raigned thirty seuen yeeres and odde moneths and professing a voluntarie pouertie so great was the zeale and so little the knowledge of that age went to Rome where in the habit of a Religious Man he ended his life in poore estate and Ethelburga his wife became a vailed Nunne and was made Abbesse of Barking neere London wherein she ended her life The brethren of this Inas were Kenten whose sonne was Aldelme Abbat of Malmesbury and Bishop of Sherborne and Ingils that was the progenitour of Egbert the first Saxon Monarch of the whole Iland and his sister Cuthburga maried into Northumberland sued a diuorce against Osrick her King and husband and in the habit of a Nunne ended her daies at Winburne in the Countie of Dorset EThelard the kinsman of King Ina whom he ordained his successour at his departure to Rome was the sonne of Oswald and he of Ethelbald the sonne of Kenbald the brother of Cuth and both of them the sonnes of Cuthwin the sonne of Cheaulin the sonne of King Kenrik the sonne of Cherdik the first West-Saxon King He began his raigne the same yeere that King Edbert did his ouer the Kingdome of Kent and with him was terrified by the dreadfull appearance of two Blazing Starres of whose Acts no other mention is recorded sauing that at his entrance into regall estate Oswald a Norman of the West-Saxons bloud emulated his glorie and troubled the quiet peace of his prosperous beginning but not able to winne fortune to fauour his proceedings he quite abandoned his natiue Country and so left Ethelard to rule the Kingdome in peace who therein quietly raigned the space of foureteene yeeres without any mention of wife or issue CVthred cosen to King Ethelard succeeded him in his Dominions and was much disquieted by Edilbald King of Mercia both by open warre and priuie practises but these two Kings comming to a conclusion of peace ioined both their Powers against the ouer-borne Britains and in a bloudy battle gaue them a great ouerthrow In this time saith Beda the bodies of the dead were permitted to bee buried within the walles of their Cities which thing before was not lawfull but their corps were interred without in the Fields many of whose Tombes as yet are witnesses to vs that daily finde them in the digging of the grounds adioining and reserue them for sight or other necessarie vse The peace of this King was molested by his owne subiect an Earle named Adelme who boldly encountred his Soueraigne in Battle and fought it out euen to the point of victorie but failing thereof and forced to flie his life was pardoned And hee made Generall against the Mercian Edilbald Cuthreds ancient foe wherein by his valiant prowesse with the flight and discomfiture of the Enemie hee made a worthie amends for guerdon of his life and was euer after held in great fauour and honour This King raigned in great fame and victories the space of fourteene yeers and died in the yeere of our Lords Passion 753. Hee had issue one onely son whose name was Kenrik a valiant young Prince who in the ninth yeere of his Fathers raigne was seditiously slaine in his Armie for bearing himselfe as it may seeme ouer-rigorous towards the Souldiers SIgebert obtaining the Principalitie of the West-Saxons raigned therein no long time and that without all honour or fame His parentage is obscure and vnknowne but his vices are made apparant and manifest for hee wallowing in all sensuall pleasures added exactions and cruelties vpon his Subiects setting aside all lawes and rules of true pietie from which vicious life when hee was louingly admonished by his most faithfull Counsellor a worthy Earle called Cumbra so farre was his minde from abandoning his impious courses as that he caused this Noble Personage to be cruelly slaine whereupon the rest of the Peeres seeing their State and liues were euery day in danger and the common subiects whose Lawes were thus violated being incensed into furie they rebelliously rose vp in Armes against him and would acknowledge him no longer their Soueraigne Sigebert by nature as fearefull as he was audacious vnto vice fledde into the woods as his only safeguard where like a forlorne person he wandred in the day and in caues and dennes lodged in the night till lastly he was met with by a Swine-heard that was seruant to Cumbra and of him knowne to be Sigebert was presently slaine in reuenge of his masters death in the wood that was then called Andreads Wald when hee had raigned not fully two yeeres KEnwulfe sprung from the bloud-Royall of the West Saxons after the death of wicked Sigebert was made King of that Prouince and appeasing some tumults that were stirred for Sigebert obtained many victories against the ouermastred Britaines but had not the like successe against Offa King of the Mercians who at Bensington gaue him a great ouerthrow He founded the Cathedrall Church of S. Andrewes at Wels which afterwards was an Episcopall See and in great honour raigned for the space of twenty foure yeeres but then Fourtune turning her face away from him the rest of his raigne did not sute to that which was spent for he giuing himselfe to pleasure and securitie banished Kineard the brother of his Predecessor Sigebert who dissembling his wrong gaue place vnto time and occasion being offered made his vse thereof For Kenwulfe comming to Merton to visit his Paramore was there set vpon and slaine and his body conueied and buried at Winchester after hee had raigned twenty nine yeeres leauing no memoriall either of Wife or Children BRithie lineally descended from Cherdik the first King of the West-Saxons a man of a soft and quiet disposition succeeded Kenwulfe in that Principalitie in the yeere of Christs Incarnation 784. He married Ethelburga the daughter of great Offa the Mercian King by whose power he expelled Egbert that ruled a Lordship in his Prouince vnder him whose fame increasing through his feates of warres draue many icalousies into King Brithries head and the more by the instigation of Ethelburga his Queene who bearing her selfe great because of her parentage practised the downfall and destruction of them whom she hated and by her suggestions this Egbert was banished on suspicion of conspiracie It afterward chanced that shee preparing poison to make an end of one of the Kings Minions wrought thereby though vnwittingly the Kings death for he by tasting the confection ended his life after hee had raigned the space of sixteene yeeres Wherein she fearing the iust reuenge of his subiects fled into France by Charles then King was so courteously entertained as that for her great beauty there was offered her the choice of him or his sonne But she in her youthfull and lustfull humor choosing the sonne was debarred from both and thrust into a Monastery in the habit not the affection of a Nunne where not long after
was like him in all vertuous conditions by him was ordained to succeed in his Dominions whereby hee became the thirteenth King of the Mercians and the eighteenth Monarch of the Englishmen in the yeere of our Lord seuen hundred ninety seuen At home he was an example of piety peace and religion set the scale of Iustice without respect to all alike abroad temperate humble and courteous without vain ostentation or ambitious conceits in warres hee was stout and victorious in peace studious to enrich his subiects briefly at all times so carrying himselfe that enuie could not touch him with her tongue 2 Whether vpon a new quarrell begun or the old retained as inheritable to the Mercians against those of Kent I cannot say but true it is that in the entrance of his raigne he entred that Prouince with a great host of men and in a fore fought field discomfited the Kentish and carried away prisoner their King whose sirname was Pren. His kingdome hee gaue to Cuthred and kept him captiue in Mercia to his great griefe and his subiects dishonour 3 But Kenwolfe in peace minding the works of true piety gaue himself to the building of a goodly Church at Winchcombe in Glocestershire where vpoÌ„ the day of dedication in the presence of Cuthred assigned his Viceroy in Kent thirteene Bishops ten Dukes many Nobles and a great concourse of people he led Pren this Kentish captiue vp to the high Altar and there without either his entreaty or ransome for Redemption released and set him free shewing thereby his deuotion to God and the heroicall parts of a magnanimous Prince 4 His raigne was twenty two yeares and death in Anno eight hundred nineteene beeing solemnely buried in the Church of the Monastery at Winchcombe aforesaid which himselfe had founded His Wife 5 Elfryd the wife of King Kenwolfe hath not her parentage certainely reported by any of our Historians yet some later vpon a likelihood of her name the place and time agreeing haue thought her to be the daughter of Offâ—… affianced to King Ethelbert as hath beene said but in these obscurities coniecture may wander astray His Children 6 Kenelm the sonne of King Kenwolfe and of Queene Elfryde his wife was very yong at his fathers death and succeeded in the Mercians Kingdom but not in the Monarchy of the English King Egbert the West-Saxon King then growne too great And in the same yeare that he beganne his raigne by the treason of his vnnaturall sister hee was murthered and first obscurely buried but afterwards solemnly remoued and reposed neere to his Father in the Monastery of Winchcombe as in the Mercian Kings successions wee haue said 7 Quendred the eldest daughter of King Ken-Wolfe and Lady Elfryd his Queene after the decease of her father ambitiously aspiring to compasse the sway of the Mercian Kingdome wholy to her selfe wickedly conspired the death of her brother King Kenelme which was traiterously acted by Askebert her instrument who had the charge of him but the same turning to her reproch for very shame of so damnable a deed shee within short time after ended her life but not her ignominie 8 〈◊〉 the yonger daughter of King Kenwolfe and of Queene Elfryd hath not been so famous to posterity as her sister Quendred was for her infamous Act notwithstanding she may reasonably be supposed to haue lead a better life and to haue died a better death especially of vs who find her noâ—… sâ—…ained with any aspersion of misdeseruing EGBERT THE EIGHTEENTH KING OF THE WEST-SAXONS THE NINETEENTH BVT FIRST SOLE AND ABSOLVTE MONARCH OF THE ENGLISH-MEN HIS ACTS WIFE AND ISSVE CHAPTER XXXI THe Saxon Heptarchy drawing now to a period the spring of an entire Monarchie began to shew it selfe and the glory of the Englishmen more cleerely to arise for thongh they had weakned each other by their own wars yet stood their power strong in the possession of the whole and the ouerborne Britaines held still at the worst 2 But such is the dispose of the sole disposer of Empires that they haue their risings their fuls and their fals neuer staying in one and the same point neither entailed to one and the same Nation how strong politicke or populous soeuer The proofe whereof is apparant in all the Kingdomes of the earth and this of ours as mutable as any whose change of State vnto and in this seuen-fold Gouernment hath hitherto beene seene the seuerall Kings thereof long contending to branch their own fountaines furthest and fairest lastly let them fall into one streame which so meeting made a more famous confluence in this Monarchy then the seauen heads of Nilus in the Egyptian Sea 3 Formerly the Kentish South-Saxons East-Angles Northumbrians and the Mercians through no lesse then eight descents had worne the Emperiall Diademe whose rayes shone now so bright in the West-Saxons eyes that they againe sought to reestate themselues in so glorious a possession For whereas Brightrik was possessed and contented with the West-Saxon Crowne neither that worne without iealousie and feare yet others of the bloud royall from Cherdik raised the wings of their soaring thoughts much higher among whom Egbert was one neither the last nor the least in the opinion of the people or suspect of his Prince 4 This Egbert hauing commaund of some part of that Prouince so carried himselfe that his fame grew fearefull to Brightrik the King and hatefull to the enuious Ethelburg his most proud Queene by whom he was enforced first to secure himselfe with the Mercian Offa and lastly constrained to flie into France where vnder Charles the Great he turned his aduersity into an occasion of his valour by seruing in his warres and learned by his politicke gouernment how to rule a quiet or disturbed State 5 But King Brightriks death acted and his Queene the contriuer banished Egbert is solicited to the wearing of the West-Saxon crowne where hee became the eighteenth King in number and nineteene yeares after the nineteenth Monarch of the Englishmen entring his raigne the yeare of Christ Iesus eight hundreth being the same yeare that Charles was made Emperour of the West and Conwall then ruling ouer the Scots 6 His first warres were against the Cornish and their associats the Welsh both of them a remnant of the old Britaines who had beene oftentimes vanquished but neuer would seeme to be subdued and for foureteene yeares continuance held side against Egbert which their resistance so prouoked his furie that hee enacted a most seuere law against them commanding that no Britaine should presume to passe ouer great Offaes ditch and present death to them that durst set foot vpon any English ground Their great Caer-legion now West-chester hee tooke from them and at London from their West-gate cast downe the brasen Image of Cadwallo there set vp by the Britaine 's for a terrour to the Saxons as we haue said
to cut off long trauell these Danes by boates passed Humber where Hungar and Hubba beganne with fire and sword to lay all wast before them sparing neither Person sexe nor age The places respected for publike good and sacred Temples consecrated onely to God which all other Tyrants haue forborne these sauage men as the earths destroiers cast downe and trampled vnder their prophane feete among which for note were the goodly Monasteries of Bradney Crowland Peterborow Ely and Huntington all laid in leuell with the ground and their Votaries aswell the Nunnes as the Monkes murthered with their vnhumane and mercilesse swords to auoid whose barbarous pollutions the chast Nunnes of Coldingham defoâ—…ed themselues to their lasciuious eyes by cutting off their vpper lips and noses but to euerlasting remembrance they remain most faire and well beseeming faces of pure Virgins 6 These Pagans piercing further into the land came into the territories of the East-Angles wherein holy Edmund raigned King whose Martyrdome in most cruell manner they wrought he constantly calling vpon the name of Christ whereof wee haue already spoken and shall bee occasioned hereafter to speake 7 But in the last yeare of this Kings raign their raging power was most great for with a new supply two Danish Kings Sreeg and Halden entred into West-Saxia and at Reading the Kings towne intrenched themselues these forraging the Country were encountred with at Englâ—…field by Ethelwolfe Earle of Barkeshire and his men who in skirmish slew one of their leaders and chased the rest backe to their Trench 8 These Danes fearing lest delaies would proue dangerous and knowing that the first successe is commonly seconded with further courage of hope foure dayes after shewed themselues in field ready to fight their hoast they diuided into two battalians whereof the one was guided by two of their Kings and certaine Earles were leaders of the other which when the English perceiued they also diuided theirs whereof King Ethelred had the leading of the first and Elfred his brother was Generall of the second the place was Assendon where their Tents were pitched and the day approached for battaile King Ethelred in his Tent staid so long in praiers that Elfred vpon a forward courage hasted to encounter the enemy and that with a most fierce and sharpe fight wherein hauing spent the most of their strengthes and ready to decline and giue backe Ethelred manfully entred the battaile and so seconded his brother and ouer-tyred Souldiers that hee made way by dint of his sword through the thickest of their almost-conquering enemies and with such losse of the Danish bloud drawne from the sides of one of their Kings fiue Earles and an infinite number of the common Souldiers that the streames therof seemed as an ouer-swelling tide altogether to couer the face of the field and is accounted for the noblest victory that the English till then had gotten of the Danes 9 Yet were not these Pagans therewith discouraged but gathering more strengthes and supplies from other parts foureteen dayes after made head againe against the English and pitching downe their standards at Basing abode the coÌ„ming of Ethelred and triall of battaile wherein successe was altogether altered for herein the Kings part was discomfited and the Danes the winners of the day 10 Thus both sides borne vpon rage hope in their heat of bloud prepare for new fight The Danes power was augmented with a further supply sent from beyond Seas and the English confirmed with hope of successe These meeting at Merton two moneths after the battaile of Basing encountred each others both boldly and bloodily wherein at first the English preuailed and the Danes were chased but their numbers the greater and fresh supply maintaining their 〈◊〉 they râ—…uered themselues and wonne the day wherein King Ethelred receiued his deaths wound with such slaughter of his people that little wanted the end of all encounters to haue been afterwards attempted any more by the English 11 Great was the valour and resistance of this King for in his short time of Raigne as Writers record no lesse then nine set battales against the Danes he fought in one yeare to the great effusion of Christian bloud and to no little losse of the Danish power for in his raign fell of them one King nine Earles and of the common sort without number 12 He died at Wittingham of his wound receiued the three and twentieth day of April in the yeare of our Lord God eight hundred seauenty two and was buried in the Collegiat Church of Winburne in Dorcetshire where remaines his Tombe and his Armes vnto this day with this Inscription In hoc loco quiescit corpus Sancti Ethelredi Regis West-Saxonum Martyris qui Anno Domini 872. 23. die Aprilis per manus Dacorum Paganorum occubuit His Issue Elfred the eldest sonne of King Ethelred seemeth to be Grandfather to the noble and learned Ethelward who being Kinsman Counsellor and Treasurer to King Edgar wrote an history of his Country beginning at the first arriuall of the Saxons into England and continuing vnto his own time which history he dedicated to his kinswoman and cosen germane the Lady Mande Abbesse of Quedlingburg in Saxonie being the daughter of the Emperour Otho by Edgith his wife daughter of King Edward the elder and sister of Ethelstane and Edmund Kings of England Oswald a young sonne of King Ethelred is mentioned in a Charter of his Fathers by which he gaue lands to the Monastery of Abingdon neere Oxford and to which this sonne of his hath his name set downe for a witnes which Charter is yet extant recorded in a great Legiet-booke and Register of the Euidences of the lands sometime belonging to the said Monastery Thyre the daughter of King Ethelred is reported by the histories of Ireland to bee married to 〈◊〉 King of the Danes and to haue had issue King Harald which Harald by Queene Goâ—…hild his wife had issue Sweyn king of Denmarke Iringe king of Northumberland and Gonhild Queene of North-Wales King Sweyn by Queene Sigred his wife had issue Câ—…te King of England and Denmarke Ostryde wife of Duke Wolfe and mother of King Sweyn the yonger and Thyre the first wife of Earle Goodwin of Kent ELFRED THE TVVENTIE THIRD KING OF THE VVEST SAXONS AND TWENTIE FOVRTH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISHMEN HIS ACTS RAIGNE WIFE AND ISSVE CHAPTER XXXVI ELfred or Alfred the fourth sonne of King Ethelwolfe though he had beene annointed King at Rome by Pope Leo in his young years Fathers life time yet raigned he in no part of his dominions before the deathes of all his Brethren vnder whom hee serued in most of their warres assisting them likewise in all their counsels the land now miserably torne by the cruell incursions of the bloudy Danes was left vnto him both to redeeme and to raigne ouer by the death and Testament of King Ethelred his last
of the Cathedrall Church where there remaineth a monument of him with an inscription entitling him a Duke and some suppose of Bologne 70 William the third Son of King William and Queene Maud was borne in Normandy in the 21. yere of his Fathers Dukedom ten yeeres before he was King 1159. hee was surnamed of the Red colour of his haire in French Rows in Latine Rufus he was brought vp vnder Lanefranke the learned Lumbard who was Archbishoppe of Canterbury of whom he receiued both instructions of knowledge and the order of Knighthood he serued vnder his Father at the battaile of Gerbereth in Normandy 1079 wherein hee was wounded and hee alwaies framed his actions so pleasing to his Fathers humor as that hee thought him much worthier then his elder brother to succeed in his Kingdome 71 Henry the fourth and yongest sonne of King William and Queene Maud his wife was borne in England at Selby in Yorkeshire the third yeere of his Fathers raigne and of our Lord God 1070 his childhood was trained vp in learning at Cambridge saith Caius but the ancient Annales of Saint Austins in Canterbury say he was Philosophiâ peregrè informatus instructed beyond Sea in Philosophy where for his notable knowledge in the Liberall Sciences he was surnamed by the French Beauclerk that is the fine Scholler Vpon his return he was made Knight being 16. yeers old by his Father at Westminster in Whitsontide the nineteenth yeer of his Raign Anno 1086. and thogh at his Fathers death he had nothing bequeathed him but Treasure yet afterward he succeeded his Brothers both in the Kingdome of England and Dutchie of Normandy 72 Cecilie the Eldest daughter of King William and Queene Maude his wife was borne in Normandy brought vp in England and carried againe into Normandy where in the ninth yeere of the Kings Raigne and the yeere of our Lord 1075. shee was by her Father on Ester day with great Solemnity offered vp in the Church of Feschampe vailed to be a Nunne in the Monastery there but was afterward elected by the Nunnes of our Lady at Cane to be Abbesse of their Monasterie founded by her Mother which she gouerned and where she died and was enterred 73 Constance the second daughter of King William and Queene Maud was the first wife of Allayne Earle of little Britaigne surnamed in the British Fergent in English Red. In regard of which marriage and his seruice done at the conquest of England his Father in law gaue him all the lands of Earle Edwine whereon he built the Castle and wherof he made the Earledome of Richmond which long after belonged to the Earles and Dukes of Britaigne his Successors although he had his children by an other wife for she died very yong and without issue and was buried in the Abbey of Saint Edmundsbury in Suffolke 74 Alice the third daughter of King William Queen Maud was married to Stephen Earle of Bloys in France and had issue by him William an Innocent Thibaud surnamed the Great Earle of Blois and Champain Stephen Earle of Mortain and Boleine who was King of England Henry a Monke of Cluny after Abbot of Glastenbury and Bishop of Winchester Mary married to Richard Earle of Chester and Emme wife of one Harbert an Earle of France and mother of Saint William Archbishop of Yorke Shee suruiued Earle Stephen her husband and in her widowhood tooke vpon her the profession of Religion in the Priorie of Nunnes at Marciguy in France where she ended her life 75 Gundred the fourth daughter of King William and of Queene Maud was married to William of Warrein a Nobleman of Normandy who was the first Earle of Surrey in England by whom shee had issue William the second Earle Progenitors of the Earles that followed and Rainold of Warren her second sonne who had also Issue Shee died in Child-bed three yeeres before her husband at Castleaker in Norfolke the 27. of May in the 20. yere of her fathers raigne being the yeere of our Lord 1085. and is buried in the Chapter-house of Saint Pancrase Church within the Priory at the town of Lews in the County of Sussex 76 Ela the fifth daughter of King William and his Queen Maud in her Child-hood was contracted in marriage to Duke Harald when he was in Normandy being then a yong Widower Notwithstanding hee refusing her tooke an other wife and vsurped the Kingdom of England after the death of King Edward whereby hee occasioned his owne ruine and Conquest of his Country which afterward ensued when her Father sought reuenge so much as some write to the discontentment of this Lady that for griefe of these mischances shee euer after refused marriage and led a single and solitarie life though others vpon better warrant collect that shee died yong and before William her Father set forth for England Harald himselfe pleading that hee was free from all couenants and promises to Duke William by reason of the death of this his daughter 77 Margaret the sixth and yongest daughter of King William and Queene Maud was in her childhood giuen in marriage to Alphonso King of Gallicia in Spaine that afterward was so renowned for the Conquest of the City Lysbon for his victories against the Mores and for the slaughter of their fiue Kings and was the founder of the Kingdome of Portugall the first King thereof and the first bearer of the fiue Shields of the said fiue Kinges which are to this day the Armes of the same But this Lady being thus contracted deceased before those things hapned and before shee came to yeeres of lawfull consent to the marriage VVILLIAM THE SECOND SVRNAMED R VFVS THE FORTIETH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISH HIS ACTS RAIGNE AND VNTIMELY DEATH CHAPTER III. WIlliam posting for England Archbishop Lanfrank his earnest soliciter by liberall gifts giuen and promises made to abrogate the ouer hard lawes of his Father had the readier passage into the opinions of them that could doe most and the more to notifie his intended mild gouernment with other his noble inclinations to princely vertues as eye-witnesses of his fauours towards the English hee brought with him from Normandy Morcar the stout Earle of Chester and Wilnoth the sonne of King Harold both of them released out of prison and then held in especiall fauour with him But most of the States standing for Robert Curtoise his elder Brother a man deemed of a more liberall disposition and better temperature towards the Subiects their titles had beene tried by swords had not Lanfrank and Wulstan both wise reuerend Prelates by their Counsels and Mediations staied their hands 2 Consent thus gotten and all voices giuen for William he was crowned their King at Westminster vpon Sunday the twenty sixt day of September and yeere of Saluation 1087. by the hands of Lanfrank Archbishop of Canterbury vnder whom he had beene educated
were so eminent by these intestine warres that the Natiues lamented the Forrein reioiced and God they saw highly displeased whose sword thus giuen into their hands was to be feared would be the destruction of the English as Nabucaednezzars of Babell was of Iudea and indeed so effectually wrought that the Duke and Earle vpon perfect confidence came to London accompanied with a small number in respect of their great danger where falling into conference with the King he tasked them with disloialtie and they him with ingratitude so that their splenes were nothing appeased but much more increased and with high wordes departed the King vnto Canterbury and they againe to VVarwicke 39 The stout Earle whose stomacke must haue vent otherwise the Caske must needs breake caused new stirres to be raised in Lincolnshire vnder the leading of Sir Robert VVels an expert souldier and sonne of the Lord VVels who with thirtie thousand Commons disturbed the Countrey and in euerie place proclaimed King Henrie setting downe his battel not farre from Stamford meaning to abide the encounter of his opposers which when the King heard of he sent for the Lord VVels his father commanding him to write to his sonne to surcease the warres and so marching toward Stamford tooke VVels in his companie with a good hope that the sonne would not beare armes against his own father in field but howsoeuer he had writ or the King conceiued Sir Robert went on in his former designes which so sore moued Edward that he beheaded Lord VVels with Sir Thomas Dimocke that had married his daughter although he had giuen them promise of safety and life 40 Young VVels then hearing of his fathers death sought the reuenge vpon this vntrusty Prince and not staying for VVarwicke who was in preparing to come set manfully vpon the King and his power where betwixt them was performed a most bloody fight till at last Sir Robert was taken with Sir Thomas Deland and others whereat the Lincolnshire men were so terrified that casting off their Coates they all ranne away in regard whereof this battell to this day is called the battell of Loscoat field wherein were slaine ten thousand men at the least after which victory the King commanded VVels with many other of note to be put to death as the chiefe causers of these dangerous Commotions 41 This vntimely conflict and vnfortunate ouerthrow made Clarence and VVarwicke at their wits end who vnprouided to field against Edward gaue way to necessity and from Dartmouth in Deuonshire embarked themselues and wiues for France both to instigate king Lewis no friend vnto Edward and to secure themselues in Callis whereof VVarwick was captaine till fortune had changed the hand of her play These crossing the Seas cast Anchor before the Towne of Callis and gaue notice they were ready to land but the Lord Vawclere a Gascoigne whom VVarwicke had substituted his deputie discharged diuers peeces of Ordinance against them and sent word flatlie they should not come there meane while the Dutches of Clarence fell in trauell and was there on Shippe-board deliuered of a faire sonne which Child the Earles deputie would scarcely suffer to be baptized in the Towne nor without great entreaty permit two flagons of wine to be conueyd aboard to the Ladies lying in the hauen For which his good seruice King Edward by his letters Patents made Vawclere chiefe Captaine of Callis and discharged the Earle as a Traitor or Rebell against him 42 Charles Duke of Burgundie being then at S. Omers owing Earle Warwicke an old grudge for gainestanding his marriage thought now a fit time to requite the discourtesie and therefore sent many thankes vnto Vawcler with promise of a thousand Crownes pension by yeere if he stood firme for his wiues brother King Edward himselfe laying the Coast to impeach his arriuage But how Mounsieur Vawclere stood affected whatsoeuer shew he made Comines the French Kings Historian doth tell who sent Warwicke word the danger he stood in of the said Duke and of Duras the Kings Admirall so as to land would be his finall confusion His Counsell therefore was that he should make into France vnto whose King he should be most welcome and as for the town of Callis he willed him to take no thought but promised to make him a good reckoning thereof when time should best serue Whereupon the Earle waied anker for Normandy and in his way tooke many rich Ships of the Duke of Burgundies subiects which netled him not a little but yet found no docke to rub out the smart 43 King Lewis hearing of the arriuage of Warwicke and knowing his troubles to arise for his Ambassage to Bona and faith vnto France sent certaine Princes to conduct him to the Castle of Amboys where a supply was made against all necessities and himselfe and traine most honorablie intertained whereat the Duke of Burgundy sore repined and sent Lewis word that he disliked his doings with threats of reuenge if he aided him against his wiues brother This notwithstanding the French King gaue all comforts to these fugitues and prepared his assistance for their restorations and the raising againe of godly King Henrie 44 Queene Margaret hauing fled England and soiourning in France with her Father Reiner a King in name but scarcely able to beare the State of an Earle saw now the Iron hot and ready to be strucke therefore with her sonne Prince Edward Iohn Earle of Oxford and Iasper Earle of Pembrooke who latelie had escaped out of prison in England came vnto Amboyse where by meanes of the French King a combination of Alliance was confirmed betwixt the Prince of Wales young Edward and Anne the second daughter to the Earle of Warwicke then present with her mother and sister in France That King Henry should be againe restored the Duke of Clarence and the Earle tooke a solemne Oath neuer to desist whiles they had power and in the nonage of the Prince they iointly were to be deputed his Protectors and the Lands sole Gouernors 45 Edward in England hearing what Queen Margaret his brother Clarence stout Warwicke in the French Court had done was strucke into a sodaine dumpe being as doubtfull of friends as fearefull of foes and therefore such as were alied to the Lancastrians or fauourits of the down-cast K. Henrie he began somewhat roughly to deale with many therefore that were guilty daily tooke Sanctuarie or yeelded themselues to his mercie among whom Iohn Marques Montacute brother to Warwicke was one who with fairest words of promises was receiued into fauor and vpon whose example many others came in which notwithstanding meant to stand out if occasion should serue But no busier was Edward to keepe the Crowne on his head then these Lords in France were resolute to strike it off in midst of whose consultations behold how it happened 46 There came from England to Calleis
world with his feete forward as men be borne outward and as the fame runneth also not vnâ—…oothed Whether men of hatred report aboue the truth or else that nature changed her Course in his beginning which in the course of his life many things vnnaturally committed 6 No euill Captaine was he in the warre as to which his disposition was more inclined then for peace sundry victories he had and sometimes ouer-throwes but neuer in default as for his owne person either of hardines or politike order free was he of his dispence and somewhat aboue his power liberall with large gifts he gate him vnstedfast friendship for which he was forced to pill and pole in other places which gate him stedfast hatred He was close and secret a deepe dissembler lowly oâ—…countenance arrogant of heart outwardly familiar where euen now he hated and not letting to kisse whom he thought to kill despiâ—…efull and cruell he was not for euill-will alwaies but oftner for ambition and either for the surety or increase of his estate Friend and foe was much what indifferent where his aduantage grew he spared no mans death whose life withstood his purpose He slew with his own hands King Henrie the sixth being Prisoner in the Tower as men constantlie said and that without commandement or knowledge of the King who vndoubtedly if he had intended his death would haue appointed that butcherly office to some other then his owne brother 7 Some wise â—…en also iudge that his drift couertly conueied lacked not in helping forth his brother Clarence to his death which he resisted openly howbeit somewhat as men deemed more faintly then he that was hartily minded to his wealth And they that thus iudge thinke that long time in K. Edwards life he forcast to be king in case that his brother whose life he looked that euill diet should shorten should happen to decease as indeed he did while his children were young And they deeme that for this intent he was glad of the Duke of Clarence death whose life must needes haue hindered him so intending being his elder brother whether the same Duke had kept him true to his Nephew the young king or enterprized to be king himselfe But of all this point there is no certainty and who so diuineth vpon coniectures may aswell shoote too farre as too short Howbeit this haue I by credible information learned that the same night in which king Edward died one Mistlebroke long ere morning came in great haste to the house of one Pottier dwelling in Red Crosse street without Creeple-gate in London and when he with hasty rapping quickly was let in he shewed vnto Pottier that K. Edward was departed By my troth man quoth Pottier then will my Master the Duke of Gloucester be king what cause he had so to thinke hard it is to say whether being toward him knew any such thing intended or otherwise had any inkling thereof for it was not likely that he spake it of no ground 8 But now to return to the course of this History were it that the Duke of Glocester had of old foreminded this conclusion was now thereunto moued put in hope by the occasion of the tender age of the yong Princes his Nephewes as oportunity likelihood of speed putteth a man in courage of that he neuer intended certaine it is that he contriued their destruction with the vsurpation of the regall dignitie vpon himselfe and forasmuch as he well wist and holp to maintaine a long continued grudge and hartburning betweene the Queenes kindred and the Kings blood either part enuying others authority he now thought their diuisions should be as it was indeed a forward beginning to the pursuite of his intent and a sure ground for the foundation of all his building if he might first vnder the pretext of reuenging old displeasure abuse the anger and ignorance of the one party to the destruction of the other and then winne to his purpose as many as he could and those that could not be wonne might be lost before they were aware for of one thing was he certaine that if his intent were perceiued he should soone haue made peace between both the parties with his owne blood 9 King Edward in his life albeit that this dissention betweene his friends somewhat greeued him yet in his good health he somewhat lesse regarded it because he thought whatsoeuer busines should fall betweene them himselfe should alwaies be able to rule both the parties But in his last sicknes when he perceiued his naturall strength so sore infeebled that he dispaired all recouerie then considering the youth of his Children albeit he nothing lesse mistrusted then that that happened yet well fore-seeing how many harmes might grow by their debate while the youth of his children should lacke discretion of themselues and good Counsell of their friends of which either party should counsell for their owne commodity and the rather by pleasant aduise to winne themselues fauour then by profitable aduertisements to doe his children good hee called some of them before him that were at variance and in speciall the Lord Marquesse Dorset the Queenes sonne by her first husband and William Lord Hastings a noble-man then Lord Chamberlaine against whom thâ—… Queene especially grudged for the great fauor the King bare him and also for that shee thought him secretly familiar with the King in wanton company Her kindred also bare him sore aswell for that the King had made him Captaine of Callis which office the Lord Riuers brother to the Queene claimed of the Kings former promise as for diuers other great gifts which he receiued that they looked for These were the grudges which the king on his death bed sought to remoue and they in shew seemed to cancell as we haue said though the sparks of these displeasures burst afterward into a dangerous flame which consumed most of them as afterward shall appeare 10 For assoone as the King was departed this life his sonne Prince Edward drew towards London from Ludlow in Wales which Countrey being farre off from the law and recourse to iustice was become to be farre out of Order and growne wilde Robbers Rouers walking at liberty vncorrected for which cause this Prince in the life time of his father was sent thither to the end that the authority of his presence should refraine euill disposed persons from the boldenes of their former outrages To the gouernance and ordering of this young Prince at his sending thither was there appointed Sir Anthonie Wooduill Lord Riuers and brother vnto the Queene a right honorable man as valiant of hand as politick in Counsell adioined were there vnto him others of the same partie and in effect euery one as he was neerest of kin vnto the Queene so was he planted next about the Prince 11 That drift of the Queene not vnwisely deuised whereby her blood might of youth be rooted in the
and Iohn Gilford Knights Foge Scot Clifford and Bonting with fiue thousand men attempted great matters at Grauesend but hearing of the Duke of Buckinghams surprise dispersed themselues for that time But when King Richard perceiued how hee was euery where beset he sent one Thomas Hutton vnto Francis Duke of Britaine with proffers of gold to circumuent and imprison Earle Henry who as hee feared was too well friended in those forraine parts which thing indeed this Hutton well perceiued and so to the King reported that the Duke was nothing forward to bite at this baite whereupon those that lately fled England were indited of treason and other of Henries factions beheaded whereof Sir George Browne and Sir Roger Clifford Knights with foure others were beheaded at London and at Exceter for the like cause dyed Sir Thomas Sentleger who had married Lady Anne Dutchesse of Excester King Richards own sister with others so icalous was the King of his vsurped Crowne and that nothing should be laide to vnprouident foresight the coasts hee stored with Armies of men furnished the Ports with store of Prouision and made all things ready to withstand Earle Henries arriuall Who now hauing gotten aide of fiue thousand Britaines with forty vessels wel furnished set saile from thence the twelfth of October but was taken with so terrible a tempest that his Fleet was disparkled some into Normandy and some compelled to returne into Britaine only the Earles ship with one other hept the Seas being sore tossed all night and in the morning arriued in the mouth of Poole in the County of Dorset where hee might behold the Shore full of men shining in armour to his great amasement whereupon hee sent out his shippe-boat to know whether they were friends or enemies their answere was that they were thither appointed by the Duke of Buckinghm to attend the comming of the Earle of Richmund to conduct him in safety to the Duke who lay encamped not far off that so ioyning their forces they might prosecute Richard the vsurper who being in a maner destitute of men was sore distracted and desperate in his owne designes These smooth vntruthes notwithstanding Earle Henry auoided and with a forward gale returned to Normandy whence he sent Messengers vnto young Charles King of France whose father King Lewis was lately departed this life to haue his safe conduct to returne into Britaine which easily was granted with fauourable complements returned to the Earle Lord Henry thus crossed by sea had present news of Buckinghams surprise and death with the flight of the Nobles escaped from Richard who meeting with Richmund in Britaine fell forthwith into Counsell where first it was determined that Earle Henry should take his oath to espouse the Lady Elizabeth eldest daughter vnto King Edward and the immediate heire to the Crowne which hee solemnly did in the Church at Rhedon and they for their parts sware vnto him fealty doing him homage with no lesse respect then vnto their sole and crowned King 37 Of these proceedings King Richard soone heard which indeed greatly appaled his thoughâ—… and all pensiue and sad he returned out of the West towards London where to cut off the hopes of Richmunds further claime hee caused a Parliament to be assembled at Westminster and therein attainted the said Earle Henry himselfe and all such as had fled the land in his behalfe enacting them enemies to their naturall Country their goods to be confiscated and all their lands and possessions to be seised vpon to the Kings vse which was so forwarded by his lewd Counsellors and so executed by his fawning followers that some better affected set forth the present and oppressed estate in these scoffing rimes to their further disgrace diuulging their names in manner as followeth The cat the rat and Louell the dogge Rule all England vnder a hogge Alluding to the names of Ratcliffe the Kings mischieuous Minion and of Catesby his secret traducer and to the Kings cognizance which was the Boare for which William Collingborne Esquier who had been Shiriffe of Wiltshire and Dorsetshire was condemned and vpon the Tower hill executed with al extremity 38 King Richards state standing in dangers abroad and not altogether free from conspiracies at hoâ—…e hee thought it best policy to enter amitie with Scotland which hee did for the terme of three yeeres and the more firme to assure himselfe of that King hee intreated a marriage betwixt the Duke of Rothsay the kings eldest sonne and the Lady de la Pole daughter to Iohn Duke of Suffolke and to the Dutchesse Elizabeth king Richards owne sister whom hee so much fauoured as that after the death of his owne sonne he proclaimed Iohn Earle of Lincolne her sonne and his Nephew heire apparant to the Crowne of England disinheriting King Edwards daughters whose brothers hee had before murdered 39 His feares nothing lessened but rather daily increased he attempted once more to stop the Currunt which led to the spring to which end he sent his Ambassadours loaden with gold and many gay promises vnto Francis Duke of Britaine offring to giue him all Richmâ—…nds lands and yeerely reuenues if he would either send the said Earle into England or commit him there vnto prison These comming to the Dukes Court could haue no communication with him he lying extremely sicke and his wits too weake to entertaine discourse Whereupon Peter Landose his Treasurer a man pregnant in wit and of great authority tooke the motion into hand vnto whom the English Ambassadors promised all the Earles Reuenews if he could bring King Richards request to passe He greedy of gaine and being in place to doe what he would promised to effect it conditionally that King Richard would make good his offer Thus whilest messengers posted betwixt Peter and Richard Iohn Bishop of Elie being then in Flaunders was certified by Christopher Vrswicke of all the circumstances of this purpose whereupon the Bishop with all possible hast sent the same intelligence the same day and by the same man vnto Earle Henry in Britain willing him to shift himself and followers into France who forthwith sent Vrswick vnto King Charles to haue his licence that he might with his good liking come into his dominions which being obtained he caused the other Lords vnder pretence to visite the sicke Duke to escape into Aniou and two daies after changing his Apparrell with his seruant waited vpon him as vpon his Master and posted thence into France whose escape when the Treasurer heard of he sent after to apprehend him and that in such hast as at his entrance into the French dominions they were hard at his heeles 40 This suddaine flight of the Earle and of the other English Lords the Duke of Britaine being somwhat recouered of his dangerous sicknes tooke very greeuously imputing it a great dishonour vnto himselfe to suffer the least suspect of breach betwixt
BRITANNIA A ROMANE A SAXON A DANE A NORMAN THE HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAINE Under the Conquests of the ROMANS SAXONS DANES and NORMANS Their Originals Manners Warres Coines Seales with the Successions Lives acts Issues of the English Monarchs from IULIUS CAESAR to our most gracious Soueraigne King IAMES by IOHN SPEED IMPRINTED AT LONDON Anno Cum Privilegio 1611 And are to be solde by Iohn Sudbury Georg Humble in Popes head alley at the signe of the white Horse THE PROEME TO THE LEARNED AND LOVERS OF GREAT BRITAINES GLORY HAuing thus farre trauelled in the protract and description of this famous Empire of GREAT BRITAINE I might here haue rested and claimed the priuiledge that yeeres and imbecillitie haue brought me vnto had not a further desire in others â—…ged it a matter incident historically to lay downe the originals of those Nations and successions of those Monarchs which either by birth or conquest haue aspired to the Imperiall Crowne And albeit I finde my selfe both tired in the former and most vnfit to prosecute this latter yet will I endeuour to giue herein my best assayes though as my labours so my wants also thereby will be made more vulgar to the world For if those men were blame-worthy against whom Heraclite exclaimeth who with long toile and great trouble finde a little pure substance in a great deale of base earth how shall I then free me from the like imputatioâ—… that from so many mines of pure mettals haue gotten so little Oare and the same neither well tried in my defectiue fornace nor yet artificially cast off through the default of the mould wanting both skil for to fashion and measure to performe the true proportions that in such a proiect is to be required and how often these my defects haue disswaded my proceedings is best knowne to him that is the searcher of the heart But by what fate I am inforced still to goe forward I know not vnlesse it be the ardent affection and loue to my natiue Countrey wherein I must confesse that Nature in those gifts hath bene both liberall yea and prodigall though Fortune as sparing fast-handed against me euer checking the Bit with the Raines of necessity and curbing the meanes that should illustrate my labours which moues me sometimes to thinke that if the great Philosopher Theophrastus had cause on his death-bed to accuse Nature for giuing man so long a lesson and so short a life then I against Fortune may as iustly exclaime that hath assigned me so great a labour and so little meanes And therefore let it not seeme offensiue that I draw my waters from the Cesterns of others who am not able to fetch them at the spring-head my selfe Neither that I strike vpon the same Anuile vnto their sound though nothing so loud nor with the like strength wherein yet this fruit at least wil I hope redound of my endeuours that I shall incite the more learned if not otherwise yet in emulation of me to free the face drawne by Apelles from the censure of the fault or defect in the foot and not onely to amend but euen to new-mould the whole Which thing though my dayes are neere spent and with Barzillai I may say that musicke to me is now vnpleasing yet doth my eare thirst after the set of that straine as Socrates thoughts ranne euer on his Booke who the night before he was to suffer death was desirous to learne musicke because he would die learning still something Moses when he foresaw the destruction of his Common-wealth which whilst it stood was the glory of the earth and a paterne to all kingdomes succeeding left this for a Law among the rest and euen to remaine for euer that the fathers should teach their children and should commit vnto writing those things which the Lord in their dayes had done and enioyned the children Likewise to enquire of the times that were past euen from the first creation of man For when as Empires and Kingdomes Common weales and Cities do end and perish yet the Histories thereof do remaine and liue And that made Cicero to say as he did that Salamina should be vtterly forgotten before the things that were done in Salamina should perish And therefore as among the wise answeres of Thales the Histories of Countreis are to be accounted for principals either as Cicero calleth them the Mistres of life and expositions of Times so likewise let vs from the lyricall Poet Simonides learne this further That he is perfectly happy which knowes his natiue countrey to be truly glorious And as Cassidorâ—… calls him a worthy Citizen that seeketh the commodity of his countrey So contrariwise he is by Bale esteemed but a fruitles clod of earth that sucks the sappe of his soile onely to himselfe whose memoriall shall perish as the dispersed smoake in the clouds though for a time he mount aloft in his swelling pride This naturall loue and true affection to our natiue Countrey we may further learne from the ancient Patriarks and Fathers themselues who besides a desire that they had to theirs continually to liue therein during life commanded their bodies to be buried therein after death from whose Bowels they first had assumed their breathes and in whose bosome they layd their bones as in their last bed of rest Yea of the vnreasonable creatures the Birds and Beasts we may learne this loue that alwayes are willing towards their home And if it happen that Countreys grow vnkinde as Homers did that in his old age and blind suffred him to beg his bread or that a Prophet in his owne countrey is not esteemed as Ieremy felt it and CHRIST IESVS taught yet did the one for his peoples captiuity wish his eyes a fountaine of teares and the other for his countreys destruction lamented and wept holding it vnlawfull to take the childrens bread and to giue it vnto others That this our Countrey and subiect of History deserueth the loue of her inhabitants is witnessed euen by forraine writers themselues who haue termed it the Court of Queene Ceres the Granary of the Westerne world the fortunate Island the Paradise of pleasure and Garden of God whose Typographicall descriptions for the whole Iland and Geographical surueyes for the seuerall parts exceed any other kingdome vnder the cope of Heauen that onely excepted which was conquered and diuided by Iosuah And for fruitfulnes and temperature may be accounted another Canaan watered with riuers that doe cleaue the earth as the Prophet speaketh and make the land as rich and beautiful as was that of Aegypt Our Kings for valour and Sanctity ranked with the worthiest in the world and our Nations originals conquests and continuance tried by the touch of the best humane testimonies leaue as faire a Lustre vpon the same stone as doeth any other and with any nation may easily contend saith Lanquet both
not learned the truth of things indeed he admitteth without discretion and iudgement the vanitie and vntruths of fables I forbeare to speake saith he what great matters this fellow hath forged of the Britaines acts before the Empire and comming in of Caesar. Thus farre Paruus But I know the answer to this so great an accusation namely that this William making suit vnto Dauid ap Owen Gwyneth Prince of North-wales for the Bishoprick of Saint Assaphs after the death of Geffrey and thereof failing falsly scandalized and impudently belied that most reuerend man Which surely had been a great fault and might of vs be beleeued had not others of the same ranke and time verified asmuch 17 For Syluester Giraldus commonly called Cambrensis that flourished in the same time with the said author made no doubt to terme it The fabulous story of Geffrey The like is verified by Iohn Weathamstead Abbat of Saint Albanes a most iudicious man that wrote in anno 1440. who in his Granarie giueth sentence of this history as followeth The whole discourse of Brutus saith he is rather poeticall then historicall and for diuers reasons is built more vpon opinion then truth first because there is no mention thereof made in the Romane story either of his killing his father or of the said birth or yet of banishing the sonne Secondly for that Ascanius begat no such sonne who had for his proper name Syluius by any approued Author for according to them he begat only one sonne and his name was Iulius from whom the family of the Iulii tooke their beginning And thirdly Syluius Posthumus whom perhaps Geffrey meaneth was the sonne of Aeneas by his wife Lauinia and he begetting his sonne Aeneas in the thirty eighth yeer of his raigne ended his life by course of naturall death The kingdome therfore now called England was not heretofore as many will haue named Britaine of Brutus the sonne of Syluius Wherefore it is a vaine opinion and ridiculous to challenge noble blood and yet to want a probable ground of the challenge for it is manhood only that enobleth a nation and it is the mind also with perfect vnderstanding and nothing els that gaineth gentility to a man And therefore Seneca writeth in his Epistles to Plato that there is no King but he came from vassals and no vassall but he came from Kings Wherefore to conclude let this suffice saith he that the Britaine 's from the beginning of their nobility haue been couragious and valiant in fight that they haue subdued their enemies on euery side and that they vtterly refuse the yoke of seruitude 18 Now that William of Newborough had sufficient cause say some to exclaime against the fantacies of Merline and the fictions of Arthur is made manifest in the sequel not only by the decree of that obtruded Councell of Trent wherein was inhibited the publication of Merlines books but also in effect by the statute enacted the fifth yeere of our last deceased Queene Elizabeth of blessed and immortall memorie wherein is forbidden such fantasticall predictions vpon occasions of Armes Fields Beasts Badges Cognizances or Signets such as Merline stood most vpon and likewise William of Malmsbury saith that Arthur being the only proppe that vpheld his country deserued rather to be aduanced by truth then abused with fables wherewith that story is most plentifully stored And also that Weathamstead had reason to account Brutes acts and conquests to be rather poeticall then any waies warranted by the records of truth appeareth by the silence of the Romane writers therein who name neither Brute nor his father in the genealogie of the Latine Kings and if any such were saith the contradictors how could they be ignorant of the vntimely death of their king slaine by the hand of his naturall though in this act vnnaturall sonne or what should moue them being so lauish in their own commendations to be thus silent in their Brutes worthinesse that with seuen thousand dispersed Troians warred so victoriously in Gallia conquered a kingdome of Giants subdued a most famous Iland raigned gloriously and left the same to his posterity none of them either in prose or poetry once handled but left to destiny to be preserued by a long ensuing meanes or to perish in obliuion for euer And surely this moued the whole senate of great Clerks to giue sentence that neuer any such Brute raigned in the world such as were Boccace Viues Hadrian Iunius Polydore Buchanan Vignier Genebrard Molinaeus Bodine and others 19 Yea and there are some Criticks that faine would take aduantage from the defenders of Brutes history themselues as from Sir Iohn Prys that produceth many vncertaine ensamples of the originall of other nations which granted say they doth no waies confirme the truth or certainty of our owne neither is it any honour to deriue these Britaines from the scumme of such conquered people as the Troians were Humfrey Lhuyd likewise denying absolutely the deriuation of the Britaines name from Brute and bringing it from two compounded words as we haue said doth thereby weaken the credit of his conquest of this Iland to their vnderstanding as also the catalogue of his successors which are said to raigne successiuely for many hundred of yeeres after him And another industrious British writer hauing the helpe of two most ancient British copies the collections of Caradock of Carnaruan their owne Bardies euery third-yeeres visitation and twenty seuen authors of good account all of them cited in the preface of his Chronicle besides his helps had in the offices of records for this realme yet ascending no higher then to the person of Cadwallader Prince of Wales whose raign was in the yeere of Christs incarnation 682. and no lesse then one thousand seuen hundred twenty and sixe yeeres after that Brute is said to come into this Iland doth not warrant say they the story that is included betwixt but rather euen the same is enterlaced with many doubtfull vncertainties and so left disputable by the said compiler himselfe as namely whether that this Cadwallader whom the Britaines claime to be their king be not the same Chedwald whom the Saxons would haue theirs both liuing at one time both in acts alike and names neere both abandoning their kingdomes both taking the habit of religion both dying in Rome both buried in one Church nay say they in one Sepulchre The like he bringeth of the Britaines Iuor and the Saxons Iue in the like coherences of names acts deuotions and deaths so that this history of Brute carieth not so smooth a current for passage as is wished nor is that Gordeons knot so easily vnloosed Againe the Reformer of the British history himselfe although he hath written one whole chapter in defence of Geffrey Monmouth and straineth to make his booke authenticall complaining often and accusing learned and vnpartiall Cambden seuerall
of God and Heauens you only know Or only erre therein Where shady woods doe grow There you repose and teach that Soules immortall be Nor silent Erebus nor Plutoes Hall shall see And if your Sawes be sooth Death is no finall dome But only Mid-way twixt life past and life to come Braue Britain bloods perdilwarmd with this happy error Death greatest feare of feares amates the with no terror Hence t' is they manly rush on pikes and griesly death And scorne base minds that stick to sped reuiuing breath 9 These Britaines being meerly barbarous as most of the Western parts of the world then were liued priuately to themselues with scarce any commerce or entercourse with any other nation neither indeed were much known to forraine people for a long time For the first notice of them extant was by Polybius the Greek writer that accompanied Scipio in his warres about the yeere of the worlds creation 3720. and two hundred and nine before the birth of our Sauiour Christ. Which Author nameth their Iland to be plenteously stored with Tynne but of other things therin is silent saying that al those parts which lay betwixt Tanais and Narbor bending Northward in his daies were vnknown and vncertaine and therefore the reporters of them he held as dreamers So doth Master Cambden another Polybius no way his inferior account it a prodigall humor of credulity to be perswaded that Himilco from the state of Carthage sent to discouer the coasts of Europe in the said expedition entred this Iland or that Hannibal should war in this Iland because Polybius in the Eclogues of his tenth booke saith that he was inclosed within the streits of Britaine which place is mistaken for the Brutij in Italy or that Alexander came from the East Indians to Gades and from thence into Britaine though Cedrenus say so seeing all other writers are against it or that Vlysses ancient enough if he be that Elishah the sonne of Iauan the fourth sonne of Iapheth should visit Britaine in his trauels whereof Brodaeus maketh doubt though Solinus report that an Altar in Caledonia was erected and Vlysses in Greeke letters thereon inscribed Which might very well be for who doubteth but that the Greekes in their vaine deuotions did both build and sacrifice vnto their Gods which they made of their worthiest men and sith Vlysses in regard of his farre sea-trauels was had in speciall account among all nauigators why might not such monuments be reared and his name inscribed as farre as the Grecians trauelled though his person neuer came there And if the Romanes at whose greatnesse the whole world trembled were so lately known in those ancient times as that neither Thucydides nor Herodotus made mention of them yea and with much adoe at last were heard of by the Grecians themselues as Iosephus affirmeth And if the Gaules and Spaniards inhabitants in the continent for many yeeres together were vtterly vnknowen to the worlds historiographers shall we then thinke that this remote Iland and people then far from ciuility were noted foorth with markes of more certainty surely to my seeming nothing lesse seing that their next neighbours the Gaules knew not so much as what manner of men they were none resorting thither except some few merchants and they no further then vpon the sea coasts neither able to describe the bignesle of the Iland the puissance of the inhabitants their order for war the lawes that they vsed the customes of the people nor their hauens for the receit of ships all which Caesar by diligent inquiry sought after but could find no satisfaction till he had sent some purposely to search it out 10 Neither is this their want of knowledge to bee wondred at seeing the entercourse of their trafficke was vpheld by so meane commodities for Strabo saith that their merchandizing chiefly consisted in Iuory Boxes Sheeres Onches Bits and Bridles Wreaths Chains with other conceits made of Amber and Glasse for which notwithstanding they were compelled to pay customes and imposts vnto Oct auian Augustus as elsewhere shall be shewed 11 And as their commodities were very mean so were their meanes either for exportation or importation very slender in those times I meane their shipping It is true that some are of opinion that Ships were first inuented in these our Seas but that this should be true I haue cause to doubt that Art being long before inspired by God himselfe into the heart of Noah for making the Arke and no doubt practised by that paterne of many others But that the ancient Britaines had ships of reasonable vse though of simple Art Cesar testifieth saying that the keeles and ribs of their ships were of light wood and couered ouer with leather which kinde the now Britaine 's call Corraghs and with them saith Polyhistor they did saile betwixt Britannie and Ireland which sea for roughnesse and danger may bee compared with any other whatsoeuer though the bulke of their vessels were but of some flexible wood couered with the hides of Bufflles and as long as they were sailing so long did they abstaine from meat whereby it seemeth they neuer sailed any great iourneys And of this their shipping Pliny also speaketh and Lucan singeth thus Primùm cana salix madefacto vimine paruam Texitur in puppim caesoque induta iuuenco Vector is patiens tumidum super emicat amnem Sic Venetus stagnante Pado fusoque Britannus Nauigat Oceano At first of hoary sallowes wreathed boughs the ships Small bulke is trimly twist and clad in bullocks hide Then patient to be rul'd on swelling wanes she skips Thus on the spacious Poe the Venice Merchants glide And Britaine Pilots saile on surge of Ocean wide But after-times brought the Britaines to more exquisite skill in nauall affaires insomuch as the royall Nauie of this Kingdome hath beene reputed and so is at this day not only the inuincible walles of our owne but the incredible terror of al other Kingdoms which haue or shall enuy our happie peace and the aduentures likewise of Merchants and the skill of our Seamen hath left no corner of the world vnsearcht 12 And their trafficke amongst themselues was not of much worth in that as Cesar saith the Coines which they had were either of brasse or else iron rings sized at a certaine waight which they vsed for their monies Of which kind some haue auerred they haue seene found and lately taken vp in little cruses or pitchers of earth But as times grew more ciuill and trafficke more frequent they shortly after stamped both siluer and gold and thereon the faces of their Kings euen in the daies of Iulius Caesar who was the first that had his owne stampt on the Romane Coynes Many of these are amongst vs remaining whereof I haue inserted some few as in their due places shall follow which I receiued from the liberall hand of that most
the space of three and twenty yeeres with no better liking then is read of Ioram King of Iudah that liued without being desired hee was smoothered to death as is thought by Caligula the seuenteenth of the Kalends of April the yeere from Christs Natiuitie thirty nine and the seuenty and eighth of his owne age He was of personage tall and of body strong broad chested and vsed both his hands alike faire of complexion but great and goggle-eied whereby he saw so cleerely as is incredible to report CAIVS CALIGVLA CHAPTER V. himselfe feared by Tyrannie at home then any waies famous by Acts abroad 2 How the other Prouinces stood affected I leaue to themselues but by Tacitus it should seeme the Britaines and Germans were not his best subiects for these are his words that Caius had a meaning to inuade Britaine it is certainly knowen but his rash running head and hasty repentance in his attempts against Germany turned all to nothing And Suetonius ascribes the foolish erection of that admirable bridge ouer a creeke of the Sea in Campania whereof Dion writeth at large to his vaine-glorious conceit that by a brute blazed abroad of so huge and monstrous a worke he might terrifie Germanie and Britaine vpon which Countries he meant to make warre The issue whereof was as fruitlesse as his great cost was ridiculous For hauing set forward for the conquest of Britaine with no small preparation he proceeded no further then to those parts of Holland that confront against Northfolke where hee suddenly pitched his tents and staied 3 At which time Adminius the sonne of Cunobelin King of Britaine being banished by his father fled ouer Sea with a small power and submitted himselfe vnto Caesars protection wherupon Caligula wrote vaunting letters to the Senate as if the whole Iland had beene yeelded into his hands commanding the messenger that his letters should be carried in a Chariot into the Curia and not deliuered but in the Temple of Mars and that in a frequent and full assemblie of the Senate And hauing no further matter to worke vpon hee caused certaine Germane prisoners secretly to bee conueied into a wood and word to bee brought him in great feare and amazement of the sudden approch of the enemie against whom with shew of great manhood and noble resolution in all haste and warlike manner he marched and in chaines openly shewed them as his captiues taken in warre sorbidding the Senators the wonted celebration of their Feasts or to enter their Theaters to take solace seeing their Caesar exposed himselfe to so many perils and fought so great battles with hazard of his life Last of all as if he had meant to make a finall dispatch for euer of the warre hee drew his forces downe to the Sea-coast of Belgia and embattailed his army vpon the Ocean shoare planting his balists and other Engines of artillerie in their seuerall places no man witting what hee meant which done himselfe in a Galley launched into the Sea and immediately returning caused the Trumpets to sound the battle and commanded his Souldiers forthwith to fall a gathering of cockles and muscles into their helmets terming them the Spoiles of the conquered Ocean Against which hee also built a Tower as a Trophey of his victorie the ruines whereof as yet remaine in Holland to this day and is called The Britons house in memorie of that fantasticall seruice vpon which exploit he made a glorious Oration to his souldiers commending and requiting their valours with rewards and auowing their shell-spoiles worthy offrings to be presented in the Capitoll writing letters to Rome of this his great Conquest and demanding Triumph and diuine honours to be assigned him which when the Senatours made some question of hee threatned them with death But this Sea-seruice as it seemeth so ranne euer after in his minde that one night hee dreampt that the Sea in dreadfull shape came and expostulated with him which cast him into an incredible horrour and affright 4 In his last yeere of life and raigne Pontius Pilate vnder whom Christ Iesus suffered was apprehended and accused at Rome deposed and banished to the Towne of Lions in France where in despaire he slew himselfe in the yeere from Christ his incarnation forty one and from his death the seuenth as Eusebius hath noted 5 And now both the Ambition and crueltie of Caius was growen so intolerably sauage as that he often lamented that some rare and vnusuall disaster as either some horrible slaughter of huge Armies or some vniuersall plague or famine or fire or opening of the earth or ouer-flowing of the Sea happened not in his time whereby his raigne might be made memorable to posteritie And hee wished that all the people of Rome had but one necke that he might haue the glorie of giuing the brauest blow that euer was giuen whereby so infinite multitudes of men might be killed by him at one stroke But this his wish was preuented by a blow on himselfe his death and downefall being complotted and executed by certain Tribunes whereof Chaerea was chiefe who following him from the Theater with resolution for the fact tooke the time when Caligula turning suddenly aside into a narrow Cloister to see certaine boies sent him out of Asia lost the defense of his fore-warders and the straitnesse of the place permitted not his guard to follow on which aduantage Chaerea demanded his watch-word which he according to his vsuall manner gaue in great disdaine and scorne whereunto Chaerea replied and with his sword wounded him in the necke and iaw and then the rest of the Conspirators comming in with thirty wounds made an end of his life after hee had most impiously raigned three yeeres and tenne moneths 6 He was of stature tall of complexion pale and wan of body somewhat grosse and vnfashionable his necke and legges exceedingly slender his eies sunke into the hollow temples of his forehead and that also frowning and full of wrinkles his haire was thin and shaggie but bald on the crowne though otherwise so hairie of bodie that all the time of his raigne if a man did but name a Goat it was held a touch and offense of Lasae Maiestatis against his imperiall person His Countenance naturally sterne and grimme which by composing and gesture he purposely made more vgly and terrible His apparell alwaies costly but not alwaies Court-like neither ciuill his beard hee wore of gold like Iupiter or Aesculapius In his hand for a Scepter a Mace three-tined as Neptune or God of the Sea and vpon his body the Curace of Alexander the Great taken from his Sepulchre and Monument Hee died aged twenty nine yeeres whose memory was so hatefull vnto all that all the Copper Coines or Modals stamped with his picture were melted downe by decree of the Senate whereby if it were possible his name and feature might be
daughters his heire by Will thinking by that flatterie his kingdome and house had beene sufficiently warranted from future iniuries which fell out cleane otherwise for his kingdome of the Centurions and his house by slaues were spoiled as lawfull booties his wife whipped and his daâ—…hters deflowred and the chiefest in that Prouince dispossessed of their rightfull inheritance and the Kings kindred reputed and vsed as Slaues 11 Whereupon the Icenians began seriously to discourse of their present miseries and bondage made subiect not onely to a Lieutenant that sucked their blood but likewise to a Procurator that sought their substance while with a seruile feare they yeelded to please the meanest Souldier As though the Heauens had framed them onely for seruitude and the Earth appointed to beare their iniuries vnreuenged whereas contrariwise they saw both heauen earth flexible to their deliuerance For whether by policie or chance the Image of victorie at Camulodunum fell downe reuersed without any apparant cause knowne the women distempered with furie ranne in the streetes singing and prophecying destructions strange noises were heard in the Court and howlings in the Theater and strange apparitions and Edifices seene in the Riuer Thamisis the Ocean it selfe betweene Gallia and them seemed all bloodie and the prints of dead bodies left in the sands at the Ebbe Againe waighing the present estate they saw Suetonius absent and busied to enlarge the Confines the midst but slenderly guarded and by those who were readier for priuate gaine then diligent to discharge the offices of warre The examples of other Prouinces also whetted the edge of their encouragements for Germany they saw had well shaken off the yoke of subiection The Parthians had reuolted and Armenia held play with Corbulo as famous as Paulinus Their cause was as iust their land as well defensed their ancestors as valiant in resisting the first Ring-leader Caesar and themselues better experienced of their aduersaries powers and theâ—…r owne abiliments So now hauing attained the hardest point which was their assembled Consultations a matter of as great danger to be taken with as in acting their intendments in fine this was resolued that libertie was to be preferred though bought with their liues and bondage to bee auoided if not otherwise then by their deaths 12 These their often and noted assemblies brought suspitions of some designements and the prodigies daily happening as they were motiues of encoragements vnto the Britaines So were they ominous signes to the Romanes of either part framed in their owne imaginations and construed according to their hoped or feared euents 13 The Confederates in this businesse were not to seeke their Leader their Queenes dishonours so apparantly knowne and for matter of gouernement they made no difference of Sexe her birth extracted from their Roiall blood her hearts affection approued to her Countrie her indignities receiued of the proud oppressors and her haughtie spirit threatning reuenge assured them of her vttermost endeuours which accordingly she effected to her dying day and to her neuer dying fame 14 The Romanes likewise prouided themselues and in the absence of Suetonius craued aide of Catus Dicianus the Procurator who sent them not aboue two hundred men and those but badly armed These ioining with the rest made no great power al of them relying more to the franchise of the place then securing themselues with Trench or Bulwarke And giuen ouer to pleasure and play as in the time of a publike peace Which aduantages by the Enemy were wisely espied and by boduo comming on as nobly pursued when with sword and fire she wasted all in her way the Temple onely excepted whereinto part of the Souldiers were fled but after two daies â—…iege it was battered and taken 15 In this heate of furie the Britaines proceede and meeting Petilius Cerealis Lieutenant of the ninth Legion on a hasty March to rescue that which was already lost they encounter his forces and slew all his footemen himselfe with his troope of Horse hardly escaping to his Campe where in great feare he entrenched not daring to attempt any further matter At notice of these mishaps Catus like a tall man tooke to his heeles and sailed into Gallia by whose crueltie and couetousnes the Britaines were thus enraged to take Armes and reuolt and their entrance thus fortunately proceeding gaue heart and hope to further successe 16 For in this heat of blood and furie they set vpon and sacked the free-towne Verolanium both strong for garrison and rich in Inhabitants which Citie as also Camulodunum had felt the rage of their mercilesse hands from whence great booties were carried and no lesse then seuentie thousand Citizens and Confederates slaine This commotion in Britaine by Suetonius Tranquillus is accounted one of the most infortunate losses to the Empire happening vnder Nero and the more ignominious to the Romanes as Dion obserueth in that is was performed vnder the command of a woman neither experienced in the feates of warre nor vsing the victory according to the Law of Armes for not any prisoner taken in regard of ransome was saued nor intercourse of exchange admitted but kill hang burne and crucifie as though the measure of their reuenge could neuer be sufficiently heaped or the wrath of their Gods satisfied with the blood of their Enemies 17 By this time Suetonius the Lieutenant was returned and taking muster of his forces in London a Citie euen tâ—…n famous for concourse of Merchants and of great renowne for prouision of all things nesary stood yet doubtfull whether hee should chuse that place for the Seat of warre or no. But better aduising dislodged his Host and with the fourteenth Legion the Standard-bearers of the twelfth and other aids from places adioining incamped vpon a plaine enclosed with woods hauing a narrow entrance and free from Ambush or enemie at his backe 18 The Britaine 's likewise inferiour neither in number nor courage triumphed abroad by such troupes and multitudes as the like had not beene seene yea and so fierce of courage and with such assurance of hope that they brought their wiues to the place to be witnesses of their valours Boduo in her Chariot doing the parts of a most noble Generall droue from troope to troope to see and commend their forwardnesse and dismounting attended with her two daughters and two hundred and thirty thousand resolute Britaines gat her to a seat made of marishturfes after the manner of the Romans apparelled in a loose gowne of changeable colours wearing a kirtle thereunder very thicke pleited the tresses of her yellow haire hanging downe to the skirts About her necke shee had a chaine of gold and in her hand held a light speare being of personage tall and of a comely cheerefull and modest countenance and so a while shee stood pawsing in viewing her Armie and being regarded with a reuerend silence at length to this effect she spake
most skilfull Musitian he was and in that Art sought to excell others and to equalize Apollo himselfe as also in his Chariot-riding to imitate the swiftnes of the Sunne So prodigall in apparell that he neuer wore one Garment twice so sumptuous in buildings as is vncredible He raigned thirteen yeares and eight daies and died the eight of Iune in the one and thirtieth of his age and after the birth of our Sauiour Christ the threescore and tenth as Eusebius doth account GALBA CHAPTER VIII WIth the death of this Tyrant ended the progeny of the Caesars and the Emperours succeeding were afterwards elected either for the opinion of their owne worths or els and that oftner by the faction and voice of the Souldiers whose violence the Senate euer feared to contradict and whose Colonies in euerie Prouince sought to raise their owne Generall to that high estate In which time of Combustion though little be recorded of the British affaires yet because the Monarchy of this Iland was then and long after inuested in the Imperiall dignitie we may not omit to speake somewhat of the ensuing Emperours as the chiefe Gouernours of this kingdome Vpon Neroes declining diuers there were as Vindex and Virginius Nymphidius and Sophonius set vp against him but Galba for his reputed integritie got the Garland from them all who little dreaming of the Imperiall Diademe fortune set it vpon his head before his hand had toucht the same for Vindex in Gallia hauing proclamed him Emperour and himselfe in Arragon not free from Neroes hatred hee sought rather to hazard his life with the Glorie of a Crowne then depend vpon his mercie who had sent secretly the sentence of his death And therefore mounting the Tribunall the more to impresse a fresh remembrance of former cruelties he placed before his throne the Images of certaine Nobles executed by Nero with some personages sent for out of exile whose presence might prouoke a deeper edge of hatred and his Army about him readie for mutation these or the like words he spake 2 My fellow Souldiers and friends wee at this time are assembled to bestow that vpon others which wee our selues haue smally enioied I meane libertie from bondage and freedome from feares of a Tyrant The life that I haue hitherto lead will sufficiently discharge me from any aspiring conceit and my owne Conscience doth witnesse that I speake not vpon malice or priuate respects It greeueth me to say but it bootes not to hide that which euerie man seeth Hath euer Bond-man vnder a cruell master passed a yeere of harder seruice then we haue done fourteene vnder Nero what kind of exaction hath he not proued to supply with extortion that which with shame hee hath spent what kinde of crueltie hath he not practised If we would conceale or seeke to suppresse it these dumb stones would declare them For behold he poisoned his Father and brother abused and slew his owne mother murdered his wife his Tutor and what els so euer valiant or vertuous in Senate in Citie in Prouince without any difference of Sexe or Age. I neede not to speake of the sorrowful sighes and bitter teares of so many yong gentlemen bereft of their fathers so many wiues robbed of their husbands so many great men depriued of their Country all which cry vengeance vpon such a Prince a Prince nay an Incendiarie a Singer a Fidler a Stage-plaier a Cart-driuer a Cryer no Prince nay no man that hath a man to his husband and a man to his wife but a monster of mankinde And in trueth a subiect vpon whom vice hath made her full experience and raised her triumphs from the base of Caesars throne Against whom what Vindex in France hath alreadie intended I am sure you doe know and I for my part am most sorrie to heare The whole course of my former life hath beene hitherto remoued from Ambition in Court or from aiming too high abroad and this little that remaines of my daies I could hartily wish were to be spent in more ease But sith I know not by what my misfortune some haue imposed vpon me a Part which I neuer meant to sustaine and least of all at this age I will not refuse if you will also approue it to sacrifice this old Carcase of mine for the wealth of my Country not as Emperour or Augustus which sacred names I adore afarre off not daring to approch them but as And no further heard was with great acclamations saluted Emperour 3 But such is the height of glory which is raised by the blasts of the multitude that it fals againe as the bubble burst in the swelling which leaues neither circle nor signe of his former pride And so is the state of Galba with one breath applauded and placed vpon the Imperiall Throne and that scarce cold ere they dislike of their owne hastie election for newes being brought that the State stood firme for Nero and for certaine that Vindex in his quarrell was slaine euen in his first enterprise of reuolt that Virginius was sided by his Germane Legions and his name inscribed in their banners that Nymphidius was the man whose deserts could not be sufficiently honoured with lesse recompence then the princely Diademe These distractions so much ouer-swaied his aged and passionate heart that he retired to Clunia in great deiection repenting himselfe of that which hee had done and wished againe his priuate estate 4 But the death of Nero commonly diuulged and Virginius his refusals of the Imperiall Title gaue strength and life to his former election now further ratified by the full resolutions of the Armie who the more to seeme both strong and valorous though indeed a weake sickly and silly old man Souldier-like in his coat of Armes shewed himselfe and in that array passed the vast mountains for Rome With whose entrance entred the dislike of his person as one vnfit to support the state of others that by age and imbeciliitie was not able to sustaine his owne to which were added the imperfections of his gouernment carried euery way farre vnder expectation And long hee sate not before hee saw his owne defects to redresse which hee elected Piso Licinianus Caesar ioining him in power with himselfe and declaring him his Successor in a short and blunt Oration in presence both of the Senate and Souldiers 5 Whereat howsoeuer others stood affected yet Martus Saluius Otho one who for commerce in leaudnes was very deare to Nero and whose hope depended vpon the common disturbance for that his excesse in riot had now brought him to the brinke of beggery much enuied therat the rather because himselfe had entertained a hope that Galba would haue adopted him and therefore as his concurrent set his own aspiring mind for the Crown And euen now this time best fitted his attempts as being the wane of Galbaes authority and before the full of Pisoes power
learns to sing 8 It hath also passed with allowance among the learned Senate of our Antiquaries that when Claudius Nero began to banish and persecute the Christians in Rome whose superstitions as Tacitus pleaseth to tearme them from Iudea had infected the Citie it selfe many Romanes and Britaine 's being conuerted to the Faith fled thence vnto these remote parts of the earth where they might and did more freely enioy the libertie of their Professions vntill the search of Tyrants by the flame-light of Persecutions had found out all secret places for the safeties and assemblies of Gods Saints as after in the daies of Dioclesian we shall finde And from this Sanctuarie of Saluation the sad lamenting Lady * Pomponia Graecina the wife of Aulus Plautius the first Lord Lieutenant of Britaine brought that Religion whereof she was accused and stood indited vpon life and death which was none other then the Christian Profession seeing the same both by Tacitus and Suetonius is euerie where termed the strange superstitions and new kinde of Sect that the Christians imbraced and for which they were accounted vnworthy to liue 9 And much about these times as Beatus Rhenanus in his Historie of Germanie Pantaleon and others doe report one Suetonius a Noble mans sonne in Britaine conuerted to the Faith by the first Planters of the Gospell in this Iland and after his Baptisme called Beatus was sent by the Brethren from hence vnto Rome to be better instructed and further directed by Saint Peter himselfe and returning thorow Switzerland found such willingnesse and flocking of the people to heare and receiue the Doctrine of Christ that he there staied and built an Oratorie not farre from the lake Thun and neare the Towne called Vnderfewen wherein preaching and praiers he imploied his time to the day of his death which happened in the yeare of grace 110. And that there were Christians in Britain at these times I make no questioÌ„ thogh some exceptions may be taken against the Monk of Burton the reporter therof who saith in the 141 yeare and raigne of Hadrian nine masters of Grantcester were baptized themselues preached to others the Gospell in Britain howsoeuer he faileth in the Emperours name which yeare was the second of Antonins Pius his successor and ascribeth to these men Schoole-degrees altogether vnknowne for nine hundred yeares after yet these do not hinder the truth of the thing though that Monke was none of the best Historians It is reported also that Patricke the Irish Apostle and Canonized Saint long before the Raigne of King Lucius preached the Gospell in many places of Wales As also that Ninianus Bernicius of the race of the British Princes conuerted the Picts to the Religion of Christ. Vnto these aforesaid authorities and testimonies howsoeuer we stand affected yet it is certaine by Chemnitius citing Sabellicus that the Britaine 's were with the first Conuerts And Tertullian who liued within two hundred yeares of Christs Natiuitie sheweth no lesse Who the more to prouoke the Iewes against whom he wrote calleth to witnesse the fruitfull increase of the Gospell of Saluation through many Countries and Nations and among them nameth the Britaines to haue receiued the Word of life the power whereof saith he hath pierced into those parts whither the Romanes could not come Whence Petrus Cluniacensis supposeth the Scotish men the more ancient Christians as not being in the like subiection to the Romanes as other then were 10 Origen who flourished not much aboue two hundred yeares after Christ in his Homilies vpon Ezechiel sheweth that the first fruits of Gods haruest was gathered in the Iland of Britaine who consented to the Christian faith by the doctrine of their Druides that taught one onely God with whom Hector Boetius agreeth saying that some of these Druides condemned the worship of God in Images and allowed not the applicatioÌ„ of the God-head vnto any visible forme which might be the cause why Claudius the Emperour forbad their Religion as sauouring in these things too much of Christianitie whom likewise he banished Rome as some from Suetonius coniecture Of these Druides wee shewed before that their offices were most imploied about holy things and that their doctrine chiefly consisted in teaching the immortalitie of the soule the motions of the heauens the nature of things and the power of the Gods yea and Postellus from others will inforce that they prophecied likewise of a virgins conception These were the helps saith Tertullian that caused the Britaines so soone to imbrace the Doctrine of Christ and thereupon immediately after his death doth Gyldas fasten our conuersion where he writeth That the Glorious Gospell of Iesus Christ which first appeared to the world in the later time of Tiberius Caesar did euen then spread his bright beames vpon this frosen Iland of Britaine 11 Whereby wee see the waters of life flowing from Ierusalems Temple into these farre set Countries and vttermost Seas to be made both fruitfull wholesome according to the sayings of the Prophet that in that day the waters of life should issue from Ierusalem halfe of them toward the East Sea and halfe of them towards the vttermost Sea and shall remaine fruitfull both in Sommer and winter and euen in the infancie of Christianitie both the Apostles themselues and also the Proselytes their Disciples to become fishers therein for the Soules of Men as Christ in chusing of them said they should bee whereby his Kingdome was soone enlarged vnto these Ends of the Earth and his Throne established among those Heathen whom God his Father had giuen to be his So fruitfull and famous was this spreading of the Gospell that Baptista Mantuan a Christian Poet compares the increase thereof with that of Noah thus alluding vnto it Sicut aquis quondam Noe sua misit in orbem Pignora sedatis vt Gens humana per omnes Debita Coelituum Patri daret orgia terras Sic sua cùm vellet Deus alta in regna renerti Discipulos quosdam transmisit ad Vltima Mundi Littora doctâ—…ros Gentes quo numina ritu Sint oranda quibus Coelâ—… placabile Sacris In English thus As Noah sent from the Arke his sonnes to teach The Lawes of God vnto the World a right So Christ his Seruants sent abroad to preach The Word of Life and Gospell to each Wight No place lay shadowed from that glorious Light The farthest Iles and Earths remotest bounds Embrac'd their Faith and ioi'd at their sweet sounds 12 To which effect also the sayings of S. Iohn Chrysostome Bishop of Constantinople enforce who shewing the increase of Christianitie and the successe of the Gospell preached sheweth the power thereof to haue extended not only to the Countries farre iacent in the Continent but also to the Ilands situated in the Ocean it selfe and amongst them expresly nameth this our Britaine whose
Gallus as saith Petrus de Natalibus and Frisia by Wilfred as is recorded by Beda and Matthew of Westminster the Franconians Hessians and Thuringians by Winifred our Deuonshire man the Norwegians by Nicolas Brekspere of Middlesex and the Lithuanians by Thomas Walden of Essex Againe if we shall cast our eie on all the Reformed Churches in Christendome and with them on Luther Husse and Prage they will all confesse they first deriued their light from the learned Wickleffe of Oxford the Lampe of whose sacred knowledge hath illumined not onely all the corners of this Kingdome but also all those forraine States whom it hath pleased God to deliuer from the thraldome and vengeance of Babylon so that with the German Poet to Gods glorie and Britaines praise the English thus may sing Quin se Relligio multùm debere Britannis Seruata latè circùm dispersa fatetur Religion doth confesse to Britaine deepe she stands In debt by whom preseru'd she now fils forraine Lands In which regard Polydore Virgil doth rightly call England the Parent or Mother-Monasterie of all Europe As likewise Peter Ramus termeth Britaine to bee twice Schoole-mistresse vnto the Kingdome of France And the Annals of Flanders testifie that no Nation had so many Diuine Nobles they might likewise haue said so many Noble Diuines as England hath had neither any more bountifull to Gods Saints Our Kings for sanctitie ranked before all other Potentates of the earth as Vincentius recordeth Our Nobles truly honourable and the sonnes of Princes Our Diuines and renowned Nurseries of learning and Religion shining like the two greater lights in our British firmament And all of vs claiming our spirituall lots of Iâ—…ritance in the midst of the Tribes of Israel OTHO CHAPTER X. BVt leauing Christs proceedings to the dispose of himselfe let vs returne to the subiect from whence wee haue wandered and continue the successions of Great Britaines Monarchs vnto them that haue held it whether by chance of warre or voice of Election In which sort as is said Galba got it and but short time kept it And from him Otho tooke it and a shorter time enioied it 2 Whos 's Originall saith Tacitus was from Ferrentium his Father a Consull his mothers blood somewhat disparaged but yet not base his youth run ouer with voluptuous wantonnesse and prodigall expences more ready for disturbances then depending vpon preferment or dignitie of State and hauing gone thorough all his wealth retained onely the heartie affections of the Souldiers which Galba had vtterly alienated Neither did Otho himselfe bandy against Galba but Vitellius in Germanie was fauoured against both Two persons so vile and ambitious as was much feared would proue the scourge of the Empire and the ruine of Rome 3 Vnto Vitellius sided the Britaines vnder the Conduct of Tribellius Maximus remembred before a man vnfit for warre and vnexperienced of seruice compounded altogether of couetousnesse and for his niggardly sparings and vnmercifull pollings exceedingly hated of his Armie which was further aggrauated by Roscius Calius Lieutenant of the twentieth Legion his ancient Enemie betwixt whom the sparks of enuie shortly burst forth into flames of reciprocall accusations Trebellius being charged of insufficiencie for command with the beggering of the Prouince and Legions and he againe accusing Calius of factious behauiours dissoluing of discipline through which dissensions a negligent regard was held of the Souldiers who carried themselues arrogantly euen against both and as men that had rather be doing ill then doing nothing grew daily into mutinies In these stirres Maximus finding himself vnable to withstand Roscius the common affection swaying on his side with his friends and followers entred Germanie in the quarrell of Vitellius and ioined those British forces to maintaine his cause who now presuming vpon his owne strength and others his Confederates ambitiously plaied the Prince growne to that height euen of nothing 4 Otho his Concurrent in this thing only commendable sought by all meanes to stay the effusion of more ciuill blood and that alreadie spent so possest his thoughts that his minde was still distracted and nightly affrighted with the seeming appearance of Galbaes ghost for which causes hee sent conditions of peace to Vitellius offering him an equall part in the Empire and to giue him also his daughter in mariage But Vitellius disdaining any competition refuseth all Capitulations and prepares himselfe for the warre Otho thus constrained sets forth his forces and in three seuerall skirmishes had the victorie but in the fourth at Brixellum lost the daie yet not so much weakned or vnrecouerable his Armie in number and courage surmounting the other as himselfe was vnwilling to trie the chance of warre any more for beeing importuned by his Captaines and Leaders to reenforce the Battaile with many reasons and probabilities of an assured victorie in a thankfull and short Oration answered thus their Petitions 5 To hazard your vertues and valours for one Mans estate I hold dangerous and needlesse it is that my life should be prized at so deere a rate already fortune and I haue had sufficient experience each of others and not the least in this my short time of glorie wherein I haue learned it is harder to moderate affections in the excesse of felicitie then either industrie or hazard for attaining the same These ciuill warres Vitellius beganne which I for my part purpose not to continue and hereby let Posteritie esteeme of Otho that others haue kept the Empire longer but neuer any that left it more valiantly Let this minde therefore accompany me to the Graue that you for your parts would haue died for my sake and I to saue your liues die voluntarie and vnuanquished I blame not the Gods nor enuie your Emperors rising glorie It is sufficient that my house hath touched the highest straine of Honour and my selfe to be left in records The soueraign Monarch of the World 6 And thereupon solemnely taking his leaue of the whole Army went to his Tent and with his dagger wounded himselfe vnder the left pappe whereof immediately he died in the yeare of his age thirty seuen and daies of his raigne ninetie fiue He was of stature but lowe feeble in his feete and vnto so great a minde his bodie not any waies proportionable his face without haire and woman-like his attire nice and delicate and his life and death nothing at all consonant or agreeable VITELLIVS CHAPTER XI WHen certaine newes of Othoes death was brought Vitellius he presently assumed the name of Caesar and administred the affairs of the Empire with no lesse authoritie then the absolute Commander of the World And of such acceptance was the accident that he dedicated the dagger wherewith it was done vnto Mars in his Temple at Colleyn as the luckie instrument of his aduanced Estate 2 Naturally ambitious hee was and now the same
fought thirty set Battailes and was also Conquerour of the I le of Wight whereby two mightie Nations were subdued to the Romanes and twentie Townes wonne from the Britaines for which exploits he had Triumphall ornaments worthily assigned him by Claudius whose owne Triumph as Iosephus saith was gotten without his paines but by the only prowesse of Vespasian After this he gouerned Africke with singular integritie and much honour and was lastly sent by Nero for his Vice-roy into Syria vpon this occasion 4 There had beene spread thorow all the East-parts an old Prophecie and setled opinion constantly beleeued that it was appointed by the Destinies there should come out of Iurie him that should be Lord of the whole world which how it serued for the Iewes to reuolt or for the Romanes to apply onely vnto Vespasian the euent sheweth which cannot agree to any other then to the person and power of Christ Iesus there borne and throughout the whole world still raigning Yet vpon the confidence of such an accomplishment the Iewes reuolted from the Romanes obedience and slew their President Sabinus by name putting to flight Gallus Lieutenant Generall of Syria that came to his aide and got from him the maine Standard or Ensigne of the Eagle This Nation was so populous and strong that none was thought fitter to stay their attempts then was Vespasian who with great honour and approbation reduced that Prouince vnto their former subiection and there remained the short time of Galba Otho and Vitellius their Raignes of whose proceedings there Iosephus writeth at large vnto whom I must referre the vnsatisfied Reader 5 All which times the ciuill stirres amongst the Romanes gaue the Prouinces occasion to attempt their former liberties as did the Batauians Germanes and French with whom the Britaines also tooke hart to reuolt But the first that sided with Vespasian were two thousand expert Souldiers drawne out of the Mesian Legions and sent to aide Otho against Vitellius who marching as farre as Aquileia they heard there of the certaine death of Otho and thereupon taking the aduantage of the offred opportunitie with an vncontrolled libertie committed many robberies and outragious villanies In so much that fearing condigne punishment they held it their best policie to combine some speciall man by their fauours vnto them whereby their facts might bee either quite smoothered or lightly reprehended neither in their opinions was any so gracious for desert or power as was Vespasian and therefore with one assent they proclaimed him Emperour and wrote his name in their Banners thinking themselues as worthy to make an Emperour as were the Legions either of Spaine or Germany 6 Of the like minde were his owne Legions in Syria and Iurie growne now so famous by the prosecution of those warres that they highly conceited his valour and their owne sufficiencie to bee inferiour to none And therefore all on the sudden at Caesarca both Captaine and Souldier salute him Emperour which title when he resolutely gainsaid and refused with drawne swords they threatned his death Thus then being brought into danger euery way he sent his letters vnto Tiberius Alexander Lieutenant of Aegypt who likewise at Alexandria presently proclaimed him Emperour 7 At this time Vectius Bolanus sent by Vitellius was Lieutenant of Britaine there ruling in a gentler and milder manner then was fit for so fierce a Nation for the Souldiers hauing gotten head by the remisse Gouernment of Trebellius Maximus continued the same loosenesse in discipline still and Bolanus in stead of awe and Obedience retained onely their affections and good wils But most especially the short Raignes of these last Emperours whose beginnings were altogether imploied to satisfie their licentious pleasures and latter times spent for the defense of their Liues from violent Deaths gaue way to many imperfections of the Gouernors and misdemeanours of the common Souldiers 8 But when Vespasian had assumed the Empire great Captaines and good Souldiers were sent into the Prouinces and into Britaine Petilius Cerealis that had formerly there made proofe of his seruice vnder Nero in the warres against Boduo and afterwards in other parts as against the Gaules and Batauians with prosperous victories The fame of this man strooke great terrour into the hearts of the wauering Britains and amongst them of the * Brigantes the most populous State of the whole Prouince against whom at his first approch he warred and in many battles and some of them bloudy the greatest part of these people were wasted and their Countrey came into the Romish subiection 9 Whereby the glory of Cerealis might well haue dimmed the fame of his Successour had not Iulius Frontinus a great Souldier also sustained the charge with reputation and credit in subduing the strong and Warlike nation the Silures where he had beside the force of the enemie to struggle with the straits and difficult places of rockes and mountaines for accesse 10 After whose gouernment no further Acts being mentioned Iulius Agricola who in Rome had beene Questor Tribune and Pretor and Lieutenant in Aquitania was sent Generall into Britaine by Vespasian the Emperour the yeere before his death This man formerly had there serued vnder the command of Petilius Cerealis whereby hee had gained experience both of the People and Prouince and at his first approch gathered the Ensignes of the Legions and other aids of the Auxiliaries who for that yeere attended an end of their trauels because the Summer was almost spent lest by protracting time the violence of the Ordouices should further burst foorth who a little before his entrance had vtterly almost cut off a wing which lay on their Borders the rest of the Countrey as men desirous of Warre allowing their example Against these Agricola addressed who kept themselues in places of aduantage and durst not descend into indifferent ground Hee therefore being himselfe formost lead vp his Armie to their encounter and seconded with the courage of his trained Souldiers put them all to sword and flight whereby the whole Nation was almost quite destroied 11 And now that his fame began to ascend he knew well that with instance it must be followed and as the first affaires had issue the rest would succeede he therefore deliberated to conquer the Iland Mona from the possession whereof Paulinus Suetonius was reuoked by the generall Rebellion vnder Boduo But in a purpose not purposed before and ships wanting the policie of the Captaine deuised a passage for hee commanded the most choice of the Aids to whom the shallowes were well knowen and without whom the Romans did almost attempt nothing to put ouer at once and suddenly to inuade them These Britaines after the vse of their Countrey manner were most skilfull swimmers and in swimming armed able to gouerne themselues and horses The Monaans thinking themselues secure for that no Ships were seene in their Riuer now thus suddenly surprized as men
their accustomed fashion they clustered together on heaps and some of the boldest aduanced forward whilest Agricola likewise was incouraging his men who straightwaies ranne to their weapons and rushed on furiously toward the Enemie 10 The Britaines were marshelled in the higher ground fitly both to the shew and to terrifie the first Battalion standing on the plaine the rest on the ascent of the hill knit and rising as it were one ouer another the middle of the field was filled with clattering and running of Chariots and horsemen Agricocola seeing their number to exceede his drew his battaile in length and leauing his horse aduanced himselfe before the Ensignes on foote 11 In the first assault before the ioyning both sides encountred with discharge of their darts wherin the Britaines employing both art and valour with their great swords and little Targets auoided the volue of the Romans showring down withall great store of theirs vpon them wherewith they were both galled and sore wounded Agricola seeing his men thus stoutly resisted tooke another course for spying the aduantage he commanded three Batauian Coherts and two of the Tungrians to presse forward and bring the matter to handy strokes and dint of sword a thing which in respect of their long seruice they were very expert in but contrariwise to the Britaines very preiudiciall by reason of their little Bucklers and huge swords being blunt pointed and no waies fit for the close in fight This command aduantaged the Romans much for these with the pikes of their Bucklers when they came to deale blowes so mangled the faces of the Britaines that they were not able to stand before them and the rest gathering courage vpon emulation of these ascended the hill bearing downe all that was in their way so that many halfe dead and some wholly vntouched were ouer-passed and left for haste of winning the field In the meane while the Chariots mingled themselues with the battle of footmen and the troopes of horsemen began for to flie who albeit they had lately terrified others were now distressed themselues by the vneuennesse of the ground and thicke rankes of the enemy and were forced to fight standing still and by the maine weight of horses to beare downe one another The wandring Wagons also and masterlesse horses as chance or feare did guide them ouer-bare many times their friends and thwarted their way that met them 12 The other Britaines that kept the hill and had leisure to behold the manner of fight beganne to come downe by little and little and sought to compasse the backe of the enemie which intent Agricola soone preuented by sending foure wings of Horsmen retained purposely about him for sudden dispatches and chances of warre These so fiercely assailed them that a most sharpe and bloody battle ensued wherein the Britaine 's on each side were beaten downe and slaine notwithstanding many of them shewed both valour and reuenge euen to the end the rest disbanded turned their backes and fled towards the desert whose pursuit was followed vntill Night and fulnesse of blood made an end of the chase 13 Of the Romans side were slaine if wee must credit their owne friends onely three hundred and fortie persons and of them one of extraordinary note and account Aulus Articus Captaine of a Cohort who vpon a youthfull heat and fiercenesse of his horse was carried amidst his enemies Of the Britains fell ten thousand and their designes so defeated and broken that as desperate men they forsake their houses and in despight set fire on them themselues the hurt persons they carrie and draw with them and call them that are vnhurt hoping to be releeued by them One while they chuse out holes to lurke in for their liues safetie eftsoones in great haste forsake them as doubting therein their owne securitie Dispersed asunder they lament and attend death assembled together expostulate of their meanes and life one while conceiuing a glimmering of some small hope another while deiected with vtter despaire Sometimes at the sight of their dearest beloued mooued to pitie but much oftner stirred to rage for reuenge and many of them euen by way of compassion slew their dearest Wiues and Children to rid them from their future miseries 14 Agricola hauing made euery where a desolation and silence withdrew his Armie towards the Horrestians where taking hostages for their fidelitie sent the Admirall of his Nauy to saile about the North Cóasts of Britaine who with strength and store tooke the Seas their terrour gone already before himselfe with easie and gentle iournies disposed his foot and horsemen in their Wintring places and planted Garrisons vpon the Borders betweene Glota and Bodotria And his Nauie with prosperous winde and successe arriued at the Port Trutulensis 15 Thus after many conflicts about the space of one hundred thirty six yeeres from Iulius Caesars first entrance the vtmost limits of Britannie and the Iles of the Orcades lying on the North side of it were by the valour and industrie of Iulius Agricola first discouered and made knowen vnto the Romans and the South part of the I le in the fourth yeere of the raigne of Domitian being the yeere of our Sauiour eightie six reduced into a full Prouince the gouernment whereof was euer annexed and appropriate to the Roman Emperours themselues and not at the disposition of the Senate as other Prouinces were 16 This state of affaires in Britannie Agricola signified by letter without any amplifying termes to Domitian the Emperour who after his manner with a cheerefull countenance and greeued heart receiued the Newes being inwardly pricked with feare and disdaine that his late counterfet Triumph of Germanie wherein certaine slaues bought for money were attired and their haire dressed as Captiues of that Countrey was had in derision and iustly skorned abroad whereas now a true and imperiall victorie of so many thousand enemies subdued and slaine was currant and famous in euery mans mouth as being indeed a thing dangerous that a priuate mans name should be exalted aboue his Prince In vaine then had hee suppressed the studie of Oratorie and other worthy politicke Arts thereby to keepe downe other mens reputation if he should in Military glory be disseised by another And to be a good Commander of an Army was to be aboue priuate estate that being a Vertue peculiar for a Prince and therefore not lightly to be passed ouer With these and the like incentiues his minde was tormented yet thought he it best to dissemble his malice vntill the heat of his glory and loue of his souldiers were somewhat abated And foorthwith he commanded for Agricola Triumphall ornaments statue honours and what else vsually conferred in lieu of Triumph hee yet remaining in charge from whence with the like policie also hee was shortly displaced For Syria by the death of Atilius Rufus lay destitute of a Lieutenant and that
place reserued for Men of great qualitie Domitian gaue foorth was purposed for Agricola and sent him both his Patent and Successor into Britaine who thereupon deliuered vp the Prouince in a peaceable estate vnto Salustius Lucullus and returned to Rome 17 Where the life of Domitian was now grown vnmeasurable vaine The surname Germanicus he assumed to himselfe for some small seruice therein done The Moneths September and October he changed into the names of Germanicus and Domitianus because that in the one hee entred his Empire and in the other was borne He caused his Statue to be made in gold and commanded himselfe to be called GOD. His cruelty euery way matchable to his pride The Senatours and Nobles vpon small surmises hee murdered many new tortures hee inuented Confiscations and Banishments were fauours not punishments Amongst all which the Christians bare a part whose Second Persecution this Tyrant raised and began The great Euangelist Iohn hee banished into the I le of Patmos where hee receiued his Reuelations from Iesus Christ appearing vnto him in no lesse Maiestie then Daniel before time had seene him in his Visions and both after a sort in one and the same manner their Visions alike and almost to the like end For as Daniel saw a Lion Beare Leopard and Monster with Ten horns persecute the Iewes Gods people and to fall before the Stone cut without hands which brake into powder the Image of their Tyrannicall Gouernment to giue place to the peaceable Birth and Kingdome of Christ so Iohn saw one Beast compacted of these foure mouthed like a Lion footed like a Beare spotted as the Leopard and horned for number and power with the Monster retaining their Tyrannie in raising Persecutions in the Church of Christ and clouding with Idolatry the brightnesse of his Word which shall bee cast into the Lake of fire and brimstone when Christ shall binde vp Satan and by his appearance abolish the Man of Sinne. 18 Among many others slaine by Domitian Salustius Lucullus whom he had made Lieutenant Generall of Britanie was one and the onely cause is reported to bee that hee had deuised and made certaine Speares or Launces for seruice which hee caused to be called Lucullians after his owne name which was a matter held very suspitious by Domitian who thought euerie memorable act done by another did plucke a feather from his plume And in these courses continued so long that lastly hee grew odious to all euen to his nearest friends and followers which himselfe had raised who together with his Wife conspired his death 19 The chiefest in the Action was Stephen a Procurator and Steward to Domicilla his Empresse who faining himselfe lame of the left arme in deliuering him a scroll containing the names of the conspirators stroke him into the bellie with his sword the rest comming in with seuen wounds made an end of his life whose death was so acceptable to the Senate that they disgracefully abused his carcase cast downe his scutcheons and Images and forbad all maner remembrance of him albeit some of the Souldiers asmuch stormed seeking to reuenge his death and canonized him for a God 20 Of stature he was tall his complexion faire his countenance modest his head verie bald his eies red full great and dimme of a comely forme onely his bellie bearing out his legges small and his foote somewhat short He died the eighteenth day of September aged forty fiue when hee had raigned fifteene yeeres the yeare of our Lords incarnation ninetie eight with whom both Tacitus and Suetonius end their Historie The Resisters of the Romans proceedings in this our Iland of Britaine in the daies of this Emperour Domitian for these Southerne parts was Aruiragus as from Iuuenal wee haue said and in the Northerne Caledonia was Galgacus their Captaine whose Coines as Remaines and Monuments of their neuer-dying fame wee haue heere againe inserted NERVA CHAPTER XV. HItherto haue wee pursued the successions in the British monarchie together with the Inuasions attempts and successe of affaires for the Conquest of this Iland vnder the first twelue Emperours of Rome And that from such writers who though they were the most fauourable Registers of things done by the Romanes yet had they best meanes to know and publish their Histories with warrantize of truth But after the death of Domitian died many Records and the Prouinces proceedings especially those that most concerne Britaine left vncertaine and therefore are neither with the like largenesse prosecuted nor with the like authoritie auouched And were it not that these Romane Emperours succeeding did onely continue the succession of our British Monarchs many of them might be quite omitted as neither themselues nor deputies allies or enemies once spoken of concerning our affaires and the Gouernement of this Prouince during those times so maimed and defectiue in respect of any warrantable relations that hardly a method can bee obserued to the fitting of a continuall Historie Yet as we finde it let vs haue libertie to deliuer it and rather to expose Truth in the meane attire that Time hath left her then by disguising her in richer roabes to abuse the World and make her seeme nought else but a counterfeit as Plutarch in the life of Pericles hath complained 2 Domitian therefore thus made away Cocceius Nerua a prudent honourable and aged person was elected Emperour by the Senate assisted by Petronius Secundus Captaine of the Praetorian Armie and Parthenius chiefe Chamberlaine and one of the Murtherers of Domitian His birth was noble and of Italy in the Citie Narnia and of the Prouince Vmbria ruling so well as he may be esteemed too good a Prince long to continue in so bad an age 3 What Lieutenants vnder him were in Britain oâ—… vnder his Successor Traian I find not in Record but our English Writers from the Arch-Deacon of Monmouth bring a succession of British Kings and amongst them Marius who conquered Rodorick King of the Picts accompanied with the Scots whose Trophie erected neere vnto Carleill remained a long time after bearing the inscription of his victorie and after him his sonne Coilus brought vp in Rome all the time of his youth retained their fauours and paid them tribute without constraint Albeit by Iuuenal it seemeth that Aruiragus the father of Marius a great resister of the Romanes liued in the raigne of Domitian as hath beene touched vnlesse you will say that Meurigus and Aruiragus was the same Marius as a worthy Antiquarie affirmeth But through these vncertaineties and disagreements occasioned by the silence of better Authors our Histories rest doubtfull and so must wee leaue them returning to finish vp briefly the Raigne and Life of this good Emperour Nerua 4 Who hauing reformed many enormities and remitted many greeuous Tributes and exactions as that of Carriages mentioned on the reuerse of the prefixed Coine minted by authoritie of
the Senate in eternall memorie of his goodnes recalled from banishment the Christians seuerally dispersed and suffred them to enioy the freedome of their profession At which time Iohn the Euangelist returned from Pathmos wherein he had beene confined vnto Ephesus a Citie in ◅sia the lesse And Nerua raigning only one yeare foure mone◅s and nine daies died of a passionate anger conceiued against a Senator in the yeare of Christ his incarnation ninetie nine the twentie seuenth day of Ianuary seuentie sixth of his own age TRAIAN CHAPTER XVI VNto Nerua succeeded Vulpius Traian in the Roman Empire borne neere vnto Seuill in the Territories of Spaine of a noble familie but was much more ennobled in himselfe for his princely endowments which moued Nerua in his life time to adopt him into so high a calling and the whole Senate after his death ioifullie to confirme his Election and so often to honour him with the title of the Most Excellent Prince in publike dedications as on the Coine aboue 2 Hee raised the Romane Empire vnto the very highest pitch of glory and spread the power of their Command into the largest circuit that euer before or since hath beene possessed For the Kingdome of Dacia hee subdued Armenia Parthia and Mesopotamia made subiect Assyria Persia and Babylon conquered passed Tigris and stretched the confines of the Roman Empire vnto the remotest dominions of the Indies which neuer before that time had heard of the Roman Name And indeed if wee looke vpon his politicke managing of the gouernment he may seeme in comparison of others a right worthy memorable and louely Prince of much affabilitie and familiaritie euen with his inferiours and of such cariage towards his Subiects as he himselfe would wish his Prince he said to vse towards him if he were a Subiect A great obseruer also of Iustice insomuch that when he inuested any Pretor in giuing him the Sword he commanded him to vse the same euen against his owne person if he violated Law or Equitie But yet against the good Christians he vsed neither of both nay hee stirred vp their Third Persecution wherein Ignatius and many other worthy Saints of God receiued the Crowne of Martyrdome in such cruell manner as that his other vertues are much clouded by that taxation for mollification whereof he was compassionately intreated by Plinius Secundus his Tutor whose Epistles to that purpose are yet extant 3 The Iewes in his time rose vp in armes against the Gentiles and in Cyrene Aegypt and Cyprus slew a great number against whom Traian sent his Captaines with forces sufficient and in diuers parts of the Empire put the Iewes to death in such infinite numbers as that Massacre is accounted the greatest Execution that euer had beene in the world God suffring this their punishment to light vpon them for their infidelitie and obstinacie against his Christ. 4 Finally after his Conquests in the East returning towards Rome at Seleucia in Asia the lesse himselfe was conquered by the stroke of death by a fluxe the seuenth day of August after he had raigned nineteene yeeres six moneths and fifteene daies the yeere of our Redemption one hundred and eighteene and of his age sixtie foure whose ashes brought to Rome were inclosed within the Crowne of a goodly Pillar wrought of one intire stone containing one hundred forty foot in height 5 Of stature he was bigge of complexion swarthie thinne of haire both head and beard a hooked nose brode shoulders long hands and a pleasant eie whose liuely Image was borne in Triumph after his death and that in most glorious and pompous manner in celebration of his great renowne and fame attained in his life 6 How silent soeuer writers haue beene for this Emperours affaires in this our Iland yet it is to be thought that vnto this as wel as vnto other Prouinces both Propretors Lieutenants Presidents Pretors and Proconsuls were sent and euery Citie to haue their municipall Magistrates The Pretor that yearely proclaimed solemne Sessions wherin himself sate aloft vpon a high tribunall seate and guarded with his lictors about him in great estate did execute his authoritie throughout his owne iurisdiction and determined all causes brought before him where rods and axes were prepared for the common people that were enforced to receiue a new Ruler euerie yeare And surely as this yoke of bondage was grieuously borne of euery Prouince vpon whose necke it was imposed laid So the Britaines vnderwent the weight of that subiection with such vnwillingnes that in the time of this Traian they reuolted and rebelled though presently suppressed as it is euident out of Spartianus 7 The care that this good Emperour had for the weale of his Subiects is proiected by his prouidence in making waies passageable from place to place whereof remaine many testimonies by those his Causeies drawne with wonderfull diligence euen thorow the whole Iland which now though dismembred and cut in peeces by the Countrie people wherethorow they passed yet doe many remnants thereof remaine especially in pastures or by-grounds out of the rode way with bankes so high that euidently they shew themselues Of these Causeies Gallen writeth as followeth The waies saith he Traian repaired by pauing with stone or raising with bankes cast vp such peeces of them as were moist and miry by stocking vp and ridding such as were rough and ouergrowne with bushes and briers by making bridges ouer Riuers that could not bee waded thorow where the way seemed longer then needed by cutting out another shorter if any where by reason of some steepe hill the passage were hard and vneasie by turning it aside thorow easier places now in case it was haunted with wilde beasts or lie waste and desert by drawing it thence thorow places inhabited and withall laying leuell all vneuen and rugged grounds Along these Causeies the Emperour caused to bee set little pillars or Columnes with numerall Characters cut in thē to signifie how many miles was from place to place Of these Sidonius Apollinaris writeth thus Antiquus tibi nec teratur agger Cuius per spatium satis vetustis Nomen Caesareum viret columnis Breake not the ancient Causeies strong Whereon the Columnes stand along Nor names of Caesars doe not wrong HADRIAN CHAPTER XVII AFter the decease of Traiane his Nephew Aelius Hadrianus by the consent of the Armie who swore to him obedience was proclaimed Emperour the Senate likewise confirming their choice as beeing a man indued with gifts both of Art and Nature answerable to the fortunes of his Estate His birth was of Spaine in the Citie Italica neere vnto Cicill where Traian was born his Father Noble and his Mother in Cales descended of an honourable stocke 2 A great Mathematician he was skilfull in Arithmeticke Geometrie Astronomie and Iudicious Astrologie learned in the Greeke and Latine Tongues in which languages he wrote both Poesie
scoffingly cauill at the godly applications of ancient Eleutherius But to our purpose 10. This Epistle with two other Preachers Faganus and Daminius sent vnto King Lucius did not a little encourage him in his godly purpose in somuch that receiuing Baptisme the Temples of the Heathenish Flamins and Arch-Flamines euen thirtie one in number were conuerted into so many Christian Bishops Sees whereof London Yorke and Carlein now Saint Dauids were made the Metropolitants of the Prouince 11. A table remaining in the Parish Church of Saint Peter in Cornhill London recordeth that the foundation thereof was by this King Lucius and that Church to haue been the Cathedrall to that Archbishops See There be that ascribe the foundation of Saint Peters Church at Westminster vnto him vnlesse the places are mistaken Others affirme that this King Lucius likewise built a Church within Douer-castle to the seruice of Christ endowing it with the Tell or customes of that Hauen Differences there are about the time of his Raigne but none at all for his conuersion and establishing of the Christian Faith As for those who would haue this Lutius after his Baptisme to saile into Gallia and other forrein parts where subduing many Pagans he became the Apostle to the Banarians and that his sister Emerita fifteene yeeres after was martyred in the City Augusta I find thereof no warrant in any sufficient writer but in this all others agree that he raigned twelue yeeres and lieth buried in Gloucester 12 This good Emperour possessed the Seate of Maiestie nineteene yeares and eleuen daies wherein he alwaies approued himselfe in wit excellent in life vertuous verie learned and eloquent full of Clemency Instite and Temperance nothing inferiour to most of the worthiest Emperours before him nor matchable in qualities by many of the MOnarchs that followed him He died the seuenteenth day of Aprill the yeare of our Sauiour one hundred eighty one and of his owne age fiftie nine leauing to the world a misse for the present and to posterities a perpetuall memorie of his vertues and happy had he been saith Capitolinus had he not left behind him a Sonne LIVIVS AELIVS AVRELIVS COMMODVS ANTONINVS CHAPTER XX. THE prudent life and loue conceiued of so good a Father gaue hopefull signes and ioifull entrance vnto the Raigne of yong Commodus his soone degenerating Sonne who had nothing from him but Nature and that also much suspected The knowne Adulteries of Faustina his Mother strongly confirming the opinion of Bastardie 2 At nineteen yeeres of age he was inuested Emperor his raigne not long but life as loose and impious as the worst in sottish pride equalizing Caligula for intemperancie another Vitellius and in cruelties a second Domitian Three hundred Concubines continually he kept and vpon one of them named Martia so doted that he wore her painted Picture vpon the outside of his Garment and instiling his money Herculi Commodiano or Romano which was stamped about the yeere 193. Sometimes Hercules-like would shew himselfe roabed in a Lions skinne bearing a Club in his hand in stead of a Scepter Other whiles wantonly clad in the habit of an Amazon woman alwaies costly but seldome ciuill 3 The Month August he named Commodus September Herculeus and December Amazonius according to his owne or his Concubines names Commendable in nothing but for his skill in darting and for some small breathing of the persecuted Christians which came not of himselfe but as Xiphilinus writeth by the mediation of Martia his beloued Concubine who was found very fauourable to their doctrine But the outragious wickednesse of his life made him so hatefull to all as that his death was often plotted and once by some of the Noblest with whom Lucilla his owne Sister conspired for which fact he put her with the rest of the conspirators to death The Empire and all things els he wielded at the discretion of others attending only his voluptuous pleasures howsoeuer the State or Prouinces fared vnder him 4 In Britanny the Northren Borderers brake thorow the Wall and finding the Frontiers but weakly guarded entred the Prouince where suddenly they surprized the Roman Generall and killing many of the Souldiers ranged the Country wasting without resistance all where they went Commodus at Rome hearing these stirres in Britaine rouzed vp his spirits and sent one Vlpius Marcellus to stay their fury who with great difficulty forced them back beyond the Wall and seeing the carelesse seruice of the Souldiers reuiued againe the ancient discipline of Warre that by long ease had been left off by the Romans The repressing of this incursion as it seemeth by some reuolt of the prouince was about the yeere of Christ one hundred eighty six as appeareth by the monies of this Emperor set in the entrance of his life at which time in memory of some worthy expedition and victory against the Britains he stamped them 5 This Lieutenant Marcellus is reported to be of a maruellous great temperance and strange diet for all the time of his abode here hee would eat no Bread but such as was baked in Rome neither slept he more then would maintaine nature whereby both his priuate businesses and proiects for publike seruices were commonly dispatched by night Seuere he was in the execution of his place not led by fauour of the person nor staid from iustice by corrupted Bribes esteeming Money only for necessity and riches no further then made for publike good But those his vertues though now with vs they get him honour yet then did purchase him Enuie with the Emperor Who liued saith Lampridius for his Subiects mischiefe and his owne shame For Commodus hearing Marcellus daily commended construed his Praise to be his owne Reproch and doubting lest he should grow too high thought good to crop him off betimes and so sent him Letters of discharge 6 The Armie then feeling the raines loose that ere-whiles had beene borne with a stiffer hand fell straight to a disordered mutinie and therein proceeded with such boldnesse as they openly refused any longer to acknowledge Commodus for their Soueraigne At which time Perennius was a chiefe Agent and so ruled all in Rome for the Emperor as that he entertained a hope to be himselfe in time an absolute and sole-ruling Emperour and hauing now fit occasion offred to spread his power further he tooke vpon him to redresse these disorders whilst Commodus wallowed in his lasciuious idlenesse and displacing some worthie Captaines at his owne pleasure sent other persons of meane respect or parts to command those Legions in Britaine that formerly had been led by Noble Senators and men of Consular dignity whereby greater mischiefe began to accrew and ciuill dissensions daily to burst forth the Armie scorning their vpstarst Commanders and the Captaines insulting ouer the Souldiers of all sides the Aides so disquieted that had the Britaines followed the aduantage the whole
Prouince at that time had been in hazard to be lost vpon which distractions no lesse then fifteene hundred Souldiers at once went out of the Land to Rome to complaine their wrongs vnto Commodus where charging Perennius to bee the stirrer of these troubles with an intent thereby to raise himsefe or his sonne to the Emperiall Maiesty a string that cannot be touched without sound in a Soueraignes eare they were so farre heard and beleeued that Perennius was to them deliuered to be put to death which accordingly they accomplished with all extremity 7 Then was sent for Lieutenant into Britaine Heluius Pertinax a man of low birth but high Fortunes being risen from the state of a common Souldier to the dignity of a Consull and had been Commander before that time ouer many Prouinces Him had Perennius discharged from Britaine and with disgracesent and confined into Liguria where hee was borne whose credit Commodus again with such fauors repaired that he gaue him the Sirname Britannicus which glorious title also himselfe had taken about the yeere 184. At his first entrance and ariuage he assaied by rough hand to suppresse the rebellions of the Army and aduentured his person so farre in some tumults that he was stricken downe and left for dead but afterwards proceeding with better aduice he composed those troubles with most seuere punishments of the principall offenders whereby notwithstanding he presently grew odious to all and thereupon so far feared his own safety that he made suit to the Emperor to be discharged of his Lieutenantship 8 Vnto him succeeded Clodius Albinus in the Gouernment of Britaine a man of great birth forward enough and fortunate for which the Emperor Commodus either vpon fauor or feare did honour him with the title of Caesar though Albinus seemed vnwilling to accept of the same and afterwards discouered his disposition more openly in approuing the Ancient and free state of the Romans For vpon a false report of the death of Commodus he made an Oration to the Legions in Britanny in fauour of the Senate whole kind of Gouernment he much commended and preferred before the rule of the Emperors Of which his affection when Commodus vnderstood he sent Iulius Seuerus in all hast to take charge of the Armie and Albinus retired himselfe from all publike affaires vntill the death of Commodus which not long after followed and was wrought vpon this occasion He hauing assigned many to die and to that end had inrolled their names in a scroll it chanced Martia his Concubine to light on the same wherein she saw her selfe allotted for one And reuealing this his purpose to others that stood in the same list and in the like danger they together thought best to secure their owne liues by his death and with poison stabs and strangling made him away when he had liued one and thirty yeeres foure moneths and viciously raigned thirteen yeeres eight moneths and fifteen daies the yeere of Christs natiuity one hundred ninety and three the night before the Kalends of Ianuarie 9 Of stature he was indifferently tall of a fine constitution of Body very faire of complexion with cleere eies and golden locks neither in person nor in Princely parts resembling his Father How ioifull the death of this Tyrant was both to People and Senate their execrations pronounced against him and their assemblies in the Temples to giue thanks for their deliuerance do manifest as is at large reported by Lampridius who wrote his life and stiled by al Host is humani Generis The enemy of Mankind The very name of the diuell PVBLIVS HELVIVS PERTINAX CHAPTER XXI VPON the person of this Heluius Pertinax of whom we are now to speake Fortune as it seemeth meant to make the full experience of her power and from a very slender foundation to raise the building of her owne Pride His birth was but poore and parents as meane whose Father from a seruile condition got to be free and traded in Mercery wares for his liuing himselfe educated according to his birth rose by degrees to mount the Chaire of all wordly glory and to be the Monarch of the whole world 2 At first a Schoole-master and taught the Grammar next a Ciuil-Lawyer and pleaded causes in Courts and lastly a Martial-man and serued in Campe where Fortune attended him with such fauourable successe that within fiue daies out of the ranck of a common Souldier he was preferred to bee Captaine of a Cohort in the Syrian warres against the Parthians which ended he was imploied into Britannie Missia and Germany and also had charge in chiefe of a Fleete vpon the Flemmish Seas he serued likewise in Dacia with such honourable proofe of his valour as that wise Emperour Marcus Aurelius held him in high esteeme and afterward made him Senator of Rome Then was hee assigned Gouernour of all Syria and Asia the greatest place of Credit and reputation that might be and from thence sent againe in-into Britaine chosen out as the principall man of note for to stay the Commotions there raised against Commodus where in the Field he was left for dead but thence also returning after hee had gouerned foure seuerall Consular Prouinces was created Preconsull of Africa and immediately after Praefect of Rome Neither yet made he his stand there though the greatest of any subiectiue degree till hee had mounted the Throne of Maiesty and had obtained the command ouer All which fell to his lot by the death of Commodus and by the meanes of Martia Aelius Laetus and other Conspirers of his end 3 For the Murther being done in the dead of the night Laetus in great haste repaired to Pertinax his lodging at whose sight the Old man in bed expected nothing but Death as supposing him sent from Commodus to no other end But Laetus salutes him by the vnexpected name of Emperour carrying him with acclamations vnto the Army and in the morning to the Senate where of them all with great ioy he was confirmed Augustus 4 His first businesse was to bridle the Licencious liues of the Praetorian Cohorts iniuries done by them vnto the Romane Citizens which gained him such hatred that it was cause of his death For these men growne disordered and lawlesse in the raigne of Commodus held themselues wronged to be nowlocked vnder the constraint of Lawes ciuil Gouernement and these only enuied the peace prosperity of Pertinax whereas all the Prouinces abroad at the very hearing of his Election and fame of his Imperiall vertues laid a side their weapons and disired to embrace peace with a Prince so nobly qualified 5 The first that conspired against his life was one Falco whom notwithstanding he freely forgaue yet punished certaine Souldiers thereto accessary whereupon the rest assembling themselues in tumultuous and furious manner with their drawn swords inuaded his Palace Hee seeing their purposes sought no escapes
but descending the Palace met them in the base Court At whose presence and Maiesty they were much amazed and a while made a stand vnto whom with great grauity and without shew of any feare he thus spake vnto them 6 Souldiers and Companions if you come to kill me as I thinke you doe you shall therein performe an act neither valorous nor otherwise very commendable for you no nor any way grieuous vnto my selfe for euery mans life hath his limit and to mine by Natures course the last period cannot be farre Or thinke you that I feare death who now am so ripened for it and haue already gotten the very height of all renowne vnto my Name Surely you are deceiued but at this I grieue that my life and short time of Gouernment which I had deuoted to the good of all should seem so disgustfull vnto any as to deserue a violent and hastned death especially by you who are by office the Guarders of my Person you I say whose charge and Oath is to secure your Soueraigne from perill and now seek to sheath your Swords in his breast shall either leaue a Testimony of my bad life deseruing it or brand your places with such staines of Treason as Time shall neuer weare away And what I pray is mine offence for maintaining your Lawes why it was the charge your selues imposed vpon me Are Lawes too strait surely not to the vertuous who are euen a Law vnto themselues are they needlesse why then were they made and being made why should they not be executed If the death of Commodus grieue you was I the cause If he were made away by Treason your selues are conscious of my innocency And this I assure you in the word of a Prince that his death shall depriue you of nothing which you require if you require nothing but that which is honest and iust My life whilst I was a Subiect was spent with you in Warre now being your Soueraigne is consumed with cares for your Peace which if you free me of by taking it away my troubles shall thereby end but your conscience shal begin to grone vnder the guilt of blood and perchance bee touched with too late Repentance 7 His words were spoken with such a mouing grauity and vnmoued resolution that the formost in the attempt gaue back and were ashamed of their audacious enterprise but the rest furiously driuing forward one Trusius with a Lance ran him into the Breast whereupon Pertinax couering his Head with his robe quietly yeelded his body to the traiterous strokes of them all and so died that poore old and innocent Emperor The yeeres of his life saith Iulius Capitolinus were sixty seuen moneths and twenty fiue daies But Dio Spartianus and Herodian accounteth them to extend to sixty eight Eusebius to aboue seuenty The like disagreement there is for the short time of his Gouernment for Eusebius saith that he raigned not fully six Moneths Eutropius saith but three Iulius Capitolinus and Aurelius Victor eighty fiue daies Dio Herodian and Spartianus two Moneths and twenty eight daies how long so euer thus he liued and thus he died the fift Calends of Aprill 8 He was of an honorable and Maiesticall presence strong of body large and full breasted long bearded curle-headed smooth of Speech and indifferently eloquent DIDIVS IVLIANVS CHAPTER XXII THE state of man continually attended with vncertaine chance apparantly doth shew the weake condition that nature enioieth and with what vnsurenesse the seat of maiesty is possest as is seene by the precedent Emperor who sitting at peace in his Palace at Rome renowned beloued and guarded with the strengths of Europe Asia Africa AEgypt and Greece was notwithstanding surprised and slaine at noone day by a Band of Souldiers not much exceeding the number of three hundred and all escaping vnpunished the deed was so suddaine and mens minds so distracted that it could not be fully beleeued though witnessed by sight 2 The Senators mistrusting each others abandoned the Citie and the Citizens in secret secured themselues all in an vprore but none for reuenge of the treason The murtherers in as great feare as any fortified their Campe and with weapons in hand stood vpon their guard But seeing all in a maze and nothing against them attempted a further boldnesse the like before neuer heard of ensued for by a Common Crier they made Proclamation for the sale of the Empire to any man that would giue them most which offer was readily accepted by Didius Iulianus a man of much more wealth then honesty of life and a Lawyer saith Eusebius who with larger promises then euer were performed obtained the Emperiall Diadem 3 His birth was in Millen the sonne of Petronius Didius Seuerus his mother Clara Emilia and himselfe brought vp in seruice vnder Domitia Lucilla the mother of Marcus Aurelius by whose fauours he was first made Questor next Edile then Praetor in Rome In Germany as a Captaine hee serued vnder Aureliu then was he appointed Gouernour of Dalmatia â—…thinia and of the Lower Germany and was Consul with Pertinax and afterwards Proconsul in Africa These were his risings and meanes to that Maiesty which not long he kept for hated in Rome and not approoued abroad Syria chose for Emperor their owne Generall Pescenius Niger Germanie Septimius Seuerus By whose consent Clodius Albinus leader of the Britaine Armie was first elected Caesar and then his fellow in the Empire whereby the Aegle the fairest of Birds became monstrous and in one Body bore three Heads 4 For Albinus at that time hauing gotten againe the gouernment of Britaine where erecting his owne Statues and stamping his picture in his Coynes gaue great suspition that he intended to be a Competitor and with his Army a foot meant to haue gained the Emperiall seat it selfe by aduantage of Septimius forces absent in suppressing of Pescenius which to diuert inforced Seuerus vntill better oportunity to declare Albinus his companion for he much more feared him then either of the former Because Didius in Rome and Pescenius in Antioch consumed their times in banquetting and vnmartiall disports whiles Albinus managed his office most souldierlike and was highly esteemed and honored of them 5 Seuerus hasting towards Rome was met in Italy by Ambassadors from Didius with faire offers of peace and possession of halfe the Empire but refusing composition and making still forward the Senate that so lately declared him a traytor now proclaimed him an Emperor And the Souldiers vnsatisfied of the couenanted promises and in hope to purchase fauour with Seuerus slew their Chapman Didius in his Palace the Calends of Iulie being but fiue daies after he had done himselfe as much for Pertinax when he had raigned as Eutropius saith seuen months Spartianus saith but two and Dio sixty six daies the yeere of his age fifty seuen and of our Sauiours appearing in our flesh one hundred ninety and foure
Iuory dressed with richest bedding and furniture of gold wherein was laid his image protraited to the life but yet in manner of a sicke man On the left side sate all the Senators and Princes in blacke mourning weeds on the right all the great Ladies cladde in white which then was the mourning colour of that Sexe The Physitians diligently comming to visit him and feeling his pulse as if he were aliue doe signifie that his disease did still increase vpon him This they all did seuen daies together at last as if then hee were dead all the prime of the Nobility carrie him in his Iuorie Bed to the * Forum where all the Patrician youth Noble Virgins incompassed him with most dolefull Hymnes and ruefull ditties Thence againe he was remoued to Mars his field where was erected a foure-square frame of Timber of a huge height and compasse the stories still mounting to the toppe with sundry ascents and richly beautified with strange varieties of gold and purple ornaments and images of great Art and price On the second of which ascents was placed the Emperours said Bed and Statue with infinite store of sweetest odours brought thither from all parts of the Citie which done the yong Nobles brauely mounted on Horsebacke rid round about in a kinde of dance or measure and another sort likewise who represented great Princes in their Coaches whereupon his successor in the Empire first setting fire to the frame forthwith all the people did the like on all sides and when the whole began to be on flame an Eagle secretly enclosed within was let fly out of the toppe which soaring a great height and out of sight the people followed it with shouts and praiers supposing that therewith the Emperours soule was carried vp to heauen And thus Seuerus which was before a man of Gods making was now become a God of mans making and the more to preserue the memory of his fathers glory Caracalla erected a magnificent Edifice which he instiled Seuerus his Porch wherein with most exquisite Art and admired workmanship were portraited all his Fathers warres and triumphs atchieued here in Britaine or elsewhere 3 But presently after these two vngodly sonnes of this new supposed God so much emulated each others glory that the deadly sparkes of enuy blowne a long time with the bellowes of their ambitious desires brake out into the flames of murther and blood being brethren by one Father but not by the same mother as it is said in this only like that they were both starke naught though both in contrarie kinds of Vices And albeit the Empresse Iulia had sought by all meanes to make peace betwixt them both formerly here in Britaine and now after their returne to Rome yet the desire of a sole Soueraignty had beene a long time so rooted in Bassianus his heart for which he had twice attempted his Fathers life and so much hasted his death that hee slew his Physitians because they had dispatched him no sooner could not indure an equall much lesse a confronter in authority and therefore in the Court and in the armes of the Empresse he slew her sonne Geta in a time least suspected when he had sate with him in state and disdaine the terme of one yeare and twenty two daies 4 And to cloake this fratricide with shew of constraint first to the Souldiers and then in the Senate he accuseth his Brother to haue sought his death and that in defence of his owne life he was forced to slay the other and flying to the Pretorian Cohorts for the safetie of his life as though further conspiracies had been intended against him in the City at his return commanded Papinianus the famous Ciuilian to excuse the murther in his Pleas at the Barre which when he refused hee caused him to bee slaine as also all those that had beene acquainted with Geta whereby so many of the Nobilitie perished that he was thereby accounted another Nero in Rome and by his fauorites the name of Geta was raced out of all monuments imperiall inscriptions as we haue seene some of thē defaced vpon some Altar stones found here in Brit. 5 Of nature he was subtile and could well dissemble with them whom hee feared and make shew of loue where hee deadly hated alwaies fitting himselfe to the humours of flatteries Among the Germans counterfetting their gate and garments In Greece be like Alexander bearing his necke somewhat awry In Troy would resemble Achilles alwaies so Camelion-like as the Romans his followers were therewith ashamed In a word Caracalla saith Dio neuer thought of doing good because as himselfe confessed he neuer knew any goodnes 6 And to fill vp the measure of all iniquitie as one regardlesse of humanity or shame he married Iulia his mother in law late wife to his owne Father a sinne saith S. Paul not to be named among the Gentiles and by Sext. Aur. Eutrop. and Spar. reported vpon this occasion It fortuned that Iulia in presence of Caracalla either by chance or of purpose rather let fall the vaile which she wore discouering thereby her naked breasts and beauty which was great whereat the Emperour casting his lasciuious eie and bewraying his affection presently said Were it not vnlawfull I should not be vnwilling to whom she replied without respect of modesty that all things were lawfull to him that made lawes for others but was subiect himselfe to none forgetting at once both the murther committed vpon Geta her sonne and the scandals that accompanied so foule a sinne the pleasure wherof they did not long enioy both their deaths by Gods vengeance soone after ensuing 7 For Caracalla remaining in Mesopotamia and carrying as it seemeth a guilty conscience and suspition of his life sent to Maternus whom hee had left Gouernour of Rome to assemble all the Astrologers Mathematicians vnto which learned imposters he alwaies gaue especiall credit and of them to enquire how long he should liue and by what death he should die Maternus hauing so done wrote for answere that Macrinus his Prefect of the Praetorium then with him in his expeditiōs went about to murther him Which is thought rather in enuy of Macrinus to haue beene fained then by any Astrologicall directions so giuen forth This letter and others comming to Caracalla his hand at such time as hee was busie about his disport he deliuered them to Macrinus to reade and giue him the report at his returne In perusall wherof finding himselfe to be accused of Treason and fearing lest by the sequell hee might bee brought into greater danger he incensed one Martial a Centurion whose brother the Emperour had lately slaine to murther him which was soone performed and occasion in the fields offred for Caracalla stepping aside from his traine to ease nature Martial as though he had beene called ran hastily in without hindrance or suspect and with his dagger stabbed him
Numidia and Mauritania Prouinces in Africke much enuied and gathering forces in Maximinus his name made head against him and shortly gaue him Battle wherein Gordianus the younger was slaine before the walles of the Citie The father seeing his Caesars disastre and himselfe an Emperour onely nominall and his new risen Sunne to haue passed the circle of his height and now to approch to the setting and fall wished againe his priuate estate and in despaire griefe and disdaine of his enemies successe with the Girdle which he wore strangled himselfe to death when hee had beene stiled Emperour only twenty six daies whereat Maximinus was not a little ioifull and the Senate no lesse perplexed seeing themselues depriued of their hopes and now laid open to the Tyrants will who like a Lion came raging on threatning reuenge in all their blouds 6 The State thus standing all the Peeres and Princes thereof assembled themselues together at Rome and in the Temple of Iupiter after long debating of their present dangers concluded that Maximus Pupienus and Clodius Balbinus together should bee Emperours men of great account and fauour with the people These taking Oath and Imperiall Robes leuied forces to maintaine their cause and Balbinus taking charge of the Citie Pupienus marched to meet Maximinus who in great pride had passed the Alpes entred Italie and now laid siege against Aquieliea in which this was very memorable that The Citizens wiues cut off the haire of their heads to make bow-strings for resistance of so hatefull a Tyrant where after long assault preuailing little his discontented Souldiers fell to mutinie and entring his Pauilion at noone day without resistance slew both him and his sonne bearing the same name whom hee had created his Caesar and whose monies as he minted them we haue inserted at the entrance of his Empire Their heads for a Trophy they sent before them to Rome where with such acceptations they were receiued as that the Senate acknowledged themselues to be rid of a Monster 7 Hee was as is said exceedingly tall his body great and ioints proportionable faire of face full eies and of such strength as is vncredible and according to his limmes so was his diet for hee daily deuoured forty pound waight of flesh and thereto dranke six Gallons of wine He died aged sixty yeeres and odde when he had raigned three yeeres in the yeere of our Lord two hundred thirty and eight PVPIENVS MAXIMVS Emperours CLODIVS BALBINVS CHAPTER XXIX PVpienus Maximus and Clodius Balbinus thus elected together for Emperors the one in action and the other resident a great sedition chanced betwixt the Senate and Souldiers which grew to a bloudie issue among the Citizens and Rome it selfe was set on fire in sundrie places the Emperours presence and authoritie little preuailing which strucke such feare into their hearts that they accounted these times most vnfortunate and themselues and present estate to be most desperate But the death of Maximinus and his head happily brought them at the instant gaue present life to their dying hearts And Pupienus comming to Aquieliea as much quieted the Armie sent backe the Lieutenants to their places of charge and with great pompe and praise returned to his Fellow-Emperour 2 The parentage of Balbinus is reported to bee both noble and ancient made Citizens of Rome by great Pompey and himselfe borne at Cales in Spaine Pupienus Auncestors were much latter yet had hee borne many Offices of Magistracie and euer discharged them with wisdome and valour both of them highly accounted of in Rome 3 Peace thus established beyond all expectation with shoutes and applauses the Emperours enter the Senate-house where according to the custome and their deserts they were stiled The Fathers of the Senat with thankes as to the onely preseruers of their liues and estates and some extolling the Senate highly for their prouident foresight in clecting such sapient and worthy Emperors contrarie to the rash and vndiscreet practise of such as chose their Gouernours to fit their owne fancies rather then the charge to which they aduance them and whose bad liues brought commonly their vntimely but deserued deaths The Pretorian Souldiers tooke themselues to bee taxed with those aspersions and the rather because the German Strangers were brought in to be of the Guard as if themselues were not to bee trusted so turning their spleene against the present Emperours sought to set vp a new which shortly after they found opportunitie to effect 4 For these Emperours though aged and wise were not so linked together in affection as they were neere ioined in authoritie and therefore the winde of emulation had the easier passage betwixt the chinkes of their owne conceits the one prizing his wisdome and gouernment to be more iudicious the other his birth and Nobilitie to be more honorable and each of them hauing his owne Guard stood vpon his owne Guard though one Palace contained them both and both their endeuours euer well consorting for the businesses of the Empire 5 At this time the Prouinces of Parthia and Germanie grew vnquiet and by ciuill discords endangered their subiections to represse which the Emperors agreed to goe in person the one into the East the other into Germanie Now whilest these great preparations were in making the Capitoline-Games were celebrated in Rome whereunto all almost resorted but especially the new-come Guards of the Emperours The Pretorians finding the aduantagious time which they had long waited for suddenly in armour assailed the Court which Pupienus perceiuing sent in all haste for Balbinus and both their Guards for defense But his Fellow-Emperour vpon a vaine suspicion detracted time himselfe and hindered the forwardnesse of the Guards so that these Traitours had easie accesse into both the Emperours Chambers where in their rage they dispoiled them of their Imperiall Robes and haled these poore aged and innocent Emperours like two Theeues thorow the middest of the Citie Lastly they slew them and left their bodies to despightfull ignominie 6 These Emperours raigned together one yeere and somewhat more and died the yeere of Christ two hundred thirty nine in which yeere happened so great an Eclipse of the Sun that the noone-day thereby became as darke as the mid-night M. ANTONINVS GORDIANVS CHAPTER XXX GOrdianus for Antoninus he might not be called a law formerly acted inhibiting the same was the sonne of a daughter to old Gordianus that had made away himselfe in Carthage as is declared at the age of eleuen yeeres was created Caesar by the Senate with Pupienus and Balbinus and at their deaths by the Pretorian Souldiers elected Emperour not yet fully fourteene yeeres of age Greatly was he strengthned by the Alliance and Counsell of one Misitheus his Prefect and Instructer whom for his great learning he so honoured and loued that he tooke his daughter for his wife and by whose onely direction he prosperously administred his State affaires 2 Touching the affaires of our Prouinces
little faire winde of fortune shall blow on them they will launch forth with their full sailes into that Mare incognitum a Sea of vnknowne calamities And amōgst others such were the blinde desires and such the vnhappy euent of this Iulius Philippus the Arabick Bararian Of parentage obscure and ignoble as Victor and others affirme who pluckt off the imperiall robes of his Liege-Lord to inuest himselfe 2 Being now accepted as Emperour by the Souldiers in Parthia he wrote to the Senate of the death of Gordianus as though it naturally had happened and with faire pretensions of his good purposes but more through the feareof his Parthian Souldiers obtained their consents whereupon shuffling vp a most dishonourable peace in those parts and declaring his sonne Philip for his Caesar whose Coines with his we haue set in the beginning of this Chap. hee made all speede towards Rome where the yeere insuing his shewes and games were exceedingly magnificent for the Celebration of the Birth-day as we we may terme it of Rome that beeing the thousand yeere from her foundation 3 It pleased God at length to touch this Emperours heart both with such a sense of his owne forepast sinnes and also with the light of heauenly truth that he hath the honour of being the first Emperour baptised into the faith of Christ together with his sonne Philip and his wife Seuera though the publike authorizing of the same Profession was reserued for the blessed times of our British Constantine The meanes of his conuersion from Idolatrie were Fabianus and Origen who by letters exhorted him therunto and for the same Profession were both himselfe and sonne murdered by Decius his Captaine though others report that Decius did rather hate Christianitie for their sakes then them for their Professions sake And howsoeuer Pomponius Laetus accuseth him to bee a dissembling Prince yet Eusebius declareth the effects of his Profession farre otherwise for Philip saith hee seeking to communicate with the Saints could not bee admitted till such time as he had made open confession of his Faith at which time he ioined himselfe with those who for their sinnes were brought to examination and was placed in the roome of the Penitents because that in many things he had beene faulty which willingly he obeied and declared by his workes his sincere and religious minde towards God Which may the rather appeare by Sabellicus and Bergomensis who shew that the hatred of Decius against Philip and his sonne was conceiued for that they had committed the custodie of their Treasures vnto Fabianus the Christian Bishop of Rome who baptized them as some write though others say Poncius the Martyr did it 4 The Gothes againe descending from Scythia infested Misia and Thracia with a mighty Armie seeking their habitations in those Countries as formerlie they had done against whose irruptions the Emperour sent one Marinus a most valiant Captaine who no sooner came into those parts but drew the Souldiers into a Rebellion and proclaimed himselfe Emperour taking as he said his example from Philip that had in like sort raised his title by his Soueraignes fall But the Souldiers that had newly erected him as suddenly againe threw him downe and in their mutable affections slew him 5 Into whose Charge was sent Decius a man of great experience who also no sooner was in the Armie but they forced the Imperiall Ensignes vpon him and as some report against his will hee therefore sent secretly to Philip declaring this attempt of the Souldiers and how hee meant to make escape from them with persisting in his dutifull allegeance But the Emperour fearing this to be but policie in Decius lest by delay he might giue him more strength omitted no time to vphold his owne and with a mightie Armie vndertooke these affaires himselfe not trusting any more to the disposall of his Captaines And immediately departing Rome with a sterne resolution and ouer-hard hand held the reine of that begun Expedition whereby he presently lost the loue of the Armie and Decius was accounted the more worthy of rule whom in Verona they forthwith proclaimed Emperour and cut off Philips head thorow the teeth before they had departed Italie At newes whereof the Pretorians slew Philip his Caesar and sonne a man of so obseruable composednesse as that he had beene neuer seene to laugh in all his life And thus the two Philips ended their raignes 6 Iulius Philippus saith Eusebius raigned seuen yeeres but Eutropius and Victor giue him onely fiue whose death happened in the yeere of Christ Iesus two hundred and fiftie GN MESSIVS QVINCTVS TRAIAN DECIVS CHAPTER XXXII DEcius elected Emperour by the Persian Legions proclaimed in Verona by the Romane Souldiers and in Rome confirmed by the Voice of the Senate was of them all with wonted flatteries stiled Augustus 2 His Birth was noble of the City Cabali in the Lower Pannonia now knowne by the name of Hungarie himselfe well experienced wise and valiant and wielded the Empire as a worthy Prince had he not blemished his raigne with a staine of Tyrannie and persecuted Gods Saints with such a Heathenish rage that he is rightly noted by learned Writers to be the seuenth Horne of the Persecuting-Imperiall-Beast whose sauage cruelties towards the innocent Christians is most lamentable to be heard but more to their smart that suffred and felt it 3 The Grid-iron he made the Altar whereupon blessed Laurence offered his body in sacrifice the Stewes the Temple wherein Theodora the vnspotted Virgin worshipped her Christ the comfortlesse Deserts the refuge of aged Chaeremon Bishop of Nilus and the Caue the Sanctuarie of the seuen Souldiers fabuled by Nicephorus for seuen Sleepers and so barbarous was he that way that he put to Martyrdome many children as Vincentius citing Hugo affirmeth Fabianus and Cornelius both reuerend Bishops of Rome hee slew Alexander Bishop of Ierusalem imprisoned to death and Great Origen after he had scourged him at an Iron-stake his feet hee lockt in the Stocks foure paces asunder where he so continued certaine daies inuenting such tortures and strange temptations against the guiltlesse Christians as are most admirable to heare But long hee raged not ere God in his iustice tooke reuenge and brake him to peeces as a Potters Vessell 4 For the Gothes that had inuaded Mysia and Thracia continuing their Irruptions into the bordering Prouinces drew him into an Expedition for those parts where being betraied by Trebonianus Gallus his owne Captaine he saw his two sonnes Decius and Hostilianus whom he had admitted in fellowship of Empire with him and whose monies wee haue with his expressed slaine before his face and himselfe to intombe his body as a last refuge in a deepe whirlepoole wherein it was so swallowed vp as it could neuer be after seene hauing no other honour of Buriall nor place of remembrance where his bones should rest
And according to his Death so was his Descent for neither hath he Father Mother nor Wife mentioned for ought I know by any Writer for of Salustia Barbia Orbiana it is doubtfull whether to him or his sonne Hostilian she were wedded nor his Acts so exactly registred as were those of the preceding Emperours his sinnes so deseruing it and God in his reuenge so punishing it 5 Aurelius Victor and Eutropius say that hee raigned two yeeres and odde moneths but Eusebius affirmeth his raigne not fully two yeeres most hold him to haue died at the age of fifty and in the yeere of Christ two hundred fifty two C. VIBIVS TREBONIANVS GALLVS Emperours C AIVS VIBIVS VOLVSIANVS CHAPTER XXXIII THis ouerthrow of the Romans and death of Decius in outward semblance was so greeuously taken by Trebonianus Gallus that no man was so forward for reuenge as hee and therefore the last in suspicion of Treason The Armie hee strengthned and daily encouraged pretending great seruice against those barbarous Scythians but all to gaine credit and liking of the Souldiers whereby hee soone atchieued his desire and with their applauses was proclaimed Emperour 2 By Birth he was descended of an honourable Familie in Rome but true honour cannot harbour where dwelleth treachery and falshood as it was with him when appointed by Decius to bee Gouernour of Mysia and to keepe the passages from the inuading Gothes the desire of Rule so corrupted his minde that he plotted with them against the Armie and betraied the trust and life of his Soueraigne 3 Neither is he stained with the blot of Treasons only but also with a carelesse and cruell gouernment for with the Gothes hee made a dishonourable peace whereby the Romans who were Lords of the World became Tributarie by a yeerely pay to those vnciuill Scythians who neuerthelesse in short time brake their Truce with him sacking and spoiling the Prouinces of Thrasia Mysia Thessalia and Mecedonia the Persians then also by their example entring Mesopotamia and Syria made spoile euen thorow Armenia 4 Gallus little regarding these troubles abroad consumed his time idly in Rome rather as a Bondman to his owne voluptuous desires then a Conquering Monarch taking for his companion and Fellow-Emperour his sonne Volusianus as appeareth by inscription of Coine placed before a very childe whose yeeres did quit him of any Capitall Crime But himselfe not perceiuing the infortunate successe of Detius for persecuting the innocent Christians stumbled as Eusebius saith at the same stone and banished them whose Praiers preserued his prosperous estate at which time followed so vniuersall a Pestilence that no Prouince in the world was free from the same and his wicked Life and most vnfortunate Raigne hastened now vnto their period 5 For the Gothes continuing their furies begunne his General Aemilian Maurus ouerthrew them with a wonderfull slanghter whereby hee grew so famous and Gall◅ so contemptible that the Souldiers euer affecting change proclaimed him Emperour the newes whereof soone roused Gallus from the Bed of his lasciuious pleasures and with his sonne entred the quarrell against Aemilianus whose fortune was to slay them both in fight the yeere of Christs Incarnation two hundred fifty three after hee had raigned not fully two yeeres and liued as Victor testifieth forty and seuen whereupon the Armies ioining their forces together conferred the Imperiall title and Ensignes vpon the Conquerour C. IVLIVS AEMILIANVS CHAPTER XXXIV AEmilianus succeeding Gallus by the only election of the Mysian Armie was by birth an African in the Prouince Mauritania of Parentage base and obscure who being risen by the Warres from meane places of seruice and no better then a Common Souldier aspired to the charge and credit of a Captaine Generall 2 His Election at first was contradicted by the Italian Bands in fauour of Valerianus their owne Leader whom they sought to raise Emperour the Senate also inclining thereto the fame of the man among them was so renowned The most voices therefore heard on his side Some haue rather accounted Aemilianus an Vsurper then ranked him in the catalogue of lawfull Emperours 3 But seeing Eutropius doth allow him the place we are not to dispute his title or claime only his short time of gouernment admitteth no matters of large discourse being cut off in the budde before the graft had time to spring For his Armie disliking what themselues had done and hearing of the worths and election of Valerianus laid down their weapons born in his defense and tumultuously murdered him in the heat of their blouds after hee had raigned in name without action the space almost of foure moneths 4 So vnconstant is the state of worldly felicitie and may bee compared to a mastlesse Shippe which without Tackle is left to the mercie of the raging Seas that is one while caried with the faire windes of hope towards the hauen of wished desires but straightwaies ouerwhelmed with the waues of despaire and most especially him that is borne vpon the opinions of the giddy multitude now carried aloft vpon the flouds of their fawning fauours and anon left in the sands of their retiring ebbes with a sudden shipwracke of all their fore-gone fortunes And these aduentures too soone Aemilianus felt who the same yeere that hee thus put foorth to Sea lost all his aduenture and therewith his life Anno 253. P. LICINIVS VALERIANVS CHAPTER XXXV IF euer the saying of the wise Athenian Solon spoken to Croesus the rich king of Lydia was true That no man can be happy before the day of his death then most truly may it be verified of this Valerianus the next succeeding Emperor whose yeers were multiplied with increase of honour vntill they came to seuenty and seuen but then were clouded with such ignominious miseries as the like had neuer hapned to any Romaine Emperour before him and I may well say to no other Monarch in the world before liuing Such is the Ordinance of our great God sometimes from the Dunghil to raise men of low degree and to place them with Princes in the Chaire of Maiestie then againe to bring down the Mighty from their Seate of Glory to leaue them chained with the poorest Captiues basest Vassals For such was the State of that Great Proud King of Babel who from the height of Maiesty fell into the cōditions of an vnreasonable Beast And so was it with Valerianus though not vtterly abandoned frō the Societie of men as Babels King was yet was he caried Captiue vnto a Nation whose Society was scarce humaine and where his vsage was more then barbarous 2 This man was both nobly descended and of so great esteeme among the Romans that beeing but a priuate and then also absent they chose him for their Censor an Office of high dignitie conferred euer vpon the Best as Trebellius Pollio who wrote the History of his Life hath declared Eusebius reporteth
Victor will haue him the sonne of Gordianus the Emperour before spoken of Howsoeuer a most worthy man he was an excellent Captaine of singular continence a iust Iudge a louer of strangers seuere to the wicked but most benigne to the vertuous so that we may well say In Rome was a new world or at least In the World was a new Rome 4 His first Expedition was against Aurelius that held Milan whom he there slew and ioined his Souldiers to his owne strength But preferring the generall good before his particular quiet he addressed his warres for the East against the Gothes who as Iornandes their Story-writer reporteth had infested those parts of the Empire for fifteene yeeres continuance with continuall irruptions and had now lately entred friendship with many other like barbarous Nations inuading Thracia and the Countries before them euen vnto Macedonia and thence taking their way thorow Hungarie came downe the Riuer Danubie with two thousand Saile of Ships fraught with Munition and Men. To meet these Claudius prepared but before his Encounter he wrote thus to the Senate 5 Renowned Fathers and Reuerend Lords vnderstand ye for certaine that three hundred and twentie thousand men of warre are entred our Confines whose waight doth seeme to burden the Earth it selfe and whose warre-like preparations make these parts of the Empire to tremble and quake with whom I am now to strike Battle wherein if the Conquest be mine the ioy will be yours But if I fall yet I pray remember that I fight after Galienus hath raigned and rent the strength of the Romans in these remote Prouinces and after the Rebellions of Lollianus Posthumus Eugenius Regillianus Celsus and others who haue so weakened the sinewes of our Armes and broken the Swords and Launces of our defense that I may well say wee want if not strength yet weapons wherewithall to fight And to our shame be it spoken Zenobia a Woman commands all our Crosse-bowes and bends them against our vnarmed brests How small soeuer therefore our performance shall bee in this seruice repute it I pray for great and wish our proceeding may sort to the weale of the Empire 6 Which done with no daunted spirit he entred Battle and with more then wonted courage fought so valiantly that he slew and tooke Prisoners to the number of three hundred thousand fighting men with two thousand Shippes laden with Munition so that whole houses were filled to their toppes with Targets Shields Swords and Launces and other abiliments for Warre whereof he wrote againe to Rome and following the Enemie with successe of Victorie in Thracia neere Bizantium in Macedonia neere Thessalonica droue the Gothes out of those parts which they had so long infested and restored the wonted bounds of the Empire Thence marching into Germanie neere the Lake called Garda gaue that reuolted Nation a great ouerthrow where as Eutropius and Victor doe report hee vanquished two thousand of those strong Germans and there established againe their subiection to the Romans power And now minding to goe forward against Tetricus and the puissant Zenobia a Feuer did first cut off his purpose and shortlie after his life a thing very strange and rare in that age as by the course of their raignes wee haue hitherto seene not that so great a Monarch should die they being all of the same earthly mould that meanest men are but that in those daies a Roman Emperour should die in his bed as other men doe of a naturall death 7 Hee was of personage tall his bodie well composed and strong bright and cleere eies his face great and full and of life most temperate and chaste Hee raigned one yeere tenne moneths and fifteene daies and died the fourth of Februarie in the yeere of Christ two hundred seuentie one His Statue of Gold was set vp in the Capitoll and his Target of the same metall hung vp in the Senate-house himselfe in honour of his admired worth placed among the Romane Emperours that were deified for Gods such an estimation and loue did his vertuous life procure vnto him euen after his death M. AVRELIVS QVINTILIVS CHAPTER XXXVIII QVintilius the Brother of Claudius and Vice-Roy in his absence for the Guard of Italy was by the Armie whereof hee had command proclaimed Emperour immediately vpon the Newes of Claudius his death The Senate as ioifully confirming his Election as they were sorrowfull for their losse of his most worthy Brother Brethren indeed they were by nature and in conditions not much vnlike so that what seemed to bee past in the one was in the other supplied and still remaining For this M. Aurelius Quintilius was both wise for Ciuil Gouernment and experienced for Warres wanting no complements of an absolute Prince 2 But long his glasse stood not without a turne nor his Fortunes fauning without a frowne For the victorious Souldiors which in his expeditions had followed Claudius and thought themselues worthy of the first voyce in Election proclaimed Aurelianus for Emperour a most valiant Captain and of whose prowesse there had been so sufficient experience as that Quintilius knew hee could not stand against him And therefore mistrusting the strength of his Title and affections of his Souldiours reputed it ignominious for a noble minde to die with lesse honour then he attained vnto and enioied by his life and therfore resoluing to die an Emperour chose rather by a voluntary cutting of his own veines to powre out his life with his bloud then to hazard the chance of vncertaine warres or to returne to his priuate estate And thus no longer raigning then seuenteen daies which short time could minister little matter of larger discourse hee died with his brother the same moneth of February the twentith day and yeere of Christ his incarnation two hundred seuentie one L. DOMITIVS AVRELIVS VALER AVRELIANVS CHAPTER XXXIX SO short was the Raigne of the last Emperour Quintilius that Aurelianus who followed him may be said to be the Successor of Claudius and not of him being elected by his Legions in the East as soone as the other had beene in Italy though confirmed before him of the Senate in Rome continued still his riuall for Maiestie and attained the top of that high set Gole whereof Quintilius failed before his foot had well mounted the first step 2 This Valerius Aurelianus was of parentage neither honourable nor rich and yet his fortunes carried him to the height of both Some recount his birth was of Dacia others of Mysia both so doubtful that Flauius Vopiscus the copious Writer of his Life leaues it vndecided and to the censure of his Readers His risings were by the Warres wherunto from his child-hood hee had a naturall inclination and for continuall carying of his weapons was commonlie called Aurelianus the Sword-bearer 3 His seruice was sufficiently knowne to the Generals of diuers Prouinces who had forty sundry times imploied
foot of Maiestie no man attempting higher to mount The souldiors sent to the Senate to designe the man whom they best liked the Senate requested the souldiers to elect him whom they held worthiest in which respectiue complements and most kinde correspondencie of all parts eight moneths passed with a peaceable Interregnum as writers report 2 It seemeth the fresh sense and fearefull experiences of the former heady proceedings made men more wise then to seeke their owne deaths and especially the Generals to be better aduised then to runne desperately vpon their owne destructions A change vncredible that Thirtie ere whiles would needs be stiled Emperours among the tumultuous Souldiours though they were sure to buy the vse of that name with their dearest bloud and not one now in peace could bee found either hasty to seeke it or verie willing to accept it 3 At last both Senate and Souldiours hauing in their eye M. Claudius Tacitus a man very Noble and of Consular degree of great age singular learning long experience in Magistracie him by a ioint and conspiring suffrage they all elected to their Empire but he hauing before hand some inkling of this their purpose got him out of the way liuing very secretly two moneths at his Rurall Mannor flying saith Vopiscus that high dignity which he fore-saw would proue his ouerthrow And when they did by Embassages often sollicite him to accept of their Election sending him the Ensignes and Stile of Augustus hee againe returned them though with harty thanks yet absolute deniall alledging by reason of his age and infirmitie that hee was euery way vnable to discharge their so great expectations 4 But after much inter-course and many intreaties passed at length the necessitie of the State so requiring he accepted their offer though not with much contentment to himself who knew the waight of so great titles would proue heauy alwaies dangerous for him to beare but with vnspeakeable ioy was receiued by the whole State which promised all blessed hopes to the state vnder so worthy so wise so vertuous learned and so iust an Emperour 5 For as before his aduancement he was of Exemplary composednes and vertuous disposition so in this high Estate his life was temperate and without al pride so desirous to be a Preceder of moderation singularity vnto others as that he would not permit his Empresse to weare any Iewels of high price nor to vse other customable superfluitie or excesse in his owne house For learning and learned men whom he euer embraced in his priuate Estate he now by all meanes endeuored to honour and aduance and publikely professed that what Imperiall vertues hee had hee was to ascribe them to his study of good letters For which cause hee was wont to call Cornelius Tacitus that worthiest Historian of the Romans State his Father and commanded his workes to be carefully preserued in euery Library throughout the Empire and ten times euery yeare to be transcribed on publique cost All which notwithstanding many of that worthy Authours Bookes haue since miscaried 6 But his vertues were too great for the world long to enioy and sith his Raigne was but short it is bootelesse to lengthen it with long discourses For his Peace continued without any memory of Warres and his short time wherein hee did nothing without consent of the Senate was spent rather reforming other mens vices and abuses of the Lawes and State then in displaying his owne vertues which doubtlesse if their faire streame had not beene vntimely stopt would haue proued incomparable to any his fore-goers and vnmatchable by any his followers What death hee died is left vncertaine Eutropius thinketh him slaine by his rebellious souldiers in Asia vpon his voiage against the Persians but Victor reporteth that hee died a naturall death and that of a burning-feuer in the citie of Tharsus And Flauius Vopiscus who wrote his life â—…ith his death came vpon a surcharge of griefe by reason of factions whereby the infirmitie of his age thereto helping his vnderstanding was crazed and his heart broken whereof hee died when he had raigned six moneths and twenty daies the yeare of Christ Iesus one hundred seuentie six M. ANNIVS FLORIANVS CHAPTER XLI NO sooner was the death of Tacitus diuulged but his brother Florianus much vnlike him in that point tooke vpon him the Name and Authoritie Imperiall without expecting any election either of Senate or Souldiers and therfore not likely long to stand sure And although in all other princely parts hee was not much vnlike his brother yet hauing so great an Opposite as Probus was on whom the Easterne Armie had conferred the same Title the blossomes of his conceited hope withered euen in the budde and perished before they had any time of growth 2 For no sooner came to his eares the newes of Probus his election but he found that heady and precipitate attempts were pleasing in their Beginnings but full of difficulties in their Proceedings and most disastrous in their Successe and therefore despairing both of Men and Meanes to raise the Building whose foundation he had so hastily but too weakly laid he caused his owne veines to be cut as Quintilius before him in like case had done whereby he boldly bled to death after hee had enioyed a Titular Soueraigntie only eightie daies saith Eutropius but Vopiscus saith not altogether two moneths and thinkes him killed by the Souldiers in the Citie Tharsus likewise in the yeere of Christ two hundred seuenty and seuen M. AVREL. VALER PROBVS CHAPTER XLII THE Easterne Armie most potent and famous at the death of Tacitus from them was expected the new Emperours election which accordinglie they did but with much more wisedome and deliberate circumspection then the Souldiers of those times were accustomed to doe For euery Captaine of the Armie singled out his owne Companies and in seuerall Assemblies exhorted that all affections laid aside they would applie their mindes to thinke of the worthiest man on whom they might conferre their voices and fauours At which time the opinion of Probus his worth had so generally possessed the hearts of all men that the shout and crie of all was vniforme Let vs haue Probus for our Emperour This being signified to Rome the Senate with applause and thankes approoued and confirmed his Election with additions to his Title Augustus The Father of his Countrey and the highest Bishop For in those times euen amongst Heathens the sacred Title of a Bishop was accounted an additament of honour euen to an Emperour 2 He was borne in Hungarie in the Citie Sirmiâ—… of honourable Parentage especially by his mothers side His fathers name was Maximus a man famous in Militarie Seruice who died Tribune at the warres in Egypt and himselfe very young but very valorous by the Emperor Valerianus who so loued him for his vertues that he vsed to say of him
that of all men he best deserued the name Probus that is vertuous was made a Tribune also In which Office with great praise he serued vnder Galienus Aurelianus Claudius the Emperours vnder whom besides other exploits he fought seuerall single-combats to the great honour of himselfe and Countrey and receiued as markes of victories many Ciuicall Crownes Collars Bracelets Launces Banners and other Ensignes of Martiall deuice and Priuiledge Preferred to be Generall in Africa he subdued the Marmarides In Egypt the Palmerines vnder Aurelianus the Sarmates and Germans vnder Claudius the Gothes and in all places so famous for his Acts that hee was compared with Hannibal and Caesar. 3 His first seruice after hee became Emperour was in Gallia against the Germans that had made themselues Lords thereof where in one Battell continuing two daies he slew foure hundred thousand of them and recouered seuentie Cities from the Enemy as himselfe signified by his own Letters to the Senate After this warring in Sclauonia he quieted the Prouinces of Muscouia Russia and Polonia And entring Thracia did no lesse in Greece Syria Arabia Palestina and Iudea whence passing into Persia hee had honourable compositions of Narseus their mighty King Wherupon issued so vniuersall Peace that there were no warres heard of in all the Prouinces of the Empire insomuch that it was a common Prouerbe The very mice durst not gnaw for feare of Probus But long this lasted not ere hee was disturbed for the Egyptians erected one Saturninus a Captaine both wise and valiant for Emperour and that so sore against his will as he was like to be slaine by them for gaine-saying their desires and by a speech deliuered to his Erectors he made known to them his aduers◅es from so dangerous an ambition to this effect 4 Fellowes and Friends by my whole endeuours I haue alwaies sought to preuent that which now I see I cannot shunne I meane the Throne of Maiestie which howsoeuer to others it may seeme full of glory and securitie yet to my self I fore-see it will proue both base and dangerous Base for that I am no more the master of mine owne affections which hitherto in my priuate estate were bestowed freely where I thought best but must hēce-forth be caried at other mens dispose and cast vpon those that deserue them least That little time that I vvas wont to take in retyring my selfe to my selfe must now be straitned to serue others and my thoughts wholly spent to preuent those weapons which are borne in shew for my defence but are in truth the keyes of mine Imprisonments I cannot go without a Guard I cannot sleepe without a watch I cannot eate without a Taster these are but bondages to a free condition and neuer neede in a priuate fortune That it is dangerous it is no lesse apparant for besides the sharpe-pointed waighty sword hanging onely by a twisted-thred ouer our heads Probus is not a Galienus to compound for the Diadem but to touch his scepter is to awake a sleeping Lion What should moue you then to stir vp his wrath to seeke my death and your owne destructions For assure your selues when I die I shal not die alone So all our fame purchased in so many yeers imploiments shal be lost by this one daies worke and my Conquests in Africa of the Mores and in Spaine branded lastly with the eternall scares and infamie of Rebellion 5 These speeches as Flauius Vopis the Writer therof receiued them from the report of his Grand-father who was there present and heard them could nothing at all diuert the resolution of the Souldiers but that they persisted and maintained their Election against Probus who vpon notice thereof hastning toward them with a mighty power offred them pardon as one vnwilling to shed Ciuill-bloud or to lose so worthy a man as Saturninus was but vpon refusall of his proffered Clemencie hee gaue him a most sharpe battell wherein most of the Reuoulters were ouer-throwne and Saturninus in the assault of a Castle besieged was slaine to the great griefe of Probus who sought to haue saued his life 6 But with his death ended not all Ciuill Broiles for Bonosus Proculus two monsters of that age though of different kinds of vices opposing themselues against him and assuming the Title and Robes Imperiall vsurped the Prouinces of Britaine Spaine and some part of Gallia knowing that in these places Probus was not much beloued Bonosus vvas borne in Britaine but brought vp in Spaine without note of action but onely in his cups for hee was esteemed the greatest drinker of all men liuing insomuch as Aurel. said of him he was born nō vt viueret sed vt biberet not to draw breath but to draw in liquor yet as it seemeth hee was in good account vnder the said Aurelianus hauing a charge of Ships vpon the Germane Seas which either by treacherie or negligence were burned by the Enemy in the mouth of Rhine and as Probus tooke it not without the priuitie of Bonosus who therefore not daring to stand to the triall made all his powers against the Emperour but was in Battell ouercome and despairing euer againe to make head put his owne in a halter whereupon it was said that a Barrell was hanged and not a Man 7 Proculus was a Lygurian borne as vnsatiate a vassall to Venus as the other to Bacchus and therewithall so impiouslie impudent that as hee had a heart to commit any filthinesse so a forehead to boast of it openly as appeareth by his owne Letters wherein hee vaunteth how many scores of faire Virgins hee depriued of that faire name in one fortnight but this Graund-General of Venus Camp was suddenly forsaken by his Souldiers and came to his deserued end 8 Some stirs there were at that present in Britany by the incitements of their Gouernor vvhose name though Histories doe not specifie yet he may seeme to bee that Cl. Corn. Lalianus whose ancient Coynes are found in this Iland and not else-where and his meanes to the place was Victorinus a Moore in great fauour with Probus who taking himselfe not cleare from suspition got leaue of his Emperor to repaire vnto Britaine where giuing it out that he was come thither for safetie of his Life was courteously receiued by the Generall Whom secretly in the Night hee murthered and then speedily returned to Rome hauing by this Expedition both appeased the tumults in the Prouince and approued his fidelitie to Probus About this time as is recorded certaine Vandals and Burgundians that had inuaded Gallia were sent into Britaine by the Emperour to inhabite who though they had troubled the Romans peace in Gallia yet did them good seruice in Britaine to stay their subiection and the Britaines themselues for some good seruices were now suffred by these Emperours to plant Vines and make Wines with other matters aswell for
inuocate for aid for as yet he was not fully setled in the Christian Faith though the Gods of the Gentiles he obserued altogether deceitfull cast vp in this his holy meditation his eies Eastward to heauen and had by diuine ordinance presented to him in obiect the signe of a Crosse wherein were Starres as letters so placed that visiblie might bee read this sentence in Greeke IN HOC VINCE as diuers Authors report 5 This miraculous signe promising Victory and that saith Eusebius not in an Inscription only but by voice of Angels was so comfortable to Constantine that with great courage he went forward bearing before him and his victorious Army in place of the Imperiall Standard the forme of this vision imbrodered with gold and stones of greatest price And as one armed from heauen proceeded against his hellish aduersarie Maxentius as much depending vpon his Sorcerers was no lesse assured of the victory In furtherance whereof as a stratagem of warre hee framed a deceitfull Bridge ouer the riuer Tyber neere to Pons Miluius to intrap Constantine but ioyning battell and ouer-laid with strokes retired and fled and whether for haste or through forgetfulnesse tooke ouer the same Bridge which suddenly failing vnder him hee was with many more drowned and Constantine remained Victor In memory whereof hee caused a triumphall Arch to be erected in the midst of Rome wherein his Statue was imbossed holding in his Right hand a Crosse according to the fashion of that which hee had seene in the heauens and vpon ancient inscription in memory of this Victory this we finde engrauen INSTINCTV DIVINITATIS MENTIS MAGNITVDINE CVM EXERCITV SVO TAM DE TYRANNO QVAM DE OMNI EIVS FACTIONE VNO TEMPORE IVSTIS REMP. VLTVS EST ARMIS Thus By instinct of the diuine power with great magnanimitie and helpe of his armie in a lawfull warre he reuenged the cause of the common wealth as well on the Tyrant himselfe as on his whole faction all at once With the like successe had he warred against the Frankners in Batauia whose Victorie was likewise stamped in gold wherein is a Woman sitting vnder a Trophey and leaning her head vpon a Crosse-bowe with this inscription FRANCIA 6 But as his fame increased in the mindes of most so was it as much maligned by Licinius his fellow Emperour and Brother in Lâ—… who in his heart neuer fauoured the Christians howsoeuer for a time outwardly hee suffered their Religion but at last seeking occasions against Constantine hee raised a cruell Persecution in the East where he raigned with Martinianus whom at Byzantium and Iulius Licinius Licinianus at Arlas he had before made Caesars permitting theÌ„ to stampe these monies as marks of Soueraigntie 7 By this affliction of Gods Church he inforced this Champion of God for their defence to prepare his forces with which hee met Licinius in Hungarie where he gaue him a great ouerthrow But hee escaping to Byzantium in Asia the lesse ioyned againe battell and was there taken Prisoner yet by the mediation of his wife Constantia had his life spared and was confined within the citie Nicomedia where for his treasons afterwards he and his sonne Licinianus that somewhat suruiued him were put to death And now the peace of Gods Saints manifestlie appeared and the progresse of the Gospell passed vntroubled 8 For now saith our Gyldas no sooner was the blasting tempest and storme of Persecution blowne ouer but the faithfull Christians who in time of trouble and danger had hidden themselues in woods and deserts and in secret caues being come abroad to open sight reedified the Churches ruinated to the very ground The Temples of holie Martyrs they founded and erected as it were the Banners of victory in euery place celebrating festiuall holy daies and with pure hearts and mouthes performing the sacred ceremonies for the which blessednesse he euer after had the Attributes ascribed vnto him of most blessed Emperour most pious happy Redeemer of Romes Citie Founder of Peace Restorer of Rome and of the whole World most great inuincible Augustus Sâ—cred Diuine and of sacred memory c. Howbeit for admitting these praises as it should seeme he is taxed by Eutropius and Victor of pride as also crueltie for putting to death Crispus his sonne by Mineruina his concubine whom hee had made Caesar and permitted to stampe these monies here vnder inserted as likewise his wife Fausta sister to Maxentius but others affirme that the causes of their deaths were iust though as Paulus Orosius saith the reason thereof was kept secret and Zosimus doth therein excuse him as Cassiodore relateth and so doth Rufinus and Eusebius 9 Touching Constantius affaires in this Iland it appeareth by the last Author that after his Fathers death and his owne departure out of this Country some aspiring mind taking aduantage of his absence in other warres perswaded the people here to withdraw their obedience Whereupon once againe he addressed himselfe with his Armie to the reestablishing of the Ilands subiection and passing saith Eusebius ouer into Britaine inclosed on euery side within the banks of the Ocean he conquered the same The ioyfull memory of this expedition is registred to posteritie vpon his Coine set in the entrance of this Chapter inscribed Aduentus Augusti and by these Letters P. L. N. the place of the Mint to be at London 10 After this saith the same Author he began to compasse in his mind other parts of the World to the end hee might come in time to succour those that wanted helpe and when he had furnished his Armie with milde and modest instructions of Pietie hee inuaded Britaine that hee might likewise instruct those that dwell inuironed round about with the waues of the Ocean bounding the Suns setting as it were with those coasts And of the Politicall gouernment therein by him altered let it not seeme offensiue that I who know and professe mine owne weake sight in most of these matters doe light my dimme candle at the Bright-shining Lampe of that Illustrious Antiquarie who saith 11 About this time saith he as euidently appeareth by the Code of Theodosius Pacatianus was the Vicegerent of Britaine for by this time the Prouince had no more Propretors nor Lieutenants but in stead thereof was a Vicegerent substituted And againe Seeing that Constantius altered the forme of the Roman Gouernment it shall not be impertinent to note summarily in what sort Britaine was ruled vnder him and in the next succeeding ages He ordained foure Praefects of the Pretorian to wit of the East of Illyricum of Italy and of Gaule two Leaders or Commandere of the forces the one of footemen the other of horsemen in the West whom they tearmed Praesentales For ciuill gouernment there ruled Britaine the Praefect of the Praetorium or Grand Seneschall in Gaule and vnder him the Vicar Generall of Britaine who was his Vicegerent and honoured with the title Spectabilis that is
their deliuerance and therein sped so well that the Souldiers by constraint as Oresius saith forced him to assume the Imperiall Stile and Purple Robe And so hasting into Gallia with all the flower and strength well neer of the Britaines forces arriued in the mouth of Rhene vnto whom also the Germans Army ioyned and now accounting himselfe an absolute Monarch admitted Victor his sonne then Caesar to be partner of his Empire whose Stampe therefore with his father we haue here annexed 6 Thus Maximus establishing his throne at Triers Spread his wings saith Gyldas the one into Spaine the other into Italy and with the terror of his Name leuied Tributes and Pensions for Souldiers pay of the most fell and sauage Germans Against him Gracianus made his power but after fiue daies skirmishings was forsaken of his own Souldiers and so put to flight And now deiected and destitute of meanes to maintaine his quarrell hee sent Ambrose a great Doctor of the Church his Ambassador vnto Maximus to intreat for Peace which in outward shew was granted but was farre otherwise intended as the sequell proued For seeking his death he did shortly after effect it in this wise He caused Letters and reports to be giuen vnto Gracian that his Empresse was in iourny to visit him and withall sent forth a Carroche stuffed with Souldiers and with them a desperate Captaine named Andragathius Gracian greatly reioycing for his Wifes approach prepared himselfe to meet Her accordingly and opening the Litter thinking to imbrace his Empresse was by these Ruffins treacherously murthered neere vnto Lyons when he had raigned fifteene yeeres and liued twentie nine Valentinian with his Mother Iustina fearing the like conspiracies became supplicants vnto Theodosius in the East against Maximus 7 He therefore preparing his forces marched as farre as Aquileta in Lombardie where Maximus remained both confident and secure For hauing fortified the straits of the Mountaines with sufficient Garrisons and dammed the Hauens with strength of Ships himselfe and assisters with great boldnesse proceeded against Theodosius and gaue him a battell before the Citie Syscia in Pannonia and againe most valiantly receiued him in another vnder the leading of his brother Marcellus but in both of them was ouer-come From this last he secretly retired vnto Aquileia where of his owne Souldiers he was betraied and deliuered to Theodosius his pursuer and by him to the Executioner to be beheaded of which his vnfortunate but deserued end the famous Bishop Martinus Turonensis being in Britaine did foretell him long before Andragathius also the Murtherer of Gracian whose state was now desperate cast himselfe headlong into the Sea and made an end of his wicked life Vector the sonne of Maximus made his Caesar in France as we haue said was defeated taken Prisoner slaine This Victory was held so worthy and memorable that the Romans from thence forward solemnized that day euery yeere as festiuall saith Procopius 8 But these Britaines that had assisted Maximus as by Writers is recorded did foribly inuade Armorica and there planted themselues From whence saith Beda the Britaines first arriued into this Iland But surely himselfe is either greatly mistaken or else we mistake him altogether and that rather for that by Caesar those Coasts that lie vpon the Sea shoares are called Armorica and there the Celtes seated being the Originall of our Inhabitants as is holden and so from thēce they might spread themselues further into these British Ilands long before it receiued the name of Little Britaine The like troubles fell to other Prouinces at the same time by the intestine Warres of the Empire for the Gaules were molested by the Frankes Spaine by the Sueuians and Africk by the Vandals the East parts by the Heruli Ostroges and Hunnes Italy by the Lombards and shortly after by the Gothes 9 These troubles in the Prouinces caused the Emperors to call home their Armies with Aides of their Allies all too little to support their own declining Estates which now beganne to end of it selfe and these Emperors raignes to be cut off by their vntimely deaths But to returne into the path of our History from whence by the intangled occasions of these foure Emperours raigning together we haue wandred let vs remember what occurrents happened vpon the death of Maximus the Tyrant and hasten to end the greatnesse of the Empire which in most Prouinces began to end of it selfe For Valentinian being rid of his feares vnto which he had beene subiect and Theodosius of his Collegue vnto whom hee was enforced great hope was conceiued of a flourishing Estate but it brought foorth onely the remaines of their downefall for the one returning to Constantinople in great Triumph liued not long after and the other left peaceably in the Westerne World was as you shall heare soone made away by Conspiracie 10 Valentinian remaining at Vienna in France free from Hostile Enemies retained in his Court those that sought his life whereof Arbogastes a Captaine of a haughty stomacke politicke aduenturous and of great power but withall of a base Parentage a stranger and an Infidell was one Eugenius a Grammarian but now bearing Armes and of great account was another These corrupting his Chamberlaines compounded for his death which they as wickedly performed by strangling him in his bedde giuing it forth that the Emperour had hanged himselfe which was so confidently auouched that Prosperus in his Addition to Eusebius writing his death saith that it was acted by himselfe after hee had liued twenty six and raigned sixteene yeeres being strangled in the yeere of Grace three hundred eighty foure FLAVIVS THEODOSIVS CHAPTER LII WE haue declared in the life of the last preceding Emperour the Birth and Fortunes Warres and Victories of this most worthie Theodosius vntill the death of Maximus the Britaine for so most writers terme him and now onely remaine his latter Acts in Warre and Peace to bee further related 2 This Emperour returning from Aquileia in Lombardie vnto Constantinople in the East long time there staied not but was drawne againe into the West both to reuenge the death of Valentinian his Fellow-Emperour so trecherously strangled and also to oppose the proceedings of Eugenius whose Coine wee haue heere expressed being one of the Murderers then vsurping that portion of the Empire sided by Arbogastes the other 3 Theodosius marching with his forces towards the Confines of Italie found the passages stopped at the foot of the Alps and his Enemies powers farre surmounting his Therefore a while to deliberate on these businesses hee pitched his Tents and there staied In the meane time Eugenius and Arbogastes his associate had forelaid the Countrey and hemmed him about in such a strait that no victuals could bee brought vnto his Campe. 4 No meanes being now left but either to cleere the passages or bee ouerthrowne hee first became supplicant with Fastings and Teares vnto his God
all of them cast out the Roman Presidents settling a forme of Common-wealth to their owne liking But these our Britaines growing too weake to withstand the continuall inroades of their Northerne Enemies humbly besought Honorius for succour whose returne of comforts consisted only in words exhorting them by Letters to stand vpon their owne Guard But they knowing it was not words which must helpe them againe deplored their miseries so obtained of him the assistance of one Legion which in their aid droue backe those Assailants into their owne Marches and fortified againe the Wall betwixt the Frith of Edeburgh vnto Clutd so then departing left the Britaines to defend themselues who now besides the Common Enemies so often mentioned were much molested and their Faith corrupted by one Pelagius by birth a Britaine by profession a Monke by leaud doctrine an Heretike who was brought vp in the famous Monastery of Bangor in Wales had also trauelled Italie Sicilia Aegypt for the studie of learning and grew into great fauour with Paulinus Bishop of Nola and with S. Augustine also till his Hereticall Assertions which had beene by him and his disciple Coelestius a Scot secretly taught and by Saint Ierome discouered were afterwards condemned by Innocentiue the first Bishop of Rome But the Arch-heretike returning into Britaine began againe obstinately to maintaine the same together with Agricola one who spread the venome of that Heresie into Forraine parts whose doctrines were 1. That Man without the grace of God was able to fulfill all the Commandements 2. That Man in himselfe had Freewill 3. That the Grace of God was giuen vnto vs according to our merits 4. That the Iust haue no sinne 5. That Children are free from Originall sinne 6. That Adam should haue died though he had not sinned And therein also one Timothie most impiouslie disputed against the Diuine and Humane Natures of Christ. Notwithstanding at the same time flourished Fastidius a most learned British Bishop and Chrysanthus also the Deputie or Vicegerent of Britaine who with great honor gouerned the affaires of the Church and Common-wealth and was afterwards as elswhere we haue shewed made Bishop at Constantinople of the Nouatians against his will 11 Thus were the affaires of this Land managed vnder these Brethren Emperours the elder of which Arcadius died in peace at Constantinople leauing his sonne Theodosius a childe of eight yeeres to the succession of the Empire and to the tuition of Hisdigerdus King of Persia a matter which seemed at first very dangerous but prooued at the last very profitable He raigned thirteene yeeres and died the first of May the one and thirtieth of his age the yeere of Christs birth foure hundred and ten At which time one Iouinus of an obscure beginning had raised some Tumults in Gallia stiled himselfe Emperour vsurped the Purple Robe and stamped his Coines with the Title of Victorie as is seene in one which we heere present 12 Against him Honorius made his power and with his little losse slew the Vpstart in the Field wherby his fame was more spread in the West though not so fortunate as his brothers was in the East after whom hee liued fifteene yeeres and with whom hee had raigned other thirteene and he died saith Paulus Diaconus of an infirmitie at Rome in the yeere of grace foure hundred twenty foure leauing no issue of his body to succeed him in the Empire THEODOSIVS 2. Emp. VALENTINIAN 3. CHAPTER LIIII GReat haue been the Wars and strange the Alterations which both here at home and through the World abroad haue chanced vnto States since the first attempts of Iulius Caesar vnto these present Emperors Theodosius the second and Valentinian the third his Associate whose Liues and Raignes did conclude the Successions of the Romish Monarchs within this Iland of Great Britaine and threw downe their Triumphall Arches in many other Prouinces which for long time had been obsequious to Romes Soueraigne Command So vncertaine is the Glory of this World and her Seeming Strength so liable to Mutabilitie that the Powers and Periods thereof held in His hand that holdeth the Vniuersall Ball are suddenly turned from their high-mounted site and beauty of the Sun vnto the Downe-fall and darke side of the Globe and either fall againe into the small Circuit of their first compasse after they haue expired their Number Waeight and Measure or else with Daniels Image are vtterly extinct and blowne away as the chaffe from the Summer flower 2 The continuance of whose Estates seeme they neuer so Great and Durable in Power Circuit Defence and Multitude hath seldome extended much the limit of Fiue hundred yeeres but that their high and mounted Flames fall in the ashes of their owne consuming decaies or else hath receiued some other alteration of Empires encrease as many learned Writers haue obsered in most Common-wealths So was it in the State established by God himselfe among his Peculiar People As from the Promise to Abraham made of Christ the Blessed Seed and Life of Man where ceased the Worlds formerly-vsed computation from the Ages of Men vnto the Law deliuered vpon Mount Sinai declaring condemnation and death were foure hundred thirty yeeres from Israels departure out of Egypt when their Common-wealth beganne to be ruled by Iudges and Gods seruice celebrated in the Tabernacle vnder Curtaines vnto the Building of their Glorious Temple erect by King Salomon were yeeres foure hundred and eighty From the Annointing of Dauid the first King set vpon Iudahs Throne vnto the death of Zedechiah the last King thereof slaine by Nebuchadnezer and that Holy Temple consumed by fire were yeeres foure hundred seuentie And other Politike Estates haue stood much vpon the like Space of time For the Kingdome of Athens set vp by Cecrops the first King thereof vnto Codrus the last when they changed their Monarchie to a Democracie is said to haue continued foure hundred and ninetie yeeres The Lacedemonians State from Lycurgus their Law-giuer vnto Alexander the Great that ouerthrew it flourished the space of foure hundred ninety one yeeres From the expulsion of Romes Kings vnder Tarquinius vnto the affected Empire in Iulius Caesar were foure hundred ninety and nine yeeres And omitting many others to come to our selues from Caesars first Inuasion of Britaine vnto the daies of this Valentinian the third wherein the Romans did quite abandon it were fiue hundred yeeres From the Saxons intrusions and diuision of this Realme into an Heptarchie vnder their Gouernment vntill the vnited Monarchie made by King Egbert in the yeere eight hundred and nineteene were yeeres foure hundred sixty nine But from thence vntill their issue failed in King Edward Confessor were yeeres only two hundred forty seuen And from the Normans Conquest vnto the death of that most sacred Soueraigne of eternall memoric Queene Elizabeth when began againe the name of GREAT BRITAINE
them striking their gleames into the North and by West foreshewing it may be the scourge and desolation that the Pagans intended who were at that instant entred into France and Spaine EThelbert the second Sonne of King Withred and Brother to the last King Edbert began his Raigne ouer the Kingdome of Kent the yeere of Mans Saluation 749. and raigned without any memorable act either of his or of his Kingdomes affaires the space of eleuen yeeres leauing this life in Anno 759. and was buried say some in the Monastery of Peter and Paul in Canturbury without issue of his body to succeed him howbeit the Annales of Canturbury affirms him to bee buried at Reculuers in the I le of Tanet whose Monument is shewed at the vpper end of the South I le in the Church and is mounted with two Spires if there be not a mistaking of him for Ethilbert his Successor ALrick the third Sonne of King Withred by the death of his brother Ethelbert obtained the kingdome of Kent the yeere of Christs Incarnation 760. no other glory attending his affaires saith Malmesbury besides his vnfortunate fight at Otteford against Offa King of the Mercians wherein it seemed some honor though with his ouerthrow to withstand so puissant and impugnable an enemie Hee is the last King of Kent that held the scepter in a lineall succession the rest that followed both got and enioied it by tyranny and vsurpation This King is said to raigne thirtie foure yeeres and to die in the yeere of grace seuen hundred ninety three EThilbert surnamed Pren vsurped the Title and Authoritie ouer the Kentish Dominions when that Prouince was sore oppressed with the inuasion of the Mercian Kenulfe whose warres against Kent by succession from Offa were continued with such rigour and valour that the Countrey lay desolate where hee had beene and the people distressed whither he came This Pren Kenulse tooke prisoner and lead away with him into Mercia but at the dedicatiō of a Church that he had then founded at Winchcombe in presence of ten Dukes and thirteene Bishops he released him at the High Altar without either intreatie or ransome of redemption The King returning againe into Kent could not there bee receiued his place either being supplied by another or himselfe so disliked as not worthy any longer to raigne and hauing had experiēce of the worlds mutabilities is left againe to his priuate fortunes from whence hee had stepped hauing held his estate but for three yeeres continuance CVthred saith Malmesbury was made King of Kent by Kenulfe King of Mercia when hee had ouer-come and captiuated Ethelbert notwithstanding hee is accounted for an Vsurper and bare the title of King the tearme of eight yeeres without any other act worthy of remembrance inheriting his predecessors euill happe and calamitie through factions and ciuill discords BAldred after the death of this Cuthred tooke vpon him the princely dignitie of Kent about the yeere of Christs Natiuitie 805. But now the heauenlie prouidence determining to bring againe together that which the Saxons had diuided raised from exile little Egbert to make him the Great Monarch of the English-men His first wars were against Bernulfe King of Mercia and his second against this Baldred King of Kent whom in Battle he vanquished and forced him out of his Kingdome after he had sate on that princelie Throne the space of eighteene yeeres This Baldred is said to haue fled ouer Thames and to leaue Kent to the will of his Conquerour whither againe he neuer returned neither yet was heard of after his ouerthrow This Kingdome then that was erected by Hengist the yeere of mans happinesse 455. continued her gouernment 372. and ended her glorie in the yeere 827. being made a Prouince vnto the West-Saxons SOVTH SAXONS KINGDOME THE CIRCVIT AND CONTINVANCE THEIR KINGS SVCCESSIONS ISSVES AND RAIGNES CHAPTER VI. THE Kingdome of the South-Saxons containing the Countries of Sussex and Surrey had on the East side Kent on the South the Sea and I le of Wight vpon the West Hant-shire and the North ◅de inuerged with the riuer Thames This Kingdome was erected by Ella a Saxon-Captaine that in the second yeere of Hengists entrance as some say brought a supply of his Saxons into Britaine with whom came his three sonnes Kymen Plenching and Cissa these landing at a place which from Kymen was afterwards called Kymenishore and discomfiting the Inhabitants that made resistance became himselfe King of those Southerne parts But doubtlesse there are many opinions of this mans first entrance and new erected estate for some as M. Sauile in his Table set it in the second yeere of Hengists first arriuall Anno 452. Others in the second of Aurelius and no lesse then thirty yeeres after that Anno 482. Harrison will haue it forty three yeeres after the Saxons first entrance and fourth yeere after King Hengist his death Anno 492. And M. Ferrers in his Succession of the English Monarkes placeth it in the three and twentieth yeere of King Hengists Kingdome and in the fifth after his owne arriuall the yeere of our Redemption 488. Of such vncertaintie is the beginning of this South-Saxons Kingdome whose Continuance and Successions are nothing cleerer insomuch that Malmesburie making seueral Chapters vpon the other six omitteth only this of the South-Saxons and therefore as wee finde them let vs haue leaue to relate them and for the present to leaue Ella as hee was King till wee come to a fit place where more shall be spoken of him as he was Monarch whose raigne is set by Stow to bee thirty six yeeres by Sir Henry Sauile twenty foure and by M. Henry Ferrers thirty two and to hau◅ed in the yeere 514. CIssa the third and youngest sonne of King Ella then onely liuing at his fathers death succeeded him in the kingdoome of the South-Saxons leauing the Monarchie to Cherdike king of the West-Saxons who had planted his kingdome betweene him and the Britaines hauing taken the charge of warre against them for maintenance whereof Cissa yeelded him a yeerely contribution and liuing himselfe in long rest and peace founded Chichester and Chisbury the one a Citie for resort of his people the other a place of repose for himselfe which last he fortified about with a strong Trench for a further defense against all dangers Of any other his actions little is recorded by Writers onely in this they concurre that hee was a man of great age and small acts some affirming that hee raigned the space of seuenty six yeeres EDilwach by some called Ethelwolf and Athelwold succeeded King Cissa in the kingdome of the South-Saxons and was the first Christian of that Nation conuerted by Bishop Wilfride as some conceiue out of Beda yet Beda saith expresly that the King was baptized before Wilfrides comming And the History of S. Swithune
she abused her body by committing of adultery and was shortly expelled and in beggerly misery ended her life as by manie that so saw her we haue heard it reported saith Asserius mine Author For this her most hainous crime whereby was procured the murther of her Husband the West-Saxons ordained a Law to the great preiudice of all their Queenes succeeding that none of them should haue either title maiestie or place of roialtie which was seuerely executed for many yeeres after In the daies of this Brithrik many prodigies appeared and more perhaps then will be beleeued For it is reported that in his third yeere a shower of bloud rained from heauen and bloudy crosses fell vpon mens garments as they walked abroad And in his tenth yeere were seene fiery Dragons flying in the ayre Which wonders some tooke to be presages of the miseries following both by the Inuasions of the Pagan Danes that in these times were first seene to arriue in this Iland and the extreme Famine that afterwards happened howsoeuer sure it is that the Heptarchy now beganne to set in the West and the rising Monarchy to appeare in King Egbert whose acts and issue shall be further rehearsed when wee shall come to the time of his succession among the English Monarchs THE EAST-SAXONS KINGDOME THE CIRCVIT SVCCESSIONS OF THEIR KINGS THEIR ISSVES AND KINGDOMES CONTINVANCE CHAPTER VIII THe site of the East-Saxons Kingdom was the Country of Essex Middlesex and part of Hartfordshire and the Circuit so far as the Diocesse of London now extendeth It was bounded on the East with the Ocean on the South with the Thames on the West with the Colne and on the North with the Riuer Stowre The Kings thereof claime their descent from Prince Woden not as all the rest of the Saxon Kings but onely by a collaterall line and Erchenwine became the first King which neuerthelesse he held as Feodarie to the Kings of Kent For which cause it seemeth that Malmsbury mentioneth him not in the Catalogue of those Kings but maketh his sonne Sledda the first and tenth in descent from Woden ERchenwine is said to bee the Sonne of Offa the sonne of Bedca the sonne of Sigefuget the son of Sneppa the sonne of Awpig the sonne of Supig the sonne of Seaxnod from whom all these Kings fetch their originall His Kingdome began about the yeere of grace 527. and in the fifteenth of Eske the second King of Kent and his raigne long but yet without any memorable acts dying in the yeere 586. and leauing his sonne to succeede in his place SLedda the sonne of Erchenwine succeeding in the East-Saxons Kingdome raigned peaceablie without mention of any warres for hauing married Ricula the daughter of Imerik King of Kent was thereby the more fauoured of them and feared of others and nothing left besides his quiet raigne to be recorded to posterities neither are many yeeres of successions numbred but as they are gathered from the Computations of other princes with whom they either liued or were linked in action This Sledda died about the yeere of our Redemption 596. and left issue by his wife Queene Ricula Sebert who succeeded him in the Kingdome and Segebald his brother whose Sons afterward were Kings of that Prouince SEbert the sonne of Sledda and of Queene Ricula beganne his Raigne in the yere of Christs Incarnation 596. and in the thirtie six yeere of the raigne of King Ethelbert of Keâ—… his mothers brother at that time Monarch of the English-men who in Seberts chiefe citie London a Princelie Mart Towne saith Beda of many people ariuing thither both by sea and land new built a Church making it the Cathedrall of Bishop Miletus and so wrought with King Sebert that hee conuerted him to Christianitie and assisted him in that Foundation where formerlie say some had stood the Temple of Diana This Church these new Conuerts and Saxon Kings either new reared or inlarged for the honour and seruice of God and dedicated vnder the name of Saint Paul which worke Ethelbert further confirmed with sufficient maintenance as by this his Charter is seene containing these words Aethelbert Rex Deo inspirante pro animae suae remedio dedit Episcopâ—… Mileto terram quae appellatur Tillingham ad Monasterium siue Solatium scilicet S. Pauli Et ego Rex Aethelbert ita firmiter concedo tibi Praesuli Mileto potestatem eius habendi possidendi vt in perpetuum in Monasterij vtilitate permaneat c. And that this was the Temple of Diana some haue further confirmed vnto vs by the incredible number of Oxe-heads there digged vp in the daies of King Edward the First when the east-end of that Church was enlarged which were supposed to be of those Beasts that were there sacrificed to this Goddesse Diana These Kings likewise founded the Church of S. Peter in the West of London at a place called Thornye where sometimes stood the Temple of Apollo as Sulcardus affirmeth which being ouerthrowne by an Earth-quake King Lucius new built for the celebration of Gods seruice and that againe being decaied those Kings restored it to a greater beautie where Sebert after thirteene yeeres raigne as some write with Aethelgoda his Queene were buried whose bodies in the daies of Richard the Second saith Walsingh were translated from the old Church to the new and there interred Hee had issue by the said Queene Sered Seward and Sigebert whose liues and deaths were as followeth SEred Seward and Sigbert the sonnes of King Sebert raigned as it seemeth together in the Kingdome of the East-Saxons all three wicked irreligious men and deadly enemies to the Christian Profession These contumeliously presuming to the Lords Table and holy Sacrament of his Body and Bloud were prohibited by Bishop Miletus because they were Idolaters and vnbaptized which repulse they tooke so offensiuely that they expulsed Miletus who therupon fled into France But their impietie was not long vnrewarded for fighting against Kingils and Qinchelinus his sonne Kings of the West-Saxons were by them ouercome and in battle slaine about the yeere of Grace 623. as by the learned Sir Henry Sauile is calculated whose account for these times I altogether follow SIgebert the little the sonne of Seward the second sonne of King Sebert entred his raigne ouer the kingdome of the East-Saxons the yeere of Christ 623. of whose affaires little matter is left for vs to relate sauing that hee hauing both a Brother and a Sonne yet his Kingdome was succeeded by neither but by one Sigibert his Cosen-German once remooued SIgibert the sonne of Segebald the brother of Sebert the sonne of King Sledda and of Ricula his Queene succeeded his kinsman in the Kingdome of the East-Saxons This Sigibert reduced againe his Prouince vnto the embracing of the Christian Faith being daily instigated thereunto by Oswie King of
the Mercian at Oswaldstree in Shrop-shire quinto Augusti the yeere of our Lord 642. when hee had raigned nine yeeres and was buried at Bradney in Lincolne-shire His wife was Kineburg the daughter of Kingils King of the West-Saxons and his sonne Ethelwald young at his death and therefore defeated of his Kingdome by Oswy his Vncle the Naturall Sonne of King Ethelfrid the Wild. Notwithstanding when Oswin King of Deira was murdered by this Oswy of Bernitia and he not past sixteene yeeres of age entred by force vpon Deira and kept the same Prouince by strong hand so long as hee liued and dying left it to his cosen Alkfrid the Naturall Sonne of the said King Oswy OSwy the illegitimate sonne of Ethelfrid the Wild at thirty yeeres of age succeeded King Oswald his brother in the Kingdome of the Bernicians at whose entrance Oswyne the sonne of Osrik that had denied the Faith and was slaine of King Cedwall raigned in Deira This Oswyne was slaine by King Oswye after whose death seizing all Northumberland he spread his terrour further into other parts and was the tenth Monarch of the Englishmen as in his succession we will further speake His wife was Eanfled daughter to Edwine King of Northumberland by whom he had many children His raigne was 28. yeeres and death the fifteenth day of Februarie in the yeere of grace 670. and of his age 58. EGfrid the eldest sonne of King Oswy by Queene Eanfled had beene Hostage in the Kingdome of Mercia and after his father was made King of Northumberland in the yeere of Christ 671. Hee warred but with great losse against Edilred King of Mercia neere vnto the Riuer of Trent wherein his younger brother Elswyne was vnfortunately slaine to the great griefe of both the Kings the one being his owne brother and the other his brother in law by mariage whereupon a peace and reconciliation was made But Egfred being by nature of a disquiet disposition inuaded the Irish and destroied those harmelesse and silly people which as Beda saith had beene great friends to the English Their resistance consisted chiefly in curses and imprecations for reuenge which though they could not open heauen yet saith hee it is to be beleeued that for their cause he was cut off the next yeere ensuing by the Picts or Red-shankes against whom he prepared contrary to the aduice of his Counsell and by them was slaine among the strait and waste mountaines 20. Maij the yeere of mans felicitie 685. and of his age fortie after hee had raigned fifteene yeeres His wife was Etheldred the daughter of Anna King of the East-Angles shee was both Widow and Virgin first maried to Tonbert a Noble man that ruled the Giruij a people inhabiting the Fenny Countries of Norfolke Lincolne Huntington and Cambridge-shires and after him also in virginitie continued twelue yeeres with her husband King Egfrid contrarie to his minde and the Apostles precept that forbiddeth such defrauding either in man or woman except it be with consent for a time and to the preparatiō of praier affirming elswhere that Mariage is honourable and the bed thereof vndefiled wherein the woman doth redeeme her transgression through faith loue holinesse and modestie by beating of children This notwithstanding she obtained licence to depart his Court and got her to Coldingham Abby where shee was professed a Nunne vnder Ebba the daughter of King Ethelfrid Then went shee to Ely and new built a Monasterie whereof shee was made Abbesse and wherein with great reuerence shee was intombed whose vertues and remembrance remained to posterities by the name of S. Andrie she being canonized among the Catalogue of English Saints ALkfryd the illegitimate sonne of King Oswy in the raigne of his halfe-brother King Egfrid whether willingly or by violence constrained liued like a banished man in Ireland where applying himselfe to studie hee became an excellent Philosopher and as Beda saith was very conuersant and learned in the Holy Scriptures and therefore was made King ouer the Northumbrians where with great wisdome though not with so large bounds as others had enioied hee worthily did recouer the decaied estate of that Prouince ruling the same twenty yeeres and odde moneths and departed this life Anno 705. His Wife was Kenburg the daughter of Penda King of the Mercians and by her he had issue only one sonne that succeeded him in his Kingdome OSred a child of eight yeeres in age for the hopes conceiued from the vertues of his father was made King ouer the Northumbrians whose steps hee no wayes trod in but rather in filthy abuse of his person and place wallowed in all voluptuous pleasures and sensuall delight violating the bodies of vailed Nunnes and other religious holy women wherein when he had spent eleuen yeeres more to his age his kinsmen Kenred and Osrick conspired against him and in battle by his slaughter made an end of his impious life His wife was Cuthburga the sister of Inas King of the West-Saxons as by the time may bee gathered from the computation of Marianus and the Annales of the English-Saxons who vpon a loathing wearinesse of wedlocke sued out a diuorce from her husband and built a Nunnery at Winburne in Dorset-shire where in a religious habit shee ended her life and hee by Kenred and Osricke leauing his Kingdome to them that wrought his death KEnred the sonne of Cuthwyne whose father was Leolwald the sonne of Egwald and his father Adelm the sonne of Oga the naturall sonne of Ida the first King of Deira after the death of Osred raigned two yeeres no other remembrance left of him besides the murder of his Soueraigne Lord and King OSrick after the death of Kenred obtained the Kingdome of Northumberland and raigned therin the space of eleuen yeeres leauing to the world his name stained with bloud in the murder of young Osred no other mention of parentage wife or issue of him remaining for want whereof hee adopted Ceolnulph brother to his predecessor Kenred and died vnlamented the yeere of Grace seuen hundred twentie nine CEolnulph the brother of Kenred after the death of King Osrike was made King of the Northumbrians which Prouince hee gouerned with great peace and victorie the space of eight yeeres but then forsaking the Royall Estate and Robes of Maiestie put on the habit of a Monke in the I le of Lindesferne or Holy Iland These were the daies saith Beda wherein the acceptable time of peace and quietnesse was embraced among the Northumbrians who now laid their armour aside and applied themselues to the reading of holy Scriptures more desirous to be professed in religious houses then to exercise feats of warre or of Armes For not only Priests and Lay men vowed and performed Pilgrimages to Rome but Kings Queenes and Bishops also did the like
the third sonne of King Penda in the nonage of yong Kenred the sonne of Vulfhere who in his tender yeeres rather desired a priuate life then any publike authority in the Common-weale succeeded his brother both in the Kingdome of Mercia and Monarchy of the Englishmen But when hee had raigned thirty yeeres gaue ouer the Crowne to his Nephew the said Kenred and became a Monke in the Monastery of Bradney in Lincolne-shire where hee died Anno 716. His Wife was Osfryde Daughter to Oswyn King of Northumberland and issue Chelred that succeeded Kenred in the Mercian kingdome KEnred the sonne of Vulfhere his Vncle Ethelred changing his Princely Crown for a Monks Coule beganne his Raigne ouer the Mercians and his Monarchy ouer the English Anno 704. wherein he raigned the space of foure yeeres and then with like deuotion of those times addicted to an easie and quiet Religion abandoned both Crowne and Country and went to Rome where of Pope Constantine hee receiued the tonsure and habit of a Monke at the Apostles Tombes and entring a Monastery therein spent other foure yeeres of his life to the day of his death which was Anno 708. hauing had neither wife nor issue to reuiue his name or to rule his kingdome CHelred receiuing the resignation of Kenred his Cosin-german when he went to Rome and of sufficient yeeres and discretion to haue succeeded Ethelred his Father what time the said Kenred was ordained King raigned with great valour ouer the Mercians and was likewise Monarch ouer the Englishmen His peace was disquieted by Inas his West-Saxons who for seuen yeeres continuance inuaded his kingdome His Wife was Wereburge saith Marianus and Florentius the Monke who ascribe to her a long life and to die without Childten This Chelred raigned the space of eight yeeres and died the yeere of grace seuen hundred and fifteenth whose body was buried in the Cathedrall Church of Lechfeild EThelbald after the death of Chelred was made King of the Mercians and Monarch of the English the yeere of Christs Incarnation seuen hundred sixteene He was a Prince giuen to peace but withall a most lasciuious Adulterer insomuch that Boniface Archbishop of Mentz wrote his Epistle vnto him in reprehension of the same which tooke such effect that in repentance of his foule facts hee founded the Monasterie of Crowland driuing in mighty Piles of Oake into that moorish ground whereon hee laid a great and goodly building of stone He was the son of Aâ—…wr the elder sonne of Eoppa the second sonne of King Wibba the brother of King Penda and raigned fortie two yeeres in the end whereof he was slaine in a battell fought against Cuthred King of the West-Saxons at Secondone three miles from Tamworth the yeere of Christ seuen hundred fiftie fiue and was buried at Repton in Darby-shire hauing had neither Wife nor Children OFfa slaying Bernred the murtherer of King Ethelbald entred vpon the gouernment of the Mercians and the Monarchy of the Saxons An. 758. He inlarged his dominion vpon the Britaines ouercame the Kentish in a battell put to flight the Northumbrians and vanquished the West-Saxons the East-Angles also he seised vpon after he had murthered Ethelbert their King He raigned thirty nine yeeres and died at Ofley the nine and twenty day of Iuly the yeere of our Lord seuen hundred ninetie foure and was buried without the Town of Bedford in a Chapell now swallowed vp by the Riuer Owse He was the son of Thingfryd the sonne of Eanulfe whose Father Osmund was the sonne of Eoppa the brother of King Penda and son of King Wibba whose Father was Crida the first King of the Mercians His Wife was Quendred and children many of whom and of them we will further speake when we come to the time of his Monarchy EGfryde the sonne of great Offa was by him made King at his returne from Rome being the only ioy of his parents and heire apparant to the Saxons Monarchy vpon which he entred the day after his fathers death and liued himselfe but a hundred and fortie daies after deceasing the seuenteenth of December in the yeere of our Lord God seuen hundred ninety six hauing had neither wife nor issue that wee reade of and his body honourably interred in the Church of the Monasterie of Saint Albanes founded by Offa. KEnwolfe the cosen a farre off to King Egfrid deceased and both of them remooued in bloud no lesse then six descents from Wibba the second Mercian King was the sonne of Cuthbert as the Monke of Worcester deriues him the sonne of Bassa the sonne of Kenrowe the sonne of Kentwin the sonne of Kenwalk the sonne of Wibba aforesaid and succeeded King Egfryd in his Dominions But of this Mercian Monarch more shall be written in the succession and time of that his gouernment Hee raigned two and twentie yeeres and deceased the yeere of our Lord eight hundred and nineteene and his bodie interred in the Monasterie of Winchcombe in the Countie of Glocester being of his owne foundation His wife was Queene Elfryde the daughter as some suppose of Offa who had beene betrothed to Ethelbert King of the East-Angles slaine by her father by whom he had issue Kenelm Quendred and Burgemhild of whom more followeth KEnelm the sonne of King Kenwolfe a childe of seuen yeeres old succeeded in the Kingdome of Mercia but not in the Monarchie as his fathers had done Egbert the West-Saxon at that time being grown great in his fortunes This young King Kenelm raigned only fiue moneths and then by the ambitious desire of Quendrid his sister who seeking the gouernment by the shedding of his guiltlesse bloud instigated one Askbert his Instructor by promises of great preferments and rich rewards to make him away who only stood as she thought in her way to the Crowne This wicked practise was foorth with as impiously performed for hauing him foorth vnder pretence of hunting he slew the innocent King whose vertuous inclination promised great hopes and whose harmlesse yeeres had not attained to any worldly guile His bodie hee secretly buried vnder a bush and if we will beleeue the Golden Legend where his life is described was thus found out A white Doue which belike had seene the deed done and had got it ingrossed in a scrole of parchment posted therewith to S. Peter in Rome and vpon the High Altar laid it to bee read where in the Saxon characters thus it was found In Clenc kon baâ—… Kenelme Kinbaâ—…ne lieâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is At Clenc in a Cow pasture Kenelme the Kings childe lieth beheaded vnder a thorne But most true it is that an obscure sepulcher the body had at the first and howsoeuer found out was afterwards with great honour and ceremonie translated to the Monasterie of Winchcombe which his father had founded The murderesse Quendrid
for griefe and shame of so wicked an act ended her life without the attaining of her ambitious desire and hath left her name indeleblie stained with his innocent bloud CEolwulfe the brother of Kenwolfe and vncle to this murdered young King as his neerest in bloud was elected their Gouernour by the Mercians but his glory was not great nor his raigne long being still disquieted by Bernulfe that sought his Crowne and after one yeeres Regiment was expulsed by his people and left the same to his pursuer abandoning the Countrie for the safety of his life One daughter hee had named Elfled who was the wife of Wigmund the sonne of Withlafe the substitute King of Mercia and himselfe the last that held the Mercian Kingdome in a lineall succession BErnulfe obtaining what hee so long desired made himselfe King when Ceolwulfe was gone and was the more approoued for his valour in Armes and the lesse resisted for his ancient descent being sprung from Osher a man reputed to be of the Mercian royall bloud But Bernulfe perceiuing the fortunes of Egbert accounted those his happie successes to bee his owne shame and by defiance challenged the West-Saxons to the field which Egbert accepted and vpon Ellendon ioined Battle with the Mercians which was fought to the much losse of both their blouds Notwithstanding at last the West-Saxons preuailed Bernulfe being forced to flie with shame The East-Angles that then had yeelded to Egbert and but lately before had felt the fury of Bernulfe thought the time fit to repay him againe and therefore in warlike manner assaulted his Territories where hee in defending his Countrey against their attempts was in a skirmish slaine after he had raigned not fully three yeeres LVdecan then was chosen King of the Mercians whose bloud was not downe since their last losse neither reuenge forgotten against the East-Angles and therefore the yeere following made strength sufficient to their seeming to meet these their enemies But the State of Heptarchie now drawne to the period and the supporters thereof weakened by their own diuisions the Iland declined to a present alteration gaue place to a more absolute kind of Monarchy that in Egbert the West-Saxon was now begun who aiding the East-Angles against the Mercians Ludecan their King fought with no better successe then Bernulf before him had done whose raigne lasted not fully 2. yeers nor his memoriall reuiued either in wife or issue VVIthlafe the sonne of Oswald the sonne of Osber of the Mercian bloud-royall intruding himselfe as it seemeth into the gouernment of Mercia was vnexpectedly vanquished by Egbert the Monarch that had assumed from Bernulfe that Kingdome before him hee made his Substitute and Tributarie who so continued to Egbert and his sonne the time of thirteene yeeres leauing no other relation of his acts His issue was Wigmund the husband of Lady Elfled the daughter of Ceolwulfe King of Mercia the parents of Wystan the Martyr and of Lady Edburg maried to one Etheland an Earle in the Prouince of Lincolne BErthulf vpon the like composition of Tribute and in the like termes of subiection to the West-Saxons soueraigntie held the kingdome of Mercia as a Substitute and without any notable reports of his Acts so raigned the space of thirteene yeeres At this time the Sea-rouers out of Denmarkc that had often infested this Iland with their many Inuasions got the head so strong and wing so farre euen to the middle part thereof as this of Mercia was that they filled with terror the hearts of the Inhabitants and stained the soile with the bloud of their sides which in a most barbarous crueltie daily they shed whose rage was so great and mindes so vnsatiable that Berthulf was enforced to forsake the Country and in a more priuate estate to secure his owne life He had a sonne named Berefred who was the causer of Saint Wystans martyrdome BVrdred the last Mercian King was thereunto deputed by Ethelwolfe the West-Saxon Monarch as a shield of defence against the raging Danes that made desolations where they came In continuall imploiments against them he spent his time and that with such noble resolutions and manhood that Ethelwolfe held him worthy of his alliance and made him his sonne in law by giuing him Lady Ethelswith his daughter to Wife the marriage being solemnized at Chipnham in Wiltshire with great estate This Burdred with Ethelwolfe warred against the Britaines with victorie and he with Alured compelled the Danes vnder the conduct of Hungar and Vbba to â—…dislodge from Nottingham and depart the Prouince Yet lastly after twenty two yeeres raigne hee was so ouerlaid with their daily supplies that three of their Kings as our Writers terme them whose names were Godrun Esketell and Ammond wintred at Ripindon and sore wasted his Kingdome King Burdred at that time distressed and himselfe not able to withstand their rage with his wife Queene Ethelswith fled the Realme and the same yeere in Rome ended his life and was buried in the Church of our Lady belonging to the English College there erected His Queene in the habit of a Nunne fifteene yeeres after his death died at Padua in Italie and was there honourably buried the yeere of our Lord eight hundred eightie nine And now the fatall circle of this Kingdome drawne to the full compasse staied the hand of all glorious motion from proceeding any further and with the lot of the rest fell vnder the gouernment of the West-Saxons after one yeeres vsurpation of the Danes when it had stood in state of a kingdome the space of two hundred and two yeeres and ended in title and regall authority the yeere of Christs Incarnation eight hundred eighty six THE KINGDOME OF THE EAST-ANGLE THE CIRCVIT OF THAT PROVINCE WITH THE SVCCESSION AND ACTS OF THEIR KINGS SO LONG AS IT STOOD IN THAT REGALL ESTATE AND VNTILL IT WAS VNITED TO THE WEST-SAXONS CHAPTER XI THe Counties as we now call them that were subiect to this East-Angles Kingdome were Suffolke Norfolke Cambridge-shire and the I le of Ely The bounds whereof were limitted in this manner the East and North sides were confined by the Ocean the West with Saint Edmunds Ditch and the South altogether with Essex and some part of Hertfordshire The first raiser of the title and State of this Kingdome was a Saxon Captaine named Vffa about the yeere of Christs incarnation fiue hundred seuentie fiue whose renowne was such that he gaue name not onely to that his aspired Dominion but also from him the Subiects thereof were a long time after called Vffines though lastly it was reduced into the name and Kingdom of the East-Angles This Vffa as Florentius the Monke of Worcester hath laid downe was the sonne of Withelin and he the sonne of Hrippus the sonne of Rothmund the sonne of Trigils the sonne of Titmon the sonne of Caser the second sonne of Prince
of further to reuiue his memory to posterities ANna succeeded King Egricke in the Kingdome of the East-Angles the yeer◅ of grace six hundred fortie two as the next in bloud to Erpinwald beeing the sonne of Guido saith Beda the sonne of Eni saith Malmsbury who was brother to great Redwald and both of them the sons of Titulus the second King of that Prouince This King as the other two former had done felt the fury of raging Penda with his mercilesse Mercians that sore assaulted his Territories with rapine and spoile To withstand whose further proceedings King Anna drew the strength of his East-Angles against them and encountred Penda in a great and mortall battle wherein they were all discomfited and himselfe among them slaine when hee had raigned in continuall trouble the space of thirteene yeeres His issue were many and those of great holinesse or sanctity of life Whereof Ferminus the eldest and heire apparant was slaine by Penda in the same battle with his Father and was with him buried in Blidribrugh now Blibrugh but afterwards remoued to S. Edmondsbury His other sonne was Erkenwald Abbat of Chertside and Bishoppe of London that lieth buried in the South I le aboue the Quire in S. Pauls Church where to this day remaineth a memoriall of him His daughters were these Etheldrid the eldest was first married vnto a Nobleman whom Beda nameth Tonbert Gouernor of the Fenny Countries of Nothfolke Huntington Lincolne and Cambridge-shires and after his death remaining a virgin she was remarried to Egfrid King of Northumberland with whom likewise she liued in perfect virginity the space of twelue yeeres notwithstanding his intreaty and allurements to the contrary From whom lastly she was released and had licence to depart his Court vnto the Abbey of Coldinghā where first she was vailed a Nunne vnder Abbesse Ehba and thence departing she liued at Ely and became her selfe Abbesse thereof wherein lastly she died and was interred remembred vnto posterities by the name of S. Audrte His second daughter was Sexburg who married Ercombert King of Kent vnto whom she bare two sons and two daughters as we in that Kingdomes succession haue shewed after whose death shee tooke the habit of a Nunne and succeeded her sister Etheldrid Abbesse of Ely wherin she died and was interred and their yongest sister Withgith was likewise a Menchion with them in the same Monastery and all of them canonized for Saints Ethilburge his third daughter was made Abbesse of Berking neere London built by her brother Bishop Erkinwald wherein she liued and lastly died A naturall daughter likewise he had whose name was Edelburg that with Sedrido the daughter of his wife were both of them professed Nunnes and succeeded each other Abbesses in the Monastery of S. Brigges in France Such a reputed holinesse was it held in those daies not only to be separated from the accompanying with men wherunto women by God were created but also to abandon the Country of their natiuity and as strangers in forraine Lands to spend the continuance of their liues EThelherd the brother of Anna the yere of Christs Incarnation six hundred fifty foure was made King of the East-Angles the which it seemeth he had attempted in the raigne of his brother for that hee had assisted Penda in his warres against him and was the motiue saith Beda of the warres against Oswin King of Northumberland wherin siding with the heathen Penda he was worthily slaine the fifteenth day of Nouember when he had raigned onely two yeeres leauing his name to the blot of infamy and his Crowne to be possessed by his younger brother His wife was Hereswith sister of Hilda the famous learned Abbesse of Streanshale and great grand-childe to Edwyne King of Northumberland who bare vnto him Aldulfe Elswoolfe and Beorne all three succeeding Edilwald in the Kingdome of the East-Angles EDelwald the brother of Ethelherd entred his gouernment of the East-Angles the yere of our Lord six hundred fifty sixe and continued the same the space of nine yeeres without either mention of any other memorable act from whom as is supposed issued Ethelred that succeeded King after Beorne ALdulfe the eldest sonne of Ethelherd and Queene Hereswith after the death of his vncle King Edelwald obtained the Kingdome of the East-Angles and therein raigned without any honour or honourable action by him performed onely his name and time of his raigne which was nineteene yeres is left of him by Writers and affordeth no further relation of vs here to be inserted besides his Coine here set ELswolf the sonne of King Ethelherd and bother to this last mentioned Aldulfe began his raigne ouer the Kingdome of the East-Angles the yeere of Christ his Incarnation six hundred eighty three and continued in the same the time of seuen yeeres without record of any memorable Act Wife or Issue to reuiue his name BEorne the yongest sonne of King Ethelherd succeeded his brother King Elswolfe in the Kingdom of the East-Angles no further mention being made of him his wife nor Issue which are altogether perished and laid long since in their graues of obliuion EThelred after the death of his cosen Beorne succeeded him in the Kingdome of the East-Angles issuing as is supposed from King Ed◅lwald the brother of Ethelherd and of Anna both of them Kings in that Prouince His raigne by writers is said to bee fiftie two yeeres which notwithstanding was passed ouer without any memorable note for albeit that his gouernment was long and the declining Heptarchie not vnlikely to haue ministred matters of remembrance to posterities yet is the same passed ouer by the silence of our Wrirers and no further mention made of him besides the education of his yonger sonne Ethelbert who proued a most worthy King His wife and the mother of this vertuous sonne was Leofrun saith the Writer of his life without further mention of her parentage or other issue This King deceased the yeere after Christs natiuity seuen hundred forty eight the same yeere that Ethelbert entred his Kingdome of Kent EThelbert the sonne of King Ethelred after his Fathers death was ordained King of the East-Angles whose daies of youth were spent in learning and deeds of charity and the whole time of his gouernement in continuall tranquillity for hee is recorded to be a Prince religious and charitable sober profound and wise in counsell This King being incited by Offa the Mercian that still thirsted after greatnesse to marie Elfryd his daughter a Lady of great beautie came vpon that purpose to Offa his Court then seated at Sutton Wallis in the County of Hereford and was by him there cruelly murdered at the instigation of Quendrid his vnkind intended mother in law no other occasion ministred but the greatnes of his Port that much in her eyes ouer-heighted her husbands His Bride-bed the graue was first at Merden
resisters Neither is it to be doubted but that many others there were of that Nation no lesse carefull for transferring the remembrance of their Ancestors actions to posteritie no Nation liuing being more zealously deuoted in that kinde though their writings haue in Times ruines beene buried and their remembrances preserued onely by perpetuitie of traditions and although wee haue shewed the ancient Coines of the Britaines and obserued a series thorow the Romanes succession yet be not offended that I leaue onely Blanks for these latter Princes as also the first Saxons wanting the Monies of their owne seuerall Mintes Such therfore as I haue found of any Kings stamp raigning whilest the Land was diuided and enioied amongst them I haue in the margent of their remembrances affixed with the Armes attributed to euery seuerall kingdome and hence will obserue the same order without any inuention or fained inscription which howsoeuer wee want to furnish their successions yet this am I sure of no Nation in Europe can shew the like or can come to so true a series of their Soueraignes Coines as England is able at this day to doe VORTIGERN 1. Vortigern among the many molestatioÌ„s of the Scots and Picts was ordained the supreme Gouernor of these affaires and to that end with the Britaines full consent was elected their King For as touching that Monkish Constantine the sonne of Constantius who is said to be the brother of Aldreonus King of Little Britaine in France sent for and made King by these Britaines whose simplicitie this Vortigern is said to abuse and lastly to cause his murther and death I rather thinke the storie to be the same that happened aboue fortie yeeres before in the daies of Honorius the Emperor when Constantius among other Conspirators was raised vpon a hopefull expectation conceiued in his name This Constantius indeed had a sonne that bare his name a man of a soft spirit and no deepe reach and therefore in his youth was made a Monke But his Father risen to his aspiring honour created him first his Caesar and next Augustus till Fortune turned those smiles into frownes and stained their purple robes in both their own blouds For not only the same names induceth this doubt but the place which was Winchester and Abbey Amphibilus where this Imperiall Monke was shorne doth not a little confirme the same the remaines of which Colledge by that strong and thicke wall standing to this day at the West gate of that Cathedrall Church doth not a little confirme But wanting better directions to our proceedings we must follow for these times men of latter yeeres and not without some suspect of vncertaintie The rather for that the Saxons as then the chiefe Actors in this Land haue purposely concealed all Victors and victories against themselues neither but sparingly haue recorded their owne This Vortigern howsoeuer attaining the Crowne was ouer-awed saith Ninius by the Picts Scots stood in feare of the Roman forces and dread much the returne of Aurelius Ambrosius with his brother Vter surnamed Pendragon and therefore wanting strength of his owne to maintaine his standing sent for the Saxons as wee haue said He saith the British Story was Earle of Cornwall of an honourable Familie and noble descent his Lady euery way answerable to both by whom hee had three sonnes Vortimer Catigern and 〈◊〉 His second wife or rather Concubine hauing cast off this first was Rowena the daughter of Hengist which Pagan mariage prooued not only the bane of the Land but so ruinated the Church of Christianity that a Prouinciall Councell of the 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 sembled in Ann. 470. to repaire those things that this mariage had decaied By this Heathen Damosell he had a daughter who against the law of God and Nature was his third wife that Kings as he pretended to excuse his â—…est might be descended from the right issue of Kings vpon whom he begot his sad lamenting sonne Fausius a vertuous Impe of those impious parents that spent his life in a solitarie place neere to the Riuer Llynterrenny as wee haue said who abandoning the companie of men among those mountaines serued God in continuall teares and praiers for remission of the fault committed in his incestuous generation for the recalling of his parents to a better life and for the restitution of his Country to her former libertie This Vortigern raigned first sixteene yeeres and then deposed for his fauours to the Saxons was retained in durance all the raigne of Vortimer his sonne after whose death reestablished but oppressed by his Saxons and pursued by Aurelius he withdrew himselfe into Wales and among those vast mountaines built a Castle by Merlins direction wherof we haue spoken and more we would speake were those fantasticke fictions vnderset with any props of likelihood or truth which Rand. of Chester in his daies vtterly reiected In this Castle Vortigern with his incestuous wife after hee had secondly raigned the space of six yeeres was consumed to ashes by the iust reuenging hand of God by fire from heauen as some haue written or else kindled by Aurelius and Vter as his Ministers to execute his wrath VORTIMER 2. VOrtimer the eldest son of King Vortigern through the abuse of his fathers gouernment for which he was deposed by his owne subiects was erected King of the Britaine 's the yeere from Christs birth 454. a man of great valour which altogether hee imploied for the redresse of his Countrey according to the testimonie of William Malmesbury whose words are these Vortimer saith hee thinking not good to dissemble the matter for that hee saw himselfe and Countrie daily surprised by the craft of the English set his full purpose to driue them out and from the seuenth yeere after their first entrance for twenty yeeres continuance fought many Battles with them and foure of them with great puissance in open field in the first whereof they departed with like fortune and losse of the Generals brethren Horsa and Catigern in the other three the Britaine 's went away with victorie and so long vntill Vortimer was taken away by fatall death Huntington Monmouth Randulphus and Fabian name both the places and successe of those Battles The first was in Kent and vpon the Plaine neere vnto Ailsford where the memoriall of Catigern to this day remaineth Horsted doth as yet relish of Horsa there interred The second Battle was fought likewise in Kent at Crocanford now Craford where many perished as well Britaines as Saxons The third was at Weppeds Fleet with great losse to the Britaines and the fourth vpon Calmore where many of the Saxons after long and sore fight were slaine and more drowned in flight and lastly driuen into the I le of Thanet their first assigned habitation if not ouer the Seas so that small hope rested for them so long as this valiant Vortimer liued who had now dispossessed them of
and load them with irons more to serue their owne purposes then for any guilt in the person taking solemn Oaths before vpon the Altars and yet despise they the Altars as altogether vile and but filthie stones Of this hainous and wicked offense Constantine the tyrannicall whelpe of the Lionesse of Deuon-shire is not ignorant who this yeere after the receiuing of his dreadfull Oath whereby he bound himselfe that in no wise he should hurt his Subiects God first and then his Oath with the company of Saints and his owne mother being present ◅did notwithstanding in the reuerend laps of both his Mothers the Church and her by nature and that vnder the vesture of an holy Abbat deuoure with sword and speare instead of teeth the tender sides and the entrailes of two children of noble and Kingly race and likewise of their two Gouernours yea and that as I said before the sacred Altars the Armes of which Persons so slaine not stretched forth to defend themselues with weapons which few in those daies handled more valiantly then they but stretched forth to God and to his Altar in the day of Iudgement shall set vp the reuerend ensignes of their patience and faith at the Gates of the Citie of Christ which so haue couered the seat of the Celestall Sacrifice as it were with the red Mantle of their cluttered bloud These things hee did not after any good deeds done by him deseruing praise for many yeeres before ouercome with the often and changeable filths of adulterie and forsaking his lawfull wife contrary to the law of God beeing not loosed from the snares of his former sinnes hee increaseth the new with the old Thus far Gyldas for this time and for the raigne of Constantine whose life being no better was cut off in battell by Aurelius Conanus when he had raigned fully three yeeres and without issue was buried at Stonhenge AVRELIVS CONANVS 7. AVrelius Conanus the Nephew of King Arthur after he had slaine his Cosen Constantine in battell was made King ouer the Britaines in the yeere after Christs Natiuitie fiue hundred fortie fiue He was of disposition free and liberal but therewithall of a light credit and very suspicious cherishing them that accused others without respect of right or wrong putting some to death and retaining others in perpetuall prison among whom his own Vncle was one whose two sons he caused to be slain no causes obiected but that these three were in truth betwixt him the Crowne for which and other the like impious parts the said Gyldas continueth the tenor of his vehement reprehension in this manner And thou Lions whelpe as speakes the Prophet Aurelius Conanus what dost thou art thou not swallowed vp in the ◅thy mire of murthering thy Kinsmen of committing fornications and adulteries like to the others before mentioned if not more deadly as it were with the waues and surges of the drenching Seas ouerwhelming thee with her vnmercifull rage dost thou not in hating the peace of thy Country as a deadly Serpent and thirsting after ciuill warres and spoiles often times vniustly gotten shut vp against thy soule the Gates of celestiall peace Thou being left alone as a withering tree in the middle of a field call to remembrance I pray thee the vaine youthfull fantasie and ouer timely deaths of thy Fathers and thy Brethren shalt thou being set apart and chosen forth of all thy lineage for thy godly deserts be reserued to liue an hundred yeeres or remaine on earth till thou bee as old as Meth◅shela nothing lesse And thus with exhortations for his amendment turneth his speech to his Successor The raigne of this King among the vncertainties of other proceedings is ranged by our owne Historians as vncertainly For some hold him to rule onely two yeeres and no more being then cut off by the iust reuenging hand of God for his sinnes others allow three yeeres for his raigne wherein as they say most viciously hee liued and yet Matthew of Westminster will haue him continue in gouernement no lesse then thirty yeeres and Iohn Stow addeth three more such extremes are weedriuen vnto that haue our relations onelie from them VORTIPORVS 8 VOrtiporus after the death of Aurelius succeeded him in the Kingdome of the Britaines which then was much scantled by the intrusions of the Saxons whom in many battels as saith the British Historians he vanquished and valiantly defended his Land and Subiects from the danger of them and of their Allies notwithstanding these reported actions thus honorably atchieued yea and his Parentage with succession of gouernment may be both suspected and iustly called in question as by the words of Gyldas is manifest who sufferd not this King also to passe vntouched in his Inuectiue and lamentable passions And thou saith he Vortiporus the Tyrant of South-wales like to the Panther in manners and wickednesse diuersly spotted as it were with many colours with thy hoarie head in the Throne full of deceits crafts and wiles and defiled euen from the lowest part of thy body to the Crowne of thy head with diuers and sundry murthers committed on thine own kin and filthy adulteries thus prouing the vnworthy sonne of a good King as Manasses was to Ezechias how chanceth it that the violent streames of sinnes which thou swallowest vp like pleasant wine or rather art swallowed vp by thē the end of thy life by little little now drawing neere cannot yet satisfie thee What meanest thou that with fornication of all euils as it were the full heap thine own wife being put away with her death which thou wroughtest dost oppresse thy soule with a certain burthē that cānot be auoided By this testimonie of Gyldas this Vortiporus could not be the sonne of bad Conan as Geffrey Monmouth and Matthew of Westminster affirme him his Father being compared to godly Ezechias King of Iudah and himselfe continuing his gouernment as is said the space of foure yeeres ended his life without issue to succeed him MALGO CANONVS 9. MAlgo Canonus the Nephew of Aurelius Conanus as some write succeeded Vortiporus in the Kingdome of Britaine a man of a most seemely presence but withall charged with many vnbeseeming and foule sinnes by ancient Gyldas the onely recorder of the Actions in these times who calleth him the Dragon of the Iles greater in power then many but exceeding all in mischiefe and malice a large gi◅r but more lauish and prodigall in all sinnes and licentiousnesse in Armes and dominions more strong and greater then any other British Potentate but stronger in the destruction of his owne soule in committing the grand abhorred sinne of Sodomie In his youthfull daies with sword and fire he brought to destruction his Vncle by the mothers side being then king together with many others and after vppon a shew-seeming remorse of Conscience vowed the profession and life of a Monke but returned shortly after to his owne
note of her issue or death 17 The issue of King Ethelbert by Queene Berta were Edbald that succeeded him in the Kentish Kingdome Ethelburg and Edburge two daughters 18 Ethelburg the elder was a Lady of passing beautie and pietie and surnamed Tace who greatly desired and intended a Virgins life had not her mind beene auerted by the intreaty of her brother the perswasions of Bishop Paulinus and the earnest suit of Edwine King of Northumberland vnto which Edwine lastly she yeelded to bee his wife in hope of his conuersion and vnto whom for that purpose Pope Boniface directed his Epistle from Rome earnestly exhorting her that shee should bee diligent for the Kings saluation which shee soone after effected to the great ioy of both the Kings and to the comfort and increase of the Christian Faith thorowout England 19 Edburg another daughter of King Ethelbert is warranted only by the testimonie of Iohn Capgraue a great traueller in Antiquities and should bee most skilful in his own Country of Kent notwithstanding he is to be suspected in this that hee reporteth her to haue beene a Nunne in the Monasterie of Minster in the I le of Thanet vnder the Foundresse Domnewe being the daughter of her nephew Ermenred and that shee succeeded in the gouernment of that house Mildred the daughter of the same Domnewe Hee reporteth also that shee died and was buried in the same place and that her body was from thence remooued by the Arch-bishop Lankfrank to his Church of S. Gregorie in Canterburie REDVVALD THE THIRD KING OF THE EAST-ANGLES AND SEVENTH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISHMEN HIS WIFE AND ISSVE CHAPTER XIX REdwald the sonne of Titulus and the third King of the East-Angles had been a substitute vnder Ethelbert King of Kent and serued a long time as his Vice-roy ouer all his dominions whereby he gained such reputation to himselfe that either for his owne valour or Edbalds vices contemned of the people for his Apostasie frensie and incestuous bed became the seuenth Monarch of the Englishmen about the yeere of Christ his Incarnation six hundred and sixteene and the twentieth and fourth of his raigne ouer the East-Angles 2 This Redwald saith Beda had receiued Baptisme in Kent but in vaine and without zeale as it afterwards appeared For returning to his Country through the perswasion of his wife returned againe to his superstitious worships and in one and the same Temple after the manner of the old Samaritans hee erected an Altar for the seruice of Christ and another little Altar for burnt sacrifices to his Idols which stood vnto the daies of Beda himselfe But as she was an instigator to the East-Saxons idolatry so was shee an instrument to the further spreading of Christianitie though not by her so purposely meant in sauing the life of Edwine who afterwards planted the Gospell in all the North parts of the Saxons gouernment 3 For Edwine flying the rage of wilde Ethelfrid was succoured and maintained in the Court of King Redwald vnto whom lastly the Northumbrian sent both threats and rewards to haue him deliuered or else put to death and surely had not the Queene stood for his life he had presently died But she alleaging the law of humanitie the trust of a friend and the royaltie of a Prince preuailed so farre that Redwald did not onely saue his life but assiâ—…ted him in battell to the destruction of his enemie and the gaining of Northumberlands Crowne For vpon the return of Ethelfrids Ambassadors vnto whom Redwald had yeelded to make Edwine away he with his power of the East-Angles were at their backes and as an enemie made towards Northumberland 4 Ethelfrid whose rage and reuenge was ready enough vpon lesser occasions with such sudden preparation as he was able to make met the East-Angles almost at Nottingham and that not farre from the Riuer Idle where boldly encountring his vnequall enemie at the first brunt slew Reynhere the sonne of King Redwald to the great griefe of him and his whole host whose reuenge was so violently sought that they slew King Ethelfrid in the field and established Edwine to be his successor which was the second yeere of Redwalds Monarchy 5 Wherein he raigned the space of eight yeeres and was King of the East-Angles thirty one and deceased in the yeere of our Lord six hundred twentie foure the eighth of Edbalds King of Kent the thirteenth of Kingils King of the West-Saxons and the eighth of Edwins ouer the Northumbrians 6 The Queene and wife of this King is not named by any of our Writers but that she had been the widow of a Nobleman descended of the bloud-royall of that Nation and was a Lady that had deserued great commendations for the many vertues by her possessed had she been a Christian or a fauorer of the Christians or had not been an vtter enemy to their faith Notwithstanding by her first husband she had a sonne named Sigebert that proued a learned and most religious Prince of whom we haue spoken in Chapter eleuenth 7 His issue were Reynhere and Erpenwald Reynhere the elder and Prince of the East-Angles was slaine as you haue heard in the battell that his father fought against wilde Ethelfrid neere vnto the Riuer Idle in Nottingham-shire 8 Erpenwald the younger succeeded his father Redwald in the Kingdome of the East-Angles and was the fourth King of that Nation whose life and raigne we haue declared in the succession of the East-Angles Kings Chapter II. EDVVINE THE GREAT KING OF NORTHVMBERLAND AND THE EIGHTH SOLE MONARCH OF THE ENGLISHMEN HIS RAIGNE WIVES AND ISSVE CHAPTER XX. THe Monarch reuerted from the East-Angles was next possessed by the Northumbrians wherein it was held with greater glorie and for longer time For Edwine in King Redwalds life growne very potent after his death became his successor in the English Monarch and most worthily did adorne the same by his ciuill iustice and diuine pietie his exile visions and obtaining of the Northumbrians Crowne we haue already spoken of and therefore without repetition will passe on to his end 2 This Edwine the sonne of great Ella the first King of the Deirians was the third King that possessed the same the eighth of Bernicia the second and first Christian King of all Northumberland at the age of twenty three and in the yeere of Christ six hundred twenty foure succeeded Redwald in the Monarchy and was the greatest King of all the Saxons For as Beda saith hee subdued all the coasts of Britannie wheresoeuer any Prouinces were inhabited either of English or of Saxons which thing no King of the English before him had done and added the * Meuian Iles vnto his owne Dominions The first of them and next the South was large and fertile gaue roome for nine hundred and sixty of his English Families and the second ground for aboue three hundred Tenements 3 His first wife dead he became
of Osrike who did apostate from his faith and ruling his Prouince in plentie and peace the space of seuen yeeres was therefore greatly enuied by Oswy of Bernicia and lastly by him prouoked into the field Their hosts met at the place then called Wilfares Downe ten miles West from the village Cataracton and there attended to hazard the day But Oswyn finding himselfe too weake for Oswy and to saue the effusion of Christian bloud forsooke the field accompanied onely with one Souldier and went to Earle Hunwald his friend as he thought to secure his life But contrary to trust hee deliuered him vnto King Oswy who cruelly slew him the twentieth of August and ninth of his raigne at the place called Ingethling where afterwards for satisfaction of so hainous an offence a Monasterie was built as vpon like occasions many the like foundations were laid whose stones were thus ioyned with the morter of bloud 3 Of this Oswine thus slaine Beda reporteth the Story following Among his other rare vertues and princely qualities his humility saith he and passing lowlinesse excelled whereof he thus exemplifieth The reuerend Christian Bishop Aidan vsing much trauell to preach the Gospell thorowout that Prouince the King for his more ease gaue him a goodly Gelding with rich and costly trapping It chanced one day as the Bishop rode to minister the word of life that a poore man demanded his almes but hee not hauing wherewith to releeue him and pitying his distressed poore estate presently alighted and gaue vnto him his horse and rich furniture whereof when the King heard he blamed him and said What meant you my Lord to giue to the begger the horse that I gaueyou with my saddle and trappings Had we horses of no lower price to giue away to the poore To whom the Bishop replied And is the brood of a beast dearer in your sight then this poore man the childe of God The King 〈◊〉 reprooued turned himselfe towards the fire and there â—…dly pausing vpon this answer presently gaue from him his sword and in haste fell at the Bishops feet desiring forgiuenesse in that he had said The Bishop much astonied suddenly lift vp the King desiring him to sit to meat and to be mery which the King immediately did but the Bishop contrariwise began to bee pensiue and sadde and the teares to trickle downe his cheekes in which passion hee burst out into these speeches and said to his Chaplaine in an vnknowne tongue I neuer till this time haue seene an humble King and surely his life cannot bee long for this people are not worthy to haue such a Prince to gouern them But to returne to King Oswy 4 Who after many cruell inuasions of the mercilesse Penda was forced to sue vnto him for peace with proffers of infinite treasure and most precious iewels all which reiected and the Tyrant comming on Oswy sought his helpe by supplication to God and with such zeale as then was embraced vowed his young daughter Elfled to be consecrated in perpetuall virginitie vnto him with twelue Farmers and their lands to the erection and maintenance of a Monasterie and thereupon prepared himselfe for battle 5 The Armie of this enemie is reported to redouble thirty times his all well appointed and old tried souldiers against whom Oswy with his sonne Alkfryd boldly marched Egfryd his other sonne then being an hostage with Cinwise an vnder Queene of the Mercians Ethelwald the sonne of Oswald tooke part with Penda against his naturall Vncle and natiue Country so did Ethelherd the brother of Christian Anna side with this heathenish and cruell Mercian 6 The battle was fought neere to the riuer Iunet which at that time did ouer-flow his bankes so that the victorie falling with Oswy more were drowned in the water then slaine with the sword And heerein proud Penda lost his life with the discomfiture of all his Mercian power Heerein also died Ethelherd the East-Angles King who was the only motiue to these warres and Ethelwald escaping returned with dishonour vnto Deira The day was thus gotten the thirteenth yeere of King Oswy his raigne the fifteenth day of Nouember and yeere of Christ his Incarnation six hundred fifty fiue 7 After this victorie king Oswy raigned in great glory the space of three yeeres subduing the Mercians the south parts of the English and made the northerne parts likewise subiect vnto him He it was that decided the long controuersy for Easters celebration and founded the Cathedrall Church in Lichfeild for a Bishops See which Citie with all South-Mercia diuided from the north by the riuer Trent hee gaue to Peada the sonne of king Penda in mariage with his naturall daughter Alkfled on condition that he should become a Christian all which the said king not long enioied but was murdered in his owne Court. And the Mercians erecting Vulfhere his brother and their natiue country-man for king rebelled against Oswy and freed themselues from a forraine subiection 8 Thus Oswy ending in troubles as he began in warres raigned the space of twenty eight yeeres and then falling sicke was so strucke with remorse for the death of good Oswyn and bloud which hee had spilt that hee vowed a pilgrimage to Rome in which reputed holy place hee purposed to haue ended his life and to haue left his bones therein to rest but his disease increasing and that purpose failing he left this life the fifteenth of Februarie and his body to remaine in S. Peters Church at Streanshach the yeere after Christs birth six hundred seuentie and of his own age fifty eight His Wife 9 Eanfled the wife of this king was the daughter of Edwin and Ethelburg king Queene of Northumberland She was the first Christian that was baptized in that Prouince and after her fathers death was brought vp in Kent vnder her mother and thence maried vnto this Oswy whom she suruiued and spent the whole time of her widow-hood in the Monastery of Steanshalch where her daughter Elfred was Abbesse wherein she deceased and was interred in the Church of S. Peter hard by her husband king Edwin His Issue 10 Egfryd the eldest sonne of king Oswy and of Queene Eanfled was borne in the third yeere of his fathers raigne being the yeere of grace six hundred forty fiue In the twenty fifth yeere of his age and of our Lord God six hundred seuenty one he succeeded his father in Northumberland but not in his Monarchie of whose life and acts wee haue further spoken in the seuenth Chapter of this Booke 11 Elswine the second sonne of king Oswy and of Queene Eanfled was borne in the yeere of our Lord six hundred sixty one being the ninth of his fathers raigne at whose death he was nine yeeres old and in the ninth yeere after being the eighteenth of his age was vnfortunately slaine in a battell wherein he
serued his brother Egfrid against Ethelred king of the Mercians to the great griefe of them both the yeere of Christs natiuity six hundred seuentie nine 12 Elfled the eldest daughter of king Oswy and queene Eanfled was borne in the month of September the yeere of grace six hundred fiftie foure being the twelfth of her fathers raigne and when she was a yeer old by him committed to the custodie bringing vp of the renowned Lady Hilda Abbesse of Streanshall wherein she liued vnder her a Nun and after her death did succeed her Abbesse of the place and in great holinesse and vertue spent therein her life vnto the day of her death which was the yeere of Christ Iesus seuen hundred fourteene and of her owne age sixtie being interred in S. Peters Church within the same Monasterie 13 Offrid the younger daughter of king Oswy and queene Eanfled was borne about the fifteenth yeere of her fathers raigne which was the yeere of our Lord six hundred sixtie seuen and when she was fully twenty was married vnto Ethelred king of Mercia the twelfth Monarch of the Englishmen in the third yeere of his raigne and of Christ six hundred seuenty seuen 14 Alkfrid the naturall sonne of king Oswy did first succeed his cosen Ethelwald sonne of king Oswald his Vncle in part of Northumberland and held the same by force against his Father which afterwards he peaceably inioyed both with him and his halfe brother King Egfrid whom lastly hee succeeded in the whole kingdome of Northumberland as more at large in the same story we haue declared 15 Alâ—…fled the naturall daughter of king Oswy borne before her father was king in the yeere of Christs incarnation six hundred fiftie three and the eleuenth of her fathers raigne was married to Peâ—…d the sonne of Penda that by his permission had gouerned some part of Mercia and by Oswy his gift with this Alfled all the South of that Prouince She was his wife three yeers and is of most writers taxed to be the actor of his death being wickedly murthered in the feast of Easter the yeere of grace six hundred fiftie sixe and the fourteenth of her Fathers raigne VVLFHERE THE SIXTH KING OF THE MERCIANS AND THE ELEVENTH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISHMEN HIS RAIGNE ACTS WIFE AND ISSVE CHAPTER XXIII VVulfhere after the murther of his brother Peada aduanced against Oswy by the Nobles of Mercia maintained his title and kingdome for twelue yeeres continuance in the life time of that Northumbrian Monarch and after his death translated the Monarchy from those Kings and Country vnto himself and his successors the Mercians who now wore the Imperiall Diademe without reuersement vntill such time as great Egbert set it vpon the West-Saxons head He was the second sonne of Penda King of Mercia and the sixth in succession of that kingdome beginning his raigne the yeere of Christ his Incarnation six hundred fiftie nine and twelue yeeres after Anno six hundred seuenty one entred his Monarchy ouer the Englishmen and was in number accounted the eleuenth Monarch of the Land 2 His entrance was with trouble against the Northumbrians for vnto Egfrid their King he had lost the possession of the Iland Linsey and was expelled the Country yet three yeeres after he fought against the West-Saxons with better successe whose Country with conquest he passed thorow and wan from Redwald their King the I le of Wight which Iland he gaue to Edilwach the South-Saxons King whom he receiued his God-sonne at the font-stone notwithstanding himselfe had lately been a prophane Idolater and most cruell Heathen as by the Liger booke of the Monastery of Peterborow appeareth whose story is this 3 King Vulfhere of Mercia remaining at his Castell in Vlferchester in Stafford-shire and vnderstanding that Vulfald and Rufin his two sonnes vnder pretence and colour of hunting vsually resorted to reuerend Chad to bee instructed in the fruitfull faith of Christ Iesus and had at his hands receiued the Sacrament of Baptisme at the perswasion of one Werebod suddenly followed and finding them in the Oratory of that holy man in deuout contemplations slew them there with his owne hands Whose martyred bodies Queene Ermenehild their mother caused to be buried in a Sepulchre of stone and thereupon a faire Church to be erected which by reason of the many stones thither brought for that foundation was euer after called Stones and now is a Market Towne in the same County But King Vulfhere repenting this his most vnhumane murther became himselfe a Christian and destroied all those Temples wherein his heathen Gods had been worshipped conuerting them all into Christian Churches and religious Monasteries and to redeeme so hainous an offence vnderwent the finishing of Medisâ—…am his brothers foundation enriching it largely with lands and possessions notwithstanding hee is taxed by William of Malmesbury with the foule sinne of Symony for selling vnto Wyna the Bishopricke of London 4 He raigned King ouer the Mercians the space of seuenteene yeeres and Monarch of the English fully foure leauing his life in the yeere of our Lord six hundred seuentie foure and his body to be buried in the Monastery of Peterborow which was of his brothers and his owne foundation His Wife 5 Ermenhild the Wife of King Vulfhere was the daughter of Ercombert the seuenth King of Kent and sister to Egbert and Lothair both Kings of that Countie Her mother was Sexburg daughter to Anna the seuenth King of the East-Angles whose sisters were many and most of them Saints She was married vnto him in the third yeere of his raigne and was his wife fourteene yeeres After his decease she went to her mother Queene Sexburg being then Abbesse of Ely where she continued all the rest of her life and therein deceased and was buried His Issue 6 Kenred the son of King Vulfhere and of Queen Ermenhild being the heire apparant of his fathers possessions was vnder age at his fathers decease and by reason of his minority was withheld from the gouernment which Ethelred his Vncle entred into without any contradiction of this Kenred who held himselfe contented to liue a priuate life notwithstanding Ethelred taking the habit of a Monke left the Crowne to him who was the right heire 7 Vulfald a young Gentleman conuerted to the Christian faith by Bishop Chad and martyred for profession of the same by King Vulfhere is reported by Water of Wittlesey a Monke of Peterborow in a Register which he wrote of that Monastery to bee the supposed son of King Vulfhere himselfe and to haue been slaine by him in his extreme fury before he was a Christian or could indure to heare of the Christian faith He was buried in Stone as we haue said where his father built a Colledge of Canons regular which was afterwards called S. Vulfaldes 8 Rufine the fellow martyr of Vulfald
the first and second Kings of the West-Saxons and the third and fourth Monarchs of the Englishmen She was the second Kings wife that was debarred of the title and place of Queene Shee deceased three years before the King her husband in the nineteenth yeare of his raigne being the yeare of Christs Natiuity eight hundred fifty fiue 10 Iudith his second wife was the daughter of Charles the Emperour and King of Fraâ—…e as wee haue said her Mother was Queene 〈◊〉 the daughter of Vodon Earle of Orlâ—…ance She was a Lady of passing beauty and marryed to this King in France and when she came into England was receiued with the title and place of a Queene in abolishment of the peruerse law of the VVest-Saxons made against the Kings VViues as before was touched She was his wife three yeares and suruiued him without any issue His Issue 11 Ethelbald the eldest sonne of King Ethelwolfe and of Lady Osburg his first wife was brought vp in his youth in the exercise of warre and serued vnder his Father in the great victory obtained against the Danes at Ocley in Surrey in the yeare eight hundred fifty one afterwards hee turned his force against his Father and at his returne from Rome practised to defeat him of his Kingdome and was ready to haue giuen him battaile had not his Father parted with him his Dominion 12 Ethelbert the second son of King Ethelwolfe and Lady Osburg his first wife was in the life time of his Father after the decease of his vncle Ethelstan appointed and placed his Successor in his Kingdome ouer the South-Saxons the Kentish and the East-Saxons without any mention or meaning as it seemeth that hee should intermeddle further with any other part of England Notwithstanding after the death of his brother Ethelbald it was generally holden of all men for law equity and reason that he should succeed him in the Monarchy and so he did with the consent of his Brethren and without resistance or contradiction of any other 13 Ethelred the third sonne of King Ethelwolfe and Lady Osburg his first wife had by the disposition of his Father in his last will the one halfe of his Fathers proper inheritance which was all such land as King Egbert his Grandfather had before hee was King and was no part of the Demaines of the Kingdome and this was diuided betwixt him and his brother Elfred as the kingdome was betweene their elder Brethren Ethelbald and Ethelbert with an intent that this Ethelred should succeed his brother Ethelbald in the kingdome of the West-Saxons notwithstanding his brother Ethelbert after the decease of King Ethelbald entred into the other part adioining it to his former kingdome and was king of the whole and after left it entire to this Ethelred who succeeded him in the Monarchy 14 Elfred the fourth sonne of King Ethelwolfe and of Lady Osburg his first wife was borne at Wantage in Barkeshire in the yeare of our Lord God eight hundred forty nine and the thirteenth of his fathers raign Being a child of fiue yeeres old he was sent very honourably attended to the City of Rome where Leo the fourth then Bishoppe confirmed him was his Godfather at the confirmation and annointed him to the expectation of a kingdome growne in yeares hee grew so in discretion magnanimity and fauour of all men that in the successiue raignes of his three elder Brethren he ruled as a Vice-roy or secondary king vnder euery of them and after them at the last succeeded in the English Monarchy 15 Ethelfwith the daughter of King Ethelwolfe and Lady Osburg was maried to Burthred the twentieth King of Mercia which mariage was solemnized at the towne of Chippinham in Wiltshire in the moneth of Aprill and yeare of Christs Natiuity eight hundred thirty fiue and the fifteenth of her fathers raigne but within twenty two years after they were both forced by the Danes to abandon their kingdom and departed into Italy where the King died the same yeare in the English Colledge at Rome shee liued after him fifteene yeares in the habite of a Nâ—…ne at the City of Padâ—…a and there died and was honourably buried in the yeare of our Lord God eight hundred eighty nine which was the eighteenth yeare of her brother King Elfreds raigne 16 Neâ—…te supposed by Iohn Capgraâ—…e the Legend writer to be the sonne of King Ethelwolfe was in his youth brought vp at Glastenbery vnder Dunstan who was afterward Arthbishop of Caâ—…terbury He proued a man of great learning and was one of the first Readers of Diuinity in the Vniuersity of Oxford at the foundation or as some will haue it the restauration thereof by King Elfred hee planted a Monastery in Cornwall whereunto hee vsed for deuotion and studious meditations often to withdraw himselfe which of his abode there was afterward called Neotestoke and when he was dead his body was with great honour enterred in the County of Huntingdon at a place then called Anulfesbery and afterward in regard of his enterment Saint Neotes and now Saint Needes ETHELBALD THE TVVENTIETH KING OF THE VVEST-SAXONS AND THE TWENTIE ONE MONARCH OF THE ENGLISHMEN HIS ACTS AND RAIGNE CHAPTER XXXIII EThelbald the eldest sonne of king Ethelwolfe hauing had part of the kingdome in the life time of his Father after his death entred vpon the whole and was the twentieth King of the West Saxons and the twenty one Monarch of the Englishmen beginning his raigne in the yeere of Christs incarnation eight hundred fiftie seuen 2 His youth he had spent in the exercise of war hauing made proofe of valour in his seruice against the Danes in many battels and likewise attempted though not in so good a cause to haue fought against his owne father Which his assaies as they seemed violent and vnnaturall yet being in the quarrell of the West-Saxons law enacted in preiudice of their Queenes he was both sided and approued as hath been said 3 But howsoeuer vnwilling he was this faire Queene should sit in state by his fathers side yet contrary to all lawes either of God or man hee laid her by his owne and by nuptiall rites brought her to his sinfull and incestuous bed Which act though foule enough some haue made worse in reporting his Wife to be his owne Mother whom King Ethelwolfe kept for his Concubine And surely this his sin was not long vnpunished by the shortnesse of his raigne and life leauing no other memory of his acts besides this foule blot to his faire name 4 His raigne was onely two yeeres and an halfe and death chanced vpon the twentieth day of December the yeere of Christs assuming our flesh eight hundred sixtie His body was first buried at Shâ—…rburne in the County of Dorset where at that time was the Cathedrall Church and Episcopall See but afterwards was remoued and enterred at Salesbury in the County of Wiltshire His Wife 5 Iudith the
be done on him the procurer to repay his fact with deserued death himselfe was euer after more tender and carefull towards his other brethren with a more respectiue regard and bestowed his sisters most honorably in mariage as hath beene said 4 At his entrance of gouernment to discharge the expectations of his subiects hee endeauoured both by warres and allianuces to make them strong and rich First therefore entring friendshippe with Sithricke the Danish King of Northumberland vpon whom with condition that hee should receiue Baptisme he bestowed his sister Editha in marriage hee bent himselfe to ordaine Lawes for the weale-publike those to bind aswel the Clergie as the Layety out of which first sprang the attachment of Fellons to take hold of such as stole aboue twelue pence were aboue twelue yeares of age 5 But Sithricke the Northumbrian dying the first yeare of his mariage and his Queene returning to a religious life his sonnes Godfrey and Anlafe offended that their Pagan-Gods were neglected and onely by the meanes of this their fathers last wife stirred the Northumbrians to disquiet the English which occasioned Ethelstan to inuade their country and forced Anlafe into Ireland and Godfrey into Scotland which last so wrought with Constantine their King that he vndertooke to side in his quarrell with whom ioined Howel King of Wales These in a fierce battle hee ouercame and constrained them to submit themselues to his will who knowing the chance of warre to bee variable and pittying the case of these down-cast Princes restored them presently to their former estates adding withall this princely saying that it was more honour to make a King then to be a King 6 This notwithstanding the case of Godfrey so moued the spirit of King Constantine that hee againe assisted him in his inrodes into the English part which drew againe King Ethelstan into the North cōming to Yorkshire as he was a man much deuoted to God-ward turned aside to visite the tombe of S. Iohn of Beuerley where earnestly praying for his prosperous successe for want of richer Iewels there offered his knife vowing that if hee returned with conquest hee would redeeme it with a worthy price and thus armed with hope proceeded forward pitching downe his tents at Brimesburie his nauie waffing along those seas 7 To the aide of Constantine came Anlafe called by writers King of the Irish and of the Iles who had married his daughter a man no doubt both hardy and desperate as appeared by the Action he vnderwent for it is recorded that as Elfred the English had attempted to know the State of the Danes so this Dane at this place did to vnderstand the English for disguising himselfe like a Harper hee went from Tent to Tent and had accesse euen into King Ethelstans presence vntill hee had learned what he most desired and then returned againe to his Campe which part of his was no bolder or more wisely performed then was kept secret and after reuealed by a most faithfull souldier for Anlafe departed free from pursuit this Souldier made the act known to King Ethelstan who being sore displeased with his enemies escape imputed the fault vnto him the reuealer but he replying made him this answere I once serued Anlafe said he vnder his pay for a souldier and gaue him the same faith that I doe now vnto you if then I should haue betraied his designes what trust could your Grace repose in my truth let him therefore die but not through my treachery and by his escape secure your royall selfe from danger remoue your Tent from the place where it stands lest at vnawares hee happily assaile you 8 The King seeing the faith of his souldier was therewith pacified and forthwith commanded his Tent to bee remoued where presently a Bishoppe new come to his Campe pitched vp his owne and the night following both himselfe and retinue were slaine by the same Anlafe that sought the Kings life in assaulting the place and pressing forward came to his tent who awaked with the suddain Allarum boldly rushed vpon his enemies encouraging his men put them backe with the death of fiue petty Kings twelue Dukes and well neere of the whole Army which Anlafe had brought 9 The memory of this man is made the more lasting by a peece of ancient Saxon coine of siluer inscribed with his name ANLAF CYNYNE which for the antiquity of the thing and honour of the man we haue here imprinted placed though in the texture of our English Saxon Kings 10 To leaue a memoriall of King Ethelstans great victory giue me leaue to write what I find namely that neere vnto the Castle Dunbar in Scotland he praying that his right vnto those parts might bee confirmed vnto posterities by a signe at one blow with his sword stroke an elle deepe into a stone which stood so clouen a long time after and vndoubtedly was the whetstone to the first Authors knife but this is most certaine that hee ioined Northumberland to the rest of his Monarchy and returning to Beuerley redeemed his owne knife 11 From hence he turned his warres into Wales whose Rulers and Princes hee brought to bee his Tributaries who at Hereford entered couenant to pay him yeerely twenty pound weight of gold three hundred of siluer and twenty fiue hundred head of cattle with hawkes and hounds to a certaine number towards which paiment by the statutes of Howell Dha the King of Aberfraw was charged at sixty six pounds the Prince Dineuwre and the Prince of Powys were to pay the like summes 12 The Britaines which to his time with all equall right inhabited the City of Excester with the Saxons hee expelled into the further promontary of Cornwal and made Tamar the confines of his own Empire so that his dominion was the largest that any Saxon before him had enioied and his fame the greatest with all forraine Princes who sought his friendship both with loue and alliance by matching with his sisters and presenting him with rich and rare presents for Hugh King of France besides other vnestimable Iewels sent him the sword of Constantine the Great in the hilt whereof all couered with gold was one of the nailes that fastned Christ to his Crosse he sent likewise the speare of Charles the Great reputed to be the same that pierced Christs side as also part of the Crosse whereon hee suffered his passion and a peece of the thorny Crowne wherwith his blessed Temples were begoared and with these came the Banner of S. Maurice so often spread by Charles the Great in his Christian warres against the Saracens And from Otho the Emperour who had married his sister was sent a vessell of pretious stones artificially made wherein were seene Lanskips with vines corne and men all of them seeming so naturally to moue as if they had growne and
he is mentioned for a witnesse to his Fathers graunt of lands in Wittenham to Ethelwolfe a Duke of England in those daies as appeareth by the Charter thereof bearing date in the yeere aforesaid 8 Bertfrid an other and as it seemeth an elder sonne of King Edred was borne before his father was King without any mention also of his Mother who liuing in the second yeare of his fathers raigne namely Anno 948. was written for a witnesse in the same yeare to his grant of lands in Bedlaking to Cuthred one of his Barons the Charter whereof is extant to bee seene vnto this day EDVVY THE TVVENTIE EIGHTH KING OF THE VVEST-SAXONS AND TWENTIE NINTH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISHMEN HIS RAIGNE ACTS AND DEATH CHAPTER XLI EDwy the eldest sonne of King Edmund after the decease of his vncle Edred succeeded him in his dominions and was the twentie eighth King of the West-Saxons and the twentie ninth Monarch of the Englishmen he began his raigne in the yeare of the worlds saluation 955. and was annointed crowned at Kingston vpon Thamesis by the hands of Otho the 22. Archbishop of Canterbury 2 Yong hee was in yeares and vitious of life if the Monkish Story-writers of those times his deadly enemies may be credited not past thirteene when he entred gouernment and that begun with a capitall sinne for they report that vpon the solemne day of his Coronation and insight of his Nobles as they sate in Counsell with shamelesse and vnprincelike lust he abused a Lady of great estate his neere kinswoman whose husband shortly after he slew the more freely to possesse his incestuous pleasure and to fill the pennes of his further infamy ready to their hands that wrote his life hee was a great enemy vnto the Monkish orders a sore in those dayes very tender to be touched and may well be thought the cause of many false aspersions on him whom from the Monastery of Malmsbury Glasenbury and others hee expelled placing married Priests in their roomes Dunstan likewise the Abbot Saint of Glasenbury hee banished the Realm for his ouer-bold reprehensions if not rather for retaining the treasure deliuered him by King Edred and demaunded againe in his sicknesse when by the voice forsooth of an Angell from heauen his iourney was staid and those rich Iewels not deliuered the King in his life I will not say kept backe lest Dunstan with Balaam whose stories are not much vnlike should bee thought to follow as he did the wages of deceit 3 Howsoeuer the reuerent opinion of the Monks single life and the conceiued holines of Abbot Dunstan in those misty times did daily counterpoize young Edwy in esteeme which made his best acts construed and recorded to the worst insomuch that his Subiects minds ebbing as the Sea from the full drew backe the current of their subiectiue affections and set the eye of obedience vpon Prince Edgar his Brother and albeit his young yeeres may seeme to cleare him from the imputation of so lustful a fact as he is charged with at the day of his assuming the Crowne and the separation from his wife as too neere in consanguinity wrought griefe enough in his distressed heart yet pittilesse of his estate and carelesse of their owne allegiance the Mercians with the Northumbrians did vtterly cast off obedience and sweare their fealty to Edgar not fully foureteene yeeres aged Edâ—… then raigning in a 〈◊〉 decaying estate was heâ—…d of such his subiects in no better esteeme then was Iehoram of Iudah who is said to haue liued without being desired for very griefe whereof after foure yeares raigne hee ended his life the yeare of our Lord 959 whose body was buried in the Church of the new Abbey of Hide at Winchester erected without the Wall in the North of that City His Wife 4 Elfgine the wife of King Edwy was a Lady of great beauty and nobly descended yea and by some deemed somewhat too neare in the bloud roiall to bee matched with him in spousall bed her fathers name is not recorded but her mother was Etheigiue whom some scandalized to haue beene his Concubine and the onely causer of Dunstans banishment The subiects disliking of this vnlawfull marriage further instigated by the Monkes whose humorous pleasures or displeasures could very much sway the state in those daies failed by degrees to performe their duties to their King and her they likewise enforced to a separation in the third yeere of his regardlesse gouernment and of Christ Iesus 958. without other mention of her life or death EDGAR SVRNAMED THE PEACEABLE THE THIRTIETH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISH-MEN HIS RAIGNE ACTS WIVES AND ISSVE CHAPTER XLII EDgar the second son of King Edmund hauing raigned two yeares ouer the Mercians and Northumbrians in the dayes of Edwy his Brother to the great impairing of King Edwyes reputation and esteeme after his death at sixeteen yeares of age was chosen to succeed in all his dominions and was the thirtieth Monarch of the Englishmen or rather now of whole England all other titles of Kingdomes falling vnder his scepter and becomming Prouinces annexed vnto his absolute Monarchie 2 He beganne his raigne in the yeere of Christs Natiuity 959. and was crowned as some write the same yeare at Kingston vpon Thamesis by Otho Archbishop of Canterbury But Randulphus Higden in his Polychronicon referreth it to the twelfth yeere of his raigne William Monke of Malmesbury to the thirtieth yeare of his age and the Sax Chronicle of Worcester Church to the yeere of Christ 972 and that in the City of Bath hee was annointed and consecrated with great solemnity by Dunstan Archbishop of Canterbury 3 The raigne of this King is said to haue beene altogether in a calme tranquility and therefore hee was surnamed the Peaceable his vertues were many and vices not a few the one gloriously augmented and the other fairely excused by those Monkish writers vnto whose professions he was most fauourable his Guides were Dunstan Archbishop of Canterbury Ethelwold Abbot of Glasenbury and Oswald Bishop of Worcester three stout Champions against the married Clergie for women in those dayes were great bugs in their eyes therfore the married Priests he displaced brought in Monkes of single life to possesse their roomes whose sinnes of incontinency grew after to be great as the world did then witnes which caused Treuâ—…sa the translator of Higden to blame King Edgar charging him to bee lewdly moued in following their counsell against married Clerkes 4 So doe Malmsbury and Higden taxe him with too fauourable affections towardes the Danes who dwelled alike in euery town with the English though formerly they had sought the destruction of all and still lay in wait attending for the spoile of his true subiects who apt enough vnto euil lerned the beastly sinne of quaffing and emptying of cups which King Edgar was enforced to redresse by enacting a law
of her self â—… Hath my beauty thought she been courted of a King famoused by report compared with Helens and now must be hid Must I falsifie and bely Natures bounties mine owne value and all mens reports only to saue his credit who hath impaired mine and belied my worth And must I needs defoule my selfe to be his only faire foule that hath kept me from the State and seat of a Queene I know the name of a Countesse is great and the Wife of an Earle is honourable yet no more then birth and endowments haue assigned for me had my beauty been far lesse then it is He warnes me of the end when his owne beginnings were with trechery tels me the examples of others but obserues none himselfe he is not ielous forsooth and yet I must not looke out I am his faire but others pitch fire wine bush and what not Not so holy as Wolfhild nor so white as Ethelfled and yet that must now be made far worse then it is I would men knew the heate of that cheeke wherein beauty is blazed then would they with lesse suspect suffer our faces vnmaskt to take aire of their eies and wee no whit condemnable for shewing that which cannot be hid neither in me shall come of it what will And thus resoluing to bee a right woman desired nothing more then the thing forbidden and made preparation to put it in practise Her body shee endulced with the sweetest balmes displaied her haire and bespangled it with pearles bestrewed her breasts and bosome with rubies and diamonds rich Iewels glittering like starres depended at her necke and her other ornaments euery way sutable And thus rather Angell then Lady-like shee attended the approach and entrance of the King whom with such faire obeisance and seemely grace she receiued that Edgars greedie eye presently collecting the raies of her shining beauty became a burning glasse to his heart and the sparkle of her faire falling into the traine of his loue set all his senses on fire yet dissembling his passions he passed on to his game where hauing the false Ethelwold at aduantage he ranne him through with a Iaueline and tooke faire Elfrida to his wife 15 These were the vertues and vices of this King little in personage but great in spirit and the first vnresisted Monarch of the whole Land whom all the other Saxons acknowledged their supreme without diuision of Prouinces or title He raigned sixteene yeeres and two moneths in great tranquillity and honour and died vpon tuesday the eighth of Iuly the thirty seuenth of his age and yeere of Christ 975. whose body with all funerall solemnitie was buried in the Abbey of Glasenburie His Wiues 16 Ethelfled the first wife of King Edgar was surnamed in the Saxon English Enâ—…a in Latine Candida which with vs is White because of her exceeding great beauty Shee was the daughter of a Duke amongst the East-Angles named Ordmar and was married vnto him the second yeere of his raigne and the eighteenth of his age being the yeere of Christs Natiuitie 961. She was his wife not fully two yeeres and died the fourth of his raigne in Anno 962. 17 Elfrida the second wife of King Edgar was the widow of slaughtered Ethelwold of whom wee haue said She was daughter to Ordgarus and sister to Ordulfe both of them Dukes of Deuonshire and the Founders of Tauestoke Abbey in that Countie a Ladie of passing great beauty and as ambitious as faire for after the Kings death she procured the murther of King Edward her sonne in law that her owne sonne Ethelred might come to the Crowne and afterwards to pacifie his and her first husbands ghost and to stop the peoples speeches of so wicked a fact she founded the Abbeys of Ambresbery Whorwell in the Counties of Wiltshire and South-hampton His Children 18 Edward the eldest sonne of King Edgar and Queene Ethelfled his first wife was born in the fourth yeere of his fathers raigne and a little before his mothers death in the yeere of Christ Iesus 962. He was a child disposed to all vertue notwithstanding great meanes was made by his mother in law for the disinheriting of him and the preferment of her owne son to the succession of the Crowne yet by prouident care taken in the life time of his father he succeeded him after his death as right heire both of his kingdome and conditions 19 Edmund the second sonne of King Edgar and the first of Queene Elfrida his second wife was borne in the seuenth yeere of his fathers raigne being the yeere of grace 965. He liued but foure yeeres and died in his infancie in the twelfth yeere of his fathers raigne and was honourably enterred in the Monasterie of Nunnes at Ramsey in Hampshire which King Edgar had founded 20 Ethelred the third sonne of King Edgar and the second of Queene Elfreda his second wife and the last of them both was borne in the eighth yeere of his fathers raigne and yeere of saluation 966. He was vertuously inclined beautifull in complexion and comly of stature at the death of his father being but seuen yeers old and at his brothers murther ten which deed he sore lamented to the great discontentment of his mother who for his aduancement had complotted the same and wherein at thâ—…se yeeres he vnwillingly succeeded him 21 Edgith the naturall daughter of King Edgar had to her mother a Lady named Wolfhild the daughter of Wolshelm the sonne of Byrding the sonne of Nesting the two latter bearing in their names the memorie of their fortunes the last of them being found in an Eagles nest by King Elfred as he was on hunting This Edgith was a vailed Nunne in the Monastery of Wilton and according to some Authors made Abbesse thereof by her father at fifteene yeeres of age saith her Legend She died the fifteenth day of September the yeere of her age twenty three the sixt of her brother King Ethelreds raigne and of Christ Iesus 984. By all which accounts it is manifest that she was borne before Edward and by Master Fox proued that for him and not for her King Edgar did his seuen yeeres penance She is greatly commended for her chastitie and beauty which later she somewhat augmented with more curious attire then to her profession was beseeming for which Bishoppe Ethelwold sharply reproued her who answered him roundly that God regarded the heart more then the garment and that sins might bee couered as well vnder rags as robes This Edgith as Iohn Capgraue reporteth after the slaughter of her brother Edward the holy Archbishop Dunstan would haue aduanced to the Crown inuested her against Ethelred the lawfull heire had she not by the late experience of Edwards fall vtterly refused that title which neither belonged to her right nor was safe for her person to vndertake Her body was buried at Wilton in the Monastery and Church of
this last ouerthrow and want of victuals caused him after he had receiued a certaine summe of money to hast into Denmarke minding with more power and better aduantage to prosecute the quarrell 29 Not long it was ere he returned and immediately was met by the English where betwixt them was strucke a fierce battaile which had been with good successe had not the treasons of some hindered it in turning to the Danes King Ethelred therefore seeing himselfe and land betraied in this manner to those few true English that were left he vsed this speech as followeth 30 If there wanted in me a fatherly care either for the defence of the Kingdome or administration of iustice in the common wealth or in you the courage of Souldiers for the defence of your natiue Country then truely silent would I bee for euer and beare these calamities with a more deiected mind but as the case stands be it as it is I for my part am resolued to rush into the midst of the enemie and to lose my life for my Kingdome and Crowne And you I am sure hold it a worthy death that is purchased for the liberties of your selues and kindred and therein I pray you let vs all die for I see both God and destiny against vs and the ruine of the English nation brought almost to the last period for wee are ouercome not by weapons and hostile warre but by treason and domesticke falshood our Nauy betraied into the Danes hands our battaile weakened by the reuolt of our Captaines our designes bewraied to them by our owne Counsellors and they also inforcing compositions of dishonourable peace I my selfe disesteemeed and in scorne tearmed Ethelred the vnready your valour and loialties betraied by your owne leaders and all our pouerty yeerely augmented by the paiment of their Dane-gilt which how to redresse God onely knoweth and we are to seeke for if we pay money for peace yea and that confirmed by oth these enemies soone breake it as a people that neither regard God nor man contrary to equity and the lawes of warre or of nations and so farre off is all hope of better successe as we haue cause to feare the losse of our Kingdom and you the extinct of the English nations renowne therefore seeing the enemies are at hand and their hands at our throats let vs by foresight and counsell saue our owne liues or else by courage sheath our swords in their bowels either of which I am willing to enter into to secure our estate and nation from an irrecouerable ruine 31 This lamentable Oration deliuered from the passions of a iustly-pensiue King touched the hearers to the heartes and asmuch distracted their afflicted minds to abide battaile they saw it was bootlesse the treason of their leaders so many times defeating their victories to yeeld themselues to the enemy would but beginne their seruitude and misery and to flee before them their eternall ignominy and reproch Thus their opinions were canuased but nothing put in practise whereas meane whiles the Danes went forward with victories and had got the most part of the land yea and London also by submission wherewith vnfortunate Ethelred more and more deiected sent his wife Emma with his two sonnes by her vnto her brother Richard Duke of Normandy and for his owne safest refuge committed himselfe vnto Turkil the Dane in whose shippes he remained a while at Greenewich and from thence went into the Isle of Wight where he abode most part of the winter and thence sailed into Normandy to his wife and brother leauing the Danes lording it in his realme 32 These were the daies of Englands mourning shee being vnable to maintaine her defenders and yet enforced to nourish and cherish her deuourers for the Danes in two factions most cruelly afflicted the land like two milstones crushing grinding the grain Swayn as an absolute King extorted of the English both victuals and pay for his souldiers and Turkil on the other side in defence of the English commanded the like for his ships and men so that the Danes had all and the English maintained al. Neither were churches free from their spoils whom other Conquerors haue held most impious to violate but either suffered the flames of their consuming fire or were forced to purchase their standings with great summes of money Such composition King Swaine demaunded for the preseruation of S. Edmunds Monastery in Suffolke which because the Inhabitants refused to pay he threatned spoile both to the place to the Martyrs bones there enterred in the midst of which iollity saith Houeden he suddainely cried out that he was strucke by S. Edmund with a sword being then in the midst of his Nobles and no man seeing from whose hand it came and so with great horrour and torment three daies after vpon the third of February ended his life at Thetford others say at Gainsborough but with his death died not the title of the Danes who immediately aduanced Canutus his sonne for their King 33 The English that liked nothing lesse then bondage especially vnder such tyrannizing intruders thought now or neuer the time to shake off the yoake and therefore with great ioy and hast sent into Normandy for their natiue King Ethelred now not vnreadie for the recouering of his right foreslowed no meanes either to hasten or strengthen the enterprize and hauing the assistance of his brother of Normandy in the Lent following landed in England vnto whom resorted the people from all parts accounting it their greatest ioy to see the face of their King 34 Canutus then at Gainsborough Souldier-like mustered and managed his men and holding it good policie to keepe that by bounty which his father had got by tyranny made no spare to purchase the hearts of the English by which meanes those of Lyndsey became his Creatures with an agreement to find him both horse and men against their owne King and Country Ethelred therefore now raging for reuenge with a mighty host entered Lyndsey where hee burnt all the Country and put the inhabitants to the sword Canute not able to resist this puissant Army held the sea more safe for him then the land and entring Humber sailed to Sandwich where being sore grieued at the miseries of these his confederates requited King Ethelreds friends with the like and commaunded that those pledges which had beene deliuered by the Nobles vnto his Father should haue their noses slit and their hands cut off which cruelty acted hee sailed to Denmarke as hopelesse of any good issue in England 35 But Turkil the Dane retained as we said into King Ethelreds pay seeing successe so sodainely altered sore repented him of his reuolt from the Danes and knowing now the time to recouer his reputation with nine of his shippes sailed into Denmarke instantly importuning Canut to addresse againe for England alleadging the feares and weaknesse of the people the beauty
deceased in the very prime of his youth before the death of his father or of his elder brother and before hee had done any thing in his life worthy of remembrance after his death 44 Edmund the third sonne of King Ethelred Queene Elgiua his first wife was borne in the eleuenth yeare of his fathers raigne and of Grace 989 and of all his fathers Children proued to be the only man that set his helping hand to the redresse of the estate of his Country distressed by the miserable oppressions of the Danes which hee pursued with such exceeding toile and restlesse hazards of his body as he was therefore surnamed Iron-side and when hee had followed those warres with great courage the space of seuenteene yeeres vnder his Father being come to twenty seuen of his owne age hee succeeded him in his Kingdome and troubles as presently shall be shewed 45 Edred the fourth sonne of King Ethelred and of Queene Elgiua his first wife was born about the foureteenth yeare of his fathers raigne being the yeare of Grace 992. His name is continually set downe as a witnesse in the testees of his fathers Charters vntill the thirtie fift yeare of his raigne by which it appeareth that hee liued vnto the two and twentieth yeere of his owne age although I find no mention of him or of any thing done by him in any of our histories and it seemeth he died at that time because his name is left out of the Charters after that yeare 46 Edwy the fift sonne of King Ethelred and Queene Elgiua his first wife suruiued his father and all his brethren and liued in the raigne of Canute the Dane who being iealous of his new-gotten estate and fearefull of the dangers that might accrew vnto him by this Edwy and such others of the English bloud roiall practised to haue him murthered which was accordingly done by them whom hee most fauoured and least suspected the yeare of our saluation 1017. 47 Edgar the sixt sonne of King Ethelred and of Queene Elgiua his first wife was borne about the twentieth yeere of his fathers raigne beeing the yere of our Lord God nine hundred ninetie and eight He seemeth by the Testees of his fathers Charters to haue beene liuing in the one and twentieth of his raigne but beeing no more found in any of them after may be supposed by all coniectures to haue died in or about the same yeere beeing but the eleuenth after his owne birth and the seuenth before his fathers death 48 The eldest daughter of King Ethelred and Queene Elgiua his first wife although her name bee not to bee found in any writer of those times appeareth notwithstanding to be married to one Ethelstan a Noble man of England who was the principall Commander of Cambridge-shire men at the great battle fought betweene them and the Danes wherein the English-men had the ouerthrow and this sonne in law of King Ethelred with the rest of the chiefe Leaders were slaine in the yeere of Christs Natiuity 1010. being the two and thirtieth of his father in lawes raigne 49 Edgith the second daughter of King Ethelred and Queene Elgiua his first wife was married to Edrik Duke of Mercia who for his couetousnesse in getting was surnamed Streattone This Edrik was the sonne of one Egelrik surnamed Leofwin an elder brother to Egelmere the grandfather of Goodwin Duke of the West-Saxons and beeing but meanely borne was thus highly aduanced by this King notwithstanding he was euer a traitor to his Countrie and a fauourer of the Danes betraying both him and King Edmund his sonne to King Canut that he thereby might gette new preferments by him who worthily rewarded him as a traitor and put him to death 50 Elfgine the third daughter of King Ethelred and of Queene Elgiua his first wife was the second wife of Vtred surnamed the Bold sonne of Earle Waldefe the elder Earle of Northumberland by whom shee had one onely child a daughter named Aldgith married to a Noble-man called Maldred the sonne of Crinan shee was mother of Cospatricke who was Earle of Northumberland in the time of William the Conquerour and forced by his displeasure to fly into Scotland where hee abode and was ancestor to the Earles of Dunbar and of March in that Countrie 51 Gode the fourth and youngest daughter of King Ethelred and Queene Elgiua his first wife was first married to one Walter de Maigne a Noble-man of Normandy greatly fauoured by King Edward her brother who liued not long after the marriage and left issue by her a sonne named Rodulfe whom King Edward his vncle created Earle of Hereford This Earle Rodulfe died the one and twentieth of December in the thirteenth yeere of his vncles raigne and was buried at Peterborough leauing issue a young sonne named Harrald created afterwards by King William the Conqueror Baron of Sudeley in the Countie of Gloucester and Ancestor to the Barons of that place succeeding and of the Lord Chandois of Sudeley now being This Lady Gode after the decease of the said Water de Maigne was remarried to Eustace the elder Earle of Bulloigne in Picardy a man of great valour in those parts of France and a most faithfull friend to King Edward her brother which Earle was grand-father to Godfrey of Bulloigne King of Ierusalem albeit it seemeth he had no issue by this Lady 52 Edward the seuenth sonne of King Ethdred and his first by Queene Emme his second wife was borne at Islipe in the County of Oxford and brought vp in France all the time of his youth with his vncle Richard the third of that name Duke of Normandy mistrusting his safety in England vnder King Canute the Dane although he had married his mother but hee found the time more dangerous by the vsage of his brother Elfred at his beeing heere in the raigne of King Harrald sonne of the Dane Notwithstanding hee returned home when Hardiknut the other sonne beeing his halfe brother was King and was honourably receiued and entertained by him and after his death succeeded him in the Kingdom of England 53 Elfred the eight sonne of King Ethelred and his second by Queene Emme his second wife was conueied into Normandie for feare of King Conute with his eldest brother Edward and with him returned into England to see his mother then beeing at Winchester in the second yeere of King Harrald surnamed Harefoote by whose practize hee was trained towards London apprehended by the way at Guilford in Surrey depriued of his eie-sight and committed prisoner to the Monastery of Elie his Normans that came with him most cruelly murthered and hee himselfe soone after deceasing was buried in the Church of the said Monasterie EDMVND SVRNAMED IRONSIDE THE THIRTIE THREE MONARCH OF THE ENGLISH-MEN HIS WARRES ACTS RAIGNE WIFE AND ISSVE CHAPTER XLV EDmund the third sonne of King Ethelred and the eldest liuing at his Fathers death
Martyrs Tombe Most rich and roiall Iewels hee gaue the Church of Winchester wherof one is recorded to bee a Crosse worth asmuch as the whole reuenew of England amounted to in one yeare vnto Couentry hee gaue the Arme of S. Augustine the great Doctor which he bought at Papia in his returne from Rome and for which hee paid an hundred talents of siluer and one of gold 15 The magnificent greatnes of this glorious King so ouerflowed in the mouthes of his flatterers that they extolled him with Alexander Cyrus and Caesar and to be possessed with power more then humane to conuict these his fawning ouerprizers being then at Southampton he commanded saith Henry of Huntington that his chaire should be set on the shore when the sea beganne to flow and then in the presence of his many attendants spake thus to that Element Thou art part of my dominion and the ground whereon I sit is mine neither was there euer any that durst disobey my commaund or breaking it escaped vnpunished I charge thee therfore presume not into my land neither wet thou these robes of thy Lord but the Sea which obeyeth only one Lord giuing no heed to his threates kept on the vsuall course of tide first wetting his skirts and after his thighes when suddainely rising to giue way for the still approching waues he thus spake in the hearing of all Let the worlds inhabitants know that vaine and weake is the power of their Kings and that none is worthy the name of King but he that keepes both heauen earth and sea in obedience and bindeth them in the euerlasting law of subiection After which time he would neuer suffer the Crowne to bee set vpon his head but presently crowned therewith the picture of our Sauiour on the Crosse at Winchester vnto such strong illusions were those godly Princes lead by the guides that euer made gaine of their deuotions 16 From the example of this Canutus saith Peter Pictaniensis Chancellor of Paris arose the custom to hang vp the Armor of worthy men in Churches as offerings consecrated vnto Him in whose battails they had purchased renowne either by victory and life or in their Countries seruice attained to an honourable death And surely howsoeuer this King is taxed of ambition pride and vaine-glory for which some haue not stucke to say that he made his iourney to Rome rather to shew his pompe and riches then for any humble deuotion or religious intent yet by many his intercurrent actions and lawes of piety enacted hee may iustly bee cleared of that imputation as also by the testimony of Simon Monk of Durham who reporteth his humility to be such that with his owne hands he did helpe to remoue the body of S. Aelphegus at the translation of it from London vnto Canterbury whom the Danes notwithstanding his Archiepiscopall sacred calling before had martyred at Greenwich and by the testimony of Guido Polydore Lanquet and others he was a Prince of such temperance and iustice that no other in this West of the World was so highly renowned or might bee compared vnto him in heroicall vertues or true humility 17 Saxo Crammaticus Albertus Krantius the Writers of the Danish histories deduce Canutus by a lineall succession through the line of their Kings in this manner Hee was say they the sonne of King Swaine surnamed Tingskeg by Sigred his wife the widow of Erick by whom she had Olafe Scotconning King of Sweyden vnto which Sweyne she bare also Ostrid a daughter the mother of Thira the mother of King Sweyne the yonger The elder Sweyne was the sonne of King Harold surnamed Blaatand by Gonhild his Queene who bare him also Iring King of Northumberland and Gonhild Queene of North-Wales The father of Harold was King Gormoâ—…d whose Queene was Thira the daughter of King Ethelred the twenty third Monarch of England who bare vnto him the said Harold and another Canute both most valiant Princes which two Gallants inuading this land were for their braue resolutions by their Grandfather proclaimed heires apparant to all his dominions the credite of which relations I leaue to my forenamed Authors but Canute the elder brother died very soone after being deadly wounded in the siege of Dublin in Ireland where perceiuing death at hand hee gaue strict charge to his attendants to keepe the same verie secret till the City were taken that so neither his owne Army should bee daunted nor the enemy encouraged by the losse of the Generall Gurmo his aged Father to digresse but in a word so incredibly loued him that hee had vowed to kill with his owne hands any person whosoeuer that should tell him the newes of his sonnes death which when Thira his mother now heard of shee vsed this policie to make it known to the King her husband Shee prepared mourning apparrell for him and all other things fitting for funerall exequies laying aside all Regall robes and ceremonies of princely state without intimating any cause of this sad solemnity which the old King no sooner perceiued but he lamentably cried out woe is me I know my sonne is dead and with excessiue griefe he presently died But to returne from that Canutus to close vp the raigne of this our Monarch in hand 18 In whom the Danish glories hauing ascended to the highest beganne now againe to decline towards their wane by the death of this great King who after hee had in great glory raigned aboue nineteen yeeres deceased at Shaftesbury in the county of Dorset the twelfth of Nouember the yeere of Christs Incarnation 1035 and was buried in the Church of the old Monastery at Winchester which being after new built his bones with many other English Saxon Kings were taken vp and are preserued in guilt coffers fixed vpon the wals os the Quire in that Cathedrall Church His Wiues 19 Algiue by most writers a concubine to King Canutus was the daughter of a Mercian Duke named Elfhelme who is said to haue beene Earle of Northampton and her Mothers name was Vlfrune Inheritrix of the Towne Hampton in Stafford-shire from her called Vlfrun-Hampton now Woller-hampton This Lady Alfgiue to make Canutus more firme to her loue her selfe being barren is reported to haue fained Child-birth and to haue laid in her bed the sonne of a Priest whom Canute tooke to be his owne and named him Swaine him afterwards hee created King of Norway which lately hee had conquered from Olaffe called the Martyr The like policie saith Higden and others shee vsed in bringing forth Harold her second sonne who was say they the sonne of a Sowter notwithstanding I thinke the condition of the mother who liued in disdaine and died in disgrace rather caused this report to be blazed then any such basenes of birth in the sonnes 20 Emma the second wife of King Canute was the widow of King Ethelred the Vnready and from the time of her first
marriage was called in England Elfgiue after the name of most of the former Queens which had succeeded Saint Elfgiue Shee was married vnto him in the moneth of Iuly and yeere of Christ Iesus one thousand and seuenteene beeing the first yeere of his raigne whose wife shee was eighteene yeeres and suruiuing kept still at Winchester vnto which Church shee gaue nine Manours according to the number of those firy Plow-shares that shee was forced to goe vpon for her purgation in the raigne of Edward her sonne as shall bee said This Church shee adorned with many goodly vestures and verie rich Iewelles and deceasing in this City the sixt of March the yeere of Grace one thousand fiftie and two and ninth of her sonne King Edwards raigne was buried in the Church of S. Swithine neere vnto Canutus her husband His Issue 21 Sweyn the eldest sonne of Canute by Lady Alfgiue was borne before his father was King of England and before his fathers death was constituted King of Norway lately conquered from King Olafe the Martyr where hee beganne his Raigne in the yeere of mans saluation one thousand thirty and fiue beeing the eighteenth of his fathers Raigne in England and after he had with dislikes ruled that Realme the space of fiue yeeres hee was reiected of the Norwegians his subiects and deceasing without heire of his body left the Kingdome to the natiue heire Magnus the sonne of Olaffe who had beene wrongfully dispossessed by Canute 22 Harold the second sonne of King Canute and of Lady Alfgiue was also born before his father obtained the English Crown for his exceeding swiftnes was surnamed Hare-foote He remained with his father in England after he had disposed of Denmark to Hardi-canute and Norway to Sweyne his brethren expecting something in reuersion But perceiuing at his fathers death that England was also appointed to his brother Hardi-canute hee tooke the aduantage of his absence and assumed the Soueraignety of this Kingdome to himselfe 23 Hardi-Canute the third sonne of King Canute and his first by Queene Emma his wife was borne about the beginning of his fathers Raigne and towards the end of the same was constituted King of the Danes and designed to succeede him after his death in the Kingdome of England But beeing absent then in Denmark was disappointed by his brother Harold who succeeded his father after whose death he also succeeded him 24 Gunhilda the daughter of King Canute and of Emma his Queene was the first wife of Henrie the Third Romane Emperour sonne of the Emperour Conrad the second of that name surnamed Salike shee was a Lady of a surpassing beauty which either mooued her husbands mind vnto ielousie or the ouer-lauish report thereof to breede surmize of incontinencie for accused shee was of adulterie and to defend her cause by combat none could be found till lastly her Page brought with her from England seeing no other would aduenture for her innocencie entred the list himselfe but a youth in regard of the other Combatant beeing a Giant-like man yet in fight at one blow cutting the sinewes of his enemies legge with another he feld him to the ground where presently with his sword hee tooke his head from the shoulders and so redeemed his Ladies life After which hard vsage the Empresse Gunhilda forsooke her husbands bed and by no meanes could bee brought againe vnto the same but tooke the holy vaile of a Nunne in the Town of Burges in Flanders where she spent the rest of her life and after her death was buried in the Collegiate Church of S. Donatian being the principall of that town where her Monument remaineth besides the north dore of the same Church vnto this day 25 Another Lady of the like sanctity is reported to be the daughter of King Canut and the second wife of Godescalke Prince of the Vandals by whom he had Henry King of that Nation They both are said to haue suffered Martyrdome for the faith of Christ he first at the City of Lenzim and she after at Michelenburg being most cruelly tortured to death with whips This Lady vpon sundry strong inducements cannot be reputed legitimate which moued Andrew Velley a Danish Writer in our time to be therin of a diuers opinion from Adam of Breme and Helmoldus who liued fiue hundred yeeres before him HAROLD THE SECOND DANISH KING RAIGNING INENGLAND AND THE THIRTIE FIFT MONARCH OF THE LAND HIS RAIGNE AND ACTS CHAPTER IIII. CANVTVS being dead Hardicanute his sonne by Queene Emma then in Denmarke Harold his elder but base brother foreslowed not the opportunity offered for seeing himselfe in his fathers life time neglected and by will at his death England with that of Denmarke heaped vpon Hardicanut as quicke in apprehension as hee was of footmanshippe whereof arose the surname Hare-foot made strong his side by the Londoners and Danes Mercians Northumbrians very many yea and some great Personages amongst them affecting his claime but Goodwin of Kent who had the Queene and her treasure in keeping stood in his way pretending himself Guardian of her Children the will of Canutus who appointed his sonne by her to succeede 2 The opposition grew strong and the factions ripened euen ready to seede onely the lingering of Hardicanute gaue leaue vnto Harold to better his side by daily supplies and the feares of ciuill sedition moued the Nobility to argue with wordes and not weapons the title depending betwixt these two brethren At Oxford they met where the presence of the one downe-peized the absence of the other so that their voices went onely with Harold and presently proclaimed and consecrated him King 3 He beganne his raigne the yeere of Christs humanity 1036. and was very solemnly crowned at Oxford by Elnothus Archbishoppe of Canterbury though for a time hee was very vnwilling to performe that seruice for it is reported that hee hauing the regall scepter and Crowne in his custody with an oath refused to consecrate any other for King so long as the Queenes children were liuing For said he Canutus committed them to my trust and assurance and to them will I giue my faith and allegiance This Scepter and Crowne therefore I here lay downe vpon this Altar neither doe I denie nor deliuer them to you but I require by the Apostolike authority all Bishops that none of them presume to take the same away neither therewith that they consecrate you for King as for your selfe if you dare you may vsurpe that which I haue committed to God on this his Table Notwithstanding that great thunder clappe was allaied with the showres of golden promises of his iust and religious Gouernment intended though present experience manifested the contrary 4 For saith the auncient Writer of the booke called Encomium Emmae Harold no sooner was established King but that he sought means how to rid Queen Emma out of the way and that secretly for openly hee
this King 5 But his vices were more and concerned more personnes for a great Epicure hee was and giuen much vnto Cuppes whereby he trained the body to belly cheere and sense to bee subiect to sloth and drunkennesse foure times euery day were his tables spred and plenteously with all Cates furnished euer commanding that his courtiers guests and seruants should rather leaue for superfluity then call for lack which howsoeuer it was in him accounted for Roiall bounty yet it caused in the people who vse to praise the Soueraignes vertues but imitate his vices a riotous loosenesse and the Common-weale to lie sicke of consumptions bred by such excesse of those grosse humours in her body 6 This wrought in him a carelesse neglect of gouernment in State so that â—…he whole managing thereof was committed to his mother Queene Emma a woman extreamely couetous and to Goodwin the rich and politicke Earle of Kent who seeing the present state carried wholy away with present pleasures thought that a fitte subiect for him to worke vpon for the King not married vnlesse it were to his lewd will and Edward likely to succeede of an ouer soft temperature hee thought these both might proue aduantageous to his ambition and therfore bethought him how the crowne might bee worne by him or his 7 Therefore to separate the hearts of the subiects from the Prince then which there can bee no greater a wound vnto both hee caused the King to impose heauy tributes vpon the English onely to pay the Danes in his Fleete appointing euerie common Souldier and Mariner to receiue eight markes in money euery officer and Master twelue which amounted to the summe of thirty two thousand one hundred forty seuen pounds for the payment whereof there was so great a grudge that two of the Collectors Thurstane and Feader were slaine by the Citizens of Worcester which caused their City to be burnt and part of the country spoiled by the Kings commaund and their Bishop Alfred expulsed the See till with money hee had purchased his peace This Bishops hands as was said were deepe in the murther of Prince Alfred the Kings half brother whom we spake of yea and Goodwin himselfe was put to his purgation by oath for the clearing of his suspitions in that treacherous and brutish fact which oath was the lighter vrged and the easier receiued for his rich and bounteous gifts immediately before presented to the King and that was a shippe whose sterne was of gold with fourescore souldiers therein placed all vniformely and richlie suited On their heads they al wore guilt Burgenets and on their bodies a triple guilt habergion a sword with guilt hilts girded to their wastes a battaile-axe after the manner of the Danes on their left shoulders a target with guilt bosses borne in their left hands a dart in the right their armes bound about with two bracelets of gold containing sixeteene ounces in weight 8 Aimundus Bremensis writing the Stories of those times sheweth that the three sonnes of Canute were possessed of the three Kingdomes England Denmarke and Norway though the father by Will had disposed of the first otherwise which moued Hardi-Canute much to maligne the roialtie of Harold whose Crowne by birth and couenant belonged to him and therfore with great preparation intending to recouer his right hee entred the Sea and came into Flanders where hauing notice of the vsurpers death his rage was staied and he peaceably came in and receiued the Crowne 9 And that Swein called the Younger King of Denmarke to assist his vncle Hardi-Canute against Harold the vsurper of Englands Crowne with a great Armie prepared thitherward and taking the Seas were by tempest driuen vpon the coasts of Hadelâ—… where his Armie doing some hurt was set vpon and discomfited by the souldiers of the Arch-bishoppe himselfe amongst them beeing taken prisoner and brought into the presence of the Arch-bishop was by him most honourably receiued and conueied vnto Breme who there entered a league with him and with gifts and other complements after a few daies suffered him to depart who likewise hearing of the death of King Harold returned backe to his owne Countrey where shortly after he was much molested by Magnus the sonne of Olaf then raigning King ouer the Norwegians 10 Hardi-Canute in England hearing of those stirres thought it his part to aid his Nephew King Sweyn against the inuasions of Magnus and therefore hee sent one Sueno his kinsman with an Armie of the English to reestablish King Sweyn in his Throne These entred Norway and the Field against the Norwegians but by them were so ouerlaied that hee left Magnus the vanquisher and returned againe for England but before hee could arriue the Shore King Hardi-Canute was dead with whom dyed the issue of that warre whose death was suddaine and after this manner 11 At the celebration of a great marriage contracted betwixt a Daenish Lord called Canut-Prudan and Lady Githa the daughter of a Noble-man whose name was Osgot Clappa in a solemne assembly banquet at Lambeth the eight of Iune reuelling and carousing amidst his cups hee suddainly feldown without speech or breath whose losse was the lesse lamented for his excesse riotousnesse and vnwonted exactions but chiefly because a much better was then to succeede him hauing himselfe had neither wife nor child that is read off Yea so farre were all sorts from bewailing him that in regard of the freedome from the Danish yoke which they attained by his decease euer since among the common people the day of his death is annually celebrated with open pastimes in the streetes as the old Romanes kept their fugalia for chasing out of their Kings which time is now called Hoctide or Hucxtide signifying a time of scorning or contempt which fell vpon the Danes by his death His body with all due obsequies was interred at Winehester by his fathers after hee had voluptuously raigned two yeeres lacking ten daies and departed his life and kingdome the yeere of Christ Iesus 1042. 12 With the death of this King died all rule of the Danes in this land and the sacred sparke of the Saxons fire through three of their successions buried in their owne ashes beganne now to take flame and to burne most bright which was Prince Edward now commonly called the Confessor the sonne of King Ethelred and albeit there were others betwixt him and the crowne as namely Edward and Edmund the sonnes of the Iron-side yet the one dying in Hungarâ—… without issue of body the other there liuing as a banished man by surname the Out-law was neither so well regarded nor thought so worthy of gouernement as this other Edward was whom therfore they sent for and with so great applause and acclamations proclaimed that the present ioy seemed to prognosticate a perpetuall happinesse to the English who had beene most miserably afflicted by the Daenes for the space of two hundred forty
by report of Authors that were eie-witnesses themselues for Ingulphus that had oftentimes conference with her doth thus of her relate There was giuen saith hee vnto King Edward for his Queene and Wife the daughter of Goodwin a most beautifull Damosell Egitha by name excellent well learned in her demeanure and whole course of life a Virgine most chast humble and vnfeinedly holy no way sauouring of her Fathers or Brethrens barbarousnesse but mild modest faithfull and innocent nor euer hurtfull to any insomuch that this verse was applied to her Sicut Spina Rosam genuit Godwinus Egitham From prickled stalke as sweetest Rose So Egith faire from Godwin growes All these notwithstanding the King expulsed her his Court and Bed and that with no little disgrace for taking all her goods from her euen to the vttermost farthing committed her prisoner to the Monasterie of Wilton attended onely with one maid where shee for a whole yeeres space almost in teares and praiers expected the day of her release and comfort All which vnprincelie and vn-Spouslike vsage as the King pretended and said was because shee onely should not liue in comfort when as her Parents and Brethren were banished the Realme an vniust sentence surely and vnbefitting a Saint thus to punish the sinnes of the fathers vpon their children contrary to the prescript rule of God who by his Prophet complaineth against such iniustice and regulateth it with this iust verdict That soule that sinneth shall die and for her pure and vnuiolated chastity himselfe on his death-bed spake saying that openly she was his wife but in secret imbracings as his owne sister 25 Yet behold the blindnesse and partiality of those times wherein for this his only refusall of nuptiall duties the penciles of those that should haue shewed his true face to posterities haue so enbellished the portraiture and lineaments that vnto the beholder he seemeth now no mortall creature his miracles and foresayings answerable to most of the Prophets Which here to insert in so worthy a subiect and holy Kings life were both to fill vp with a needlesse surcharge whole leaues of Times waste abuses and to breed a suspicion of those other things in him which we know for sound truth as was his gift from God through his holy inuocations and touch of the place affected to cure the disease called Struma now the Kings Euill which vnto this day in his successors hath been experienced vpon many such healings by the touch of those gracious hands who haue held the Scepter as Gods Vicegerents of this most blessed and happy Kingdome That he had the spirit of Prophecie many haue thought as also the notice of his owne death some constantly affirme by a Ring sent him from Ierusalem the same that hee long time before had giuen to a pilgrime but these with his other miraculous cures his sight of the Danes destruction and the Seuen Sleepers in the Mount Cellion besides Ephesus with infinite others I leaue to his Legend-writers and Aluredus Riualensis to relate who haue written his many miracles with no sparing pen. Most true it is that of a little Monastery dedicated to S. Peter in the west of London by the riuer of Thames he made a most beautifull and faire Church where he likewise prouided for his owne Sepulcher and another dedicated to S. Margaret standing without the Abbey this of Westminster he endowed with very rich reuenewes and confirmed their Charters vnder his Broad Seale being the first of the Kings of England who vsed that large and stately impression in their Royall Charters and Patents the very true form wherof according to the rude sculpture of those elder times we haue portraited in the front of this Chapter as we intend likewise to doe in the rest succeeding whereof this vse at least if no other may bee made that by benefit of those paterns men may know from what Princes they first receiued the Charters of their ancient possessions and Patents of their honours which the Princes stile many beeing of one name cannot sufficiently make knowne The said Church of Westminster he built for the discharge of his vowed pilgrimage to Ierusalem that in such sumptuous maner that it was in those daies the Patern to all other statelie buildings He founded also the Colledge of S. Mary Oterie in the county of Deuon and gaue vnto it the Village of Otereg and remoued the Bishoppes See from Cridington to Excester as a place of farre more dignity where the King taking the right hand and the Queene the lâ—… led Leofricke from the high Altar and installed him the first Bishop of that See Finally when he had reigned the spâ—…e of twentie yeeres six moneths and twenty seuen daies hee died the fourth of Ianuary the yeere of Christ Iesus one thousand sixtie six and was with great lamentations and solemnitie buried in his Church at Westminster the morrow after the feast of the Epiphanie Hee was of person well proportioned of countenance sober and of complexion faire naturally courteous and gentle to all and thereby too prone and credulous to suggestions louing to his subiects and ouer-louing vnto Strangers A Prince of much vertue and integritie of life notwithstanding which had it not beene vailed vnder the faire-shew of Chastitie he had not so easily been canonized for a Saint wherein yet the seeming wisest taxed his wisdome whilest vnder a goodly pretext of Religion and vowed Virginity hee cast off all care of hauing issue and exposed the kingdom for a prey to the greedy desires of ambitious humours His wife Editha the wife of King Edward was the daughter of Goodwin Duke of the West-Saxons and Earle of Kent her mother was Gith the sister of Sweyne the yonger King of Denmarke she was married vnto him the yeere of Christs humanity 1045. and fourth of his raigne She was his wife eighteene yeeres and suruiuing him liued a widow eight more and in the eight yeere of King William the Conquerours raigne died in December the yeere of Christs birth 1074 and was buried by her husband in S. Peters Church at Westminster HAROLD THE SECOND OF THAT NAME THE SONNE OF EARLE GOODWINE AND THIRTIE EIGHT MONARCH OF THE ENGLISHMEN HIS LIFE RAIGNE ACTS WIVES AND ISSVE CHAPTER VII THe people sorrowing for the death of their King and the States-men perplexed for choice of a new Edgar Athelings title was worthy of more vnpartiall respect then it found for him they held too young for gouernment besides a stranger borne scarce speaking English and withall the prophecies of Edward touching the alienation of the Crowne the Interest of the Danes and the claim that Duke William made both by gift and consanguinity bred great distraction of desires and opinions but nothing concluded for setling the State no man either assuming or profering the Monarchiall diademe because none had the power or right to adorne therewith his owne head In this Calme conference
Wolfe and sister to Sweyne the yonger King of Denmarke by Estrich his wife who was sister to Canute the great King of England and himselfe the second sonne of her borne whose elder brother was Sweyne that died on pilgrimage in his returne from Ierusalem and his yonger were Tosto Wilnod Grith and Leofrick 9 A former wife Earle Goodwin had whose name was Thira the sister of Canute a woman sold vnto wickednesse for making marchandize of Englands beauteous virgins into Denmarke shee solde them there at deare rates to satisfie her owne vnsatiate auarice and the lusts of the lasciuious Danes till a iust reward of Gods wrath fell on her by a thunderbolt falling from heauen wherewith shee was slaine to the great terrour of the beholders One sonne by her Earle Goodwin had who when hee was past childs age riding vpon a horse the gift of his Grandfather the King proudly giuing him the reine and spurre was violently borne into the riuer Thamesis and so sodainely drowned Thus much being premised of Harold before hee was King his raigne life and death wee will now addresse to declare 10 Edwards life ended and nothing determined touching his successor Harold the second day after being the day of his buriall made himselfe King none of the Nobility disliking what hee had done for courteous hee was of specch and behauiour and in martiall prowesse the onely man as Wales well witnessed more then once friended by affinity with many of the Nobles and by his new marriage with Edgitha the daughter of Algar sister of the Earles Morcâ—…r and Edwin and late wife to Gruffith ap Lhewelyn Prince of Wales hee expected to bee both sided and assisted if his cause came either to triall or voice 11 And the time hee well saw fitted his entrance for Sweyne King of Denmarke most dread by the English was entangled with the Sweden wars and William the Norman that made claime from King Edward at variance with Philip the French King the friends of Edgar in Hungarie and himselfe a stranger ouer young for rule all which concurrents made Harold without deliberation or order from the State to set the Crowne on his owne head regardlesse of all ceremony and solemne celebration for which his act as a violator of holy rites hee too too much offended the Clergy 12 The day of his Coronation was vpon Friday the fifth of Ianuary being the feast of the Epiphany and yeere of Saluation 1066 none either greatly applauding or disapprouing his presumption except onely for the omission of manner and forme to redeeme which and to re-gaine the good will of all no sooner attained hee the seate roiall but he remitted or diminished the grieuous customes and tributes which his predecessors had raised a course euer powerfull to winne the hearts of the Commons to Church-men hee was verie munificent and carefull of their aduancements and to grow more deepely into their venerable esteeme hee repaired their Monasteries but most especially that at Waltham in Essex which hee most sumptuously new built and richly endowed giuing it the name of Holy Crosse vpon occasion that such a Crosse found farre westward was brought thither by miracle vt tradunt and therefore hee chose out this place to powre forth his supplications before hee marched to meete Duke William in the field Moreouer to satisfie such Nobles as affected young Edgars iuster title he created him Earle of Oxford and held him in speciall fauour in briefe vnto the poore his hand was euer open vnto the oppressed he ministred iustice and vnto all men was affable and meeke and all to hold that vpright which on his head he had set with an vn-euen hand and depriued him of vnto whom hee was Protector 13 Three seuerall reports are affirmed of Edwards dispose of the Crowne the first was to the Norman Duke who made that the anker-hold of his claime the second was to young Edgar vnto whom hee was great vncle and the last vnto this Harold himselfe for so saith Edmerus and also Marianus who liued at the very same time and writeth that Harold thereupon was sacred and crowned by Aldredus Archbishop of Yorke so that hereby hee is freed by some from the imputation of intrusion and wrong 14 His State thus standing and his subiects contentment dayâ—…y increasing presently it was somwhat perplexed by an Ambassage sent from the Norman putting him in mind of his couenant and oath aswell for the custody of the Crowne to his behoofe as for the solemnazion of the mariage contracted betwixt his daughter and him 15 Harold who thought himselfe now surely seated in the hearts of his Subiects and therefore also sure in his Kingdome answered the Ambassadors That he held their Masters demaund vniust for that an oath extorted in time of extremity cannot bind the maker in conscience to performe it for that were to ioyne one sinne with another and that this oath was taken for feare of death or imprisonment the Duke himselfe well knew but admit it was voluntarily and without feare could I said he then a subiect without the allowance of the King and the whole State giue away the Crownes succession to the preiudice of both surely a Kingdome is of a better account then to bee so determined in priuate onely betwixt two With which kind of answeres he sent the messengers away 16 The Norman who till then thought England sure to be his and had deuoted his hopes from a Duke to a King stormed to see himselfe thus frustrated on the sudden and in stead of a Crown to haue scornes heaped on his head therefore nothing contented with this sleight answere returned his Ambassadors againe vnto Harold by whom hee laid his claime more at large as that King Edward in the Court of France had faithfully promised the succession vnto him and againe afterwards ratified the same to him at his being in England and that not done without consent of the State but confirmed by Stigandus Archbishoppe of Canterbury the Earles Goodwin and Syward yea and by Harold himselfe and so firmely assured that his Brother and Nephew were deliuered for pledges and to that end sent vnto him into Normandy that hee had no way beene constrained hee appealed to Harolds owne conscience who besides his voluntary offer to sweare contracted himselfe to Adeliza his daughter then but young and now departed life vpon which foundation the oath was willingly taken 17 But Harold who thought his owne head as fit for a crowne as any others meant nothing lesse then to lay it downe vpon parley and therefore told them flatly that howsoeuer Edward and he had tampered for the Kingdome yet Edward himselfe comming in by election and not by any title of inheritance his promise was of no validity for how could hee giue that whereof he was not interessed nor in the Danes time was euer like to be And tell your Duke said he that our
offered them plenty to supply whatsoeuer should be needfull for the pompe of his funerall as also for their costs in trauell to and fro giuing strait commandement that none of his Souldiers should presume to molest them in this their businesse or in their returne Then went they in haste to the quarry of the dead but by no meanes could finde the body of the King for that the countenances of all men greatly alter by death but being maimed and imbrued with bloud they are not knowne to be the men they were As for his other regall Ornaments which might haue shewed him for their King his dead corps was despoiled of them either through the greedy desire of prey as the manner of the Field is or to be the first bringer of such happy newes in hope of a Princely reward vpon which purpose many times the body is both mangled and dismembred and so was this King after his death by a base Souldire gasht and hackt into the legge whom Duke William rewarded for so vnsouldier like a deed casshiering him for euer out of his wages and wars So that Harold lying stript wounded bemangled and goared in his bloud could not be found or known till they sent for a woman named Editha for her passing beauty surnamed Swan-shals that is Swans-necke whom he entertained in secret loue before he was King who by some secret marks of his body to her well knowne found him out and then put into a coffine was by diuers of the Norman Nobility honourably brought vnto the place afterward called Battle-bridge where it was met by the Nobles of England and so conueied to Waltham was there solemnly and with great lamentation of his mother roially interred with this rude Epitaph well beseeming the time though not the person Heu cadis hoste fero Rex à Duce Rege futuro Par paris in gladio milite valido Firmini iusti lux est tibi lucc Calixti Pronior hinc super as hâ—…c superatus eras Ergo tibi requiem deposcat vtrumque perennem Sicque precetur eum quod colit omne Deum A fierce foe thee slew thou'a King he King in view Both peeres both peerelesse both feard and both fearles That sad day was mixt by Firmin and Calixt Th' one help thee to vanquish t'other made thee laÌ„guish Both now for thee pray and thy Requiem say So let good men all to God for thee call 51 This Kings raigne was not so ful of dayes as of great troubles being but the space of nine months and nine dayes in whom was completed the Period of the Saxons Empire in Britaine after they had continued from their first erected kingdome by Hengist in Kent the space of sixe hundred and tenne yeeres without any reuersement or interruption sauing the small Inter-Raignes of these three Danish Kings of whom we haue spoken And although Aimund of Breme in the fauour of his Danes sharply taxeth this Harold as being an impious man and for that by vsurpation he aspired to the Crowne yet doth Ealred the Abbot of Riuanxe the Legender of S. Edwards life much commend him for his courteous affability gentle deportment and Iustice and for his warlike prowesse none matchable vnto him and was reputed saith hee verily a man passing well furnished with all vertues befitting a Soueraigne commander and borne euen to repaire the decaied state of England had he not in the haughtinesse and opinion of his own valour and prudence so much addicted himselfe to his owne resolutions and too much neglected the wise deliberations of his best friends and counsellers His Wiues 52 The first wife of Harold whom he had maried and buried before he was King I find not named by any of our writers but that he had such a one appeareth where it is recorded that hee was a Widower what time he contracted the Conquerors daughter and that also he had children of such age that they made warres against King William in the second of his Raigne which it is probable he had not by Editha his Swannes neck but were legitimat and by this lawfull though namelesse Mother 53 Algith the second wife to King Harold was the widow of Gruffith ap Lhewelyn King of North-Wales the sister of Edwine and Morcar Earles of Yorkeshire and Chester and daughter of Algar sonne of Leofrick son of Leofwine all Earles of Chester Leicester and Lincolne She was married vnto him beeing then but Duke in the last yeare of Edward Confessors raigne and of Grace 1065. neither did shee long enioy him or her Queenly title after his aspiring to the Crowne for being resident in London when hee was slaine from thence shee was conueyed by her brethren to Westchester where she remained in meane estate and in good quiet which vsually most attends the meanest without any princely shew or name during the rest of her life which lasted a great part of the Conquerors raigne His Issue 54 Goodwine the eldest sonne of King Harold being growne to some ripenesse of yeares in the life of his Father after his death and ouerthrow by the Conquerour tooke his brother with him and fled ouer into Ireland from whence he returned and landed in Sommersetshire slew Ednoth a Baron sometime of his Fathers that encountred him and taking great preyes in Deuon-shire and Cornewall departed till the next yeare When comming againe hee fought with Beorn an Earle of Cornwall and after retired into Ireland and thence went into Denmarke to King Swayn his Cosen-German where he spent the rest of his life 55 Edmund the second sonne to King Harold went with his Brother into Ireland returned with him into England and was at the slaughter and ouerthrow of Ednoth and his power in Sommersetshire at the spoiles committed in Cornwall and Deuonshire at the conflict with the Cornish Earle Beorn passed and repassed with him in all his voiages inuasions and warres by sea and by land in England and Ireland and at the last departed with him from Ireland to Denmarke tooke part with him of all pleasure and calamity whatsoeuer and attending and depending wholly vpon him liued and died with him in that Country 56 Magnus the third son of King Harold went with his brothers into Ireland and returned with them the first time into England and is neuer after that mentioned amongst them nor elsewhere vnlesse as some doe coniecture he be that Magnus who seeing the mutability of humane affairs became an Anchoret whose Epitaph pointing to his Danish originall the learned Clarenciaux discouered in a little desolate Church at Lewes in Sussex where in the gaping chinks of an Arch in the wall in a rude and ouerworne Character certaine old imperfect verses were found which hee supposeth should bee thus read Clauditur hic Miles Danorum regia proles Magnus nomen ei magnae nota Progenici Deponens Magnum prudentior induit agnum Prâ—…pete prâ—…vita fit paruulus Anachorita Hâ—…re lies a Knight of Danish regalâ—… He
such pranks of impietie that his gouernment was odious to the Romans who wished an end of his raigne and life so that certaine South saiers imploied in that busines gaue forth that after Gregory Odo should be Pope Odo our said Earle the Conquerours brother fed with ful hope that hee was the man sendeth to Rome to buy him a Pallace adorning it with stately and ouer-lauish trimmings Salutes the Senators with great gifts complements stuffeth bagges with money and letters to such as might doe much in the election and prouides honourable personages to attend him to Rome Among the which for chiefe was Hugh Earle of Chester with many great men and Knights of the land for the Normans variable and desirous to see forraine Countries were contented to forsake their faire lands in the west climate to accompany this proud Prelate ouer the riuer Poo This iolly traine was set forward into the Isle of Wight and there in great pompe ready to set saile into Normandy when on the sodain King William vnlooked for was euen among them and in his great Hall in presence of his Nobles thus spake 50 Excellent Peeres I beseech you hearken to my words and giue me your counsell at my sailing into Normandy I commended England to the gouernment of Odo my brother Bishop In Normandy many forraine foes haue risen vp against me yea and inward friends I may say haue inuaded me for Robert my sonne and other yonglings whom I haue brought vp and giuen Armes haue rebelled vnto whom my false Clients and other bordering enemies haue giuen their assistance but they haue not prospered God whose seruant I am euer defending mee neither haue they gotten any thing of mine besides iron in their wounds They of Aniou prepared against me whom with the onely feare of warre I haue pacified These businesses you know haue drawn me into Normandy where I haue staied long and imploied my painfull endeuours on publike behoofes But in the meane time my brother hath greatly oppressed England spoiling the Churches of Lands and Rents hath made them naked of Ornaments giuen by our Predecessors and hath seduced my Knightes with purpose to traine them ouer the Alpes who ought to defend the Land against the inuasions of the Danes Irish and other Enemies ouer strong for me but my greatest dolour is for the Church of God which he hath afflicted and vnto which the Christian Kings that raigned before me haue giuen many gifts and with their loues honored for which now as we beleeue they rest reioicing with a happy retribution in a pleasant State Ethelbert Edward Saint Oswald Althulph Aefred Edward the Elder Edgar and my cosen and most deere Lord Edward haue giuen Riches to the Church the spouse of God But my Brother to whom I committed the whole Kingdome violently plucketh away their goods cruelly grindeth the poore and with a vaine hope stealeth away my Knights from me and by oppression hath exasperated the whole Land with vniust taxations consider thereof most Noble Lords and giue mee I pray you your aduice what is heerein to bee done 51 At which pause when all stood mute as fearing to giue their opinions in so weighty a point concerning so great a Person the King thus continued his speech Hurtfull rashnesse is euer vnsufferable and must at length be repressed This man hath oftentimes banded himselfe against his owne father and vpon a stomacke blowne vp with pride and folly hath fallen off to the King of France therefore lest with ouermuch lenity we buy too late a repentance he shall remaine Prisoner yet not as a Bishop whose name I both honour and reuerence but as an Earle subiect to the Lawes and Censure of his King Which accordingly was done vpon seizure of whose estate this Prelate was found so well lined in purse that the heapes of yellow mettall did moue admiration to the beholders and many of his bags were taken vp out of the bottome of Riuers where they were hidden full of gold ground into powder 52 Soone after some displeasure hauing arisen betwixt King William and Philip King of France hee hauing first generally caused to be taken the Oath of English Alleageance to himselfe and successors with a mighty masse of money fitted for some great attempts departed to Normandy where falling sicke and keeping his Bed more then his wont the French King hearing that his disease was in his belly gaue him this frumpe Our Cosen William said he is laid now in Child-bed Oh what a number of Candels must I offer at his going to Church surely I thinke a hundred thousand will not suffice King William hearing thereof is said to make this answere Well our cosen of France I trust shall be at no such cost but after this my child-birth at my going to Church swearing by the resurrection and brightnes of God I will said he find him one thousand candles and light them my selfe And accordingly towards August following when both the trees fruites corn and ground was most flourishing hee entred France with a mighty Army spoiling all the west parts thereof before him and lastly set the City Meux or Mauntz on fire wherein he consumed the faire Church of our Lady in the wals wherof was enclosed an Anchoret who might but would not escape holding it a breach of his religious vow to forsake his Cell in that distresse The King busied in these attempts cheered his men to feede the fire and came himselfe so neere the flames that with the heat of his harnesse he got a sicknesse and the same encreased by the leape of his horse that burst the inward rimme of his belly and cost him his life 53 At which time feeling death to approach he deferred not to addresse his last Will wherein hee commanded all his Treasure to bee distributed to Churches Gods Ministers and the Poore limiting to each their seuerall portion and quantity which he caused to be ingrossed in writing by Notaries before him Amongst which he bequethed to the Church and Monkes of Saint Stephens at Cane in Normandy two Mannors in Dorsetshire one Mannor in Deuonshire another in Essex much Lands in Barke-shire some in Norfolke a Mansion house in Woodstreet of London with many Aduowsions of Churches yea which is to be wondred at hee gaue his Crowne and Regall Ornaments thereto belonging to the said Church being of his owne foundation for the redemption whereof King Henry his sonne gaue the Mannor of Brideton in Dorsetshire to preuent any danger that thereof might arise and vnto the Churches by fire destroied in Meuxe he gaue great summes of money to repaire them and so preparing himselfe for God briefly ranne ouer the carriage of his former life the summe whereof as much as best fitteth this place we will declare as he spake it to them that were present 54 Being laden with many and grieuous sins O Christ I now tremble
the Pillowes heard the sound of the great Bell in the Metropolitane Church of Saint Geruis neere Roan and demanding the cause one replied that it did then ring prime to oâ—… Lady whereupon with great deuotion lifting his eies towards heauen and spreading abroad his hands I commend my selfe said he to that blessed Ladie Mary Mother of God that shee by her holy praiers may reconcile me to her most deare Sonne our Lord Iesus Christ and with the words yeelded vp his Ghost vpon Thursday the ninth of Septemper the fifty sixth of his Dutchie the twenty one of his Kingdome the sixty foure of his age and yeere of Christ Iesus 1087. 57 Wherein as we see the instability both of Mans life and Glory a point fitting for great Princes euer to thinke on so by the sequell wee shal perceiue how ill-rooted and vngrounded the friendship is which attends the greatnesse of Soueragnes whose Fauourites chiefe or onely ends are their own Ambition and Gaine the fewell whereof once beginning to decay the fire of their seeming-deuotion will bee quickly cold For no sooner had this late-glorious Princes Soule bidden farewell to his Body but his dead Corps was presently abandoned by his followers of neerest place and best meanes who posted homewards apace to defend their owne and by the meaner and his inferiour seruants he was dispoiled of Armour Vessels Apparell and all Princely furniture euen so farre from al wonted and due respect as that they left his dead Body naked vpon the floore like true Kites praying whilest any thing was to be had The sudden fame of his death stroke such feare into the Commons harts as was admirable euery man shifting for one but all neglecting the funerall rites of their King vntill that one Harluins a poore Countrey Knight vndertooke the Cariage of his Corps vnto Cane and at his owne cost both by Sea and Land vnto Saint Stephens Church which this dead King had formerly founded At his entrance into Cane the Couent of Monks came foorth to meet him and to celebrate the buriall with all Ceremonies beseeming but behold euen at that instant a sudden chance of fire happened which presently inuaded a great part of the Towne that as his Corps before so now his Hearse was of all forsaken whiles they addressed themselues to represse that furious Element which done and the Funerall Sermon ended the Stone-Coffin set in the earth in the Chancell betwixt the Chorale and the Altar and the body ready to be laid therein one Ascelinus Fitz-Arthur a man of some Note stood vp and forbade the buriall This very place said he was the floore of my Fathers house which this dead Duke violently tooke from him and heere vpon part of my inheritance founded this Church This ground therfore I challenge and in Gods behalfe forbid that the Body of my dispoiler be couered in my Earth neither shall it be interred in the precinctes of my right Whereupon they were enforced to compound with him for a present sum of money then deliuered and with consent of his sonne Henry for a hundred pound weight of siluer after to be paid and so the Exequies went forward when behold again the Corps laid into the Tombe was with the largest which being pressed the belly not bowelled brake with an intollerable stench so annoied the by-standers that neither Gummes nor spices fuming from the Censures could be any whit sensible to relieue them insomuch that all with great amazement hastning away they left the Monks to shuffle vp the buriall and they were soone glad to get them to their cels 58 This then was the life and death of this great Monarch the Conquerour of Men but not of Death nor suruiuing Enuie a bright example of the dimme glory of man who in life had the possessions of Kingdomes and Dukedomes men at Armes riches and honour and all things thereto adhering but after his death neither Ornaments nor Attendants nor place of buriall till it were bought all which priuate men seldome want so vaine is the pompe of this world and so vncertaine the state of her darlings 59 He was for stature indifferent of countenance sterne his fore-head high and haire verie thinne fat and corpulent of body with his bellie bearing out so strong of ioints and armes that few could bend his bow of witte ready and very politicke in speech eloquent resolute in attempts in hazards valiant a great souldier and as great in successe rough and couetous towards the English in his taxes lawes and in giuing to his Normans their lands whose Charters were of a farre other tenour forme breuity then those tedious and perplexed conueyances since in vse as by these few inserted may appeare I William King the third yere of my raigne Giue to thee Norman Hunter to me that art both leefe and Decre The Hop and the Hopton and all the bounds vp and downe Vnder the Earth to Hell aboue the Earth to Heauen From me and mine to thee and to thine As good and as faire as euer they mine were To witnesse that this is sooth I bite the white waxe with my tooth Before Ingge Maude and Margery and my yongest sonne Herry For a bow and a broad arrowe when I come to hunt vpon yarrow 60 At the suite of William Bishop of London he granted the City whose chiefe Magistrate was then called the Portreue their first Charter written in the Saxon tongue confirmed with greene waxe whereas the Saxons before vsed onely to signe with guilt crosses and such like markes the Copy thereof is this William Cyng greit William Biscop Godfreges Portgerefan calle the Burhwaren the on Lunden beon c. William King greeteth William Bishop and Godfrey Portreue and all the Burgesses that in London be French English friendly And I doe you to wit that I will that you enioy all the law which you did in the daies of Edward King And I will that each Child bee his Fathers inheritour after his Fathers daies And I will not suffer that any man you any wrong offer God you keepe 61 In the like Charter granted to his Nephew Alane Earle of Britaine for lands in Yorkeshire hee writeth himselfe William surnamed Bastard and yet it seemeth hee was offended at Guy of Burgundy for tearming him Nothus perhaps because that word signifieth such a one whose Father is vnknown whereas King Williams was not only known but renowned also 62 Howsoeuer hee was sterne and hard to the English yet to his Normans hee was facile and too indulgent much deuoted to Religion and frequenting the Church both morning and euening The Clergie that liued according to their rule and profession hee both honoured and richly endowed but to the licentious was very rough and hard handed his vncle Malgerius Archbishop of * Rotemage for his dissolute life hee disgraded his brother Odo Bishop of Baieux
him a sonne whose name was Henry for ioy whereof King Henry assembled his Lords and againe made his said Daughter and the lawfull Heires of her body his Successors in his Dominions 54 And then preparing againe for his last and fatall passage into Normandy tooke shipping vpon the Nones of August the very day wherein he first receiued the Crowne when hapned so wonderfull an Eclipse of the Sunne that Malmsbury the reporter faith himselfe then saw the starres plainly in the Firmament about the Sunne and that two daies after so great and fearefull an Earthquake hapned that the house where in himselfe sate was lifted vp with a double remoue and others say that out of riffes in the earth burning flames arose that could not be quenched which diuers iudged to be fatall prodigies of the deathes of those Princes that soone after ensued 56 For Robert the Curtoise after twenty sixe yeers imprisonment and blindnesse through griefe conceiued at the putting on of a faire new roabe too little for the King and therefore in kindnesse sent to Duke Robert to weare grew weary of his life as disdaining to bee mocked with his brothers cast cloathes and cursing the time of his vnfortunate Natiuity resused thenceforth to take any sustenance and so pined himselfe to death His body was buried at Gloucester in the Church of Saint Peter and middle of the Quire where to this day remaineth his Tombe with a carued Image of his feature as the monument of a most vnfortunate man 57 And not long after K. Henry in Normandy comming scarse very well from Hunting in the Forrest of Lyons and Towne of Saint Denys made his repast of a dish of Lampreyes which meat hee too wel loued but could neuer well digest whereupon he fell more grieuously sicke and the same still increasing after seuen daies sicknesse vpon the first of December the sixty fiue of his age and yeare of Christ Iesus 1135. when hee had raigned King of England thirty fiue yeeres foure moneths lacking foure daies Duke of Normandy twenty nine yeers and foure monethes he died in the said towne of S. Denys and from thence was conueied to Roan where his Bowels Eyes and Braines were taken out and buried the body also sliced and powdred with much salt was wrapped in a Buls hide to auoide the stinch beeing so intollerable a point fitting for such great Princes to thinke on in their great glory and pleasures to remember their fraile and humane condition that the Physitian who tooke out his braines was poisoned therewith and presently died wherupon some obserued that other Kings killed men in their life but he also * after he was dead thence was his Corps carried into England and honourably buried vpon the day of Christs Natiuity at Reading in Barkeshire in the Abbey that himselfe had there founded and endowed with large possessions 58 After his death saith Huntington and Houeden men spake their mind as freely of him as of any other dead man some commending him for these three glorious felicities Wisedome Victory and Wealth others condemning him for three especiall vices Couetousnesse Cruelty and Lechery some instances of which wee haue touched in the relation of his life the first three in obtaining and keeping the Crowne the last in his most grieuous taxations cruell handling and imprisoning his Brother and his incontinency of life shall presently appeare by his many illegitimate issues the fruites of his wantonnes and witnesses of his shame in that Princes who are to punish such sinnes in others ought themselues especially to be free from them for though their liuing fortunes stoppe mens tongues from vpbraiding yet after their death the tongues of the vulgar and pennes of the learned will make the infamy of their vices to bee immortall 59 He was for personage of a reasonable stature broad breasted well iointed and full of flesh amiable of countenance sharpe and faire eyes blacke of haire and that somewhat carelesly hanging on his forehead his mind was enriched with many vertues a follower of Iustice a louer of Religion seuere against theeues and all effeminate nicities So that hee commanded mens long haire which against God and Natures law was matchable at that time with womens to be cut off temperate of diet and neuer drinking but for thirst valiant in battaile yet very circumspect seeking rather to win by wise care then by effusion of bloud and by the report of most Writers excelled all the Princes of the World in his time in Mercy Wealth and Bounty vnto Monasteries the land hee defended by Garrisons of Souldiers planted on the Confines of his neighbour Princes building many Forts Bulwarkes and Castles besides twenty fiue Townes and Cities whatsoeuer was wisely or vertuously performed in his Gouernement is chiefly ascribed to his yonger yeares institution in true Learning and Philosophy which was the great furnishment of him vnto the Science of Regality being often heard to say that hee esteemed an vnlearned King but a crowned Asse In which regard saith Rossus hee tooke chiefe pleasure to reside in his new Palace which himselfe built at Oxford both for the delight he had in learned men himselfe being very learned and for the vicinity of his new Parke at Woodstocke which he had fraught with all kind of strange beasts wherein he much delighted as Lyons Leopards Lynces Camells Porcupins and the like His delight also in works of deuotion shewes it selfe both in the erection and indowment of the Collegiate and Episcopall Sees of Carlile and Ely as also of the Abbayes of Hide Circester Reading and the Priorie of Dunstable His Wife Queene Maud founded the Priorie of Holy Trinity within Algate and the Hospital of Saint Giles in the Fields so that by himselfe his Queene and other deuoted persons twenty foure foundations to religious vses if not more were erected in the raigne of this King His Wiues 60 Maude the first Wife of King Henry was the daughter of Malcolme the third surnamed Canmoir King of Scotland her mother was S. Margaret daughter to Edward sonne of Edmund the Ironside King of England She was married vnto him at London in the first yeare of his raigne Anno 1100. by Anselme Archbishop of Canterbury hauing formerly vowed her selfe a Nunne which some swore she did not for loue of single life but to auoide some vnworthy matches which her Father would haue imposed on her Her Coronation was at Westminster by the same Anselme on Sunday the eleuenth of Nouember in the same yeare She was his wife seuenteene yeeres and more famous for her learning loue to learning charity to the poore and all vertuous dispositions and deceased at Westminster the first of May in the eighteenth yeere of his raign and yeere of our Saluation 1118. where shee was buried in S. Peters Church on
Against whom the Northren Lords prepared at 〈◊〉 command of Thurstan Arch-bishop of Yorke 〈◊〉 King Stephen Lieutenant in those parts who beeing by sickenes kept from the Field appointed Ralph Bishop of Durham his General whose Inuectiue Oration before their ioyning of battaile occasioned vpon the foresaid misdeameanors of some vndisciplined Scotish is at large set down by Houedon Huntingdon Wendouer and others in the close whereof he absolueth from punishment of sin all such of his side as should die in this battaile which made the English more desperate in fight who so sorely pressed vpon their enemies that they forsooke their King he notwithstanding valiantly persisting til his dearest friends ernestly vrged him to auoid But his son Henry esteeming more of glory theÌ„ life rushed in amongst his retiring souldiers and with vndaunted courage perswading them to regard themselus and his presence with threat of shamefull deaths to all such as fled he held them in for a time till at length ouer-laid with the maine-battaile of the English the magnanimous Prince Henry likewise quitted the field bitterly cursing the frowardnesse of Fortune and the mischance that hapned that day 15 With like fortunate successe proceeded Stephen against his disobedient Barons and wanne from them the Castles of Hereford Gloucester Webley Bristow Dudley and Shrewsbury whereby hee weakned Earle Robert so much that he was constrained to flie into France and there instigated his sister the Empresse to come into England 16 These domesticke opposites thus remoued out of his way King Stephen re-addressed himselfe for the North to prosecute that which Thurstan had begunne first therfore winning the Castle of Leids he went into Scotland where by the persuasion prowesse of Mars and Vulcan saith Paris a Peace was concluded betwixt the two Kings and Stephen thence returning brought Prince Henry whom he created Earle of Huntingdon with him into England and at the siege of Ludlow Castle the aduenturous Prince was almost surprised where the besieged with an Iron Grapple pluckt him from his horse and so had taken him but that King Stephen himselfe with great valour and honour recouered him who hauing wonne the Castle went presently to Oxford whither newes was brought him that the Empresse was preparing for England 17 To make all sure as he went Stephen thought it good to demolish and race those Castles lately built hauing had experience to what troubles they had brought him and to preuent the building of new and namely that of the Diuise now as hee surmised in fortifying against him hee therefore sent for Roger Bishop of Salisbury the Founder both of that Castle as also those other of Sherborn Malmsbury a man who in a bad cause had stood King Stephen in good stead howsoeuer some enuying his greatnes had incensed the King against him and other Prelates as if they were fallen from his side The Bishop standing peremptorily on his innocencie yet mistrusting the euent craued the company of Alexander Bishop of Lincolne and of Nigell Bishop of Ely so with a great and well appointed traine repaired to Oxford vnto the Court where Stephen had summoned a Grand-Councell of the States 18 The King who expected of Church-men humility seeing them now armed as men for the field commanded his attendants to take armour likewise and so entring communication of diuers matters with his Peeres and Prelates their Souldiers casually meeting fell at variance where the Bishops friends had the worse so that many of them were wounded and the rest forsaking their masters ranne away This great assembly thus disturbed the King required the Bishops to satisfie his Court for these outrages of their seruants which satisfaction should be to deliuer the keyes of all their Castles to the King as pledges of their fidelity which they refusing the Bishops of Salisbury and Lincolne were laid hold of but Ely escaped to the Castle of Diuise Alexander was imprisoned till hee had yâ—…ded him his Castles of New-werke and Slaford Roger the Castles of Sherborne and the Deuises accounted then one of the goodliest Castles of Europe besides forty thousand Markes in siluer which losses the Bishop did not long suruiue The King imployed the money to purchase Lady Constance sister to Lewis King of France to be wife vnto his sonne Eustace all which was to strengthen himselfe against the Empresse Maud whose comming he continually feared now before his expectation she was landed in England at a fitte time for her designes when all the great Prelates who formerly were his chiefest friends were highly incensed against the King for such oppression of their Brethren 19 The place of her arriuage was at the port of Arundell into which Castle shee was ioyfully receiued by William de Albeny who had married Queen Adeliza the late wife to King Henry whose Dowrie it was from hence Earle Robert diuerting his course onely with tenne horse-men and as many Archers for in all hee brought ouer but one hundred and forty with him for so great an exploit passed throgh the Land vnto Wallingford and Gloucester soliciting his Complices for the aid of his sister the Empresse A man who then liued holds him in this bold attempt with so small forces no way inferiour to Iulius Caesar whom Liuie reports to haue begun his ciuill war and to haue set himselfe against the whole world onelie with fiue Cohorts of Souldiers 20 King Stephen as then lay in siege of Marleburgh Castle but hauing intelligence of this more dangerous an enemy dislodged thence and with all expedition made towards Arundell whereat the Empresse wanting her Counsellor was wonderfully perplext yet wanted not a womans wit to helpe at need insomuch that by the report of Geruasius lest her dignity and right might any way be endammaged shee tooke an oath that none of these the Kings enemies by her aduice or consent had entred the land but with condition to carry themselues orderly without impeachment of the honour and allegiance due to the King by which policy to giue it no worse name she so satisfied King Stephen whom al do censure for too much credulity and facility towards his foes that hee caused her to bee conuaied honourably vnto Bristow where she remained the space of two monethes and then got thence vnto Wallingford 21 Earle Robert in the meane while dispersed the newes of the Empresses approch vnto whose aid so many gathered that the same Monke reporteth no man was able to set downe their multitudes in context of historie much lesse by way of Computation then beganne saith he both labour and dolour which brought the whole Realme to a most grieuous diuision and in a maner to an vtter ruine for those that fauoured the King what euill soeuer could be wrought or imagined they did against them that tooke part with the Empresse and contrariwise Earle
against the other whereof must needs follow an vnnaturall warre betwixt them of dangerous consequence euen to him that conquested With these and the like allegations at last Stephen beganne to bend and a parley fâ—… peace was signified vnto the Duke Henry already warme for the battaile and his thoughts fixed on nothing lesse then peace could hardly moderate his youthfull affections yet at his friends importunity hee yeelded to conferre with King Stephen 45 The place for conference was so appointed that the riuer Thamesis parted the presence of these two Princes so that from either banke they saluted each others and after a long conference agreeing on a truce and vpon faire tearmes of amity departed commaunding all weapons and attempts of warre to be laid aside 46 But Eustace who hitherro had attended Fortune for the Crowne and now hopelesse to haue as his Fathers Successor was greatly displeased with this new moulded friendship and in a fury departed the field purposing to raise himselfe by his owne meanes and comming to Bury vrged the Monks of Saint Edmunds for money to set forward his heady designes But the wiser amongst them vnwilling to bee wagers of new warres which though ill for all sorts yet proued euer worst to the Clergie mens possessions denied his request wherewith enraged hee commanded his men to carry their corne and other prouision into his owne Castle situated hard by But being set at dinner wee reade of him saith mine Author that euen the verie first bit that hee put in his mouth draue him into a frensie whereof shortly after hee died whose body was interred at Feuersham in Kent 47 The death of Prince Eustace so much aduantaged Duke Henry that thereupon the truce in likelihood expiring many fell off vnto him and many Castles were deliuered as Bertwell Reading Warwicke Stamford and others whereat Stephen was not a little displeased and thinking to entrappe the yong venturous Duke with a strong Army followed him vnto Wallingford But God himselfe looking down from heauen saith Mathew of S. Albans made there an end of those long calamities by stirring the minds of chiefe men in the land to labour for peace such was Theobald Archbishoppe of Canterbury and Henrie Bishop of Winchester who hauing troubled the realm with fire and sword moued now to repentance wrought so effectually with his brother that hee enclined vnto a wished peace contented to adopt the Duke for his Son and Successor and so comming both together to Oxford a blessed sight to so distressed and distracted a Kingdome there did all the Nobles do fealty to him as to the vndoubted Heire of the land and the Duke to acknowledge this as a fauour yeelded him the honour of a Father and the roialtie of all Kingly power during his life 48 Notwithstanding the cleere Sunneshine of these faire daies was somewhat darkened with a cloud of treacherie and lewd attempts of the Flemings who enuying Englands peace vpon Barham Downes intended to surprise Prince Henry in his returne from Douer and presence of King Stephen In this conspiracie was William the Kings son though but yong who himselfe meaning to haue one cast at the Crowne instantly before it should haue been effected was through the wantonnes of his horse cast to the ground and with the fall brake his legge to whose assistance whiles euery one gathered and lamented Henry vpon secret notice of the treason hasted vnto Canterbury and thence to London and soone after ouer the seas into Normandy 49 And Stephen now after he had raigned eighteene yeeres ten moneths and odde daies departed this life at Douer in the Monastery of the Monkes of an Iliacke passion mixed with his olde disease the Emrods the twenty fiue of October and yeere of Christs Natiuity 1154. A most worthy Souldier saith Paris and in a word one who wanted nothing but a iust title to haue made him an excellent King in his ordinary deportment very deuout the fruites wherof weâ—… shewed in erecting with sufficient endowments â—…he Abbeyes of Cogshall in Essex of Furnesse in Lancashire the houses of Nunnes at Carew and Higham an Hospitall at Yorke and the Monastery of Feuersham in Kent where his Queene his sonne and lastly himselfe were enterred but since his body for the gaine of the lead wherein it was coffined was cast into the riuer So vncertaine is man yea greatest Princes of any rest in this world euen after buriall and restlesse may their bodies be also who for filthy lucre thus enuie to the dead the quiet of their graues His Wife 50 Maud the Wife of King Stephen was the daughter of Eustace Earle of Bulloigne the brother of Godfrey and Baldwin Kings of Ierusalem her Mother was Mary sister to Maud Queene of England wife of King Henrie her husbands Predecessor Shee was crowned at Westminster vpon Sunday being Easter-day and the two and twenty of March in the first yeare of her husbands raigne and of Grace 1136. and being Queene fifteene yeeres she died at Heningham Castle in Essex the third of May and yeere of Christ 1151. and was buried in his Monastery at Feuersham in Kent His Issue 51 Baldwin the eldest sonne of King Stephen and Queene Maud bearing the name of King Baldwin his vncle was born in the time of the raign of K. Henry his fathers vncle and died in his infancy during the raign of the same King He was buried at London in the Church of the Priorie of the Trinity within Algate which was a house of blacke Canons of the Augustinian order founded by Q. Maud the first wife of the foresaid King Henry the first 52 Eustace the second sonne of King Stephen of Queene Maud his wife being the heire apparant to them both when his Father was King was created Earle of Bolloigne which dignity was the inheritance of his mother Hee married Constance sister of Lewis the seuenth King of France daughter of King Lewis the Grosse who afterward was remarried to Raimond the third Earle of Tholouze for Eustace died before her without Issue by her the tenth day of August in the eighteenth yeere of his Fathers raigne and of Grace 1152. Hee was buried by his mother in his Fathers Monastery at Feuersham in Kent 53 William the third and yongest sonne of King Stephen and Queene Maud maried Isabell daughter and heire of William Warren the third Earle of Surrey with whom hee had that Earledome hee was in his Fathers life time Earle of Surrey Lord of Norwich and Peuensey in England Earle of Mortayne and Lord Eagle of Normandy After his fathers death King Henry the second made him Knight resumed those things that hee held of the Crowne restored him to all that his Father held before hee was King And so he was Earle of Bolloigne Surrey and Mortaine and being with him in his iourney to Tholouze died without issue in his returne home-Ward
him for Normandy Aquitane Angiou Main and Tourain which partly were his patrimony and partly the inheritance of Elianor his wife 6 His domesticke enemies being subdued or appeased hee put his brother Geffrey by force to a pension the summe whereof if it be any thing to the purpose to know was 1000. l. English and 2000. l. Aniou by yeere wringing out of his possession all such territories as by their Fathers last Will and Testament were bequeathed to him in France But Geffrey did not long enioy the said annuity or his brothers friendship for in the third yeare death brought a discharge and Henry was disburdened of those paiments For his violence in taking away those lands King Henry might alledge he was eldest brother but that allegation might bee auoided with his owne consent which once hee gaue but the great Elixar called Reason of State though falsly so called vnlesse it bee seasoned with Iustice and Religion hath so transmutatiue a faculty as to make Copper seeme Gold right wrong and wrong right yea when all Pleas faile it will stand for good while there are forces to support it 7 This accord between the two brethren being thus howsoeuer established the King repaires into England and at Chester enters amity with Malcolme King of Scots on such termes as his Grandfather had done yet Saluis omnibus dignitatibus suis sauing to himselfe all his dignities and the said Malcolme restored to Henry the City of Karleol Newcastle vpon Tyne c. and Henry restored to him the Earledome of Huntington in England And so iustly dreadfull did the growing puissance of this young Monarch appeare to his greatest enemies that Hugh Bigod Earle of Norfolke who had potent means to doe mischiefe rendred his Castle to bee at his disposall 8 The Welsh notwithstanding forsooke not themselues but did some memorable matters vnder conduct of the valiant Prince Owen against the English in defence of North-Wales and their Countries liberty to the losse of the English and extreame danger of the Kings owne person whose Standard roiall was cowardly abandoned and the King reported to be slaine for which Henrie de Essex the Kings Standard-Bearer at that conflict was afterward accused by Robert de Montford his neere Kinsman and in single battaile within lists was vanquished at Reading where the said Henry de Essex was shorne a Monke and died Mathew Paris relates the whole voiage of King Henry summarily thus That Henry prepared a very great Army against the Welsh with full purpose to ouercom them both by land and sea that hee cut vp the woods and forrests and laid open a way that hee recouered the Castle of Ruthlan and other fortresses taken from his Ancestors that hee repaired the Castle of Basingwerke and that hauing brought the Welsh to his will hee returned with triumph into England 9 After this himselfe and his wife Queene Elienor beeing openly crowned vpon Christmas day some say Easter day at the Citie of Worcester they both at the Offertorie laid their Diademes vpon the high Altar vowing neuer to weare them after this beeing now the third time in which at three seuerall places Westminster Lincolne and Worcester he had beene crowned This deuout act of his did flow perhaps out of some such speculation as that of Canutus who thought none truly worthy the name of King but God alone or that vpon which Godfrey of Buillion refused to weare a crowne of gold in Hierusalem where our Lord and Sauiour had beene crowned with thornes For this King had at times the pangs and symptoms of mortification and piety and did heerein acknowledge the onely giuer and taker-away of kingdoms God-almighty putting himselfe and Realme vnder the protection of that Maiestie of whom hee held paramount and professing as it were that from thencefoorth hee would direct his actions to the glorie of his omnipotent Master which is indeede the only finall cause of all true monarchie 10 Not long after hauing established his affaires in England hee crost the Seas into Normandie where successiuely sundrie matters of importance fell out as the seisure of the City of Nants in Britaine after his brother Geffreis death his iourney to Paris beeing inuited thither by Lewis and his wife the Queene the vnprofitable siege of Tholouze laid by King Henrie where Malcolme King of Scots was in companie with him the vnripe marriage of his sonne Henrie to Margaret the French Kings daughter whom Thomas Becket then Lord Chancellor had formerlie conducted with verie great State from Paris by consent of parents for that purpose the offence taken at those spousals by Lewis for that the children were but infants and that himselfe was a looser thereby the warre heereupon attempted by Lewis fortifying Chaâ—…mount which the French hauing quit the Field by flight King Henrie recouered with aduantage the Armies of both these great Kings being afterward at point as it were to ioine dispersed vpon reconciliation of the two Kings by reason of a marriage concluded vpon betweene Richard King Henries second son and Alice the French Kings daughter All which and some other not drawing with them any extraordinarie sequell nor offording much matter for ciuill document must not preponderate the handling of things more rare and considerable 11 For after these accidents beganne the famous controuersies betweene the King and his Arch-bishop Becket a man of an inuincible stomack and resolution in his life and after death reputed by some for a great Saint or Martyr as is likewise noted of Henrie that he was the most politike martiall rich and honoured Prince of all his time This Prelate by birth a Londoner though his mother a Sarazen say some by profession a Ciuilian was by Theobald Arch-bishop of Canterburie both made his Arch-deacon and also placed about the person of Duke Henrie who beeing now King aduanced him in the verie first yeere of his raigne to bee Lord Chancellor of England in which high honor he carried himselfe like another King and afterward vpon the death of Theobald though the Monks obiected against Becket that neither a Courtier nor a Souldier as hee had beene both were fit to succeede in so high and sacred a function yet the King gaue him that Arch-bishopricke partly in reward and partly in further hope of his ready and faithfull seruice Which to be true a Legender of his Miracles can best relate Nonnullis tamen c. Many saith hee iudged his promotion not Canonicall because it was procured more by the importunity of the King then by the voices of Clergie or People and it was noted as presumption and indiscretion in him to take vpon him to guide the Sterne who was scarce fit to handle an Oare and that beeing skild onely in worldly affaires hee did not tremble to ascend vnto that sacred top of so great dignitie Whereto agreeth the reports of two
bin twice endangered and had at both times been wonderfully preserued and while the young King by profound dissimulations plotted to bring both his Father and Brother Richard into subiection behold the hand of God by taking away the young King at Martell not farre from Linoges where his Father lay at siege gaue an end to this odious fowle and intricate contention 87 Thus was his life cut off like a Weauers threed say Authors who had by dying cut of the hope of many But whatsoeuer his life was which God thus shortned at his age of twentie and eight yeeres certainely his death was not inglorious but worthy to be set out in Tables at large as a pattern to disobedient Children for his Father refusing to visite him fearing his owne life but sending his King in signe of forgiuenes the dying Prince most humbly with flouds of teares kissing the same made a most sorrowfull confession of his sinnes and fecling death approch would needs be drawne as an vnworthy sinner out of his owne bed and laid vpon another strewed with ashes where his soule departed in a most penitent manner from his body which being related to the Father hee fell vpon the earth weeping bitterly and like another Dauid for his Absolon mourned very much O quam nefandum est saith one most grauely O how hainous a thing it is for sons to persecute the father for neither the sword of the fighter nor the hand of an enemy did auenge the fathers wrong but a feuer and a flux with excoriation of the bowels His body was buried by his own desire at Roan which yet was not done without trouble as if the factions of which hee was the cause in his life did by a kind of Fate not forsake him beeing dead for the Citizens of Mauns hauing enterred it they of Roan without menaces and the fathers expresse commandement could not obtaine it who thereupon was taken vp againe but his wife Queene Margaret was sent backe into France and his suruiuing sonnes were once againe reduced to due obedience not any enemie daring to appeare 88 Who would not haue thought that this stirring Prince should haue had opportunitie to end his daies in peace and glorie but it was otherwise ordained by God and ancient writers hold hee was principallie scourged for beeing drawne by seeming reasons of State to put off an holy enterprize the occasion whereof was laid as it were at his foote For Heraclius Patriarcke of Hierusalem drawne with the supereminent fame of King Henries wisdome valour riches and puissance trauailed from thence into England where at Clerkenwell by London in an assemblie of the States purposelie called the king made knowne to them That Pope Lucius had by ernest letters commended the lamētable state of the Holie-land and the Patriarcke Heraclius vnto him That Heraclius there present had stirred compassion and teares at the rehersall of the tragicall afflictions of the Easterne world and had brought with him for memorable signes that the suite was by common consent of the Countrey the Keies of the places of Christs Natiuitie Passion and Resurrection of Dauids Tower and of the holy Sepulchre and the humble offer of the Kingdom of Hierusalem with the Ensigne or Standard of the Kingdom as dulie belonging to him who was right heire thereunto to wit the sonne of Geffrey Earle of Aniou whose brother Fulke was king of Hierusalem 89 Neuerthelesse the King hauing at leftwise formally adiured the Lords to aduise him that which should bee most for his soules health it was thought fit to aid the cause with money but not to emploie his person northe person of any child hee had which was the Patriarcks last request and therupon to the vnspeakable griefe of the said Patriarcke and of the whole Christianitie of the East hee refused the said Kingdome and abandoned as noble an occasion of immortall renowne as euer any King of England had beene offered but gaue leaue to all such as would to take vpon them the Crosse and serue This Heraclius is hee who dedicated the Temple Church in London as by this Inscription ouer the Church doore in the Stone-worke doth appeare ANNO AB INCARNATIONE DOMINI M. C. LXXXV DEDICATA HEC ECCLESIA IN HONOREM BEATE MARIE A DNO ERACLIO DEI GRATIA SANCTE RESVRRECTIONIS ECCLESIE PATRIARCHA II IDVS FEBRVARII Q i EAM ANNATIM PETENTIBVS DE INIVNCTA Si PENITENTIA LX DIES INDVLSIT 90 Thus the sorrowfull Patriarcke being dismissed not forgetting as some doe write to thunder against the King for abandoning the cause brought back nothing but discomfort and despaire the Westerne Princes by the Diuels malicious Arts beeing wrapt and knotted in mutuall suspitions and quarrells indetermined whereupon shortly after ensued with the losse of Ierusalem the captiuity of Guido King thereof and of innumerable Christians besides whom Sultan Saladin Prince of the Musulmans or Saracens to the griefe and disgrace of all the Christian world did vanquish 91 But King Henries mind was more fixed on setling the state of his already-possessed Kingdomes and therefore in a great Parlament held at Oxford vnto which came Rhesus and Dauid Kings of South-Wales and North-Wales with other their chiefe Nobles which al did there sweare fealtie to the King he beeing desirous to aduance his sonne Iohn whom he exceedingly loued and commonly in sport hee called Sans-terrae hauing assured vpon him certaine Lands and Rents in England and Normandie did there verie solemnly giue him also the title Kingdome of Ireland for besides the foresaid Bull of Pope Adrian the fourth who for signe of inuestiture had also sent a ring of gold which were laid vp in the Records at Winchester Giraldus who liued in that age tells vs to omitte what hee writes of one Gurguntius that Guillomar King of Ireland was tributarie to the famous Arthur that Baion whence saith hee the Irish came was at that present vnder King Henrie the second and that the Irish Princes had voluntarily submitted themselues as vnto him who by the * Law of a Sociall warre was become their Soueraigne But that Author had not seene belike or did not remember when thus he went about to prooue a legall right in the King what others write of Egfrides vngodly spoiles in Ireland or of Edgars Charter in which is said to bee contained that he had vnder his rule the chiefe City of Ireland Dublin and the greatest part of the kingdome also But King Henrie strengthening his other rights with Grants of the Popes Adrian and Alexander obtained also of Vrban the third for Luciue the third who was Alexanders successor would not gratifie the the King therein that it should bee lawfull for him to crowne which of his sonnes hee would King of Ireland to whom hee sent a crowne of Feathers wouen with gold in all their Grants reseruing to the Roman See the Peters pence and
There were also taken 200. great horse whereof seuenscore had barbs and caparisons armed with yron King Richard in his owne person did most nobly for with one speare he threw to the earth Mathew de Mummerancie Alan de Rusci and Fulke de Giseruall took them So haue we vanquished the King of France at Gysors saith the King howbeit wee haue not done the same but God and our right by vs and in this fact we did put our owne head and kingdome in hazard aboue the counsell of all that were ours Howsoeuer therefore the French or others may slubber ouer such a noble Iourney wee haue not doubted vpon so good warrant to record the same 66 The warre continuing still many vertuous men laboured to make a finall accord and the new Pope Innocentius the third hauing proclaimed a new vndertaking of the Holy-warre sends a Cardinall Deacon to attone the two mighty Kings of France and England At length Articles of peace were drawne but Richard being farre before hand was nothing hastie to conclude and therefore put it off till his returne from Poictou whether hee went to chastice his rebels though * some say hee did then conclude the peace 67 At this enteruiew or treatie Philip King of France the sower of strife though he sought peace shewed to King Richard a deed in which Earle Iohn newly yeelds himselfe Liegeman to King Philip against his brother A wonderfull thing saith Houeden that Richard should beleeue it being perhaps but a Copie of that deuice or tricke if it were a deuice which they once had iointly put vpon the same Iohn as in the end of King Henry the second you heard who thereupon forthwith disseised the Earle his brother euery where But the Earle hauing searched and learned the cause of the Kings sudden displeasures whose loue hee had before redeemed with many loiall seruices Hee sends two men of Arms to the French Court who should on his behalf in what sort soeuer defend his honour and innocency against any his accusers but there was no man found in that Court neither King nor any other who would vndertake the proofe or maintenance thereof wherupon euer afterward Richard held his brother more deare and gaue lesse credite to King Philips words 68 But now ensued the fatall accident which drew the blacke cloud of death ouer this triumphall and bright shining starre of Cheualrie the vnworthy occasion of which misaduenture makes it the more lamentable which notwithstanding for a document to the Great ones against the outrage of Auarice and Cruelty God suffered thus to fal on him Widomare Vicount of Limoges hauing found a great * horde of gold and siluer sent no small portion thereof to King Richard as chiefe Lord with which being not contented as pretending that treasure troue was wholy his by vertue of his prerogatiue royall or else misliking that the Vicount should make the partition came with a power to a Castle of the Vicounts called * Chaluz where hee supposed the Riches were the Garrison of which place offered to yeeld the same and all therein if onelie their liues and limbs might be saued but hee would not accept of any conditions bidding them defend themselues as they could for he would enter by the sword and hang them all It grieues me to thinke that such a Prince should so forget himselfe but behold the seuerity of Gods iudgement An Arbalaster or Archibalista standing vpon the wall seeing his time charged his steele bow with a square arrow or quarrell making first his praier to God That hee would direct that shot and deliuer the innocency of the besieged from oppression Whereupon discharging it as the King was * taking a view of the Castle within the danger and distance of such an Engin the King vpon hearing the bow goe off stooping with his head was mortally wounded in the left shoulder the anguish perill wherof was extremely augmented by the butcherly and vnskilfull hand of the Surgeon who hauing drawne out the wood and not the enuenomed yron mangled the arme with cruell incisions before hee could preuaile the paine whereof hastned his end 69 Concerning the name of this tragicall Archer there is so much variety as that we could willingly take that vncertainety for a warrant to silence it being loth to ennoble him with our pen it being a thing worthily punishable with vter obliuiō to haue shed though defensiuely or but casually the bloud of such a King Mathew Paris in calling him Peter Basilij seemes to allude to some ominous conceit in Basilii which with the Greeks signifies a King him Thomas Walsingham followes therein as Mathew Paris followed * another there want not * some who also giue him a third name but Houeden who deliuers this accident as all the rest of this Kings life in the most probable and fullest manner cals him Bertram de Gurdonn applying vnto him certaine verses of Lucan in commendation of his vnapalled constācy when he came before King Richard where thou maist perhaps for satisfaction of thy mind with beholding some reuenge desire to know what became of the Actor After that the Castle by continuall assaults was taken and by the Kings command none left aliue but he as being reserued perhaps to some more shamefull death the king vpon a christian magnanimity for gaue him the fact which the party without shew of dismay did neither deny nor excuse but alledged the necessity of his case and the iustice of Gods worke in it for that the king had slaine his Father and two Brothers with his owne hand being hereupon set at liberty and one hundred shillings sterling giuen him by the king Markadey Captain of the Mercenarie Rowtes after the king was dead tooke him flead him quicke then by hanging ended his life 70 King Richard feeling the approch of certaine death disposed his worldly estate thus to his brother Iohn he gaue the kingdome of England and his other dominions with three parts of his Treasure commaunding such as were present to sweare him fealty to his Nephew Otho king of Almaine he bequeathed as it seemes all his goods and chattels money excepted and the fourth part of his said tresure he gaue to his seruants and the poore And hauing thus discharged his last cares toward the world concerning his transitory state he prepared himselfe for the presence of God strengthning his soule with hartie contrition confession and participation of the holy Sacrament commanding further that when he was dead his bowels should be buried at Charro◅ among the rebellious Poictouins as those who had only deserued his worst parts but his Heart to bee enterred at Roan as the City which for her constant loialty had merited the same and his Corps in the Church of the Nunnerie at Font-Ebrard in Gascoigne at the feet of his Father
that Sir Godfrey de Crancumb Knight with three hundred armed men was sent to apprehend the Earle in Essex Hee hauing intelligence of their approach fledde into a Chappell at Brentwood which adioyned to his lodging from whence those rough Souldiers haled him hee holding in one hand a Crucifix and in the other the Sacrament and sent for a Smith to make for him shackels of yron But when the Smith vnderstood that it was for Hubert de Burgh Earle of Kent he refused vttering such words if Mathew Paris doe not Poetize as did well shew that honourable thoughts are somtimes found in the hearts of men whose fortunes are farre from honour for hauing first drawne a deepe sigh hee said Doe with mee what yee please and God haue mercy on my soule but as sure as the Lord liues I will neuer makeyron shackles for him but will rather die the worst death that is For is not this that most loyall and couragious Hubert who so often hath preserued England from being destroyed by strangers restored England to England He who faithfully and constantly serued his Soueraigne Lord King Iohn in Gascoigne Normandy and else where that he was compelled to eate the flesh of horses whose high courage euen Enemies admired he that so long defended Douer Castle the Key of England against all the exquisite sieges of the French and by vanquishing them at Sea brought safety to the Kingdome What need I rehearse his excellent doings at Lincolne and Bedford Let God be iudge between him and you for vsing him so vniustly and inhumanely repaying good with euill nay requiting his most excellent deserts with the worst recompence that can be But Sir Godfrey and his blacke band regarded not such speeches but otherwise binding the Earle hard they set him on horsebacke and so conuayed him to the Tower of London 35 This breach of Sanctuary being made knowne to Roger Bishoppe of London whose Diocesse it was he confidently tels the King that if the Earle were not restored to the Chappell hee would excommunicate all the Authors of that outrage The Earle is accordingly restored but the Sheriffes of Essex and Hertford at the Kings commandement with the powers of their counties besiege the Chappell so long that at last they hauing cast a Trench about it that none might goe in or out the Earle was compelled to come forth and render himselfe bearing all things with an equall mind as one that had a cleare conscience before God which hee professed to haue While the Chappell was thus beset round the Kings indignation was so violent that hee forbad all men once to make mention of Hubert in his hearing No maruaile then if it bee said that the Princes indignation is death The Archbishoppe of Dublin neuerthelesse was not deiected but with praiers and teares besought the King who remained as yet inexorable Huberts enemies possessing his soule and senses Hubert therefore is againe imprisoned in the Tower There was no sacrifice as it seemes could appease the Kings iâ—…e but that of the Earles Hoord of gold and other riches which the Knights Templars had in their custodie vpon trust without Huberts consent refused to deliuer Hubert therefore willingly yeelds which when the Depositaries did giue vp the value seemed incredible This hoording perhaps was Huberts crime whereof being thus purged he had hope to recouer out of these deadly pangs and conuulsions of fortune and himselfe to bee made capable of curing Well the king obtains this precious booty but his enemies would haue his bloud also saying sith hee was conuicted of theft and fraud it was meet he should die a most shamefull death It seemes they thought that the verie finding of so much treasure was a conuiction of fraud in the getting and that the King must bee interpreted to haue lost whatsoeuer the Earle had gained But the displeasure of the King was mollified with this golden balme for hee answered them thus Hubert from his childhood hath as I haue heard faithfully enough serued my vncle King Richard and my Father King Iohn and if he haue done ill towards me hee shall neuer therefore die an euill death For I had rather be reputed a foolish or a negligent King then a cruell Tyrant or a bloudy man toward him who hath long serued mee and mine ancestors nor will I weigh more his euill deedes which are not as yet manifest nor proued true then all his good deeds which are plainelie knowne to the Realme and to vs all Hereupon Hubert had all such lands granted vnto him as eyther King Iohn had giuen or himselfe had purchased There vndertooke for him to the King as sureties the Earles of Cornwall and Warrenn Marshal Ferrars and himselfe was committed to the Castle of Deuises there to abide in free Prison vnder the Custody of foure Knights belonging each of them to one of these foure Earles This Court-storme thus in part ouerblowne let vs take our standings to view what other weather followed and what countenance of things in this Kingdome did next present it selfe to the world 36 The King being naturally as it seemes addicted to repose himselfe vpon some one mans counsell was now wholy swayde by Peter de Rupibus Bishoppe of Winchester who had therefore wrought the Earle out of grace that hee might soly raigne and predominate in the gentle King Which the better to effect the Bishoppe procures him to displace the English Officers and in their roomes to surrogate Poictouines and Britons who comming ouer to the number of about two thousand he stuffes his Castles with them and in briefe did as it were wholy entrust himselfe his treasures strengthes and the Realme to them So that Iudgements were committed to the vniust Lawes to the Out-lawes Peace to Wranglers and Iustice to wrong-dâ—…ers Such as would haue praied redresse for these abuses were interrupted and put off by the Bishoppe of Winchester Among them who were remoued from their places in Court was one Sir William de Redune a Knight and Deputy Marshall to Richard Earle of Pembroke This was to the Earle very displeasant which ioyned with a consideration of the publike cause and danger he associates vnto him certaine of the great Lords as was the fashion of those Lording times vpon euery discontent and in the Company of them aduanceth confidently to the King whom in the hearing of many hee reproueth for that he had through sinister aduise called in the Poictouins to the oppression of the Realme of his naturall subiects of their Lawes and Liberties humblie therefore hee beseecheth him that hee would spedily reforme such abuses which threatned the imminent subuersion both of the Crowne and Kingdome which if hee did not himselfe and other Lordes would so long withdraw their attendance as he entertained Strangers The Bishoppe hereunto makes answere That the King might well and lawfully call in what Strangers himselfe
day to his table and Chamber said to him vpon this Complaint My Liege for Gods loue haue a care of the shaken State of the Church The Vniuersity of Paris the Nurse and mother of so many holy Prelates is not a little disquieted If as the same time the Vniuersity of Oxford should be disturbed which is the second Schoole of the Church yea the fundamental base thereof it is greatly to be feared least the whole Church do fall to ruine Whereunto the King made answere God forbid that should happen at all but chiefely in his daies Which the Parliament then at hand he accordinglie prouided for to their contentation The memory of the King seemes by this to haue beene excellent for beside that hee recounted to Paris all the Kings of England which had beene Canonized Saints all the Princes Electors and great Princes of Germany and France he called to minde the names of about two hundreth and fifty Baronies in England 91 At this Parliament which was exceeding great holden at London the King in sight and view of all the people brings forth his younger sonne Edmund attired like an Italian of Apulia which Country is a member of the Kingdome of Sicilia and vsed this speech Behold here good people my Sonne Edmund whom God of his gracious goodnesse hath called to the excellencie of kingly dignity how comely and well worthy he is of all your fauors and how cruell and tyrannicall they are who at this pinch would deny him effectuall and timely helpe both with aduice and money The summe of all was to draw a vast contribution from the Clergie for atchieuement of this shadow it proued no better into his Coffers Neuertholesse he obtained a grant of aboue fiftie thousand Marks vpon couenant that the liberties of the Realme should be really and finally once for euer established which was done There were present in this Parliament six Archbishops Canterbury Yorke Dublin Colin Messana in Sicilia and Tarentum in Apulia The politike Germans knew what they did in choosing Richard their King for they saw a cloud of gold and siluer would dissolue it selfe into showres among them at his arriuall and all elections of strangers turne to their profit because none is chosen that relies wholly vpon the rents of the Empire 92 It was a worthy care in this King that when by the prouision of his brother Richard King of Romans there arriued in the riuer of Thames fiftie saile of German Ships laden with corne to relieue the great dearth which then raigned through the Land he caused proclamation to be made That no Citizen of London should buy any of that corne to store vp which they were wont to doe to the intent they might sell it the dearer afterward to such as wanted But no warning praiers aduises nor sense of wants were able to make him frugall of his expense whereby he was miserably streightned neither would the Laitie in Parliament contribute anything but hammering some great attempts in their thoughts in plaine words concluded That they neither would nor could any longer endure such they called them extorsions Moreouer they there vttered many greeuances and Simon Earle of Leicester complained of the dishonor and iniury done him by William de Valence calling him Traitor so that against the Session to be holden vpon prorogation he the Earle of Glocester and Marshall confederated themselues and pretending the feare of strangers the Kings fauorites determined to come strong to Oxford at Saint Barnabas day They also sent messengers to the King of France praying at least so much assistance as that he would not hinder the good purpose which they held of ordeining and setling the troubled estate of England They had also taken order to watch the Ports against strangers Thus they prepared to abate as it seemed or banish the loftinesse and insolencie of Poictouines and of other Forreiners by whom the King was powerfully lead for they despaired of redresse at his hands who like another Proteus as Paris saith tooke all shapes vpon him to serue his turnes and then slipt out at his pleasure no promises or ties being strong enough to hold him These were the beginnings of bloody euils and the seedesparks of those factious fires which afterward brake forth from the sight and sense whereof many thousands were taken by death whose mortall stroake of pestilence raged ouer England specially among the poore through scarcity of food 93 When the time appointed for the Parliament at Oxford was come the seditious Earles and Barons with whom sundry Bishops had taken Counsell against the King the Lords annointed repaired thither and sternely propounded sundry trayterous Articles to the King to which they required his assent The chiefe points were That the King would vnfainedly keepe and obserue the Charter of liberties which he had so ofen granted and sworn to maintaine inuiolable That such a one should be in the place of Chiefe Iustitiar who would iudge according to right without respect to poore or rich c. Then they renewed their confederacie solemnely swearing That neither for life nor death nor loue nor hate they would be arawne to relent in their purpose till they had cleared England in which themselues and their Forefathers were borne from vpstarts and aliens and had procured laudable Statutes Those turbulent Nobles had yet a further plot then all this which was first broached saith Mat Westminster by the disloyall Bishops which was that 24. persons should there be chosen to haue the whole administration of the King and State and yeerely appointment of all great Officers reseruing onely to the King the highest place at meetings and salutations of honour in publike places And because they would not be crossed in their purposes they * came exquisitely armed and appointed that so the King and his Aliens should be enforced if they wold not willingly assent To al these their ordinations the King and Prince Edward was enforced to sweare for feare of perpetuall imprisonment the traiterous Lords hauing by an Edict threatned death to all that resisâ—…ed Whereupon all the Peeres and Prelates tooke their Corporall Oath to be faithfull in this their infidelitie and made all who would abide in the Kingdome to sweare they would stand to the tryall of their Peeres the Archbishops and Bishops solemnelie accursing all that should rebell against it The Monkes themselues detesting this impudent treason aske with what forehead especiallie Prelats durst thus impaire the Kinglie Maiestie expreslie against their sworne fidelitie to him This coniuration they so prosecuted that when William de Valence the Kings halfe-brother denied with Oathes to render vp any Castle which was giuen him the Earle of Leicester and the rest of the Barons answered they would either haue his Castles or his head This violent proceeding so terrified the Poictouines that sodeinely they left Oxford and shortly fled into France where also the Barons had made them
for what else can we call the same since that they betraide thereby their Soueraignes Crown and Life to speedie destruction let it by this in part appeare and moue the world the rather to pitty the seduced 46 Among them who were condemned for rising with the Earle of Lancaster there was one of a meane Familie for whose life neuerthelesse because hee had once serued in Court and was pleasing to some of the Grands or Potent fauourites therein many interceded and pressed the king so farre on his behalfe that he brake out into these most vehement words A plague vpon you for cursed whisperers malicious backe-biters wicked counsellors entreat you so for the life of a most notorious knaue who would not speake one word for the life of my neere Kinsman that most noble Knight Earle Thomas Had hee liued wee and our whole Realme should haue had speciall need and vse of him This fellow the longer hee liues the more villanies he wil commit as hauing already filled my Kingdome with his desperate outrages By the soule of God hee shall therefore die the death he hath deserued 47 By this then it is euident that these tragedies against the Lords were exploited by others in which it is plaine that this King otherwise so deuout to God so noble and so full of naturall good propensions was fatally ouer-wrought by wicked counsell though hee therein bee inexcusable for good nature as wee call it cannot satisfie for publike errours But the condemned man was forth with put to death accordingly the King being most highlie offended that none had entreated him on the Earles behalfe whom saith Walsingham he did in wardlie loue Neuerthelesse he had not long before created the elder Spenser Earle of Winchester and deckt the plume of his fortunes with a toppe-feather taken out of the said late Earle of Lancasters estate that is to say with the Castle and honour of Donington parcell of the Earledome of Lincolne Hauing thus farre shewed the originall of the mischiefe wee will hasten now to the last Act or Catastrophe of our Edwards tragedie onely wee will first remember some intercurring matters 48 You haue heard before how that the Cardinals sent from the Pope had in fauour of the English put Scotland vnder Interdict wherefore King Robert now at last dispatched the Bishop of Glascow and Thomas Randolfe Earle of Murrey to Rome for obtaining release and absolution but they returned without effecting it Whereupon King Robert moued to haue a truce for thirteene yeeres which King Edward accordingly granted and the Pope then absolued the Scots The matters of Scotland seemed thus to be sufficiently prouided for during that time and the rather for that somewhat before the motion for truce the King had caused the newly created Earle of Carlile Andrew de Herkley to be degraded hanged drawne and quartered for treason which hee was conuinced to haue entred into with the Scots vpon whom he had before done speciall seruices as hauing for that cause the Castle and Citie of Carleil committed to his gouernment The truce with Scotland being thus confirmed the King makes his progresse through the Counties of Yorke and Lancaster and the Marches of Wales from whence the late seditious had their nourishments taking wise carefull courses for ministration of Iustice there and preuention of like inconueniences by punishing their Authors seuerely And Iustices void of all corruption were appointed else-where 49 In the meane space the new King of France Charles the fifth a most earnest enemie to the English mens possessions there sought occasions of quarrell with King Edward who while hee consuled at home how to order that affaire the yong L. Roger Mortimer one whom the Diuell saith our Courtier reserued to kindle new dissention with and to stirre vp a most miserable ciuill warre hauing corrupted his Keepers or as some others write hauing potioned them with a sleepy drinke escaped out of the Tower of London getting ouer clearely without any empeachment into France 50 The Spensers both father and sonne the one thus created Earle of Winchester and the other Earle of Glocester aspiring to the fulnesse of command and desirous to leaue nothing in their eye which might stumble their sway with the King failed not to beget immortall enmities both against themselues and the King The Queene tooke their carriage so heinously because besides other things they had abridged her meanes of maintenance while themselues abounded in all riches and magnificence as shee complained That the daughter and sole heire of the king of France was married to a gripple miser and that being promised to be a Queene shee was become no better then a waiting woman liuing vpon a pension from the Spensers 51 Thus was the matter and as it were the Embrion of their common destruction laid and begun in the impotencie of a womans will to helpe out the which with shrewd drifts and directions they encrease her side with Adam Bishoppe of Hereford by stripping him out of all his Temporalties as a Traitour for that hee had supported the Mortimers in the Barons quarrell This Adam saith our Knight was a man of most subtle witte and in all worldly pollicies profound daring to doe great things and factious withall who for this cause conceiuing deepest hate and therefore easily growing deare to the Queene made a great secret party To which Henrie Burwash Bishoppe of Lincoln who for like causes had beene kept from his temporalties about two yeeres ioyned himselfe Neither would the Spensers auarice suffer them to weaken the multitudes of their enemies for they sold the Kings gracious fauour to such as had beene in the Barons quarrell at so great rates that they by granting away lands and Manours to the said Lords Spensers for their pardons c. verie many of the Nobles were empouerished To be short the royall power being in the hands of the Spensers and Roger Baldock Chancellour or of their Creatures and Fauourites this other faction had the generall discontentments of the Realme to worke vpon for their aduantage 52 The King thus guiding himselfe and hauing sent his Brother Edmund Earle of Kent vpon notice of the first troubles with Forces into Gascoigue who gaue some little stay for a time to the French proceedings till they might otherwise bee prouided for it came to this point at last that whereas the King had a purpose to haue gone in person into France the Spensers who were afraid to bee seuered from his person the onely reuerence whereof they knew to bee their safegard and yet not daring to attend him thither or stay behind perswaded the King contrary to the minds of all the rest that the Queene who sought it should goe and negociate her husbands affaire in France She did so and whereas before her departure things were in great extremity betweene the two Nations insomuch that all the French were banished out of
sonne the amiable and famous Edward by-named not of his colour but of his dreaded Acts in battell the Blacke Prince King Edward not long after with a small companie went into France and did homage to Philip de Valoys for his Dutchie of Gascoigne 21 Nemesis or rather Gods vengeance with swift pace did now approach and summon Mortimer to a bloudie account for the yong King addicting himselfe to serious thoughts and putting on the Man before his yeeres required easily saw his owne perill in the others potencie The Queene his mother to the common dishonour and griefe of the Kingdome being generally bruted to be with child by Mortimer hee vpon ripe aduise sodainely and aduenturouslie surprised the proud man at Parliament holden in Nottingham with whom were taken the L. Geofrey Mortimer his sonne and Sir Simon de Bedford who all three were sent prisoners to the Tower of London vnder a strong guard Which done the king by common consent of the Parliament tooke into his hands his mothers excessiue Dower put her to a narrow pension of one thousand pounds by yeer circumscribing her within as narrow limits for her abode but doing her yeerely the honour and comfort of once or twice visiting her though otherwise scarce thinking her worthy of life in regard of her priuacie with Mortimer and his many heinous practises 22 Oh what enchantments are Honour and Power to the minds of men how sodainely and how strangely doe they blow vp the same with the contempt of others and forgetfulnes of themselues Certainely the fraile estate of mans constitution is clearelie seene in this high Lord who drunken with felicitie and fearing neither God nor man fell into vtter confusion when least hee feared The probable manner whereof is worthy the relating There was in the Castle of Nottingham and at this day is a certaine secret way or Mine cut through a rocke vpon which the said Castle is built one issue whereof openeth toward the riuer of Trent which runnes vnder it and the other venteth it selfe farre within vpon the surface and is at this present called Mortimers hole through this the young King well armed and stronglie seconded was conducted with drawne swordes by some his trustie and sworne seruants among which was that braue Montacute whom his vertues vnder this King raised to the Earledome of Salisbury c. vp to the Queenes Chamber whose dore so feareles is blinded affection was vnshut and with her was Mortimer the kings Master as the rumor spred him readie to go to bed whom with the slaughter of a Knight and one or two that resisted they laid hold vpon This was not reputed a slender enterprise in regard that in Mortimers retinue were not fewer they say then one hundreth and fourescore Knights besides Esquiers and Gentlemen 23 The causes for which hee was condemned in open Parliament at Westminster these ragged verses following comprehend which without any disparagement to their makers iudgement might verie well haue beene in Prose but for breuitie and change wee haue here inserted them Fiue heinous crimes against him soone were had First that he causde the King to yeeld the Scot To make a peace townes that were from him got And therewithall the Charter called Ragman That of the Scots hee had bribed priuy gaine That through his meanes Sr. Edward of Carnaruan In Barckley Castle most traiterously was slaine That with his Princes mother hee had lain And finally with polling at his pleasure Hadrobd the King and Commons of their treasure But the most barbarous murther of the kings father and speciallie the dishonourable peace and contract with the then professed enemies of England were principallie insisted vpon as hainous treason He was after sentence ignominiouslie drawne to Tyburne the common place of execution then called the Elms and there vpon the common Gallowes was as ignominiouslie executed hanging by the kings commandement two daies and two nights a publike gladsome spectacle There died with him Sir Simon de Bedford Knight Iohn Deuerel Esquier aswell for expiation of the late King Edwards death as in complement as it were of so great a mans fall whose liues doe seldome or neuer perish single 24 Now came Scotlands turne about to suffer againe most grieuous losses and afflictions an ordinarie effect of Childrens gouernment whether Children in age or in discretion for the Lord Edward Baliol hearing of King Roberts death and the tender age of King Dauid as son and heire of that Baliol to whom king Edward the first had adiudged the Scotish crown with such voluntaries as hee could raise though his Father the Lord Iohn had released his claime to king Robert and though King Edward in fauour of his sister Ioan Queen of Scotland would not openly at first support him embarkt himselfe in Yorkeshire and inuaded that Realme where vpon his landing he slew Alexander Setoun at Kingorn and about nine hundred others putting the rest to flight Not long after that no mischiefe might come alone neere to the water of Ern at a place called Dupline where the Earles of Mar and March with two puissant armies of Scots for the defence of their yong King Dauid lay encamped the said Lord Edward whose small numbers not exceeding three thousand English the Earles as securely and as fatally contemned as the English vnder Edward the second had contemned the Bruce and his Scots obtained of them a wonderfull victorie Boetius who neuer or rarely leaues any ouerthrow purely to the manhood of the English will needs haue this discomfiture effected by a Camisado the Baliol and his English with others passing the water of Erne by a Foord in the night when the enemy little suspected it 25 The slaughter euen by his report was miserable for there were slaine saith he the Earles of Marre and Carricke and three thousand of the Noble beside Commons Our Writers agree that this Foord was passed in the night but that the fight endured from Sunne-rising till three of the Clocke afternoone and that besides the Earles of Marre and Carricke three other Earles Menteth Athol and Murrey twelue Barons eight hundreth knights and men of Armes beside aboue thirteene thousand other lost there their liues Of the English there were onelie slaine thirty and three Esquiers so that not without cause this victory was attributed rather to power diuine then humane 26 Yet this was but the beginning of farther calamities to the Scotish Nation which was in it selfe diuided into factions the one for Bruce the other for Baliol. The Lord Edward making vse of his good fortune got himselfe to bee crowned King of Scotland at Scone But king Dauid Bruce with his Queen fled into France to Philip de Valoys who raigned there entertained them with much compassion and honor giuing them Castle Galliard for the place of their abode till fairer fortune shone Meane-time the Scots sustained new
both by Clergy and Laity Hereupon the Lord Henry Percy Hotspur who had redeemed himself was called from his charge at Callis and made Warden of the Marches against Scotland Thomas Moubray Earle of Nottingham succeeding in the Captaineship of Calys The Dukes chargefull emploiment in France bare no other flower then a yeeres short truce 89 The Kings wants still encreasing with his imploiments the Londoners carried away with euill counsell did a thing most vnworthy of their Citie and themselues and it might to them haue proued as hurtfull as it was vnworthy at such time as the King desired the loane but of one thousand pounds which was not onely churlishly denied but a certaine Lumbard honestly offering to lend the same was badly vsed beaten and almost slain Their liberties for that and other disorders are seised and their proper Magistracy dissolued Guardians being giuen them first Sir Edward Dallinging then Sir Baldwin Radington and their Maior and some chiefe Citizens layed in prisons farre off from London The punishment brought the fowlenesse of their errors to their sight but by the Duke of Glocesters intercessions who did not vnwillingly lay hold vpon such occasions of popularity the king and Queene are wonne to enter the City which gaue them triumphall entertainement The sea is not sodainely calmed after a tempest neither a Princes anger By degrees yet and not without deare repentance they were at last restored to their former condition in all points 90 The king declaring his purpose to crosse into Ireland had an aide of money conditionally granted foure yeeres truce by the trauaile of the two Dukes of Lancaster and Glocester being concluded in France This yeere was farther notable for many great Funerals Constance Dutchesse of Aquitaine and Lancaster a Lady of great Innocency and deuotion the Countesse of Derby her daughter in law Isabel the Dutchesse of Yorke and a Lady noted for too great a finenesse and delicacy yet at her death shewing much repentance and sorrow for her loue to those pestilent vanities left this present life But all the griefe for their deaths did in no sort equall that of the kings for the losse of his owne Queene Anne which about the same time hapned at Sheene in Surrey whom he loued euen to a kind of madnesse but Ladies onely died not for Sir Iohn Hawkwood whose cheualrie had made him renowned ouer the Christian world did in this yeere depart an aged man out of this world in Florence where his ashes remaine honoured at this present with a stately Tombe and the statue of a Man at Armes erected by the gratitude of that State and City which chiefly by his conduct courage and valour to this day admired amongst them was preserued The Italian Writers both Historians and Poets highlie celebrating his matchlesse prowesse enstyle him Anglorum decus decus addite genti Italicae Italico prasidiumque Solo. Englands prime honour Italies renowne Who vpheld all Italie from sinking down But the Duke of Lancaster hauing all things ready sets saile to Burdeaux there with the consent of the State to take possession of his lately granted Dutchie 91 The King doth the like for Ireland where that sort of the Irish which are called the wild had greatly inuested the English Pale and other good Subiects there to the great dammage of the Crown of England In the times of Edward the third Ireland yeelded to the kings coffers thirty thousand pounds yeerly but now things were so grown out of order that it cost the King thirty thousand Marks by yeere To reduce the rebellious himselfe conducts thither an Armie attended vpon by the Duke of Glocester the Earles of March Nottingham and Rutland all the Irish being commanded to auoid out of England The terror of the preparatiōs shining presence of a king which aboue al worldly things is pleasāt to the Irish had such effects that sundry great men were compelled to submit themselues To supply the Kings wants growne in the Irish expedition Edmund D. of Yorke the Kings vncle and Custos or Warden of England called a Parliament at London whither the Duke of Glocester repaired to declare the Kings wants and hath contributions granted Neuerthelesse so strong a party against the Clergy Fryarly abuses of those times discouered it selfe therein that the Archbishop of Yorke the Bishop of London and others prest ouer Sea to the King at Dublin beseeching him to returne the sooner to represse the Lollards so called they the embracers of Wicliffes doctrine and their fauourers who sought not onely as they vntruly pretended to wring away all the possessions of the Church but that which was worse to abrogate and destroy al Ecclesiasticall constitutions whereas they aimed onely at the redresse of exorbitancy in the Papal Clergy The King hereupon returnes by whose arriuall and authority those consultations of the Laity were laid downe Sir Richard Storie a seruant of his had been forward against the Prelates of him therefore hee takes an oath vpon the holy Gospell that he should not hold such opinions any longer The Knight takes that oath and we saith the King doe sweare that if thou doest breake it thou shalt die a most shamefull death The rest hearing the Lion roare so terribly drew in their hornes and would be seen no more 92 The King caused the body of the late Duke of Ireland to bee brought into England His exceeding loue to him was such that he commanded the Cypresse chest wherein his body lay embalmed to bee opened that hee might see view handle and openly expresse his affection The dead remaines of that noble young Gentleman by his birthright Earle of Oxford and by race a Vere were buried at the Priorie of Coln in Essex there being present the King himselfe the Countesse Dowager of Oxford the Dukes mother the Archbishoppe of Canterburie with many Bishops Abbots and religious persons but few of the Lords for they had not as yet digested the hate they bare him 93 The Duke of Lancaster was this while in Aquitaine where he had sought to winne the people with incredible largesse to accept of his Soueraignty according to the tenor of King Richards grant Little did he then thinke that within lesse then sixescore and three yeeres after an Ambassador of King Henry the 8. should write thus of Burdeaux it selfe the Capitall City of Gascoign and Guien Anglorum nulla ferè vestigia remanent c. There are saith that learned Gentleman scarse any foot-prints of the Englishmen remaining In the Churches and other places newly refreshed and reedified such Armories of the English as stood were vtterly blotted and defaced yet in the Church of the Fryers Preachers the Armories of the Duke of Lancaster stand entire in a Glasse-window and in the oldest wall of the City those also of England though consumed in a manner with age The Lawes Statutes and Ordinations which were
caused K. Richards signet to bee counterfeited wherwith he sealed sundry consolatorie and exhortatory letters to his friends indited in K. Richards name wherupon many in Essex gaue credit to the Countesse among the rest som Abbots of that Countie Into this smokedid al the deuise euaporate 42 And no lesse smokie was both the deuise successe of certain in the Parliament held this year at Couentry called the lack learning Parliament either for the vnlearnednesse of the persons or for their malice to learned men where to supply the Kings wants a bill was exhibited against the Temporalties of the Clergie but by the courage of the Archbishop of Canterburie who told them it was the enriching of themselues not of the King which they respected in their sacrilegious petitions and by the gracious care of the King who vowed to leaue the Church in better state then he found it rather then in worse their motion vanished to nothing but the infamous memory of the attempters It is obserued that a Knight the chiefe speaker in this bill against the Clergy had beene himselfe a Deacon and so himselfe first aduanced by the Clergy With great reason therefore did our forefathers distinguish the people into the learned and lewd inferring truely that such commonlie were lewd who were not learned and that lewd and wicked were but two words of one signification as in this Parliament well appeared whose Commons might enter Common with their cattel for any vertue which they had more then brute Creatures 43 Twife after this betweene Christmas and Palmesunday the King assembled the States againe once at London and then at Saint Alban for the cause of money but with much distast the Peeres of the land rising from the last Session thereof meanely contented as it well appeared not long after though to the enterprisers ruine Thomas Mowbray Earle Marshall one of the chiefe men which disliked the carriage of publike matters drawes Richardle Scrope Archbishoppe of Yorke into a conspiracy in ful hope that Henrie Percie Earle of Northumberland the Lord Bardolf the Citizens of Yorke and the common people would assist their cause which was glosed with the specious pretence of redressing publike abuses hapning through the Kings default The Earle of Westmerland hearing of this attempt wherein the Earle Marshall and the Archbishoppe were leaders of the people gathers a force to encounter them but perceiuing himselfe too feeble he betakes himselfe to fraud and by faining to like the quarrell got them both into his power and presented them as an acceptable oblation to the King who about Whitsontide comes to Yorke where albeit the Earle of Westmerland had promised them their liues aswell the Archbishoppe as the Earle Marshall were beheaded But the next yeere the Pope excommunicated all such as had a hand in putting the Archbishoppe to death It was said of Tiberius Casar in a Satyricall libel regnabit sanguine multo Adregnum quisquis venit ab exilio Who first Exi◅de is after crown'd His raigne with bloud will much abound 44 This the King verified in his person who comming out of banishment could not support his Title and estate but by shedding much bloud of subiects For not contented with those two liues he pursueth the Earle of Northumberland and Lord Bardolf with an inuincible Armie of seuen and thirty thousand men but they vnable to make head against so mighty a force take Berwicke for refuge Thither the King marcheth at the sound whereof they both distrustfull of their safety flie into Scotland where the Lord Flemming entertaines them Berwicke vpon hope of succours out of Scotland which gladly nourished the English miseries and the English theirs refused to render whereupon the King plants a battering piece against a Tower in the wall which as it threw downe the halfe thereof with one shot so did it quite ouerthrow all the defendants courages who presently yeelded the place vpon hard and desperate terms for they were partly hanged and partly emprisoned After Berwicke was thus recouered the king takes Alnwicke all other Castles belonging to the Earle and thinking the like happines would shine vpon him in Wales he crosseth ouer thither where it fell out far otherwise not by the manhood of the Welsh but by the sodaine rage of waters which destroied his carriages and about fiftie wains as was said laden with much treasure therfore he returns to Worcester Owen Glendowr the chief captain of the Welsh natiō expecting fearing a reuenge had before this time confederated himselfe with the French who in 140. ships arriued at Milford hauen to the aid of Owen hauing well neere first lost all their horses in the passage for want of fresh water The Lord Berkley and Henrie de Pay by what meanes appeares not burnt fifteen of that number in the harbour They made the entrance of their warre by laying siege to the Towne of Carmarden in South-Wales which the Garrison being permitted to depart with bagge and baggage was yeelded 45 The King being againe in need of money after long vnwillingnesse and delay the Parliament furnished him rather ouercome with wearinesse in contradiction then for any great good will Some of his treasure was employed as it seemes vpon secret practises with the Scots that the Earle of Northumberland and the Lord Bardolfe might bee deliuered into his hands in exchange for some Scots whereupon they fled into Wales and the Scots missing their purpose slew Dauid Lord Flemming for discouering their intention to his distressed guests as by the lawes of honour and hospitality he was obliged which filled Scotland with ciuill discords To auoide the dangers whereof and to better his education the King of Scots sent his sonne and heire by sea into France whom together with the Bishoppe of Orknay certaine Mariners of Cley in Norfolke surprized at sea and presented to the King who committed him prisoner to the Tower of London Meanewhile the French prosecuting their affaires in Wales sent thither eight and thirty shippes full of souldiers of which number the English tooke eight the rest escaping in great feare to Wales and not long after other fifteene saile laden with waxe and wine This fortune though good was nothing in regard of the seruice which Henry Pay with certaine shippes of the Cinque Ports and about fifteene other exployted vpon a great Fleet containing sixscore saile whose ladings were yron salt oyle and Rochel wine The same times was a felon put to death for hauing in many places of London dared secretly to set vp bils containing newes that King Richard was aliue The fearefull plague of pestilence slew multitudes of people through the Realm chiefly in London where within a short space it destroyed thirty thousand That most renowned Captaine Sir Robert Knolles who had led so many liuing men to their honourable deaths in battel was now captiued himselfe by death vpon the fifteenth day of
the King replied that as the offence was capitall so should it bee examined by the Peeres and therefore willed him to rest contented vntill the next Parliament Thus by his great wisdome he satisfied his father from further suspition and recouered his loue that neerely was lost Hetherto of Henry as he was Prince some other of whose youthly actions we also touched in his fathers raigne and now to his Acts after he was King 11 Henry ordained successor and ouerseer of his dying Fathers Testament had in his entrance so fortunate proceedings as hee seemeth to exceed all his Predecessors his Nobles proffering the oath of their Alleagiance before himselâ—…e had made his for the iust gouernment of the Common-weale which so farre was from acceptation that hee desired God neuer to admit him to the Crowne vnlesse he should to his glory raigne and rule the Scepter to the good of the Subiect The day of his entrance and of his Fathers death being the twentieth of March and yeere of Christs Incarnation according to our account 1412. on the ninth of Aprill following hee was solemnly crowned at Westminster Thomas Arundel Archbishoppe of Canterbury performing the roiall Ceremonies which no sooner was ended but to beginne a good gouernment hee beganne with himselfe banishing from his presence and Court the vnbridleled youthes which had beene his consorts commanding them either to change their manners or neuer to approch within ten miles where hee lay Then chose hee worthy and prudent men for his Councell of Estate and aduanced his Clergie with dignity and power being himselfe as zealous in deuotion as liberall in building and indowing of places for deuotion of others His Iustice was found of all that sought it for euery day after dinner for the space of an houre his custome was to leane on a cushion set by his cupbord and there himselfe receiued petitions of the oppressed which with great equity he did redresse And for a further testimony of his tender and compassionate heart the slaughtered body of K. Richard ouer-meanely enterred at Langley in great â—…state he remoued into Saint Peters Church at Westminster and there laid him enshrined by Queene Anne his first wife as himselfe had desired and prepared founding a weekely memoriall to bee celebrated and six shillings eight pence thereon distributed vnto the poore and yeerelie twentie pounds giuen vpon his anniuersarie day besides foure tapers to burne before his monument day and night for euer And so neerely did his death touch this innocent King that hee sent to Rome to bee assoyled from that guilt of his fathers Act by the Popes holinesse then accounted another God whose penance enioined he willinglie performed and afterwards purposed to haue made warre in Palestina against the enemies of Christ for which end hee sent Sir Hugh de Lauoy of Henault to Ierusalem to discouer the state of things there but before his returne he was departed to the heauenly Ierusalem himselfe 12 The obsequies of his Father being solemnized at Canterbury and the King in person attending the Corps fitte occasion was giuen vnto Archbishoppe Arundell to complain of the Wicklifians then termed Lollards great rubs in the wayes of the Clergies pride and proceedings whereof Sir Iohn Oldcastle was thought a chiefe who by his marriage contracted with a kniswoman of the Lord Cobhams of Cooling in Kent obtained the title thereof a man strong and valourous and in especiall fauour with his Prince This Knight in their Synode assembled at London immediately after the Kings Coronation was accused by them to haue rent Christs seamelesse coat in maintaining VVickliffes doctrine to bee taught especially in the Diocesse of London Rochester and Hereford against whom also some choise Inquisitors at Oxford appointed for Heresies though that whole Vniuersity had formerly vpheld both Wickliffe and his doctrine informed and presented his name with two hundred forty sixe conclusions which they had collected to be hereticall 13 The King incensed by the Archbishoppes suggestions against these discontented discipliners was further made beleeue that they themselues had set vp billes in diuers places threatning that an hundred thousand persons were ready for armes against all that withstood their reformation and among these that Oldcastle his Knight was reputed the chiefe The King graciously inclined heard the Archbishops complaint and being at Kennington promised to conferre with the Lord Cohham himself which accordingly hee did instantly willing him to submit himselfe to the censure of the Church and obedience of the Archbishoppe but Cobham no turne-coate from his profession humbly told the King he owed his subiection only vnto his Maiesty whom God had placed in these his Dominions as his onely Vice-gerent to gouerne his people and Subiects and that himselfe forced nothing Romes leaden sword vnsheathed by the Pope that Antichrist against the Lords seruants nor would suffer the key of Canterbury to open the closet of his conscience where the spirite of God was residing bearing witnesse with his that hee stood in the truth for whose defence as his Champion he was ready to liue or die 14 This answere receiued was so deliuered vnto the Archbishoppe with power to cite examine and punish as their owne Canons in such cases had decreed The Lyon thus laid for whose paw they still feared was serued by processe to appeare in the Archbishops Court and the same deliuered by one Butler a seruant of the Kings Priuy Chamber for that the bold Sumner durst not doe it himselfe and the Archbishoppe diligent lest he should forget the day caused his letters citatorie to be set vpon the gates of the Cathedrall Church of Rochester which were presently torne down and others againe set vp were againe pulled off to the great offence of the Clergies eye and the rather for that the Actor could not be knowne The Knight not appearing as knowing their malice and his own danger was condemned of contumacie and afterwards in a Synode at Rochester was by the Archbishop pronounced an Heretike where himselfe then enacted that hereticall decree that the holy scriptures should not bee translated into the English tongue But marke the iudgement that fell vpon his own tongue whose rootes and blade shortly after as is recorded grew so big in his mouth and throate that he could neither speake nor swallow downe meat but in horror lay languishing till lastly he so dyed starued by famine 15 In the meane time the Lord Cobham wrote his Beliefe which was very Christianlike and presented it himselfe to the King who being much prepossessed in no wise would receiue it but suffered him to bee summoned in his presence and priuie Chamber when the Knight for his purgation offered an hundred knights and Esquires which would not be accepted then according to his degree of Order and law of Armes he required the single Combat to fight for life or death with either
is the greatest it may be also the happiest Monarchie of Europe For the cleere accomplishment of which worke there rests now nothing but the depressing of the Daulphin who is by your doome already not only depriued of that dignity but of succession to the Crowne and prosecuted as a Traitor to the State and of whom this we must be assured that while he liues France cannot but be in a perpetuall combustion For preuenting whereof I both need and intreate both your Counsels and aide nothing doubting of your readines in either for how can we expect any safety or you any goodnes at his hand who in his young yeeres did so perfidiously murder the Duke of Burgundy his vncle I am now you see your Regent in present and Successour to the Crowne in hope Let it not therefore sticke in your hearts that I am an Englishman borne for you know I haue much French blood in my veines which warmes my affections as well to French as English but looke on me as the lawfull heire to the Diademe both by iust Title and your owne consents who therefore am and ought to be wholly yours and your kindnes and iust dealing bind me so to be Yours also am I now by fresh alliance as sonne in Law to your King vnto whom I will performe all offices of loue and honor as to mine owne father and you his subiects shall I loue and cherish as mine owne children and will defend France and the French so long as you defend my right with your louing aide and will deserue my loue with your loiall affection 55 These affaires thus accomplished at Troyes the Kings the Queenes and the rest of the Peeres in great estate rode vnto Paris where all faire countenances were shewed and great entertainement giuen to the English But the Daulphin and his followers neither feared nor fainted though the present courses pleased not their palat Their first Counsell therefore was how to preserue themselues in so eminent danger to sit still and doe nothing they knew it was but to increase and aduance the successes of the English and to rise without strength was to fall into further misfortunes hauing no meanes to hold warre with so potent an Enemy In this distraction their voice was best heard that spake most for the safety of the Daulphin whose only life gaue breath vnto the after-hopes of France and for the strengthening of those places which might be of most aduantage to themselues and offence to the Enemie This then past by decree in that Counsell of warre that the Daulphin should at no time hazard his person in field and that a leuy of Souldiers should be had to lie in Garrison in places conuenient for Time which neuer stands still they well hoped might yet turne the rice for them fortune being said they as subiect to fawne as to frowne in which resolution each man tooke to his charge and all to withstand the doings of Henry 56 As these consulted for the state of the French so in Paris a Parliament of the three estates was assembled wherein such as were guilty of the death of Burgundy were iusticed the disherizing of the Daulphin confirmed and warres prepared against these Townes which held for him Against Sens the two Kings with their Queens Clarence and Burgundy marched which after 12. daies was rendered vpon composition of life those excepted as were guilty of the Duke of Burgundies death Monstreau was the next which by force was entred where the body of the Duke of Burgundy vndecently buried by the Daulphinois was taken vp and by his sonne Philip sent in great pompe to Diion in his Dutchy and there honorably interred The Towne being taken the Castle held out vnto whose Captaine twenty Captiue Gentlemen were sent whose liues from King Henries mouth say the French were sentenced to death vnlesse they could perswade the Castellan to surrender but those men say our English to mollifie that seuere doome were all especiall friends of that Captaine and such as had giuen opprobrious words to the Kings Herauld being sent vnto them in the siege of Monstreau Howsoeuer in this extremity they sollicited Guiluy vpon their knees vrging their owne deaths and his great danger if he held out but Guiluy a true Frenchman and friend to the Daulphin withstood the assault and thereupon these Gentlemen Petitioners were presently hanged in the sight of the defendants so bloody is Mars to maintaine his owne Lawes and so eager was Henry of his full Conquest of France whose thirsting sword had hereto fore beene some what ouerlauish in blood but neuer more perhaps then in this bloody act which I wish might be obliterated from the number of his other glorious actions Yet at length was that Castle enforced to surrender vpon composition of life excepting the guilties of Burgundies death 57 Then was the siege remoued to Melun a Towne of great strength and made more strong by the valours of her commanders who were Seigneur Barbafon an absolute souldier Pierre de Bourbon a Prince of the blood Preaux and Bourgeois whose Garrison was seuen hundred Daulphinois and indeed no default in defence could anie wise be imputed but the Canon opening a breach the English and Burgundians made an entry into the Bulwarke and ouer the Riuer Seine built a bridge with Boates so that from either quarter they had passage one to the other without impediments and encamped themselues for their best aduantage vpon whom the enemie neuerthelesse made diuers sallies with the losse of either parties King Henry inforced his siege to the vtmost and made a myne vnderneath the wals which being perceiued the defendants countermined against him where the King too forward as the very first man entring his myne and Barbason likewise his within the Towne met each other at point of sword where they performed nobly the parts of priuate souldiers nobly indeed if priuate souldiers they had been but Princes should remember they are not such till lastly they agreed to discouer themselues and first Barbason made known his name then King Henry did his whereupon the French Lord suddainely getting backe caused the Barriers to be closed and Henry returned to his Campe. 58 This enterprize failing King Charles himselfe came into the Campe to induce the defendants to render at the presence of their naturall Lord which neuerthelesse was little respected for answere was made that if their King were at liberty and free from King Henries power they would doe him the duty of naturall subiects and yeeld him their charge as their Liege Lord but being as he was they desired to be excused for to the mortall enemy of France they would not yeeld 59 Whilest King Henry lay at the siege of Melun the Duke of Bauier who was Palsegraue of Rhyne Elector came to King Henry hauing married his sister and thence sent a defiance vnto the Daulphin his kinseman by Queene
Nations The City is driuen to some miserie through the beginning want of all things for the siege had now endured about 60. daies not without much bloudshed on both sides The Earle of Salisburie impatient of such delay purposeth to giue a generall assault The better to consider vpon the course hee stands to take view at a window barred with Iron which ouerlookt the City toward the East Behold how God began to vncutte the knot of those bands with which the English held France bound a bullet of a great piece which lay ready leueld at that window discharged by the Gunners sonne a lad stroke the grates whose splinters so wounded the Earle and one Sir Thomas Gargraue that they both dyed of the incurable hurts within few dayes Heare now the common iudgement of Writers concerning this Earles losse Presently after the death of this man the fortune of the war changed Now both mortall and immortall powers beganne to looke fauourably vpon the State of France This to the English was Initium malorum for after this mishappe they rather lost then wanne so that by little and little they lost all their possession in France and albeit that somwhat they got after yet for one that they wan they lost three So that Polydor not without cause after many other great praises doth elsewhere call him the man in whom the safety of the English state consisted The vertue therefore of a fortunate Generall is inestimable 14 Howbeit the siege did not determine with his life William Earle of Suffolke the Lord Talbot the rest maintained the same all the winter The wants of the Campe were relieued from Paris by a conuoy vnder the guard of Sir Iohn Fastolfe and fifteene hundred souldiers who arriued safe in despite of all the attempts to distresse thē which the French made The City would yeeld it selfe but not to the English The Duke of Burgundie they were content should haue the honour A subtle stratagem rather then an offer of yeelding for there was likelihoode in it to breake thereby the amity betweene the English and him The Regent and his Counsell being sent vnto thought it not reasonable Aemylius erroniously makes the late Earle of Salisbury the Author of that refusall neither indeed was it theirs hauing beene the cost and labour The Duke of Burgundy construed this repulse sowerly which marred his taste of the English friendshippe euer after yet the Regents answere was iust and honest That the warre was made in King Henries name and therefore Orleance ought to be King Henries Among these difficulties stood the French affaires Charles of France vnderstanding the miserable straites of his deare City ignorant how to remedy so neere a mischiefe there presented herselfe vnto him at Chinon a yong maid about eighteene yeeres old called Ioan of Loraine daughter to Iames of Arck dwelling in Domremy neere Va◅caleurs a Shepheardesse vnder her father whose flockes shee tended bids him not faint and constantly affirmes that God had sent her to deliuer the Realme of France from the English yoake and restore him to the fulnesse of his fortunes Shee was not forthwith credited but when the wise of both sorts aswell Clerkes as Souldiers had sifted her with manifold questions she continued in her first speech so stedfastly vttering nothing but that which was modest chast and holy that honour and faith was giuen vnto her sayings An old woman directed her Ioan armes her selfe like a man and requires to haue that sword which hung in S. Katherines church of Fierebois in Touraine This demaund encreased their admiration of her for such a sword was found among the old Donaries or Votiue tokens of that Church Thus warlikely arrayed she rides to Blois where forces and fresh victuals lay for the reliefe of Orleance Shee with the Admirall and Marshall of France enters safe This did greatly encourage the fainting French Ioan the maide of God so they called her though some haue written that it was a practise or imposture writes thus to de la Pole Earle of Suffolke who succeeded Salisbury in the maine charge of that siege 15 King of England do reason to the King of heauen for his bloud royall yeeld vp to the Virgine the keyes of all the good Cities which you haue forced She is come from heauen to reclaime the bloud royall and is ready to make a peace if you bee ready to doe reason yeeld therefore and pay what you haue taken King of England I am the chiefe of this war wheresoeuer I encounter your men in France I will chase them wil they or no. If they will obey I will take them to mercy The Virgine comes from heauen to driue you out of France If you will not obey shee will cause so great a stirre as the like hath not beene these thousand yeeres in France And beleeue certainly that the king of heauen will send to her and her good men of Arms more force then you can haue Goe in Gods name into your Country bee not obstinate for you shall not hold France of the King of Heauen the sonne of S. Marie but Charles shall enioy it the King and lawfull heire to whom God hath giuen it Hee shall enter Paris with a goodly traine you William de la Pole Earle of Suffolke Iohn Lord Talbot Thomas L. Scales Licutenants to the Duke of Bedford and you Duke of Bedford terming your selfe ◅egent of the Realme of France spare innocent bloud and leaue Orleance in liberty If you doe not reason to them whom you haue wronged the French will doe the goodliest exploit that euer was done in Christendome Vnderstand these newes of God and of the Virgine Yet Charles had at this time no whole Countries vnder his obedience but Languede◅ and Daulphin against which both the Sauoyard and Burgundian prepared but miscarried the Prince of Orenge the third confederate being discomfited 16 This letter was entertained by the English with laughter Ioan reputed no better then a Bedlam or Enchantresse Though to some it may seem more honourable to our Nation that they were not to bee expelled by a humane power but by a diuine extraordinarily reuealing it selfe Du Serres describes this Paragon in these words Shee had a modest countenance sweete ciuill and resolute her discourse was temperate reasonable and retired her actions cold shewing great chastity without vanity affectation babling or courtly lightnesse Let vs not dissemble what wee finde written By her encouragements and conduct the English had Orleance pluckt out of their hopes after they had suffered the Duke of Alanson to enter with new force and with much losse were driuen to raise the siege Ioan herselfe was wounded at one sallie in which shee led being shot through the arme with an arrow Iudge what she esteemed of that hurt when shee vsed these admirable and terrible words This is a fauour let
and two daughters the youngest of which was Lady Margaret whom King Henry afterward tooke to wife Charles Duke of Lorraine dying Renate thinkes to succeed in that estate Antony Earle of Vallemont brother to Charles presumes he hath a neerer right The matter comes to be determined by blowes Charles King of France was a stedfast supporter of Renates claime in lieu of like offices performed by Renate to him in the times of most difficulty The Regent and Philip Duke of Burgundy stood for the Earle Their aides preuailed so much that Renates forces were beaten with losse of about three thousand from the siege of Vallemont and himselfe with not fewer then two hundred others remained prisoner to the Duke of Burgundy one of whose subiects commanded in chiefe at that enterprise This Renate was afterward entituled to the Crowne of Naples and Sicilia by the testament of Ioane Queene of them The King of France might seeme to haue susteined a grieuous losse by the enthralment of this Duke but the English gained nothing thereby for his perswasions and priuate offices on the behalfe of King Charles did not a little prepare the Burgundians heart which now was knit to the English but with feeble Arteries to accept in time the holy impression of reconcilement The French who liued vnder the Regency or in danger of the English made choise of the Burgundian to protect them which could not be embarred to them for that he was as yet King Henries pretended friend Indeed this Scene and vnstable state of affaires was full of horrour which Polydâ—…re Vergill describeth well enough While the English and French quoth he contend for Dominion Soueraignty and life it selfe mens goods in France were violently taken by the licence of warre Churches spoiled men euery where murthered or wounded other put to death or tortured Matrons rauished Maids forcibly drawne from out their parents armes to be deflowred Townes daily taken daily spoiled daily defaced the riches of the Inhabitants carried whither the Conquerors thinke good hâ—…sen and villages round about set on fire no kind of cruelty is left vnpractised vpon the miserable French omitting many hundreth kinds of other calamities which all at once oppressed them Adde hereunto that the Commonwealth being destitute of the helpe of lawes which for the most part are mute in times of warre and mutiâ—…ie floateth vp and downe without any anchorage at right or iustice Neither was England herselfe voide of these mischiefes who euery day heard the newes of her valiant childrens funerals slaine in perpetuall skirmishes and bickerings her generall wealth continually â—…d and wained so that the euils seemed almost equall and the whole Westerne world ecchoed the groanes and sighes of either Nations quarrels being the common argument of speech and compassion throughout Christendome 22 The course certainly which the English held did only faintly keepe aliue the Generall State of the Regency without giuing period to the warre either by finishing the Conquest or setling that which was conquered Some would haue had large supplies of men and treasure leuied that King Charles might no where haue any rest Of this opinion were Bedford himselfe the Dukes of Yorke and Sommerset This Counsell was not followed but another in shew more frugall which fed the euils but redressed none Present sparings doe oftentimes draw after them infinite wasts and no husbandrie proues so ill as vnseasonable Parsimony In the mean time the Earle of Arundel and the Lord Talbot carry about victorious Armes and terrifie Angiou Main and other places with their successes In Normandie neuerthelesse the common people drew together in huge multitudes There were threescore thousand of them rebelliously knotted together in Vexin Norman and twenty thousand in Câ—…ux Their purpose was through dislike of the English Gouernment or practise of the French to haue reacht one hand to King Charles and to haue thrust King Henries officers out What is a multitude without aduise To stoppe their insolency and course which they held toward Caen the Earle of Arundel and Robert Lord Willoughby with about thirteen hundred light horse and sixe thousand Archers march against them by direction of the Dukes of Yorke and ommerset who had the chiefe Leiutenancies in Normandy They diuide their forces to vse them with the more aduantage The Earle stayes in Ambush with two parts the Lord Willoughby drawes them into it with the third A thousand of the Rebels were cut down before the souldiers hands could be stayed to spare the rest who basely as it became them threw away their weapons and fell to the earth crying mercy The multitudes were suffered to returne their ringleaders lost their liues All that the world could collect by this popular insurrection was that the Normans would be gladly rid of the English Nothing else was done This Earle of Arundell hauing done sundry noble deeds during the wars in France receiued his deathes wound shortly after in a skirmish at Gerberoy in Beauuoâ—…sine where La Hire a famous Captaine among the enemies had the day 23 The Regency yet held and the miseries of France being burnt vp by the fiery reflections of two Counter-Sunnes were nothing diminished Who should giue to them a Period while the Duke of Burgundy continued English it could not be To prepare therefore a separation betweene them such of the Nobility as went ouer to the Burgundian Duke told him That King Charles vpon all occasions when speech was ministred spake of him honourably and inwardly wished him well and that he neuer heard any mention of the murther committed vpon the Duke his father cause of the sonnes hatred to France but he heartily sighed protesting hee was neither party nor priuy thereunto These and the like mollifying salues applyed to the tumors of his reuengefull affections did worke strongly the rather for that his minde heretofore possessed with the English amity was now vacant in that part the same by the means of sundry iealousies and auersions lying open to contrary impressions There wanted but an outward honourable meanes to fashion him entirely to the French partie Let vs heare Serves in this point The Deputies of the Generall Councell presse both French English and Burgundians to end all quarrels by some good composition The City of Arras is allowed of them all to treat in From the Pope and Councell of Pisa there came the Cardinals of S. Crosse and Cypres with twelue Bishoppes For the King of France there was the Duke of Bourbon the Earle of Richmond Constable of France the Archbishoppe of Reims Chancellour of France and many others great noble wise and learned men For the King of England the two Cardinals of Yorke and Winchester the Earles of Suffolke * Iohn Holland Earle of Huntington the Bishoppe of Saint Dauids Iohn Ratcliffe Keeper of the great Seale the Lord Hungerford Ralfe the wise Officiall of Canterbury and some Doctors of Diuinity For
where in a new Tombe at the entrance into the Chancell of the Chappell and south dore of the Quier it was princely bestowed but since the Tombe is remoued and where the Corps is now laid is not vulgarly knowne 80 Thus liued and thus dyed this innocent and iust King who had beene proclaimed in his Cradle crowned in his Infancy and againe at more age had the Emperiall Diadem of France set on his head liuing vprightly louing his Subiects and raigning thirty eight yeeres was in that time tossed with variable successe for twice he was imprisoned and depriued of his Crowne betrayed smitten and wounded and in all things became a worthy example of fortunes vnconstancy hee was of stature very seemly of body slender of face beautifull and by a naturall inclination abhorred all vice farre from pride giuen to prayer well read in the Scriptures vsing works of Charity and so chast as no suspition of incontinency could be conceiued in him nay so farre to the contrary that when certaine Ladies presented themselues before him in a maske with their haire loose and their breasts vncouered hee then a Bachelour and able of marriage hee immediately rose vp and departed the presence saying fie fie forsooth yee are to blame Oath he vsed none but in weighty matters his affirmation was forsooth and forsooth very mercifull to the poore and so pittifull to Malefactors as he commanded the quarters of Traitors to be taken downe from the Gates and buried and so farre from reuenge that hee willingly pardoned the greatest offences against him for a Ruffian intending his death wounded him in the side with his sword what time he lay prisoner in the Tower and being restored to his kingly estate he freely forgaue the fact and another like Ruffian striking him on the face hee punished with this onely reprehension forsooth you are to blame to strike mee your annointed King for these and his other patient vertues King Henry the 7. assayed to haue him canonized a Saint but Pope Iulius the 2. demanding too great a summe the King went no further in the suite notwithstanding in the repute of the vulgar hee was taken for no lesse so as his red hat which hee had worne healed the head-ach when it was put on as the simple beleeued 81 The monument of his zeale to true piety and care for posterities are his famous Colledges of Eaton and Cambridge the Chappell of which last shewes the magnificence that the whole should haue beene of had their Founder raigned to haue finished them himselfe for the performance whereof hee enfeoâ—…ed certaine Bishops with other noble personages by his letters Patents with lands and possessions to the yeerely value of thirty foure hundred pounds very neere but as his life ended before that nature had thereunto set her owne seale so these remain vnperfected of the excellent beauties intended which their zealous Founder meant to haue adorned them withall 82 And his sorrowfull Queene Margaret who twentie sixe yeeres before this his death with all pompe and royalty had beene crowned Queene of England and had ruled all in all now a poore Prisoner in distresse and wants weares out her time in teares and laments and wisheth for nothing more then the day of her death which Duke Reiner her Father well vnderstanding made suite to King Edward to haue her released by ransome and lastly bought her liberty at so deare a rate as hee first pawned and afterward solde to Lewis the French King the Kingdomes of Naples and of both the Siciles to pay and repay the price of her redemption vnto which poore father this sorrowfull daughter returned and ended her aged dayes where shee had begun the dayes of her life 83 Victorious Edward thus leading Mars chained to his Chariot and now himselfe led by Fortune to the high chaire of Estate sits an absolute Monarch sure and without opposite vnto whose rayes all eyes turne a submissiue aspect onely bastard Fauconbridge depatted from London as we haue said and withdrew vnto Sandwich with his disquiet crew made shew to doe much and did somewhat more then befitting by rape and robbing where those rude Mariners came which Edward hearing of hasted to Canterbury in person himselfe fully resolued to weede vp by the rootes those new sprowted blades of rebellion and made great preparation to accomplish the same which the Bastard hearing though strong in his Sea-men durst not bandy against but sent his submission with proffer of seruice and loiall obedience and indeed so temporized with the king as besides his pardon obtained the sword of knighthood was laid vpon his shoulder he was presently made the Kings Vice-Admirall for the Seas In which his office he so bare himselfe either by his owne deserts or the Kings Conceit as he not long enioied the same but was at Southampton beheaded and other of King Henries old fauourites likewise sought after and daily indangered 84 In which times of feare Iasper Earle of Pembrooke with his Nephew young Henry Earle of Richmond fled into Britaine where of that Duke they were most courteously entertained with assurance made that no wrong should be offred them during their stay in his dominions And so these two Earles the vncle and nephew there attended the day of their wished successe 85 But Iohn Earle of Oxford who had withdrawne himselfe from Barnet field first into Wales and thence into France was farre more vnpatient of those rough times for hauing gotten store of prouision by strong hand at Sea with seauentie seuen men only surprized Saint Michaels Mount in Cornewall and made that peece good against the King which he kept and reuictualled but whether by force or fauour King Edward much suspected and therefore the more willingly came to a composition with his Subiect who vpon the pardon of his life deliuered the Mount to the King and as some say the rather for that his minde was then troubled with many ominous signes For certaine Boâ—…nes about this time burst out of the Earth as VVoe-mere at Market in the County of Bedford whose name carried the quality of his nature In Kent at Canterburie Leuisham and Langley Parke at Croyden in Surrey and at Hungeruill neere Dudley Castle one running verie foule all of them predictions as that credulous age beleeued of great troubles to come and therefore not trusting a new reconciled enemie King Henrie sent the said Earle Prisoner vnto the Castle of Hames in Normandy where he remained the space of twelue yeeres vnto the last of K. Richard the 3. most securelie guarded and so straitly kept as Lady Margaret his Countesse could not be suffered to haue accesse vnto him in all that time Neither was shee allowed any thing out of his reuenewes or from the king to maintaine her estate but was forced to liue vpon the Charity of others by the workes that shee made with her
read the Articles of peace and demanded the Kings whether these were done with their full consents Which granted by both either of them laying their one hand vpon the Missall and the other vpon the Holy-Crosse tooke their solemne Oathes to obserue the same And then falling into a more familiar and Courtly Complementall conference King Lewis told K. Edward that he would one day inuite him to Paris there to Court his faire French Ladies with whom if hee committed any sinne he merrily told him that Cardinall Bourbon should be his Confessor whose penance would be the easier for that Bourbon vsed to busse faire Ladies himselfe which no sooner was spoken or howsoeuer meant but Edward was as forward of thankes and acceptance and indeed so ready that King Lewis rounding Commines his bosome seruant in his â—…are told him flatly he liked not Edwards forwardnes to Paris too many English Princes hauing beene there before and â—…s the conference ended and king Edwards busines in France hee returned into England and into the City of London was receiued little lesse then in triumph-wise 99 But though Edwards fortunes thus outwardly flourished yet inward feares nipped his still troubled mind one branch hauing sappe whose growth hee much feared would shadow his Crowne which was Henry Earle of Richmond aliue and at liberty in the Duke of Britaines Court. To bring therefore his purpose to passe hee sent D. Stillington and others Ambassadors vnto Frances Duke of Britaine with store of gold and good words as that hee meant to match his eldest daughter Lady Elizabeth vnto the young Earle of Richmond whereby all cause of dissentions might at once be cut off the Duke thinking no danger where the water went smooth easily consented to shippe him thereon but ere the prey was embarked hee had knowledge that the voyage should cost young Henry his life wherefore in all hast hee sent his Treasurer Peter Lâ—…doys to preuent it who secretly told Richmond what marriageâ—…d Edward intended whereat the distressed Earle amazed was put to his shifts and for want of better tooke Sanctuary at S. Malâ—…s where the English his conductors lay for a wind 100 The Earle thus escaped the Ambassadors complained to the Duke imputing the fault as far as they durst vnto him who had not dealt liâ—… a good Marchant to take their money and to retain the warâ—… his answere was the deliuery was good but themselues negligent Factors that made not the commodity to their best aduantage And yet for the loue hee bare to their King hee vndertooke that Richâ—…nd should be sure kept either in Sanctuary or else in prison whence as hee promised hee should not escape And so with a 〈◊〉 in their â—…re they returned hauing cleared Edward of 〈◊〉 â—…ney and care for sure keeping of Henry who though hee weresore displeased with Stillingtons simplicity yet the promises that the Duke of Britaine had made much mitigated and eased his mind 101 And now the Realme quiet no warre in hand nor none towards but such as no man looked should happen hee framed himselfe so to the peoples affections and held their hearts not in a constrained feare but with as louing and ready obedience as any King attaining the Crowne by his sword euer had Nor was euer any Prince more familiar with his Subiects then this King Edward was who now hauing his tribute truly paid from France and all things prospering as was desired he set heart vpon pleasure which hetherto had beene afflicted with continuall turmoile yea and often laid from him the state of a Prince and would accompany and conuerse with his meane subiects a loadstone that doth naturally attract the English hearts among many others we of London remember this to our grace Vnto Windsore he sent for the Lord Maior of London the Aldermen and others vpon no other occasion then to hunt in his company and himselfe to be merry with them As also at another time he did the like in Waltham where he gaue them most familiar intertainment and sent to the Lady Mairesse and her sisters two harts sixe Buckes and a Tunne of wine which wanne more loue then manifold their worthes 102 Somewhat he was giuen to Court and conuerse with faire Ladies which fault was well noted and preuented by King Lewis for his French dames but in England he had liberty with very large scope for besides the Lady Lucy and others by whome he had issue three concubines he kept and those of three diuers and seuerall dispositions as himselfe would often confesse one the merriest another the wiliest and the third the holiest harlot in his realme as one whom no man could get out of the Church vnlesse it were to his Bed the merriest was Shores wife of whom hereafter we shall speake the other two were greater Personages but in their humility are content to bee namelesse and to forbeare the praise of those properties 103 This fault of the King did not greatly offend the people for one mans pleasure could not extend to the displeasures of manie it being done without violence and in his latter daies lessened and well left But a farre more greater sinne and reproach he fell into among his other Princely disports For being on progresse in Warwickeshire and hunting in Arrow Parkâ—… belonging to Thomas Burdet Esquire with the death of much Game he slew a White Bucke greatly esteemed of the said Burdet who vnderstanding thereof wished his hornes in his Belly that moued the King to kill the same Bucke whereof he was accused and condemned of treason his wordes being drawne to wish the â—…ornes in the Kings bellie for which beheaded hâ—… was at Tiburne and buried in the Gray-Fryers Church at London 104 But a more lamentable tragedie happened vnto the land by the death of George Duke of Clarence the Kings second brother who being accused of high Treason was committed to the Tower where he soone-after ended his life His attainder was that the said Duke had caused diuerse of his seruants to enforme the people that Thomas Burdet his seruant likewise was wrongfully put to death and further laboured through their reports to make the world beleeue tâ—… K. Edward wrought by Nigrâ—…cie and vsed to poison such 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And alâ—…o thaâ—… 〈◊〉 sâ—…id Duke vpon purâ—… to exalt himselfe and his heires to the 〈◊〉 digâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…sely 〈◊〉 vntruly pubâ—…d that the 〈◊〉 was a â—…ard and therefore not capable of raigne Moreouer thâ—… he induced diâ—…e of the Kiâ—…aturall subiects to be sworne vpâ—… the 〈◊〉 Sâ—…ent vnto him and his heires withâ—…â—…ny other reseâ—…ations of their allâ—…e for which intent as there was alleaged hee had gotten an exemplification vnder the great Seale of King Henry the sixt that if the said king and his sonne Prince Edward died without issue male the said Duke and his heires should inioy the Crowne For these in
a Parliament begun at Westminster the fifteenth of Ianuary he was attainted of high treason but whether guiltie or guiltles to men saith Grafton that haue made large inquisition yea and of such as were of no small authority in those daies the certaintie thereof was hid and could not truly be disclosed but by coniectures which as often deceiue the imaginations of fantasticall folke as declare truth to them in their conclusions 105 I am not ignorant that some haue alleaged the cause of this Noble mans death to arise from a foolish prophecie whereof saith Comines the English-men are neuer vnfurnished this as the Cabâ—…sts who vsed to make an art of their letters gaue forth forsooth that a G. should raigne after an E. which must needes be George Duke of Clarence though Gloucester more craftie lay in winde for the game This indeed troubled the King not a little but the Queene and her blood much more and therefore of both King and Queene Duke George was mistrusted and greatly maligned in all that he did Who now a widower for Warwicks daughter was dead sent vnto his sister Margaret the Dutchesse of Burgundie to worke a marriage for him with her husbands daughter the Lady Marie Against which the Queene most earnestly interposed her selfe and sollicited the Ladie in the behalfe of Lord Anthonie Earle Riuers her brother whereby great discontent was ministred to the Duke and new iealousies daily bred in the Kings breast 106 Iohn Serres the French Historian interlacing the life of King Lewis with the Acts of K. Edward and his brethren saith confidently that the English King so much affected the league and alliance with France as that he caused his brother Clarence to be put in prison because he intended to haue past the Seas to succour the Dowager of Burgundie Ladie Margaret his sister vpon whose Territories King Lewis encroached after the death of Duke Charles her husband slaine at the battell of Manâ—…y 107 But howsoeuer Clarence had offended certaine it is that he was found guilty by the foresaid Parliament and the eleuenth of March following after he had offered his Masse-penny in the Tower of London was drowned in a But of Malmesey whose body was buried at Tewkesburie in Glocestershire by the bodie of his Dutchesse Ladie Isabell Countesse of Warwicke who being with Child died of poison a little before And although the King had consented to his death yet no sooner was it done but that he wished it againe vndone and was so greeued at the remembrance as when anie made suite for the life of a condemned he would openly say Oh â—…fortunate brother for whose life no 〈◊〉 would make â—…ite This good Duke for so was he called left issue behind him Edward Earle of Warwicke and Margaret afterwards Countesse of Salisbury both of them infants and followers of their fathers fortunes he a continuall Prisoner at foure and twentie yeeres of age vnder Henry the seauenth was beheaded vpon the Tower-hill and shee at sixtie two lost hers within the Tower and time of King Henrie the eight 108 But how dainty soeuer King Edward was of the breach of amitie betwixt him and the French King in regard whereof he suffered Mary the yong Dutchesse of Burgundy the daughter of his owne sisters husband to bee molested by 〈◊〉 of the French and all in fauour of the contract commenced betweene the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lady 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 daughter yet did 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ouâ—… 〈◊〉 For Ambassadors â—…ploied 〈◊〉 accomplishing â—…of they of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without 〈◊〉 oâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…he new were sent without 〈◊〉 while indeed Lewis 〈◊〉 working for his sonne another way First to match him with Mary Dutches of Burgundy but that refused with Margaret of Flaunders daughter to Duke Maximilian sonne to Fredericke the Emperor and to hold the world from suspition in the meane while Ladie Elizabeth the Infanta of England was in the French Court vsually called Madame the Daulphin and all things in France so soundly carried as Edward suspected no leake in the Caske for now growne fat and vnable for paines he both gloried in his nine famous victories at home atchieued and seemed sufficientlie satisfied that his yeerely tribute from France was so truly paied 109 At the same time Iames the third of that name King of Scotland sent his Ambassadors vnto Edward to obtaine the Lady Cicelie the Kings second daughter to be ioined in marriage with his sonne Iames the young Prince which was well listened vnto by Edward and his Counsell and least the motion should goe backe a great summe of money lent to the Scottish King with this condition that at a certain time appointed it should be at K. Edwards choise whether his daughter should match with that Prince or else to haue the said summe againe repaid Against which alliance and league as Lesly reporteth Lewis of France much repined and to annihilate the same sent Dr. Ireland a certaine knight and another religious man to moue King Iames to make warre against England 110 These no Peace-makers for Christ but firebrands of Belial blew the smothered sparkes of dissention into a flame of bloody warre which fell the more heauy vpon Scotland for that K. Iames much wedded vnto his owne will and altogether ruled by men of meane worth whom himselfe had aduanced from nothing had not only neglected by their instigations the loue of his Nobles but also banished the Realme of Scotland Alexander Duke of Albany his second brother and had caused the veines of Iohn Earle of Marre his other brother to be opened whereby he bled to death these and other discontents alienated his Subiects hearts from him which laid the land more open vnto the English Inuaders and yet to draw them more deadly against him relying vpon his ownevalor and the assistance of France he sent word vnto Edward that he should not aid his owne sister of Burgundy against K. Lewis being the Scots Allie as also with threats of warre commanded him to deliuer to his Ambassadors the Duke of Albanie then residing in the English Court and lastlie to make good and repay dammages done vpon the Scottish Borders 111 King Edward not a little inraged at these double dealings euen in the winter season mustered his men prepâ—…ed his artillery and rigged his ships that nothing should be vnready at the next Spring which no sooner was come but that he ordained for his Lieutenant his brother Richard Duke of Gloucester who with Henrie Earle of Northumberland Thomas Lord Stanley the Lord Louell Gâ—…stock and others the Duke of Albany marching vnto Gloucesters banner with twenty thousand strong repaired into the North and first â—…sieged the strong Towne Berwick then enâ—…ing the chiefe City Edenborough vrged K. Iames to performe his couenants concerning the marriage betwixt Prince Iames his sonne with Lady Cicely before agreed vpon
Nun in the Nunnery of Dartford in the same County founded by K. Edward the third where shee spent her life in contemplations vnto the day of her death 126 Marie the fift daughter of K. Edward the fourth by Queene Elizabeth his wife was promised in marriage vnto the King of Denmarke but died before it could be solemnized in the Tower of Greenewich the Sunday before Pentecost the twentieth two of her fathers raigne and yeere of Grace 1482. and was buried at Windsore 127 Margaret the sixth daughter of K. Edward the fourth by his wife Queene Elizabeth died an Infant without other mention in our Authors 128 Katherine the seuenth daughter of King Edward the fourth by Queene Elizabeth his wife and the last of them both was married vnto William Courtney Earle of Deuonshire and Lord of Ochaâ—…pton vnto whom shee bare Lord Henrie after the death of his father Earle of Deuonshire who by King Henrie the eight was created Marquesse of Excester in Anno 1525. His Concubines 129 Elizabeth Lucie is certainly known to haue been King Edwards Concubine though nothing so certainly mentioned whose Ladie or of what Parentage shee was that shee was conceiued by him with child is before declared but who that child was is as obscurely laid downe therefore in these things we must be silent and leaue the doubts to be resolued by others Three other concubines this king had whereof Shores wife was not the least beloued whose life falleth further to be spoken of in the Raigne of the vsurper Richard where her storie shall be shewed more at large His naturall Issue 150 Arthur surnamed Plantagenet the naturall sonne of K. Edward the fourth whose mother as is supposed was the Lady Elizabeth Lucie was created Viscount Lisle by King Henrie the eight at Bridewell in London the twentie sixth of Aprill and yeere of Saluation 1533. which title was confâ—…red vpon him in right of his wife Lady Elizabeth sister and heire vnto Iohn Gray Viscount Lisle and the late wife and then widdow of Edmund Dudley who bare vnto this Viscount three daughters which were Bridget Frances and Elizabeth all of them afterward married This Arthur Lord Lisle was made Lieutenant of Callis by the said K. Henry which Towne some of his seruants intended to haue betraied to the French for which their fact himselfe was sent to the Tower of London but his truth appearing after much search the King sent him a rich ring from his owne finger with such comfortable wordes as at the hearing thereof a sudden ioy ouercharged his heart was so immoderately receiued that the same night it made an end of his life whose body was honorably buried in the same Tower 151 Elizabeth the naturall daughter of K. Edward the fourth was married to Sir Thomas Lumley Knight the sonne of George Lord Lumley who died before his father shee bare vnto the said Sir Thomas Richard afterward Lord Lumley from whom the late Lord Lumley did descend EDVVARD THE FIFTH KING OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE AND LORD OF IRELAND THE FIFTIE FIFTH MONARCH OF THIS LAND HIS RAIGNE AND DEATH For the most part written by Sir Thomas Moore CHAPTER XVIII THe father thus dying in the strength of his yeeres and the sonne left to rule before he was ripe the Synders of dissensions which the sicke King had lately raked vp presently brake forth into a more raging flame for the king and Queenes blood that should haue supported young Edwards estate the one side being suspicious and â—…e other prouoked by the execrable desire of soueraignty left the tender king a Prince of such towardnes as his age could conteine destitute and vnarmed which if either kind or kindred had holden place must needes haue beene the surest pillars of his defence The raigne of this King if we may so cal the shorttime of his Soueraignty began the same day that his father died though he was neuer Crowned nor yet commanded the affaires of the Kingdome as an absolute Monarch his young brothers fortunes being ballanced with his 2 For Richard Duke of Gloucester by nature their vncle by office their Protector to their Father beholden to themselues by Oath and Alleagiance bounden all bands broken that holdeth man and man together without any respect of God or the World vnnaturally contriued to bereaue them not onlie of their dignity but also theirlines But forsomuch as the Dukes demeanour â—…reth in effect all the whole matter whereof the raigne of this yong and fift Edward must intreat itâ—… therefore conuenient somewhat to shew you ere we goe further what man this was and from whom he descended that could find in his heart so much mischief to conceiue 3 Know first then that Richard Duke of Yorke a noble man and a mighty beganne not by warre but by law to challenge the Crowne putting his claime into the Parliament where his cause was either for right or fauour so farre foorth aduanced that King Henries blood albeit he had a goodly Prince was vtterly reiected the Crowne by the authoritie of that high Court intailed to the Duke of Yorke and his issue male in remainder immediately after the death of King Henrie But the Duke not induring so long to tarrie intending vnder pretext of dissention and debate arising in the Realme to preuent his time and to take vpon him the rule in King Henries life was with many other Nobles slaine at Wakefield leauing three sonnes Edward George and Richard all of them as they were great states of birth so were they great and stately of stomacke greedy and ambitious of authority and impatient of partners 4 For Edward reuenging his fathers death depriued king Henry and attained the Crowne The second George Duke of Clarence was a goodly Noble Prince and in all things fortunate if either his owne ambition had not set him against his brother or the enuie of his enemies his brother against him For were it by the Queen and Lords of her blood which highly maligned the Kings kindred as women commonly not of malice but of nature hate them whom their husbands loue or were it a proud appetite of the Duke himselfe intending to be King at least-wise hainous treason was laid to his charge and finally were he faulty were he faultlesse attainted he was by Parliament and iudged to death as we haue saide 5 Richard the third sonne of whom we now entreat was in wit and courage equall with either of them in body and prowesse farre vnder them both little of stature ill-limmed and crook-backed his left shoulder much higher then his right very hard fauoured of visage and such as in States is called warly in other men otherwise he was malicious wrathfull and enuious yea and from afore his birth euer froward For it is for truth reported that the Dutchesse his mother had so much adoe in her trauaile that shee could not be deliuered of him vncut and that he came into the
you haue no need of a Priest yet and therewith laughed vpon him as though hee would say yee shall haue soone But so little wist the other what hee meant and so little mistrusted his present perill as hee neuer was merrier nor neuer so full of good hope in his life which selfe thing is often seene a signe of change but I shall rather let any thing passe me then the vaine surety of mans mind so neere his death Vpon the very Tower-wharfe so neere the place where his head was strooke off soone after there met he with one Hastings a Purseuant of his owne name And of their meeting in that place hee was put in remembrance of another time in which it had happened them before to meet in the like manner together in the same place At which other time the L. Chamberlaine had been accused vnto King Edward by the Lord Riuers the Queenes brother in such wise as hee was for the while but it lasted not long farre fallen into the Kings indignation and stood in great feare of himselfe And forasmuch as hee now mette this Purseuant in the same place that ieopardy so well passed it gaue him great pleasure to talke with him thereof with whom hee had before talked therof in the same place while he was therein And therefore he said ah Hastings art thou remembred that I met thee once here with a heauy heart yea my Lord quoth hee that remember I well and thanked bee God they got no good nor you no great harme Thou wouldest say so quoth he if thou knew so much as I know which few know else as yet and more shall shortly That ment hee by the Lords of the Queenes kindred which were taken before and should that same day bee beheaded at Pomfret which hee well wist but was nothing aware that the axe hung ouer his owne head In faith man quoth he I was neuer so sorry nor neuer stood in so great dread of my life as I did when thou and I met here And loe how the world is changed now stand my enemies in the danger as thou maist hap to heare more hereafter and I neuer in mylife so merry nor neuer in so great surety Oh good God the blindnes of our mortall nature when he most feared he was in good suretie when he reckened himselfe surest he lost his life and that within two houres after Thus ended this honorable man a good Knight and a gentle of great authority with his Prince of liuing somewhat dissolute plaine and open to his enemies and secret to his friends easie to be beguiled as he that of good heart courage forestudied no perils a louing man a passing well beloued very faithful and trusty enough trusting indeed too much Now flew the fame of this Lords death swiftly through the Citie and from thence further like a winde in euery mans eare 47 But the Protector immediately after dinner intending to set some colour vpon the matter sent in all hast for many substantiall men out of the City into the Tower at whose comming thither himselfe with the Duke of Buckingham stood harnessed in olde rusty briganders such as no more man should weene that they would vouchsafe to haue put on their backes except that some suddain neces sity had constrained them thereto And then the Protector shewed them that the Lord Chamberlaine and others of his conspiracy had contriued to haue suddainly destroied him and the Duke there the same day in Counsell And what they intended further was not yet well knowne Of which their treason he neuer had knowledge before ten of the clocke the same forenoone which suddain feare droue them to put on for their defence such harnesse as came next to hand and so had God holpen them that the mischiefe returned vpon them that would haue done it and this he required them to report 48 Euerie man answered him faire as though no man mistrusted the matter which oftruth no man beleeued yet for the further appeasing of the peoples minde he sent immediately after dinner in all haste an Herauld of Armes with a Proclamation to be made through the City in the Kings name conteining that the Lord Hastings with diuers others of his traiterous purpose had before conspired the same day to haue slaine the Lord Protector and Duke of Buckingham sitting in the Councell and after to haue taken vpon them to rule the King and the Realme at their owne pleasures thereby to pill and spoile whom they listed vncontrolled And much matter there was in that Proclamation deuised to the slander of the Lord Chamberlaine as that he was an euill Counseller to the Kings father entising him to many things highly redounding to his great dishonour and to the vniuersall hurt of his Realme by his euill company sinister procuring vngratious example aswell in many other things as in the vicious liuing and inordinate abusion of his body both with many others and especially with Shores wife who was one also of his most secret Counsell in this hainous treason with whom hee lay nightly and namely the night last past before his death so that it was the lesse maruell if vngracious liuing brought him to an vnhappy ending which he was now put vnto by the most dread commandement of the Kings highnesse and of his honorable and faithfull Counsell both for his demerits being so openly taken in his falsely conceiued treason as also least the delaying of his execution might haue encouraged other mischieuous persons partners of his conspiracy to gather and assemble themselues together in making some great commotion for his deliuerance whose hope being now by his wel-deserued death politickely repressed all the Realme should by Gods grace rest in good quiet and peace 49 Now was this Proclamation made within two houres after that he was beheaded and was so curiously indited and so faire written in parchment in so well a set hand and therewith of it selfe so long a processe as euery child might perceiue that it was prepared before For all the time between his death and the proclaiming could scant haue suffised vnto the bare writing alone had it beene but in paper and scribled forth in hast at aduenture So that vpon the proclaiming thereof one that was Schoole-master of Paules of chance standing by and comparing the shortnes of the time with the length of the matter said vnto them that stood about him Here is a gay goodly cast foule cast away for hast and a Merchant answered him that it was written by Prophecie Now then by and by as it were for anger not for couetousnesse the Protector sent the Sheriffes of London into the house of Shores wife for her husband dwelled not with her and spoiled her of all that shee had aboue the value of three thousand markes carrying her through London vnto the Tower and there left her Prisoner where for fashion sake he laid
the short time wherein he continued the name of a King which onlie was two monthes and sixteene daies and in them also he sate vncrowned without Scepter or ball all which Richard aimed at and perfidiously got before they could come to his head or into his hands His age at the death of his father and entrance into his throne was eleuen yeeres fiue monthes and fiue daies and within three monthes after was with his brother sin othered to death in the Tower of London as shall be shewed in his Raigne of whom we are now by order of succes sion to write RICHARD THE THIRD KING OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE AND LORD OF IRELAND THE FIFTIE SIXTH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISH HIS RAIGNE ACTS ISSVE AND DEATH For the most part written by Sir Thomas Moore CHAPTER XIX RIchard the third sonne of Richard Duke of Yorke born at Fotheringhay Castle in the County of Northampton was first honoured with the title of Glocester being the third Duke of that number consequently by vsurpation crowned King of England the third of that name a name indeed noted to the Kings so called to bee euer ominous and the title of Glocester to those Dukes euer fatall all of them both dying violent and vntimely deathes which ought to haue beene the more fearefull vnto Richard now hauing possession and interest in them both But that not regarded or destiny enforcing his aspiring mind gaue him no rest till his restlesse body found it lastly in the graue For his brother deceased when his life was most desired no man in shew tooke his death so heauily as himselfe or tendered the young King with a more honourable respect when as God knowes his mind ranne vpon deepe reaches how to compasse the wreath for his owne head which the better to fashion hee withdrew a while into the North and at Yorke in most sad and solemne manner obserued the Funerals of the dead King but howsoeuer the Maske couered this subtle Dukes face from the eie of the multitude yet Buckingham well knew the ambitious desire of his aspiring heart and indeed was the Dedalus that made him the wings wherwith he mounted so neere vnto the Sun as that the wax melting like the high-minded young Icarus he caught his last fall 2 What intendments they had before the Kings death is vncertaine though it may be suspected but sure it is he now gone the Duke of Buckingham twice sollicited Gloucester by his messengers in the North met him at Northampton himselfe accompanied him to London forwarded him in Counsell and was the first Actor in this following tragedy For first making him Protector procuring his young Nephew forth of Sanctuary disabling the young King bastardizing them both perswading the Citizens working the Nobility and all this done to set the Crowne vpon crookt Richards head and so moulded their minds vnto the man as they all became humble petitioners vnto him for to accept of the same who in the meane while had well conned his owne part by profuse liberalitie by passing great grauity by singular affability by ministring of iustice and by deepe and close deuises whereby hee wonne to himselfe the hearts of all but the Lawyers especially to serue best his turn which was so affected that in the name of all the States of the Realme a Petition was drawne and presented him to accept the wearing of the Crown the true copy wherof as we find it recorded in the Parliament Rol we haue inserted is as followeth In Rotulo Parliamenti tenti apud Westm. die Veneris Vicesimo tertio die Ianuarii An. Regni Regis Richardi 5. primo inter alia continetur vt sequitur Memorandum quod quaedam billa exhibita fuit coram Domino Rege in Parliamento praedicto in haec verba Where late heretofore that is to say before the consecration coronation and inthronization of our soueraigne Lord the King Richard the third a roll of parchment containing in writing certaine Articles of the Tenor vnderwritten on the behalfe and in the name of the three Estates of this Realme of England that is to witte of the Lords Spirituall Temporall and of the Commons by name and diuers Lords Spirituall and Temporall and other Nobles and notable persons of the Commons in great multitude was presented and actually deliuered vnto our said Soueraigne Lord the intent and effect expressed at large in the same roll to the which Roll and to the considerations and instant petition comprised in the same our said Soueraigne Lord for the publike weale and tranquility of this land benignely assented Now forasmuch as neither the said three Estates neither the said persons which in their name presented and deliuered as it is aforesaid the said Roll vnto our said Soueraigne Lord the King were assembled in forme of Parliament by reason whereof diuers doubts questions and ambiguities beene moued and engendred in the minds of diuers persons as it is said Therefore to the perpetuall memory of the truth and declaration of the same be it ordained prouided and established in this present Parliament that the Tenor of the said roll with all the contents of the same presented as is abouesaid and deliuered to our foresaid Soueraigne Lord the King in the name and in the behalfe of the said three Estates out of Parliament now by the same three Estates assembled in this present Parliament and by authority of the same bee ratified enrolled recorded approued and authorized into remouing the occasions of doubts and ambiguities and to all other lawfull effects that shall now thereof ensue So that all things said affirmed specified desired and remembred in the said rol in the tenor of the same vnderwrittē in the name of the said 3. Estates to the effect expressed in the same roll be of the like effect vertue force as if al the same things had bin so said affirmed specified desired remembred in a full Parliament and by authority of the same accepted approued The Tenor of the said Roll of parchment wherof aboue is made mention followeth is such To the high and Mighty Prince Richard Duke of Glocester Please it your noble Grace to vnderstand the considerations election and petition vnderwritten of vs the Lords Spirituall temporalll and Commons of this Realme of England and thereunto agreably to giue your assent to the common and publike weale of this land to the comfort and gladnese of all the people of the same First we consider how that heretofore in time passed this land many yeers stood in great prosperity honour and tranquilitie which was caused forsomuch as the King then raigning vsed and followed the aduise and counsell of certaine Lords spirituall and temporall and other persons of approued sadnesse prudence policy experience dreading God and hauing tender zeale and affection to indifferent ministration of iustice and to the common and publike weale of
Lord c. To whom we know for certaine it appertaineth of enheritance so to bee chosen And hereupon wee humbly desire pray and require your most noble Grace that according to this electiō of vs the three estates of this Land as by your true inheritance you will accept and take vpon you the sayd Crowne and royall dignitie with all things thereunto annexed and appertaining as to you of right belonging aswell by inheritance as by lawfull election and in case yee so doe we promise to serue and assist your Highnesse as true and faithfull subiects and liege men and to liue and die with you in this matter and in euery other iust quarrel For certainlie we be determined rather to aduenture commit vs to the perill of our liues and ieopardie of death then to liue in such thraldom and bondage as wee haue liued long time heretofore oppressed and iniured by extortions and newe impositions against the Law of God and man and the libertie old policie and Lawes of this Realme wherein euery Englishman is inherited Our LORD GOD KING of all KINGS by whose infinite goodnesse and eternall prouidence all things beene principally gouerned in this world lighten your soule and grant you grace to doe as well in this matter as in all other that may bee according to his will and pleasure and to the common and publike weale of this Land so that after great clouds trouble stormes and tempests the Sun of Iustice and of Grace may shine vpon vs to the comfort and gladnesse of all true-hearted Englishmen Albeit that the right title estate which our Soueraigne Lord the King Richard the third hath to and in the Crowne and roiall dignitie of this Realme of England with all things thereunto within the same Realme and without it vnited annexed appertaining bin iust and lawfull as grounded vpon the lawes of God and of nature and also vpon the ancient lawes and laudable customes of this said Realme and so taken and reputed by all such persons as beene learned in the abouesaid lawes and customes Yet neuerthelesse for asmuch as it is considered that the most part of the people is not sufficiently learned in the abouesaid Lawes and customs wherby the truth right in this behalfe of likelyhood may be hid and not cleerely knowne to all the people thereupon put in doubt and question And ouer this how that the Court of Parliament is of such authoritie and the people of this Land of such a nature and disposition as experience teacheth that manifestation and declaration of any truth or right made by the three estates of this Realme assembled in Parliament and by the authority of the same maketh before all other things most feith and certaine and quieting of mens minds remoueth the occasion of all doubts and seditious language Therefore at the request and by the assent of the three estates of this Realme that is to say the Lords spirituall and temporall and Commons of this Land assembled in this present Parliament by authority of the same be it pronounced decreed and declared that our said Soueraign Lord the King was and is the very vndoubted King of this Realme of England with all things thereunto within the same Realm and without it vnited annexed and appertaining aswell by right of Consanguinity and inheritance as by lawfull election consecration and coronation And ouer this that at the request and by the assent and authority abouesaide be it ordained enacted and established that the said Crowne and royall dignity of this Realme and the inheritance of the same and all other things thereunto within the Realme or without is vnited annexed and now appertaining rest and abide in the person of our said Soueraigne Lord the King during his life and after his decease in his heires of his body begotten and in especiall at the request and by assent and authority abouesaid bee it ordained enacted established pronounced decreed and declared that the high and excellent Prince Edward son of our said Soueraigne Lord the King bee heire apparant of the same our Soueraigne Lord the King to succeed to him in the abouesaid Crowne and royall dignity with all things as is aforesaid thereunto vnited annexed and appertaining to haue them after the decease of our said Soueraigne Lord the King to him and to his heires of his body lawfully begotten Quae quidem Billa Communibus Regni Angl. in dicto Parliamento existent transportata fuit Cui quidem billae ijdem Communes assensum suum praebuerunt sub hijs verbis A Ceste bille les Communes sont assentus Quibus quidem billa assensis coram Domino Rege in Parliamento praedicto lectis auditis plenius intellectis de assensu Dominorum spiritualium temporal ◅min dicto Parliamento similiter existent ac Cōmunitatis praedictae nec non authoritate einsdem Parliamenti pronunciatum decretum declaratum existit omnia singula in billa praedicta contenta forever a indubia Ac idem Dominus Rex de assensu dictorum trium Statuum Regni authoritate praedicta omnia singula praemissa in billa praedicta contenta concedit ac ea pro vero indubio pronunciat decernit declarat 5 These things I haue laid forth more at large out of the Parliament Roll that ye may vnderstand both what and how great matters the power of a Prince the outward shew of vertue the wily fetches of Lawyers fawning hope pensiue feare desire of change and goodly pretences are able to effect in that most wise assembly of all the States of a Kingdome euen against all law and right so that the saying of Salomon in this State seemed most true that a liuing dogge is better then a dead Lyon But this Richard is not to be accounted worthy to haue been a Soueraigne had he not beene a Soueraign as Galba was reputed who when he was a Soueraigne deceiued all mens expectation but most worthy indeede of Soueraignty had hee not beene transported with ambition which blasted all his good parts by lewde practises and by mischieuous means made foule way thereunto for that by the common consent of all that are wise he was reckoned in the ranke of bad men but of good Princes as indeed King Richard through his short time of raigne is accounted to haue beene 6 The Crown and Scepter accepted as is said King Richard vpon the twentie fifth of Iune went in great pompe vnto Westminster hall and there in the Kings Bench Court tooke his Seat saying that he would take vpon him the Crowne in that place where the King himselfe ought to sit whose chiefest duety was to administer Iustice to his people and with a pleasing Oration so tickled the eares of his Auditors that hee lulled the rurall to thinke that his like had neuer raigned in England and to beginne himselfe with a pretenced clemency he pronounced pardon
the one side of me Semblably my cosin the Earle of Richmond his aides and kinsfolkes will surely attempt either to bite or to pierce me on the other side so that my life and rule should euer hang vnquiet in doubt of death or deposition And if the said two linages of Yorke and Lancaster should ioine in one against me then were I surely matched Wherfore I haue clecrelie determined vtterly to relinquish all imaginations concerning the obtaining of the Crown For as I told you the Countesse of Richmond in my returne from the new named King meeting me in the high way praied me first for kindreds sake secondly for the loue I bare to my Grandfather Duke Humfrey who was sworne brother to her father to moue the King to be good to her sonne Henry Earle of Richmond and to licence him with his fauour to returne againe into England and if it were his pleasure so to doe shee promised that the Earle her sonne should marry one of the Kings daughters at the appointment of the King without any thing demanded for the said espousals but only the Kings fauour which request I soone ouerpassed and departed But after in my lodging I called to memory more of that matter and now am bent that the Earle of Richmond heire of the house of Lancaster shall take to wife Lady Elizabeth eldest daughter to King Edward by the which marriage both the houses of Yorke and Lancaster may be vnited in one 28 When the Duke had said Bishop Morton who euer fauoured the house of Lancaster was wondrous ioyfull for all his imagination tended to this effect and lest the Dukes courage should asswage or his minde alter he said to the Duke My Lord of Buckingham sith by Gods prouision and your incomparable wisdome this noble coniunction is first moued it is necessary to consider what persons we shall first make priuie of this politicke conclusion By my troth quoth the Duke we will begin with my Ladie of Richmond the Earles mother which knoweth where he is in Britaine sith you will begin that way said the Bishop I haue an old friend with the Countesse called Reinald Bray for whom I shall send if it be your pleasure so the Bishop wrote for him to come to Brechnock who straite came backe with the messenger where the Duke and Bishop declared what they had deuised for the preferment of the Earle of Richmond sonne to his Lady and Mistresse willing her first to compasse how to obtaine the goodwill of Queene Elizabeth and also of her eldest daughter and after secretly to send to her sonne in Britaine to declare what high honour was prepared for him if he would sweare to marrie the Ladie Elizabeth assoone as hee was King of the Realme With which conclusion Reinold Bray with a glad heart returned to the Countesse his Lady Bray thus departed the Bishop told the Duke that if he were in his Isle of Ely he could make many friends to further their enterprise The Duke knew this to bee true but yet loth to loose the society of such a Counsellor gaue him faire words saying he should shortly depart well accompanied for feare of enemies but the Bishop ere the Dukes company were assembled secretly disguised in a night departed and came to Ely where he found money and friends and then sailed into Flaunders where he did the Earle of Ricchmond good seruice 29 When Reinold Bray had declared his message to the Countesse no meruaile if shee were glad wherefore shee deuised a means how to breake this matter to Queen Elizabeth being then in Sanctuary at Westminster and hauing in her family a certaine Welshman called Lewis learned in Phisicke now hauing oportunity to breake her minde vnto him declared that the time was come that her sonne should be ioined in marriage with Lady Elizabeth daughter and heire to King Edward and that King Richard should out of all honour and estate be deiected and required him to goe to Queene Elizabeth not as a messenger but as one that came friendlie to visite her and as time and place should serue to make her priuy of this deuise This Phisitian with good diligence repaired to the Queene and when he saw time conuenient said vnto her Madame although my imagination be very simple yet for the entire affection I beare to you and to your children I am so bolde to vtter vnto you a secret conceit which I haue compassed in my braine When I remember the great losse which you haue sustained by the death of your louing husband and the great sorrow that you haue suffered by the cruell murder of your innocent children I can no lesse doe then daily study how to bring your heart to comfort and also to reuenge the quarrell of you and your children on that cruell tyrant King Richard And first consider what battel and what mischiefe haue risen by the dissention betweene the two houses of Yorke and Lancaster which two families if they may be ioined in one I doubt not but that your line shall be again restored to your great ioy comfort you know Madam that of the house of Lancaster the Earle of Richmond is next of bloud to the house of York your daughters now are heirs If you could deuise the means how to couple your eldest daughter with the Earle of Richmund in matrimony no doubt but that the vsurper should shortly bee deposed and your heire againe to her right restored 30 When the Queene had heard this friendly Motion shee instantly besought him that as he had beene the first inuentor of so good an enterprise that now hee would not desist to follow the same requiring him further that he would resort to the Countesse of Richmund mother to the Earle Henrie and to declare to her on the Queenes behalfe that all the friends of King Edward her husband should assist and take part with the Earle of Richmund her sonne so that hee would take an oath that after the Kingdome obtained to espouse the Lady Elizabeth her daughter c. M. Lewis so sped his busines that he made a finall end of this businesse betweene the two mothers so the Lady Margaret Countesse of Richmund brought to a good hope of the preferment of her son made Reinold Bray chiefe soliciter of this conspiracy giuing him in charge secretly to inueagle such persons of Nobility to ioyne with her take her part as he knew to be faithfull 31 This Reinold Bray within few dayes brought to his luer Sir Giles Daubeny Sir Iohn Cheinie Knights Richard Guilford and Thomas Ramney Esquiers and others In the meane while the Countesse of Richmund sent one Christopher Vrsewicke a Priest into Britaine to the Earle of Richmund her sonne to declare to him all the agreements between her and the Queene agreede and with all to shew him that the Duke of Buckingham was one of the first
him and the Earle and therefore sore offended at Landose whom he suspected to be deepe in the deed he sent for Edward Wooduile and Edward Pownings two English Esquires vnto whom he deliuered a summe of money which he had promised to Earle Henrie with a conuey vnto all the rest of the English to depart Vannes bearing all their charges till they came to their Earle in France Neither was King Charles backward to forward Earle Richmond against the Tyrant and Vsurper of the English Crowne And the more to ioy Henry Iohn Earle of Oxford imprisoned by King Edward the fourth in the Castle of Hammes with Captaine Blunt his keeper and Sir Iohn Fortescue Porter of Callis came vnto Earle Henry to take their fortunes in following of his This Earle of Oxford as we haue seene was a continuall aider of King Henry the sixt against his opposite K. Edward and had done many seruices in the Lancastrians cause till destiny had cast downe the hopes of their side Him therefore Earle Henry made his chiefe Counsellor for warre as for experience policy valour and faith in that busines no man was more meete Whose prowesse further appeared when Earle Henry wan the wreath at Bosworth field where in the Front of that Battell he lead the band of Archers and euer after liued in great fauour with this King Henry the seuenth and in great honour died the fourth yeere of King Henry the eight In the like trust for Counsell and fauour with these Kings was Richard Fox Doctor of Diuinitie who being then a student in Paris was found by Earle Richmond to be the chiefest man for imploiment in his French busines which he so prudently and faithfully effected as the Earle being King acknowledging him one of his principall aduancers made him of his Priuie Councell Lord Priuie Scale and raised him to very great places in Church and Common-wealth and lastly to testifie in what deere esteeme hee held him made him Godfather to his sonne Prince Henrie who was after King of England with whom in great reuerence he liued a long time euen till his eye-sight failed through age and did many workes of piety whereof Copus Christi Colledge in Oxford is and shall be for euer a noble witnes and his honorable care of reuerend antiquity in preseruing the bones of many Saxon Kings and by him bestowed in faire Monuments in the Cathedrall Church of Winchester shall neuer want due celebration amongst all that honour antiquity and glorious studies But from these worthy Subiects we returne againe to their soueraigne King Henry 41 Whose beginnings thus forwarded by the Duke of Britaine and the French King drew many English into France and filled the heart of the Vsurper with an extreme feare therefore to accomplish by pollicy what was doubtfull by armes he sought to baite his hooke yet another way The title hee knew stood with the daughters of King Edward his sonnes being murdered and among them to Ladie Elizabeth the eldest whose marriage he well saw must bring Henry the Crowne But that once diuerted his streame of it selfe could beare no great floate nor bring any inundation into the Land and therefore Queene Elizabeth in Sanctuary must be Courted that her daughters might come to Court and there be regarded according to their degrees This so cunningly was carried by men that could carry themselues to fit womens affections that the King was purged of the murder of her sonnes shee made to beleeue that her selfe was respected a Dowager Queene and sister in law to the present King and that himselfe had a Prince and many Princely Peeres most fit matches for those Princes her daughters that her sonne Thomas Marquesse Dorset whilst he followed the Runaway Henry left his honorable preferments intended to himward and lastly requiring a reconciliation with the Queene forgaue all iniuries vttered against him out of her womanish passions with a most willing heart and indeed these messengers were such Crafts-masters as they brought Queene Elizabeth into a fooles Paradise and made her beleeue that their words were his heart Whereupon forgetting all things passed before as the murder of her sonnes the dishonour of her husband the bastardy of their Children and her owne scandall for Sorcery nor remembring the faithfull promise shee made to Lady Margaret Earle Henries mother shee deliuered her fiue daughters as lambes committed to the rauening wolfe in which act of hers is seene the weakenes of that Sexe and the ambition whereunto by nature they are inclined for presently vpon the deliuery of her daughters shee sent priuily for the Lord Marquesse Doset her sonne then residing in Paris willing him to desist from the Earles Faction and come vnto King Richard who promised him preferment and that her selfe and daughters were in high fauour all iniuries on both parts forgiuen and forgotten 42 This entrance made vnto the Tragedy intended to furnish the stage and finish the Scene of her owne life the next Actor must be Queene Anne who onely now stood in the Tyrants way her death he meant should giue life to his intruded regencie and adde a further Claime and strength to the possession which he already had by matching with his Neece the next heire vnto the Crowne the Lady Elizabeth the let onely resting that himselfe had a wife her death therefore must immediately bee sought yet so as the honorable repute of his name should no waies be impeached euer carrying himselfe in outward semblance for a good religious honest man and much desirous that his people should account him so First therefore he began to lament the barrennes of his wiues wombe and the great dangers that the Realme was like to sustaine if himselfe should die Issulesse complaining often thereof vnto his Nobility but most especially vnto Archbishop Rotherham lately released out of prison whereby the Prelate coniectured Queene Anne had not long to liue Then refrained he her bed vnder pretext of Penancy taking her defect as a scourge for his owne sinnes which day and night he sought to expiate by praiers His next pollicy was how her death might be wrought with the least suspect of wrong and how taken when shee was gone Therefore as an assay to the Peoples taste he caused it to be giuen forth that Queene Anne was dead which was so commonly divulged that the rumour thereof came to her owne eare and shee hauing had sufficient experience of her husbands proceedings feared this to be one of his plots mistrusting and not without cause that her life was in danger whereupon all dismaid with a lamentable countenance shee came to the King and with weeping teares demanded what offence shee had done that the sentence of death was giuen against her already Richard made it strange to see her so perplext and with louing words and smiling semblance bad her liue to scandalize report and to thinke that many
put in trust craued vengeance from heauen and instantly intended to reuenge it himselfe then hauing notice the Earle was at Lichfield and his partie increased by daily repaire incontinently hee marshalled his followers and like a valiant Captaine and politike leader set forward his Battailes fiue and fiue in a rancke In the middest of his troopes he bestowed the Carriages belonging to his Army and himselfe mounted vpon a white Courser inuironed with his Guard followed by his footmen and the wings of Horsemen ranged on euery side with a frowning sterne countenance but yet in great Pompee ntred the towne of Leicester after the Sun was set being full of indignation and swelling in anger which somewhat he asswaged with threats of reuenge 49 Earle Richmund from Lichfield departed for Tamworth and in the way met Sir Thomas Bourchier and Sir Walter Hungerford going towards the King who vpon this vnlooked for occasion and knowing themselues in what suspition they stood secretly left the company of their Captaine Brakenbury the night following and wandring in waies vnknowne with much adoe gotte safely vnto the Earles Companies 50 In the like danger through darkenesse of night Henry himselfe chanced to come for albeit he was a man both valiant and forwad and by his owne wisdome could manage his weightiest affaires Yet now hauing notice that King Richard with a strong army was neere and that his father in law the Lord Stanley stood as a Neuter he was strucke deepe in his dumps and with twenty light Horse-men lingering behind so seriously musing what was to bee done as lastly he lost the sight of his Host and by the darkenesse of night missed his way neither durst he for the Kings Scout-watch demand direction to Tamworth but lay in a small village about three miles distant to his no little griefe and his whole Armies great amasement the one prognosticating it to be a presage of an ill beginning and the other doubting some detriment of their Lord but in the dawning of the next morning cōducted by good fortune he came to his Host excusing that his absence was to haue conference with his secret friends and then priuily departing to the Lord Stanley had conference with him and was put in good comfort 51 But contrariwise King Richard was wrapped and perplexed with feare not onely with the departure of Sir Iohn Sauage Sir Brian Sanford and Sir Simond Digby in whom he had reposed great trust but also in the dreadfull dreames which nightly he suffered wherein to his seeming terrible diuels so pulled and haled him as by nomeanes he could take any rest which fearefull imaginations strucke so deep an impression vnto his heart that the signes thereof appeared in his countenance howsoeuer hee sought to put them off in shew 52 But being determined to put himselfe to the triall of battell or else and that rather enforced by diuine Iustice to pull the reuenging hand of heauen against him in the morning he marched toward the enemy and vpon a faire plaine called Redmore neere vnto Bosworth about seuen miles west from Leicester he pitched downe his Tents and thence sent a Purseuant to the Lord Stanley commanding him to aduance ◅orward with his companie and to come to his presence which if hee refused to doe he sware by Christs passion his sonnes head should off before that he dined The Lord Stanley answered the Purseuant that if the King did so he had more sonnes aliue but to come to the King hee was not at that time determined This answere declared King Richard commanded the Lord Strange incontinent to be beheaded at the very season when the two Armies came in sight each of others but his counsellors tolde him that the time was now to fight and not to execute which might better bee done when the field was fought whereupon the Lord Strange was deliuered prisoner to the keepers of the Kings Tents and the Kings holy vow thus broke the Lord Strange escaped with life by this bad tyrants too good a death 53 But now the time and houre of Battel being come he drew out his Army vpon the plaine whose order for fight he thus placed the foreward he ordered of a maruellous length to strike the more terror in the Beholders hearts in whose forefront he placed his Archers as a Bulwarke to defend the rest the leading whereof was committed to Iohn Duke of Norfolke with whom was Thomas Earle of Surrey his sonne his owne Battaillion was furnished with his best approued men of warre hauing Horsmen for wings on both sides of his battel and being thus ordered for their further incouragement King Richard mounted in place to bee heard thus said to his Souldiers 54 My faithfull followers friends and selected Chiefetaines I confesse by your puissant valours I first aspired to the top of this royal estate in obtaining wearing this Diademe of Imperiall Maiesty and maugre the seditious attempts of all cankered aduersaries by your prudent politike counsels I haue so gouerned the Realm People and Subiects as I haue omitted nothing I hope appertaining to the office of a iust Prince nor you pretermitted any thing belonging to the parts duties of most prudent Counsellors And albeit that in the getting of the Garlād I was prouoked by sinister Counsell and seduced by a diabolical temptation to cōmit a most wicked detestable Act yet with salt teares and straite pennance I haue I trust expiated that hainous offence which abominable crime I desire you as clearely to forget as I daily remember to deplore and lament If you will now vouchsafe to call to minde in what case we al stand and in what doubtfull perill wee are intrapped I doubt not but that you will with me confesse that if euer amity preuailed betwixt the raised and the raisers betwixt the Prince and his Subiects this day requires as much in vs both For if wise men say true that there is not so much power in getting as there is pollicy in keeping the one meere fortunes chance the other wisdoms deepe insight then I with you and you with mee this day must needs take labour and paines to keepe that preheminence possession by force which by your prudent labour I haue obtained The diuel you know a continuall enemy to humane society a disturber of Concord and a sower of sedition hath entred into the heart of an vnknowne Welshman whose father I neuer knew nor him euer personally saw exciting him to aspire and couet our Realme and Crowne to the disheriting of vs and of our posterity you see further how a company of Traitors Theeues Out-lawes and runnagtes of our owne Nation besides a number of beggerly Britaines and faint hearted Frenchmen are ayder◅ and partakers of this his wicked enterprize ready at hand to oppresse and spoile vs our lands our wiues and children which eminent mischiefes if we then will withstand and resist wee must
dayes lay naked and vnburied his remembrance being as odious to all as his person deformed and lothsome to be looked vpon for whose further despite the white Bore his cognizance was torne downe from euery Signe that his monument might perish as did the monies of Caligula which were all melted by the decree of the Senate Lastly his body without all funeral solemnity was buried in the Gray-Friers Church of that City But King Henry his Successor of a princely disposition caused afterward his Tombe to bee made with a picture of Alablaster representing his person and to be set vp in the same Church which at the suppression of that Monastery was pulled downe and vtterly defaced since when his graue ouergrowne with nettles and weedes is very obscure and not to be found Onely the stone chest wherin his corpes lay is now made a drinking trough for horses at a common Inne and retaineth the onely memory of this Monarches greatnesse His body also as tradition hath deliuered was borne out of the City and contemptuously bestowed vnder the end of Bow-Bridge which giueth passage ouer a branch of Stowre vpon the west side of the Towne Vpon this Bridge the like report runneth stood a stone of some height against which King Richard as hee passed toward Bosworth by chance strucke his spur and against the same stone as he was brought backe hanging by the horse side his head was dashed and broken as a wise woman forsooth had foretold who before Richards going to battell being asked of his successe said that where his spurre strucke his head should be broken but of these things as is the report so let be the credite Dead he is and with his death ended the factions a long time continued betwixt the Families of Lancaster and Yorke in whose bandings to bring set keep the Crown on their heades eight or nine bloudy set battels had beene fought and no lesse then fourescore persons of the bloud-royall slaine as Philip Câ—…ines the French Writer saith many of them being wel knowne to himselfe after which stormes and this Tirants death a blessed vnion ensued by ioining those houses in Henry of Lancaster and Elizabeth of Yorke 60 Hee was of Stature but little and of shape deformed the left shoulder bunching out like a Mole-hill on his backe his haire thinne and face short a cruell countenance in whose aspect might bee perceiued both malice and deceit When hee stood musing as hee would doe oft his vse was to bite and chaw the nether lip his hand euer on his dagger which euer hee would chop vp and down in the sheath but neuer draw it fully out Pregnant in wit hee was wily to faine apt to dissemble and haughty of Stomacke an expert Souldier and a better King then a man He founded a Colledge at Middleham beyond York and a Collegiat Chauntery in London neere vnto the Tower called Our Lady of Barking he endowed the Queenes Colledge in Cambridge with fiue hundred Marks of yeerely reuenew and disforrested the great Field of Wichwood which King Edward his brother had inclosed for his game he raigned two yeeres two moneths and one day and was buried as we haue said His Wife 61 Anne the second daughter and Coheire to Richard Neuil the stout Earle of Warwicke and Salesbury was first married to Edward Prince of Wales the sonne to King Henry the sixth and after his death was remarried to Richard Duke of Gloucester Anno 1472. afterwards by vsurpation King of England with whom in great State and solemnity shee was Crowned Queene the sixth of Iuly and yeere of Saluation 1483. She was his wife to the last yeere of his Raigne and then leauing her husband to choose another Queene was laid at rest in the Abbey of Westminster in this thing happy that she saw not the death of the Tyrant His Issue 62 Edward the sonne of King Richard and of Queene Anne his Wife and the onely childe of them both was borne in the Castle of Middleham neere Richmund in the Countie of Yorke Anno 1473. and being vnder foure yeeres of age was created Earle of Salisbury by his Vncle King Edward the fourth the seuenteenth of his Raigne but his father King Richard in the first of his vsurpation created him Prince of Wales the foure twentieth of August and yeere of Christ 1483. he then being about ten yeeres of age vnto whom also the Crowne was intailed by Parliament but this Prince dying before his father and much vpon the time of his mothers decease saw not the reuenge that followed the Tyrants Raigne whose bad life no doubt hath made doubtfull the place of this Princes buriall and other Princely offices done him in his life and at his death HENRIE THE SEVENTH KING OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE AND LORD OF IRELAND THE FIFTIE SEVENTH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISH HIS RAIGNE ACTS AND ISSVE CHAPTER XX. HENRIE of that name the seauenth hauing by such mixt meanes of valor and practise as are alreadie described obtained the possession of Englands Crown we must now present vnto you his actions in the person and state of a King maintained by him with like mixture of courage and skill as it was atchieued to the verification of that rule That things are kept by the same Arts whereby they were gained In describing whereof wee meane nothing lesse then for humoring the vaine admirers of phrase and conceit to mount vp into Panegyricall flourishes in honor of the man though his excellent vertues would worthily beare if not duely also exact them yet may wee not omiâ—…to obserue that as in his attaining to the Crowne there was through diuine prouidence a concurring disposition of all important Circumstances without which his attempt might haue proued disasterous so hee hauing now possessed the Soueraigne power and mastered the State in the maine pointes easily made circumstances waite vpon his wisdom and to take their forme from his directions Of the first kind wherein his felicity deserues to be celebrated were these That he by the Male-line a meere stranger to both the roiall houses as descended from the Welsh and French and by the female springing out of such a family of Lancaster the Beanfords as by the same law which enabled it to inherite in ordinary estates was made incapable of succeâ—…n in the Regalitie should so safely be conuaied away into forraine parts there to continue an head of expectation and reuolt during the intestine troubles and dangers to him ineuitable here at home Secondly that the Realme of England should bee so auerted from Richard though a very honorable wise iust and necessary Prince after hee was somewhat setled as for his sake to neglect in a sort so many naturall heires of the house of Yorke some of them in right preceding Richard such were the children of Edward the fourth and George Duke of Clarence Richards elder brethren and all of
come on shore in Lancashire at a place called the pile of Fowdray where they Ioine with their assured confederate Sir Thomas Broughton and his sequele and after some short refreshment in those partes march with erected courages against King Henry taking their way through Yorkeshire the hoped nursery of their surest friendshippes and gloriously publishing their new King euery where though without any increase of force by concourse for King Henries wisdome had marred their errand their iourney was directed toward Newarke vpon Trent 19 The King then at Couentree being by such scowtes as hee had appointed for that seruice presently aduertised of Lamberts arriuall and hauing his forces ready vnder the conduct of Iasper Duke of Bedford and the Earle of Oxford because delay in this case was on all hands reputed mischieuous sets forward to Nottingham and by a wood side called Bowrs encampeth his people in whom there appeared a gallant forwardnesse to reuenge themselues by the sword of that indignity which was offered to the English name by strangers and rebels who durst hope to giue them a ruler Thither repaired George Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury George L. Strange his son Sir Iohn Cheinie and other noble and valiant Gentlemen with their numbers which added no small sinewes to K. Henries musters Polydor hath diligently set downe the names of such principall men in those parts as repaired thither partly voluntary partly sent for to the common defence of the King and Kingdome but without due additions of each mans degree and place of precedency yet their names doe well deserue to be remembred both for the honour of their Families and examples of loyalty He recounteth sixty fiue Captaines which assembled from places thereabout vnder whome there cannot probably be thought fewer Souldiers then eight or ten thousand the English vsually till of late hauing commonly an hundreth and fifty in a Company Their surnames besides Edward Lord Hastings are in him as followeth Longford Montgomerie Vernon of the Peke Shurley Folgehan Grisley Sutton Stanley and Stanley Houghton Meryng Stanhop Clifton Stapleton Willoughby Perpoinct Babington Bedyll * Brudenel Markham Merbury Borough Tyrwit Husey Shefeild Newport Ormeston Tempest Knyuett Willoughby Dygby and Dygby Harrington Sacheâ—…erel Vyllers pylding Poultâ—…ey Vauâ—… Gryne Gryfin Lucy Belknap Throgmorton Gray of Ruthin Wolston Fynder Philips Cheney Cotton S. Iohn Mordant Terell Rainsford Paynton Daniel Marney Armidel From the vttermost bounds of the North there repaired also other chiefe persons and leaders saith he as Ogle * Neâ—…yle * Latimer Bulmer Langford Norres Neâ—…yle of Thortinbrig and Williams The Earle of Lincolne neuerthelesse comes forward with his Counter-king nothing perhappes adding greater courage to that side then the example of Henry himselfe who with lesse numbers but much more secret Art preuailed in a pight field at Bosworth his meaning was to get into Newarke The King wakefull vpon all aduantages and perfectly instructed of his enemies courses whom desperation did thrust forward to a daring hope dislodgeth with his Army passeth through Newarke leauing it behind him about 3. miles to intercept the Lambertines and there sits downe againe The Earle of Lincolne encamps with great brauerie and shew of courage in the face of the Kings forces 20 The next day both the Armies are brought forth to fight neere to a little village called Stoke The Earle of Lincolne marshalled his people by the aduise of Coronell Swart and others to the best aduantage vpon the Brow or hanging of an hill expecting the charge The Almaines were all of them hardie and approued men and throughly well-appointed and so in likelihood were such English as stood for that side but the Irish besides multitudes and fiercenesse had small prouision saue after the rude manner of their Nation darts skeins or the like The maine of the Battell rested wholly vpon the English and Almains King Henry on the other side as hee that thirsted for an end of this bloody daies worke speedily disposed his whole numbers into three Battailions the Voward whereof was best replenished with store of choice and picked men well armed and appointed and fortified with wings The armie being thus ordered Andreas saith that King Henry vseth this speech 21 Most faithfull Lords and you most valiant Companions in Armes who haue together with vs endured so great perils by Land and Sea lo we are againe against our wils drawne to trie our fortunes in another Field For the Earle of Lincoln a periured man without any occasion ministred by vs defends an vniust quarrell against vs neither doth he it dissemblingly but most openly impudent without any feare of God not so much onely to endammage vs as to fulfill the humor of a giddie and intemperate-tongued woman who is not ignorant that her blood was extinguished by her brother Richard but because that line did alwaies maintaine a most deadly fewd against ours shee without any great regard to her Neece my dearest Consort assaies to destroy aswell vs as our posteritie Yee see therefore how often wee are prouoked by them but they shall not carrie it away vnreuenged God therefore and his holy Angels we first call to witnes that we are prouident both night and day for your safetie and for the Common quiet though thus the ancient enemy repugneth But God a iust strong and patient Iudge will also bring a remedy to this euill In the meane time we exhort and admonish you that the consideration of our iust inheritance be at this present more forceable with you then their wickednes neither doubt but that the same God who in the former warre made vs victorious will enable vs to triumph now also ouer these enemies Let vs therefore set vpon them courageously for God is vpon our side to assist vs. 22 The Earle of Oxford on the behalfe of the whole Army was prepared to make answere but the King hastening to the proofe brake off all Ceremonies and the signe of Battell giuen they thunder forward with showts of people and sound of martiall musicke and like a blacke tempest powre themselues vpon the Front of the Enemies Battels who rushed forward with equall violence and furie as men that at once encountred against feare and fortune The fight continued doubtfull aboue three houres A long space for men of courage to be emploied in killing one the other and fit to glut the hunger of furie The Earles English wanted nothing but a good cause and the Almains gaue not place to the Kings people in any point worthy of gallant Souldiers but sold their liues dearely and their Coronell Swart had scarce any before him in personall performance Neither were the Irish behind for their parts if their skinnes had beene sword-proofe for the contempt of death was alike in them as the rest Briefly the wonder of that daies worke was that Christian men in no sounder a quarrell could dare to die so boldly such chiefly as
they were gone to account to God and his feare for the maine quite banished the king did not let loose the reines to his immoderate desire of hauing which yet was not more sinnefull then the meanes vnder him practised were odious For Empson and Dudley that followed being persons that had no reputation with him otherwise then the seruile following of his owne humors gaue him way and shaped him meanes to those extremities whereby himselfe was touched with remorse at his death and which his successor disauowed And this we take to be a true iudgement To bee particular in the recitall of thinges worthy to die in forgetfulnesse is not onely to recite but in a sort to teach them also as some who by broad inuectiues haue as it were read a lecture of those vices against which they haue pretended to inueigh But publike and shamefull Arts may more safely be deliuered The instruments whome the King set on worke or who pâ—…aps set the King on worke were * two Lawyers Richard Empson afterward knighted and Edmund Dudley Esquier their emploiment was to cal the richer subiect into queon for breach of old penall lawes long before discontinued and forgotten whereby they brake in vpon the people as it were at vnaware like a kind of authorized robbers masked vnder the pretext of seruice for the King and the names of Delators or Promoters a familiar sicknesse in the times of ancient Tyrannies But the courses to execute their employment were voide of all conscience and colour For one of them was to outlaw persons secretly and then to seise their estates driuing them to chargefull compositions with the King and heauy bribes to the Authors of their trouble More detestable was another practise of theirs For there were false Iurors and ring leaders of false Iurors who would neuer giue any verdict against the will of their patrons the said Empson and Dudley so that if any durst stand out vpon triall the destiny of their causes was squared forth by the leaden rule of those fellowes consciences which to bee a truth the expiatory punishment which K. Henry the eight tooke of them in the first yeare of his raigne doth clearely conuince By these meanes many honest and worthy subiects were rigorously fined imprisoned or otherwise afflicted which filled the land with sorrow and repinings Among very many others thus abused Sir William Capell Alderman of London was eminent as from whom in the tenth yeer of the kings raign had beene scruzed vnder the colour of moth-eaten and vnreuiued Lawes aboue sixteene hundreth pounds sterling and was now againe plaide at afresh and another hand drawne vpon him for two thousand pounds which because he would not pay hee was by Dudley commaunded prisoner to the Tower but by the death of the King which ensued all such prisoners were released If any perhaps will slight the hard vsage extended to Citizens and to the like they are vnwise therein neither thinke as Patriots ought For though it may so fall out that the personall vexation of some few merits no great pitty yet the example is pestilent and it is a part of the cunning to choose out at first such for patternes as vpon whose persons least compasâ—…on may fall which examples may afterward bee extended to whomsoeuer These reuels and rages against the wealthier sort continued till it pleased God to sting the Kings heart with iust compunction toward the horror of his death who had the fauour from heauen as to lie sicke of a consuming disease which wasted him by such insensible degrees as gaue him the vse of his whole selfe as it were till the last gaspe whereby hee had meanes to recollect himselfe after those many soule-wounding assaults which attend regall greatnesse and to submit his thoughts to such ghostly admonishments touching another life whereunto in dayes of health the hearts or eares of great Princes are seldome attentiue 71 About the yeere of his death hauing vnderstood that Lewis King of France despairing of issue male had annulled the Contracts made betweene Charles King of Spaine sonne of the late King Philip and afterward elected Emperour by the name of Charles the fifth and the Lady Claudia his eldest daughter whom he newly betrothed to Francis of Valois Dolphin of France and Duke of Angolesme King Henry whose care for preseruation of the common quiet and good of his Country by forrain alliances was euer holy in him and awake thought it a faire occasion for him to match his younger daughter the Lady Marie The French King to haue the aduise of Iames the fourth King of Scots in the bestowing the said Madam Claudia his eldest daughter had before sent Bernard Steward Lord Dobignie and the President of Tholouz Ambassadors for that purpose who finally in effect receiued this answere That the said King Iames thought it best that his eldest daughter should be married within his owne Realme of France for if she were married vpon any forraine Prince it might giue colour to claime title to the said Realme afterward And if he did marrie her at home rather to him the said Francis whom he had appointed to succeed then any other Which resolution was very acceptable to K. Lewis because it iumped with his owne purpose and it was followed accordingly King Henry therefore hearing that King Charles might bee obtained so pursued the poâ—… by the prudent managing of Richard Fox now Bishoppe of Winchester his Ambassadour that King Charles his Ambassadors comming out of Flanders where hâ—… was educated and meeting him at Caleis the affâ—… was opened disputed concluded and the Lady Mary then about ten yeeres of age as King Charles himselfe was by solemne contract assured to him for wife 72 Now therefore his sonne Henrie Prince of Wales being heire of the Crowne and married his eldest daughter the Lady Magaret Queene of Scotland the Lady Mary his youngest prouided for so highly though in the end it came to nothing all likelihood of perill by competitors or busie Factionists buried in the Tower by the emprisonment of Edmund Earle of Suffolke his people tractable and calme his coffers full and the state of things ripe for a successour death the executioner of the Almighties sentence was ready to discharge him of the prison of his flesh Before he departed well disposed persons tendering the health of his soule did both in sermons and otherwise informe him of the exclamations against informers Wherefore he of his blessed disposition granted to all men generall pardons certaine onely excepted In his life time hee founded the goodly Hospitall of the Saudy built sixe religious Houses for Franciscan Friers three of them for Obseruants and the other three for Conuentuals Of his building also was Richmund Pallace and that most beautifull peece the Chappell at Westminster the one the place of his death and the other of his buriall which formes of more
hath beene said and of this Queene let vs heare what shee protested after her condemnation to 〈◊〉 White Bishoppe of 〈◊〉 her last Confessor and by him deliuered to a noble young Lord of her name and neere alliance Her words were these As to the Act my 〈◊〉 Lord for which I stand condemned God and his holy Angels I take to witnesse vpon my soules 〈◊〉 that I die 〈◊〉 neuer hauing so abused my Soueraignes 〈◊〉 what other sinnes and follies of youth I haue 〈◊〉 I will not excuse but 〈◊〉 assured that for these God hath brought this punishment vpon me and will 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 them for which I pray you pray with me vnto his sonne and my Sâ—…iour Christ. 111 As these then in case of Treasons eyther acted or intended ended their liues so others in case of conscience though diuersly affected câ—…e to their deathes and that by foâ—…ce of the Statutes enacted vnder this King whereof one was the abolishing of the Pope and the oath of Supremacy the reâ—…sers of either made offenders in stare of high Treason and the other in 〈◊〉 of religion when 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Articlâ—… enacted by Parliament was made Heresie and death to such as held or taught the conâ—… which Arâ—…cles were thus concluded in both the houses of Parliament with consent of the King 1 That after the words of consecration spoken by the Priest the reall and naturall body and bloud of Christ as hee was conceiued and crucified was in the Sacrament and no other substance consisting in the forme of 〈◊〉 and wiâ—…e besides the substance of Christ God and man 2 That the communion in both kinde was not necessarie vnto 〈◊〉 the flesh onely in forme of bread sufficient for the Laity 3 That Prieâ—… 〈◊〉 they haue receiâ—…ed â—…ders might not marry by the law of God 4 That the vowes of chastity either in 〈◊〉 or woman ought by Godâ—… law to be 〈◊〉 and by which they are exempted from other 〈◊〉 of Christian people 5 That priuâ—… Masses was necessâ—…ry for the people and agreeable to the law of Goâ—… 6 That auricular confession was â—…pedient 〈◊〉 be reteined and continued 〈◊〉 the Church of God These Statutes I say aswell the one as the other brought many to their ends which otherwise were very good Subiects and worthy instruments in the common weale for offending in the first there died Bishoppe Pisher and Sir Thomas More besides many Abbots Priors and Friers and among them in Smithfield the Welsh rode set Frier Forrest on fire according to the prophecy very rife in their mouthes that this holy rode should set a whole forrest on fire For the other suffered in flames many godly Christians whereof Robert Barnes a reuerend Doctor and worthy minister of Christ the first reducer as M. Fox reporteth of the Vniuersity of Cambridge from rudenesse and barbarity vnto good literature and learning was with the first And Anne Askew a Gentlewoman of an incomparable dexterity one of the last who aboue the weakenesse of her sexe most valiantly stoode against the violence of the time 112 Her birth was worshipfull and education accordingly bestowed in marriage vnto Iohn Kyâ—…e a Gentleman in 〈◊〉 and commended by Bale for her rare wit and elegant beauty which her pars the pensill of N. D. with his vneuen hand euer ouerhard to shadow the truth hath slanderously blurred and measured those graces in her by his owne loose affections and those want on 〈◊〉 which in the height of sinne haue changed the naturall vse of women against nature This young heifer saith hee abiding no yoake a coy dame and of very euill fame left the company of Master Kyâ—…e to 〈◊〉 vp 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Gospelling and Gâ—…ssipping where 〈◊〉 might and ought not but especially in London and 〈◊〉 the Court now shee being faire and but twenty 〈◊〉 yeers old at her death doth 〈◊〉 shew what may be suspected of her life and the mysticall speeches and demands of the Kings Coâ—…sell touching her departure from her 〈◊〉 were grounded vpon somewhat especially in that shee called her selfe 〈◊〉 Askew alias Kyâ—…e Thus 〈◊〉 this 〈◊〉 man hath accused this holy Anne by the outward appearance of her youth and beauty as holy Anne by Eli was accused of drunkennesse when her heart was most seruent in supplications to her God and his partiall peâ—… made the 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of her holy conuersation to finde out some chaffe whereof none is free nor is â—…ee to be condemned vpon the imagerie of his suspicious head who vndoubtedly would haue â—…old all if any thing could haue beene found whereas shee in the vigour of beauty and weakenesse of her Sexe 〈◊〉 the gaine-saiers of the truth with her dearest blood testifying from the Prisons her faith and constancy and from the Racke preached Christ whereon most vnhumanely and against kind shee was twice tormented and lastly sealed her 〈◊〉 in Smithfield through the 〈◊〉 of fire being borne to the place of her death in a Chaire her bones so 〈◊〉 by the Râ—…cke that shee could 〈◊〉 113 The 〈◊〉 N. D. whose affection to Chriâ—… Gospeâ—… 〈◊〉 to the English Crowne hath sufficiently 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to make her no 〈◊〉 and that her 〈◊〉 did demerit the Racke saith that the King himselfe commanded that torture to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with her erroneous doctrine his Court his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 daughters and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the truth tels vs that the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to racke her the second 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 Lord Chancellor who did it himselfe to bee complained of to the King who immediately tooke Boate and told the whole Tragedy whereof King 〈◊〉 seemed to be sore offended for vsing a woman with such 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had the Popes 〈◊〉 vnder the 〈◊〉 of the Church and wing of this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they 〈◊〉 not to follow the appeale of 〈◊〉 euen 〈◊〉 that slept in 〈◊〉 owne 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Parre espoused vnto him 〈◊〉 three yeeres before and 〈◊〉 as this States intelligeÌ„cer doth confesse he meant to haue burned had he longer liued For the truth is saith hee that the Kings sickenesse and death shortly ensuing was the chiefe cause of her escape and the error of the Lord Chancellor Wriothesley who let fall out of his bosoâ—…e the Kings hand and commission for carrying her to the Tower gaue occasion the paper found and brought her to goe and humble her selfe to the King the principal occasion against her was Heretical Books found in her closet both brought sent her by Anne Askew wherof thewitnesses were the Lady Herbert Lady Iane Lady Tyawit and others Indeed it is true that by Gods prouidence such papers were let fal out of the Lord Chancellors bosome conteining certaine Articles against her with a warrant to commit her to the Tower whereunto the Kings hand was subscribed which being found was presently brought vnto the Queene whereof the
1540. shee was his wife sixe moneths after which time certaine Lords of the vpper House of Parliament came into the nether and alleaged cause for which that marriage was vnlawfull whereunpon shee was diuorced and by Statute enacted that shee should no more be taken for Queene but should be called the Lady Anne of Cleâ—…e See remained in England long after the Kings death though small mention is made of her by any of our Writers only we finde that she accompanied the Lady Elizabeth through London at the solemnizing of Queene Maries Coronation 140 Katherine the fifth wife of King Henry the eight was the daughter of 〈◊〉 and Neece vnto Thomas Howard his brother Duke of Norfolke Shee was married vnto him the eight of August and yeere of â—…race 1540. being the thirtie two of his Raigne at Hampton Court and continued his Queene the space of one yeere sixe moneths and foure daies and for her vnchaste life was attainted by Parliament and for the same beheaded within the Tower of London the twelfth of February and her body buried in the Chauncell of the Chappell by Queene Anne Bullen 141 Katherine the sixth and last wife of King Henry was the daughter of Sir Thomas Parre of Kendall and sister to Lord William Parre Marquesse of Northampton shee was first married to Iohn Neuill Lord Latimer and after his decease vpon the twelfth of Iuly maried vnto the King at Hampton Court the yeere of Saluation 1543. and thirtie fiue of his Raigne Shee was his wife three yeeres sixe months and fiue daies and suruiuing him was againe married vnto Thomas Seimer Lord Admirall of England vnto whom she bare a daughter but died in the same Child-bed the yeere of Grace 1548. His Issue 142 Henrie the first sonne of King Henry by Queene Katherine his first wife was borne at Richâ—…d in Surrey vpon the first of Ianuary and the first of his fathers Raigne whose Godfathers at Font were the Lord Cranmer Archbishop of Canterburie and the Earle of Surrey his Godmother Lady Katherine Countesse of Deuonshire daughter to King Edward the fourth This Prince liued not fully two months but died in the same place wherein he was borne vpon the two and twentieth of February and his body with all due obsequies buried in Westminster 143 A sonne not named was borne vnto King Henrie by Lady Katherine his first Queene in the month of Nouember and the sixth yeere of his Raigne who liued not long and therefore no further mention of him can bee made the deathes of these Princes King Henrie tooke as a punishment from God for so he alleaged it in the publike Court held in Blacke-friers London they being begot on his owne brothers wife 144 Marie the third childe and first daughter of King Henrie by Queene Katherine his first wife was born at Greenewich in Kent the eighteenth of Februarâ—… in the yeere of Christs humanity 1518 and the eighth of his Raigne Shee was by the direction of her mother brought vp in her Childe-hood by the Countesse of Salisbury her neere kinswoman for that as some thought the Queene wished a marriage betwixt some of her sons and the Princesse to strengthen her Title by that Aliance into Yorke if the King should die without issue Male. In her yong yeeres shee was sued to be married with the Emperour the King of Scots and the Duke of Orleance in France but all these failing and shee succeeding her brother K Edward in the Crowne at the age of thirtie sixe yeeres matched with Phillip King of Spaine to the great dislike of many and small content to her selfe hee being imploied for the most part beyond the Seas for griefe whereof and the losse of Calice shee lastly fell into a burning feauer that cost her her life 145 Elizabeth the second daughter of King Henrie and first childe by Queene Anne his second wife was borne at Greenwich vpon Sunday the seuenth of September the yeere of Christ Iesus 1534 and twenty fiue of her Fathers Raigne who with due solemnities was baptized the Wednesday following Archbishop Cranmer the old Dutches of Norfolke and the old Marchionesse of Dorset being the witnesses at the Font and the Marchionesse of Excester at the confirmation Shee succeeded her sister Queene Marie in the Monarchy of England and was for wisdome vertue piety and Iustice not onelie the Mirrour of her Sexe but a patterne for Gouernment to al the princes in Christendome whose name I may not mention without al dutiful remembrance and whose memory vnto me is most deare amongst the many thousands that receiued extraordinary fauours at her gracious and most liberall hand 146 Another man childe Queene Anne bare vnto King Henry though without life vpon the nine and twentieth of Ianuary and twenty seuen of his Raigne to the no little griefe of the mother some dislike of the King as the sequel of her accusation and death did shortly confirme 147 Edward the last childe of King Henry and first of Queene Iane his third wife was borne at Hampton Court the twelfth of October the yeere of Grace 1537. and twenty nine of the Kings Raigne being cut out of his mothers wombe as is constantly affirmed like as Iulius Caesar is said to haue been his Godfathers at the Font was Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury and the Duke of Norfolk his sister Lady Mary being Godmother saith Grafton Sixe daies after his birth he was created Prince of Wales and at the death of his Father succeeded him in all his Dominions of whom more followeth heereafter His Naturall Issue 148 Henrie Fitz-Râ—…ie the naturall sonne of King Henrie the eight was begotten of the Lady 〈◊〉 called Elizabeth Blunt and borne in the Mannor of Blackâ—…moore in Essex about the tenth yeere of his Raigne at the age of sixe yeeres he was created Earle of Nottingham and in the fiue and twentieth of his Fathers Raigne vpon the eighteenth of Iune in the Kings Pallace of Bridewell was made Duke of Richmond and Sommerset Lord Warden of the East West and Middle-Marches against Scotland and Lieutenant Generall of all the parts of England Northward he was a Prince very forward in Marshal Actiuities of Good literature and knowledge in the tongues vnto whom the learned Antiquary Leland dedicated a Booke He married Marie daughter of Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke Earle Marshall and Lord high Treasurer of England with whom he liued not long but died at Saint Iames by Westminster the two and twentieth of Iuly in the yeere of Christ Iesus 1536. and was buried at Framingham in Suffolke THe tempestuous 〈◊〉 in the Raigne of this King Henrie the eight and the violent deluge raised against the Church-state of his times bare downe so many religious strong foundations and were the destruction of so many beautifull Monasteries as the onely relation of their numbers and names would haue much interrupted the narration of his history Wherfore to reteinâ—… their memorials though their walles are laid
his memory blemished by the former error from the vulgar aspersion of sacrilegious impietie This King after the dissolution of the Religious houses erected these sixe Bishoprickes to witte Westminster Chester Peterborough Oxford Bristoll and Gloucester whereof the fiue last are in esse and at the same time he erected also these Cathedrall Churches here after mentioned wherein he founded a Deane and the number of Prebends following viz. Canterbury 12 Winchester 12 Worcester 10 Chester 6 Peterborough 6 Oxford 6 Ely 8 Gloucester 6 Bristoll 6 Carliol 4 Durham 12 Rochester 6 Norwich 6 The yearely value of which Cathedrall Churches so newly by him erected with the Collegiats of Windsor Westminster and Woluerhampton ouer and besides the Petti-Cannons and other inferiour Ministers amounteth by estimation to 5942. l. 8. s. 2. d. The Promotions Ecclesiasticall which for the most part except a little pared hee preserued entire are in a generall estimate by the Shires wherein they stand in the ensuing Table expressed The present Number and Value of the Spirituall Promotions in England and Wales Counties Promotions Value   l. s. d. ob q. Barkeshire 139. 2â—…53 06 00 ob o Bedfordshire 116. 1506 05 05 oo o Buckinghamshire 172. 2236 02 06 oo q Cambridgeshire 151. 1902 18 07 ob o The Town of Callis and the Marches therof 26. 0590 06 10 oo o Cheshire 68. 1776 12 00 ob o Cornwall 161. 2706 16 02 oo o Cumberland and Westmorland 63. 1022 06 06 ob q Darby 106. 1017 11 10 ob o Deuonshire 394. 7466 01 04 oo o Dorsetshire 248. 3077 05 08 ob q The Bishopricke of Durham in the County of Northumberland 118. 2332 07 05 ob o Essex 378. 5347 06 11 oo q Yorkeshire 440. 4974 00 00 ob o Glostershire 288. 3296 06 04 ob q Huntingtonshire 79. 1097 02 06 oo q Hartfordshire 120. 1837 16 00 ob o Herefordshire 160 1364 19 02 ob q Kent 335. 3974 13 00 ob q Lancashire 30. 0789 10 01 oo o Leicestershire 199. 2564 14 08 oo o Lincolneshire 638. 6129 01 04 ob o The City of London 96. 3365 00 10 ob o Middlesex 58. 1074 19 06 ob o Norffolke 668. 6505 15 10 ob o Northamptonshire 271. 3884 08 11 ob q Nottinghamshire 168. 1640 07 09 ob o Oxfordshire 164. 1917 17 07 ob o Rutlandshire 52 0548 00 10 oo o The Archdeaconry of Richmond 105. 1841 11 08 ob q Shropshire 190. 1530 05 10 ob o Staffordshire 134. 0884 03 11 oo o Southamptonshire 158 3749 06 07 ob o Sommersetshire 385. 4910 13 07 oo q Suffolke 428. 4811 08 00 oo o Surrey 113. 1701 08 09 oo q Sussex 322. 3069 16 04 oo o Warwickshire 158. 1732 18 10 ob q Worcestershire 153. 2035 14 00 ob o Wiltshire 305. 3505 02 09 ob q  Number totall of the Benefices in England 8501. Value totall of the Benefices in England 16772. l. 5. s. 2. The seuerall Dioces of Wales Promotions Value The Bishopricke of Saint Assaph 312 1536 18 07 ob  The Bishopricke of Bangor 104. 1225 05 08 oo o The Bishopricke of Landaffe 166. 1204 11 10 ob o The Bishopricke of Saint Dauids 323. 2531 12 09 oo o  Number totall of the Benefices in Wales 905. Value totall of the Benefices in Wales 6498. l. 8. s. 11.  Number total of al the Benefices both in England and Wales 9407. Value totall of all the Benefices both in England and Wales 113 270. l. 14 s. 1. d. The value of these inferior Promotions in England which haue cure of Soules I haue suited into seuerall Proportions as they are rated in Record and distinguished the Vicaradges from Parsonages in the Table following Liuings vnder tenne pound 4543 Personages Vicarages Liuings of tenne pound and vnder twentie Markes 1445. Personages 905. Vicarages 540 Liuings of twenty Markes and vnder twenty pound 1624. Personages 1134. Vicarages 0490 Liuings of twenty pound and vnder twenty sixe pound 0524. Personages 0414. Vicarages 0179. Liuings of twenty sixâ—…â—…nd and vnder thirty pound 0206. Personages 0163. Vicarages 0043 Liuings of thirty pound and vnder forty pound 0248. Personages 0188 Vicarages 0060 Liuings of forty pound and vpwards 0144 Personages 0115. Vicarages 0029 To preuent any mistaking in the Reader I haue thought it not vnfitte to conclude this Table with the discouerie of my meaning by certaine letters before vsed viz. M. Monastery P. Priorie F. Frierie N. Nunnery C. Colledge H. Hospital EDVVARD THE SIXT OF THAT NAME KING OF ENGLAND FRANCE AND IRELAND DEFENDER OF THE FAITH c. THE FIFTIE NINTH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISH HIS LIFE ACTS AND DEATH CHAPTER XXII EDWARD the sixt of that Name and onely sonne liuing vnto King Henry the eight was borne at his Mannor of Hampton-Court in Middlesex the twelfth of October and yeere of saluation 1537. and sixe dayes after being the eighteenth of the same moneth hee was created Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester his birth was ioyfull vnto the King and Commons but the death of his mother the vertuous Queen Iane brought immediat sorow vnto both whose womb was cut as some haue affirmed to the sauing of his but losse of her owne life vpon whose death these elegant verses were writ Phoenix Iana iacet nato Phoenice dolendum Sacula Phoenices nulla tulisse duas Here lies the Phenix Lady Iane whose death a Phenix bare O griefe two Phenixs at one time together neuer were 2 Nine yeeres and od monethes hee was vertuously trained vp in the life of his father and at his death appointed the first of his heires and for want of Issue if it so chanced Mary and shee failing Elizabeth to succeed in his throne for as Henry with Salomon was blame-worthy for women so left hee but one sonne and two daughters as the other in Scripture is said to haue done Salomon had Rehoboam a foole and vnfortunate his daughters but obscure and both of them Subiects but Henry much adoe lastly to little purpose these Articles were agreed vpon and sent to the King the Copy whereof was thus 22 For asmuch as man except he be borne of Water and the holy Ghost cannot enter into the kingdome of God and for asmuch as the gates of Heauen bee not open without this blessed Sacrament of Baptisme therefore we will that our Curates shall minister this Sacrament at all times of need aswell in the weeke daies as on the holy daies Item wee will haue our children confirmed of the Bishops whensoeuer we shall within the Diocesse resort vnto them Item for asmuch as we constantly beleeue that after the Priest hath spoken the words of Consecration being at Masse there celebrating and consecrating the same there is very really the Body and Blood of our Sauiour Iesus Christ God and Man and that no substance of Bread and Wine remaineth after but the very same Body that
Arms but so farre off from embracing as the Rebels from the height of the hill shot at the Citie which doing little harme they remoued their Ordinance to the lower ground and thence beganne to batter the walles and without great resistance entred the town where they became Masters of al the munitions and emprisoned the Maior and many other Citizens 38 These times thus troublesome the King and Citizens of London requiring their aide in these their opposite quarrels and surely in their assembly the talk of the Lords by the Recorder was so wel tolde as had not a graue Citizen stept vp betimes the common Councell had granted aid against their King whose wisdome and loyalty in regarde my selfe a Citizen would haue it recorded to his euerlasting memory and an example and motiue for our obedient loue and duety toward our Soueraignes I will insert as I find them vttered and spoken 58 In this case said hee good it is to thinke on things past to auoide the danger of thinges to come for I remember a story written by Fabian in his Chronicles of the warres betwixt the King and his Barons who euen then as our Lords doe now demanded aid of the Maior and Commons of London against their Soueraingne King Henry the third and that in a cause rightfull and good for the Common-weale which was the execution of certain wholesome lawes somwhat derogating from his princely prerogatiue which hee would not permit The aide was granted and quarrell came vnto battell wherein the Lords preuailed and tooke the King and his sonne prisoners But they againe restored to liberty among other conditions this was one that the King should not onely grant his free pardon to the Lords but also vnto the Citizens of London which was done yea and the same confirmed by Parliament But what followed was it forgotten no surely nor neuer forgiuen during the Kings life for the liberties of the City were taken away strangers appointed to bee our heads and Gouernours the Citizens giuen away both body and goods and from one persecution to another were most miserably afflicted such it is to enter the wrath of a Prince which as Salomon saith is death Wherfore forasmuch as this aide is required of the Kings Maiesty whose voice being our high Shepheard wee ought to obey rather then to hearken to the Lords whom neuerthelesse I wish not to bee vtterly cast off my counsell is that they with vs and wee with them become humble Petitioners vnto his Highnesse that it would please him to heare such complaints against the Lord Protector as may be iustly alleadged and proued and I doubt not but this matter will be so pacified that neither shall the King nor yet the Lordes haue cause to seeke for further aide neither we to offend any of them both 59 These words well weighed and the Councel dissolued fiue hundred Londoners were prepared in a readinesse for Sir Philip Hobby being sent from the Lords to the King so deliuered their minds that the Lord Protector was commanded out of presence and the next day being the twelfth of October the Lords of the Councell resorted to Windsor where they so wrought with the King as his vncle was deliuered into their hands whom the same night they imprisoned in Beauchamps Tower in the same Castel and the next day strongly attended brought him to London whence the streetes were guarded onely by housholders the Aldermen taking the charge of the busines and so to the great griefe and wondering of the people hee was conueyed to the Tower and there left 60 Whither shortly after the Lords themselues repaired and charged the Protector with these 20. Articles as followeth 1 That at his entry into that waighty office hee was expresly prohibited to doe any thing in State without the assent of the last Kings Executors 2 That hee had contrariwise vpon his owne authority both subuerted lawes and staied iustice 〈◊〉 well by letters as commandement 3 That he had deliuered diuers persons arrested and committed to prison for felonie manslaughter murther and treason contrary to the lawes and statutes of the Realme 4 That hee had made Captains and Lieutenants ouer waighty affaires vnder his owne Seale and Writing 5 That hee had alone communicated with forraine Ambassadors about most weighty State affaires 6 That hee had checked diuers of the Kings Priuy Councell speaking for the good of the State yea and threatned to displace them if they consented not to his mind 7 That hee had against law erected a Court of Requests in his owne house whither were enforced diuers of the Kings Subiects to answere for their Free-holds 8 That he had for money disposed Offices in the Kinges gifte money leases and Wardes and giuen presentations of Benefices and Bishoprickes yea and medled with sale of the Kinges lands which by office hee could not without consent of the maior voice of the Councell 9 That hee had commanded multiplication by Alcumistrie to the abuse of the Kings coine 10 That against the King and Councels will hee had set forth a Proclamation against inclosures which had caused daungerous insurrections in the land wherein diuers of the Kings liege Subiects haue beene spoiled and many a worthy man therein slaine 11 That to the same end hee had giuen commission with Articles annexed concerning inclosures of Commons high wayes and decayed Cottages giuing the Commissioners authority to heare and determine the same causes contrary to the lawes and statutes of the Realme 12 That hee had suffered Rebels and traitours to assemble and lie in Campe and Armour against the King his Nobles Gentlemen without any speedy suppressing of them 13 That by his gifts in money with promises of Fees rewards and seruices he had encouraged many of the said rebels 14 That in fauour of them contrary to law he had caused a Proclamation to bee made that none of the said Rebels or Traitors should be sued or vexed for any of their offences committed in the said Rebellion 15 That hee had liked well of these rebellions and had said that the couetousnesse of the Gentry gaue the occasion affirming that it was better for the Commons to die then to perish for lacke of liuing 16 That hee had reported the Lords of the Parliament were loath to reform themselues for the reformation of Inclosures and therefore the people had good cause to reforme the thinges themselues 17 That vpon the report of the defaultes and lackes of Bulloigne nothing was there amended 18 That the Forts of Newhauen and Blacknesse standing in want of men and victuall whereof hee was informed were suffered notwithstanding still to want to the great encouragement of the French and dishonour of the English 19 That he had vntruly published that the Lords at London minded to destroy the King which hee instantly desired hee would neuer forget and to that end instigated many young Lords whereby sedition and discord was made
treason and fellony and the same vrged vnto extremity with many amplifications and bitter inuectiues especially that hee had sought and pretended the deathes of the Duke of Northumberland the Lord Marquesse and Pembroke where after many mild answeres to these matters obiected he put himselfe to be tried by his Peeres who acquitted him of treason but found the inditement of felloniâ—… when presently the Aâ—… was commaunded away whereat the shout of the people shewed the great affection that was boâ—…e to the Duke little mistrusting that the sentence of death was pâ—…ounced against him or that the kiâ—… vncle should die as a fellon neither did Staâ—… intend any such thing as some are of opinion but rather was purposely made for the suppression of â—…bellions and vnlawfull 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 herein such as should seeke or procure the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Câ—…sellor should be guilty as in case of felloniâ—… But such was the pleasure of the all ordering power 〈◊〉 he which knew no theft should die for that sinne so that neither himselfe nor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 demaunded the benefite of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 would haue saued his life if it had beene required 69 His sentence thus pronounced hee was againe sent backe to the Tower wherein he kept a very sad Christmas yea and that in the Court inclined to little mirth the King lamenting the condemnation of his vncle had not some witty disportes broke off his passions which how and by whome they proceeded let others report and vs continue the Tragedie of this Duke who vpon the two twenty of February following being Friday was brought to the Scaffold vpon Tower-hil by eight in the morning where turning himselfe towardes the East he spake to the people as followeth 70 Dearely beloued friends I am brought hither to suffer death albeit I neuer offended against the King neither in word nor deed and haue alwayes been as faithfull and true vnto this Realme as any man hath been but for somuch as I am by law condemned to die I doe acknowledge my selfe as well as others to be subiect thereunto wherefore to testifie mine obedience which I owe to the lawes I am come hither to suffer death where unto I willingly offer my selfe with most hearty thanks vnto God that hath giuen me this time of repentance who might through sodaine death haue taken away my life that I neither should haue acknowledged him nor my selfe 71 These words vttered besides others exhortatory that the people would continue constant in the Gospell sodainly was heard a great noyse wherby the assembly was strucke into great feare some thinking that a storme or tempest descended from aboue some supposed that the barrels of Gunpowder in the Armorie had taken fire were all blowne vp into the Aire others thought that they heard a noise of horses prepared to battell some againe affirmed confidently that it did thunder and others thought verily it was an earth-quake and that the ground moued vnto such confusion and terrour were they presently brought which saith Stow was none other but that certaine men from the Hamlets warned with weapon to guard the Tower-hill came thither somewhat after the hower appointed whose formost seeing the Prisoner on the Scaffold beganne to runne forward themselues and call to their fellowes to come away which word away sounding as an Eccho in the peoples eares they thought that rescue had come to the Duke to take him away and seeing the Bil-men to make forward so fast beganne themselues to shrinke backe from the hill euery man seeking to saue one and by this accident and confused cries this feare among them fell and beganne This stirre scarce ended another ensued by the running of the people towards the Scaffold who seeing Sir Anthony Browne riding thitherward supposed a pardon had come from the King so that a sodaine shout arose apardon apardon God fane the King by which it onely appeared in what loue hee was had and how much his life was desired of the Commons 72 The Duke whose mind being altogether prepared for death was little moued either to hope or feare and thereupon addressed his second speech to the people and with no deiected countenance spake againe and said Beloued friends there is no such matter intended as you vainely hope and belieue It seemeth thus good to the Almighty vnto whose ordinance it is meet that wee all bee obedient wherefore I pray you bee quiet and without tumult for I am quiet and let vs so ioyne in prayer vnto the Lord for the preseruation of our Noble King vnto whose Maiesty I wish câ—…uall health with all felicitie and abundance of prosperous successe Moreouer I wish to his Counsellers the grace and fauour of God whereby they may rule all things vprightly with Iustice vnto whom I exhort you all in the Lord to shew your selues obedient the which is also very necessarie for you vnder paine of condemnation and also most profitable for the preseruation of the Kings Maiesty And thereupon asking euery man forgiuenesse freely forgaue euery man against him and desiring the people to bee quiet lest the flesh should be troubled though his spirit was willing hee meekely laide downe his head to the Axe and receiued at one stroke his rest by death 73 Howsoeuer this Dukes cause was ballanced by law and him taken away that stood betwixt some and their Sunne yet was his death heauily disgested by the people that spake very bitterly against the Duke of Northumberland but most especially the young King sore mourned and soone missed the life of his Protector thus vnexpectedly taken away who now depriued of both his vncles howsoeuer the times were passed with pastimes playes and shewes to driue away dumpes yet euer the remembrances of them sate so neere vnto his heart that lastly he fell sicke of a Cough which grieuously increasing ended with a consumption of the lungs 74 His sicknesse continuing with great doubt of his life vpon purpose saith Grafton to alter the succession of the Crowne three marriages were in one day solemnized whereof the first was betwixt the Lord Guilford Dudley fourth sonne to the Duke of Northumberland and the Lady Iane eldest daughter of Henry Duke of Suffolke the second was betwixt the Lord Herbert sonne and heire to William Earle of Pembroke and the Lady Katherine the yonger daughter of the said Duke of Suffolke and the third was betweene Hanry L. Hastings sonne and heire of Frances Earle of Hantington and Katherine the youngest daughter of the Duke of Northumberland which tending saith he to the diâ—…erison of the rightfull heires they proued nothing prosperous for two of them were presently made frustrate the one by death and the other by diuorce 75 The policy established and languishing sicknesse of the King gaue way vnto such as sought the euersion of the State alienation of the Crown In whose eye no head was scene fitter for that faire Diademe
then was Guilfords Bride Iane the elder daughter of Suffolke whose mother Lady Francis then liuing was the daughter of Mary the French Queen the younger sister to King Henry the eight vnto whom King Edward ouer-wrought in his weakenes ordained his Crowne by Will at the suggestions of such Politiques as mount to disherite the two lawfull Princes Mary and Elizabeth and to impugne the Statute in case prouided for the succession of K. Henry the eight his children vnto which Will O griefe to heare subscribed all the Kings Councell most of the Nobility the reuerend Bishops and all the Iudges of the land one onely excepted ouen Sir Iames Halles knight a Iustice of the common Pleas vpright in iudgement a fauourer of the Gospell he I say neuer would write or consent to the disheriting of the Lady Mary 76 The King thus accomplishing what his Statists had wrought lay languishing in his faintnes the end wherefore could not be expected but onely by death and now being worne almost to nothing his last 〈◊〉 drawing to the limits of Nature he lift vp his eyes with a prepared heart and prayed as followeth Lord God deliuer me out of this miserable and wretched life and take me among thy Chosen howbeit not my will but thy will be done Lord I câ—â—â—iâ—… my spirite to thee O Lord thou knowest how happy it were for mee to be with thee yet for thy chosen sake if it bee thy will send me life and health that I may truly serue thee O my Lord blesse thy people and saue thine inheritance O Lord God saue thy chosen people of England O my Lord God defend this Realme from Papistrie and maintaine thy true religion that I and my people may praise thy holy 〈◊〉 for thy sonne Iesus Christs sake So turning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and seeing some by him saide I thought you had not beene so nigh you said Doctor Owen wee heard you speake to your selfe then said the King I was praying to God O I am faint Lord haue mâ—…rcy 〈◊〉 me and reuiue my spirit 〈◊〉 so saying gaue vp the Ghost to the g 〈…〉 of â—â—glâ—â—d in whom they had conceiued most hopes 77 His vertues were rare and many exceeding most Princes and vices so few that none can be taxed with lesse very learned according to his yeeres he was in the Latine and Greek tongues the French Spanish and Italian yea and saith Hieronymus Cardanus he was adorned with the skill of Logicke naturall Philosophie and Musicke and for Astronomy saith he my selfe had experience whom he learnedly opposed of the cause and course of Comets for Humanity he is the very Image of Morality and in princely graue Maiesty best beseeming a King briefly hee may well seeme to be a miracle in Nature nor doe I speake thus Rhetorically to amplifie things or to make them more then truth is for the truth is more then I do vtter and in this hee was most admirable that hee could tell and recite all the Ports Hauens and Creekes not within his owne Realme onely but also in Scotland and likewise in France what comming in there was how the tide serued in euery of them what burden of Shippe and what winde best serued the comming in into them 78 Of all his Nobles Gentry Iustices and Magistrates he tooke speciall name of their Hospitality and religious conuersations and that which is best accepted of a Prince hee was very liberall louing mercifull meeke and gentle towards his people and so farre from bloud as hee euer fauoured and spared as much as might bee the life of man yea euen of Rebels as wee haue seene neither was hee willing to put Heretickes to death as in a certaine dissertation had once with M. Cheeke it appeared insomuch that when Ioan Butoher should be burned for her heresie all the Councell could not moue him to set his hand to the warrant of her execution vntill D. Cranmer his Godfather Archbishoppe of Canterbury laboured to induce him vnto whom â—…ee said what my Lord will you haue me to send 〈◊〉 quicke to hell and taking the pen vsed this speech I will lay all the charge hereof vpon Cranmer before God Then how his hand had beene gotten for his vncles death is to bee admired 79 But his constancy vnto Christs Gospell with the abandoning of all superstition was very admirable one example among many wee will not let to declare Lady Mary his sister through the suit of Charles the Emperour made great meanes to haue Masse said in her house and that to bee done without all preiudice of law the greatnesse of her Person being the immediate successor and the might of the Emperour in amitie with England moued the Councell to giue their consent to the suit to forward which Cranmer Archbishoppe of Canterbury accompanied with Ridley Bishoppe of London were imployed from them to the King who hearing their message gaue the replication so grounded vppon Scripture as they gaue ouer to vrge more that way but like Politicians alleadged the danger in breach of amity with the Emperour to which the King answered hee would rather aduenture the hazard of his own life then to grant that which was not agreeable to the truth The Bishops yet vrged him with the bonds of nature and submissiuely said they would haue no nay the King seeing himselfe so importunated burst into weeping and sobbingly desired them to be content whereat the teares so abundantly burst from their eyes as they departed his presence not able to speake And for a further testimony of this yong Kings zeale reade if you please a letter sent vnto his sister the Princesse Lady Mary out of the originall 80 Right deare and right entirely beloued sister we greet you well and let you know that it grieneth vs much to 〈◊〉 no amendment in you of that which wee for good cause your soules health our conscience and common tranquility of our Realme haue so long dâ—…sired assuring you that our sufferance hath more demonstration of natâ—…r all loue then contentation of our conscience and fore-sight of our safety Wherefore although you giue 〈◊〉 â—…sion asmuch almost as in you is to diminish our naturall lode yet bee wee loath to feele it decay and meane not to bee so carelesse of you as wee bee prouoked And therfore meaning your weale and therewith ioyning a care not to be found guilty in our own conscience to God hauing cause to require forgiuenesse that wee haue so long for respect of loue towards you omitted our bounde duety we do send at this present our right trusty right welbeloued Counsellor the L. Rich our Chancellor of England our trusty and right well beloued Counsellor Sir Anthony Wingfield Knight Comptroler of our Houshold and Sir Will. Peter Knight one of our two principall Secretaries in message to you touching the order of your house willing you to giue theÌ„ firme credite in those things they shal
storie of Britaines first peopling Samothea this Iland Britaine conquered by Chams posterities Pompon Mela. Bale Giraldus Hercules in Britaine left the possesion thereof to Chams posteritie An opinion much applauded Brute and his Troians conquered this Iland Brute descended from Iupiter Pliny Varrâ—… A false descent may not be challenged Geffrey of Monmouth died in Anno 11â—…2 Acts 17. 28. Monmouth his excuse Henry of Huntingdon died in Anno 1148. Henry Huntington also recordeth Brutes line and arriuall in Britaine Geffrey ap Arthur A booke hereof found Wil. Lamb. Peramb Ninius and Taliesin bring the Britaines from Brute Died in Anno 1142. Malmesb. de Gest is rerum Anglorum lib. 1. Beda hislor Angli lib. 1. cap. 16. Liuy Iustine Caesar. Suetonius Martial Rusebius Eutropius Nicephorus Ambrose Socrates Harding Chrâ—… chap. 11. Iohan. Hanuil Nichola Vpton 〈◊〉 Cicero de Som. Scipionis Ammianus Marcel lib. 22. cap. 14. Histories must be weighed with iudgement Vaâ—…o Times motions diuided into three parts Beroaldus The third only historicall The story of Brute fabulous Gildas Beda hist. Angli lib. 1. cap 22. Gildas maketh no mention of Brute Bale out of Polydore Ninius also saith nothing of him Beda hist. Angli lib. 5 cap. 24. Beda beginneth but at Iulius Caesar. Beda had the help of the Abbat Albinus Of Daniel Bishop of West-Saxons Of Abbat Essius Of Cymbertus and brethren of Laestinge Of the brethren of Lindisfarnum The history of Brute not to be found in Beda his time Elward Elward speaketh nothing of Brute Ingulphus Florentius of Worcester William of Malmsbury All these writers before Geffrey and yet none mention Brute but he William of Newboroughs Chronicle inueighing against Ieffrey ap Arthur Merline a wizard A deuice to put by this William of Newburghs accusation Descript. Camb. cap 7. He florished in Anno 1210. Giraldus Cambrensis calleth Bruts history the fabulous story of Ieffrey Iohn Weathamstead The discourse of Brutus disproued by Iohn Weathastead Ascanius had no sonne whose proper name was Syluius A ridiculous thing to vsurpe gentility Wisedome the true nobility Seneca Epist. 44. Merlines books inhibited An Act inhibiting fantasticall predictions Malmesburies testimony of Arthur Brute not mentioned in the genealogie of the Latine Kings Neuer any such king in the world as Brute Boccace Viues Hadrianus Iunius c. The Criticks argument No honor to the Britans to be deriued from the Troians The Britaines histories weakned by themselues D. Powell beginneth his history of Wales but at Cadwaller Cadwallers story also doubtfull Ran. Chest. Rob. Fabian Iohn 〈◊〉 Master Cambden accused by the defender of Ieffrey of Monmouth A further disproofe of Brutes history Achâ—…z he should haue said Rabbi Isack Aug. de ciuit Dei lib. 16. cap. 43. Hierome The Authourâ—… owne opinion of Brutes historie Brutes conquest in the eighteenth of Heli his priesthood 1. Sam. 4. 18. Heli his priesthood in anno 〈◊〉 28â—…7 Baruch 6. 2. Ioseph contra Appion lib. 1. Herodotus iâ—… Euterpe Iudg. 8. 28. Clemens Alexand. Stromat 1. Menelaus returned from Troy when Hiram gaue his daughter in mariage to Salomon 2. King 11. 3. Brute his conquest rather in Athalia her time Ioseph cont Appion lib. 1. 2. Phoenician records Carthage built after King Hirams raigne 155. yeeres Virg. 〈◊〉 lib. 1. Tacitus 〈◊〉 lib. 16. cap. 1. Brutes conquest rather in Iotham his time 2. King 15. 32. Manethon cited by Iosepo cont Appion lib. 2. Israelites depart from Egypt 1000. yeeres before the warres of Troy by Iosephus account Iosep. cont Appion lib. 1. Brutes conquest rather after Alexander the great Two hundred forty six yeeres a time too short for the raigne of seuenty two Kings A supposed answer The great differences in computation of yeers among Writers These differences were chiefly before the Flood Septuagint Ioseph Antiquis lib. 1. cap. 7. 〈◊〉 Beroaldus The accounting of yeeres by the Scripture is a mâ—…st sure maner of computation From the creation to the flood 1656. From the flood to the seuentie fifâ—…h of Abrahams life 427. Ioshua 24. 2. From the promise to Abraham till the Law 430 Galath 3. 17. From the Law to Salomons Temple 480. 1. King 6. 1. From the foundation of the Temple to Salomons death 36. yeeres 1. King 11 42. From Salomons death to the burning of the Temple 390. yeeres 2. King 25. 8. Eze. 4. v. 2. 5. From the burning of the Temple to the end of Iudahâ—… captiuity 51. yeeres Ier. 25. 11. Isa. 45. 1. 2. Chron. 36. 21. 22. 23. Ezra 1. 1. 2. From the first yeere of Cyâ—…us vnto the death of Christ 490. yeeres Dan. 9. 24. Britaines may more truly deriue their descent from Troy by the Romanes Britainâ—…s tooke wiues of the Romanes and they of the Britaines Bâ—…da hist. Anglic. lib. 1. cap. 16. Gen. 6. 1. Romanes to beâ—… discended of the Troians is a fable Tacit. 〈◊〉 1â—… 1â—… Ioseph 1. 7. Romus the originall of the old Romanes To haue a desceÌ„t from Trâ—…y cannot be an honour to any Nation Troians thrice vanquished Brute embaseth the descent of the Britaines Of their Persons Cas. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 5. where hee vseth the word 〈◊〉 Herodian Pliny also addeth another ornament and saith that the Britains wore rings on their middle finger The Britaines would not be clad because they would shew the gay paintings of their bodies Plinie Oribasius calleth that herb Vitrum and the Britains call that colour glasse whence our English word glasle called also Vitrum in Latin may seem to be taken by reason of the colour thereof Dio Nicaeus Caesar. Some Britains clad in leather Solinus Tertullian Britannorum stigmata Martial Master Cambden Picts of the British race Called Picti of their painted bodies Caesar. com Mamertinus Tacitus in vit Agricola Caledonians the Northern people Silures the Westerne Tacitus Strabo Xiphilinus Martial Eutropius Plutarch They liued to a great age Diodorus Siculus Strabo Caesar. These Britaine 's in Kent the ciuillest Pomponius Mela. Of their domestick matters Caesar. The Britaines townes are their woods being fortified Strabo Diodorus Siculus Dion The Britains multiplicity of wiues Caesar. Dio. Eusebius 〈◊〉 praeparâ—… 6. Iulia her reproofe to a British woman The answer Dion Cas. lib. 76. The Britains diet Prohibited meats Caesar. Diodo Siculus The Britaine 's of a very spare diet Dio Nicaeus They eat no fish Caesar. Vnskilfull to make cheese Strabo Their drinke of barley Solinus Plinie Strabo Hiero. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lib. 2. Of their religion and learning Dio Cassius Solinus The Britaines inhumane sacrifices The names of their Idols Gildas The Britains Idols exceed Aegipt for number Plinie Magick highly honored of the Britaines Caesar. com 6. The Druides determine almost all controuerfies Excommunication of great sorce in the time of the ancient Britaines Among the Druides one Primat and chiefe ouer the rest They assemble once a yeere at a place in France to heare controuersies Here appeareth that Academies were then amongst the Britans and from their example deriued
courage Holinshed Hist. of Ireland Kildar receiued into Dublin with procession The French king imprisoned at Madril Gâ—…ard Queene mother soliciteth King Henry Dislikes 〈◊〉 the Emperour and K. Henry Peace betwixt England and France Signed with 〈◊〉 ovvne 〈◊〉 in Ann. 1526. The great Dominions of the Emperour Guicchard Rich. Turpin G. Câ—… A. D. 1528. The Kings Oration to his Nobility Edward Hall The Kings complaint The commendation of Queen Katherine George Couen Learned men assembled to decide the Kings marriage The testimonies of many Vniuersities sent vnto Rome Iohn Stow. pag 9â—…1 Cardinall Campeiu commeth into England The King and Queene summoned to appeare personally in the Court at Blacke Fryers Queene Katherines speech to the King Queene Katherine departed the Court. The Kings report of his Queene The King excuseth the Cardinall King Henries conscience and care The Bishoppe of Rochester contradicteth the Archbishop of Canterbury Cornelius Agrippa yeeldeth to the proposition The Popes vsurpation forbid by Parliament â—…x Parl. 24 H. 〈◊〉 K. Henries marriage dissolued by Parliament Fox Mart. 1197. Katherine Dowager Holinsh. pag 93â—… Pope Clement 7. adiudgeth the marriage lawfull The thunderings of Pope Clement 7. Sleidan com li. 9. The discent of Anne Bullen Sir Godfrey Bullen Lord Maior of London Anne 1457. Sanders in Schis Angl. Anne Bullen religion Sleid. com lib. 9. Anne Bullen Created Marchionesse of Pembrooke A. D. 1532. Octob. 11. K. Henrie complaineth of the dull Pope King Henrie allowed the Pope 60000. Angels monethly Iohn Stow pa. 946 Anne Dom. 1533. Nouâ—…mb 14. Vpon S. Erkenwalds day saith Hollinshd and Groston King Henry maried Anne Bullen * The Pope Elizabeth Barton the false Oracle or the Romanists The assisters of this false Propheâ—…esse Read Statue in Anne 25. of King H. 〈◊〉 The counterfetings of Elizabeth Barton Edward Hall Ioh. Stow. Holinsh. Cranmer Cromwell Latimer * Elizab. Barton Edward Bocking Richard Deering Richard Risby Richard Maister Henry Gould Two Monkes Iohn Stow. Edward Duke of Buckingham beheaded Holinshed The vaine feare of Prior Bolton The Pope inciteth Iames King of Scotland against England Iohn Lesly High treason The Pope giues England to him that could get it Queene Anne crowned Lady Elizabeths birth A. D. 1533. Fox Martyr 1366. Statut. Parl. H. 28. cap. 10. Queene Anne a great louer of the Gospell A. D. 1536. Ian. 29. Queene Anne deliuered of a deaâ—… Child Queene 〈◊〉 sent to the Tower Mâ—…ch Sandt The 〈◊〉 of Queene Anne Cromwels letter to the King vnder his own hand Archbishop Cranmers let 〈◊〉 to the King Sleidans Com. l. 10 L. Rochford Noâ—…is West 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Marks beheaded May 15. Queene Anne condemned and beheaded Robert Greene. Queene Annes speech at her death Ex MS. The audacious dealings of the Rebels Slanderous vntruths against the King The oath of the Pilgrims The Earle of Shrewsbury maketh against the Rebels Ex MS. R. Coe Thomas Duke of Norfolke Lord Lieutenant of the North. Pardon and peace offered to the Rebels Ex Original MS. The demands of the Commons The whole drift was to down with the Gospel An vncharitable and vnchristian motion Holinsh. pag. 944. Aske executed Luk. â—…2 36. Spirituall men Commotioners Monkes hanged for rebellion Idols and Monasteries suppressed by Parliament A. D. 1538. The Roode of Grace broken at Pauls Crosse. Lamb. Peram in Boxeley Our Lady of Walsingham and other Images burnt Cambd. Brit. 645. Monasteries in England 90. Colledges 110. Religious Hospitals 2374. Chaunteries and free Chappels Eras. Dialogue W. Lamb. Peram The state and opinion of Tho. Beckets Shrine Iohn Stow. The great riches of Beckets Shrine The great reuenewes of the Monasteries Supplication of Beggars The great reuenewes of the Friers 2. Cor. 12. 14. Dâ—…ut 25. 4. Apoca. 9. Iere. 13 26. Many suffered death for the Gospell before that Martin Luther wrote Queene Anne Bullen a fauourer of the Gospell staied the rage against the Professours King 〈◊〉 doings displeased many Chriâ—… Princes Camb. Brit. Lord Marquesse and others beheaded A. D. 1539. Ian. 9. Ioh. 〈◊〉 King Henry married Anne of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 6. An. 1540. 〈◊〉 Mart. 1296. The sixe Articles deuised 32. H. 8. chap. 10 35. H. 8. cap. 5. Lord Cromwell imprisoned In a letter writâ—… ten by himselfâ—… Ex MS. Anâ—… 32. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cap. â—…5 Queene 〈◊〉 diuorced by Parliament Cromwell affect his death 〈◊〉 ted by 〈◊〉 ment Ex MS. D. 〈◊〉 No such things as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 poseth 〈◊〉 Cromwell Nâ—… 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 well to cause 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lady 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A. D. 1540. 〈◊〉 A. D. 1541. May 17. Margaret Coun tesse of Salisbury beheaded Lord Dacres hanged Stat. in 33. of H. 〈◊〉 cap. 21. Since the eight of August 〈◊〉 Queene Katherine and the Lady Iane Rochford beheaded The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cted Sâ—…t H. 8. 28. c. 10. 〈◊〉 H. 8. 3â—… c. 4. The fixe bloody Articles enacted Iohn Fisher. Sir Thomas Moore beheaded Fox Mart. pap 1363. Anne Askew her story Io. Bale Cent. 8. â—…ol 669. Rom. 1. 16. Three conuersions by N. D. pag. 495. Anne accused by no rule of Christianity 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 compared The Counter Newgate and the Tower 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ned in Smithfield 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 suppose Three 〈◊〉 on s pag. 493. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Queene 〈◊〉 rines life laid 〈◊〉 Ibid. coâ—… p 494. 〈◊〉 three conâ—…ersions The Lord Chancellor lost his commission The Queene seeth the sentence of her death Queene Katherine visiteth the King who falleth in conference with her about 〈◊〉 Act. and Mon. Queene Katherines wise answer The Lord Chancellors purpose to apprehand the Queene Henry assumeth the name of King of Ireland A. 154 confirmed by Parl. 35. Hen 〈◊〉 Iohn 〈◊〉 The Kings of England and Scotland appoint to meet at Yorke A. D. 1542. An expedition into Scotland The Scotish noblemen refuse to inuade England The Lord 〈◊〉 of the Weâ—…-Borders yâ—…eld to the Kings perswasions * Williâ—… 〈◊〉 saith Stow. The mistaking of thâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Kings 〈◊〉 Generall The Scotish Noâ—… in 〈◊〉 of their generall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Solem-mosse Graâ—…n saith foure and twentie The death of K. 〈◊〉 of Scotland A marriage intended betwixt Prince Edward and the young Queene of Scotland The Scotish prisoners honourably entertained The Scotish Prisoners released without Ran. some Ioâ—… 〈◊〉 The marriage of Prince Edward and Queen Mary concluded by Parliament Cardinill 〈◊〉 against the 〈◊〉 ringe with England The French King setâ—… faction in Scotland The Queene and Queene mother conueyto ed 〈◊〉 Queene Marie of Scotland crowned The Earle of Lennox falleth from the Queene mother King Henry dâ—… mandeth the young Scotish Queene An Army 〈◊〉 into Scotland Ioâ—…n Leslie Iohn Leslie The Pope and French King send aide into Scotland Math. Earle of Lennox marrieth Lady Margaret Earle Lennox proclaimed an enemie to the state The English enâ—… Scotland A. D. 1544. Defiance sent into France Ioâ—… Stow. Bolloigne besieged Ioâ—… Sleidâ—… 〈◊〉 Bolloigne wonne R. Graâ—…con Iohn Serres
who am ready to bee taken hence and to be tried by the seuere but iust examinatiō of God I that haue alwais bin brought vp in warres and am polluted with the effusion of bloud am now vtterly ignorant what to doe for I cannot number my offences they are so infinite and haue been committed by me now these sixty foure yeeres for which without any delay I must render an account to that most vpright Iudge From my tender infancy and age of eight yeares I haue hitherto sustained the weight and charge of Armes to defend my Dukedome gouerned by me now almost fifty sixe both in preuenting those snares that haue beene laid for my life and in vanquishing those conspirers which would haue vsurped my right a stiffe necked people I may say my arme hath still managed I meane the Normans who with an hard hand if they bee curbed are most valiant and in hazardous attempts inuincible for as they excell all men in strength so doe they contend to ouercome all men by valour But if the reine bee once let loose and laid in their necks they will teare and consume one another for they are euer seditious and desirous of new stirrings experience whereof sufficiently I haue had not only of my confederates and allies but euen of mine own kindred denouncing me to bee a bastard degenerate and vnworthy of gouernment against whom I haue beene forced to put on armour before I was by age ripe to weild it all which I haue vanquished and some of them captiuated God so preseruing me that they neuer had their desires A roiall Diademe which none of my predecessors euer ware I haue gotten not by right of inheritance but by heauenly grace What labours and conflicts I haue sustained against those of Excester Chester Northumberlands Scots Gauls Norwegians Danes and others who haue endeuoured to take the crowne from me is hard to declare in all which the lot of victory fell euer on my side which worldly triumphes howsoeuer they may please the sense outward man yet they leaue an inward horror and fearefull care which pricketh mee when I consider that cruell rashnes was as much followed as was the iust prosecution of the cause Wherefore I most humbly beseech you O yee Priests and Ministers of Christ that you in your praiers will commend mee to God that hee will mitigate my heauy sinnes vnder whose burden I lie pressed and by his vnspeakeable mercy make me safe among his elect Nine Abbeis of Monkes and one of Nunnes which my Ancesters founded in Normandy I haue enriched and augmented and in the time of my gouernment seauenteene Monasteries of Monkes and sixe of holy Nunnes haue beene founded by my self my Nobility whose Charters I haue freely confirmed and doe by princely authority confirme against all emulations and troubles in them God is serued and for his sake many poore people releeued with such Camps both England and Normandy is defended and in these Forts let all younglings learne to fight against the Diuell and vices of the flesh These were the studies that I followed from my first yeeres and these I leaue vnto my heires to be preserued and kept In this then my children follow me that here and for euer you may be honoured before God and Men And chiefly O you my very bowels I warne you to frequent follow the company and counsell of good and wise men and gouerne your selues accordingly so shall yee long and happily prosper Doe iustice to all without partiall affection for it is a true wisedom indeed that can discerne betwixt good and euill right and wrong Shunne wickednesse relieue the poore succour the weake but suppresse the proud and bridle the troublesome Frequent the Church honour the religious and without wearinesse bee obedient vnto the law of God The Dukedome of Normandy before I fought against Harold in the vale Senla◅ I granted vnto my sonne Robert for that he is my first begotten and hath already receiued homage of all the Barons almost of his Country that honour giuen cannot againe be vndone but yet without doubt I know it will bee a miserable region which is subiect to the rule of his gouernment for he is a foolish proud knaue and is to bee punished with cruell fortune I constitute no Heire to the Realme of England but doe commend it to the euerlasting Creator whose I am for I possesse not that honour by any title of inheritance but by the instinct of God the effusion of bloud and the periurie of Harold whose life bereaued and his fauourers vanquished I made it subiect to my dominion The Natiues of the realme I hated the Nobles I dishonoured the vulgar I cruelly vexed and many vniustly I disherited In the Countie of Yorke and sundry other places an innumerable sort with hunger and sword I slew and thus that beautifull Land and noble Nation I made desolate with the deaths of many thousands woe worth the griefe These then my sinnes being so great I dare not giue the offices of that land to any other then to God lest after my death they yet be made worse by my occasion Yet William my sonne whose loue and obedience from his youth I haue seen I wish if so be the will of God may flourish in the throne of that Kingdome with a long life and happy raigne 55 Henry his yongest sonne surnamed Beauclerke hearing himself vtterly neglected in his Fathers distribution with teares said to the King And what Father doe you giue me to whom hee answered fiue thousand pounds of siluer out of my treasurie I gi◅ thee But what shall I doe with treasure said Henry if I shal haue no dwelling place or habitation His Father replied Bee patient my sonne and comfort thy selfe in God suffer quietly thy elder brother to goe before thee Robert shall haue Normandy and William England but thou in time shalt intirely haue all the honour that I haue gotten and shalt excell thy Brethren in riches and power After which speeches he presently called his son William to whom he deliuered a letter signed with his owne seale written vnto Lanfrank Archbishop of Canterbury and commaunded him therewith to hast for England lest in that spatious Kingdom some suddaine troubles should arise and so with a kisse blessed him in Christ. His prisoners he commaunded to be ◅et at liberty affirming that he had done Earle Morcar much wrong whom as hee then confessed hee had imprisoned more for feare then for fault onely his halfe brother Odo he would haue had to remaine a perpetuall prisoner but that by the importunate intercession of friends hee was released 56 The period of this Great Conquerour now come neere to his last when this Sunne so gloriously raised to the height of his course must now of force set in the West the dying King for Kings must die hauing raised his weake body vpon
vs goe on they cannot escape the hand of God In all aduentures she was one and formost The English lost at this siege the Earle of Salisbury the Lord Molins the Lord Pâ—…ynings and many other But doe not rashly beleeue Serres in saying that of all sorts were slaine in such Sallies as the martiall Virgine made eight thousand Our Writers say but sixâ—… hundreth The Lord Talbot marched away with aboue nine thousand whom Ioan would not suffer the French to pursue In memory of this admirable deliuerance they of that City erected a monument where Charles the seuenth king of France and Ioan the Martiall maide were represented kneeling in Armour eleuating their eyes and handes to heauen in signe of thankes and acknowledgement 17 There was an interchangeable taking and recouering of Townes and places of importance vpon both sides The Lord Talbot tooke Lauall and the Earle of Suffolke puts himself into Iergeaux Thither the Duke of Alanson with Ioan and other great Captaines come which they force by assault Sir Alexander Pool the Earles brother was slaine with many others in the fight the Earle himselfe remained prisoner The Duke added some other places to this Conquest soone after his numbers are augmented by the repaire to him of Arthur Constable of France the Earle of Vandome the Lord Dalbret and others so that now their whole Army contayned about twenty and three thousand men With these they encounter the Lord Talbot who had scarce the fifth part of their numbers at a village called Patay whom they charged so sodainely that his Archers had no time to fortifie their battels after their manner with a Palizado or empaâ—…ement of stakes so that the chiefe fight must bee made vpon horsebacke After three houres bloudy resistance the English were put to the worst The Lord Scales the Lord Hungerford Sir Thomas Rampstone and euen the Lord Talbot himselfe being first wounded in the backe were taken The footmen enforced to trust to their swords vnder the shelter of such horsemen as remained retreated in order and came to a place of safety The English lost aboue a thousand the French aboue 600. This blow shooke the whole fabricke of the English greatnesse in France at the very foundations awaking multitudes euen of those who before had vowed fealty to the English and now had colour of diuine warrant for violating that vow to ioyne with the victors for the recouery of common liberty There followed the present reuolt of sundry townes neither was it long before Charles himselfe issues out in Armes recouers the City of Aunerre and Reims where according to the Maides direction hee was solemnly crowned King Hitherto shee might bee thought propheticall and fortunate It should seeme now that the chiefe part of her imployment was accomplished yet she flourished a while longer The Duke of Bedford to buttresse the shrinking state of English affaires in France and to encounter euill fortune in the face vpon the vnpleasant newes of Orleance rescued and Talbots taking musters his whole present forces which made aboue ten thousand English besides certaine wings of Normans with these he marcheth out of Paris and opposeth himselfe to the Current of Charles his new hopes who meant to attempt that City some of whose Citizens held strict and secret correspondence with him But vpon this affrontment he suspended the execution of that design hauing as then no hope to atchieue it The Regent returnes to Paris Ioane the Pucell disswaded Charles from fight 18 Places of speciall note as Campeigne and Beauuois yeelded themselues voluntarily to Charles The Regent hauing setled the Estate and Garrisons of the Chiefe City passeth into Normandy to prouide for a safe retreat there if perhaps the English by the ineuitable will of God should bee enforced to quit their other holdes and dominions which hee began to suspect for that he had intelligence of a secret purpose which the French pursued to winne the Burgundians from King Henries side While the Regent was absent vpon this occasion Charles got the Towne of Saint Denis a neighbour to Paris though hee held it not long by practise From thence he sends the Duke of Alanson and Ioane to trie their friends and fortunes at Paris They found not hoped successe for the English gaue them so rough an encounter that Ioan her selfe was wounded and the rest with much slaughter driuen to fall off The Regent hearing of these attempts entrusteth the Coast-Townes of Normandy to the care of Richard Duke of Yorke and Roan the Capitall City of that Dutchy to Edmund Duke of Sommerset himselfe speedes to Paris where he commends the souldiers and Citizens for that they had not imitated the disloyaltie of their Neighbours New supplies came out of England The next enterprize was to reduce Campeigne to obedience Iohn of Luxemburg with Burgundians and some English besiegeth it Here the glory of Ioan vnfortunately ended for comming to the rescue shee entred indeed but afterward sallying forth her troupes were beaten and her selfe being betrayed say her fauourers taken prisoner by the said Burgundian Knight who for the value of her ransome ten thousand pounds Turnoys and three hundreth Crownes yeerely rent deliuered her vnto the English The siege was notwithstanding raysed they sent her to Roan where she about nine or ten moneths after was burnt to death Claelia was saued by Porsenna and it is not to be doubted but that the magnanimity of the English would haue spared her had they not found it necessary to deface the opinion which the French euen with superstition had conceiued of her Our Writers shew how the course of her life being legally examined by the Bishoppe of Beauois in whose Diocesse shee was taken and shee thereupon for sorcerie bloudshed and vnnaturall vse of manlike apparrell and habiliments contrary to her sex condemned to die was notwithstanding vpon her solemne abiuring of such her lewd practises pardoned her life till againe conuicted of periurious relapsing though acknowledging her selfe a strumpet and fayning to be with child she deseruedly vnderwent that punishment which she sought to delay The rumor of her end and the ignominious cause thereof was somewhat incommodious to the affaires of Charles It was thought that the comming of King Henry to Paris would be much more 19 Hee had already with great solemnity receiued the Crowne of England at Westminster being about nine yeeres olde a most fashionable and waxen age for all impression either of good or bad The next yeere after his Coronation in England he passeth ouer into France there also to receiue the diademe thereof The Constableship of England was before his departure assigned by Patent for terme of life to Richard Duke of Yorke which gaue him a more feeling of greatnes and secretly whetted his ambitious appetite vpon this occasion One Iohn Vpton of Feuersham in Kent Notarie accused Iohn Down of the
same place Gentleman That hee and his complices did imagine the Kings death at his Coronation The combat was granted and in Smithfield the Duke of Yorke exercising the office of high Constable they fought in lists In the end the Kings name was vsed to part and forgiue them It is a vice to suspect too farre The Duke of Yorke a most subtle man seemes neuer in heart to haue beene a true subiect to King Henry yet no man saith hee was any author in this Henrie the common wealth hauing yeelded to liber all grants of money is now ready to enter Paris England remained vnder the gouernment of the Duke of Glocester 20 There is no doubt that the English there at their Kings presence set forth their greatnes to the full shew The yong King attended vpon with two English Cardinals Yorke and Winchester and great Princes of his blood Dukes Earles Barons Prelates and the flower of our nation with many aswel French and Burgonians as Normans and others excellentlie well appointed makes a triumphant entry into the head City of that most noble Monarchy There was no signe in the People but of ioy and welcome the showes were many and magnificent Vpon the seuenth day of December he was solemnely Crowned King of France by the Cardinall of Winchester his great vncle in the Chiefe Church of Paris called of our Lady The Duke of Bedford entertained the minds of the Assembly with a set speech wherein he declared King Henrie his Nephewes vndoubted title to that Crowne and commended the same to their fidelities adding ample promises of honour and emolument Such of the French Nobilitie as were present did their homage The people had good and gratious words giuen vnto them and certaine quantities of money Corne and wine in the nature of a donatiue liberally distributed among them Proclamations were made that all Frenchmen who came in by a day there named should be protected The Kings Patents and grants touching French matters passed vnder the seale and stile of Henry King of the Frenchmen and of England which Seale for variety we haue prefixed as we found it annexed * to a writing directed by the King to his Court of Requests in his Pallace at Paris but for English affaires he vsed another Seale being in euery point like vnto that of King Henry the fourth and as some thinke the very same stamp which therefore we haue here omitted as likewise some Charters of his there are whereunto he affixed the seale of his father Charles of France esteemed not himselfe the lesse a King for all this but pursues his affaire His people tooke the City of Chartres by a stratagem the Bishop whereof because a Burgundian they also put to the sword with others Neither were the English idle Iohn Duke of Norfolke Thomas Earle of Arundel Richard Beauchamp Earle of Warwicke the Earle of Suffolke and others made vp this losse with aduantage Their actions are placed by some as done before the Coronation which is likely The King hauing thus taken possession of France not long after tooke his farewell thereof His returne was by Roan and so ouer land to Callais from whence vpon the eleuenth day of February hee arriued safe at Douer His vncle the Duke of Glocester was able to giue an honest and good account of the Gouernment during the kings absence The suppressiō of an insurrection beginning at Abingdon in Oxfordshire was not the least seruice A weauer the Baliffe of the Towne was the vlcerous head to which that corruption gathered who had changed his own name and called himselfe Iacke Sharpe of Wigmores land in Wales The speciall colour of his attempt was to haue massacred Priests whose heads he said hee would make as cheape as Sheepes-heads that is two or three or ten for a penny But the mention of Wigmores lands the ancient inheritance of Mortimer then the possession of the fatall Duke of Yorke who afterward in the right of that name challenged the Crowne of England from King Henry insinuates somewhat further The varlet forfeited his head and foure quarters for his attempt It is to be wondred that the Councell of Estate vnder King Henry hearing that title so often glanced at prouided not better against the mischiefe But the eies and hearts of the wise are blinded when God hath a purpose to reserue a scourge or to hide the fire which shall afterward be vsed to consume a nation Vnquiet humors were aswell abroad as at home The souldiers of Callais discontented with their wages as to little began to be mutinously troublesome The Regent comes thither in person in Easter weeke where he exerciseth necessary discipline seuerely Foure the most faulty lost their heads one hundred and ten are cashered and banisht from the Towne as sixe score others had formerly beene Why dwell we vpon so petty accidents The losse of the Kingdome of France is imminent Let vs diligently note the degrees which God found out to depriue our Nation of that honor In this iourney of the Regent King Henries interest was not aduanced The Regent a widdower roade from thence to Turwin where without the Burgundians priuity he married the Lady Iaquet aged about seuenteene yeeres daughter to Peter of Lutzembourg Earle of S. Paul no friend to the Burgundian This was nothing prosperous to the English affaires For Anne the Regents former wife sister to the Duke of Burgundy being while shee liued a strong reason and assurance of amitie weakened the same by her death and this second marriage not pleasing the Burgundian did yet more diminish it These were but degrees In the meane space the accidents of warre between the English and French were manifold and perplext now wee now they leesing or gaining as opportunity serued which vncertainties brought forth their ordinary progenies fearefull outrages and s◅rcitie of all things needfull for the vse of man It would be wearisome and not much necessary to recount the particular lesser actions neitheir indeed is it easie for who can readily tell the sieges surprises skirmishes and the like being so confusedly set down by Authors wherein diuers of both Nations wanne to themselues much honour and serued the vses of those times and their owne The vttermost effect of those great labours was that the English Regency fell not forthwith into nothing Permanent leaders in those publike seruices were the Regent himselfe their maine Pillar and Chiefe life Thomas Earle of Arundel Richard Earle of Warwicke Henry his Sonne the Lord Willoughby the thrice noble Iohn Lord Talbot who was now at liberty the Lord Scales besides Knights Esquires and other valiant Captaines a multitude 21 The fortune of Renate Duke of Barre is not to be omitted for that afterward our King vnluckely married into his house He had to wife Isabell the daughter and heire of Charles Duke of Lorraine by whom he had issue two sonnes