason line 30 and asked pardon and mercie for his offense but the earle denied that euer he acknowledged anie such thing by woord of mouth and that he would prooue in what manner soeuer should be to him appointed Therein was also the appeale found of the dukes of Aumarle Surrie and Excester the marquesse Dorset the earles of Salisburie and Glocester vnto the which ech of them answered by himselfe that they neuer assented to that appeale of their owne frée wils line 40 but were compelled thereto by the king and this they affirmed by their othes and offered to prooue it by what manner they should be appointed Sir Walter Clopton said then to the commons If ye will take aduantage of the processe of the last parlement take it and ye shall be receiued therevnto Then rose vp the lord Morlie and said to the earle of Salisburie that he was chiefe of counsell with the duke of Glocester and likewise with king Richard so discouered the dukes counsell to the king line 50 as a traitor to his maister and that he said he would with his bodie prooue against him throwing downe his hood as a pledge The earle of Salisburie sore mooued héerewith told the lord Morlie that he falslie béelied him for he was neuer traitor nor false to his maister all his life time and therewith threw downe his gloue to wage battell against the lord Morlie Their gages were taken vp and deliuered to the constable and marshall of England and the parties were arrested and day to them giuen till another time line 60 On mondaie following being the morrow after All soules day the commons made request that they might not be entred in the parlement rols as parties to the iudgement giuen in this parlement but there as in verie truth they were priuie to the same for the iudgement otherwise belonged to the king except where anie iudgment is giuen by statute enacted for the profit of the common-wealth which request was granted Diuers other petitions were presented on the behalfe of the commons part whereof were granted and to some there was none answere made at that time Finallie to auoid further inconuenience and to qualifie the minds of the enuious it was finallie enacted that such as were appellants in the last parlement against the duke of Glocester and other should in this wise following be ordred The dukes of Aumarle Surrie and Excester there present were iudged to loose their names of dukes togither with the honors titles and dignities therevnto belonging The marquesse Dorset being likewise there present was adiudged to lose his title and dignitie of marquesse and the earle of Glocester being also present was in semblable maner iudged to lose his name title and dignitie of earle Moreouer it was further decréed against them that they and euerie of them should lose and forfeit all those castels lordships manors lands possessions rents seruices liberties and reuenues whatsoeuer had beene giuen to them at or since the last parlement belonging aforetime to any of those persons whom they had appealed and all other their castels manors lordships lands possessions rents seruices liberties and reuenues whatsoeuer which they held of the late kings gift the daie of the arrest of the said duke of Glocester or at any time after should also remaine in the kings disposition from thencefoorth and all letters patents and charters which they or any of them had of the same names castels manors lordships lands possessions and liberties should be surrendred vp into the chancerie there to be cancelled Diuerse other things were enacted in this parlement to the preiudice of those high estates to satisfie mens minds that were sore displeased with their dooings in the late kings daies as now it manifestlie appéered For after it was vnderstood that they should be no further punished than as before is mentioned great murmuring rose among the people against the king the archbishop of Canturburie the earle of Northumberland and other of the councell for sauing the liues of men whom the commons reputed most wicked and not worthie in anie wise to liue But the king thought it best rather with courtesie to reconcile them than by cutting them off by death to procure the hatred of their freends and alies which were manie and of no small power After that the foresaid iudgement was declared with protestation by sir William Thirning iustice the earle of Salisburie came and made request that he might haue his protestation entered against the lord Morlie which lord Morlie rising vp from his seat said that so he might not haue bicause in his first answer he made no protestation and therefore he was past it now The earle praied day of aduisement but the lord Morlie praied that he might lose his aduantage sith he had not entered sufficient plee against him Then sir Matthew Gournie sitting vnderneath the king said to the earle of Salisburie that Forsomuch as at the first day in your answers ye made no protestation at all none is entered of record and so you are past that aduantage and therefore asked him if he would saie any other thing Then the earle desired that he might put in mainprise which was granted and so the earle of Kent sir Rafe Ferrers sir Iohn Roch sir Iohn Draiton knights mainprised the said earle bodie for bodie For the lord Morlie all the lords and barons offred to vndertake and to be suerties for him but yet foure of them had their names entered that is to saie the lords Willoughbie Beauchampe Scales and Berkelie they had day till the fridaie after to make their libell After this came the lord Fitzwater and praied to haue day and place to arreigne his appeale against the earle of Rutland The king said he would send for the duke of Norffolke to returne home and then vpon his returne he said he would proceed in that matter Manie statutes were established in this parlement as well concerning the whole bodie of the common-wealth as by the booke thereof imprinted may appeare as also concerning diuerse priuate persons then presentlie liuing which partlie we haue touched and partlie for doubt to be ouer-tedious we doo omit But this among other is not to be forgotten that the archbishop of Canturburie was not onelie restored to his former dignitie being remooued from it by king Richard who had procured one Roger Walden to be placed therein as before ye haue heard but also the said Walden was established bishop line 10 of London wherewith he séemed well content Moreouer the kings eldest sonne Henrie alreadie created as heire to his father and to the crowne prince of Wales duke of Cornewall and earle of Chester was also intituled duke of Aquitaine and to auoid all titles claimes and ambiguities there was an act made for the vniting of the crowne vnto king
he tormenteth where he vanquisheth what the will and power of a souereigne ouer a subiect may force in cases of iniquitie where by vertue and grace he be not restrained line 40 the zeale of a parent the pangs of a child but chéeflie the verie plague of Gods wrath and indignation vpon wilfull and obstinate offendors all which at those daies though touched in Naples yet at all times and euerie where so well seruing for example and warning it hath beene thought verie conuenient the same in our stories also héere to be noted which was thus At this time newes were brought into France how king Lancelot the aduersarie to Lewes king of Sicill was departed and in manner line 50 thus It hapned that he fell in loue with a yoong damosell his owne physicians daughter a puzell verie beautifull and he in hope to inioy hir the easilier caused hir father for his consent to be talked withall in the matter which he vtterlie refused to grant and shewed foorth manie reasons for him but at last all causes excuses reiected sith though constreined he must néeds assent feined himselfe willing and content And forceing talke with his daughter vpon his mind in the matter cheeflie how méet it were line 60 she vsed his counsell how best with the king to keepe hir still in grace he gaue hir a little box of ointment and instruction withall that when the king should come to haue his will she should afore with that balme annoint all hir wombe the damosell on good obseruation did after at oportunitie as hir father taught hir Héerevpon so pittifullie came it to passe that the verie same night the king laie with hir his bellie and hirs were by and by set as it were all on a sindging fier with torments of such vnquenchable scorching and burning euen into the verie entrailes that he of his kingdome his life his loue and she of hir princelie promotion thus soone both togither made a sorrowfull end After the plaie of this lamentable tragedie the physician fled for his safetie and straight vpon the newes king Lewes gathered a great assemblie wherewith to passe towards Naples and sent before a good companie vnder the lord Longnie marshall of France In the second yeare of his reigne king Henrie called his high court of parlement the last daie of Aprill in the towne of Leicester in which parlement manie profitable lawes were concluded and manie petitions mooued were for that time deferred Amongst which one was that a bill exhibited in the parlement holden at Westminster in the eleuenth yeare of king Henrie the fourth which by reason the king was then troubled with ciuill discord came to none effect might now with good deliberation be pondered and brought to some good conclusion The effect of which supplication was that the temporall lands deuoutlie giuen and disordinatlie spent by religious and other spirituall persons should be seized into the kings hands sith the same might suffice to mainteine to the honor of the king and defense of the realme fiftéene earles fiftéene hundred knights six thousand and two hundred esquiers and a hundred almesse-houses for reliefe onelie of the poore impotent and needie persons and the king to haue cleerelie to his coffers twentie thousand pounds with manie other prouisions and values of religious houses which I passe ouer This bill was much noted and more feared among the religious sort whom suerlie it touched verie neere and therefore to find remedie against it they determined to assaie all waies to put by and ouerthrow this bill wherein they thought best to trie if they might mooue the kings mood with some sharpe inuention that he should not regard the importunate petitions of the commons Wherevpon on a daie in the parlement Henrie Chichelie archbishop of Canturburie made a pithie oration wherein he declared how not onelie the duchies of Normandie and Aquitaine with the counties of Aniou and Maine and the countrie of Gascoigne were by vndoubted title apperteining to the king as to the lawfull and onelie heire of the same but also the whole realme of France as heire to his great grandfather king Edward the third Herein did he much inueie against the surmised and false fained law Salike which the Frenchmen alledge euer against the kings of England in barre of their iust title to the crowne of France The verie words of that supposed law are these In terram Salicam mulieres ne succedant that is to saie Into the Salike land let not women succeed Which the French glossers expound to be the realme of France and that this law was made by king Pharamond whereas yet their owne authors affirme that the land Salike is in Germanie betwéene the riuers of Elbe and Sala and that when Charles the great had ouercome the Saxons he placed there certeine Frenchmen which hauing in disdeine the dishonest maners of the Germane women made a law that the females should not succéed to any inheritance within that land which at this daie is called Meisen so that if this be true this law was not made for the realme of France nor the Frenchmen possessed the land Salike till foure hundred and one and twentie yeares after the death of Pharamond the supposed maker of this Salike law for this Pharamond deceassed in the yeare 426 and Charles the great subdued the Saxons and placed the Frenchmen in those parts beyond the riuer of Sala in the yeare 805. Moreouer it appeareth by their owne writers that king Pepine which deposed Childerike claimed the crowne of France as heire generall for that he was descended of Blithild daughter to king Clothair the first Hugh Capet also who vsurped the crowne vpon Charles duke of Loraine the sole heire male of the line and stocke of Charles the great to make his title seeme true and appeare good though in déed it was starke naught conueied himselfe as heire to the ladie Lingard daughter to king Charlemaine sonne to Lewes the emperour that was son to Charles the great King Lewes also the tenth otherwise called saint Lewes being verie heire to the said vsurper Hugh Capet could neuer be satisfied in line 10 his conscience how he might iustlie keepe and possesse the crowne of France till he was persuaded and fullie instructed that quéene Isabell his grandmother was lineallie descended of the ladie Ermengard daughter and heire to the aboue named Charles duke of Loraine by the which marriage the bloud and line of Charles the great was againe vnited and restored to the crowne scepter of France so that more cléere than the sunne it openlie appeareth that the title of king Pepin the claime of Hugh line 20 Capet the possession of Lewes yea and the French kings to this daie are deriued and conueied from the heire female though they would vnder the colour of such a fained law barre the kings and princes of this realme of England of their right and lawfull inheritance The archbishop
exalt to the crowne his brother in law Edmund earle of March as heire to Lionell duke of Clarence after the death of which earle of March for diuerse secret impediments not able to haue issue the earle of Cambridge was sure that the crowne should come to him by his wife and to his children of hir begotten And therefore as was thought he rather confessed himselfe for need of monie to be corrupted by the French king than he would declare his line 10 inward mind and open his verie intent and secret purpose which if it were espied he saw plainlie that the earle of March should haue tasted of the same cuppe that he had drunken and what should haue come to his owne children he much doubted Therefore destitute of comfort in despaire of life to saue his children he feined that tale desiring rather to saue his succession than himselfe which he did in déed for his sonne Richard duke of Yorke not priuilie but openlie claimed the crowne and Edward his sonne both claimed it gained it as after it shall appeare line 20 Which thing if king Henrie had at this time either doubted or foreséene had neuer béene like to haue come to passe as Hall saith But whatsoeuer hath beene reported of the confession of the earle of Cambridge certeine it is that indicted he was by the name of Richard earle of Cambridge of Connesburgh in the countie of Yorke knight and with him Thomas Graie of Heton in the countie of Northumberland and knight for that they the twentith daie of Iulie in the third yeare of king line 30 Henrie the fifts reigne at Southampton and in diuerse other places within this realme had conspired togither with a power of men to them associat without the kings licence to haue led awaie the lord Edmund earle of March into Wales and then to haue procured him to take vpon him the supreme gouernment of the realme in case that king Richard the second were dead and herwith had purposed to set foorth a proclamation there in Wales in name of line 40 the said earle of March as heire of the crowne against king Henrie by the name of Henrie of Lancaster the vsurper to the end that by such meanes they might draw the more number of the kings liege people vnto the said earle and further to haue conueied a banner of the armes of England and a certeine crowne of Spaine set vpon a pallet and laid in gage to the said earle of Cambridge by the king togither with the said earle of March into the parties of Wales aforesaid Further that the said earle of Cambridge and sir line 50 Thomas Graie had appointed certeine of the kings liege people to repaire into Scotland and to bring from thence one Thomas Trumpington also an other resembling in shape fauour and countenance king Richard and Henrie Persie togither with a great multitude of people to fight with the king and him to destroie in open field Beside this that they had meant to win certeine castels in Wales and to kéepe them against the king and manie other treasons line 60 they had contriued as by the indictement was specified to the intent they might destroie the king and his brethren the dukes of Bedford and Glocester and other the great lords peers of the realme And Henrie Scroope of Masham of Flaxflet in the countie of Yorke wasli kewise indicted as consenting to the premisses So that it appeareth their purpose was well inough then perceiued although happilie not much bruted abroad for considerations thought necessarie to haue it rather husht and kept secret About the selfe same time the lord Cobham with his freends whether as one of counsell in the conspiracie with the earle of Cambridge or not was determined to haue made some attempt against the lord of Aburgauennie who being aduertised thereof got for his defense from Worcester Persore Teukesburie and other places thereabout to the number of fiue thousand archers and other armed men which came to him vnto his castell of Haneleie whereof when the lord Cobham was aduertised he withdrew againe to such secret places about Maluerne as he had prouided for his suertie to resort vnto but a priest that belonged vnto him was taken and diuerse other who disclosed to the lord Aburgauennie one of the places where the said lord Cobham with his men vsed to kéepe themselues close Unto that place the lord Aburgauennie went where he found in déed monie and armor piled vp betwixt two wals handsomelie conueied and framed for the purpose but the lord Cobham with his folkes were withdrawne into some other place after they once heard that the earle of Cambridge and the lord Scroope were executed But now to proceed with king Henries dooings After this when the wind came about prosperous to his purpose he caused the mariners to weie vp anchors and hoise vp sailes and to set forward with a thousand ships on the vigill of our ladie daie the Assumption and tooke land at Caux commonlie called Kidcaux where the riuer of Saine runneth into the sea without resistance At his first comming on land he caused proclamation to be made that no person should be so hardie on paine of death either to take anie thing out of anie church that belonged to the same or to hurt or doo anie violence either to priests women or anie such as should be found without weapon or armor and not readie to make resistance also that no man should renew anie quarell or strife whereby anie fraie might arise to the disquieting of the armie The next daie after his landing he marched toward the towne of Harflue standing on the riuer of Saine betwéene two hils he besieged it on euerie side raising bulwarks and a bastell in which the two earles of Kent Huntington were placed with Cornwall Graie Steward and Porter On that side towards the sea the king lodged with his field and the duke of Clarence on the further side towards Rone There were within the towne the lords de Touteuill and Gaucourt with diuerse other that valiantlie defended the siege dooing what damage they could to their aduersaries and damming vp the riuer that hath his course through the towne the water rose so high betwixt the kings campe and the duke oâ Clarence campe diuided by the same riuer that the Englishmen were constreined to withdraw their artillerie from one side where they had planted the same The French king being aduertised that king Henrie was arriued on that coast sent in all hast the lord de la Breth constable of France the seneshall of France the lord Bouciqualt marshall of France the seneshall of Henault the lord Lignie with other which fortified townes with men victuals and artillerie on all those frontiers towards the sea And hearing that Harflue was besieged they came to the castell of Caudebecke being not farre from Harflue to the intent they might succor
haue and worship as if fitteth and séemeth so worthie a prince and princesse to be worshipped principallie before all other temporall persons of the world 2 Also we shall not distrouble diseason or let our father aforesaid but that he hold and possede as long as he liueth as he holdeth and possedeth at this time the crowne and dignitie roiall of France with rents and profits for the same of the sustenance of his estate and charges of the realme And our foresaid moother also hold as long as she liueth the state and dignitie of quéene after the manner of the same realme with conuenable conuenient part of the said rents and profits 3 Also that the foresaid ladie Katharine shall take and haue dower in our realme of England as queenes of England here tofore were woont for to take and haue that is to saie to the summe of fortie thousand scutes of the which two algate shall be a noble English 4 And that by the waies manners and meanes that we without transgression or offense of other made by vs for to speake the lawes customes vsages and rights of our said realme of England shall done our labour and pursuit that the said Katharine all so soone as it maie be doone be made sure to take and for to haue in our said realme of England from the time of our death the said dower of fortie thousand scutes yearelie of the which twaine algate be worth a noble English 5 Also if it happe the said Katharine to ouerliue vs we shall take and haue the realme of France immediatlie from the time of our death dower to the summe of twentie thousand franks yearelie of and vpon the lands places and lordships that held and had Blanch sometime wife of Philip Beasaill to our said father 6 Also that after the death of our said father aforesaid and from thence forward the crowne and the realme of France with all the rights and appurtenances shall remaine and abide to vs and béene of vs and of our heires for euermore 7 And forsomuch as our said father is withholden with diuerse sickenesse in such manner as he maie not intend in his owne person for to dispose for the néeds of the foresaid realme of France therefore during the life of our foresaid father the faculties and exercise of the gouernance and disposition of the publike common profit of the said realme of France with councell and nobles and wisemen of the same realme of France shall be and abide to vs so that from thencefoorth we maie gouerne the same realme by vs. And also to admit to our counsell and assistance of the said nobles such as we shall thinke méet The which faculties and exercise of gouernance thus being toward vs we shall labour and purpose vs spéedfullie diligentlie and trulie to that that maie be and ought for to be vnto the worship of God and our said father and moother and also to the common good of the said realme and that realme with the counsell helpe of the worthie and great nobles of the same realme for to be defended peased and gouerned after right and equitie 8 Also that we of our owne power shall doo the court of parlement in France to be kept and obserued in his authoritie and souereignetie and in all that is doone to it in all manner of places that now or in time comming is or shall be subiect to our said father 9 Also we to our power shall defend and helpe all and euerie of the péeres nobles cities townes communalties and singular persons now or in time comming subiects to our father in their rights customes priuileges freedomes and franchises longing or due to them in all manner of places now or in time comming subiect to our father 10 Also we diligentlie and truelie shall trauell to our power and doo that iustice be administred and doone in the same realme of France after the lawes customes and rights of the same realme without personall exception And that we shall kéepe and hold the subiects of the same realme in tranquillitie and peace and to our power we shall defend them against all manner of violence and oppression 11 Also we to our power shall prouide and doo to our power that able persons and profitable béene taken to the offices as well of iustices and other offices belonging to the gouernance of the demaines and of other offices of the said realme of France for the good right and peaceable iustice of the same and for the administration that shall be committed vnto line 10 them and that they be such persons that after the lawes and rights of the same realme and for the vtilitie and profit of our said father shall minister and that the foresaid realme shall be taken and departed to the same offices 12 Also that we of our power so soone as it may commodiouslie be doone shall trauell to put into the obedience of our said father all manner of cities townes and castels places countries and persons within the realme of France disobedient and rebels line 20 to our said father holding with them which beene called the Dolphin or Arminacke 13 Also that we might the more commodiouslie suerlie and fréelie doone exercise fulfill these things aforesaid it is accorded that all worthie nobles and estates of the same realme of France as well spirituals as temporals and also cities notable and communalties and citizens burgesses of townes of the realme of France that béene obeisant at this time to our said father shall make these othes that followen line 30 14 First to vs hauing the facultie exercise disposition and gouernance of the foresaid common profit to our hests and commandements these shall meekelie obedientlie obeie and intend in all manner of things concerning the exercise of gouernance of the same realme 15 Also that the worthie great and noble estates of the said realme as well spirituals as temporals and also cities and notable communalties and citizens and burgesses of the same realme in all manner line 40 of things well and trulie shall kéepe and to their power shall doo to be kept of so much as to them belongeth or to anie of them all those things that béene appointed and accorded betwéene our foresaid father and moother and vs with the counsell of them whome vs list to call to vs. 16 And that continuallie from the death and after the death of our said father Charles they shall be our true liegemen and our heires and they shall receiue and admit vs for their liege and souereigne and line 50 verie king of France and for such to obeie vs without opposition contradiction or difficultie as they béene to our foresaid father during his life neuer after this realme of France shall obey to man as king or regent of France but to vs and our heires Also they shall not be in counsell helpe or assent that we léese life or limme or be take with euill taking or that we suffer
word of surrendring the towne line 20 or of comming to anie composition or agréement with the two kings except they made him being their capteine priuie thereto before they attempted anie such thing ¶ In the meane season the French queene the queene of England and the duches of Burgognie lieng at Corbeill came diuerse times to visit their husbands and to sée their fréends whome the king of England highlie feasted and louinglie interteined that euerie creature reported great honour of him This towne of Melun séemed verie line 30 strong both by reason of the riuer of Seine which compassed part thereof and also by strong walles turrets ditches and bulworks made about it The king therefore to take awaie all the issues and entries from them within made a bridge ouer the riuer able to beare horsses and carriage and againe appointed diuerse botes furnished with men of warre to kéepe the streame so that they within should haue no waie to come abroad either by water or land yet on a daie the Frenchmen sailed foorth line 40 and assailed the English lodgings where the earle of Warwike was incamped on the east side of the towne not farre from the duke of Burgognie but by the valiant prowesse and manlie courage of the Englishmen the enimies were easilie beaten backe and constreined to retire into the towne againe with their losse Héere is to be remembred that during this siege before Melun there came to the king the duke of Bauiere the kings brother in law but the kings sister that had beene married to him was line 50 not then liuing and brought with him seauen hundred well appointed horssemen which were reteined to serue the king and right worthilie they bare themselues and therefore most liberallie recompensed at the kings hand for the time they continued in his seruice The king inforced this siege by all waies and meanes possible to bring the towne into subiection as well by mines as otherwise but they within the line 60 towne so valiantlie behaued themselues as well by countermines whereby at length they entered into the kings mines as by other waies of resistance that by force of assaults it was not thought anie easie matter to win the same It fortuned on a daie that whilest there rose a contention betwixt two lords of the kings host who should haue the honor to go first into the mine to incounter with the Frenchmen that now had brought their mine through into the English mines and made barriers betwixt that they might safelie come and fight with the Englishmen the king to auoid the strife entered the mine himselfe first of all other and by chance came to fight hand to hand with the lord Barbason who was likewise entered the mine before all other of them within the towne After they had fought a good season togither at length they agreed to discouer either to other their names so as the lord Barbason first declaring what he was the king likewise told him that he was the king of England Wherevpon Barbason perceiuing with whome he had fought caused the barriers foorthwith to be closed and withdrew into the citie and the king returned backe to his campe At length vittels within the towne began to faile and the pestilence began to wax hot so that the lord Barbason began to treat and in conclusion about the middest of Nouember as Fabian saith the towne was yeelded vpon certeine conditions where of one was that all that were consenting to the death of the duke of Burgognie should be deliuered to the king of England of whome the lord Barbason was suspected to be one The king sent them vnder the conduct of his brother the duke of Clarence to the citie of Paris whereof the French king made him capteine and so at his comming thither he tooke possession of the Bastill of S. Anthonie the Loure the house of Néelle and the place of Bois de Uincennes Monsieur de Barbason was accused by the duke of Burgognie and his sisters as guiltie to their fathers death but he in open court defended himselfe as not guiltie of that crime granting indeed and confessing that he was one of the familiar seruants to the Dolphin but that he was priuie or consenting to the death of the duke of Burgognie he vtterlie denied Wherevpon he was not condemned neither yet acquited by reason of such presumptions and coniectures as were alledged and brought against him so that he remained in prison at Paris and else-where the space of nine yeares till at length being brought vnto castell Galliard it chanced that the same castell was woone by those of the Dolphins part and he being as then prisoner there escaped out of danger and so by that means was set at libertie as after shall appeare Some write that he had béene put to death if he had not appealed from king Henries sentence vnto the iudgement of the officers at armes alledging that by the lawe of armes no man hauing his brother in armes within his danger afterwards ought to put him to death for any cause or quarell And that he was the kings brother in armes he prooued it for that he had fought with him hand to hand within the mines as before yee haue heard which combat was thought of equall force by the heralds as if he had fought with the king bodie to bodie within solemne lists The credit of this matter we leaue to the consideration of the readers The earle of Huntington was made capteine of Melum In defense of this towne and castell the French had gotten vnto them manie Scots At the siege héere the king kept with him yoong Iames of Scotland who sent to those Scots that they should come out and yéeld them vnto him and not to stand in armes against their liege lord and king but they gaue word backe againe they could not take him for king that was in the power of another and so kept them in hold and in their armor still King Henrie vpon winning of these forts for their rebellion against their prince which they would haue to be counted constancie and for their contemptuous answer vnto him twentie of the proudest in example of the rest caused he there to be hanged at once From thence the king departed with his armie vnto Corbeill where the French king and the two queenes then soiourned and after both the kings accompanied with the dukes of Bedford Burgognie Glocester and Excester and the earls of Warwike and Salisburie with a great number of noble men and knights set foorth towards Paris whome the citizens in good order met without the gates and the cleargie also with solemne procession All the streets were hanged with rich clothes the two kings rode togither the king of England giuing the vpper hand to his father in lawe through the great citie of Paris to our ladie church where after they had said their deuotions they departed vnto their
armes on the duke of Burgognions side year 1430 one Franquet and his band of three hundred souldiers making all towards the maintenance of the siege the Pusell Ione and a foure hundred with hir did méet In great courage and force did she and hir people sundrie times assaile him but he with his though much vnder in number by meanes of his archers in good order set did so hardilie withstand them that for the first and second push she rather lost than wan Wherat this captinesse striken into a fretting chafe called out in all hast the garrison of Laignie and from other the forts thereabout who thicke and threefold came downe with might and maine in armour and number so far excéeding Franquets that though they had doone hir much hurt in hir horsemen yet by the verie multitude were they oppressed most in hir furie put to the sword as for to Franquet that worthie capteine himselfe hir rage not appeased till out of hand she had his head stroken off contrarie to all manhood but she was a woman if she were that contrarie to common right law of armes The man for his merits was verie much lamented and she by hir malice then found of what spirit she was After this the duke of Burgognie accompanied with the earles of Arundell and Suffolke and the lord Iohn of Lutzenburgh besieged the towne of Campiegne with a great puissance This towne was well walled manned and vittelled so that the besiegers were constreined to cast trenches and make mines for otherwise they saw not how to compasse their purpose In the meane time it happened in the night of the Ascension of our Lord that Poiton de Saintreiles Ione la Pusell and fiue or six hundred line 10 men of armes issued out by the bridge toward Mondedier intending to set fire in the tents and lodgings of the lord Bawdo de Noielle ¶ In this yeare of our Lord among diuerse notable men of learning and knowledge one Richard Fleming English borne a doctor of diuinitie professed in Oxford did flourish who by the prouidence of God grew in such fauour with this king Henrie the sixt the nobles néere about him that he was preferred line 20 to the bishops see of Lincolne This man founded Lincolne college in Oxford in which vniuersitie he had beene a profitable student Diuerse bookes he wrote as the vniuersitie librarie dooth beare witnesse whereof these following haue béene séene vnder their names and titles to wit A protestation against the Spaniards the Frenchmen and the Scots made in the generall councell holden at Sens one booke of the Etymologie of England besides diuerse other treatises as Gesner reporteth Ex bibliotheca Oxonij aforesaid line 30 At the verie same time that Campeigne was besieged as before is said sir Iohn of Lutzenburgh with eight other gentlemen chanced to be néere vnto the lodging of the said lord Bawdo where they espied the Frenchmen which began to cut downe tents ouerthrow pauilions kill men in their beds whervpon they with all speed assembled a great number of men as well English as Burgognions and couragiouslie set on the Frenchmen and in the end beat line 40 them backe into the towne so that they fled so fast that one letted another as they would haue entered In the chase and pursute was the Pusell taken with diuerse other besides those that were slaine which were no small number Diuerse were hurt also on both parts Among the Englishmen sir Iohn Montgomerie had his arme broken and sir Iohn Steward was shot into the thigh with a quarell As before ye haue heard somewhat of this damsels strange beginning and proceedings so sith the line 50 ending of all such miraclemongers dooth for the most part plainelie decipher the vertue and power that they worke by hir shall ye be aduertised what at last became of hir cast your opinions as ye haue cause Of hir louers the Frenchmen reporteth one how in Campeigne thus besieged Guillaume de Flauie the capteine hauing sold hir aforehand to the lord of Lutzenburgh vnder colour of hasting hir with a band out of the towne towards their king for him with spéed to come and leauie the siege there so gotten hir line 60 foorth he shut the gates after hir when anon by the Burgognians set vpon and ouermatcht in the conflict she was taken marie yet all things accounted to no small maruell how it could come so to passe had she béene of any deuotion or of true beléefe and no false miscreant but all holie as she made it For earlie that morning she gat hir to saint Iameses church confessed hir and receiued hir maker as the booke termes it and after setting hir selfe to a piller manie of the townesmen that with a fiue or six score of their children stood about there to see hir vnto them quod she Good children and my déere freends I tell you plaine one hath sold me I am betraied and shortlie shall be deliuered to death I beséech you praie to God for me for I shall neuer haue more power to doo seruice either to the king or to the realme of France againe Saith another booke she was intrapt by a Picard capteine of Soissons who sold that citie to the duke of Burgognie and he then put it ouer into the hands of the lord of Lutzenburgh so by that meanes the Burgognians approched and besieged Campeigne for succour whereof as damsell Ione with hir capteins from Laignie was thither come and dailie to the English gaue manie a hot skirmish so happened it one a daie in an outsallie that she made by a Picard of the lord of Lutzenburghs band in the fiercest of hir fight she was taken and by him by and by to his lord presented who sold hir ouer againe to the English who for witchcraft and sorcerie burnt hir at Rone Tillet telleth it thus that she was caught at Campeigne by one of the earle of Ligneis soldiers from him had to Beaureuoir castell where kept a thrée months she was after for ten thousand pounds in monie and thrée hundred pounds rent all Turnois sold into the English hands In which for hir pranks so vncoush and suspicious the lord regent by Peter Chauchon bishop of Beauuois in whose diocesse she was taken caused hir life and beléefe after order of law to be inquired vpon and examined Wherein found though a virgin yet first shamefullie reiecting hir sex abominablie in acts and apparell to haue counterfeit mankind and then all damnablie faithlesse to be a pernicious instrument to hostilitie and bloudshed in diuelish witchcraft and sorcerie sentence accordinglie was pronounced against hir Howbeit vpon humble confession of hir iniquities with a counterfeit contrition pretending a carefull sorow for the same execution spared and all mollified into this that from thencefoorth she should cast off hir vnnaturall wearing of mans abilliments and kéepe hir to garments of
kings absence appeased diuerse riots and punished the offendors the king with a great power tooke shipping at Douer on saint Georges euen within night and landed at Calis on the morrow being saint Georges daie and sundaie by seuen of the clocke in the morning He remained in Calis a good space and from thence he remoued to Rone being there receiued with all triumph He taried in that citie a long time his nobles dailie consulting on their great businesse weightie affaires ¶ In this kings time somewhat about this yeare a certeine Breton whome a good honest widow had receiued into hir house and conceiued well of him in opinion was by hir mainteined of hir owne pursse as Polychronicon saith she found him of almes and for Gods sake This charitable deed of hirs deserued a deuout mind to God ward and a thankfull hart to hir But good soule how was she recompensed Euen murthered in hir bed by the hands of that villaine whome so bountifullie she succoured and motherlike tendered Unto which bloudie fact which was a preparatiue to a further mischeefe bred in his vnnaturall hart he added another offense for when he had dispatched the woman vsing the riddance of hir to his aduantage and as he had obteined oportunitie to his thinking he conueied all that she had awaie with him for his owne releefe Then being persecuted with guiltinesse of conscience which troubleth offendors with ceaslesse vexations and forceth them from place to place to séeke corners of euasion and shift he tooke priuilege of holie church at saint Georges in Southwarke where laieng hands on the crosse as a shield of sufficient safegard he abiured this land and by that meanes thought himselfe frée from afterclaps Neuerthelesse God whose mercifull nature abhorreth the effusion of mans bloud prepared a punishment for the malefactor who passing through the suburbs of London without Algate the place where he had committed the murther the women of the same parish and stréet as it were inraged came out with stones staues kenell doong and other things wherewith they so bethwackt him on all parts of his bodie that they laid him a stretching and rid him quite of life In the wreking of this their teene they were so fell and fierce that the constables with their assistants which were no small number dooing what they could by their authoritie and maine strength were not able to rescue him out of the womens hands who had sworne in their hearts as it séemed by the maner of their reuenge which was void of all mercie to sée the end of such a villaine as most vnnaturallie had slaine a woman a neighbour a widow a pitifull woman a good neighbour an honest widow the wretch himselfe being a fugitiue a stranger borne a begger and he to whome she shewed hir selfe the staffe of his support O singular ingratitude which nature abhorreth law dissalloweth heauen disclaimeth line 10 God detesteth humanitie condemneth and euerie good bodie to the verie death defieth as the old distichon excellentlie and with good sense noteth Lex natura coelum Deus omnia iura Damnant ingratum moerent illum quoque natum But to returne to the affaires of king Henrie who in the moneth of Nouember remooued from Rone to Pontoise and so to saint Denis to the intent to make his entrie into Paris and there to be sacred king of France There were in his companie of his line 20 owne nation his vncle the cardinall of Winchester the cardinall and archbishop of Yorke the dukes of Bedford Yorke and Norffolke the earles of Warwike Salisburie Oxenford Huntington Ormond Mortaigne and Suffolke Of Gascoigns there were the earles of Longuille and Marche besides manie other noble men of England Guien and Normandie And the chéefe of the French nation were the dukes of Burgognie and Lewes of Lutzenburgh cardinall and chancellor of France for king Henrie line 30 the bishops of Beauuois and Noion both péeres of France beside the bishop of Paris and diuerse other bishops the earle of Uaudemount and other noble men whose names were superfluous to rehearse And he had in a gard about his person three thousand price archers some on horssebacke and part on foot To speake with what honour he was receiued into the citie of Paris what pageants were prepared and how richlie the gates streets and bridges on euerie line 40 side were hanged with costlie clothes of arras tapestrie it would be too long a processe and therefore I doo héere passe it ouer with silence On the seauentéenth daie of December he was crowned king of France in our ladie church of Paris by the cardinall of Winchester the bishop of Paris not being contented that the cardinall should doo such an high ceremonie in his church and iurisdiction After all the ceremonies were finished the king returned toward the palace hauing one crowne on his head and another line 50 borne before him and one scepter in his hand and the second borne before him As touching other the roiall seruices and princelie appointments they are verie diligentlie at large set out in the French chronicle of that time This coronation of the king Anglorum praelia as manie other good and memorable matters so this also he hath noted saieng thereof in comelie breuitie and truth as after followeth Aeternae famae paulo post rege sepulto Parisijs diadema vias compita circum line 60 Iunior Henricus portat lepidissimus infans This high and ioious feast passed not without some spot of displeasure among the English nobilitie for the cardinall of Winchester which at this time would haue no man be equall with him commanded the duke of Bedford to leaue off the name of regent during the time that the king was in France affirming the cheefe ruler being in presence the authoritie of the substitute to be cleerelie derogate according to the common saieng In the presence of the higher power the smaller giueth place The duke of Bedford tooke such a secret displeasure with this dooing that he neuer after fauoured the cardinall but stood against him in all things that he would haue forward This was the root as some haue thought of that diuision amongst the English nobilitie where through their glorie within the realme of France began first to decline The next daie after the solemne feast of the kings coronation were kept triumphant iusts and torneis in the which the earle of Arundell and the bastard of S. Paule by the iudgement of the ladies woone the price The king kept open hall the space of fiue daies to all commers and after bicause the aire of Paris séemed contrarie to his pure complexion by the aduise of his councell he remooued to Rone where he kept his Christmasse But before his departure from Paris the noble men as well of France and Normandie did to him homage and the common people sware to him fealtie In this meane time
to Iohn duke of Summerset which ladie was afterward moother to king Henrie the seauenth and besides that caused the king to line 50 create Iohn de Fois sonne vnto Gaston de Fois earle of Longuile and the Capdau de Beufe earle of Kendall which Iohn had married his néece and by his procurement the king elected to the order of the garter the said Gaston and Iohn his sonne giuing to the sonne towards the maintenance of his degrée lands and castels amounting to the summs of one thousand pounds which lands name and stile the issue and line of the said earle of Kendall at this daie haue and inioy line 60 These things being thus in dooing the French king seeing that the towne of Mans was not deliuered according to the appointment taken by force of the marriage raised an armie for to recouer the same Whereof the king of England being aduertised least the breach of the truce should come by him caused the towne to be deliuered without anie force This yeare was a great commotion in Norwich against the prior of the place At length the citizens opened the gates to the duke of Norffolke who came thither to appease the matter though at the first they would not suffer him to enter The chéefe offendors were according to their demerits gréeuouslie punished and executed and the maior was discharged of his office and sir Iohn Clifton was made gouernour there vntill the king had restored the citizens to their ancient liberties This commotion was begun for certeine new exactions which the prior claimed and tooke of the citizens contrarie to their ancient fréedome But herein a wrong taken for getting of right was worthilie corrected ¶ In the foure and twentith yeare of this kings reigne the prior of Kilmaine appeached the earle of Ormond of treason For triall whereof the place of combat was assigned in Smithfield the barriers for the same there readie pitcht Howbeit in the meane time a doctor of diuinitie named maister Gilbert Worthington parson of saint Andrews in Holborne and other honest men made such sute with diligent labour and paines-taking to the kings councell that when the daie of combat approched the quarell was taken into the kings hands and there ended ¶ In the same yeare also a certeine armourer was appeached of treason by a seruant of his owne For proofe whereof a daie was giuen them to fight in Smithfield insomuch that in conflict the said armourer was ouercome and slaine but yet by misgouerning of himselfe For on the morow when he should come to the field fresh and fasting his neighbours came to him and gaue him wine and strong drinke in such excessiue sort that he was therewith distempered and réeled as he went and so was slaine without guilt As for the false seruant he liued not long vnpunished for being conuict of felonie in court of assise he was iudged to be hanged and so was at Tiburne Whilest the warres betwéene the two nations of England France ceassed by occasion of the truce the minds of men were not so quiet but that such as were bent to malicious reuenge sought to compasse their prepensed purpose not against forren foes and enimies of their countrie but against their owne countrie men and those that had deserued verie well of the common-wealth and this speciallie for ouermuch mildnesse in the king who by his authoritie might haue ruled both parts and ordered all differences betwixt them but that in déed he was thought too soft for gouernor of a kingdome The quéene contrariwise a ladie of great wit and no lesse courage desirous of honour and furnished with the gifts of reason policie and wisedome but yet sometime according to hir kind when she had béene fullie bent on a matter suddenlie like a weather cocke mutable and turning This ladie disdaining that hir husband should be ruled rather than rule could not abide that the duke of Glocester should doo all things concerning the order of weightie affaires least it might be said that she had neither wit nor stomach which would permit and suffer hir husband being of most perfect age like a yoong pupill to be gouerned by the direction of an other man Although this toy entered first into hir braine thorough hir owne imagination yet was she pricked forward to the matter both by such of hir husbands counsell as of long time had borne malice to the duke for his plainnesse vsed in declaring their vntruth as partlie ye haue heard and also by counsell from king Reiner hir father aduising that she and the king should take vpon them the rule of the realme and not to be kept vnder as wards and mastered orphanes What néedeth manie words The quéene persuaded by these meanes first of all excluded the duke of Glocester from all rule and gouernance not prohibiting such as she knew to be his mortall foes to inuent and imagine causes and gréefs against him and his insomuch that by hir procurement diuerse noble men conspired against him Of the which diuerse writers affirme the marquesse of Suffolke and the duke of Buckingham to be the chéefe not vnprocured by the cardinall of Winchester and the archbishop of Yorke Diuerse articles were laid against him in open councell and in especiallie one That he had caused men adiudged to die to be put to other execution than the law of the land assigned Suerlie the duke verie well learned in the law ciuill detesting malefactors and punishing offenses in seueritie of iustice gat him hatred of such as feared condigne reward line 10 for their wicked dooings And although the duke sufficientlie answered to all things against him obiected yet because his death was determined his wisedome and innocencie nothing auailed But to auoid danger of tumult that might be raised if a prince so well beloued of the people should be openlie executed his enimies determined to worke their feats in his destruction yer he should haue anie warning For effecting whereof a parlement was summoned to be kept at Berrie year 1447 whither resorted all line 20 the péeres of the realme and amongst them the duke of Glocester which on the second daie of the session was by the lord Beaumont then high constable of England accompanied with the duke of Buckingham and others arrested apprehended and put in ward and all his seruants sequestred from him and thirtie two of the chéefe of his retinue were sent to diuerse prisons to the great admiration of the people The duke the night after he was thus committed to prison being the foure and twentith of Februarie line 30 was found dead in his bed and his bodie shewed to the lords and commons as though he had died of a palsie or of an imposteme But all indifferent persons as saith Hall might well vnderstand that he died of some violent death Some iudged him to be strangled some affirme that an hot spit was put in at his fundament
liege men First praieng and beséeching to our souereigne Christ Iesus of his high and mightie power to giue you vertue of prudence and that through the praier of the glorious martyr S. Albon giue you verie knowledge of our truths and to know the intent of our assembling at this time for God that is in heauen knoweth our intent is rightfull and true And therefore we praie vnto that mightie Lord in these words Domine sis clypeus defensionis nostrae Wherfore gratious lord please it your maiestie roiall to deliuer such as we will accuse and they to haue like as they haue deserued and this doone you to be honorablie worshipped as most rightfull king and our true gouernour And if we should now at this time be promised as afore this time is not vnknowen haue béene promises broken which haue béene full faithfullie promised and therevpon great othes sworne we will not now ceasse for no such promises nor oth till we haue them which haue deserued death or else we to die therefore The answer by the king to the duke of Yorke I King Henrie charge and command that no manner person of what degrée estate or what condition soeuer he be abide not but that they auoid the field and not be so hardie to make resistance against me in my owne realme For I shall know what traitour dare be so bold to raise anie people in mine owne land wherethrough I am in great disease and heauines By the faith I owe vnto S. Edward and vnto the crowne of England I shall destroie them euerie mothers sonne and eke they to be hanged drawne and quartered that may be taken afterward of them in example to make all such traitors to beware for to make anie rising of people within mine owne land and so traitorouslie to abide their king and gouernour And for a conclusion rather than they shall haue anie lord that here is with me at this time I shall this day for their sake in this quarell my selfe liue and die The words of the duke of Yorke to all gentlemen and other assembled with him SIrs the king our souereigne lord will not be reformed at our beseeching ne praier nor will not in no wise vnderstand the intent wherfore we be here assembled and gathered at this time but onelie is in full purpose to destroie vs all And thervpon a great oth hath made line 10 that there is none other waie but that he with all his power will pursue vs and if we be taken to giue vs a shamefull death léesing our liuelod and goods and also our heires shamed for euer Therefore sirs now sith it will none otherwise be but that we shall vtterlie die better it is for vs to die in the field than cowardlie to be put to an vtter rebuke and shamefull death for the right of England standeth in vs. Considering also in what perill it standeth at this time and for to redresse the mischéefe thereof let euerie line 20 man helpe to his power this daie and in that quarell to quite vs like men to the crowne of England praieng and beséeching vnto that Lord the which is eternall thât reigneth in the glorious kingdome celestiall to kéepe and saue vs this daie in our right and through the gifts of his holie grace we may be made strong to withstand the great abhominable and horrible malice of them that purpose to destroie vs and the realme of England and put vs to a shamefull death Praie we therefore to the Lord to be our comfort line 30 and our defendour saieng these words Domine sis clypeus defensionis nostrae But another historie-writer saith that the king when first he heard of the duke of Yorks approch sent to him messengers the duke of Buckingham and others to vnderstand what he meant by his comming thus in maner of warre The duke of Buckingham to his message was answered by the duke of Yorke and his complices that they were all of line 40 them the kings faithfull liege subiects and intended no harme to him at all but the cause of our comming saie they is not in meaning anie hurt to his person But let that wicked and naughtie man the duke of Summerset be deliuered vnto vs who hath lost Normandie and taken no regard to the preseruation of Gascoigne and furthermore hath brought the realme vnto this miserable estate that where it was the floure of nations and the princesse of prouinces now is it haled into desolation spoile not line 50 so dreadfull by malice of forren enimie that indéed vtterlie as yee know seeketh our ruine as by the intollerable outrages of him that so long ago euen still appeares to haue sworne the confusion of our king and realme If it therefore please the king to deliuer that bad man into our hands we are readie without trouble or breach of peace to returne into our countrie But if the king be not minded so to do bicause he cannot misse him let him vnderstand that we will rather die in the field than suffer such a mischéefe line 60 vnredressed The king aduertised of this answer more wilfull than tollerable appointed him rather to trie battell than deliuer the duke of Summerset to his enimies Whereof they ascerteined made no longer staie but streightwaie sounded the trumpet to battell or rather as Hall saith while king Henrie sent foorth his ambassadours to treat of peace at the one end of the towne the earle of Warwike with his Marchmen entred at the other end and fiercelie setting on the kings fore-ward within a small time discomfited the same The place where they first brake into the towne was about the middle of saint Peters stréet The fight for a time was right sharpe and cruell for the duke of Summerset with the other lords comming to the succours of their companions that were put to the woorse did what they could to beat backe the enimies but the duke of Yorke sent euer fresh men to succour the wearie and to supplie the places of them that were hurt whereby the kings armie was finallie brought low and all the cheefteins of the field slaine and beaten downe For there died vnder the signe of the castell Edmund duke of Summerset who as hath béene reported was warned long before to auoid all castels and beside him laie Henrie the second of that name earle of Northumberland Humfrie earle of Stafford sonne to the duke of Buckingham Iohn lord Clifford sir Barthram Antwisell knight a Norman borne who forsaking his natiue countrie to continue in his loiall obedience to king Henrie came ouer to dwell here in England when Normandie was lost William Zouch Iohn Boutreux Rafe Bapthorp with his sonne William Corwin William Cotton Gilbert Faldinger Reginald Griffon Iohn Dawes Elice Wood Iohn Eith Rafe Woodward Gilbert Skarlock and Rafe Willoughbie esquiers with manie other in all to the number of eight thousand as Edward Hall saith in his chronicle
to apprehend him if by anie means he might The lord Audelie according to his commission assembled aboue ten thousand men of Chesshire and Salopshire and knowing by his espials which waie the earle kept approached néere to line 50 him vpon a faire plaine called Bloreheath within a mile of a towne called Draiton in Shropshire The earle perceiuing in what ieopardie he stood determined to abide the aduenture with fame and honour rather than to flie with shame and reproach and so incamped himselfe all the night on the side of a little brooke not verie brode but somewhat deepe In the morning earlie being the daie of saint Tecle he caused his souldiers to shoot their flights towards line 60 the lord Audelies companie which laie on the other side of the said water and then he and all his people made a signe of retreit The lord Audelie supposing his aduersaries had fled in déed caused his trumpets quicklie to blow vp and setting foorth his voward speedilie passed the water The earle of Salisburie which knew the sleights of warlike policie suddenlie returned and set vpon the lord Audelie and his cheefe capteins yer the residue of his armie could passe the water The fight was sore and dreadfull The earle desiring the sauing of his life and his aduersaries coueting his destruction fought sore for the obteining of their purpose but in conclusion the earles armie as men not looking for other succours nor meane to escape but by their owne manhood so egerlie assaulted their foes that they slue the lord Audelie and all his capteins and discomfited all the remnant of his people In this battell were slaine foure and twentie hundred persons but the greatest losse fell vpon the Chesshire men bicause one halfe of the shire was on the one part and the other halfe on the other of which number were sir Thomas Dutton sir Iohn Doune and sir Hugh Uenables sir Richard Molineur sir William Trowtbecke sir Iohn Legh of the Both and sir Iohn Egerton knights Iohn Done and Iohn Dutton esquiers But the earles two sonnes the one called sir Iohn Neuill and the other sir Thomas Neuill were sore wounded the which soberlie iornieng into the north countrie were apprehended by the quéenes fréends and togither with sir Thomas Harington that was likewise taken were conueied to Chester but their kéepers deliuered them shortlie after or else had the Marchmen destroied the goales Such fauour bare the commons of Wales to the duke of Yorks band that they could not suffer anie wrong to be offered or euill word to be spoken against him or his freends After this battell at Bloreheath the said duke of Yorke perceiuing the destruction of him and his fréends was intended and that his deuises were alreadie disclosed to the king and the queene he thought now no longer to linger his businesse but with all diligence to set forward the same And therfore sending for his cheefe freend the earle of Salisburie after long conference of their weightie affaires they determined to raise an armie and by fine force either to win their purpose or end their liues in the same Héerevpon were men foorthwith assembled freends sent for and a puissant armie gathered both of Northerne and Welshmen who in good order came into the marches of Wales adioining to Shropshire determining there to abide their enimies or to méet them if occasion serued There came to him from Calis the earle of Warwike bringing with him from that towne a great number of expert men in martiall feates whereof two were capteins knowne for men of great experience and approoued policie as they had well declared the same in the warres of Normandie and Guien the one called Andrew Trollop and the other Iohn Blunt The king hauing aduertisement of the dukes dooings sent foorth commissioners to leuie a power in all parts of the realme where he thought to haue any faithfull fréends of fauourers by reason whereof a great number of men of warre was assembled Manie for the loue they bare to the king resorted to his side but more for feare of the quéenes displesure whose frowning countenance was their vndooing and hir indignation their death To be bréefe the king accompanied with the dukes of Summerset and Excester and other of the line of Lancaster determined either by force or by policie to bring the duke of Yorke to confusion and therevpon marching forward they came vnto Worcester where as well to refresh his people as to take further aduise what was best to be doone he staied for a time And at length it was determined that the K. should first send vnto the aduersaries a messenger of good account as the bishop of Salisburie Richard Beauchampe to offer vnto them a cleere and free generall pardon of all trespasses offenses and transgressions whatsoeuer if they would giue ouer their enterprise and become true and obedient subiects When the bishop was come vnto them and had declared his message they first withdrew themselues apart and fell togither in councell and after they gaue answer by the mouth of the erle of Warwike which consisted in thrée points First that as concerning the pardon they durst not trust vnto it considering they had diuerse pardons before and the same confirmed by parlement and yet nothing auaileable to their assurance Secondlie that notwithstanding such pardons those that were about the king were presumptuous and vnrulie that they cared not at all to breake the kings commandements nor were any thing abashed to be noted for the breach thereof Thirdlie although by law of the land and right of the statute euerie lord by vertue of the kings writ line 10 being called to the parlement ought safelie to come safelie there to remaine and safelie to depart and returne home this notwithstanding the said earle of Warwike himselfe at a certeine councell holden at Westminster by vertue of the kings writ of priuie seale being there in person labouring to his knowledge to giue good aduise and counsell for the profit of the common-wealth was yet in danger of death if the Lord aboue had not the better prouided for his escape line 20 more than anie humane power or force of the kings pardon For the which cause quoth he sith the kings pardon maie be likened in these daies to a buckler of glasse or to a staffe of réed in which is no trust we dare not commit our selues vnto the defense of anie such pardons But if anie other waie might be deuised for their suerties where vnto they might safelie trust he said they were readie to come to his grace and to sue for his fauour The king receiuing such answer in these words line 30 or other to the like effect was nothing contented therewith and so commanded his standards eftsoones to aduance But yet before he came neere to the place where they were incamped the said lords wrote to him a letter in their owne excuse
true and infallible heire to the wise and politike prince king Henrie the third as sonne and heire to king Edward the second sonne and heire to king Edward the first the very heire and first begotten sonne of the said noble and vertuous prince king Henrie the third Which king Richard of that name the second was lawfullie iustlie possessed of the crowne and diadem of this realme and region till Henrie of Derbie duke of Lancaster and Hereford sonne to Iohn of Gant duke of Lancaster the fourth begotten sonne to the said king Edward the third and yoonger brother to my noble ancestor Lionell duke of Clarence the third begotten sonne of the said king Edward by force line 10 and violence contrarie both to the dutie of his allegiance and also to his homage to him both doone and sworne raised warre and battell at the castle of Flint in Northwales against the said king Richard and him apprehended and imprisoned within the Tower of London during whose life and captiuitie he wrongfullie vsurped and intruded vpon the roiall power and high line 20 estate of this realme and region taking vpon him the name stile and authoritie of king and gouernour of the same And not therewith satisfied and contented compassed and accomplished the death and destruction of his naturall prince and most worthie souereigne lord not as a common homicide and butcherlie murtherer but as a regicide and destroier of his king After whose pitious death and execrable line 30 murther the right and title of the crowne and superioritie of this realme was lawfullie reuerted returned to Roger Mortimer earle of March sonne and heire to ladie Philip the onelie child of the aboue rehearsed Lionell duke of Clarence vnto which Rogers daughter called Anne my most deerest and welbeloued moother I am the verie true and lineall heire which descent line 40 all you can not iustlie gainesay nor yet trulie denie Then remember this if the title be mine why am I put from it If I be true heire to the crowne as I am in deed why is my right withholden If my claime be good why haue I not iustice For suerlie learned men of great science and knowledge say and affirme that lineall descent nor vsurped possession can nothing line 50 preuaile if continuall claime be lawfullie made or openlie published For the auoiding of which scruple and ambiguitie Edmund earle of March my most welbeloued vncle in the time of the first vsurper in deed but not by right called king Henrie the fourth by his coosines the earle of Northumberland the lord Persie he being then in captiuitie with Owen line 60 Glendouer the rebell in Wales made his title righteous claime to the destruction of both the noble persons Likewise my most deerest lord my father so farre set foorth that right and title that he lost his life worldlie ioy at the towne of South-hampton more by power than indifferent iustice Since whose death I comming to my full age haue neuer desisted to pursue my title and require my right which by meanes of sinister counsell and vniust detention I can neither obteine nor recouer So that of fine force I am compelled to vse power in steed of praier and force in steed of request not as I said before for my priuat emolument and peculiar profit but to restore peace loue and quietnesse to this our naturall region which euer since the first vngodlie vsurpation of the aforenamed Henrie vntrulie called king Henrie the fourth hath beene cleerelie banished and out of the same vniustlie exiled What murthers and manslaughters haue beene perpetrated and committed within this countrie since the beginning of that vngratious vsurpation What number of noble men haue beene slaine destroied executed since that infortunate daie It is too lamentable and manifest For although Henrie of Lancaster earle of Derbie tooke vpon him the scepter and the crowne and wrongfullie bare the name and stile of a king and was not much tickled with mine vncle the earle of March at that time being within age yet was he neuer in suertie of himselfe nor had or inioied any profit quietnesse either in mind or in bodie For suerlie a corrupt conscience neuer feeleth rest but looketh when the sword of vengeance will descend and strike His sonne also called king Henrie the fift obteined notable victories and immortall praises for his noble acts doone in the realme of France yet God for the offense of his vntrue parent suddenlie touched him vnbodieng his soule in the flower of his youth and in the glorie of his conquest And although he had a faire sonne and a yoong heire apparant yet was this orphan such a one as preachers say that God threatned to send for a punishment to his vnrulie and vngratious people saieng by his prophet Esaie I shall giue you children to be your princes and infants without wisedome shall haue the gouernance of you The prophet lied not if you note all things in an order for after this Henrie the fift whose fame no man can iustlie reprooue or deface succeeded his sonne whom all we haue called our naturall prince and obeied as his heire In whose time and wrongfull reigne I require you diligentlie to consider with what great torments and afflictions God hath whipped scourged this miserable I le yea with such and so manie scourges and plagues as no nation the Aegyptians onelie excepted were euer tormented or afflicted withall I will not speake of rebellious murthers and oppressions which of late haue beene doone and exercised heere among vs. But I will declare manifest to you how the crowne and glorie of this realme is by the negligence of this sillie man and his vnwise councell minished defaced and also dishonoured Is not Normandie which his father gat regained conquered againe by the insolencie of him his couetous councell Is not the whole duchie of Aquitaine by two hundred and odyeares peaceablie possessed by the kings of this realme in one yeare and a little more gotten out of our hands seigniorie What should I speake of Aniou Maine or the losse of the I le of France with the rich citie of Paris Alas it is too apparant Neither will I molest you with the recitall of all the particulars thereof But now in the middest of this affliction and to make an end of the same God of his ineffable goodnesse looking on line 10 this countrie with his eies of pitie mercie hath sent me in the truth to restore againe his decaied kingdome to his ancient fame and old renowme whereof heere in open parlement according to my iust true title I haue and doo take possession of this roiall throne not putting diffidence but firme hope in Gods grace that by his diuine aid and assistance of you the peeres of this realme I shall beautifie mainteine line 20 the same to the glorie of him honour of my bloud and to the publike wealth as well of you
these things were adooing in the south-parts king Henrie being in the north countrie assembled a great armie trusting for all this to subdue his enimies namelie sith their chiefe ringleader the duke of Yorke was dispatched out of the waie line 20 But he was deceiued for out of the ded stocke sprang a branch more mightie than the stem this Edward the fourth a prince so highlie fauoured of the people for his great liberalitie clemencie vpright dealing and courage that aboue all other he with them stood in grace alone by reason whereof men of all ages and degrees to him dailie repaired some offering themselues and their men to ieopard their liues with him and other plentiouslie gaue monie to support his charges and to mainteine his right line 30 By which meanes he gathered togither a puissant armie to the intent by battell sithens none other waies would serue at once to make an end of all So his armie and all things prepared he departed out of London the twelfe daie of March and by easie iournies came to the castell of Pomfret where he rested appointing the lord Fitz Walter to kéepe the passage at Ferribridge with a good number of tall mân King Henrie on the other part hauing his armie in readinesse committed the gouernance thereof line 40 to the duke of Summerset the earle of Northumberland and the lord Clifford as men desiring to reuenge the death of their parents slaine at the first battell at saint Albons These capteins leauing king Henrie his wife and sonne for the most safegard within the citie of Yorke passed the riuer of Wharfe with all their power intending to stop king Edward of his passage ouer the riuer of Aire And the better to bring that to passe the lord Clifford determined to make a charge vpon them that line 50 kept the passage of Ferribridge and so he departed with his light horssemen from the great armie on the saturdaie before Palmesundaie and earelie yer his enimies were aware slue the kéepers and wan the bridge The lord Fitz Walter hearing the noise suddenlie rose out of his bed and vnarmed with a pollar in his hand thinking that it had béene but a fraie amongst his men came downe to appease the same but yer he knew what the matter meant was slaine and with him the bastard of Salisburie brother to the earle of Warwike a valiant yoong gentleman and line 60 of great audacitie When the earle of Warwike was informed hereof like a man desperat he mounted on his hacknie and hasted puffing and blowing to king Edward saieng Sir I praie God haue mercie of their soules which in the beginning of your enterprise haue lost their liues And bicause I sée no succors of the world but in God I remit the vengeance to him our creator and redéemer With that he alighted downe and slue his horse with his sword saieng Let him flée that will for suerlie I will tarrie with him that will tarrie with me and kissed the crosse of his sword as it were for a vow to the promise King Edward perceiuing the courage of his trustie friend the earle of Warwike made proclamation that all men which were afraid to fight should depart and to all those that tarried the battell he promised great rewards with addition that anie souldier which voluntarilie would abide and afterwards either in or before the fight should seeme to flee or turne his backe then he that could kill him should haue a great reward and double wages After this proclamation ended the lord Fauconbridge sir Walter Blunt Robert Horne with the fore-ward passed the riuer at Castelford three miles from Ferribridge intending to haue inuironed the lord Clifford and his companie But they being therof aduertised departed in great hast toward king Henries armie yet they met with some that they looked not for were so trapt yer they were aware For the lord Clifford either for heat or paine putting off his gorget suddenlie with an arrow as some saie without an head was striken into the throte and immediatlie rendred his spirit and the earle of Westmerlands brother and all his companie almost were there slaine at a place called Dintingdale not far from Towton This end had the lord Clifford which slue the earle of Rutland kneeling on his knees whose yoong sonne Thomas Clifford was brought vp with a sheepheard in poore habit euer in feare to be knowne till king Henrie the seuenth obteined the crowne by whom he was restored to his name and possessions When this conflict was ended at Ferribridge the lord Fauconbridge hauing the fore-ward bicause the duke of Norffolke was fallen sicke valiantlie vpon Palmesundaie in the twilight set foorth his armie and came to Saxton where he might apparantlie behold the host of his aduersaries which were accompted thréescore thousand men and thereof aduertised king Edward whose whole armie amounted to eight and fortie thousand six hundred and thréescore persons which incontinentlie with the earle of Warwike set forward leauing the rere-ward vnder the gouernance of sir Iohn Wenlocke sir Iohn Dinham and other And first of all he made proclamation that no prisoner should be taken So the same daie about nine of the clocke which was the nine and twentith daie of March being Palmesundaie both the hostes approched in a faire plaine field betweene Towton and Saxton When ech part perceiued other they made a great shout and at the same instant there fell a small sléete or snow which by violenee of the wind that blew against them was driuen into the faces of king Henries armies so that their sight was somewhat dimmed The lord Fauconbridge leading K. Edwards fore-ward caused euerie archer vnder his standard to shoot one flight which before he caused them to prouide and then made them to stand still The northerne men feeling the shot but by reason of the sléet not well viewing the distance betweene them and their enimies like forward men shot their theafe arrowes as fast as they might but all to losse for they came short of the southerne men by thréescore yards So their shot almost spent the lord Fauconbridge marched forward with his archers which not onelie shot their whole sheafes but also gathered the arrowes of their enimies and let a great part flie against their first owners and suffered a great sort of them to stand which sore troubled the legs of the northerne men when the battell ioined The earle of Northumberland and Andrew Trollop chiefe capteins of king Henries vawward séeing their shot not to preuaile hasted to ioine with their enimies and the other part slacked not their pase This battell was sore foughten for hope of life was set aside on either part taking of prisoners proclamed a great offense so euerie man determined to vanquish or die in the field This deadlie conflict continued ten houres in doubtfull state of victorie vncerteinlie heauing and setting on both
the east hill also which if they might haue obteined the victorie had beene theirs as their foolish prophesiers told them before These northerne men incamped on the south hill the earle of Penbroke and the lord Stafford of Southwike were lodged in Banberie the daie before the field which was saint Iames daie and there the earle of Penbroke put the lord Stafford out of an Inne wherein he delighted much to be for the loue of a damosell that dwelled in the house and yet it was agréed betwixt them that which of them soeuer obteined first a lodging should not be displaced The lord Stafford in great despite departed with his whole band of archers leauing the earle of Penbroke almost desolate in the towne who with all diligence returned to his host lieng in the field vnpurueied of archers Sir Henrie Neuill sonne to the lord Latimer tooke with him certeine light horssemen and skirmished with the Welshmen in the euening iust before their campe where dooing right valiantlie but a little too hardilie aduenturing himselfe was taken and yeelded and yet cruellie slaine Which vnmercifull act the Welshmen sore rued the next day yer night for the northerne men sore displeased for the death of this noble man in the next morning valiantlie set on the Welshmen and by force of archers caused them quicklie to descend the hill into the vallie where both the hoasts fought The earle of Penbroke did right valiantlie and so likewise did his brother sir Richard Herbert in so much that with his polax in his hand he twise by fine force passed thorough the battell of his aduersaries and without anie hurt or mortall wound returned But sée the hap euen as the Welshmen were at point to haue obteined the victorie Iohn Clappam esquier seruant to the earle of Warwike mounted vp the side of the east hill accompanied onelie with fiue hundred men gathered of the rascals of the towne of Northampton and other villages about hauing borne before them the standard of the earle of Warwike with the white beare crieng A Warwike a Warwike The Welshmen thinking that the earle of Warwike had come on them with all his puissance suddenlie as men amazed fled the northerne men them pursued and slue without mercie so that there died of the Welshmen that daie aboue fiue thousand besides line 10 them that fled and were taken The earle of Penbroke and his brother sir Richard Herbert with diuerse gentlemen were taken and brought to Banberie where the earle with his brother and other gentlemen to the number of ten that were likewise taken lost their heads But great mone was made for that noble and hardie gentleman sir Richard Herbert being able for his goodlie personage and high valiancie to haue serued the greatest prince in christendome But what policie or puissance can either line 20 preuent or impugne the force of fate whose law as it standeth vpon an ineuitable necessitie so was it not to be dispensed withall and therfore destinie hauing preordeined the maner of his deth it was patientlie to be suffered sith puissantlie it could not be auoided nor politikelie preuented nor violentlie resisted for sua quenque dies ad funera raptat The Northamptonshire men with diuerse of the northerne men by them procured in this furie made them a capteine called Robert Hilliard but they named line 30 him Robin of Reddesdale and suddenlie came to Grafton where they tooke the earle Riuers father to the quéene and his son sir Iohn Wooduile whome they brought to Northampton and there beheaded them both without iudgement The king aduertised of these mischances wrote to the shiriffes of Summersetshire and Deuonshire that if they might by anie meanes take the lord Stafford of Southwike they should without delaie put him to death Herevpon search was made for him till at length he was line 40 found in a village within Brentmarch and after brought to Bridgewater where he was beheaded After the battell was thus fought at Hedgecote commonlie called Banberie field the northerne men resorted toward Warwike where the earle had gathered a great multitude of people which earle receiued the northerne men with great gladnes thanking sir Iohn Coniers and other their capteins for their paines taken in his cause The king in this meane time had assembled his power and was comming line 50 toward the earle who being aduertised thereof sent to the duke of Clarence requiring him to come and ioine with him The duke being not farre off with all speed repaired to the earle and so they ioined their powers togither and vpon secret knowledge had that the king bicause they were entered into termes by waie of communication to haue a peace tooke small héed to himselfe nothing doubting anie outward attempt of his enimies The earle of Warwike intending not to léese such line 60 opportunitie of aduantage in the dead of the night with an elect companie of men of warre as secretlie as was possible set on the kings field killing them that kept the watch and yer the king was ware for he thought of nothing lesse than of that which then hapned at a place called Wolnie foure miles from Warwike he was taken prisoner and brought to the castell of Warwike And to the intent his friends should not know what was become of him the earle caused him by secert iournies in the night to be conueied to Middleham castell in Yorkeshire and there to be kept vnder the custodie of the archbishop of Yorke and other his freends in those parties King Edward being thus in captiuitie spake euer faire to the archbishop and to his other kéepers so that he had leaue diuerse daies to go hunt Which exercise he vsed as it should séeme not so much for regard of his recreation as for the recouerie of his libertie which men esteeme better than gold and being counted a diuine thing dooth passe all the wealth pleasure and treasure of the world according to the old saieng Non bene profuluo libertas venditur auro Hoc coeleste bonum praeterit orbis opes Now on a daie vpon a plaine when he was thus abrode there met with him sir William Stanleie sir Thomas a Borough and diuers other of his friends with such a great band of men that neither his keepers would nor once durst moue him to returne vnto prison againe Some haue thought that his kéepers were corrupted with monie or faire promises and therfore suffred him thus to scape out of danger After that he was once at libertie he came to Yorke where he was ioifullie receiued and taried there two daies but when he perceiued he could get no armie togither in that countrie to attend him to London he turned from Yorke to Lancaster where he found his chamberleine the lord Hastings well accompanied by whose aid and such others as drew to him being well furnished he came safelie to the citie of London When the earle of
doctor Stillington and two other his ambassadors laden with no small summe of gold These ambassadors declaring their message affirmed that the king their maister willed to haue the earle of Richmond onelie for this purpose to ioine with him in aliance by marriage and so to plucke vp all the leauings of discord betwéene him and the contrarie faction The duke gentlie heard the orators And though at the first he by excuses denied their request yet at the length beléeuing that king Edward would giue to the earle his eldest daughter the ladie Elizabeth in marriage he consented to deliuer him and receiued of the English orators a great summe of monie But yer they were imbarked with their preie the duke being aduertised that the earle of Richmond was not so earnestlie sought for to be coupled in mariage with king Edwards daughter but rather that his head might be chopped off with an hatchet caused his treasuror Peter Landoise to conueie the said earle of Richmond into a sanctuarie at S. Malo where the English ambassadors then laie onelie staieng for a conuenient wind who complained that they were euill vsed to be spoiled both of their monie and merchandize Yet bicause the matter was so handled that it séemed the earle escaped into the sanctuarie through their owne negligence after they had receiued him into their hands they were soone answered but yet promise was made that the earle should be safelie kept either in the sanctuarie or else as prisoner in the dukes house that they should not néed to feare him more than his shadow And thus the king of England purchased for his monie the kéeping of his enimie the space onelie of three daies and no more King Edward was somewhat displeased with this chance but yet trusting that the duke of Britaine would according to promise see the earle of Richmond safelie kept from dooing anie gréeuance to him or his subiects put all doubts therof out of his mind and began to studie how to kéepe a liberall princelie house and therevpon storing his chests with monie he imploied no small portion in good housekéeping ¶ But hauing spoken thus much of the earle of Richmond whome Edward Hall compareth to a shéepe betraied into the téeth and clawes of the woolfe you shall vnderstand that at such time as his troubles were set fresh abroach and he knowing that he was going towards his death for verie pensifenesse and inward thought fell into a feruent and sore ague In which verie season one Iohn Cheulet so estéemed among the princes of Britaine as few were in all the countrie and in much credit and well accepted with the duke was when these things were thus concluded for his solace in the countrie Who being hereof certified was chafed with the abhomination of the fact resorted to the court and familiarlie came to the dukes presence where he stood so sadlie and so palie without anie word speaking that the duke was much abashed and suddenlie maruelled at his sad and frowning countenance and demanded of him what should signifie that dumpishnesse of mind and inward sighing the which by his countenance manifestlie appeared and was euident He modestlie answered Most noble and redoubted lord this palenesse of visage and deadlie looke dooth prognosticate the time of my death to approach and be at hand which if it had chanced to me before this daie I assure you it had much lesse hurt me For then had I not beene reserued to féele the dolorous pangs and sorowfull sighings which a fact by you doone that I thougââ impossible to be obteined hath printed in my stomach and in my heart deeplie grauen so that I well perceiue that either I shall lose my life or else liue in perpetuall distresse and continuall miserie For you my singular good lord by your vertuous acts and noble feats haue gotten to you in manner an immortall fame which in euerie mans mouth is extolled aduanced aboue the high clouds But alas me séemeth I praie you pardon me my rudenesse that now that you haue obteined so high praise line 10 and glorie you nothing lesse regard than to kéepe and preserue the same inuiolate considering that you forgetting your faith and faithfull promise made to Henrie earle of Richmond haue deliuered the most innocent yoong gentleman to the cruell tormentors to be afflicted rent in péeces and slaine Wherefore all such as loue you of the which number I am one cannot choose but lament be sorie when they sée openlie the fame and glorie of your most renowmed name by such a disloialtie and vntruth against line 20 promise to be both blotted and stained with a perpetuall note of slander and infamie Peace mine owne good Iohn quoth the duke I praie thée beléeue me there is no such thing like to happen to the earle of Richmond for king Edward hath sent for him to make of him being his suspected enimie his good and faire sonne in law Well well quoth Iohn my redoubted lord giue credence vnto me the earle Henrie is at the verie brinke to perish whome if you permit once to set line 30 but one foot out of your power and dominion there is no mortall creature able héereafter to deliuer him from death The duke being mooued with the persuasions of Iohn Cheulet which either little beleeued or smallie suspected king Edward to desire the earle for anie fraud or deceipt or else seduced by blind auarice and loue of monie more than honestie fidelitie or wisedome would require did not consider what he vnaduisedlie did or what he aduisedlie should haue doone Wherefore with all diligence he sent foorth Peter line 40 Landoise his cheefe treasuror commanding him to intercept and staie the earle of Richmond in all hast possible as before you haue heard ¶ In this yeare deceassed sir Iohn Crosbie knight not long before this maior of London and was buried in the parish church of saint Helen in Bishops gate stréet vnto the reparing of which parish church he gaue fiue hundred marks and thirtie pounds to be distributed to poore housholders in the ward of Bishops gate to the reparing of the parish church at line 50 Heneworth in Middlesex fortie pounds to the repairing of London wall one hundred pounds toward the making of a new tower of stone at the south-end of London bridge if the same were begun by the maior and communaltie within ten yeares next after his deceasse one hundred pounds to the reparations of Rochester bridge ten pounds to euerie the prisons in and about London liberallie Also he gaue to the wardens and communaltie of the grocers in London two large pots of siluer chased halfe line 60 guilt weieng thirtéene pounds and fiue ounces of Treie weight to be occupied in their common hall and elsewhere at their discretions In this yeare were inhanced to the honour of knighthood after the custome of England in the time of peace the kings eldest son Edward prince of Wales duke of
lawes and statutes as well of the chéefe of his nobilitie as of other gentlemen being proprietaries of great possessions or abundantlie furnished with goods likewise of merchants and other inferior persons By reason whereof it was of all men iudged that he would proue he reafter a sore and a rigorous line 50 prince among his subiects But this his new inuented practise and couetous meaning by reason of forreine affaires and abridgement of his daies in this transitorie life which were within two yeares after consumed tooke some but not great effect ¶ In this yeare was great mortalitie and death by the pestilence not onelie in London but in diuerse parts of the realme which began in the latter end of September in the yeare last before passed and continued all this yeare till the beginning of Nouember line 60 which was about fourtéene moneths in the which space died innumerable of people in the said citie else-where ¶ This yeare also the maior of London being in Paules knéeling in his deuotions at saint Erkenwalds shrine Robert Bifield one of the shiriffes vnaduisedlie kneeled downe nigh vnto the maior whereof afterward the maior charged him to haue doone more than becomed him But the shiriffe answering rudelie and stubbornlie would not acknowledge to haue committed anie offense for the which he was afterward by a court of aldermen fined at fiftie pounds to be paid toward the reparations of the conduits in London which was trulie paid ¶ This yeere Thomas Ilam one of the shirifs of London newlie builded the great conduit in Cheape of his owne charges ¶ This yeare also king Edward began his Christmasse at Waking and at fiue daies end remooued to Greenewich where he kept out the other part of his Christmasse with great roialtie Ambassadours were sent to and fro betwixt the king of England and France and still the French king fed the king of England with faire words putting him in hope to match his sonne and heire the Dolphin with the ladie Elizabeth daughter to the king of England according to the conclusions of agréement had and made at Picquenie betwixt them although in verie déed he meant nothing lesse His ambassadours euer made excuses if anie thing were amisse and he vsed to send change of ambassadours so that if those which had béene here before and were returned had said or promised anie thing though they were authorised so to doo which might turne to their masters hinderance the other that came after might excuse themselues by ignorance of that matter affirming that they wanted commission once to talke or meddle with that matter or if he perceiued that anie thing was like to be concluded contrarie to his mind for a shift he would call his ambassadours home in great hast and after send an other with new instructions nothing depending on the old Thus the French king vsed to dallie with king Edward in the case of this mariage onelie to kéepe him still in amitie And certeinelie the king of England being a man of no suspicious nature thought sooner that the sunne should haue fallen from his circle than that the French king would haue dissembled or broken promise with him But there is none so soone beguiled as he that least mistrusteth nor anie so able to deceiue as he to whome most credence is giuen But as in mistrusting nothing is great lightnesse so in too much trusting is too much follie which well appeared in this matter For the French king by cloking his inward determinate purpose with great dissimulation and large promises kept him still in fréendship with the king of England till he had wrought a great part of his will against the yoong duchesse of Burgognie Which king Edward would not haue suffered if he had put anie great doubt in the French kings faire promises considering that the crowne of France was in this meane time so much increased in dominions to the great re-enforcement of that realme ¶ On the two and twentith of Februarie were fiue notable théeues put to death for robbing the church called saint Martins le grand in London and other places thrée of them were drawne to the Tower hill hanged burnt the other two were pressed to death A sore and seuere kind of execution no doubt but yet thought by iustice meritorious in the malefactors for their offenses of sacrilege Heinous enough had it beene to spoile a priuat man of his goods and by law of nations punishable with death but much more horrible that prophane persons with polluted hands should priuilie or openlie so touch holie consecrated things as to take them out of a sacred place whereto for holy vses they were dedicated applie them to the satisfieng of the corrupt concupiscences of their owne hearts the bottomlesse gulfe whereof bicause no booties nor spoiles could satisfie it stood with the high praise of iustice that they and their ceaselesse desires were seuered by deserued death wherefore it is wiselie said by the comicall poet of such gréedie guts Quam quis auidus poscit escam auariter Decipitur in transenna perÃtque auaritia In this yeare king Edward required great sums of monie to be lent him The citizens of London granted him fiue thousand marks which were seized of the fiue and twentie wards which fiue thousand marks was trulie repaid againe in the next yeare following ¶ Also this yeare on Whitsundaie K. Edward the fourth created the lord Berkleie vicount Berkeleie at Gréenewich ¶ In this yeare also an house on London bridge called the common siege or priuie fell downe into the Thames where thorough it fiue persons were drowned ¶ This yeare the king with his quéene kept a roiall Christmas at Windsor Also this yéere was one Richard Chawrie maior of London whome king Edward so greatlie line 10 fauoured that he tooke him with certeine of his brethren the aldermen commons of the citie of London into the forrest of Waltham where was ordeined for them a pleasant lodge of gréene boughs in which lodge they dined with great chéere the king would not go to dinner vntill he saw them serued Moreouer he caused the lord chamberlaine with other lords to cheere the said maior and his companie sundrie times whilest they were at dinner After dinner they went a hunting with the king and slue manie line 20 deare as well red as fallow whereof the king gaue vnto the maior and his companie good plentie and sent vnto the ladie mairesse and hir sisters the aldermens wiues two harts sir bucks and a tun of wine to make them merrie with which was eaten in the drapers hall The cause of which bountie thus shewed by the king was as most men did take for that the maior was a merchant of woonderous aduentures into manie and sundrie countries By reason whereof the king had yearelie of him notable line 30 summes of monie for his customes beside other pleasures that
hir noble person neither was nor could be anie maner ieopardie Whereby should I trust that quoth the quéene in that I am giltlesse As though they were giltie in that I am with their enimies better loued than they When they hate them for my sake in that I am so néere of kin to the king And how far they be off if that would helpe as God send grace it hurt not and therefore as for me I purpose not as yet to depart hence And as for this gentleman my sonne I mind that he shall be where I am till I sée further for I assure you for that I sée some men so greedie without anie substantiall cause to haue him this maketh me much the more fearder to deliuer him Truelie madame quoth he and the fearder that you be to deliuer him the fearder bin other men to suffer you to kéepe him least your causelesse feare might cause you further to conueie him and manie be there that thinke he can haue no priuilege in this place which neither can haue will to aske it nor malice to deserue it And therefore they reckon no priuilege broken though they fetch him out which if yée finallie refuse to deliuer him I verelie thinke they will So much dread hath my lord his vncle for the tender loue he beareth him least your grace should line 10 hap to send him awaie A sir quoth the quéene hath the protector so tender zeale that he feareth nothing but least he should escape him Thinketh he that I would send him hence which neither is in the plight to send out And in what place could I reckon him sure if he be not sure in this sanctuarie whereof was there neuer tyrant yet so diuelish that durst presume to breake And I trust God is as strong now to withstand his aduersaries as euer he was But my sonne can deserue line 20 no sanctuarie and therefore he can not haue it Forsooth he hath found a goodlie glose by which that place that may defend a théefe may not saue an innocent But he is in no ieopardie nor hath no need thereof would God he had not Troweth the protector I praie God he may prooue a protector troweth he that I perceiue not wherevnto his painted processe draweth It is not honourable that the duke bide héere it were comfortable for them both that he were with his brother bicause the line 30 king lacketh a plaifellow Be you sure I praie God send them both better plaifellowes than him that maketh so high a matter vpon such a trifling pretext as though there could none be founden to plaie with the king but if his brother that hath no lust to plaie for sicknesse come out of sanctuarie out of his safegard to plaie with him As though princes as yoong as they be could not plaie but with their peeres or children could not plaie but with their kinred with whome for the more part they agrée much woorse than line 40 with strangers But the child cannot require the priuilege Who told him so He shall heare him aske it and he will Howbeit this is a gaie matter Suppose he could not aske it suppose he would not aske it suppose he would aske to go out If I saie he shall not if I aske the priuilege but for my selfe I say he that against my will taketh him out breaketh the sanctuarie Serueth this libertie for my person onelie or for my goods too Yée may not hence take my horsse fro me and may you line 50 take my child fro me He is also my ward for as my learned counsell sheweth me sith he hath nothing by descent holden by knights seruice the law maketh his mother his gardian Then may no man I suppose take my ward fro me out of sanctuarie without the breach of the sanctuarie And if my priuilege could not serue him nor he aske it for himselfe yet sith the law committeth to me the custodie of him I may require it for him except the law giue a child a gardian onelie for his goods and lands discharging him of the cure and safe line 60 kéeping of his bodie for which onelie both lands and goods serue * And if examples be sufficient to obteine priuilege for my child I need not farre to séeke For in this place in which we now be and which is now in question whether my child may take benefit of it mine other sonne now king was borne and kept in his cradle and preserued to a more prosperous fortune which I praie God long to continue And as all you know this is not the first time that I haue taken sanctuarie For when my lord my husband was banished and thrust out of his kingdome I fled hither being great with child and héere I bare the prince And when my lord my husband returned safe againe and had the victorie then went I hence to welcome him home and from hence I brought my babe the prince vnto his father when he first tooke him in his armes And I praie God that my sonnes palace may be as great safegard vnto him now reigning as this place was sometime to the kings enimie In which place I intend to kéepe his brother sith c. * Wherefore héere intend I to keepe him sith mans law serueth the gardian to kéepe the infant The law of nature will the moother to keepe his child Gods law priuilegeth the sanctuarie and the sanctuarie my sonne sith I feare to put him in the protectors hands that hath his brother alreadie and were if both failed inheritour to the crowne The cause of my feare hath no man to doo to examine And yet feare I no further than the law feareth which as learned men tell me forbiddeth euerie man the custodie of them by whose death he maie inherit lesse land than a kingdome I can no more but whosoeuer he be that breaketh this holie sanctuarie I praie God shortlie send him néed of sanctuarie when he maie not come to it For taken out of sanctuarie would I not my mortall enimie were The lord cardinall perceiuing that the quéene waxed euer the longer the farther off and also that she began to kindle and chafe and spake more biting words against the protector and such as he neither beléeued and was also loth to heare he said to hir for a finall conclusion that he would no longer dispute the matter but if she were content to deliuer the duke to him and to the other lords present he durst laie his owne bodie soule both in pledge not onelie for his suertie but also for his estate And if she would giue them a resolute answer to the contrarie he would foorthwith depart therwithall and shift who so would with this businesse afterwards for he neuer intended more to mooue hir in that matter in which she thought that he all other also saue hir selfe lacked either wit or truth wit if they were so dull that they could nothing perceiue what
king Richard entered into a treatie also of aliance for the concluding of a marriage betwixt the duke of Rothsaie eldest sonne to the king of Scots and the ladie Anne de la Poole daughter to Iohn duke of Suffolke and the duchesse Anne sister to king Richard which sister he so much fauoured line 30 that studieng by all waies and meanes possible how to aduance hir linage he did not onelie thus seeke to preferre hir daughter in marriage but also after the death of his sonne he proclamed Iohn earle of Lincolne hir sonne and his nephue heire apparant to the crowne of England disheriting king Edwards daughters whose brethren as ye haue heard he most wickedlie had caused to be murthered and made awaie The king of Scots standing in néed of freends line 40 although not so greatlie as king Richard did willinglie consent to that motion of marriage first broched by king Richard insomuch that it tooke effect and by commissioners was passed and concluded in maner as in the historie of Scotland it likewise appeareth But albeit that by this league and amitie thus couenanted and concluded it might he thought that all conspiracies coniurations and confederacies against king Richard had béene extinct especiallie considering the duke of Buckingham and his alies line 50 were dispatched out of the waie some by death and some by flight and banishment into farre countries yet king Richard more doubting than trusting to his owne people and freends was continuallie vexed and troubled in mind for feare of the earle of Richmonds returne which dailie dread and hourelie agonie caused him to liue in dolefull miserie euer vnquiet and in maner in continuall calamitie Wherefore he intending to be reléeued and to haue an end of all his doubtfull dangers determined line 60 cléerelie to extirpate and plucke vp by the roots all the matter and ground of his feare and doubts Insomuch that after long and deliberate consultation had nothing was for his purpose and intent thought either more necessarie or expedient than once againe with price praier and rewards to attempt the duke of Britaine in whose territorie the earle of Richmond then abode to deliuer the said earle into his hands by which onelie meanes he should be discharged of all feare and perill and brought to rest and quietnesse both of bodie and mind Wherefore incontinent he sent certeine ambassadors to the duke of Britaine which tooke vpon them beside the great and ample rewards that they brought with them into Britaine that king Richard should yearelie paie and answer the duke of all the reuenues rents and profits of the seigniories lands and possessions as well belonging and apperteining to the erle of Richmond as to anie other noble or gentleman which then were in the earles companie if he after that time would kéepe them in continuall prison and restraine them from libertie The ambassadors furnished with these and other instructions arriued in Britaine and came to the dukes house where with him they could haue no maner of communication concerning their weightie affaires by reason that he being faint and weakened by a long and dailie infirmitie began a little to wax idle and weake in his wit and remembrance For which cause Peter Landoise his cheefe treasuror a man both of pregnant wit and great authoritie ruled and adiudged all things at his pleasure and commandement for which cause as men set in authoritie be not best beloued he excited prouoked against him the malice and euill will of the nobilitie of Britaine which afterward for diuerse great offenses by him during his authoritie perpetrate committed by their meanes was brought to death confusion The English ambassadors mooued their message and request to Peter Landoise and to him declared their maisters commandement instantlie requiring and humblie desiring him in whose power it laie to doo all things in Britaine that he would freendlie assent to the request of king Richard offering to him the same rewards and lands that they should haue offered to the duke This Peter which was no lesse disdeined than hated almost of all the people of Britaine thought that if he did assent satisfie king Richards petition and desire he should be of power and abilitie sufficient to withstand and refell the malicious attempts and disdeinfull inuentions of his enuious aduersaries Wherefore he faithfullie promised to accomplish king Richards request desire so that he kept promise with him that he might be able to withstand the cankered malice of his secret enimies This act that he promised to doo was not for anie grudge or malice that he bare vnto the erle of Richmond for as you haue heard before he deliuered him from the perill of death at saint Malos when he was in great doubt of life and ieopardie But as cause ariseth we euer offend and that curssed hunger of gold and execrable thirst of lucre and inward feare of losse of authoritie driueth the blind minds of couetous men ambitious persons to euils and mischéefs innumerable not remembring losse of good name obloquie of the people nor in conclusion the punishment of God for their merits and deserts Which vengeance of God for such falshood was more to be feared than the gaie offers of the king to be desired for the one was sure to fall the other was likelie to faile Wherefore it is wisedome to make choise of a fréend by the rule of the wiseman to be obserued in wine which is drunke with pleasure when it is old Neither dooth it stand with a mans safetie to trust a freend too farre for occasions maie fall out wherby he shall become an enimie as the poet saith Hostis erit forsan qui tuns hospes erat But fortune was so fauourable to the publike wealth of the realme of England that this deadlie and dolorous compact tooke none effect or place For while posts ran and letters were sent to and fro for the finishing of this great enterprise betwéene king Richard and Peter Landoise Iohn Morton bishop of Elie soiourning then in Flanders was of all this craftie conueiance certified by his secret and sure fréends Wherefore he sent Christopher Urswike which at that verie season was come out of Britaine into Flanders to declare to the earle of Richmond how all the deceit and craftie working was conueied and compassed giuing him charge to counsell and aduise the earle in all hast possible with all his companie to retire out of Britaine into France When these newes were brought to the earle he then kept house in Uannes and incontinent dispatched againe Christopher Urswike vnto Charles the French king requiring him that he and his might safelie passe into France Which desire being obteined line 10 the messenger shortlie returned to his lord and prince The earle well perceiuing that it was expedient and necessarie with all spéed and diligence to looke to this weightie matter calling verie few to counsell he made inquirie
that he being succoured and holpen with the aid and reliefe of his fréends intended to passe ouer the riuer of Seuerne at Shrewesburie and so to passe directlie to the citie of London Wherefore he required them as his speciall trust and confidence was fixed in the hope of their fidelitie that they would meet him by the waie with all diligent preparation to the intent that he and they at time and place conuenient might communicate togither the déepenesse of all his doubtfull and weightie businesse When the messengers were dispatched with these commandements and admonitions he marched forward toward Shrewesburie and in his passing there met and saluted him Rice ap Thomas with a goodlie band of Welshmen which making an oth and promise to the earle submitted himselfe wholie to his order and commandement For the earle of Richmond two daies before made to him promise that if he would sweare to take his part and be obedient to him he would make him chiefe gouernour of Wales which part as he faithfullie promised and granted so after that he had obteined and possessed the realme and diademe he liberallie performed and accomplished the same In the meane time the messengers that werâ sent diligentlie executed their charge and laden with rewards of them to whom they were sent returned to him the same day that he entered into Shrewesburie and made relation to him that his fréends were readie in all points to doo all things for him which either they ought or might doo The earle Henrie brought in good hope with this pleasant message continued foorth his intended iournie and came to a little towne called Newport and pitching his campe on a little hill adioining reposed himselfe there that night In the euening the same daie came to him sir Gilbert Talbot with the whole power of the yoong earle of Shrewesburie then being in ward which were accounted to the number of two thousand men And thus his power increasing he arriued at the towne of Stafford and there paused There also came sir William Stanleie accompanied with a few persons And after that the earle and he had communed no long time togither he reuerted to his souldiors whom he had assembled togither to serue the earle which from thence departed to Lichfield and lay without the walles in his campe all the night The next morning he entered into the towne and was with all honor like a prince receiued A daie or two before the lord Stanleie hauing in his band almost fiue thousand men lodged in the same towne But hearing that the erle of Richmond was marching thitherward gaue to him place dislodging him and his and repaired to a towne called Aderstone there abiding the comming of the earle And this wilie fox did this act to auoid all suspicion on king Richards part For the lord Stanleie was afraid least if he should séeme openlie to be a fautor or aider to the earle his sonne in law before the day of the battell that king Richard which yet vtterlie did not put in him diffidence line 10 and mistrust would put to some cruell death his sonne and heire apparant George lord Strange whome king Richard as you haue heard before kept with him as a pledge or hostage to the intent that the lord Stanleie his father should attempt nothing preiudiciall to him King Richard at this season kéeping his house in the castle of Notingham was informed that the earle of Richmond with such vanished men as were fled out of England to him were now arriued in Wales and that all things necessarie to his line 20 enterprise were vnprouided vnpurueied and verie weake nothing méet to withstand the power of such as the king had appointed to méet him This rumor so inflated his mind that in maner disdeining to heare speake of so small a companie he determined at the first to take little or no regard to this so small a sparkle declaring the earle to be innocent and vnwise bicause that he rashly attempted such a great enterprise with so small and thin a number of warlike persons and therefore he gaue a definitiue line 30 sentence that when he came to that point that he should be compelled to fight against his will hée either should be apprehended aliue or else by all likelihood he should of necessitie come to a shamefull confusion and that he trusted to be shortlie doone by sir Walter Herbert and Rice ap Thomas which then ruled Wales with equall power and like authoritie But yet reuoluing and casting in his mind that a small war begun and winked at and not regarded maie turne to a great broile and trouble and that it line 40 was prudent policie not to contemne and disdeine the little power and small weakenesse of the enimie be it neuer so small thought it necessarie to prouide for afterclaps that might happen chance For victorie dooth not alwaies follow the greatest multitude neither is it a necessarie consequent that the biggest bodie is indued with most force For we see that the small viper is the huge buls deadlie bane and a little curre dooth catch a bore boisterous and big as the poet properlie and to the purpose verie well saith line 50 Parua necat morsu spatiosum vipera taurum A cane non mag no saepè tenetur aper Wherefore he sent to Iohn duke of Norffolke Henrie earle of Northumberland Thomas earle of Surrie and to other of his especiall trustie friends of the nobilitie which he iudged more to preferre and estéeme his wealth and honour than their owne riches and priuate commoditie willing them to muster and view all their seruants and tenants and to elect and choose the most couragious and actiue persons line 60 of the whole number and with them to repaire to his presence with all spéed and diligence Also hée wrote to Robert Brakenberie lieutenant of the Tower commanding him with his power to come to his armie and to bring with him as fellowes in armes sir Thomas Bourchier sir Walter Hungerford and diuerse other knights and esquiers in whom he cast no small suspicion Now while he was thus ordering his affaires tidings came that the earle of Richmond was passed Seuerne come to Shrewesburie without anie detriment or incumbrance At which message he was sore mooued and broiled with melancholie and dolor crieng out asking vengeance of them that against their oth and promise had so deceiued him For which cause he began to haue diffidence in other insomuch that he determined himselfe out of hand the same daie to méet with and resist his aduersaries and in all haste sent out espials to view and espie what waie his enimies kept and passed They diligentlie dooing their dutie shortlie after returned declaring to the king that the earle was incamped at the towne of Lichfield When he had perfect knowledge where the earle with his armie was soiourning he hauing continuall repaire of his subiects to him began
be buried with his carren corps He reigned two yeers two moneths and one daie too long by six and twentie moneths and foure and twentie houres in most mens opinions to whome his name and presence was as swéet and delectable as his dooings princelie and his person amiable As he was small and little of stature so was he of bodie greatlie deformed the one shoulder higher than the other his face was small but his countenance cruell and such that at the first aspect a man would iudge it to sauour and smell of malice fraud and deceit When he stood musing he would bite and chaw busilie his nether lip as who said that his fierce nature in his cruell bodie alwaies chafed stirred and was euer vnquiet beside that the dagger which he ware he would when he studied with his hand plucke vp downe in the sheath to the midst neuer drawing it fullie out he was of a readie pregnant and quicke wit wilie to feine and apt to dissemble he had a proud mind and an arrogant stomach the which accompanied him euen to his death rather choosing to suffer the same by dint of sword than being forsaken and left helpelesse of his vnfaithfull companions to preserue by cowardlie flight such a fraile and vncerteine life which by malice sicknesse or condigne punishment was like shortlie to come to confusion Thus ended this prince his mortall life with infamie and dishonor which neuer preferred fame or honestie before ambition tyrannie and mischiefe And if he had continued still protector and suffered his nephues to haue liued and reigned no doubt but the realme had prospered he as much praised loued as he is now had in hatred but to God which knew his inward thoughts at the houre of his death I remit the punishment of his offenses commited in his life which if the one be as manifold as the other Gods iustice were not to be charged with crueltie For by nature he is mercifull slow to anger and loth to smite line 10 but yet euerie sinne in respect of his righteousnesse being deadlie much more heinous and horrible how can he but by iustice which is an essentiall vertue in him punish it seuerelie And if he did it with ten thousand torments who shall be so hardie as to expostulate and reason why he so dooth But to leaue the tyrant as he died you shall vnderstand that K. Henrie the seuenth caused a toome to be made and set vp ouer the place where he was buried in the church of the graie friers at Leicester with a picture of alabaster representing his person dooing line 20 that honour to his enimie vpon a princelie regard and pitifull zeale which king Richard mooued of an hypocriticall shew of counterfeit pitie did to king Henrie the sixt whom he had first cruellie murthered and after in the second yeare of his vsurped reigne caused his corps to be remooued from Chertseie vnto Windsore and there solemnlie interred And now to conclude with this cruell tyrant king Richard we may consider in what sort the ambitious desire to line 30 rule and gouerne in the house of Yorke was punished by Gods iust prouidence For although that the right might seeme to remaine in the person of Richard duke of Yorke slaine at Wakefield yet maie there be a fault worthilie reputed in him so to séeke to preuent the time appointed him by authoritie of parlement to atteine to the crowne infailed to him and his issue in whome also and not onelie in himselfe that offense as maie bée thought was dulie punished For although his eldest line 40 sonne Edward the fourth beeing a prince right prouident and circumspect for the suertie of his owne estate and his children insomuch that not content to cut off all his armed and apparant enimies he also of a gealous feare made awaie his brother the duke of Clarence and so thought to make all sure yet Gods vengeance might not be disappointed for as ye haue partlie heard he did but further thereby the destruction of his issue in taking awaie him that onlie might haue staied the crueltie of his brother of line 50 Glocester who inraged for desire of the kingdome be rest his innocent nephues of their liues estates And as it thus well appeared that the house of Yorke shewed it selfe more bloudie in séeking to obteine the kingdome than that of Lancaster in vsurping it so it came to passe that the Lords vengeance appeared more heauie towards the same than towards the other not ceassing till the whole issue maâe of the said Richard duke of Yorke was extinguished For such is Gods iustice to leaue no vnrepentant line 60 wickednesse vnpunished as especiallie in this caitife Richard the third not deseruing so much as the name of a man much lesse of a king most manifestlie appeareth At whom we will end with a comparison of the like practise in Lodowike Storce aspiring to the dukedome of Millane the name armes and title wherof he tooke vpon him hauing secretlie protested before that he receiued them as apperteining to him by the inuestiture of the king of Romans It was published that the death of Galeas his late predecessor happened by immoderate cohabitation but the vniuersall iudgment of Italie was that he died not of infirmities naturall nor by incontinencie but by poison and violent compulsion Wherof Theodor de Pauia one of the physicians assisting when the king visited him assured the king to sée most apparant and manifest signes and if hee were dispatched by poison there was none that doubted that his vncle was innocent either directlie or indirectlie as he who not content with an absolute power to be gouernor of the state but aspiring according to the common desires of great men to make themselues glorious with titles and honors and speciallie he iudged that both for his proper suertie and the succession of his children the death of the lawfull prince was necessarie and therefore thought to establish in himselfe the power and name of duke Wherin ambition and couetousnesse preuailed aboue conscience and law of nature and the gealous desire of dominion inforced his disposition otherwise abhorring bloud to that vile action But to end with king Richard sometimes duke of Glocester a title of dignitie ioined with misfortune and vnluckinesse as is noted before So that for infelicitie it might well be compared vnto the name of Ione a name vnhappie and much accurssed for the kingdome of Naples As for king Richard better had it béene for him to haue contented his heart with the protectorship than to haue cast vp his snout or lifted vp his hornes of ambition so high and that with a setled intent as to hacke and hew downe by violent blowes all likelie impediments betwixt him and home Better I say had it béene for him to haue dwelt vpon his first honor than to haue wandered in princelinesse and better had it béene for him neuer to haue
which was called Peter Uacz de Cogna with whome I dwelled an whole yeare which said knight had but one eie And bicause I desired to see other countries I tooke licence of him and then I put my selfe in seruice with a Britan called Pregent Meno which brought me with him into Ireland Now when we were there arriued in the towne of Corke they of the towne bicause I was arraied with some cloths of silke of my said maisters came vnto me threatned vpon me that I should be the duke of Clarences sonne that was before time at Dublin But forsomuch as I denied it there was brought vnto me the holie euangelists and the crosse by the maior of the towne which was called Iohn Leweline and there in the presence of him and others I tooke mine oth as the truth was that I was not the foresaid dukes sonne nor none of his bloud And after this came vnto me an Englishman whose name was Stephan Poitron and one Iohn Water and laid to me in swearing great oths that they knew well that I was king Richards bastard sonne to whome I answered with like oths that I was not Then they aduised me not to be afeard but that I should take it vpon me boldlie and if I would so doo they would aid and assist me with all their power against the king of England not onelie they but they were well assured that the earle of Desmond Kildare should doo the same For they forced not what part they tooke so that they might be reuenged on the king of England and so against my will made me to learne English and taught me what I should doo and saie And after this they called me duke of Yorke second sonne to king Edward the fourth bicause king Richards bastard sonne was in the hanâs of the king of England And vpon this the said Water Stephan Poitron Iohn Tiler Hughbert Burgh with manie others as the foresaid earles entered into this false quarell and within short time others The French K. sent an ambassador into Ireland whose name was Loit Lucas and maister Stephan Friham to aduertise me to come into France And thense I went into France and from thense into Flanders from Flanders into Ireland and from Ireland into Scotland so into England When the night of the same daie being the fifteenth of Iune was come after he had stood all that daie in the face of the citie he was committed to the Tower there to remaine vnder safe kéeping least happilie he might eftsoones run awaie and escape out of the land to put the king and realme to some new trouble For he had a woonderfull dextèritie and readinesse to circumuent a heart full of ouerreaching imaginations an aspiring mind a head more wilie I wisse than wittie bold he was and presumptuous line 10 in his behauiour as forward to be the instrument of a mischeefe as anie deuiser of wickednesse would wish a féend of the diuels owne forging nursed and trained vp in the studie of commotions making offer to reach as high as he could looke such was his inordinate ambition wherewith he did swelâ as coueting to be a princes peere much like the tode that would match the bull in drinking but in the end she burst in péeces and neuer dranke more as the poet telleth the tale by the imitation of the fabler saieng line 20 cupiens aequare bibendo Rana bouem rupta nunquam bibit ampliùs aluo In this yeare was an Augustine frier called Patrike in the parties of Suffolke the which hauing a scholer named Rafe Wilford a shoomakers sonne of London as Stow noteth had so framed him to his purpose that in hope to worke some great enterprise as to disappoint the king of his crowne and seat roiall tooke vpon him to be the earle of Warwike insomuch that both the maister and scholer hauing counselled betwéene themselues of their enterprise line 30 they went into Kent there began the yoong mawmet to tell priuilie to manie that he was the verie earle of Warwike and latelie gotten out of the Tower by the helpe of this frier Patrike To which saiengs when the frier perceiued some light credence to be giuen he declared it openlie in the pulpit and desired all men of helpe But the danger of this seditious attempt was shortlie remooued and taken awaie the maister and scholer being both apprehended line 40 and cast into prison and atteinted The scholer was hanged on Shrouetuesdaie at saint Thomas Waterings and the frier condemned to perpetuall prison For at that time so much reuerence was attributed to the holie orders that to a préest although he had committed high treason against his souereigne lord his life was spared in like case as to anie other offendor in murther rape or theft that had receiued anie of the three higher holie orders The chéefe cause saith Edward Hall of this line 50 fauour was this bicause bishops of a long time and season did not take knowledge nor intermix themselues with the search punishment of such heinous and detestable offenses by reason whereof they did not disgrade and depriue from the holie orders such malefactors and wicked persons which without that ceremonie by the canon lawes could not be put to death Furthermore what should a man saie it was also vsed that he that could but onelie read yea although line 60 he vnderstood not what he read how heinous or detestable a crime so euer he had committed treason onelie excepted should likewise as affines alies to the holie orders be saued and committed to the bishops prison And to the intent that if they should escape and be againe taken committing like offense that their liues be no more to them pardoned it was ordeined that murtherers should be burnt on the brawne of the left hand with an hot iron signed with this letter M. and théeues in the same place with this letter T. So that if they which were once signed with anie of these marks or tokens did reiterate like crime offense againe should suffer the paines and punishments which they had both merited and deserued Which decrée was enacted and established in a session of parlement kept in the time of this kings reigne and taken as I coniecture of the French nation which are woont if they take anie such offendor to cut off one of his eares as a sure token and marke hereafter of his euill dooing Perkin Warbecke as before ye haue heard being now in hold by false persuasions and great promises corrupted his kéepers Stranguish Blewet Astwood and long Roger seruants to sir Iohn Digbie lieutenant of the Tower Insomuch that they as it was at their arreignment openlie prooued intended to haue slaine their maister and to haue set Perkin and the earle of Warwike at large Which earle of Warwike had beene kept in prison within the Tower almost from his tender yeares that is
pencels and cushins where was soong a solemne dirige and a masse with a sermon made by the bishop of Rochester During which time the kings houshold and the mourners reposed them in the bishops palace The next daie the corps in like order was remooued towards Westminster sir Edward Howard bearing the kings baner on a courser trapped in the armes of the deceased king In Westminster was a curious hearse made of nine principals all full of lights which were lighted at the comming of the corps which was taken out of the charriot by six lords and set vnder the hearse the image or the representation lieng vpon the cushin on a large pall of gold The hearse was double railed within the first railes sat the mourners and within the second raile stood knights bearing baners of saints and without the same stood officers of armes When the mourners were set Gartier king at armes cried For the soule of the noble prince king Henrie the seauenth latâ king of this realme then the quire began Placebo and so soong dirige which being finished the mourners departed into the palace where they had a void and so reposed for that night The next daie were thrée masses solemnelie soong by bishops and at the last masse was offered the kings baner and courser his coat of armes his sword his target and his helme and at the end of masse the mourners offered vp rich palles of cloath of gold and baudekin and when the quire sang Libera me the bodie was put into the earth Then the lord treasuror lord steward lord chamberleine the treasuror and comptrollor of the kings houshold brake their staues and cast them into the graue Then Gartier cried with a lowd voice Viue le roy Henrie le huictesme roy d'Angleterre de France sire d'Irland Then all the mourners and all other that had giuen their attendance on this funerall obsequie departed to the palace where they had a great and a sumptuous feast Woonder it were to write of the lamentation that was made for this prince amongst his seruants and other of the wisest sort and the ioie that was made for his death by such as were troubled by rigour of his law yet the toward hope which in all points appeared in the yoong king did both repaire and comfort the heauie hearts of them which had lost so wise and sage a prince and also did put out of the minds of such as were releeued by the said kings death all their old grudge and rancor and confirmed their new ioie by the new grant of his pardon After that the funerals of the said late king were once ended great preparation was made for the coronation of the new king which was appointed on Midsummer daie next insuing During the time of which preparation the king was aduised by some of his councell to take to wife the ladie Katharine late wife to his brother prince Arthur least she hauing so great a dowrie as was appointed to hir might marrie out of the realme which should be to his hinderance The king being hereto persuaded espoused the said ladie Katharine the third daie of Iune the which marriage was dispensed with by pope Iulie at the sute of hir father king Ferdinando On the eleuenth daie of this moneth of Iune the king came from Gréenewich to the Tower ouer London bridge and so by Grace church with whome came manie a gentleman richlie apparelled but speciallie the duke of Buckingham which had a gowne all of goldsmiths line 10 worke verie costlie On fridaie the two and twentith day of Iune the king with the quéene being in the Tower of London made foure and twentie knights of the Bath And the morow following being saturdaie the foure and twentith of Iune his grace with the quéene departed from the Tower through London the streets being hanged with tapestrie and cloth of arras verie richlie and a great part of the south side of Cheape with cloth of gold so was some part of Cornehill The stréets were railed barred on the one side from line 20 ouer against Grace church to Bredstréet in Cheapeside where euerie occupation stood in their liueries in order beginning with base and meane occupations and so ascending to the worshipfull crafts Highest and lastlie stood the maior with the aldermen The goldsmiths stals vnto the end of the Old change being replenished with virgins in white with branches of white wax the priests and clearkes in rich copes with crosses and censers of siluer with censing his line 30 grace and the queene also as they passed The features of his bodie his goodlie personage his amiable visage princelie countenance with the noble qualities of his roiall estate to euerie man knowen néedeth no rehersall considering that for lacke of cunning I cannot expresse the gifts of grace and of nature that God indued him with all Yet partlie to describe his apparell it is to be noted his grace ware in his vppermost apparell a robe of crimsin veluet furred with ermins his iacket or line 40 coat of raised gold the placard imbrodered with diamonds rubies emerands great pearles and other rich stones a great bauderike about his necke of great balasses The trapper of his horsse damaske gold with a deepe purfle of ermins His knights and esquiers for his bodie in crimsin veluet and all the gentlemen with other of his chappell and all his officers and houshold seruants were appareled in scarlet The barons of the fiue portes bare the canopie or cloth of estate For to recite vnto you the great estates by name the order of their going the number line 50 of the lords spirituall temporall knights esquiers and gentlemen and their costlie and rich apparell of seuerall deuises and fashions who tooke vp his horsse best or who was richest beseene it would aske long time and yet I should omit manie things and faile of the number for they were verie manie wherefore I passe ouer But this I dare well saie there was no lacke or scarsitie of cloth of tissue cloth of gold cloth of siluer broderie or of goldsmiths works but in more plentie and aboundance than hath beene séene line 60 or read of at anie time before and thereto manie and great numbers of chaines of gold bauderikes both massie and great Also before the kings highnesse rode two gentlemen richlie apparelled and about their bodies ouerthwart they bare two robes the one of the duchie of Guien and the other for the duchie of Normandie with hats on their heads powdered with ermins for the estate of the same Next followed two persons of good estate the one bearing his cloke the other his hat apparelled both in goldsmiths worke and broderie their horsses trapped in burned siluer drawen ouer with cordes of gréene silke and gold the edges and borders of their apparell being fretted with gold of damaske After them came sir Thomas Brandon master of the kings
part went ouer the water and made trenches to the water so besieged the towne as streictlie as their number would giue them leaue but yet for all that they could doo without they within kept one gate euer open At length the English capteins perceiuing that they laie there in vaine considering the strength of the towne and also how the armie was not of number sufficient to enuiron the same on each side wrote to the king who willed them with all speed to returne and so they did Sir Edward Poinings went to the court of Burgognie where he was receiued right honorablie of the yoong prince of Castile and of his aunt the ladie Margaret Iohn Norton Iohn Fog Iohn Scot and Thomas Linde were made knights by the prince And the ladie Margaret perceiuing the soldiers coates to be worne and foule with lieng on the ground for euerie man laie not in a tent gaue to euerie yeoman a coate of woollen cloth of yeallow red white and greene colours not to hir little laud praise among the Englishmen After that sir Edward Poinings had béene highlie feasted and more praised of all men for his valiantnesse and good order of his people he returned with his crue into England and had lost by war and sicknesse not fullie an hundred persons When the Englishmen were departed the Gelders issued out of the gates of Uenlow dailie skirmished with the Burgognions and asked for their archers and héerewith winter began sharplie to approach and the riuer of Maze by aboundance of raine rose so high that it drowned vp the trenches so that all things considered the capteins without determined to raise their siege and so they did and after they had wasted all the countrie about Uenlow they returned euerie man to his home In Iune the king being at Leicester heard tidings that one Andrew Barton a Scotishman and pirat of the sea saieng that the king of Scots had line 10 warre with the Portingals robbed euerie nation and stopped the kings streames that no merchant almost could passe And when he tooke Englishmens goods he bare them in hand that they were Portingals goods and thus he haâted and robbed at euerie hauens mouth The king displeased herewith sent sir Edward Howard lord admerall of England and lord Thomas Howard sonne and heire to the earle of Surrie in all hast to the sea which hastilie made readie two ships and taking sea by chance of weather line 20 were seuered The lord Howard lieng in the downes perceiued where Andrew was making toward Scotland and so fast the said lord chased him that he ouertooke him and there was a sore battell betwixt them Andrew euer blew his whistle to incourage his men but at length the lord Howard and the Englishmen did so valiantlie that by cleane strength they entered the maine decke The Scots fought sore on the hatches but in conclusion Andrew was taken and so sore wounded that he died line 30 there Then all the remnant of the Scots were taken with their ship called the Lion All this while was the lord admerall in chase of the barke of Scotland called Iennie Pirwine which was woont to saile with the Lion in companie so much did he with other that he laid him aboord and though the Scots manfullie defended themselues yet the Englishmen entered the barke slue manie and tooke all the residue Thus were these two ships taken and brought to Blackewall the second of August line 40 and all the Scots were sent vnto the bishop of Yorkes place where they remained at the kings charge till other direction was taken for them After this the king sent the bishop of Winchester and certeine of his councell to the archbishop of Yorkes place where the Scots were prisoners and there the bishop rehearsed to them whereas peace was yet betweene England and Scotland that they contrarie to that as théeues pirats had robbed the kings line 50 subiects within his streames Wherefore they had deserued to die by the law and to be hanged at the low water marke Then said the Scots We acknowledge our offense and aske mercie and not the law Then a preest which was also a prisoner said My lords we appeale from the kings iustice to his mercie Then the bishop asked him if he were authorised by them to saie so and they cried all Yea yea Then said he you shall find the kings mercie aboue his iustice line 60 For where you were dead by the law yet by his mercie he will reuiue you wherefore you shall depart out of this realme within twentie daies vpon paine of death if you be found after the twentith daie and praie for the king and so they passed into their countrie Thus was their captiuitie conuerted into libertie and their liues saued by the kings mercie The king of Scots hearing of the death of Andrew Barton and the taking of the two ships was woonderfull wroth and sent letters to the king requiring restitution according to the league and amitie The king wrote to the king of Scots againe with brotherlie salutation of the robberies doone by the said Andrew and that it became not a prince to laie breach of peace to his confederat for dooing iustice vpon a pirat and theefe and that all the Scots that were taken had deserued to die by iustice if he had not extended his mercie And with this answer the Scotish herald departed About this season the French king made sharpe warre against pope Iulie wherefore the king of England wrote to the French king that he should leaue off to vex the pope in such wise being his fréend and confederat But when the French king séemed little to regard that request the king sent him word to deliuer him his lawfull inheritance both of the duchie of Normandie and Guien and the countries of Aniou Maine and also of his crowne of France or else he would come with such a power that by fine force he would obteine his purpose but notwithstanding those writings the French king still pursued his warres in Italie Wherevpon the king of England ioining in league with Maximilian the emperour and Ferdinando king of Spaine with diuerse other princes was resolued by aduise of his councell to make warre on the French king and his countries and made preparation both by sea and land setting foorth ships to the sea for safegard of his merchants ¶ The foresaid pope Iulie the kings confederat was before his aduancement to the popedome cardinall of saint Petri ad Uincula a man mightie in freends reputation and riches who had drawne to him the voices of so manie cardinals that entering the conclaue he was with an example all new and without shutting the conclaue elected pope the verie same night following the deceasse of his predecessor pope Pius those that were of the contrarie opinion not daring to oppose against him He either hauing regard to his first name Iulie or as
the other act for labourers of these two acts was much communing and much businesse arose For the labourers would in no wise labour by the daie but all by taske in great and therefore much trouble fell in the countrie and in especiall in haruest time for then husbandmen could skarse get workemen to helpe in their haruest This parlement continued vntill Easter in the which diuerse subsidies were granted to the king toward his great costs and charges that he had béene at in his viage roiall to France After Easter the nineteenth daie of the moneth of Aprill the king deliting to set foorth yoong gentlemen called Nicholas Carew and Francis Brian and caused diuerse other yoong gentlemen to be on the counter part and lent to them horsse and harnesse to incourage all youth to séeke déeds of armes This yeare died at Rome by poison as was reported the archbishop of Yorke and cardinall called doctor Benbrike who was the kings ambassadour there this was a wiseman and of a iollie courage The king then gaue the said archbishoprike to Thomas Wolsie then bishop of Lincolne who at that time bare all the rule about the king and what he said was obeied in all places Now when he was once archbishop he studied daie and night how to be a cardinall and caused the king and the French king to write to Rome for him and at their requests he obteined his purpose as you shall heare afterward At this time was much communing and verelie as it appeared it was intended that the king in person would passe the sea to Calis and there on the marches of the same the French king and quéene to come and sée the king their brother and for the same iournie manie costlie works were wrought much rich apparell prouided and much preparation made against the next spring but death which is the last end of all things let this iournie For before the next spring the French king died at the citie of Paris the first daie of Ianuarie when he had béene married to the faire ladie Marie of England foure score and two daies whom he so feruentlie loued that he gaue himselfe ouer to behold too much hir excellent beautie bearing then but eighteene yeares of age nothing considering the proportion of his owne yeares nor his decaied complexion so that he fell into the rage of a feauer which drawing to it a sudden flux ouercame in one instant the life that nature gaue ouer to preserue anie longer He was a king iust much beloued of his people but touching his condition neither before he was king nor after he had the crowne he neuer found constancie nor stabilitie in either fortune For rising from a small duke of Orleance with great happinesse to the crowne and that by the death of Charles yoonger than he and two of his sonnes he conquered with a verie great facilitie the duchie of Millan and the kingdome of Naples and almost line 10 all the residue of the regions of Italie being gouerned for manie yeares by his direction he recouered with a verie great prosperitie the state of Genes that was in rebellion and vanquished with no lesse glorie the armies of the Uenetians being in person at both those victories But on the other side euen when he was in his youth and best disposition of bodie he was then constreined by king Lewes the eleuenth to marrie his daughter that was both barren and deformed and yet could neuer get the good will nor countenance of his father in law line 20 And after his death such was the greatnesse of the ladie of Burbon that he could neuer get the institution of the new king being then in minoritie being almost compelled to retire himselfe into Britaine where being taken in the battell of saint Aubin he liued two yeares in the calamitie of a prisoner To these afflictions maie be added the siege and famine of Nauarre the manie discomfits he had in the realme of Naples the losse of the estate of Millan Genes and all the townes which he had taken line 30 from the Uenetians and lastlie the gréeuous warre he had in France against verie mightie enimies his eies beholding into what lamentable perils his realme was brought neuerthelesse before he died it séemed he had conquered all his aduersities and fortune shewed good tokens of hir reconcilement both for that he had defended his kingdome against mightie enimies and also established a perpetuall peace and aliance with the king of England with whome line 40 by how much his amitie was great and assured by so much it gaue him hope to be able to reconquer the duchie of Millan The king of England being aduertised of the French kings death caused a solemne obsequie to be kept for him in the cathedrall church of S. Paule with a costlie hearse at which manie nobles were present After this he sent a letter to comfort the quéene his sister requiring to know hir pleasure whether she would continue still in France or returne into England And when he was aduertised line 50 of hir mind which was to returne into England the duke of Suffolke sir Richard Wingfield deputie of Calis and doctor West with a goodlie band of gentlemen and yeomen all in blacke were sent into France and comming to Paris were well receiued of the new French king Francis the first of that name who was the next heire male of the bloud roiall and of the same line of the dukes of Orleance he was preferred to the succession of the kingdome before line 60 the daughters of the dead king by vertue and disposition of the law Salike a law verie ancient in the realme of France which excludeth from the roiall dignitie all women so long as there is anie issue male of the same line The world had such a hope in his vertues and such an opinion of his magnanimitie and such a conceipt of his iudgement and wit that euerie one confessed that of verie long time there was none raised vp to the crowne with a greater expectation He was made the more agreeable to the fansies of men by the consideration of his age bearing then but two and twentie yeares his excellent feiture and proportion of bodie his great liberalitie and generall humanitie togither with the ripe knowledge he had in manie things But speciallie he pleased greatlie the nobilitie to whome he transferred manie singular and great fauours Unto this king Francis de Angoulesine did the foresaid English nobilitie declare the effect of their commission which was to receiue the quéene Dowager according to the couenants of the marriage The councell of France by the kings appointment assigned foorth hir dowrie and the duke of Suffolke put in officers and then was the quéene deliuered to the duke by indenture who behaued himselfe so towards hir that he obteined hir good will to be hir husband It was thought that when the king created him duke of Suffolke
the sixt of Henrie the fourth and the yeare of Christ 1405 againe rebelled and after fled into Scotland to Dauid lord Fleming who receiued him and in the seuenth yeare of Henrie the fourth being the yere of our redemption 1506 as saith Iohn Stow. This Dauid persuaded the erle to flie into Wales for which cause the Scots slue the said Dauid After this in the ninth yeare of Henrie the fourth he came into England raised the people and was slaine at Broomâham neere to Hasewood in a conflict had with him by Thomas Rockleie shiriffe of Yorkshire He married two wiues the first was Margaret daughter to Rafe lord Neuill by whome he had issue Henrie Persie surnamed Hotspurre slaine at the battell of Shrewesburie in the fourth yeare of Henrie the fourth in his fathers life Thomas and Rafe His second wife was Mawd daughter to Thomas lord Lucie and sister and heire to Anthonie lord Lucie baron of Cockermouth being before the widow of Gilbert Humfreuill called the earle of Angus This ladie Mawd gaue to hir husband the lordship and castell of Cockermouth whereby the earles of Northumberland are bound still to beare the armes of Lucie Iohn duke of Bedford the sonne and brother of kings for so he calleth himselfe in the precept to summon Reginald lord Greie sir Edward Hastings knight to determine the controuersie for bearing of the armes of Hastings earle of Penbroke in the marshals court was earle of Richmond and Kendall and constable of England being aduanced to that office about the eight yeare of Henrie the fourth his father being the yeare of our redemption 1406 of whome there is more mention in the following discourse of the protectors of England Humfrie earle of Stafford Hereford and Northhampton lord of Breenocke Holdernesse and of Cambridge and constable of England and of Douer castell in the eight yeare of king Henrie the sixt being the yeare of Christ 1430 went into France with Henrie the sixt to attend his coronation at Paris He was created duke of Buckingham in the two and twentith yeare of Henrie the sixt being the yeare of Christ 1444. He was slaine at the battell of Northampton in the eight and thirtith yeare of king Henrie the sixt being the yeare of our Lord 1460 he maried Anne daughter to Rafe Neuil erle of Westmerland he had amongst manie other of his children Humfrie his eldest sonne earle Stafford hurt as hath Iohn Stow with an arrow in the right hand at the battell of saint Albons in the three and thirtith yeare of Henrie the sixt being the yeare of our Lord 1455 of which battell of saint Albons thus writeth Iohn Whethamsted a learned abbat of that hâuse Dum Maius madidi flos floâ uit imbribus austri Mollibus Zephyrus refouerat flatilus aruos Flora velut regnans herbis ditauerat hortâs Post glacies inopes hos fecerat locupleâes Sic râpidis stilbon praeâonibus vndÃque regnum Repleuerat nimis sic latè staâserat ipses Vt villam tandem tantus peruaserat isâam Illorum numerus quod vlx euaderet vnus Quin spolium lueret spoliantes vel trepidaret Aâcidit ex causa spoliatio tam grauis ista Mars coeli dominus fuerat tunc soror eius In terris domina belli Bellona vocata Vnde malum multis signanter partibus istis Contigit bellum fuit istic grande peractum Sanguis effusus multus dux est iugulatus Illius pugnae quae fertur causa fuisse Bello finito strepitu quóque pacificato line 10 Indultum est praedae praedones quippe fuere Victores omnes nulli quasi compatientes Tunc rex tunc proceres tunc villani quóque plures Ac alij varij fuerant rebus spoliati Attamen ecclesia simul ecclesiae bona cuncta Intra quae fuerant sub clausuráque iacebant Manserunt salua nec ei res defuit vlla Laus igitur domino laus in speciéque patrono Cuius per media stabant sua singula salua Saluis in cunctiâ simul abbas frater omnis line 20 Spiritus ille bonus sine fallo spiritus almus Ad villam regem qui direxit venientem Illius ad medium nec tunc permiserat ipsum Ecclesiam petere conseruauit sua quaeque Sed patronus erat qui pro monachis mediarat A raptore locúmque suum seruauit omnem Ipsius ornatum fedari nec siuit ipsum Sârex intrasset secúmque ducem sociasset Valuas ecclesiae paruissent cuncta rapinae Nec poterat furias quisquam compescere plebis line 30 Laus igitur domino rursus rursusque patrono Stat locusisâe suo saluus munimine soâo Saluaque supposita sua salua iocalia cuncta Iohn Tiptoth or Tiptost knight the son of Iohn lord Tiptost and of Ioice his wife second daughter to Edmund Charleton lord Powes was treasuror of the realme in Michaelmasse tearme in the tenth yere of Henrie the fourth after which he was againe admitted to that office in the one and thirtith and two and thirtith yeare of Henrie the sixt from which place line 40 being once more remooued he was the third time aduanced to the honor of lord treasuror of England in the second of Edward the fourth and continued the same in the third of the said king He was created earle of Worcester in the time of king Henrie the sixt This man in the yeare 1470 being the tenth of king Edward the fourth tooke his part against the duke of Clarence and Richard Neuill earle of Warwike at what time the said duke and earle being discomfited sled to the sea side and thence sailed line 50 to Southhampton where they thought to haue had the Trinitie a great ship of the earle of Warwikes but the lord Scales the queenes brother fought with them and inforced them to flie into France Wherevpon king Edward the fourth came to Southhampton and caused Tiptost earle of Worcester to sit in iudgement vpon certeine gentlemen as Clapham and others taken at the same skirmish of Southhampton where the earle caused the bodies of certeine condemned men after that they were hanged line 60 to be thrust thorough the fundament vp to the head with stakes for the which crueltie he and others fell into indignation of the common people Before which in the eight yeare of king Edward he was with Iohn Dudleie made constable of the Tower during their liues and the longer liuer of them two After this in the said yeare 1470 being the tenth of Edward the fourth in which Henrie the sixt readepted the crowne of England which yeare of Henrie the sixt is called in the law bookes the fourtie ninth yere of the reigne of K. Henrie the sixt This earle of Worcester was taken in the top of an high trée in the forest of Weibridge in Huntingtonshire brought to London and at a parlement arrested and condemned to death by sir Iohn Uere earle of
apperteined I assure you my lord ambassador that beside that I doubt not but your maister will recompense you for the same yée may be assured that where particularlie in anie thing I may pleasure you I will doo it with as good a will as you can require me line 30 And to make answer to that which your maister by word of mouth hath said vnto Guien and Clarenceaux kings of armes of the king my good brother and perpetuall and best alie and of me vpon the intimation of the warre which hath beene made by vs consisting in eight points I will that each one vnderstand it First as to the which he saith he maruelleth that he hauing me a prisoner by iust warre and hauing also my faith I should defie him and that in reason I neither may nor ought to doo it I answer line 40 thereto that if I were his prisoner here and that he had my faith he had spoken true but I know not that the emperor hath euer at anie time had my faith that may in anie wise auaile him For first in what warre so euer I haue béene I know not that I haue either séene him or encountred with him When I was prisoner garded with foure or fiue hundred harquebuzers sicke in my bed and in danger of death it was an easie matter to constreine me but not verie honorable to him that should doo it and after that I returned into France I know not line 50 anie that hath had power to compell me to it and to doo it willinglie without constraint it is a thing which I waie more than so lightlie to bind my selfe thereto And bicause I will not that my honor come in disputation although I know well that euerie man of warre knoweth sufficientlie that a prisoner garded is not bound to anie faith nor can bind himselfe thereto in anie thing I doo neuerthelesse send to your master this writing signed with mine owne line 60 hand the which my lord ambassadour I praie you read and afterwards promise me to deliuer it vnto your master and not to anie other And herewith the king caused it to be deliuered to the said ambassador by master Iohn Robertet one of the secretaries of the estate and of his chamber The ambassador tooke the writing in his hand and after excused himselfe to the king saieng That as to him by the letter which his master souereigne lord had written vnto him now lastlie his commission was alreadie expired and that he had no further commandement nor instructions from his maiestie but to take leaue of the king with as much spéed as he might and to returne home Which he most humblie besought him to permit him to doo without further charge or commission although he knew that he was at his commanddement and that he might at his pleasure constreine him as seemed to him good Herevnto the king answered My lord ambassador sith you will not take vpon you to read this writing I will cause it to be read in this companie to the end that euerie one may vnderstand and know that I am cleered in that whereof against trueth he goeth about to accuse me Beside that if you afterwards will not beare it deliuer it to him I will send one of my heralds here present to go in companie with you for whom you shall procure a good auailable safe conduct that he maie passe vnto your master protesting demanding that an act maie be registred before this companie that if he will not it should come to his knowledge that I am discharged in that I doo my best to cause him to vnderstand it accordinglie as I ought to doo and in such sort as he can not pretend cause of ignorance ¶ After the king had ended these words he called to him the said Robertet and commanded him to reade the said writing with a lowd voice which was doone word for word The copie of the said writing directed to the emperour WE Francis by the grace of God king of France lord of Genes c. To you Charles by the same grace chosen emperour of Rome and king of Spaine We doo you to wit that being aduertised that in all the answers that you haue made to our ambassadors and heraulds sent to you for the establishing of peace in excusing your selfe without all reason you haue accused vs saieng that we haue plight you our faith and that therevpon besides our promise we departed out of your hands and power In defense of our honour which hereby might be burthened too much against all truth we thought good to send you this writing by which we giue you to vnderstand that notwithstanding that no man being in ward is bound to keepe faith and that the same might be a sufficient excuse for vs yet for the satisfieng of all men and our said honor which we mind to keepe and will keepe if it please God vnto the death that if ye haue charged or will charge vs not onelie with our said faith and deliuerance but that euer we did anie thing that became not a gentleman that had respect to his honor that ye lie falslie in your throat and as oft as ye saie it ye lie and we determine to defend our honor to the vttermost drop of our bloud Wherefore seeing ye haue charged vs against all truth write no more to vs hereafter but appoint vs the field and we will bring you the weapons Protesting that if after this declaration ye write into anie place or vse anie words against our honor that the shame of the delaie of the combat shall light on you seeing that the offering of combat is the end of all writing Made at our good towne and citie of Paris the eight and twentith daie of March. In the yere of our Lord one thousand fiue hundred twentie and eight before Easter Thus signed Francis After that Robertet had read this writing there in presence of the emperours ambassadors the king made further replie vnto the points conteined in the emperours answers to the defiance and withall to conclude told the said ambassador that his master the emperor had constreined him by such message line 10 as he had sent to him to make the answer in truth which he had made and further willed him to deliuer vnto the emperour the writing which he had signed with his hand and to saie to him that he tooke him for so honorable a prince that considering the matter wherewith he charged him and the answer that he made he would not faile but to answer him like a gentleman and not by writing like an aduocate For if he otherwise doo said the king I will answer his chancellor by an aduocate and a man of line 20 his estate and a more honest man than he Shortlie after the emperors ambassadors returned home into Spaine in safetie and well intreted And vpoÌ their returne the ambassadors of France were set
had taken place After this by the great wisedome and policie of the nobles and capteins a communication was had line 40 and an agréement made vpon the kings pardon obteined for all the capteins and chiefe dooers in this insurrection and promise made that they should be gentlie heard to declare such things as they found themselues gréeued with and that vpon their articles presented to the king their reasonable petitions should be granted as by him his councell it should be thought expedient whereby all troubles might be quieted and ech thing brought to a good conclusion Herewith euerie man departed and those which before line 50 came as hot as fire to fight letted of their desperat purpose by Gods mercifull prouidence returned now peaceablie to their houses without anie more businesse At the selfe same time that these northerne men were lodged neere to Doncaster and the kings power readie to stop them of their passage as before ye haue heard there was an other armie readie to haue marched southwards thorough Lancashire but by the faithfull diligence of the earle of Derbie who with the forces of Lancashire and Cheshire was appointed line 60 to resist them they were likewise kept backe and brought to quiet notwithstanding they were a verie great number assembled togither of the commons out of Cumberland Westmerland and of the north parts of Lancashire The earle of Sussex was sent downe by the king to ioine in assistance with the earle of Derbie who causing diuerse of the chiefe procurers of that rebellion in those parties to be apprehended and arreigned they being found giltie had iudgement and were executed as the abbats of Walleie Sauleie and others In time of this rebellion a priest that by a butcher dwelling within fiue miles of Windsor had been procured to preach in fauor of the rebels and the butcher as well for procuring the priest thereto as for words spoken as he sold his meat in Windsor were hanged the priest on a tree at the foot of Windsor bridge and the butcher on a paire of new gallowes set vp before the castell gate at the end of the same bridge The words which the butcher spake were these When one bad him lesse for the carcase of a sheepe than he thought he could make of it Naie by Gods soule said he I had rather the good fellowes of the north had it and a score more of the best I haue than I would so sell it This priest and butcher being accused on a mondaie in the morning whilest the kings armie was in the field and the king himselfe lieng at Windsor they confessed their faults vpon their examinations and by the law martiall they were adiudged to death and suffered as before is mentioned This yeare in December the Thames was frosen ouer insomuch that the king and quéene rode thorough London to Gréenewich In Christmas the king by his messengers and heralds sent downe into the north his generall pardons to all the offendors year 1537 and shortlie after Aske that had beene the principall procurer as it were chiefe capteine of the northerne rebels came to London and now was both pardoned and receiued into fauor receiuing of the kings bounteous liberalitie apparell and diuerse other rewards whereof he was most vnwoorthie for there liued not as Hall saith a verier wretch as well in person as conditions and déeds speciallie towards the kings maiestie as after appeared ¶ Sir Rafe Euers kept Scarbrow castell in the north being six wéeks besieged by the rebels twentie daies whereof he and all his companie which were his onelie friends seruants and tenants and serued for good will to him were forced to susteine themselues with bread and water and yet he kept the same to the end of that rebellion and so deliuered it to king Henrie who sent him soone after to serue in the borders against Scotland where in great credit he continued his seruice kéeping the Scots without dooing hurt to England and with such obedience of them as within twentie miles of the borders of Scotland fore against him there was not a Scot but at his commandement and so continued till he was killed in the yeare 1545. The twelfe of Nouember sir Thomas Newman priest bare a faggot at Paules crosse for singing masse with good ale On the third of Februarie Thomas Fitzgaret sonne and heire to the earle of Kildare was beheaded and fiue of his vncles were drawne hanged and quartered at Tiborne for treason In the same moneth Nicholas Musgraue Thomas Tilbie with others began a new rebellion at Kirkvie Stephan in Westmerland who hauing got togither eight thousand men besieged the citie of Carleill from whence they were beaten with the onlie power of the citie and in returning from thense the duke of Norffolke who then was lieutenant of the north incountered with them tooke the capteins and according to the law martiall areigned seuentie and foure of them whome he hanged on Carbeill wals but Musgraue escaped In the same moneth of Februarie began a new commotion by the procurement of sir Francis Bigod who being intised to that mischieuous enterprise by certeine wicked persons forgat his dutie to his prince although he had béene a man as Hall saith that vndoubtedlie loued God and reuerenced his prince with a right obedient and louing feare but such are men when God leaueth them and that they will take in hand things which Gods most holie word vtterlie forbiddeth This last rebellion began in Setrington Pikering Leigh and Scarbrow but it was quickelie suppressed and the said sir Francis Bigod apprehended and brought to the Tower The said sir Francis one Halam hauing raised a great companie of rebels meant to haue taken the towne of Hull there to haue fortified themselues and to haue assembled more power but by the wisedome of sir Rafe Ellerkar the maior of the towne of Hull the said Halam thréescore other of the rebels without anie slaughter were taken which Halam was afterwards hanged in chaines and two other with line 10 him at the said towne of Hull Sir Francis Bigod fled could not be heard of for a time but at length he was also apprehended Moreouer about the latter end of this twentith and eight yeare the lord Darcie Aske sir Robert Constable sir Iohn Bulmer and his wife sir Thomas Persie brother to the erle of Northumberland sir Stephan Hamilton Nicholas Tempest esquier William Lomleie began eftsoones to conspire although euerie of them before had receiued their pardons line 20 and now were they all taken and brought to the Tower of London as prisoners This yeare Robert Packington a mercer of London a man both rich wise and of good credit dwelling at the signe of the leg in Cheapside on a morning going as his custome was about foure of the clocke to heare masse in the church then called S. Thomas of Acres now the Mercers
drawne into Smithfield and there burnt to ashes The third of Nouember Henrie Courtnie marques of Excester and earle of Deuonshire Henrie Poole lord line 20 Montacute and sir Edward Neuill brother to the lord Aburgauennie were sent to the tower being accused by sir Geffrie Poole brother to the lord Montacute of high treason They were indicted for deuising to mainteine promote aduance one Reginald Poole late deane of Excester enimie to the king beyond the sea to depriue the king The marques and the lord Montacute were arreigned the last of December at Westminster before the lord Audleie that was chancellor and for that present time high line 30 steward of England and there they found him giltie The third daie after were arreigned sir Edward Neuill sir Geffreie Poole two priests called Crofts and Collins one Holland a mariner all atteinted ¶ The sixteenth of Nouember was the blacke friers in London suppressed the next daie the white friers the graie friers and the moonks of the Charterhouse and so all the other immediatlie The foure and twentith of Nouember the bishop of Rochester line 40 preached at Paules crosse there shewed the bloud of Hales and affirmed the same to be no bloud but honie clarified and coloured with saffron as it had beene euidentlie prooued before the king and his councell Also foure anabaptists thrée men and one woman all Dutch bare fagots at Paules crosse the same daie The nintéenth of Nouember a man and a woman Dutch anabaptists were burnt in Smithfield The ninth of Ianuarie the lord marques and line 50 the lord Montacute year 1539 with sir Edward Neuill lost their heads on the Tower hill The two priests and Holland were drawne to Tiburne and there hanged and quartered Sir Geffreie Poole had his pardon ¶ On Ashwednesdaie Iohn Ihons Iohn Potter William Manering were hanged in the princes liueries bicause they were the princes seruants on the southside of Paules chuchyard for killing Roger Cholmeleie esquier in that place of malice prepensed The third of March sir Nicholas Carew of Bedington in the countie of Surrie knight of line 60 the garter and maister of the kings horsse condemned before of treason was beheaded on the Tower hill where he made a godlie confession both of his fault and superstitious faith giuing God thanks for that his hap was to be prisoner in the Tower where he first sauored the pleasant tast of Gods holie word meaning the bible in English which there he read by the exhortation of one Thomas Philips then kéeper of that prison and sometime a citizen and point-maker of London who had béene in some trouble for religion and examined before doctor Stokeslie bishop of London and sir Thomas More but through his wise demeanor and mild answers he escaped their hands The ninth of March the king created sir William Paulet knight treasuror of his house lord saint Iohn and sir Iohn Russell comptrollor of his household lord Russell Also either then or shortlie after was sir William Par created lord Par. The new abbeie of white moonks at the Tower hill and the Minories nuns without Algate were suppressed on the last of March The same time the king caused all the hauens to be fensed with bulworks and blockehouses and riding to Douer he tooke order to haue bulworks made alongst the sea coasts and sent commission to haue generall musters made through the realme Moreouer on Easter daie there were thréescore saile discouered that laie in the Downes and for that it was neither knowne what they were nor what they intended to doo all the able men in Kent rose and mustered in armour the same daie The eight and twentith of Aprill began a parlement at Westminster in the which Margaret countesse of Salisburie Gertrude wife to the marques of Excester Reginald Poole cardinall brother vnto the lord Montacute sir Adrian Foskew Thomas Dingleie knight of saint Iohns and diuerse other were atteinted of high treason which Foskew and Dingleie the tenth of Iulie were beheaded In this parlement the act of the six articles was established Of some it was named the bloodie statute as it prooued indéed to manie And euen shortlie after the making thereof when the first inquest for inquirie of the offendors of the same statute sat in London at the mercers chappell those that were of that inquest were so chosen foorth for the purpose as there was not one amongst them that wished not to haue the said statute put in execution to the vttermost insomuch that they were not contented onelie to inquire of those that offended in the six articles conteined in that statute but also they deuised to inquire of certeine branches as they tooke the matter belonging to the same as of those that came seldome to heare masse that held not vp their hands at the sacring time who tooke no holie bread nor holie water who vsed to read the bible in churches or in communication séemed to despise preests or images in the churches c. To conclude they inquired so diligentlie of them that had so offended in anie of those articles or the branches that they indicted presented to the number of fiue hundred persons and aboue so that if the king had not granted his pardon for that he was informed by the lord Audleie then lord chancellor that they were indicted of malice a great manie of them which alreadie were in prison had died for it in Smithfield in frieng a faggot But although the king at that present granted his gratious pardon and forgaue all those offenses yet afterwards during the time that this statute stood in force which was for the space of eight years insuing they brought manie an honest and simple person to death For such was the rigor of that law that if two witnesses true or false had accused anie and aduouched that they had spoken against the sacrament there was no waie but death for it booted him not to confesse that his faith was contrarie or that he said not as the accusers reported for the witnesses for the most part were beléeued The king being informed that the pope by instigation of cardinall Poole had mooued and stirred diuers great princes and potentats of christendome to inuade the realme of England without all delaie rode himselfe toward the sea coasts and sent diuerse of his nobles and councellors to surueie all the ports and places of danger on the coast where anie meet and conuenient landing place might be doubted as well in the borders of England as also of Wales in which dangerous places he caused bulworks and forts to be erected And further he caused the lord admerall earle of Southampton to prepare in a readinesse his nanie of ships for defense of the coasts Beside this he sent forth commissions to haue generall musters taken through the realme to vnderstand what number of able men he
immediatlie sent to the tower and three daies after Connesbie was committed thither also They remained there in ward about ten daies and were then deliuered Sir Humfreie Browne was the kings sargeant at law sir Nicholas Hare was one of the kings councellors and speaker of the parlement who being then depriued was now againe thereto restored William Connesbie was attorneie of the dutchie of Lancaster In this parlement were freelie granted without contradictions foure fiftéenes and a subsidie of two shillings of lands and twelue pence of goods toward the kings great charges of making Bâlworkes The eighteenth of Aprill at Westminster was Thomas lord Cromwell created earle of Essex and ordeined great chamberleine of England which office the earles of Oxford were woont euer to enioie also Gregorie his sonne was made lord Cromwell The foure and twentith of Aprill Thomas lord Audleie chancellor of England with sir Anthonie Browne maister of the kings horsses were made knights of the night honourable order of the garter On Maie daie was a great triumph of iusting at Westminster which iusts had beene proclaimed in France Flanders Scotland and Spaine for all commers that would against the challengers of England which were sir Iohn Dudleie sir Thomas Seimer sir Thomas Poinings sir George Carew knights Anthonie Kingston and Richard Cromwell esquiers which said challengers came into the lists that daie richlie apparelled and their horsses trapped all in white veluet with certeine knights and gentlemen riding afore them apparelled all in white veluet and white sarsenet and all their seruants in white dublets and hozen cut after the Burgonion fashion and there came to iust against them the said daie of defendants fortie six the earle of Surrie being the formost lord William Howard lord Clinton and lord Cromwell sonne and heire to Thomas Cromwell earle of Essex and chamberleine of England with other which were richlie apparelled And that day sir Iohn Dudleie was ouerthrowne in the field by mischance of his horsse by one master line 10 Breme defendant neuerthelesse he brake diuerse speares valiantlie after that And after the said iusts were doone the said challengers rode to Durham place where they kept open houshold and feasted the king and quéene with hir ladies and all the court The second of Maie Anthonie Kingston Richard Cromwell were made knights at the said place The third of Maie the said challengers did tournie on horssebacke with swords against them came nine and twentie defendants sir Iohn Dudleie and the line 20 earle of Surrie running first who in the first course lost both their gantlets and that daie sir Richard Cromwell ouerthrew master Palmer in the field off his horsse to the great honor of the challengers On the fift of Maie the said challengers fought on foot at the barriers and against them came thirtie defendants which fought valiantlie but sir Richard Cromwell ouerthrew that daie at the barriers master Culpeper in the field The said challengers brake vp their houshold after line 30 they had kept open hospitalitie and feasted the king quéene and all the lords beside all the knights and burgesses of the common house in time of the parlement and the maior aldermen and all their wiues to their no small honor though great expense In the parlement which began the eightéenth of Aprill last past the religion of saint Iohns in England commonlie called the order of knights of the Rhodes was dissolued on the ascension day being the fift of Maie sir William Weston knight prior line 40 of saint Iohns departed this life for thought as was reported which he tooke to the heart after he heard of that dissolution of his order ¶ For the king tooke all the lands that belonged to that order into his hands to the augmentation of his crowne and gaue vnto euerie of the challengers aboue written for a reward of their valiantnesse a hundred marks and a house to dwell in of yearelie reuenues out of the said lands for euer The same moneth were sent to the Tower doctor line 50 Samson bishop of Chichester and doctor Wilson for reléeuing certeine traitorous persons and for the same offense was one Richard Farmer a grocer of London a rich and welthie man and of good estimation in the citie committed to the Marshalseie after at Westminster hall arreigned and atteinted in the premunire so that he lost all his goods ¶ The ninth daie of Iulie Thomas lord Cromwell late made earle of Essex as before you haue heard being in the councell chamber was suddenlie apprehended committed line 60 to the Tower of London the which manie lamented but more reioised and speciallie such as either had béene religious men or fauoured religious persons for they banketed triumphed togither that night manie wishing that that daie had béene seuen yeares before some fearing that he should escape although he were imprisoned could not be merie Other who knew nothing but truth by him both lamented him and heartilie praied for him But this is true that of certeine of the cleargie he was detestablie hated and speciallie such as had borne swinge and by his meanes were put from it for in déed he was a man that in all his dooings seemed not to fauor anie kind of poperie nor could not abide the snuffing pride of some prelats which vndoubtedlie whatsoeuer else was the cause of his death did shorten his life and procured the end that he was brought vnto which was that the ninteenth daie of the said moneth he was atteinted by parlement and neuer came to his answer which law manie reported that he caused first to be made howbeit the plaine truth thereof I know not The articles for which he died appeare in the records where his attaindor is written which are too long here to be rehearsed but to conclude he was there atteinted of heresie and high treason and the eight twentith of Iulie was brought to the scaffold on the Tower hill where he said these words following The words of the lord Cromwell spoken at his death I Am come hither to die and not to purge my selfe as may happen some thinke that I will for if I should so doo I were a verie wretch and a miser I am by the law condemned to die and thanke my Lord God that hath appointed me this death for mine offense For since the time that I came to yeares of discretion I haue liued a sinner and offended my Lord God for the which I aske him hartilie forgiuenesse And it is not vnknowne to manie of you that I haue beene a great traueller in the world and being but of a base degree was called to high estate And since the time I came therevnto I haue offended my prince for the which I aske him hartilie forgiuenesse and beseech you all to praie to God with me that he will forgiue me O Father forgiue me O Sonne forgiue me O Holie ghost
were persuaded than vanquished taught than ouerthrowne quietlie pacified than rigorouslie persecuted Ye require to haue the statute of six articles reuiued And know you what ye require Or know ye what ease ye haue with the losse of them They were lawes made but quicklie repented too bloudie they were to be borne of our people yet at the first in deed made of some necessitie Oh subiects how are ye trapped by euill persons We of pitie bicause they were bloudie tooke them awaie and you now of ignorance will aske them againe You know full well that they helped vs to extend rigour and gaue vs cause to draw our sword verie often And since our mercie mooued vs to write our lawes with milke and equitie how are ye blinded to aske them in bloud But leauing this maner of reasoning and resorting to the truth of our authoritie we let you wit the same hath béene adnulled by parlement with great reioise of our subiects and not now to be called in question And dareth anie of you with the name of a subiect stand against an act of parlement a law of the realme What is our power if lawes should be thus neglected Or what is your suertie if lawes be not kept Assure you most suerlie that we of no earthlie thing vnder the heauen make such reputation as we doo of this one to haue our lawes obeied this cause of God to be throughlie mainteined from the which we will neuer remoue a heares bredth nor giue place to anie creature liuing but therein will spend our whole roiall person our crowne treasure realme and all our state whereof we assure you of our high honor For herein resteth our honor herein doo all kings knowledge vs a king And shall anie one of you dare breath or thinke against our kingdome and crowne In the end of this your request as we be giuen to vnderstand ye would haue them stand in force till our full age To this we thinke that if ye knew what ye spake ye would not haue vttred the motion nor neuer giuen breath to such a thought For what thinke you of our kingdome Be we of lesse authoritie for our age Be we not your king now as we shall be Shall ye be subiects hereafter and now are ye not Haue we not the right we shall haue If ye would suspend and hang our dooings in doubt vntill our full age ye must first know as a king we haue no difference of yeares but as a naturall man and creature of God we haue youth and by his sufferance shall haue age We are your rightfull king your liege lord the souereigne prince of England not by our age but by Gods ordinance not onelie when we shall be one and twentie yeares of age but when we were of ten yéers We possesse our crowne not by yeares but by the bloud and descent from our father king Henrie the eight If it be considered they which mooue this matter if they durst vtter themselues would denie our kingdome But our good subiects know their prince and will increase not diminish his honor inlarge his power not abate it knowledge his kingdome not deferre it to certeine yeares All is one to speake against our crowne and to denie our kingdome as to require that our lawes maie be broken vnto one and twentie yeares Be we not your crowned annointed and established king Wherein be we of lesse maiestie of lesse authoritie or lesse state than our progenitors kings of this realme except your vnkindnes your vnnaturalnesse will diminish our estimation We haue hitherto since the death of our father by the good aduise and counsell of our deare and intirelie beloued vncle the duke of Summerset and gouernor and protector kept our estate mainteined our realme preserued our honour defended our people from all enimies We haue hitherto béene feared and dread of our enimies yea of princes kings and nations Yea herein we be nothing inferiour to anie our progenitors which grace we acknowledge to be giuen vs from God and how else but by good obedience line 10 good counsell of our magistrates and by the authoritie of our kingdome England hitherto hath gained honour during our reigne it hath woone of the enimie and not lost It hath béene maruelled that wée of so yoong yeares haue reigned so noblie so roiallie so quietlie And how chanceth that you our louing subiects of that our countrie of Cornewall and Deuonshire will giue occasion to slander this our realme of England to giue courage to the enimie to note our realme of line 20 the euill of rebellion to make it a preie to our old enimies to diminish our honour which God hath giuen our father left our good vncle and councell preserued vnto vs What greater euill could ye commit than euen now when our forren enimie in Scotland and vpon the sea seeketh to inuade vs to doo our realme dishonour than to arise in this maner against our law to prouoke our wrath to aske our vengeance and to giue vs an occasion to spend that force vâon you which we meant to bestow vpon our enimies to line 30 begin to slaie you with that sword that we drew forth against Scots and other enimies to make a conquest of our owne people which otherwise should haue beene of the whole realme of Scotland Thus farre we haue descended from our high maiestie for loue to consider you in your simple ignorance and haue béene content to send you an instruction like a father who of iustice might haue sent you your destructions like a king to rebels And now we let you know that as you sée our mercie abundantlie line 40 so if ye prouoke vs further we sweare to you by the liuing God ye shall féele the power of the same God in our sword which how mightie it is no subiect knoweth how puissant it is no priuat man can iudge how mortall no Englishman dare thinke But suerlie suerlie as your lord and prince your onlie king and maister we saie to you repent your selues and take our mercie without delaie or else we will foorthwith extend our princelie power and execute our sharpe sword against you as against infidels line 50 and Turks and rather aduenture our owne roiall person state and power than the same should not be executed And if you will proue the example of our mercie learne of certeine which latlie did arise as they perceiuing pretended some griefes and yet acknowledging their offenses haue not onelie most humblie their pardon but féele also by our order to whome onelie all publike order apperteineth present redresse of their griefes In the end we admonish you of line 60 your duties to God whome ye shall answere in the daie of the Lord of your duties toward vs whom ye shall answere by our order and take our mercie whilest God so inclineth vs least when ye shall be constreined to aske we shall be two much hardened in heart to grant it
further in their attempts so that the king and the councell would not alter the religion but suffer it to remaine and tarie in the same state as king Henrie the eight left it vntill the king himselfe came to his full age Sir Peter Carew and all the residue nothing liking this answer being farre from their expectation were for the time in a great dumpe or studie but in the end misliked and discommended both the matter and the maner of their dealings insomuch that sir Peter Carew and sir Péerce Courtneie then shiriffe of Deuon openlie sharpelie and in plaine termes inueied against them for their slender or rather sinister dealings in so weightie a cause wherein they all ought rather to haue vsed all meanes to haue suppressed their outrages than to haue mainteined their follies and therefore as there was a blame in them so was there a plaine rebellion in the other But though the two knights would haue excused the matter and haue purged their sinceritie herein yet on ech side words were so multiplied that they brake asunder without anie further dealings and euerie man shifted for himselfe some one waie some an other waie The commons vnderstanding hereof stop all the high waies casting great trenches and laieng great trées ouerthwart the same and doo watch ward the same and by that meanes sundrie gentlemen suspecting no such matter and making waie to their appointed places were intrapped taken and put in prison and manie of them kept in durance during the whole time of the commotion abode great hardnesse and were in perill of life and limme manie were taken bicause they would be taken found fauour manie forsaking their houses and home were driuen to sequester and hide themselues in woods secret places In the citie none or verie few remained or taried sauing six or seuen persons then knowne of for by conference had before with the maior it was knowne that the citie was vnprouided of sufficient vittels méet for such a companie as the foresaid gentlemen were The gentlemen which taried and remained in the citie namelie sir Roger Blewet knight Iohn Beauchampe Bartholomew Fortescute Iohn Courtneie Iohn Peter customer esquiers and others did verie good seruice as well in their persons as in their good aduises and counsels sauing such as secretlie kept themselues close in certeine houses then vnknowne Sir Peter Carew verie earlie in the next morning tooke his horsse and the high waies being then not stopped he escaped and rode vnto George Henton a place of sir Hugh Paulets in Summersetshire where was the lord Russell being then newlie come from London and vnto him he gaue to vnderstand how all things had passed who foorthwith dispatched and sent him awaie to the king and councell to aduertise them of the same The king at the first hearing of the matter was verie much grieued in great perplexitie in two respects the one bicause at this instant the like tumults and rebellions though for an other cause were now raised and begun in other places the other was bicause he was inforced to leaue and giue ouer the appointed attempt for the conquest of Scotland and to imploie now those soldiors and strangers whome he had reteined for that seruice for the quenching of this fire kindled at home Neuerthelesse minding to follow the first and to appease the last he sent verie courteous letters gratious proclamations and manie mercifull offers vnto all the commons of these parties to haue pacified and satisfied them if they had had so much grace so to haue accepted it The commons being now entered in their follies and hauing driuen the gentlemen to the flight doo openlie shew themselues traitors rebels and therefore assembling themselues doo appoint out capteins to direct order both themselues and all their procéedings and as the common prouerbe is Like lips like lettice as is their cause so are the rulers the one being not so bold and euill as they wicked or woorse The capteins then are these Underhill a tailor Maunder a shoomaker Seager a labourer and Aâsheredge a fishdriuer with sundrie other such like the woorst men and the reffuse of all others thought most méet in this seruice Howbeit it was not long before that certeine gentlemen and yeomen of good countenance and credit both in Deuon and Cornewall were contented not onelie to be associats of this rebellion but also to carrie the crosse before this procession and to be capteins and guiders of this wicked enterprise as namelie in Deuon sir Thomas Pomeroie knight Iohn Burie and one Coffin gentlemen in Cornewall Humfrie Arundell and Winneslade esquiers Holmes a yeoman with sundrie others who for the most part were in the end executed and put to death and their facts to the memoriall of their perpetuall infamie line 10 recorded in chronicles The principall chiefe capteins in Deuon being fullie resolued by their owne power and authoritie to mainteine continue the religion according to the Romish church vtterlie to impugne the reformatision therof established by act of parlement to support the authoritie of the idoll of Rome whome they neuer saw in contempt of their true and lawfull king whome they knew and ought to obeie these I saie sent their messengers vnto the maior of this citie line 20 whose name was Iohn Blackaller to mooue and praie him to ioine with them they thinking that they hauing by these meanes the libertie to haue frée accesse to and from the citie and the helpe of the citizens should not want monie or armor or anie thing else to serue their turne the maior foorthwith aduertised vnto his brethren this motion And albeit some and the chiefest of them did like were well affected to the Romish religion yet respecting their dutie to God their obedience to the king their fidelitie to their countrie and safetie of themselues gaue their line 30 full resolute and direct answer that they would not ioine nor deale with them at all This answer was nothing liked and therefore sent they their second messenger requiring and commanding them to mainteine the old catholike religion with them and to doo as they did or else they would besiege them and perforce compell them thervnto The maior and his brethren returned their former answer adding moreouer that they in their dooings line 40 were wicked bad men they did would repute them for enimies and rebels against God their king and countrie and so renounced them The one side therefore as they prepare to besiege the citie and to worke all the extremities they can by force to take that which by words they can not obteine so on the other side the maior and his brethren vpon good aduise garded and watched the citie with sufficient men armed both by daie and by night The rebels according to their determination relieng themselues line 50 vpon a vaine hope
he gaue prisoners both bodies goods and lands On the other side he commanded forches and gallowes to be set vp in sundrie places as well within the citie as also in the countrie and did command and cause manie to be executed and put to death especiallie such as were noted to be chiefe and busie dooers ringleaders in this rebellion Among them all there was no one so exalted as was Welsh the vicar of saint Thomas neere the Exbridge at Excecester who was preferred and presented to that benefice by the lord Russell patrone thereof This man had manie good things in him he was of no great stature but well set and mightilie compact he was a verie good wrestler shot well both in the long bow as also in the crossebow he handled his handgun and péece verie well he was a verie good woodman and a hardie and such a one as would not giue his head for the polling nor his beard for the washing he was a companion in anie exercises of actiuitie of a courteous and gentle behauiour he descended of a good honest parentage being borne at Penuerin in Cornewall and yet in this rebellion an archcapteine and a principall dooer He was charged with thrée principall crimes The first was that he did not onelie persuade the people to the contemning of the reformed religion according to the kings procéedings and to keepe and obserue the Romish and popish religion but also did erect kéepe and vse the same in his parish church Secondarilie he was a capteine and a principall dealer in the cause of the rebellion which was chieflie directed by him his order aduise Thirdlie he caused one Kingwell a tinner of Chagford and seruant to master Iohn Charels of Tauestoke to be hanged bicause secretlie he had conueied letters betwéene my lord and his master and was earnest in the reformed religion which was then termed the kings procéedings an enimie to the popish state And being a sharpe inueier against the one and an earnest mainteiner of the other it procured vnto him great hatred and malice when the rebellion was begun he sought by all the meanes he could how to escape awaie but he was so narrowlie watched that he could neuer haue anie oportunitie so to doo They vsed all the deuises they could to recouer him to their opinions sometimes with faire words sometimes with threatenings and sometimes with imprisonments but still he inueied against them calling them rebels and traitors both against God and the king and foreprophesied vnto them that destruction and confusion would be the end reward of their dooings Thus when they could not reclame him to their disposition then by the order and iudgement of this vicar Welsh he was fetched out of the prison and foorthwith brought foorth before Caiphas and Pilat and condemned to be hanged which was executed vpon him foorthwith and he brought to an elme tree in Exilond without the west gate of the citie before the house of one Nicholas Caue and there hanged The like crueltie or rather tyrannie was doone at Sampford Courteneie where when a certeine Frankelin a gentleman named William Hellions who comming to Sampford to haue some communication with them for the staie of their rebellion line 10 and for the pacifieng of them in their due obedience was at the townes end taken prisoner caried to the churchhouse where he so earnestlie reprooued them for their rebellion so sharplie threatened them an euill successe that they all fell in a rage with him and not onlie with euill words reuiled him but also as he was going out of the churchhouse going downe the staires one of them named Githbridge with a bill strake him in the necke and immediatlie notwithstanding his pitifull requests and lamentations line 20 a number of the rest fell vpon him slue him and cut him into small péeces and though they counted him for an heretike yet they buried him in the church-yard there but contrarie to the common maner laieng his bodie north and south These things being called to remembrance and obiected against this vicar although some men in respect of his vertues and good gifts did pitie and lament his case and would haue gladlie beene sutors for his pardon yet the greatnesse of his lewdnesse line 30 and follies considered they left him vnto his deserts so was by order of the marshall law condemned to death And yet this one thing by the waie I must speake in his commendation There was among the rebels a stranger and an alien who was a verie skilfull gunner could handle his peece verie well and did much harme vnto the citie among others slue one Smith standing at a doore in northgate street with a great shot from saint Dauids hill This fellow tooke vpon him that he would set the whole citie on line 40 fire and it should be cleane burned within foure houres doo they what they could This his offer was so well liked that the daie and time was appointed when this should be doone The vicar hearing thereof assembleth vnto him as manie men as he could make and haue came to this companie when this fire should be kindled and was so hot and earnest against their attempts that he would in no wise suffer so lewd an act and wicked a thing to be doone For saith he doo you what line 50 you can by policie force or dint of sword to take the citie I will ioine with you and doo my best but to burne a citie which shall be hurtfull to all men and good to no man I will neuer consent therevnto but will here stand with all my power against you And so stout he was in this matter that he stopped them from their further enterprising of so wicked a fact But to the matter The execution of this man was committed to Barnard Duffeld who being nothing slacke to follow his commission caused a paire line 60 of gallowes to be made and to be set vp vpon the top of the tower of the said vicars parish church of S. Thomas and all things being readie and the stage perfected for this tragedie the vicar was brought to the place and by a rope about his middle drawne vp to the top of the tower and there in chains hanged in his popish apparell and had a holie water bucket and sprinkle a sacring bell a paire of beads such other like popish trash hanged about him and there he with the same about him remained a long time He made a verie small or no confession but verie patientlie tooke his death he had béene a good member in his common-wealth had not the weeds ouergrowne the good corne and his foule vices ouercommed his vertues The lord priuie seale remaining still in Excester was continuallie occupied in setting things in order he was verie seuere and sharpe against suth offendors as were chiefe and principall ringleders of this rebellion but to the common sort who
and apperteining to the treasuror of the cathedrall church After the time of king Athelstane the Danes with great hostilitie and crueltie hauing ouerrun this whole land they also came to this citie and in spoiling the same did also ransacke and spoile the said church whose continuall inuasions the moonks being not able to indure fled and forsooke their house and home and sought places of better safetie By which means this monasterie for sundrie yeares was left destitnted vntill the time of king Edgar who on a time made a progresse into these west parts to visit his father in law Odogarus then earle of Deuon and founder of the abbeie of Tauistoke whose daughter he had married And being come to this citie did here rest and staie himselfe where when he saw the distressed state of the said church pitieng the same caused search and inquirie to be made of the moonks which were scattered and yet left and when he had gotten them togither he restored them vnto their house and liuelihoods and appointed Sidemannus who was afterwards bishop of this diocesse to be abbat of the same And from thensfoorth they continued togither though sometimes in troubles vntill that king Swanus or Sweno the Dane with a mightie and a huge armie came to this citie besieged tooke spoiled and destroied it with sword and fier Howbeit not long after it was restored againe by king Cahutus or Canutus who being aduertised of the great cruelties which his father Sweno had doone to the said monasterie did at the request of Atheldredus one of his dukes make restitution vnto Athelwoldus then abbat of all their lands liuings and priuileges as dooth appeare by his charter dated in the yeare of our Lord 1019. After this about thirtie yeares king Edward the Confessor came to this citie and he by the aduise and at the motion of Leofricus bishop of Crediton and who sometimes was lord chancellor of England vnder the said king and one of his priuie councell partlie for the better safetie of the bishop and his successors who lieng and hauing their houses in the countrie were subiect to manie and sundrie perils and partlie to prouide a more conuenient place for the moonks did remooue the bishops sée from Crediton and remooued the moonks vnto Westminster and he the king in his owne person togither with quéene Edith his wife did install the said Leofricus in possession of this his new church and sée The bishop thus remooued from the old and placed in the new sée and church dooth endow the same with all those lands and liuelihoods which he had of the gift of the said king and which before did apperteine to his former church and to reduce and make his sanctuarie to his mind pulleth downe the two monasteries néere adioining the one being of moonks and the other of nuns and addeth and vniteth them vnto his owne church and hauing brought all things to effect according to his mind deuiseth and maketh lawes orders and ordinances for the good gouernment of his church and cleargie After the death of Leofricus all his successors for the most part procure the augmentation and increase of this their new erected see and church some in liuelihoods some in liberties and priuileges some in buildings and some in one thing and some in another William Warewest the third bishop of this church who had sometimes béene chapleine to the Conqueror and to his two sonnes William and Henrie was in such fauor and good liking with the Conqueror that at his request he gaue vnto him and to this his church Plimpton Brampton and S. Stephans in Excester which gift his said sonnes being kings of England did ratifie and confirme And then the said bishop hauing the ordering and distributing thereof giueth Plimpton to the regular moonkes there for whom he had founded and builded a monasterie and wherein he himselfe shortlie after leauing and yéelding vp his bishoprike became and was a moonke Brampton was reserued to the church and which afterwards was annexed to the deanerie And S. Stephans with the fee to the same apperteining he reserued to himselfe and to his successors whereby they are barons and lords of the parlement This bishop in the yeare of our Lord 1112 first began to inlarge his cathedrall and laid the foundation of that line 10 part which is now the chore or quier for before that time it was no bigger than that which since and now is called the ladie chapell After him William Brewer the bishop made and established in the yeare of our Lord 1235 a deane and a chapter of foure and twentie prebendaries and for the deane whome he appointed and whose name was Serlo and for his successors he gaue and impropriated Brampton and Coliton Rawleigh and for the prebendaries he purchased lands alloting and assigning line 20 to euerie of them Pro pane sale the like portion of foure pounds Peter Quiuell the bishop finding the chancell of his church to be fullie builded and ended beginneth to found and build the lower part or the bodie of his church in the yeare of our Lord 1284 from the chancell of his church vnto the west end of the said church This man first appointed a chanter and a subdeane to be in his church To the one of them he impropriated Paineton and Chudleie and to the other the personage line 30 of Eglosehaile in Cornewall After him Iohn Grandisson in the yeare of our Lord 1340 did increase the length of the bodie of the church from the funt westwards as also vaulted the roofe of the whole church and did fullie end and finish the same And albeit from the time of king Athelstane the first founder in the yeare of our Lord 932 vntill the daie of the death of this bishop Grandisson which was in the yeare 1369 there were about 437 yeares distant and in the meane time this church was continued line 40 in building by sundrie persons yet it is so decentlie and vniformelie compacted as though it had béene builded at one verie time and instant The successour of this Grandisson who was named Thomas Brentingham finished and ended the north tower of the church After this about the yeare of our Lord 1400 and in the time of bishop Stofford the cloister was added to the church and builded at the most part of the charges of the deane and chapiter line 50 And not long after Edmund Lacie bishop began to build the chapiter house which being not ended in his time his next successor George Neuill in the yeare of our Lord 1456 did fullie end and absolue the same and which is a verie faire beautifull and a sumptuous worke And thus much concerning the antiquitie foundation and building of this cathedrall church Thus far Iohn Hooker About the same time that this rebellion whereto all the foresaid discourse tendeth began in the west line
that wicked and abhominable assemblie And yet such was the excéeding greatnesse of the kings bountifull mercie and clemencie that he that was by him appointed to be a reuenger of their heinous treasons committed against his maiestie if they continued in their obstinate wilfulnesse should be also the interpretor and minister of his gratious and free pardon to so manie as would accept it Which vnlesse they now imbrased the said earle had made a solemne vow that they should neuer haue it offered to them againe but that he would persecute them till he had punished the whole multitude according vnto their iust deserts Manie that heard him hauing due consideration of their miserable estate were touched with some remorse of conscience fearing at length to tast the reuenge of such horrible crimes as they had been partakers of with others in committing the same But the more part finding themselues highlie offended with his words began to iangle as they had doone before vnto other that had béene sent to offer line 10 them pardon that he was not the kings herald but some one made out by the gentlemen in such a gaie coate patched togither of vestments and churchstuffe being sent onelie to deceiue them in offering them pardon which would prooue nought else but halters and therefore it were well doone to thrust an arrow into him or to hang him vp Although other séemed dutifullie to reuerence him and diuerse that had serued in Scotland and at Bullongne remembring that they had séene him there and knew line 20 him told and persuaded their fellowes that he was the kings herald indeed Wherevpon they became more mild and offered him no further iniurie but yet they could not be persuaded that this pardon teâded to anie other end but to bring them to destruction and that in stéed of pardon there was prepared for them nought else but a barrell full of halters Such lewd speech was amongst them sauouring altogither of malicious mistrust and most line 30 wilfull treason Norreie neuerthelesse departing from thense accompanied with Ket came to another place where he made the like proclamation for the multitude was such that he could not be heard of them all in one place Heere before he had made an end of his tale there was a vile boie as some write that turned vp his bare taile to him with words as vnseemelie as his gesture was filthie with which spitefull reproch thus shewed towards the kings maiesties officer at armes one which in companie line 40 of some other that were come ouer the water to view things being greatlie offended with an harquebuse shot stroke that vngratious lad through the bodie a little aboue the reins Which when some of the rebels had séene a dozzen of their horssemen came gallopping out of the wood crieng We are betraied fréends we are betraied if you looke not about you doo you not see how our fellowes are slaine with guns before our faces What may we hope if we disarme our selues line 50 that are thus vsed being armed This herald goeth about nothing else but to bring vs within danger of some ambush that the gentlemen may kill and beate vs all downe at their pleasure Héerevpon they all shranke awaie and fled as they had béene out of their wits yet did their great capteine Robert Ket accompanie Norreie meaning as hath béene said to haue gone to the earle of Warwike himselfe to haue talked with him but as he was almost at the foot of the hill there came running after line 60 him a great multitude of the rebels crieng to him and asking him whither he went We are readie said they to take such part as you doo be it neuer so bad and if he would go anie further they would as they said suerlie follow him Norreie then perceiuing such numbers of people following them desired Ket to staie them who returning backe to them they were incontinentlie appeased and so they all returned with him backe to their campe When the earle of Warwike vnderstood that they were thus altogither set on mischéefe and neither with praier proffer of pardon threatening of punishment nor other meanes they could be reduced to quietnesse he determined to procéed against them by force And héerevpon bringing his armie vnto saint Stephans gate which the rebels stopped vp with the letting downe of the portculice he commanded those that had charge of the artillerie to plant the same against the gate and with batterie to breake it open As these things were in hand he vnderstood by Augustine Steward the maiors deputie that there was an other gate on the contrarie side of the citie called the Brasen gate which the rebels had rammed vp but yet not so but that it might be easilie broken open Herewith were the pioners called and commanded to breake open that gate also which being doone the soldiers entered by the same into the citie and slue diuerse of those rebels that stood readie to defend and resist their entrie In the meane time had the gunners also broken in sunder with their shot the portculice and néere hand the one halfe of the other gate by the which the marques of Northampton and capteine Drurie alià s Poignard that being sent from London met my lord of Warwike by the waie entered with their bands and droue backe the rebels with slaughter that were readie there to resist them Moreouer the maiors deputie caused Westwike gate to be set open at the which the earle of Warwike himselfe entring with all his armie and finding in manner no resistance came to the market place Here were taken a thréescore of the rebels the which according to the order of martiall law were incontinentlie executed according to the qualitie of their offense confessing no doubt in conscience that their punishment was proportioned to their trespasse and that in dieng the death were the same neuer so extreame dredfull they had but their desert and therefore might well saie with the poet Supplicia scelerum poenas expendimus omnes Shortlie after the carriages belonging to the armie were brought into the citie by the same gate and passing through the citie by negligence want of order giuen to them that attended on the same cariage they kept on forward till they were got out at Bishops gate towards Mousehold Whereof the rebels being aduised they came downe setting vpon the carters and other that attended on the cariages put them to flight and droue awaie the carts laden with artillerie powder and other munition bringing the same into their campe greatlie reioising thereof bicause they had no great store of such things among them but yet capteine Drurie with his band comming in good time to the rescue recouered some of the carts from the enimies not without some slaughter on either side Moreouer the enimies as yet being not fullie driuen out of the citie placed themselues in crosse stréets were readie to
contented not onelie to obeie them but also to suffer them to take profit of them And we sée furthermore that all heards all sorts be more egre in fiercenesse against all kind of strangers line 40 than they be against their owne rulers will easilier offend him who hath not hurt them than touch their ruler who séeketh profit on them But ye that ought to be gouerned by your magistrates as the heards by the heardman and ought to be like shéepe to your king who ought to be like a shéepeheard vnto you euen in the time when your profit was sought and better redresse was intended than your vpstirs and vnquietnesse could obteine haue beyond the crueltie of all beasts fowlie risen against your ruler and shewed your selues woorthie to line 50 be ordered like beasts who in kind of obedience will fall from the state of men A dog stoopeth when he is beaten of his maister not for lacke of stomach but for naturall obedience you being not striken of your head but fauoured not kept downe but succoured and remedied by law haue violentlie against law not onelie barked like beasts but also bitten like helhounds What Is the mischiefe of sedition either not knowne vnto you or not feared Haue not examples aforetimes both told the end of rebels line 60 and the wickednesse of rebellion it selfe But as for old examples let them passe for a while as things well to be considered But at this present one thing more to be weied Looke vpon your selues after ye haue wickedlie stept into this horrible kind of treason doo ye not sée how manie bottomlesse whirlepooles of mischiefe yee be gulât withall and what lothsome kinds of rebellion ye be faine to wade through Ye haue sent out in the kings name against the kings will precepts of all kinds without commandement commanded his subiects and vnrulâlie haue ruled where yée listed to command thinking your owne fansies the kings commandements and rebels lusts in things to be right gouernement of things not looking what should follow by reason but what your selues follow by affection And is it not a dangerous and a cruell kind of treason to giue out precepts to the kings people There can be no iust execution of lawes reformation of faults giuing out of commandements but from the king For in the king onelie is the right herof the authoritie of him deriued by his appointment to his ministers Ye hauing no authoritie of the king but taking it of your selues what thinke ye your selues to be Ministers ye be none except ye be the diuels ministers for he is the author of sedition The kings maiestie intendeth to mainteine peace and to oppresse warre ye stirre vp vprores of people hurliburlies of vagabonds routs of robbers Is this anie part of the kings ministerie If a vagabond would doo what he lust and call himselfe your seruant and execute such offices of trust whether yée would or no as yee haue committed vnto another mans credit what would euerie one of you saie or doo herein Would ye suffer it Ye wander out of houses ye make euerie daie new matters as it pleaseth you ye take in hand the execution of those things God by his word forbidding the same which God hath put the magistrates in trust withall What can ye saie to this Is it sufferable thinke ye If ye told a priuat message in another mans name can it be but a false lie I praie you And to tell a feined message to the common-wealth and that from the king can it be honest thinke ye To command is more than to speake what is it then to command so traitorous a lie This then which is in word a deceitfull lie and in déed a traitorous fact noisome to the common-wealth vnhonourable to the king mischiefous in you how can ye otherwise iudge of it but to be an vnheard of and notable disobedience to the king and therefore by notable example to be punished and not with gentlenesse of pardon to be forgiuen Ye haue robbed euerie honest house and spoiled them vniustlie and pitiouslie wronged poore men being no offendors to their vtter vndooing and yet ye thinke ye haue not broken the kings lawes The kings maiesties law and his commandement is that euerie man should safelie kéepe his owne and vse it reasonablie to an honest gaine of his liuing ye violentlie take and carie awaie from men without cause all things whereby they should mainteine not onelie themselues but also their familie leaue them so naked that they shall féele the smart of your curssed enterprise longer than your owne vnnaturall vngodlie stomachs would well vouchsafe By iustice ye should neither hurt nor wrong man and your pretensed cause of this monstruous sturre is to increase mens wealth And yet how manie and saie truth haue ye decaied and vndoone by spoiling and taking awaie their goods How should honest men liue quietlie in the common-wealth at anie time if their goods either gotten by their owne labor or left to them by their friends shall vnlawfullie and vnorderlie to the féeding of a sort of rebels be spoiled and wasted and vtterlie scattered abrode The thing that ye take is not your right it is an other mans owne The maner of taking against his will is vnlawfull against the order of euerie good common-wealth The cause why ye take it is mischiefous and horrible to fat your sedition Ye that take it be wicked traitors and common enimies of all good order If he that desireth an other mans goods or cattell doo fault what dooth he thinke you whose desire taking followeth and is led to and fro by lust as his wicked fansie void of reason dooth guide him Hée that vseth not his owne well and charitablie hath much to answer for and shall they be thought not vniust who not onelie take awaie other mens but also misuse and wast the same vngodlie They that take things priuilie awaie and steale secretlie and couertlie other mens goods be by law iudged worthie death and shall they that without shame spoile things openlie and be not affeard by impudencie to professe their spoile be thought either honest creaturs to God or faithfull subiects to their king or naturall men to their countrie If nothing had mooued you but the example of mischeefe and the foule practise of other mooued by the same ye should yet haue absteined line 10 from so licentious and vilanous a shew of robberie considering how manie honester there be that being loth their wickednesse should be blazed abrode yet be found out by prouidence and hanged for desert What shall we then thinke or saie of you Shall we call you pickers or hid theeues naie more than théeues daie théeues heard stealers shire spoilers and vtter destroiers of all kinds of families both among the poore and also among the rich Let vs yet further see Be there no mo things wherein ye line 20 haue broken the
would either the example might be forgotten that no citie might hereafter follow the like or the déed be so abhorred that others hereafter would auoid the like shame learne to be noble by Excester whose truth dooth not onelie deserue great praises but also great reward Who then that would willinglie defend ye can say anie thing for ye which haue so diuerslie faulted so traitorouslie offended not onlie against priuat men seuerallie but also generallie against whole townes and that after such a sort as outward enimies full of line 10 deadlie feud could not more cruellie inuade them And thus the kings maiestie dishonored his councell disobeied the goods of the poore spoiled the houses of the wealthie sacked honest mens bodies imprisoned worthie mens personages slaine cities besieged and threatned and all kind of things disordered can ye without teares and repentance heare spoken of which without honestie and godlinesse ye practised and not find in your hearts now to returne to dutie which by witchcraft of sedition were drowned in disorder line 20 Haue ye not in disorder first gréeuouslie offended God next traitorouslie risen against your king and so neither worthie euerlasting life as long as ye so remaine nor yet ciuill life being in such a breach of common quietnesse If euerie one of these cannot by themselues plucke you backe from this your lewd and outragious enterprises yet let them altogither stir ye or at least be a fearfull example to others to beware by your vnmeasurable follie how they doo so far prouoke God or offend man and find line 30 by your mistemper to be themselues better ordered and learne still to obeie bicause they would not repent and so to liue with honestie that they would neither willinglie offend Gods law nor disobeie mans But and ye were so much bleared that you did thinke impossible things and your reason gaue ye against all reason that ye neither displeased God herein nor offended the king yet be ye so blind that ye vnderstand not your owne case nor your neighbors line 40 miserie nor the ruine of the whole common-wealth which dooth euidentlie follow your so foule and detestable sedition Doo ye not sée how for the maintenance of these vngodlie rablements not onlie cities and villages but also shires and countries be vtterlie destroied Is not their corne wasted their cattell fetcht awaie their houses rifled their goods spoiled and all to féed your vprising without reason and to mainteine this tumult of rebellion inuented of the diuell continued by you and to be ouerthrowen line 50 by the power of Gods mightie hand And whie should not so hurtfull wasting and harrieng of countries be iustlie punished with great seueritie séeing robbing of houses and taking of purses doo by law deserue the extremitie of death How manie suffer iniurie when one hundred of a shire is spoiled And what iniurie thinke ye is doone when not onelie whole shires be destroied but also euerie quarter of the realme touched Haue ye not brought vpon vs all pouertie weaknesse and hatred within the realme discourage shame and damage without line 60 the realme If ye miserablie intended not onelie to vndoo other but also to destroie your selues and to ouerthrow the whole realme could ye haue taken a readier waie to your owne ruine than this is And first if ye be anie thing reasonable lift vp your reason and weigh by wisdome if not all things yet your owne cases and learne in the beginning of matters to foresee the end and iudge aduisedlie yer ye enter into anie thing hastilie See ye not this yeare the losse of haruest And thinke ye can grow to wealth that yéere when ye lose your thrift and profit Barns be poore mens storehouses wherein lieth a great part of euerie mans owne liuing his wiues and childrens liuing wherwith men mainteine their families paie their rents and therefore be alwaies thought most rich when they haue best crops And now when there is neither plentie of haie nor sufficient of straw nor corne inough and that through the great disorder of your lewd rebellion can ye thinke ye doo well when ye vndoo your selues and iudge it a common-welth when the commons is destroied and séeke your hap by vnhappinesse and esteeme your owne losse to be your owne forwardnes and by this iudgement shew your selues how little ye vnderstand other mens matters when ye can scarselie consider the weightiest of your owne Hath not the haie this yeare as it rose from the ground so rotted to the ground againe and where it was woont by mens seasonable labor to be taken in due time and then serue for the maintenance of horsse and cattell wherwith we liue now by your disordered mischéefe hath béene by mens idlenesse and vndutifulnesse let alone vntouched and so neither serueth the poore to make monie of nor anie cattell to liue with The corne was sowne with labour and the ground tilled for it with labour and looked to be brought home againe with labour and for lacke of honest laborers it is lost on the ground the owners being loiterers and séeking other mens haue lost their owne and hoping for mounteins lacked their present thrift neither obteining that they sought nor séeking that they ought And how shall men liue when the maintenance of their prouision is lacking For labouring and their old store is wasted by wildnesse of sedition and so neither spare the old nor saue the new How can men be fed then or beasts liue when as such wastfull negligence is miserablie vsed And mispending the time of their profit in shamefull disorder of inobedience they care not greatlie what becommeth of their owne bicause they intend to liue by other mens Haie is gone corne is wasted straw is spoiled what reckoning of haruest can ye make either for the aid of others or for the reléefe of your selues And thus haue ye brought in one kind of miserie which if yée saw before as ye be like to feele after although ye had hated the common-welth yet for loue of your selues ye would haue auoided the great enormitie thereof into the which ye wilfullie now haue cast your selues An other no lesse is that such plentie of vittels as was abundantlie in euerie quarter for the reléefe of vs all is now wastfullie and vnthriftfullie spent in mainteining you vnlawfull rebels and so with disorder all is consumed which with good husbandrie might long haue indured For so much as would haue serued a whole yeare at home with diligence and skilfull héed of husbandrie that is wilfullie wasted in a moneth in the campe through the rauening spoile of vilanie For what is vnordered plentie but a wastfull spoile whereof the inconuenience is so great as ye be worthie to féele and bringeth in more hardnes of liuing greater dearth of all things occasioneth manie causes of diseases The price of things must needs increase much when the
to the king and that as ye will not doo of your selues ye must be compelled to doo by others and that ye refuse to doo willinglie thinke ye must be drawne to doo the same constreinedlie Which when it commeth to passe as wisedome séeth in your faults that it must néeds what gaine ye then or what profit can arise to you by rising which might haue found ease in sitting still And what shall ye be at length the better for this turmoile which beside diuerse other incommodities rehearsed shall be thus clogged with the vnsufferable burden of the martiall law Yet there is one thing behind which me thinketh your selues should not forget séeing that ye haue giuen the cause ye should dulie looke for the effect Ye haue spoiled imprisoned and threatened gentlemen to death and that with such hatred of mind as may not well be borne The cause therof I speake not on which tried will happilie be not so great but sée the thing set murther aside it is the heinousest fault to a priuat man What could more spitefullie haue béene doone against them than ye haue vsed with crueltie Can this doo anie other but breed in their stomachs great grudge of displeasure toward you and ingender such an hatred as the weaker and the sufferer must néeds beare the smart thereof The kings best kind of gouernment is so to rule his subiects as a father ordereth his children and best life of obedient subiects is one to behaue himselfe to an other as though they were brethren vnder the king their father For loue is not the knot onelie of the common-wealth whereby diuerse parts be perfectlie ioined togither in one politike bodie but also the strength and might of the same gathering togither into a small roome with order which scaâtered would else bréed confusion and debate Dissention we sée in small houses and thereby may take example to great common-wealths how it not onelie decaieth them from wealth but also abateth them from strength Thinke small examples to take place in great matters and the like though not so great to follow in them both and there by learne to iudge of great things vnknowne by small things perceiued When brethren agrée not in a house goeth not the weakest to the walles and with whome the father taketh part withall is not he likest to preuaile Is it not wisedome for the yoonger brother after the good will of the parents to seeke his eldest brothers fauour who vnder them is most able to doo for him To séeke them both with honestie is wisedome to loose them both by sullennesse is madnesse Haue there not béene dailie benefits from the gentlemen to you in some more and in some lesse but in none considered which they haue more friendlie offered than you haue gentlie requited This must ye lose when ye will not be thankefull and learne to gaine new good will by desert when ye forsake the old friendship vnprouoked And ye must thinke that liuing in a common-wealth togither one kind hath néed of an other and yet a great sort of you more néed of one gentleman than one gentleman of a great sort of you And though all be parts of one common-wealth yet all be not like worthie parts but all being vnder obedience some kind in more subiection one waie and some kind in more seruice an other waie And séeing ye be lesse able by monie and liberalitie to deserue good will than others be and your onelie kind of desert is to shew good will which honest men doo well accept as much worth as monie haue ye not much hindâred hurt your selues herein losing that one kind of humanitie which ye haue onelie left and turning it into crueltie which ye ought most to abhor not onelie bicause it is wicked of it selfe but also most noisome to you I can therefore for my part thinke no lesse herein if ye follow your stiffenesse still must needs iudge that ye haue wilfullie brought on your selues such plagues as the like could not haue fallen on you but by your selues Seeing then thus manie waies ye haue hurt the common-welth of this whole countrie within by destruction of shires losing of haruest line 10 wasting of vittels decaieng of manhood vndooing of farmers increasing of vagabonds mainteining of disorders hindring of redresses bringing in of martiall law and breeding continuall hatred among diuerse states what thinke ye I praie you Iudge ye not that ye haue committed an odious and detestable crime against the whole common-wealth whose fârtherance ye ought to haue tendered by dutie and not to haue sought the hurt thereof with your owne line 20 damage Besides all these inward griefes which euerie one seuerallie must néeds féele with miserie there happeneth so manie outward mischances among strangers to vs with disdaine that if there were nothing ill within the realme which we should féele yet the shame which dooth touch vs from other countries should not onelie mooue but also compell you hartilie to forethinke this your rebellious sedition For what shall strangers thinke when they shall heare of line 30 the great misorder which is in this realme with such confusion that no order of law can kéepe you vnder but must be faine to be beaten downe with a kings power Shall they not first thinke the kings maiestie in whose mind God hath powred so much hope for a child as we may looke for gifts in a man either for his age to be little set by or for lacke of qualities not to be regarded or for default of loue to be resisted and no notable grace of God in him considered nor the worthinesse of his office looked vpon nor naturall line 40 obedience due to him remembred Shall they not next suppose small estimation to be giuen to the rulers to whom vnder the king we owe due obedience that can not in iust and lawfull matters be heard nor men to haue that right iudgement of their wisedome as their iustice in rule and foresight in counsell requireth but rather prefer their owne fansies before others experience and déeme their owne reason to be common-wealth and other mens wisedome to be but dreaming Shall they not line 50 trulie saie the subiects to be more vnfaithfull in disobedience than other subiects worsse ordered be and licence of libertie to make wild heads without order and that they neither haue reason that vnderstand not the mischiefe of sedition nor dutie which follow their beastlinesse nor loue in them which so little remember the common-wealth nor naturall affection which will dailie séeke their owne destruction Thus the whole countrie lacking the good opinion of other nations is cast into great shame by your line 60 vnrulinesse and the proceedings of the countrie be they neuer so godlie shall be ill spoken of as vnfit to be brought into vse and good things hereby that deserue praise shall bide the rebuke of them that list
is angrie with you for your rebellion the kings sword drawne to defend his countrie the crie of the poore to God against ye the readinesse of the honest in armor to vanquish ye your death to be at hand which ye cannot escape hauing God against ye as he promiseth in his word the kings power to ouerthrow ye gathered in the field the common-welth line 50 to beate ye downe with stripes and with cursses the shame of your mischiefe to blemish ye for euer ¶ Thus far this necessarie treatise touching rebellion penned by sir Iohn Chéeke a gentleman euerie waie in complet sort satisfieng the report blazed abroad of him For if there were no more testimonies extant in the world but this onelie treatise discoursing Kets rebellion it were enough to warrant no lesse true than in common speech and writing is left witnessed of him And suerlie it appeareth line 60 that as in this gentleman there was an extraordinarie heape of laudable gifts so was there also in him the right vse of them all Wherby he grew in such fauor with king Henrie the eight that partlie for his absolute knowledge in toongs speciallie the Gréeke and Latine and also for his integritie of life and religion he was chosen schoolemaister to yoong prince Edward to traine him vp in the right vnderstanding both of forren languages the purenes of Gods seruice Insomuch that by his industrie such effects followed God aboue prospering his actions that the yoong prince when he came to the kingdome was mindfull of him and among other I will not saie gratuities where cause of desert maketh challenge of some recompense tokens of beneuolence aduanced him to the dignitie of knighthood as hereafter in due place maie appeare Of this woorthie man whose praise though neuer so excessiue if meet for a man is equiualent vnto his merits Iohn Leland vpon presenting vnto him a booke taketh occasion to write this epigram comprising in summe no lesse than is here vnder in English remembred Si vis Thespiadum choro probari Fac vt consilio libelle nostro Facundo studeas placere Checo Quem Pandioniae colunt Athenae Et quem Roma colit diserta multùm Quem rex maximus omnium supremúsque Henricus reputans virum probatum Spectatúmque satis reconditaeque Censorem solidum eruditionis Eduardum bene filium suúmque Haeredem puerum illi ad alta natum Sic concredidit vtriusque linguae Flores vt legeret venustiores Exercens facili manum labore Et Christi imbiberet suaue nectar Foelicem arbitror hunc diem fuisse Tanto discipulo dedit magistrum Qui talem c. During the time of these commotions and sturs here within the realme to the great danger of the state the French king hauing knowledge thereof ment not to omit the oportunitie offered to recouer out of the Englishmens hands those fortresses which they held at Bullongne and in Bullongnois Wherevpon he gaue summons to the gentlemen and men of armes and others of his realme to put themselues in order with all their furniture that they might be readie to attend him in his armie in Bullongnois by a daie appointed And about the same time that is to saie in the beginning of August the French king purposing to surprise the Iles of Gernesâie and Ierseie appointed certeine gallies and ships of warre to passe thither but being receiued by the king of Englands nauie that laie there and other of the Iland they were beaten backe and repelled with the losse of a thousand men as some write and so were constreined to retire without atchiuing their enterprise Credible word was brought out of France to the lord protector that into one towne in one vessell were brought at the least thrée score gentlemen to be buried also an inhibition giuen out by the French king not to speake of the euill successe of that iournie In the meane time the French king being come downe vnto Abuile departed from thence the sixtéenth of August and comming vnto Rue lodged there that night and the next daie came to Monstreull where he found the conestable and monsieur Daumalle The next daie being the eightéenth of August he came to his armie lodged foure leagues on this side Monstreull at a village called Neufcastell neere to the forrest of Ardelo vpon the waie that leadeth to Bullongne The same daie were certeine pioners sent to Pont de Bricque to repare the bridge there and to make the waies easie for the artillerie to passe The next daie the said king with his armie passed by Bullongne berg and camped that night on a little hill betwixt that forrest and the forrest of Suren In this place he caused trenches to be cast about a plot of ground after the maner of a fortresse within the which he left certeine bands of men of warre to be a safegard vnto such as should passe to and fro with vittels to furnish his campe He staied not there past a daie a halfe but remoued to Ardenton a mile or little more beyond Marguisen from thence he came with his armie and lodged on a hill somewhat more than a mile a halfe from Hambleteuue The French king hauing viewed the forts caused fiue and twentie péeces of artillerie to be planted against that fort which was built in a place called the Almaine campe but the Frenchmen named it Le fort de Selaque distant from Hambleteuue about a quarter of a mile The artillerie had not gone off little more than the space of two houres but that line 10 Charls Sturton capteine of that péece and George Willoughbie a gentleman associat with him came foorth to parlee with the Conestable offering to yéeld the fort into his hands vpon condition they might depart with bag and baggage But as they were thus in hand to make their composition the Frenchmen thrust forward to the rampiers and entered in plumps into the fortresse slue fourescore persons tooke the rest prisoners There might be in all within that péece two hundred and thirtie persons men and women This happened the foure line 20 and twentith of August being Bartholomew daie This doone the king caused part of the artillerie to be planted against the castell of Hambleteuue situated at the one end of the towne néere to the sea side Towards night monsieur de Uandosme gaue an approch to the said castell and they within by commandement of the lord Greie retired to the maine fort to helpe to furnish the same wanting numbers sufficient to defend it The next daie being line 30 the fiue and twentith of August the king caused approches to be made vnto the great fort and the morrow after the batterie began most furiouslie The same daie after dinner the king summoned them within to yéeld but the lord Iohn Greie being generall although he saw how weake the péece was of it selfe the lacke of sufficient numbers of men to
written that he should at his last going downe into the countrie make proclamation in his daughters name that is not so for whereas he stood by in Leicester when at his commandement the proclamation was there made against the queenes mariage with the prince of Spaine c master Damport then maior of that towne said to him My lord I trust your grace meaneth no hurt to the quéenes maiestie No saith he maister maior laieng his hand on his sword he that would hir anie hurt I would this sword were through his hart for she is the mercifullest prince as I haue trulie found hir that euer reigned in whose defense I am will be readie to die at hir foot ¶ On mondaie the ninetéenth of Februarie the lord Cobhams thrée sonnes and foure other men were brought to Westminster the yoongest of the Cobhams to wit maister Thomas Cobham was condemned with the other foure men but the other two Cobhams came not to the barre ¶ On the wednesdaie the one and twentith of Februarie âhe lord Thomas Greie that had beene taken as beââre ye haue heard in Wales was brought togither with sir Iames Croft through London to the tower by a number of horssemen Upon the fridaie the thrée and twentith of Februarie about nine of the clocke the duke of Suffolke was brought foorth of the tower vnto the scaffold on the tower hill And in his comming thither there accompanied him doctor Weston as his ghostlie father notwithstanding as it should séeme against the will of the said duke For when the duke went vp the scaffold the said Weston being on his left hand pressed to go vp with him The duke with his hand put him downe againe off the staires and Weston taking hold of the duke forced him downe likewise And as they ascended the second time the duke againe put him downe Then Weston said that it was the quéenes pleasure he should so doo wherewith the duke casting his hands abrode ascended vp the scaffold and paused a prettie while after and then he said The duke of Suffolks words to the people at the time of his death MAisters I haue offended the queene and hir lawes and thereby am iustlie condemned to die and am willing to die desiring all men to be obedient and I praie God that this my death maie be an example to all men beseeching you all to beare mee witnesse that I die in the faith of Christ trusting to be saued by his bloud onelie and by none other trumperie the which died for me and for all them that doo trulie repent stedfastlie trust in him And I doo repent desiring you all to pray to God for me that when ye see my breath depart from me you will praie to God that he maie receiue my soule And then hee desired all men to forgiue him saieng that the queene had forgiuen him Then maister Weston declared with a lowd voice that the quéenes maiestie had forgiueâ him Then diuers line 10 of the standers by said with audible voice Such forgiuenes God send thee meaning doctor Weston Then the duke kneeled vpon his knees and said the psalme Misereremei Deus vnto the end holding vp his hands and looking vp to heauen And when he had ended the psalme he said In manus ãâã Domine commeâdo spiritum mâum Then he arose and stood vp and deliuered his cap and soârffe to the executioner and therewith the executioner kneeled downe and asked line 20 the duke forgiuenesse and the duke said God forgiue thee and I doo and when thou doost thine office I praie thee doo if quicklie and God haue mercie to thee Then sâod there a man and said My lord how shall I doo for the monie that you doo owe me And the duke said Alas good fellow I praie thée trouble me not now but go thy waie to my officers Then he knit a kercher about his face and knéeled downe and said Our father which art in heauen c vnto the end and then he said Christ haue mercie vpon me and laid line 30 downe his head on the blocke and the executioner toke the axe and at the first chop stroke off his head and held it vp to the people according to the common custome of execution Such was the end of this duke of Suffolke a man of high nobilitie by birth and of nature to his friend gentle and courteous more easie in déed to be led than was thought expedient of stomach neuerthelesse stout and hardie hastie and soone kindled but pacified streight againe and sorie if in his heat ought line 40 had passed him otherwise than reason might séeme to beare vpright and plaine in his priuat dealings no dissembler nor well able to beare iniuries but yet forgiuing forgetting the same if the partie would séeme but to acknowlege his fault and seeke reconcilement Bountifull he was and verie liberall somwhat learned himselfe and a great sauourer of those that were learned so that to manie he shewed himselfe a verie Mecoenas as frée from couetousnesse as void of pride and disdainefull hautinesse of mind line 50 more regarding plaine meaning men than clawbacke flatterers And this vertue he had he could patientlie heare his faults told him by those whome he had in credit for their wisdome and faithfull meaning toward him although sometime he had the hap to reforme himselfe thereafter Concerning his last offense for the which he died it is to be supposed he rather tooke in hand that vnlawfull enterprise through others persuasions than of his owne motion for any malicious ambition in himselfe line 60 But now to let this duke rest with God we will procéed with the storie The same daie or as some haue noted the day before a number of prisoners had their pardon and came through the citie with their halters about their necks They were in number aboue two hundred Upon the saturdaie the eight and twentith of Februarie sir William Sentlow was committed as prisoner to the maister of the horsse to be kept This sir William was at this time one of the ladie Elizabeths gentlemen Upon the sundaie being the fiue and twentith of Februarie sir Iohn Rogers was committed to the tower Upon the tuesdaie in the same weeke being the seuen twentith of Februarie certeine gentlemen of Kent were sent into Kent to be executed there Their ãâ¦ã were the ãâã the two Mantels two Kneuets and Bret with these maister Rudston also and certeine other were condemned and should haue beene executed but they had their pardon Sir Henrie Isleie knight Thomas Isleie his brother and Walter Mantelâ suffered at Maidstoâ where Wiat first displaied his banner Anthonie Kneuet and his brother William Kneuet with an other of the Mantels were executed at Seugnecke Bret at Rochester was hanged in chains On saturdaie the third of March sir Gawen Carew and maister Gibs were brought thorough London to the tower with a companie of horssemen
such as be declared in the fiue and twentith yeare of king Edward the third both which statutes I pray you my lords maie be read here to the inquest No sir there shall be no bookes brought at your desire we doo all know the law sufficientlie without booke Doo you bring me hither to trie me by the law will not shew me the law What is your knowlege of the law to these mens satisfactions which haue my triall in hand I praie you my lords and my lords all let the statutes be read as well for the quéene as for me My lord chiefe iustice can shew the law and will if the iurie doo doubt of anie point You know it were indifferent that I should know and heare the law whereby I am adiudged and for asmuch as the statute is in English men of meaner learning than the iustices can vnderstand it or else how should we know when we offend You know not what belongeth to your case and therefore we must teach you it apperteineth not to line 10 vs to prouide bookes for you neither sit we here to be taught of you you should haue taken better héed to the law before you had come hither Because I am ignorant I would learne and therefore I haue more néed to sée the law and partlie as well for the instructions of the iurie as for my own satisfaction which mee thinke were for the honor of this presence And now if it please you my lord chiefe iustice I doo direct my spéech speciallie to you line 20 What time it pleased the quéenes maiestie to call you to this honorable office I did learne of a great personage of hir highnesse priuie councell that amongst other good instructions hir maiestie charged and inioined you to minister the law and iustice indifferentlie without respect of persons And notwithstanding the old error amongst you which did not admit anie witnesse to speake or anie other matter to be heard in the fauor of the aduersarie hir maiestie being partie hir highnesse pleasure was line 30 that whatsoeuer could be brought in the fauor of the subiect should be admitted to be heard And moreouer that you speciallie likewise all other iustices should not persuade themselues to sit in iudgement otherwise for hir highnesse than for hir subiect Therefore this maner of indifferent proceeding being principallie inioined by Gods commandement which I had thought partlie to haue remembred you others here in commission in the beginning if I might haue had leaue and the same also being commanded line 40 you by the quéens owne mouth me thinke you ought of right to suffer me to haue the statutes read openlie and also to reiect nothing that could be spoken in my defense and in thus dooing you shall shew your selues woorthie ministers and fit for so woorthie a mistresse You mistake the matter the queene spake those words to maister Morgan chiefe iustice of the common plées but you haue no âause to complaine for you haue béene suffered to talke at your pleasure line 50 What would you doo with the statute booke The iurie dooth not require it they haue heard the euidence and they must vpon their conscience trie whether you be guiltie or no so as the booke needeth not if they will not credit the euidence so apparant then they know not what they haue to doo You ought not to haue anie books read here at your appointment for where dooth arise anie doubt in the law the iudges sit here to informe the court and now you doo but spend time line 60 I pray you my lord chiefe iustice repeat the euidence for the queene and giue the iurie their charge for the prisoner will kéepe you here all daie How saie you Haue you anie more to saie for your selfe You seeme to giue and offer me the law but in verie déed I haue onelie the forme and image of the law neuerthelesse sith I cannot be suffered to haue the statutes red openlie in the booke I will by your patience gesse at them as I maie and I praie you to helpe me if I mistake for it is long since I did sée them The statute of repeale made the last parlement hath these words Be it enacted by the quéene that from henceforth none act deed or offense being by act of parlement or statute made treason petit treason or misprision of treason by words writing printing ciphering déeds or otherwise whatsoeuer shall be taken had déemed or adiudged treason petit treason but onelie such as be declared or expressed to be treason in or by an act of parlement made in the fiue and twentith yeare of Edward the third touching and concerning treasons and the declaration of treasons and none other Here may you sée this statute dooth referre all the offenses aforesaid to the statute of the fiue and twentith yeare of Edward the third which statute hath these words touching and concerning the treasons that I am indicted and arreigned of that is to saie Whosoeuer dooth compasse or imagine the death of the king or leuie warre against the king in his realme or being adherent to the kings enimies within this realme or elsewhere and be thereof probablie attainted by open déed by people of their condition shall be adiudged a traitor Now I praie you of my iurie which haue my life in triall note well what things at this daie be treasons and how these treasons must be tried and decerned that is to say by open déed which the lawes dooth at some time terme Ouert act And now I aske notwithstanding my indictment which is but matter alleged where dooth appeare the open déed of anie compassing or imagining the queenes death Or where dooth appeare anie open déed of being adherent to the quéens enimies giuing to them aid and comfort Or where dooth appeare anie open déed of taking the tower of London Why doo not you of the quéenes learned councell answer him Me thinke Throckmorton you need not haue the statutes for you haue them méetlie perfectlie You are deceiued to conclude all treasons in the statute of the fiue and twentith yeare of Edward the third for that statute is but a declaration of certeine treasons which were treasons before at the common law Euen so there dooth remaine diuerse other treasons at this daie at the common law which be expressed by that statute as the iudges can declare Neuerthelesse there is matter sufficient alleged and prooued against you to bring you within the compasse of the same statute I praie you expresse those matters that bring me within the compasse of the statute of Edward the third For the words be these And be thereof attainted by open déed By people of like condition Throckmorton you deceiue your selfe and mistake these words By people of their condition For thereby the law dooth vnderstand the discouering of your treasons
the principall and accessaries in felonie and murther be triable and punishable by the common law and so in those cases the iudges maie vse their equitie extending the determination of the fault as they thinke good but in treson it is otherwise the same being limited by statute which I saie and aduow is restreined from anie iudges construction by the maxime that I recited Your lordships doo know a case in Richard the thirds time where the procurer to counterfeit false monie was iudged a traitor and the law was as it is now Maister sergeant dooth remember you Throckmorton of an experience before our time that the law hath béene so taken and yet the procurer was not expressed in the statute but the law hath béene alwaies so taken I neuer studied the law whereof I doo much repent me yet I remember whilest penall statutes were talked of in the parlement house you the learned men of the house remembred some cases contrarie to this last spoken of And if I missreport them I praie you helpe me In the like case you speake of concerning the procurer to counterfeit false monie at one time the procurer was iudged a felon and at another time neither felon nor traitor so as some of your predecessors adiudged the procurer no traitor in the same case but leaned to their principall though some other extend their constructions too large And here is two cases with me for one against me Because you replie vpon the principall I will remember where one taking the great seale of England from one writing and putting it to another was adiudged a traitor in Henrie the fourths time and yet his act was not within the expresse words of the statute of Edward the third There be diuerse other such like cases that maie be alledged and need were I praie you my lord chiefe iustice call to your good remembrance that in the selfe same case of the seale line 10 iustice Spilman a graue well learned man since that time would not condemne the offendor but did reprooue that former iudgement by you last remembred as erronious If I had thought you had béene so well furnished in booke cases I would haue béene better prouided for you I haue nothing but I learned of you speciallie maister sergeant and of others my maisters of the law in the parlement house therefore I maie saie line 20 with the prophet Salutem ex inimicis nostris You haue a verie good memorie If the prisoner maie auoid his treasons after this maner the quéenes suretie shall be in great ieopardie For Iacke Cade the blacke smith and diuerse other traitors sometime alledging the law for them sometime they meant no harme to the king but against his councell as Wiat the duke of Suffolke and these did against the Spaniards when there was no Spaniards within the realme The duke and his brethren did mistake the law as you doo yet at line 30 length did confesse their ignorance and submitted themselues and so were you best to doo As to Cade and the blacke smith I am not so well acquainted with their treasons as you be but I haue read in the chronicle they were in the field with a force against the prince whereby a manifest act did appéere As to the duke of Suffolkes dooings they apperteine not to me And though you would compare my spéech and talke against the Spaniards to the dukes acts who assembled a force in armes it is line 40 euident they differ much I am sorie to ingréeue anie other mans dooings but it serueth me for a péece of my defense and therefore I wish that no man should gather euill of it God forbid that words and acts be thus confounded Sir William Stanleie vsed this shift that the prisoner vseth now he said he did not leuie warre against king Henrie the seauenth but said to the duke of Buckingham that in a good quarrell he would line 50 aid him with fiue hundred men and neuerthelesse Stanleie was for those words atteinted who as all the world knoweth had before that time serued the king verie faithfullie and trulie I praie you maister attorneie doo not conclude against me by blind contraries Whether you alledge Stanlies case trulie or no I know not But admit it be as you saie what dooth this prooue against me I promised no aid to maister Wiat nor to anie other The duke of Buckingham leuied warre against line 60 the king with whome Stanleie was confederat so to doo as you saie I praie you my lords that be the queens commissioners suffer not the prisoner to vse the quéenes learned councell thus I was neuer interrupted thus in my life nor I neuer knew anie thus suffered to talke as this prisoner is suffered some of vs will come no more at the barre we be thus handled Throckmorton you must suffer the quéenes learned councell to speake or else we must take order with you you haue had leaue to talke at your pleasure It is prooued that you did talke with Wiat against the comming of the Spaniards and deuised to interrupt their arriuall and you promised to doo what you could against them wherevpon Wiat being incoraged by you did leuie a force and attempted warre against the quéenes roiall person It was no treason nor no procurement of treason to talke against the comming hither of the Spaniards neither was it treason for me to saie I would hinder their comming hither as much as I could vnderstanding me rightlie as I meane it yea though you would extend it to the worst it was but words it was not treason at this daie as the law standeth And as for Wiats dooing they touch me nothing for at his death when it was no time to report vntruelie he purged me By sundrie cases remembred here by the queenes learned councell as you haue heard that procurement which did appeare none otherwise but by words and those you would make nothing hath béene of long time and by sundrie well learned men in the lawes adiudged treason And therefore your procurement being so euident as it is we maie lawfullie saie it was treason bicause Wiat performed a traitorous act As to the said alleaged forepresidents against me I haue recited as manie for me and I would you my lord chiefe iustice should incline your iudgments rather after the example of your honourable predecessors iustice Markam and others which did eschue corrupt iudgements iudging directlie and sincerelie after the law the principles in the same than after such men as swaruing from the truth the maxime and the law did iudge corruptlie maliciouslie and affectionatlie Iustice Markam had reason to warrant his dooings for it did appeare a merchant of London was arreigned and slanderouslie accused of treason for compassing and imagining the kings death he did saie he would make his sonne heire
both of bodie and mind in which good state we will leaue them And bicause we are entred into a discourse of troubles happening to personages of good account and name it is necessarie that wée adde another narration of like argument vnto the former concerning the troubles and happie deliuerance of the reuerend father in God doctor Sands first bishop of Worcester next of London and now archbishop of Yorke as I find it word for word in maister Fox who beginneth and continueth the said discourse as followeth ¶ King Edward died the world being vnworthie of him the duke of Northumberland came downe to Cambridge with an armie of men hauing commission to proclame ladie Iane quéene and by power to suppresse ladie Marie who tooke vpon hir that dignitie and was proclamed quéene in Norffolke The duke sent for doctor Sands being vicechancellor for doctor Parker for doctor Bill and maister Leauer to sup with him Amongst other spéeches he said Maisters praie for vs that we spéed well if not you shall be made bishops and we deacons And euen so it came to passe doctor Parker and doctor Sands were made bishops and he and sir Iohn Gates who was then at the table were made deacons yer it was long after on the tower hill Doctor Sands being vicechancellor was required to preach on the morrow The warning was short for such an auditorie and to speake of such a matter yet he refused not the thing but went to his chamber and so to bed He rose at thrée of the clocke in the morning tooke his bible in his hand and after that he had praied a good space he shut his eies and holding his bible before him earnestlie praied to God that it might fall open where a most fit text should be for him to intreat of The bible as God would haue it fell open vpon the first chapter of Iosua where he found so conuenient a péece of scripture for that time that the like he could not haue chosen in all the bible His text was thus Responderúntque ad Iosue atque dixerunt Omnia quae praecepisti nobis faciemus quocunque miseris ibimus sicut obediuimus in cunctis Mosi ita obediemus tibi tantúm sit Dominus Deus tuus tecum sicut fuit cum Mose qui contradixerit ori tuo non obedierit cunctis sermonibus quos praeceperis ei moriatur tu tantùm confortare viriliter age Who shall consider what was concluded by such as named themselues by the state and withall the auditorie the time and other circumstances he shall line 10 easilie sée that this text most fitlie serued for the purpose And as God gaue the text so gaue he him such order and vtterance as pulled manie teares out of the eies of the biggest of them In the time of his sermon one of the gard lift vp to him into the pulpit a masse booke and a graile which sir George Howard with certeine of the gard had taken that night in master Hurlestons house where ladie Marie had béene a little before there had masse The duke with the rest of the nobilitie required doctor line 20 Sands to put his sermon in writing and appointed maister Leauer to go to London with it and to put it in print Doctor Sands required one daie and a halfe for writing of it At the time appointed he had made it readie and maister Leauer was readie booted to receiue it at his hands carie it to London As he was deliuering of it one of the bedels named maister Adams came wéeping to him praied him to shift for himselfe for the duke was retired and queene Marie proclamed line 30 Doctor Sands was not troubled herewithall but gaue the sermon written to master Leifield master Leauer departed home and he went to dinner to one master Moores a bedell his great friend At the dinner mistresse Moore séeing him merrie and pleasant for he had euer a mans courage and could not be terrified dranke vnto him saieng Master vicechancellor I drinke vnto you for this is the last time that euer I shall sée you And so it was for shée was dead before doctor Sands returned out of Germanie line 40 The duke that night retired to Cambridge and sent for doctor Sands to go with him to the market place to proclame quéene Marie The duke cast vp his cap with others and so laughed that the tears ran downe his chéekes for greefe He told doctor Sands that quéene Marie was a mercifull woman and that he doubted not thereof declaring that hée had sent vnto hir to know hir pleasure and looked for a generall pardon Doctor Sands answered My line 50 life is not deare vnto me neither haue I doone or said anie thing that vrgeth my conscience For that which I spake of the state I haue instructions warranted by the subscription of sixteene councellors Neither can speach be treason neither yet haue I spoken further than the word of God and lawes of this realme dooth warrant me come of me what God will But be you assured you shall neuer escape death for if shée would saue you those that now shall rule will kill you line 60 That night the gard apprehended the duke and certeine groomes of the stable were as busie with doctor Sands as if they would take a prisoner But sir Iohn Gates who laie then in doctor Sands his house sharplie rebuked them and draue them awaie Doctor Sands by the aduise of sir Iohn Gates walked into the fields In the meane time the vniuersitie contrarie to all order had met togither in consultation and ordered that doctor Mouse and doctor Hatcher should repaire to doctor Sands lodging and set awaie the statute booke of the vniuersitie the keies and such other things that were in his kéeping and so they did For doctor Mouse being an earnest protestant the daie before and one whome doctor Sands had doone much for now was he become a papist and his great enimie Certeine of the vniuersitie had appointed a congregation at afternoone As the bell rang to it doctor Sands commeth out of the fields and sending for the bedels asketh what the matter meaneth and requireth them to wait vpon him to the schooles according to their dutie So they did And so soone as doctor Sands the bedels going before him came into the regent house and tooke his chaire one master Mitch with a rabble of vnlearned papists went into a by-schoole and conspired togither to pull him out of his chaire and to vse violence vnto him Doctor Sands began his oration expostulating with the vniuersitie charging them with great ingratitude declaring that he had said nothing in his sermon but that hée was readie to iustifie and that there case was all one with his for they had not onelie concealed but consented to that which he had spoken And thus while he remembred vnto them how beneficiall he had béene to the vniuersitie
of his spouse the church continued no longer till she had vtterlie rooted out of the land this hereticall generation Yea how chanced it rather that almightie God to spare these poore heretikes rooted out quéene Marie so soone from hir throne after she had reigned but onelie fiue yeares line 40 and fiue moneths Now furthermore how God blessed hir waies and indeuors in the meane time while she thus persecuted the true seruants of God remaineth to be discussed Where first this is to be noted that when she first began to stand for the title of the crowne and yet had wrought no resistance against Christ and his gospell but had promised hir faith to the Suffolke men to mainteine the religion left by king Edward hir brother so long God went with hir aduanced hir and line 50 by the means of the gospellers brought hir to the possession of the realme But after that she breaking hir promise with God and man began to take part with Stephan Gardiner and had giuen ouer hir supremasie vnto the pope by and by Gods blessing leât hir neither did anie thing well thriue with hir afterward during the whole time of hir regiment For first incontinentlie the fairest and greatest ship she had called great Harrie was burned such a vessell as in all these parts of all Europe was not to be line 60 matched Then would she needs bring in king Philip and by hir strange marriage with him make the whole realme of England subiect vnto a stranger And all that notwithstanding either that she did or was able to doo she could not bring to passe to set the crowne of England vpon his head With king Philip also came in the pope and his popish masse with whome also hir purpose was to restore againe the monks and nunnes vnto their places neither lacked there all kind of attempts to the vttermost of hir abilitie and yet therein also God stopt hir of hir will that it came not forward After this what a dearth happened in hir time here in hir land the like wherof hath not lightlie in England béene seene in so much that in sundrie places hir poore subiects were fame to féed of acorns for want of corne Furthermore where other kings are woont to be renowmed by some worthie victorie and prowesse by them atchiued let vs now sée what valiant victorie was gotten in quéene Maries daies King Edward the sixt hir blessed brother how manie rebellions did he suppresse in Deuonshire in Norffolke in Oxfordshire and else where What a famous victorie in his time was gotten in Scotland by the singular working no doubt of Gods blessed hand rather than by anie expectation of man King Edward the third which was the eleuenth king from the conquest by princelie puissance purchased Calis vnto England which hath béene kept English euer since till at length came queene Marie the eleuenth likewise from the said king Edward which lost Calis from England againe so that the winnings of this quéene were verie small what the losses were let other men iudge Hitherto the affaires of quéene Marie haue had no great good successe as you haue heard But neuer worsse successe had anie woman than had she in hir childbirth For séeing one of these two must néeds be granted that either she was with child or not with child if she were with child and did trauell why was it not séene if she were not how was all the realme deluded And in the meane while where were all the praiers the solemne processions the deuout masses of the catholike cleargie Why did they not preuaile with God if their religion were so godlie as they pretended If their masses Ex opere operato be able to fetch Christ from heauen to reach downe to purgatorie how chanced then they could not reach to the quéens chamber to helpe hir in hir trauell if she had béene with child in déed If not how then came it to passe that all the catholike church of England did so erre and was so déepelie deceiued Quéene Marie after these manifold plagues and corrections which might sufficientlie admonish hir of Gods disfauor prouoked against hir would not yet ceasse hir persecution but still continued more more to reuenge hir catholike zeale vpon the lords faithfull people setting fire to their poore bodies by dozens halfe dozens togither Wherevpon Gods wrathfull indignation increasing more and more against hir ceassed not to touch hir more neare with priuat misfortunes and calamities For after that he had taken from hir the fruit of children which chieflie and aboue all things she desired then he beerest hir of that which of all earthlie things should haue beene hir chiefe staie of honour and staffe of comfort that is withdrew from hir the affection and companie euen of hir owne husband by whose mariage she had promised before to hirselfe whole heapes of such ioy and felicitie But now the omnipotent gouernour of all things so turned the whéele of hir owne spinning against hir that hir high buildings of such ioies and felicities came all to a castell come downe hir hopes being confounded hir purposes disappointed and she now brought to desolation who seemed neither to haue the fauour of God nor the hearts of hir subiects nor yet the loue of hir husband who neither had fruit by him while shee had him neither could now inioy him whome she had maried neither yet was in libertie to marrie anie other whome she might inioy Marke here christian reader the wofull aduersitie of this queene learne withall what the Lord can doo when mans wilfulnes will néeds resist him and will not be ruled At last when all these faire admonitions would take no place with the queene nor mooue hir to reuoke hir bloudie lawes nor to staie the tyrannie of hir priests nor yet to spare hir owne subiects but that the poore seruants of God were drawne dailie by heapes most pittifullie as sheepe to the slaughter it so pleased the heauenlie maiestie of almightie God when no other remedie would serue by death to cut hir off which in hir life so little regarded the life of others giuing hir throne which she abused to the destruction of Christs church and people to another who more temperatlie and quietlie could guide the same after she had reigned here the space of fiue yeares and fiue moneths The shortnesse of which yeares and reigne vneth we find in anie other storie line 10 of king or quéene since the conquest or before being come to their owne gouernement saue onelie in king Richard the third Which reigne was so rough and rigorous notwithstanding the shortnesse of the same that it became a verie spectacle to all christendome and the maner of dealing vsed vnder hir gouernment was so detestable that as it was rare so it raised vp a rare report euen among strangers whose heads being fuller of matter than their pens full
continued vntill about the eleuenth yeare of Edward the third and was after that iustice treasuror and chancellor and did in the common place being chancellor sit and argue amongst the iustices as appeareth in the law bookes of those line 10 yeares of Edward the third of whom is last mention made in the seuentéenth yeare of Edward the third where he is named chancellor Robert de Saddington knight was inuested with the dignitie of lord chancellor after the death of Perning in the yeare of Christ 1343 and the seuenteenth yeare of the often mentioned king Edward the third There was also one sir Richard Saddington knight treasuror of England of whome I haue spoken in my discourse of the lord treasurors line 20 Iohn Offord or Ufford deane of Lincolne was made chancellor of England in the yeare of our redemption 1345 being the nineteenth yeare of king Edward the third He was elected to be bishop of Canturburie and so was installed but neuer receiued the pall He died in the moneth of Maie in the yeare of Christ 1349 being the three and twentith yeare of the reigne of that victorious king Edward which neuer receiued greater honour than that he was father vnto Edward surnamed the Blacke line 30 prince the flower of chiualrie and woorthie conquerour of the French dominions Iohn Thorsbie bishop of Worcester archbishop of Yorke and cardinall was installed in the seat of the lord chancellor in the yeare that God became man one thousand thrée hundred fortie and nine being the thrée and twentith yeare of that king Edward the third so often before recited who at his great sute was discharged of the office of chancellor by deliuerie of the great seale in Nouember in the line 40 thirtith yeare of the said king being the yeare of Christ one thousand thrée hundred fiftie and six after that he had kept that place by the space almost of seauen yeres He in the tenth yeare of his bishoprike in the third calends of August began the frame of the quéeâe of S. Peters church in Yorke laid the first stone therof to which he gaue a hundred pounds He died at Thorpe and was buried at Yorke in the yere of Christ 1363 or as other haue 1373 after that he had béene archbishop one and twentie yeares and line 50 one and twentie daies William de Edington bishop of Winchester lord treasuror of England was made chancellor of this realme in Nouember in the said yeare of Christ 1356 and the thirtith yeare of the reigne of that king Edward which at Sauoie in England kept king Iohn of France his prisoner Sée more of him in the treasurors of England Simon Langham abbat of Westminster bishop line 60 of Elie archbishop of Canturburie and lord treasuror of England was made lord chancellor in Februarie in the yeare of our redemption one thousand thrée hundred sixtie and three being the seauen and thirtith yeare of the gouernment of king Edward the third and was chancellor in the fortith yere of the reigne of that king being the yeare of Christ one thousand thrée hundred sixtie and thrée Of this Simon were these verses made when he was remoued from Elie to the bishoprike of Canturburie Exultent coeli quia Simon transit ab Eli Cuius in aduentum flent in Kent millia centum Of whome also bicause he richlie indowed the abbeie of Westminster with great gifts of singular cost value a certeine moonke compiled these verses Res es de Langham tua Simon sunt data quondam Octingentena librarum millia dena Of this man is more spoken in the former discourse or treatise of the lord treasurors of England William de Wikeham so called of the place of his birth was by surname from his parents called Perot and Long whome Lelând maketh treasuror of England which by anie possible meanes cannot be so for anie thing that I can yet learne This man being bishop of Winchester and aduanced to that place in the yeare of Christ one thousând thrée hundred sixtie and seuen in the one and fortith yeare of the reigne of Edward the third in which place he sat seauen and thirtie yeares was sometime kéeper of the priuie seale and made also chancellor of England in the yeare that the virgine brought foorth the first begotten sonne one thousand three hundred sixtie and seauen being the one and fortith yeare of the gouernement of the foresaid Edward the third in which office he remained about foure yeares and in March in the yeare of Christ one thousand thrée hundred seauentie and one being the fiue and fortith of king Edward the third did deliuer vp the great seale to the king at Westminster He was buried in the bodie of Winchester church which he new built with the other places about it of whome were these verses composed for the building of his colleges the one at Oxenford and the other at Winchester Hunc docet esse pium fundatio collegiorum Oxoniae primum stat Wintoniaeque secundum Robert Thorpe knight being before iustice of the law in the yeare of our Lord one thousand three hundred and seauentie was after at Westminster aduanced to the chancellorship in March the fiue fortith yeare of king Edward the third being the yeare of our redemption as is before said one thousand thrée hundred seauentie and one who going home to his owne house left the great seale with foure of the gardians or maisters of the chancerie wherof the one was called Walter Powre to kéepe and vse as néed required Sir Iohn Kniuet or Kniuell as some books haue by the transcriber corrupted was made chancellor of England in Iulie in the yeare of Christ one thousand thrée hundred seauentie and two being the six and fortith yeare of king Edward the third in which office he continued as I for this time doo gather vntill the fiftith yeare of the said king Edward in which yeare as heere at hand appeareth came in place of the bishop of S. Dauids Adam de Houghton bishop of Meneuia or of Saint Dauids in Wales was aduanced to the office of lord chancellor in the yeare of our redemption 1376 being the fiftith yeare of king Edward the third who in the one and fiftith yeare of the said king was with the earle of Salisburie and the bishop of Hereford sent ambassador beyond the seas ¶ And here I thinke it not amisse to set downe the originall of the rolles in chancerie lane in this sort Henrie the third did build a house for the Iewes conuerted to the faith of Christ which house is at this daie hath béene long before this time appointed for the kéeping of the kings rolles and records being now called and knowne by the name of the rolles in chancerie lane besides Lincolns inne In which house the maister of the rolles for the time being hath a goodlie and statelie lodging In which also there is a faire chappell
in roialtie adorned with crowne and scepter to the sucking babe lieng in the cradle wrapped in swathing clouts Which extremities of butcherlie crueltie and vnnaturall sauagenesse haue had an ancient purpose of practise as maie appeare by a clause or two of Iohn Nichols his recantation where speaking of Pius Quintus excommunicating our liege souereigne he saith that the same was within a twelue moneth of the first publication reuiued and fiue hundred copies printed at Rome which were dispersed throughout Italie Spaine Germanie Whereof what were the contents is at large set downe in the treatise of execution of iustice in England for treason not for religion But thus saith the same conuert that a reader of diuinitie positiue in the hearing of two hundred scholers vomited these prophane words out of his vncircumcised mouth that it was lawfull for anie of worship in England to authorise the vilest wretch that is to séeke the death of hir highnesse whose prosperous estate the Italish préest and Spanish prince doo so maligne that they would worke woonders were it not for certeine impedits as father Pais a Spaniard reader of diuinitie scholasticall in the Romane college affirmed in an auditorie of thrée hundred saieng Bona papae voluntas trita manifesta est eius crumena parata sed R. P. aut metus subtrahit aut potestatis defectus vetat vt suum in Angliam exercitum ducere non audeat Where by the waie would be noted an inuasion long since pretended And that the quéens maiesties estate was then maliciouslie aimed at maie appeare by these comminations and threats that they would burne hir bones and the bones of all such as loued hir either aliue or dead of whome some were lords temporall some spirituall c. Memorandum that this was to be doone when they held the sterne of gouernement which shall be when errant traitors are good subiects and ranke knaues honest men And now to touch the punishment inflicted vpon the foresaid wretches there is none if he be not a sworne aduersarie to the state and an enimie to iustice but must néeds confesse that although some of the conspirators were no lesse sharpelie executed than by law was censured yet considering the qualitie of their offense it was a death tempered with lenitie if no more but the spéedines of their execution be considered whereby their paine and smart was but momentanie Oh with what seueritie did the ancients punish offenses of this nature And not without cause For besides that nothing is more vsuall in all the whole scriptures than prohibition to kill or to séeke the life or honor not onelie of the prince but also of inferior magistrats although they be wicked and it is said in Exodus Thou shalt not raile vpon the iudges neither speake euill of the ruler of the people so is it prouided by the laws of nations that not onelie he that hath killed his souereigne but he also that made the attempt that gaue counsell that yeelded consent that conceiued the thought is giltie of high treason Yea he that was neuer preuented nor taken in the maner in this point of the souereigne the law accounteth him as condemned alreadie and iudgeth him capable of death that thought once in times past to haue seized vpon the life of his prince anie repentance that followed notwithstanding And trulie there was a gentleman of Normandie who confessed to a Franciscane frier that he once minded to haue killed king Francis the first but repented him of that euill thought The frier gaue him absolution but yet afterwards informed the king of the same who sent the gentleman to the parlement at Paris there to be tried where he was by common consent condemned to die and after executed Amongst the Macedonians there was a law that condemned to death fiue of their next kinsfolks that were conuicted of conspiracie against their prince And most notable is the historie of Romilda who seeing hir towne or citie besieged by a barbarous king but yet youthfull and wanton she signified vnto the enimie by messengers that she would betraie the citizens into his hands if he would honour hir with mariage Which when the king had promised to doo she in the night season opened the gates and the people vnwitting and ignorant let in forren force Now the king being entered in possession commanded that the towne should be sacked and all the people slaughtered Romilda excepted the vse of whose bodie for his oth sake which he was loth to violat he had the same night as in wedlocke howbeit the next daie he cast hir off and betooke hir to twelue scullions by turns to be abused lastlie pitcht hir vpon a stake line 10 Here you haue examples in both sexes man and woman of treason and conspiracie most seuerelie executed which if they be compared vnto the sufferings of our late offendors Iesu what ods shall we sée and confesse And as the ancients had treason in mortall hatred so could they not awaie with ingratitude as maie be obserued by the laws of Draco which were said to be written in bloud they were so sharpe and peremptorie amongst which there was a commandement that if anie man had line 20 receiued a benefit of his neighbor and it were prooued against him long after that he had beene vnthankefull for it and had ill acknowledged the good turne receiued such a one should be put to death So then we sée how in old time they opposed their affections against particular vices persecuting them with seueritie as laboring to supplant them this age of ours beholdeth ingratitude and treason combined with a fowle nest of other irkesome and noisome sins in the hearts of helbounds for we line 30 maie not vouchsafe them the name of men breathing out the vapors of their venemous infection to the damnifieng of the whole commonwelth what fauour then deserue such to find where they haue offended or rather what rigor are they not worthie to suffer Among the Locrians there was a strict decrée that euerie citizen desirous to bring in a new law should come and declare it publikelie before the people with a halter about his necke to the end that line 40 if his new law was not thought méet to be receiued and verie profitable for the commonwelth he might presentlie be strangled with the same rope If they in old time went so short a waie to worke in a case of vnaduisednesse to teach others that they vndertake nothing without mature deliberation what are we taught to be conuenient for such as breake not their wits either to deuise or prefer new laws but indeuor what they can to dissolue all law and order all peace and societie all gouernment and line 50 subiection and by the impulsion of a furious mind to let in libertie contempt and all the enormities and abuses that accompanie a licentious life To let passe the pluralitie of examples
with Henrie thirds sister 222 ball Maketh his possessions into monie and goeth into the holie land 224 a 60 b 10 225 b 40. Fled ouer into France 223 b 30. Stanlie of Derbie deceaseth his life death and qualities 1257 a 60 b 10. Stephan of Bullongne sworne to the succession of the crowne 43 a 10. ¶ Sée Stephan Strangbow marieth Dermutius his daughter 81 a 50. Confined séeketh king Henrie the seconds fauor and is pardoned 81 a 50 60. He maketh surrender to king Henrie the first b 20. Strangbow of Straguill 81 a 10. Summerset of Worcester sent into France robbed vpon the sea 1257 b 40 50 60 Erle Talbot of Shrewesburie and his son manfullie slaine 639 a 60 b 50. Sent into France with an armie 817 840. Theobald of Champaigne his descent in armes against the French king 39 b 20. His countrie inuaded by the French king 40 b 20. Theodorike of Flanders 66 b 60. Tiptoft of Worcester beheaded 678. Turketillus ¶ Sée Turketillus Erle Ualeran of saint Paule put to flight 528 b 20. Uéere of Oxford his charge to his bands of men his valiantnesse 759 a 10 20. Yéeldeth himselfe to king Edward the fourth sent ouer sea and kept prisoner twelue yeares 693 b 20. Made marquesse of Dublin 448 a 60. Created duke of Ireland 451 b 60. Duke of Ireland to be safelie conducted to the kings presence by the shiriffe of Cheshire 460 b 60. Deceaseth in miserable necessitie note 479 b 60. His corps conueied from Louaine into England and there roiallie buried 485 a 60. Séeketh to be diuorced from his lawfull wife note 458 a 10. Sent ouer into Gascoigne 294 b 60. His valiantnesse 684. b 20. Geiteth out of prison and he with others go to the erle of Richmond 749 a 10 20. He liuieth a power commeth into England his valor and chiualrie a 50 60. He submitteth himselfe and yéeldeth to the king b 50. The erle of Richmond is glad of him and his companie b 60. Deceaseth 950 a 60. Erle Walter of Essex saileth into Ireland 1258 b 60. Deceaseth 1263 a 40. The place of his birth 60. His praise in sundrie respects b 20. Disposed to inlarge his nobilitie 60 ¶ Sée Erle of Essex Waltheof ¶ Sée Waltheof Warren 51 b 60. Warren of Surreie his words to Edward the first 280 b 10. Of Shrewesburie warden of the Welsh marches 42 a 40. William of Arundell ambassador to the French king 72 a 50. Dieth 98 b 20. William of Kent William de Ypresse 54 a 30. William sonne to duke Robert erle of Flanders 43 a 50. Dieth of wounds 43 b 20. Duke Robert of Normandies son by Sibill 34. a 10. William named de Longspée with others go into the holie land 241 b 50. William of Mortaigne and Bullongne 68 a 20 66 b 50. A factious man 32 a 60. His wilfulnesse and malcontentment b 10. William of Salisburie inuadeth the countries about London 89 b 30. Erle of Albemerle 52 a 10 52 b 10. Whie supposed to betraie the towne 88 b 30. Of Aluergnes lands spoiled 75 a 40 Of Aniou 55 a 20 ¶ Sée Normandie Departeth this life 58 b 20. Of Arminacks daughter affâed to Henrie the sixt he his ladie sonne two daughters taken 624 a 10. An open enimie to England note 636 b 10. Of Arundels fréendlie spéech to ladie Elisabeth 1154 a 50. His exploits in France note 609 a 10. His death 610 a 20. Goeth to sea with fiue hundred men of armes and a thousand archers 454 a 50. His liberalitie note 454 b 50. Saileth into Britaine with a great power 455 a 10. Returneth into France 465 b 10. Sent to the sea with a great nauie in aid of the duke of Britaine 465 a 50. Ioineth with the lords in conspiracie 458 a 60. To be apprehended by the earle of Northumberland 60. Answer to his indictment he is condemned 491 b 10 50 60. Executed 492 a 10 20. Ouerthrowne in the middest of a water 56 a 30. Professeth himselfe sorie that he goeth not with the duke of Northumberland against the ladie Marie 1086 b 10. Apprehended 489 b 20. Arreigned 491 a 60 Erle of Bedford and his sonne the lord Russell deceaseth 1413 b 10. Of Blois his son made bishop of Winchester 42 a 60. Of Britaine assisted against the French king he submitteth himselfe 219 a 10 20. Of Buckingham sent into Britaine to and the duke against the French king 425 b 60. He maketh knights at his entrance into France 426 a 30. Displeased with the duke of Britaine returneth into England 427 b 60. Oâ Bullogne prepareth six hundred ships to inuade England 75 a 50 Erle of Caerleill raiseth an armie put to death for treason 333 a 10 b 20. His iudgment and constancie at his death 334 a 60. Of Cambridge returneth out of Portingale 441 b 20. His sonne affianced to the king of Portingals daughter 441 b 20 40. He and other lords apprehended for treason 548 b 10. Executed 50. The effect of his indictment 549 a 30 c. Of Chaster described 53 a 10. His exploits being the kings lieutenant 212 b 20. Withstood the gathering of tenths for the pope 211 a 50. Bare S. Edwards sword before Henrie the third at his mariage 219 b 40. His oration to the erle of Glocester 52 a 10. His right and title thereto and priuileges his foure barons vnder him note 20 a 20. Dieth 60 b 10. Of Cornwall marrieth the countesse of Glocester 213 b 50. Elected emperour 254 b 10. Stands against the K. his brother for grant of a subsidie 251 b 40. He lendeth the king monie 252 a 20. Elected king of Almaine taketh his leaue of the king his brother 256 a 20. And king of Almaine his protestation to the English ambassadors he commeth ouer into England receiueth an oth not to infringe the statuts of Oxford 261 a all An intercessor for peace to be had betwixt the pope and the emperour 226 b 10 Erle of Derbies exploits in France and his taking of townes 368 b 40 c 369 a 10 c. Assembleth an armie winneth townes and is victorious 375 a 30 c. His exploits against the infidels 473 b 10. Kéepeth Newland bridge 377 b 20. Ambassador into France his interteinement 1380 a 50 60 c 1381 all 1382 a 10 c. Of Desmond a rebell and others brought to order by the earle of Surrie his power 855 b 60. His strange and miserable end 1365 b 60. His head set on London bridge 1356 a 20 Erle of Essex capteine generall of Uister in Ireland 1259 a 20. How he spent his youthfull yeares 1264 a 10. Perfect in the scriptures 1264 a 30. I fauourer of preachers 40. Expert in chronicles histories c 50. Indued with martiall knowledge and prowesse b 20. His humanitie affablenesse c 1265 a 10. His âquanimitie 40. He could not awaie with swearing chasing c 50. His deuotion in licknesse 60. Heauenlie contemplation toward his death b
and Mortimer The earldome of Mortaigne Norwich Hugh Bigot Richer de Egle. The church of Feuersham Wallingford castell The tower of London Moâa de Windsor Richard de Lucie Moââ de Oxford The bishop of Winchester 1154 Ger. Dor. Anno Reg. 19. Polydor. Matth. Paris Egelaw heath The words of the empresse to king Stephan The empresse confesseth hir selfe to be naught of hir bodie Slanders deuiseâ by malicious heads Oxenford Ger. Dor. The king and duke meet at Dunstable Articles not performed The king and duke come to Canturburie The enuie of the Flemings Hesiod in lib. cui âit op di Duke Henrie passeth ouer into Normandie Wil. Paru Philip de Coleuille The castell of Drax. The puissance of duke HeÌrie A peace concluded betwixt the French king and duke Henrie Matth. West Wil. Paru Roger Archdecon of Canturburie made archbishop of yorke Thomas Becket archdeacon of Canturburie The earle of Flanders King Stephan departed this life Matth. Paris N. Triuet His stature Abbeies founded Coggheshall he founded himselfe and Fontneis in Lancashire Feuersham in Kent Wil. Paruus Anno Reg. 1. N. Triuet Matth. Paris N. Treuet The archbishop of Rouen Polydor. Councellers chosen Ran. Higd. Thom. Becket lord chancellor Anno Reg. 2. 1155 Nic. Triuet Polydor. Wil. Paruus Strangers appointed to depart the realme Aliens auoid the land William de Ypres Castels ouerthrowne Polydor. Matth. Paris Wil. Paruus Matth. Paris N. Triuet Matth. Paris Matth. West William Peuerell disherited âic Treuet Matth. Paris Nic. Treuet Hugh de Mortimer The castell of Cleberie Roger Fitz Miles Anno Reg. 2. The king goeth into the north The castell of Scarborough Wil. Paruus Nic. Treuet The death of the kings son William Geffrey the kings brother rebelleth Wil. Paruus Pope Adrian an Englsh-man borne A dispensatioÌ for an oth Nic. Treuet Ouid. Met. lib. 1. fab 6. Ouid. Met. lib. 3. fab 8 9 10. King Henrie goeth against the Scots He wan Carleil and Newcastell and others The earldome of HuntingtoÌ William earle of Mortaigne Matth. Paris Nic. Treuet Anno Reg. 3. 1157 Theoderike earle of Flanders Rebellion of Welshâen The king iâuadeth them Eustace Fitz Iohn Robert de Curcy slaine Henrie of Essex Matth. West Wil. Paruus A combat betwixt Henrie de Essex and Robert de Mountfort Matth. West The Welshmen submit themselues The castell of Rutland and Basingwerke built Matth. Paris Anno Reg. 4. Thomas Becket lord Chancelor Matth. Paris The king laieth his crown on the altar Coine altered Additions to Iohn Pike The lord chancellor Becket sent into France Matth. West Geffrey the kings fourth sonne borne Petroke earle of Perch Raimond erle of Barzelone Richard the kings sonne offered to erle Raimonds daughter A fained friendship William duke of Aquitane Earle of saint Giles otherwise Tholouze Anno. Reg. 5. 1159 Matth. Paris Matt. Westm. Wil. Paruus William Trencheuile N. Triuet The citie of Cahors N. Triuet The lord chancellor Becket Rob. Houed William earle of Bullongne The countie of Beaunoisin A truce taken Anno Reg. 6. A peace concluded A marriage concluded Matth. Paris Legats Wil. Paruus Certeine of the Ualdoies came into England being DutchmeÌ A councell at Oxford The professions of the Ualdoies Their examination protestation The Ualdels condemned They are forbidden meat and drinke They are starued to death N. Triuet The first falling out betwixt the K. Thomas Becket Anno Reg. 7. Matth. Paris Matth. West Rog. Houed Gaguinus The French Normans fight Nic. Triuet Thrée knights templers Rog. Houed Matth. Paris The death of Theobald archbishop of CaÌturburie The power legantine annexed to Cant. Wil. Paru The authoritie of Becket Anno Reg 6. He is consecrated archb Wil. Paru Quadrilogium ex vita eiusdem Thââae The archbish a better courtier than a preacher The quéene brought to bed of a daughter An enteruew Anno Reg. 9. 1163 N. Triuet Homage of the K. of Scots A councell at Tours The archbish practiseth treson secretlie Homage for the castell of Tunbridge Matth. Paris Matth. West Anno Reg. 10 Homage of the welshmen N. Triuet Matth. Paris Discord still kindleth betwixt the king and the archb Murthers committed by préests W. Paruus Matth. Paris The king offendeâ with the bâshops R âoued R Houed 1164 Geâ Dor. A councell at Clarendon Ger. Dor. The archbishop Beckeâ would haue ãâã out of the realme M. ãâã sag. The archbishop cited to appeare at Northampton R Houed Sentence gâuen against the archbishop The archbish condemned in fiue hundred markes An assemblie of bishops The archbish called to an account The bishops persuade the archbishop to submit himself to yâ kings pleasure The archbish answer to his brethren He appealeth to the church of Rome He goeth to the court He is reputed a traitour The bishops disallow their archbishop Ger. Dor. The stout courage of the archbishop Rog. Hââed The archbishop Bâcket fled awaie in the night Gilbert Follioth bishop of London was sent to the French king Additions to Iohn Pike Matth. Paris Ger. Dor. Roger archbishop of Yorke with others are sent to the pope The kings tale could not be heard The archbishop Becâct Matt. Paris The popes answer to the archbishop The archbish resigneth his pall Ger. Dor. Matth. West Matth. Paris The Welshmen make waâ on the English marshes Wil. Paruus Polydor. The king inuadeth Wales Rog. Houed The seuere punishment vsed by king Henry against the Welshmen Ger. Dor. Ran. Cogge Cardigan castell wonne by the Welshmen Hubert de S. Clere conestable of Colchester William de Langualée W. Paruâs William king of Scots doth his homage to king Henrie N. Triuet Matth. Paris Ger. Dor. An edict against the archbishop Becket Appeales forbidden The kings of England and France enteruiew Chro. Sigeb Matth. Paris King Iohn borne Ger. Dor. A contribution The castell of Foulgiers Matth. Paris Uizeley The archbishop Becket accursed those in England that mainteined the customs of their elders R. Houe Matth. Paris Legats from the pope Comes Sagiensâs N. Triuet Alerium Conan duke of Britaine deceasseth Matt. Paris A mariage concluded betwixt Geffrey the kings son and the Duchesse of Britaine Wil. Paruus Anno Reg. 13. N. Triuet King Henrie inuadeth the erle of Aluergnes lands Ger. Dor. The earle of Bolongne prepareth 600 ships to inuade England The deceasse of the empresse Maud. Matth. West The fée of Lincolne void 17. yeares Anno. Reg. 14. An embassage from the emperour Matth. West Debate betwixt the pope and the emperour K. Henrie offereth to aid the emperour An enterview betwixt the king of England and king of France The kings met againe to commen of peace A truce Patrike earle of Salisburie slaine Anno. Reg. 15. 1169 Ger. Dor. N. Triuet Geffrey duke of Britaine Haruey de Yuon Anno Reg. 16. 1170 Polydor. Dauid was made knight by K. Henrie as Houeden hath A prudent consideration of the king Mans nature ambitious R. Houed Henrie the son crowned the 18. of Iulie saith Matth. Paris W. Paruus The
exploit doone by sir Iohn Harleston Sir Iohn Clearke a valiant capteine A policie The duke of Britaine restored to his dukedome Sir Hugh Caluerlie An hainous murther of â merchant stranger Great ãâã in the north countrie Great ãâã by the ãâã in the death time A notable example of a faithfull prisoner The English âame scatteââd by a terriâle tempest The excesse and sumptuous apparell of sir Iohn Arundell There were drowned aboue a thousand men in one place and other as the additions to Ad. Merimuth doo testifie Outragious wickednesse iustlie punished Sir Iohn Deuereux made deputie of Calis The earle of Warwike elected protector The archbishop of Canturburie made lord chancellour The kings halfe sister married the earle of saint Paule A combâââââtwixt ãâã A ãâã Thomaâââtringâââ Triall by ââbat in ãâã case lawfull The order ãâã the combat The earle Buckingâââ claimeth ãâã horsse The esquire ãâã ouerthrowne The esquier fainteth The knight is iudged the vanquisher The French men spoile burne dâuerse townes in the west counââie Anno Reg. 4. Froissard The earle of Buckingham sent into Britaine to aid the duke against the French king Knights made by the earle of Buckingham at his entrie into France Knights againe made The iournie of the English armie târough France The citiâââ oâ Rââmeâ saue their corne fielââ from destrâeng by sending vittels to the English host Sir Thoâââ Triuet ãâã a baroâââ Knights created Uerne or Uernon The polâââ ãâã the French king In Angl. ãâã sub ãâã The death of Charles the 5 French king Tho. Walsi The French and Spanish gallies chased from the coast of England to Kingsale in Ireland and there vanquished Diuerse townes on the English costs destroied and burnt The abbat of Battell in releuing Winchelââe is put to flight Grauesend burnt The English host entreth into Britaine Naunts besiged by the Englishmen The siege at Naunts broken vp A peace betwixt the French king and the duke of Britaine The articleâ of the peace The earle of Buckingham returned into England The Scots inuade the English borders and spoile whole countries carrieng awaie great booties An armie lingering in the north parts greatlie impouerisheth the countrie Additions to Adam Merimuth Treason in letters writteÌ by sir Rafe Ferrers to certeine French lords A parlement at Northampton Iohn Kirkbie executed for murthering a merchant stranger A gréeuous subsidie Twelue ãâã as some ãâã Thom. Walâ Wicliffes opinion The cardinal of Praxed Triennals All for monie An armie sent into Portingale to aid the king there against the K. of Castile The coÌmons by reason of the great subsidie and other oppressions rise in diuerse parts of the realme Uillaines The beginning of the rebellion at Derford in Kent The commoÌs of Essex begin the commotioÌ as Wal. saith The armor of the Essex rebels The oth ministred by the rebels to all passengers The commoÌs of other shires hearing of the stur in Kent Essex rise in like maner Lawiers iustices iurors brought to blockam feast by the rebels The next way to extinguish right An huge ãâã of the ãâã Fabian Capteins at the Esseâ in Kentish ãâã The rebââs send to the ãâã to come ãâã with them Ill counsell Froiââard The rebels spoile Southwarke and ãâã all prisoners at large The coÌmons of London aiders of the rebels All rebels ãâã tend ãâ¦ã but ãâã purpose destruction ãâã of king ãâã countrie The Sauoie the duke of Lancasters house burnt by the rebels Strange dealing of the rebels The iustice of the rebels The lawiers lodgings in the temple burnt by the rebels The lord chaÌcellor and the lord treaâuror drawne out of the tower and put to death by the rebels Thom. Wals. The raging rebels make a pastime to kill men No respect of place with the rebels The outragious dealing of the rebels The king offereth the rebels pardon Froissard The wicked purpose of the rebels The rebels would haue all law abolished Arrogant and prouâ words of a villen William Walworth maior of London â stout couragious man The death of Wat Tiler capteine of the rebels The king persuadeth the rebels Uehement words of the maior of Loââdon to the ãâã crieng for aid against the rebels An armie without a capteine The rebels quite discouraged threw downe their weapons at the comming of the Londoners in aid âf the king Abraham Fleming out of Henrie Knighton canon of Leicester abbeie The like there was granted to them of other countries as well as to these of Hertforeshire in the same forme the names of the counââes changed The townesmen of saint Albons not yet quieted The hurting time The ãâ¦ã of the Sufolke rebels Sir Iohn Cauendish lord chiefe iustice beheaded The prior of S. Edmundsburie sleine This Edmund Brumfield was câââmitted to ãâã by the ãâã for his sumptous intrusion ãâã the abbatâ ãâã Burie Iohn Littester capteine oâ the Norfolke rebels The earle of Suffolke escapeth from the rebels The Norfolk rebels compell the noblemen gentlemen to be sworne to them Sir Robert Salle slaine by one of his own villains The capteine of the Norfolke rebels forceth the noblemen and gentlemen to serue him at the table A warlike bishop Spenser âish of Norwich goeth as capteine against the ââbels The fortifieng of the rebels campe The bishop is the first man that chargeth the rebels in their campe The Norfolke rebels vanquished Anno Reg. 5. The capteine once slaine the soldiers faint An armie of fortie thousand horssemen The Kentishmen eftsoones rebell Iack Straw and his adherents executed The maior and fiue aldermen knighted The armes of London augmented by additioÌ of the dagger The coÌmons of Essex rebell afresh The rebels of Essex are scâtered slaine Fabian The rebels executed in euerie lordship The king calleth in his letters of infranchising granted to the bondmen The king remooueth to S. Albons Iohn Ball. Iohn Ball ãâã prophesie Iohn Ball âis sermon to âhe rebels Iohn Ball executed at S. Albons The king calleth in by proclamation all âuch letters of manumission as the abbat of saint Albons had granteâ to his bondmen The commoÌs of Hertfordshire sworne to the king The conâesâon of Iacke Straw at the time of his death The cause of the late tumults A truce with Scotland Tho. Walsâ Froissard The capteine of Berwike will not suffer the duke of Lancaster to enter into the towne The duke of Lancaster chargeth the earle of Northumberland with sundrie ârunes The duke of Lancaster the earle of Northumberland come to the parlement with great troops of armed men The Londoners fréends to the earle of Northumberland The lords sit in armour in the parlement house The K. maketh an agréemeÌt betwéene the duke of Lancaster the earle of Northumberland The emperours sister affianced to K Richard is receiued at Douer A watershake The kings marriage with the emperors sister The sudden death of the earle of Suffolke The earle of March his good seruice whilest he was deputie in Ireland Wicliffes doctrine Iohn Wraie A
Seuerine besieged * Goche A legat from Rome sent to treat a peace betwixt the English and French A truce for six yeares Chartres taken by treason notwithstanding the truce The two errours A parlement called by the duke of Glocester the king being in France A peace concluded with the Scots King Henrie returneth out of France into England The duchesse of Bedford sister to the duke of Burgognie deceassed The duke of Bedford marieth with the earle of saint Paules daughter The Frenchmen breake the peace and take the town of Saint Ualerie Laignie besieged Anno Reg. ââ The castell of Rone like tâ be taken by treason of the capteine The lord of saint Paule deceassed Anno Reg. ââ Prisoners killed The lord Talbot sââleth into France The lord Talbot Earle of Arundell Louiers besieged Saint Selerine won by assault An insurrection in Normandie The earle of Arundell deceassed The duke of Bourbon dieth at London W. P. Anno Reg A tourne sââprised by eâtrance of a common priuie The ãâ¦ã warre W. P. 14â4 Onuphrius Panâânâââ An. 3. Nichol. 143â A solemne tretie of peace at Arras Abr. Fl. Sil. Ital. lib. 11. * Or rather Goche * Or Goche S. Denis t aken by the Englishmen A peace betwéen Charls of France and the duke of Burgognie Spoile vpon the Burgognian people in London W. P. Anno Reg. 14. The death of the duke of Bedford regent of FraÌce A worthy saieng of a wise prince The duke of Yorke made regent of France Abr. Fl. Sée before pag. 581. The treson of the Parisiens Paris yéelded to the French king The duke seÌt into France too late The duke of Burgonie prepareth an armie against Calis The duke of Burgognie with fortie thousand meÌ Calis besieged by the duke of Burgognie The dukes enterprise to bar yâ hauen The dukes bastile woone The duke of Burgognie breaketh by the siege before Calis and fléeth the 26 of Iulie A gun callââ Digeon The duke of Glocester spoileth Flanders âââland Enguerant The king of Scots fled ârom his siege ãâã Rockesâurgh Anno Reg. 15. A truce taken betwéene the king of England and the duchesse of Burgognie Hall 14â7 Katharine mother to king Henrie maried Owen Teuther Abr. Fl. Quéene Elizabeth * Or rather Goche Harflue besieged and woon by the Englishmen The duke of Summersets infortunatââs Iames king of Scots murthered Abr. Fl. ex Polychr The earle of Warwike made regent of France Anno Reg. 16. The earle of Warwike regent came into France Croitoy bâââeged by the duke of Burgogâe Croitoy rescued 14â8 Anno Reg. 17. Dearth of vittels Abr. Fl. ex Polychr Bread made of ferne roots A seat of a politike capteine wise councellor Two shrewd persuaders Anno Reg. 18. Ponthoise recouered by the English Anno Reg. 19. Eâguerant The duke of Yorke againe made regent of France Ponthoise besieged by the French king but valiantlie defended A policie for a bridge Enguerant de Monstrelleâ Edw. Hall Anno Reg. 20. Ponthoise gotten by the French Enguerant Sir Nicholas Burdet slaine The duke of Orleance deliuered Lewes the twelfe W. P. Earle of saint Paule fréend to the English This should be as Enguerant noteth two yeares after this present yere 19 to ãâã An. 1440. Thrée thousand hath Nicolas Giles The earle of saint Paule reuolteth to the French Tartas besieged The change in warre The lord Talbot The earle of Dunois An excellent finesse in warre Quid. 1. de art A new breach betwéene the duke of Glocester and the bishop of Winchester Ex Ed. Hall 143 144 145 146. Aliâs Iohn ãâã ãâã Fl. King Edward the fourth borne Aâr. Fl. A great fraie by night Abr. Fl. ex âaâian 438. Tailors malepertnesse at the election of an alderman 1442 ânno Reg. 21. Iohn lord Talbot created earle of Shrewesburie Fr. Thin The earle of Arminacks daughter affied vnto king Henrie The erle with his ladie his sonne and two daughters taken Abr. Fl. ex Fabian 441. A law against buâeng and selling on the sundaie Abr. Fl. ex Fabian 441. Polychr Paules stéeple burnt Anno Reg. 22. The diet at Tours for a peace to be had betwéene England and France A truce ãâã â moneths The ãâã misliked ãâã second ãâã of the kings mariage Creations of estates Anno Reg. 23. 1445 Margaret daughter to Reiner K. of Sicill Ierusalem maried to Henrie the sixt Abr. Fl. ex Polychron An âminous mariage Ouid. 2. de arâ Anno Reg. 24. The duke of Summerset made regent of NormaÌdie and the duke of Yorke discharged The duke of Yorke appointed to the charge againe The appointmeÌt disappointed and pointed to the marquesse of Suffolke The marques of Suffolks request Thâ marques of Suffolke chéefest in fauour and authoritie with the king and quéene A commotion in Norwich The libeâtââs of Norwich seized intâ ãâã kings hands Indirect meanes to reforme wrongs Abr. Fl. ex Fabian 343. Polychron Combats in cases of appeales touching treason Drunkennesse the ouerthrow of right and manhood Anno Reg. 25. The description of the quéene The quéâââ taketh ãâã hir the gouernement and dischargeth the ãâã of Glocesteâ The faint quarell piked to the duke of Glocester A parlement at saint Edmândesburie The duke of Glocester suddenlie murthered Edâ Hall A pardon at a pinch Dukes of Glocester ââfortunate W. P. Anno Reg. â6 Marquesse of Suffolke made duke The duke of Yorke tempering about his title to the crowne The death of the bishop of Winchester his descriptioÌ W. P. Lib. 23. Bale WilliaÌ Wâââfleet bishop ãâã Winchester lord chancellor of England founder of Magdelââ college in Oxford An. Dom 44â Malmesbâââe Abr. Fl. et Fabian 447. A combat vpon triall of manhood betwéene a French and an Englishman The compassion of the Englishman to his eniâââ Anno Reg. ââ Sir Francis Suriennes Fougiers PoÌt de Larch taken by the FreÌchmen by a subtill sleight The warres renewed befor the end of the truce A rebellion in Ireland The English loose all in France Rone yeélded to the French men Harflue besieged Sir Thomas Curson Harflue yéelded to the French Anno Reg. 28. Sir Thomas Kiriell with a new band into France The English men ouerthrowne at Formignie * Or rather Goche Caen besieged and yéelded to the French The irreconciliable hate betwéene the two dukes * Goche All Normandie lost The state of it The causes of the losse The mortell mischéefe of malice and diuision ând realme Anno Reg 2â W. P. The commoÌs ãâã against the duke of Suffolke The parlemeÌt adiourned froÌ London to Leicester and from thence to Westminster Edw. Hâll The duke of Suffolke coÌmitted to the Tower Blewbeard capteine of the rebels The wretched death of the duke of Suffolke Iacke Cades rebellion in Kent Abr. Fl. eâ I. S. 653. Abr. Fl. ex ãâã 654 655 6â6 657 c. King Henrie went against the Kentishmen with a great power The Staffords slaine at Senocke by Iacke Cade The lord Saie beheaded at the staÌdard in Cheââ *
bright sunne Owen Teuther and other taken and beheaded Whethamsted The northern men enter into S. Albons They passe through it The second battell at S. Albons The ãâã part ãâã 1916 as Iohn Stow noteth Sir Iohn Graie slainâ Thomas ãâã esquier sent to the northerne lordâ Edw. Hall Prince Edward ãâã knight The northern âen spoile the towne of saint ãâã The queéne sândeth to the mâior of Londoâ for vittels Uittels sent by the maior and staid by the commons The quéene returneth northward The great hopâ of the people conceiued of the erle oâ March The earle of March elected king The lord Fauconbridge The earle of March taketh vpon him as king Abr. Flem. * Wakefield Peter Basset wrote king Henrie the fift his life Fabian and Caxton Anno Reg. 1. The earle of March taketh vpon him as king His title declared He is proclamed king The lord Fitz Water slaine The earle of Warwike A proclamaâtion The lord Clifford ãâã Dintingdale Crueltie paid with sudden mischiefe The lord Fauconbridge Saxton Whethamsted saith that K. HeÌries poweâ excéeded in number king Edwards ãâã twentie thousand men An heauie proclamatioÌ Palmesundaie field The earle ãâã Northuâberland The obstinate minds of bâth parts King Henries part discomfited Cocke or riuer The number slaine in battel of SaxtoÌ otherwise called Palmesunâaie field King Henrie withdraweth to Berwike from thence into Scotland Queene Margaret with hir sonne goeth into France Iohn Stow. Anno Reg. 2. The duke of Summerset other submit them to king Edward Plant. in Mostel 1463 Anno Reg. 3. The quéene returneth foorth of France Banburgh castell The duke of Summerset reuolteth The lord Montacute Hegelie moore Sir Rafe Persie Exham field The duke of Summerset taken King Henrie fled The duke of Summerset beheaded The earle of Kime otherwise Angus beheaded Alnewike castell besieged 1464 Anno Reg. 4. King Henrie taken Abr. Fl. ex I.S. pag. 717. The earle of Penbroke Ab. Flem. Vir. Acâ 6. New coinâ stamped Abr. Fl. ex I. S. pag. 716. Sergeants feast Register of maiors The maior of London departeth from the sergeantâ feast The earle of Warwike sent into France about a marriage The ladie Elizabeth Graie Ouid. de rem am lib. 1. 1465 Anno Reg. 5. The earle of Warwike offended with the kings mariage The earle of Warwike kéepeth hâs gréefe secret Abr. Fl. ex I. S. pag. 717. Long piked shooes forbidden 1466. Anno Reg 6. Cotteshold shéepe transported into Spaine Truce with Scots 1467 Anno Reg. â The bastard of Burgognie ambassadour into England Iusts betwixt the bastard of Burgognie the lord Scales The law of armes The death of the duke of Burgognie George Neuill archbishop of Yorke 1468. Anno Reg. 8. The ladie Margaret sister to king Edward sent ouer to the duke of Burgognie Abr. Fl. ex I. S. pag. 719 720. in Quart Abr. Fl. * Giuen at Richmont on the first of October An. Dom. 1585. Anno Reg. 27. Fabian 497. Sir Thomas Cooke Abr. Fl. ex Edw. Hall it Edw. 4. fol. cxcviij c. 1469 Anno Reg. 9. A commotion in Yorkeshire Saint Leonards hospitall in Yorke A rebellion Robert Huldorne capteine of the rebâls taken and beheaded Sir Iohn Coniers The earle of Penbroke The lord Stafford The Welshmen discomfited Hedgecote BaÌberie field Discord what it bréedeth The valiant manhood of sir Richard Herbert Iohn Clappam The Welshmen slaine Abr. Flem. Robin of Reddesdale The erle Riuers and his sonne beheaded The lord Stafford of Southwike beheaded King Edward taken prisoner Middleham caâtell Abr. Flem. Sir William Stanleie K. Edward is deliuered out of captiuitie He commeth to London Sir Thomas Dimmocke Anno Reg. 10. The lord Welles and Thomas Dimmocke beheaded Losecote field The faithfulnesse of the lord Stanlie The duke of Clarence and the earle of Warwike take the sea The earle of Warwike kept out of Calis Monsieur de Uauclere made deputie of Calis The double dealing of monsieur de Uauclere The lord Duras was â Gascoigne also The earle of Warwike laâded at Diepe Ambois Iohn marques Montacute The earles ãâã Penbroke â Oxford A league Edward prince of Wales mâried The promise of the duke of Clarence The loue which the people bare to the earle of Warwike A pâoclamaâion King Edward coÌmeth to Lin and taketh ship to passe ouer seas The lord Hastings The number that passed ouer with king Edward Abr. Fl. King Edward arriued at Alquemarâ The lord Gronture Edw. Hall fol. ccix Abr. Flem. Iohn Hooker alià s Vowell Lord DinhaÌ and baron Carew with their power come to Excester The duke of Clarence ãâã the earle of Warwike ââiorne at Eâcester and in pursue of the king The king is receiued ãâã honorablie ãâã to the citie of Excester The citizenâ be neuoleâââ to the king How long the king continued in the citie The duke of Clarence ãâã the earle of Warwike ãâã on the English coasts The practise ãâã knight ãâã chiefe ãâã at the ãâã to rid ãâã of ãâã In vniust or âurmised charge of the ânight against the keeper of his parkâ The kéeper killeth his maister the knight with an arrow Abr. Flem. ãâã 5. K. Edwards fréends take sanctuarie Queéne Elizabeth deliuered of a prince Ab. Flem. The Kentishmen make an hurlie burlie King Henrie fetched out of the Tower restored to his kinglie gouernement A parlement K. Edward adiudged an vsurper Abr. Fl. ex I.S. pag. 725. The earle Tiptoât beheaded The crowne intailed Abr. Fl. ex I.S. pag. 722 723. The earle of Warwike his housekéeping Fabian The earle of Warwike instituted gouernour of the realme Iasper earle of Penbroke Margaret countesse of Richmond and Derbiâ The saieng of king Henrie the sixt of Henrie of Richmond after king Henrie the seuenth Ab. Flem The ragged staffe The duke of Burgognie sendeth ambassadors to Calis 14â1 He asketh K Edward vnder hand W. Fleetwood He arriueth on the coast of Norffolke Anno Reg. 11. The earle of Oxford He arriueth at the head of Humber He landeth at Rauenspurgh Martine de la Mare or Martine of the sea He passeth toward Yorke Sée before page 664. K. Edward without interruption passeth forward to Yorke Thomas Coniers recorder of Yorke K. Edward commeth to Yorke He receiueth an oth The marques Montacute suffereth king Edward to passe by him K. Edward commeth to NorthamptoÌ Edw. Hall The duke of Excester and a power aâ Newarke K. Edward commeth to Leicester The earle of Warwike in Couentrie K. Edward prouoketh the earle of Warwike to fight He coÌmeth to Warwike A treatie for peace The duke of Clarence Préests vsed for priuie messengers K. Edward and his brother of Clarence reconciled vnwitting to the earle of Warwike The dissimulation of the duke of Clarence The brethren méet louinglie togither Buchan in psal 133. The duke of Clarence seéketh to make peace betwixt the king and the earle of Warwike The earle ãâã Warwike âââswer to the duke of Câârence ãâã K. Edward passeth London The archbishop of Yorke
Edmund Kneuets seruice Leonard Southerton Pardon proclamed by an herald at armes The citizens fauouring the rebels The rebelles conueie artillerie and munition out of the citie to their campe The hâralds proclamation in Norwich The traitorous refusall of the rebels to accept the kings pardon Prisoners committed toward in mouÌt Surrie Kets power increaseth * Alluding to the maior whose name was Cod. The maior of Norwich set ãâã Augustine Steward The lord marquesse of ââthampâa sent into ââuffolke to ãâã the ãâã Norwich summoned Sir Richard Southwell The straÌgers offer skirmish to the rebels An Italian hanged by the rebels Sir Edward Warner The desperatnesse of rebelles Iutienal sat 13. The rebels beaten backe Flotman Pardon offered to the rebels Flotmans presumptuous and nâtorous allegâtions The rebels enter the citie The lord Sheffeld wofullie slaine Alexander Neuill The marquesse maketh shift to escape danger The miserable estate of Norwich The aldermans depuâââ roughlie handled to tell where the lord marquesse had hidden himself ãâã miniââred to the rebels for feare ãâã force The earle of Warwike appointed to go against the Norffolke rebels The earle of Warwike commeth to Cambridge The kings pardon granted Who serued vnder the erle of Warwike Norwich summoned What answer was made to the herald by the citizens of Norwich whom Ket assigned thervnto Norreie the herald deliuereth his answer to the earle of Warwike Norreie king of armes sent to offer the rebels their pardon Norreie the herald maketh a long âiscourie to the rebels for the reducing of them to good order The kings purpose in sending the earle of Warwike against them ãâã the reâels were afââed after the âeralds disââârse was ãâã The herald is ãâã at âââtrusted ãâã c. Alexander Neuill The iust reward of ãâã boâe Ket meant to haue talked with the earle of Warwike S. Stephans gate The Brasen gate Virgii Cartes ladââ with munition taken by the rebels Gentlemen slaine Order taken for the safe kââping of the citie Alexander Neuill The rebels take certeine peeces of artillerie from the earle of Warwike Capteine Drurie Councell giuen to the erle of Warwike to abandon the citie The earles answere Lancequenets come to the earle of Warwike The rebels trust in vaine prophesies The rebels remooue The earle of Warwike goeth foorth to giue the enimies battell Pardon ofâred The number of the rebels slaine Pardon eftsâââes offered Pardon once againe offered They yéeld to the earle of Warwike Gentlemen slaine in this rebellion Ket taken Execution The earle of Warwike sheweth mercie The slaine carcases buried The two Kets executed William Ket a dissembling traitor Iusketh taken Monsieur be Desse returneth into France The earle of Rutland M. Fox An other rebellion or tumult begun in Yorkeshire The chiefe stirrers oâ thââ rebellion The causes moouing the Yorkshiremen to rebellion A blind prophesie among the northerne men The deuise of ãâã rebels how ãâ¦ã purpose The deuise of ãâã rebels that ãâã might be ãâã The rebels increase their number âebellious band The kings pardon offred receiued refused Virgil. Ombler capteine oâ the rebels taken The names of the rebels taken and executed at Yorke What the Lacedemonians did to make their sons detest drunkennesse Rebellion a verie gréeuous and horrible offense against God the prince and the state The authoâitie of the ââgistrats ãâã and peremptorie Rebellion ânlawfull in defense of true religion Eâgo much more vnlawfull in maintenance of false religion c. The necessarie benefit anâ vse of the bible and contrariwise A principall pâint of reliââon for reââls speciallie ãâã caâne The rebelles of Norffolke pretended the câmmmon-weâlth the cause of their rising whie all must not looke to beare like râle Magistrates ãâã to be honored both in speech and maners To haue all degrees alike â no inequalitie how inconâenient Riches and inheritance from whom to whom and to what end giuen The vnconscionable wishing of equalitie how hurtfull The precept of S. Peter teaching the right waie to riches and honor The act of rebellion aggrauated prooued most wicked and horrible An exhortation to rebels Disobedience to the prince is a most abhominable sinne and that we are bound by dutie to obeie A notable and rhetoricall clause and to the purpose The rebels fullie fraught with most âââanous qualities c. The kings councell of greatest authoritie and why yet are they disobeied note The action of rebellion proued by reason to be most heinous intollerable and diuelish No death cruâââ enough for ãâã and tââitors A desperat mâlecontents behauiour Rebels and traitors worse than brute ãâã The application of the former comparisons implieng obedience The presumptâous arroâânt vsurped ãâã of the reââls noted to ãâã impâachâânt of ãâ¦ã The rebels outragious and intollerable demeanor descried Their disobedience notorious The rebels offend against the law of iustice equitie The former matter vehementlie vrged The rebels are still charged with their rapines and violentlie inferred wrongs Libertie desired aboue all things * Fit epithets and terms for head and taile of this rebellion The offense of excluding the kings subiects from the benefit of libertie aggrauated A pithie conclusion inâerred vpon the premisses iâ forme of sentence definitiue The rebels charged with the murder and bloudshed of the kings liege people A licentious common-wealth cannot indure Wherein and whereof consisteth a citie prouince or politike bodie Lord Sheffelds slaughter laid to the rebels charââ Lââd Shefâââs wofull ãâã this ãâã pâthilie ãâã The knitting ãâã mans bodie ãâã mind Gâds worke ãâ¦ã whome the dissolving âââreof belonged âereby he ââooeth the rebels consciââces seeâed ãâã as it were ãâã an hot ãâã The rebels âââtousnesse ãâã ambition ââsatiable A briefe caââââlation of ãâã rebels ãâã atempts ãâã purposes An argument from the lesse to the greater The vse and necessarie seruice of towns what it is to ouerthrow them The vse and seruice of munition Wherein appéereth the faithfull seruice of cities A good subiects wiâh and the reason thereof Excester commended for loue loiail seruice to the king estate Norwich vpbraided with the example of Excester Some citizens of Norwich excusable of this rebellion but most chargeable therwith in a high degrée of disloialtie Excester noble and true A collection or beadroll of certeine outrages doone by the rebels Persuasions to obedience and loialtie The hurts mischiefes that befall cities c by mainteining rebelles Rebellion is worthilie to be punished A further view of the inconueniences bred by rebellion The losse of haruest Barns be poore mens storehouses Haie rotting on the grouÌd Losse of corne for lacke of reaping The losse of one yeares haruest verie hurtfull Wastfull speÌding of vittels by the rebels inconuenient to the whole state A necessitie of inhansing the price of things After a great dearth commeth a great death a reason why A briefe rehearsall or summarie of mischiefes issuing from rebellion A great decaie of people Rebels can not preuaile against the princes power A necessarie
Spanish ambassador with these papers as he hath confessed when he made him partaker of the rest of his traitorous practises deuises as you haue heard and thought his casket of treasons to be most safelie committed to his hands It may be thought that there is no man of so simple vnderstanding that will iudge to the contrarie vnlesse he be parciallie affected to excuse the treasons And now to shew vnto you what mind this man hath carried towards hir maiestie you are to be informed that Francis Throckemorton after he had discouered to hir maiestie his course of practising repenting himselfe of his plaine dealing in the bewraieng thereof said to some of the commissioners vpon occasion of speach I would I had béene hanged when I first opened my mouth to declare anie of the matters by me confessed And being at other times sent vnto by hir maiestie with offer of pardon if he would disclose the whole packe and complices of the treasons he vsed this argument to persuade hir maiestie that he had confessed all saieng that Sith he had alreadie brought himselfe by his confessions within the danger of the lawes to the vtter ruine of his house and familie he wondered why there should be anie conceit in hir maiestie that he had not declared all But to persuade such as were sent vnto him for these purposes the rather to beleeue that he could discouer no more at one time he vsed these speeches following with great vehemencie Now I haue disclosed the secrets of hir who was the déerest thing vnto me in the world meaning the Scotish quéene and whom I thought no torment should haue drawen line 10 me so much to haue preiudiced as I haue doone by my confessions I sée no cause why I should spare anie one if I could saie ought against him and sith I haue failed of my faith towards hir I care not if I were hanged And when he began first to confesse his treasons which he did most vnwillinglie after he was entered into the declaration of them before all the commissioners vpon aduisement he desired he might deliuer his knowledge but to one of them onelie wherevnto they yéelded And therevpon remoouing aside line 20 from the place where he sat by the racke he vsed this prouerbe in Italian Chi a perso la fede a perso l'honore that is He that hath falsed his faith hath lost his reputation meaning thereby as it may be conceiued that he had giuen his faith to be a traitor and not to reueale the treasons then he began to confesse as you haue heard By this discourse conteining the principall heads of his treasons and the proofes and circumstances of the same you that are not transported with vndutifull minds and affections will line 30 cléerelie perceiue how impudéntlie and vntrulie he denied at his arreignement the truth of his confessions charging hir maiestie with crueltie and hir ministers with vntruths in their proceeding against him But the cause that mooued him thereto was the vaine conceit he had taken that his case was cleere in law by the intermission of the time betweene his confession made and his arreignement grounding himselfe vpon a statute of the thirtéenth yeare of hir maiesties reigne in the which there are certeine treasons line 40 specified and made of that nature that no person shal be arreigned for anie of those offenses committed within anie of the quéenes maiesties dominions vnlesse the offendor be thereof indicted within six moneths next after the same offense committed and shall not be arreigned for the same vnlesse the offense be prooued by the testimonie and oth of two sufficient witnesses or his voluntarie confession without violence wherein he was greatlie deceiued For it was made manifest vnto him by the line 50 lord chiefe iustice and other of the iudges in commission at his triall that his treasons were punishable by a statute of 25. Edw. 3. which admitted no such limitation of time or proofe Herein his skill failed him and forgot the aduise giuen vnto him by some of the commissioners who pitieng his misfortune for sundrie good gifts of the mind appearing in him assured him that there was no waie so readie for him to redéeme his life as by submission and acknowleding of his offense which for a time after he had confessed line 60 his treasons he was contented to follow and now eftsoones after his condemnation by a new submission to the quéens maiestie the fourth of Iune had resumed that course The submission Verbatim written with his owne hand followeth To hir most excellent maiestie euen to hir owne roiall hands MOst excellent prince and my most gratious souereigne sith to me the most miserable of all your maiesties poore distressed subiects being iustlie condemned by the ordinarie and orderlie course of your maiesties laws there resteth no further meane of defense but submission vouchsafe most excellent prince gratiouslie to accept the same which prostrate in all humilitie I here present vnto the hands of your most excellent maiestie beseeching the same that as iustice hath beene deriued from your highnesse as from the founteine to the triall of mine actions so I may receiue from the same spring some drop of grace and mercie for the great grieuous offense wherof I rest by your maiesties lawes iustlie condemned some part I saie of that your accustomed gratious clemencie wherof most your distressed subiects haue tasted and few beene depriued And albeit the inconsiderate rashnesse of vnbridled youth hath withdrawen me from that loiall respect which nature dutie bound me to owe vnto your maiestie as to my lawfull naturall dread souereigne and that the naturall care in me of the defense of my life mooued me latelie to the vntrue vndutifull gainesaieng of some such points as had beene before by me in most humble sort confessed neuerthelesse I most humblie beseech your most excellent maiestie that in imitation of God whose image both in respect of the happie place you hold as also in regard of your singular wisdome and other the rare and singular vertues perfections wherwith God nature hath plentifullie indued you you represent vnto vs here in earth it may please your maiestie to commiserate the lamentable estate of me now the most miserable of all your maiesties subiects and gratiouslie to grant vnto me remission and forgiuenes that not onelie doo most humblie confesse my selfe worthie of death but also in shew of my repentance and sorowfull afflicted mind doo not craue at your maiesties hands the prolonging of my life if the same shall not stand with your gratious good plesure but rather desire the trebling of the torment iustlie by your maiesties lawes imposed vpon me if the same may be anie satisfaction to your maiestie for the heinous crime whereof I remaine by your maiesties lawes iustlie condemned or anie mitigation of your maiesties indignation worthilie conceiued against me that desire
not to liue without your fauour and dieng will wish from my hart that my end may be the beginning of your maiesties securitie and my death the preseruation of your life and the increase both to your maiestie and to this your most flourishing commonwealth of all the most happie blessings of almightie God Your maiesties most wofull subiect in that he hath offended you Francis Throckemorton He sent vnto hir maiestie togither with the said submission a declaration written likewise with his owne hand conteining the effects of the most principall points of his treasons formerlie confessed retracting onelie the accusation of his father and some other particularities of no moment to cléere him of his treasons the effect wherof followeth in his owne words as he set them downe The declaration which Throckmorton sent to hir maiestie with his letter of submission THe onelie cause why I coined the practise first by me confessed and vniustlie touched my father was for that partlie I conceiued that the paper written so long since could not now by law haue touched me but principallie for that I was willing thereby to colour the setting downe of those names and hauens in Romane hand which were written long after the time by me confessed vpon occasion of conference betwéene the Spanish ambassador and me of this latter practise Mine intelligence with the Scotish queene began a little before Christmas was two yeares the cipher I had from Thomas Morgan in France the first letter I receiued by Godfrie Fulgeam by whome also came all such others as I after receiued for the most part vnlesse it were such as came to me by F. A. his hands who as he told line 10 me receiued them of the fellow by me spoken of in my former confessions whose name I protest before God I know not nor whense he is And for such letters as came vnto me in the absence of Fulgeam they were inclosed vnder a couerture from Fulgeam and were deliuered me by the hands of Robert Tunstead his brother in law vnto whome I deliuered such as I had for the Scotish quéene couered with a direction vnto Fulgeam and once I remember or twise I sent by one of my men called line 20 Butler letters for the Scotish queene to the house of the said Tunstead néere Buckestones couered with a direction to Tunstead and vnder a letter to Fulgeam In such letters as came to me from the Scotish quéene were inclosed letters to F. A. manie times and most times some for Thomas Morgan Hir letters to me conteined c. But before I returned mine answer vnto hir I vnderstood of the death of the duke of Lenox and withall heard from Morgan with whome all mine line 30 intelligence was for with my brother I neuer had anie other than that the matters by me written to Morgan were by him imparted vnto my brother most times that by the persuasion of the pope and the king of Spaine the duke of Guise had yeelded to performe the iournie in person and that it was thought that the next waie to atteine libertie for the Scotish quéene and to reforme Scotland was to begin here in England And therefore he desired to know from me whether in mine opinion line 40 catholikes would not backe any such force as should be sent considering a demand of tolerance in religion for them should insue the well performing of the said enterprise and what I thought the force would amount vnto both of horsse and footmen and where I thought to be the fittest landing Mine answer was that as then I saw no great probabilitie of the good successe of such an enterprise for that the catholikes were timorous dispersed the matter perillous to be communicated vnto manie without which I saw not how anie estimat could be line 50 made of the forces besides that it was an imminent danger vnto the Scotish quéene whereof I saw no remedie I tooke notice of this matter in my next letters to the Scotish quéene whose answer was that she latelie heard of that determination c. Upon my former answer vnto Morgan he desired me that I would conferre with the Spanish ambassador to whom I should be recommended from thense Herevpon line 60 the said ambassador sent for me and brake with me in this matter assuring me that in his opinion he found it verie easie to make great alteration here with verie little force considering the disuse in men to warre and troubles would so amaze them as he thought that they would be as soone ouerthrowne as assailed he could not thinke but in such a case catholikes would shew themselues sith the purpose tended to the obteining for them libertie of conscience and therefore he desired me to acquaint him what I thought men would doo in such a case and where I thought the fittest landing and what holds in these parts were easiest to be surprised I answered him that as it séemed the enterprise stood vpon great vncerteinties if it depended of the knowledge of a certeine force to be found here which no man could assure him of vnlesse he had sounded all the catholikes which was not possible without a manifest hazard of the discouerie of the purpose For as for anie great personage I know no one to be drawne to this action that could carrie anie more than his ordinarie retinue the onlie waie in such a case was I told him for such as would be drawne into this matter and were of credit in their countries to leuie forces vnder colour of the princes authoritie But for that these things depended vpon vncerteine grounds which was not fit to be vsed in so great an action I said it was to be resolued that the force to be sent should be of that number that what backing soeuer they should find here they might be able of themselues to incounter with anie force that might be prouided to be sent against them and therfore they could not be lesse than fiftéene thousand men For the place of their landing I said it depended much vpon the force that should be sent for if that were in great number it mattered not where they landed if in a small companie then was it requisit that it should be in the countries best affected furthest from hir maiesties principall forces which I said to be in the northerne parts on either side To the danger of the Scotish quéene by me obiected he said he knew no remedie vnlesse she might be taken awaie by some two hundred horsse which I told him I saw not to be possible for that I knew not anie gentleman in those parts which were men if anie to performe it that I durst wish to be made acquainted with the matter before hand Finallie our conclusion was that I should informe him of the hauens as particularlie as I could and within few daies after finding by him that the force intended hither was farre inferior vnto that I spake of