the Earl of Salisbury was taken Prisoner and Beheaded and his head with the Dukes fixed upon York Gates upon this the Queen and her Army came to London and released the King by the overthrow of Warwick at St. Albans restoring him to his Power and Majesty but rested not long e're the Earl of March Eldest Son to the Duke of York advanced with a Puissant Army and the Earl of Warwick having escaped the fight joyned with him which news made the King and Queen retire into the North to provide against the threatning storm whereupon Edward Earl of Mâ—rch without any controul advanced and entered London fearful of a Sack and there by threats and perswasions prevailed with the unstable multitude to give their Assents for his being Crowned King which Ceremony ended though against all Law and Right he drew forth his Army and advanced against the King who had gathered great forces which were in chief by the Duke of Somerset Earl of Northumberland and Lord Clifford both Armies consisting of 112000. the greatest Army of English that ever England saw who upon the charge being sounded began the Fight with great fury near Ferry-Bridge which continued ten hours and was lost on the Kings side by the overhastiness of the Northern Archers who spent all their Arrows at a distance as not being able to discern the Enemy by reason the Snow that then fell was driven full in their Eyes The Nobility that died on the Kings side were the Lords Scales Willowby Beaumont Wells Grey Dacres Fitz Hugh Buckingham and Clifford the two Bastards of Exceter of Knights and Esquires a great number and in all on both parts the slain were computed 35091. a slaughter the like not known in England since the Conquest Upon this fatal overthrow King Henry hs Son the Prince and several great Lords escaped into Scotland where they were kindly received and a Marriage proposed between the young Prince and the Lady Margaret the Scotch King's Daughter upon which Queen Margaret passed into France to negotiate her Husbands affairs with the French King for new supplies In the mean while Edward is Crowned at Westminster and a Parliament called wherein King Henry and Prince Edward his Son are disinherited of the Crown and all Regal Authority upon news of which Queen Margaret returns to Scotland having obtained a considerable supply of men from her Father Duke Reynold Duke of Anjoy King of Naples Jerusalem and Sicily having suffered much by storm from Scotland she passed into England together with her Husband and such Scotch forces as that King assisted her with and took several Castles in Northumberland several Loyal English daily resorting to the Royal Standard which proceeding greatly alarumed Edward so that constituting the Lord Montacute his Lieutenant General he furnished him with an Army with which he gave Battel to King Henry's forces near unto Hexham where the Yorkists prevailed and King Henry is obliged again to fly into Scotland from whence some time after coming into England in disguise he was taken Prisoner by Thomas Talbot in Cletherworth in Lancashire and from thence brought to London with his Legs bound under the Horses Belly so little respect had those Varlets into whose hands he fell to afflicted Majesty and upon his arrival committed Prisoner to the Tower Edward having King Henry in safe custody began to give himself over to sports and Daliances and above all to bethink himself of a Wife upon which several were proposed as the Lady Margaret Sister to King James of Scotland the Lady Elizabeth Sister and Heir Apparent to Henry King of Castile the Lady Bona Daughter to the Duke of Savoy and Sister to the French Queen of which the latter being thought the fittest Match the Earl of Warwick was sent over to negotiate the affair and proceeded so well that he procured a free consent of the French King Queen and the Lady her self when in the mean while Edward had cast his Eyes upon Elizabeth Grey Widdow to Sir John Grey slain in the Quarrel of King Henry at St. Albans and notwithstanding all the perswasions of the Dutchess of York his Mother Married her and made her Queen which Warwick taking as a grievous affront put upon him from that moment Alienated his Affections from Edward and consulted how to restore King Henry to his Crown and Dignity in order to which he first consults his two Brothers George Nevil Arch-bishop of York and John Nevil Marquess of Montacute the former of which soon consented but the latter proposed many delays whereupon the politick Earl the better to bring his designs about resolves to bring to his Lurd George Duke of Clarence Edwards Second Brother whom he knew to be discontented with his Brothers Rule and so effectually wrought with Soliciting that he soon found him pliable and ready to espouse his Interest whereupon the more to secure him he proposed to him his Eldest Daughter in Marriage with the one half of his Wives Inheritance which was afterwards consummated at Calais and in the mean while by the countenance of the Earl many Commotions were raised in England to countenance which and to dispossess Edward of his Usurped Crown to say no worse the Duke and Earl prepared for England having first espoused his second Daughter to Prince Edward Son to King Henry and then arriving a great conflux of People hasted to his Banner so well known and dreaded in England being the White Bear and Ragged Staff to oppose which torrent e're it grew greater Edward hastened and at Woolvy four Miles from Warwick where the Duke and the Earls Host lay pitched his Tents and bid the Earl Battel who undaunted Spirit brooked no such Bravado advance and both Armies stood Imbattled expecting the dreadful blast but it so happened that the Fight was delayed and both Armies retire as if a Peace would undoubtedly insue but crafty Warwick had other designs on foot for within a while after he surprized Edward in the midst of his Army and took him Prisoner committing him to the custody of the Archbishop of York from whom he soon after escaped which greatly perplexed the Earl yet he so ordered the matter as not to seem in the least to regard it Edward upon his escape fled to London and the Duke and Earl continuing in their station levied great forces but upon the Mediation of the Nobility it was so ordered that the Duke and Earl came to Edward upon his Letters of safe conduct but Edward taxing them with Disloyalty and they him with ingratitude nothing was done but both departed Edward to Canterbury and the other returned to Warwick and from thence sent their Agents into Lincolnshire where they dealt with the Commons to take up Arms under the Leading of Sir Robert Wells Son to the Lord Wells but he in revenge of his Fathers Death whom Edward had basely Beheaded contrary to his promise rashly ingaged Edwards power before Warwick could come to his Aid and by that means lost
standing in the Severn adjoyning unto the City of Glocester where both being strong of body they fought like Lions one to secure his Kingdom the other to gain it But in the end the Dane being wounded he intreated a parly which Edmund granted and then with a loud voice thus proceeded What necessity should thus move us most Heroick King that for the obtaining of a Title we should thus indanger our Lives Is it not better to lay malice aside and condescend to an amicable agreement Let us now therefore become sworn friends and divide the Kingdom between us and in such a League of friendship that each may use the others part as his own so shall this Land be peaceably Governed and we mutually assist each others necessity This Speech ended both the Kings cast down their Swords and imbraced each other upon which great shouts arose in either Army who before stood doubtful of the success and this accord being ratified the Kingdom was divided by Lot and that part bordering on the Coast of France fell to King Edmund who howsoever enjoyed it not long for in this Treaty the offence of Duke Edrick was included and upon his submission he taken into favour by the good King and so continued as it were glutted with the favour and princely bounty of two Kings till at last resolving to perfect his many Treasons begun he watched his opportunity as King Edmund was alone in the Draught-house evacuating and having placed himself beneath with a sharp Spear he run it up into the Kings Belly that he there died then coming up he traiterously and inhumanely cut off his Head and escaping with it undiscovered to Canute the Danish King and presenting it to him with these fawning Salutations All Hail thou now sole Monarch of England for here behold the Head of thy Co-partner which for thy sake I have adventured to cut off Canute though ambitious enough of the Soveraignty yet of Princely disposition abashed and sore grieved at so unworthy and disloyal an attempt replied with an Oath that in reward of that Service the bringers Head should be advanced above all the Peers of his Kingdom which high honour whilst the traiterous wretch greedily expected and indeed for a time found some favour his Head by the Kings command was smitten off and fixed upon a Pole on the highest Gate of the City of London as he most justly deserved His Wife and Children were banished and great was the rejoycing throughout England at the Death of this prodigious Regicide and betrayer of his Country King Edmunds Body was buried at Glasten-bury near to his Father King Edgar he was of person tall for Courage hardy strong of Limbs and well could indure the inconveniencies of War for which some think he had his additional name of Ironside with him at that time fell the Glory of the English he leaving but one Son viz. Edward who was Sir-named the Out-law by reason all the Reign of Canute he lived in Hungary and there Married the Queens Sister not returning into England till the Reign of his Uncle King Edward the Confessor Thus fell this good King and thus Heavens vengeance overtook the Traitour whose miserable end in some sort made an atonement for the innocent Blood shed by wicked hands as likewise for the Death of Sigefreth and Morcar King Edmunds Queens former Husband and Brother who were murthered at Oxford by the contrivance of Edrick CHAP. II. The Historical relation of the deposing and barbarous Murther of Edward the Second commonly called Edward of Carnarvan King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitaine and the Forty eighth Monarch of England with the manner of Gods vengeance upon those that were guilty of shedding his Blood EDward the Second of that Name since the Conquest was Son to Edward the First the terror of Syria and dread of Scotland and his Wife Queen Elenor Born on the 25 of April 1284. at Carnarvan in North-Wales and after the Death of Lewellin ap Griffith in regard of the place of his Nativity he was with the general consent of the Welch created Prince of Wales which Title has ever since devolved upon the Heir apparent to the Crown of England This Edward being the first who had that Dignity conferred on him and his Father dying he was Crowned with great applause in the 23. Year of his Age Then having setled the Affairs of Scotland he passed over to Bulloin and there in great state was Married to Isabel Daughter to Philip the fair King of France and returned with his Bride not passing twelve years of Age in great Triumph when as taking into his Favour one Pierre Gaviston whom his Father had banished but himself intirely loved many of the Nobility were displeased though the King made no great account of such their displeasure This Gaviston was a stranger by Birth Born in Gascoigne but a Gentleman in all respects being in his younger years brought up with the King during his being Prince of Wales and now made Earl of Cornwel yet so prevailed the Enviers of his rise that they procured a Decree for his perpetual Banishment out of England But the Kings love still following him he was made Governour of Ireland and within a while revoaked and in his return met by the King at Flint-Castle in North-Wales and there had bestowed on him to Wife Joan of Acres Countess of Glocester the Kings Sisters Daughter Yet so far prevailed the discontented Lords that a third time they procured his banishment but beyond the Seas his life being often put in hazard by the procurement of his Enemies as some suppose by the Kings secret sending for he returned within six Months to the great trouble of the Queen and her party who by this time began to disaffect her Husband and joyn with the Lords against Gaviston Whereupon first seeming to Petition for a redress of grievances they after took up Arms of which the Earls Lancaster Warwick and Hereford were chief and within a while the Earl of Warwick at a place called Blacklow afterwards Gavenshead having surprized Gavinston cut off his Head to the high displeasure of the King who at that time was not capable of hindering it yet excessive was the grief and displeasure he conceived so that the Lords thought it not safe to lay down their Arms till they had reconciled themselves to the King which was done by the mediation of Gilbert Earl of Glocester and several Prelates who travel'd therein Yet not so firm but the King continued a secret displeasure against the chief Actors but his melancholy was diverted by the Queens being delivered of her first Son at Windsor who succeeded him by the name of Edward the third as shall hereafter be related The Scots upon notice of this Intestine broil grew haughty and under the Command of Robert their King not only put many affronts upon the English who so long before had Lorded it over that Nation but made several
opportunity to recover it The King seeing himself in danger resolves to oppose the torrent and therefore Arms and with a strong power marcheth towards Wales in whose Marches the Duke resided with his forces of which the Duke having notice and understanding the Kings power was such that he was no ways able to oppose them upon his feigned submission he so wrought upon the good nature of this pious and peaceful King that a peace was concluded and after some heats and accusations had passed between the Dukes of York and Somerset the former was swore to be true to the King and never more take up Arms but regarded his Oath no longer than it served for his purpose for joyning with the Earls of Warwick Salisbury and others of the Faction he again takes Arms and marches towards London and to oppose him the King does the like both Armies meeting at St. Albans a dreadful fight began which for a long time lasted doubtful but at last the Earl of Warwick with his Battalian breaking through a Garden fell in so furiously that the Kings party were put to the rout six hundred slain and amongst them the Duke of Somerset Earl of Northumberland Stafford Lord Clifford and others of Note Here the King received a slight wound in the Neck with an Arrow and was taken Prisoner though at the same time the Lords of the Faction pretended abundance of respect leading him to London and there procured a Parliament to be called in his name where they caused an Act of Indemnity to be passed and all things to be so ordered that they render their Faction pleasing to the multitude and now nothing remained but to depose the King and deprive him of Life but this they feared to do till their insinuations had spread wider and that they had got Prince Edward his Son into their hands for the King notwithstanding this adversity was extreamly beloved for his singular Piety and meekness nor did this suffice for in this Parliament the Duke of York got himself made Protector of England and its appurtenances a thing never heard of before unless in the Nonage of a King but his insolencies were such by Imprisoning and deposing the Kings best friends that he was soon divested of that power at the instance of the Queen and several Noble Lords well-wishers to the King These Intestine broils Incited the French and Scots to molest the Sea-port Towns and ways the remote parts of England upon news of which the King the better to revenge those injuries called an Assembly of the Peers at London whither the Duke of York Earls of Warwick and Salisbury were Summoned under the Kings Privy Seal and accordingly came but finding things not for their purpose they feigned a Plot against their Lives and so retired to their several Castles and places of strength without leave taken and there gathering forces upon a second Summons came in Hostile manner yet the good natured King so labored that a reconciliation or at least a seeming one on the part of the Yorkists was the result of that meeting but it continued not so long for upon a Quarrel between one of the Kings Servants and one of the Earl of Warwicks all was again in a combustion for the Earl of Warwick upon that occasion being Assaulted flies to Calais and there maintains himself by Piracy utterly disowning the King Supream Lord of that Place but being not long satisfied there he Sails over to the Assistance of the Duke of York and Earl of Salisbury who again had taken up Arms and Encamped near Ludlow bringing with him one Captain Andrew Trolop and a stout Band of Calesians whom all along he had perswaded that they were to fight in the Kings Quarrel but they finding it otherwise upon the Kings approach expressed their Loyalty by forsaking the Yorkists and coming over to the King who good natured Prince received them with all convenient expressions of kindness and Royal favour and Trolop their Captain being privy to all the Plots and Designs of the Yorkists Faction the Kings Enemies disperse the Duke of York with the Earl of Rutland his youngest Son into Ireland the Earl of March his Eldest Son and Heir together with the Earls of Warwick and Salisbury with much difficulty escape to Calais which place had King Henry timely fortified he had driven them all to great extremity yet the Parliament proceeded to Proclaim them and their Abetters Traitours and to attaint them of high Treason disabling them or their Heirs of ever inheriting their Titles or Possessions which made them again prepare to Invade England by stealth in their wonted Hypocrisy the better to win the multitude to side with them with deepest Oaths protesting they only sought the good and welfare of King Henry and the removal of evil Councillors sending many Writings abroad fraight with dissimulations to that purpose which wrought them much favour so that Landing in Kent and swearing to be true to King Henry especially the Earl of Warwick who swore it upon the Cross of the Cathedral of Canterbury they came forward to London still increasing in number which caused the King and Queen being no ways confident of the Citizens to remove to Northampton whither the Earls of March and Warwick hasted and notwithstanding their many fair pretences gave the King Battel overthrew his Army and taking him Prisoner brought him as it were in Triumph to London and although they held him Prisoner yet continued their dissembled kindness towards him with many feigned expressions of Obedience and Loyalty Upon news of this success the Duke of York hasts from Dublin in Ireland and pulling off the Mask he had so long vailed his design with layed claim in the Parliament then sitting to the Crown breaking open the Kings Lodgings and possessing himself thereof but the Parliament not approving his rashness he drew up his Pedigree in which he proposed himself to be the rightful Heir which was likewise opposed with many forcible Arguments yet so powerful was his Faction that he prevailed to be Proclaimed Heir apparent and again to enjoy the Title of Protector of England with a grant that Henry the Sixth should Reign only during his natural Life and that then the Crown should devolve on him and his Heirs as descended of the Masculine Line from Edward the Third but at this time the Queen being in the North gathering forces to release her Husband would by no means consent to this agreement which caused York to advance in order to oppose her but her forces consisting of near 18000 and his a far less number he contrary to the advice of his Council resolving to give Battel before his Son the Earl of March could joyn him the Battel was fought at Wakefield and therein himself the Lord Harington Sir Thomas Nevil Son to the Earl of Salisbury and almost all his Soldiers were slain so severe is the Almighty in punishing perjury and disloyalty to him and his Vice-gerents Kings Anointed
the day and his own Life upon notice of which overthrow the Duke and Earl betook themselves again to Calais of which place the latter was Captain but were denied entrance by Vawclere his Lieutenant and thereupon went to the French Court where they were kindly received and within a while returning into England gathered so huge an Army that Edward was forced to fly the Land and his Queen to take Sanctuary whereupon King Henry was again restored to his Regal Dignity and Edward with all his adherents Proclaimed Traitors and in Parliament disinabled from Inheriting the Crown and it again Intailed on King Henry upon which Heart-breaking news Edward procures forces from the Duke of Burgundia who had Married his Sister and under pretence of Friendship enters England pretending to no more than his Dutchy of York framing Letters for his safe conduct under the Seal of the Earl of Northumberland but he no sooner entered but surprized that City whereupon Warwick and Clarence prepare to drive him thence but the latter was so wrought with under hand that he revolted to Edward and endeavored to perswade Warwick to do the like who generously answered to the Messenger go tell your Duke that I had rather be an Earl and always like my self than a false and perjured Duke and that e're my Oath shall be falsified as his apparently is I will lay down my Life at my Enemies Foot which I doubt not but shall be bought very dear and thereupon Marched towards London when at St. Albans he considered what was best to be done and finding that the Sword must decide it he advanced and at Barnet both Armies approached each other where in the spacious Field the Battle joyn'd on Easter day with such fury that the like had not been known and continued doubtful for a long time when as the day being overcast with mist hindering the Soldiers sight Warwicks Battalian took the Stars Imbroidered upon the Earl of Oxford's Mens Coats for his Son Edwards Body whereupon they let fly upon their friends which mistake caused the Earl to leave the fight his Men crying Treason Treason we are all betrayed which Warwick perceiving charged with fury upon the Enemy but entering too far was beaten down and slain though not without performing wonders sutable to his great Soul who had been Englands make-Make-King for many years before with him perished his Brother the Marquess of Montacute and a great number of smaller note as likewise the loss of the Battle on the side of the Lancastrians Son after this overthrow Queen Margaret and Prince Edward arrive at Weymouth and understanding the loss of the Battle of Barnet Field she went to Ceerue Abby whither the Lancastrian Nobility that escaped the slaughter came to her and with comfortable words put her in hopes of better success and immediately raised such forces as they could and joyned them to those they Queen had brought over from France but loth she was that the Prince her Son should hazard himself in the Battle and urged sundry persons but was over perswaded by the Lords whose preparations alarumed Edward so that gathering an Army he advanced towards them resolving to hinder the increase of the Queens power having first committed King Henry and the Archbishop of York to the Tower and at Teuxbury both Armies met where after a hot Encounter by the Treachery of the Lord Wenlock the Battle went with Edward which Treachery was rewarded with death the Duke of Somerset the Queens General beating his Brains out with his Battle-Ax In this Battle of the Lancastrian Nobility were slain John Lord Summert John Coventry Earl of Devonshire the Lord Wenlock in manner aforesaid several Knights and three thousand common Soldiers and on the other side not fewer Upon this defeat Proclamation was made for the Apprehending Prince Edward who was soon taken by that unworthy Knight Sir Robert Crofts and delivered to his most Capital Enemy the Duke of Somerset and others of Quality having taken Sanctuary were haled thence and beheaded Prince Edward not passing fourteen years of Age being brought before Edward had assumed the Soveraignty he beheld him with a stern Countenance and demanded how he durst with Banners displayed enter his Realm to which the young Prince with an undaunted Courage replied to recover my Fathers Kingdoms and most Rightful Inheritance possessed by his Father and Grandfather and immediately from him descending to me how darest thou then that art but his Subject take up Arms against thy King This Brave and Generous Answer so touched King Edward to the quick that he unmanly with his Gauntlet smote him on the Mouth when at the same instant the more villanous Duke of Glocester afterwards Usurper of the Crown by the name of Richard the Third together with his wicked Accomplices stabbed the Prince to death in Edwards presence Monsters unworthy of the name of Men but Heavens vengeance for this and other black crimes overtook the Actors The Prince after his being murthered was Buried in the Grey-Fryars at Tewksbury without any Ceremony and now Queen Margaret having taken Sanctuary was discovered and brought Prisoner to the Tower where she continued till her Father with a great Ransome to raise which he was forced to sell most of his Signeouries to the French King he redeemed her and now King Henry being Prisoner likewise and the Thorne that made Edwards Crown sit uneasie he resolves to be rid of him and therefore sent his Brother that Crook-backed Monster in the shape of a Man to dispatch him who pretending to discourse about his releasment stabbed the pious King to the Heart and eased him of this troublesome Life though perpetual horrour haunted the Actor of this black deed to his Grave After this cruel murther committed on the pious King his Body was for many days exposed to the view of the People ever bleeding afresh which raised at once pitty and detestation in the Spectators and then carried by Water to Chersie in Surry And thus fell this good King though not unrevenged for he lived to see the miserable ends of all such as had first broached the mutual War against him viz. Richard Duke of York the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick and afterward God was not slow to revenge his Royal Blood for within a while the Duke of Clarence King Edwards Brother was attainted of Treason and privately put to death in the Tower as some say drowned in a Butt of Malmsey King Edward himself continually infested with troubles through his unquiet Reign and People every where suffering through storms pestilence and Losses by Sea and Land after his Decease his two Sons murthered by their unnatural Uncle the Duke of Glocester and that Monster himself after a short Usurpation slain in Bosworth Field as in the sequel shall more at large be shown and thus I shall end with the death of this pious though unfortunate King who left no Issue his only Son being murthered as is before recited CHAP. V.
Patrons the Jesuits had perswaded him to that wickedness and promised him Salvation for his Reward whereupon his Father was Banished his House demollished and a Piramid set in his place and secondly by a Decree of Parliament the whole Society of Jesuits were expelled out of France but by their shews of Piety and Sincerity so Wrought with the Kings Favorites and they with him on their behalf that that Decree was repealed and they again restored to the Destruction of the Kings Life as most imagine The next that attempted his Life was one that was or at least pretended himself a Natural who finding opportunity run at him with a Knife whereupon the Guard would have Killed him but the King forbid it and he being asked the reason said He was King of all the World and that Henry kept France from him whereupon the King out of meer compassion ordered him to be released And now France Flourishing under this great and Glorious Prince whose good Conduct had Reduced it to so happy an Estate that the like for some Ages past had not been he thought to have rested but such was the Implacable Mallice of his Adversaries that they watched all opportunities to deprive him of Life to whom next Heaven they owed their happyness nor did they desist till they had brought about their wicked purposes the manner and opportunity given thus The King having Married Mary D' Medicis Daughter to Frances and Neice to Fardinand Dukes of Florence upon the Divorce of Margaret Sister to the three late Kings of France She was Impatient till she was Installed and although the King had other purposes of more urgency which required his leaving of Paris yet was he prevailed with to stay though many things Prognosticated ill events as the Raining Blood in divers places Monsters-Born Earthquakes and Airy Fantoms happening and appearing and several Predictions that the King should not out-live that Year that he should Dye in Paris a suddain and violent Death and in his Coach the which he though he was not over credulous on such occasions began to hearken to it and was heard to say that he must be gone from that City or his Enemies would Kill him nay so sure were they of his Destruction that a Month before his being Assassinated Papers were found Printed in Spain and Italy that he was Dead and eight days before a Courrier passed through Leige saying He went to give the Princes of Germany notice of his Death The Villain Incited to be the Executioner with large promises of Earthly Treasure and Joys Everlasting hardens himself to perpetrate the Execrable wickedness having Lingered about Paris a long time for that purpose he being an Ill down lookt Rascal who had formerly quitted his Order and became a Solicitor of Ecclesiastical affairs the day after the Instalment the King Intending to leave Paris the next day the King going in his Coach from the Louvre to the Arsenal and to see all things provided for the Queens Entrance having in the Coach with him the Dukes of Espernon and Monthason the Marshals of Lavardine Rocquelavar La Force Mirebeau and Lian Cour chief Esquires when Entering Iron-Mongers Street through the narrow passage by St. Innocents Church a Cart Laden with Wine was overthrown as most imagine for the purpose which caused the Coach to stop and whilst his Guard of Partizans passed through the Church-yard this Villain who had all the while followed the Coach set one Foot against the Stall and the other upon the spoke of the Wheel and with a long Knife struck the King into the Breast beneath the Heart at which the King cryed I am Wounded yet the Hellhound redoubled his force with a second Blow which struck him to the Heart of which he Dyed without fetching so much as a Sigh and again a third stroke which the Duke D' Monthazon received on his Sleeve and although it was supposed the Murtherer might have escaped yet so heightened was he in his wickedness that he never Stirred from the place neither hid his Bloody Knife but rather Gloried in what he had done and being taken he was adjudged by the Chamber of the Assemblies to be drawn to the Grave with four Horses and to have the Flesh pulled off from his Arms Breasts and Thighs with Burning Pincers and then Torn to peices which Sentence was put in Execution without his Testifying the least Emotion of Grief or Fear for such strange Torments so that it was Evident that he had been made believe that Paricid was Merritorious and that if he Dyed he Dye a Martyr being Inchanted with a false assurance of great things though for his Horrid Treason and Barbarous Assassination he met with his just Reward All France at the Death of this King were amazed and in Tears unless his Enemies who secretly rejoyced thinking to gain their purposes but were deceived most of them being wasted and destroyed in the Wars that were in the Minority of his Children and thus fell this great King yet e're I conclude one thing is Remarkable when he was opened the Jesuits got his Heart which they so long had desired and carryed it to their Church De La Fleck under pretence of Burying it there his Body was Buryed in St. Dennis whither a little before the Body of his Prodecessor Henry the III. had been brought from the Church of St. Cornillie And leaving France I shall Return to England there to give the Reader a Sight of one of the blackest Trajedies that ever the World has known a Murther without President or Parrallel even the Murther of the Sacred Martyr Charles the First of ever Blessed Memory which take as followeth to the Eternal Infamy of the Regicids CHAP. VIII The Dismal Relation of the most Inhuman and Barbarous Murther of CHARLES the First King of Great Brittain France and Ireland and of Gods extraordinary Judgments and speedy Vengeance on the Monsterous Regicides and principal Agents and Abettors in his most deplorable Death KING CHARLES the First of ever Blessed Memory Son to the Renowned King James first sole Monarch of Great Brittains Empire and his Vertuous Consort Anne Sister to Christianus King of Denmark was Born at Dunfermel in Scotland on the 19 of November 1600 and when Englands bright Star the Glorious Queen Elizabeth Set he with his Royal Father the undoubted Heir of these Dominions came to London and continued with great Applause attracting in his Infancy the Eyes and Hearts of the Nation to gaze upon his comely person and much admire his Vertues promising such a Blessing to England that indeed it was not worthy of he being sole Heir to the Crown by the Death of Prince Henry who died at St. James's Anno 1625 succeeded to the Crown having before his Fathers Death contracted Marriage with the Vertuous and most Renowned Princess Henrietta Maria Daughter to Henry the IV. of France and Sister to Lewis the then Reigning King and at first such was the Universal
hereafter be related Long time had this treacherous Duke sought opportunity to bring the good King to destruction but success so waited on his Arms that for a long time no advantage could be proposed for had he done it whilst the Danes were weak his hopes had been frustrated Yet growing impatient of delay he resolved to make some attempt to bring about his wicked purpose And therefore a fierce Battel being begun between the English and Danes at Sherostan in Worcester-shire which continued bloody and doubtful for two days but in end the Danes beginning to shrink Edrick presently cut off the Head of one of his own Soldiers named Osmearus like the King in Hair shape of his Beard and Countenance held it upon his bloody Sword still gasping and cried to the English Host fly wretches fly get you away for your King is slain behold his Head therefore seek now to save your own Lives The fight so daunted the courage of the English who entirely loved their King that the Battel began to swerve and wanted but little of plain flight which had certainly been had not King Edmund understood the cause and instantly from a high place shewed himself to his Soldiers with many words of incouragement stayed them in their Ranks and by entering amongst the rest of the Squadrons given them new vigour so that plainly perceiving the treachery they bent their Bows against the Traitour and had dispatched him had he not sunk into the Rear Yet they turned their fury upon the Danes and made great slaughter even till the Field was coloured with Blood continuing the Fight till Night parted them At what time the treacherous Duke came to the Kings Tent and after much seeming submission excused his Treason by alleadging he was mistaken in the Countenance of the Man and thirsting to save English Blood advised them to shift for themselves As for the former part of the excuse 't is not doubted but he spoke true for that day the King was disguised in the Battel and this wretch who sought his destruction might in the hurry take Osmearus for him and for that cause slew him But such was the goodness of the King that his dissimulation gained belief and he was again received into favour though contrary to the mind of the Kings Council who would have had him banished and well had it been for King Edmund had their advice been taken for a treacherous friend is more dangerous than an open Enemy This stratagem failing the Danes raised their Camp in the dead of Night and Marched with all speed towards London which City continued Loyal to King Edmund during his Life The King the next Morning having notice of the Danes departure followed with all his Host to prevent the spoil and by his swift Marches so terrified the Danes that they altered the purpose they had to besiege the City and the King entered it in Triumph And two days after having refreshed his Army resolved to follow his advantage and thereupon Marching to Branford where the Danes were Encamped he gave them a great overthrow which Edrick perceiving and fearing the Danes would be forced to leave the Land he advised King Edmund to make a truce with them using so many Arguments that he prevailed with the King even when he had them all at his Mercy and therefore leaving London he retired into the West The Danes no sooner perceived themselves free from danger but they fell to plundering and burning as fearfully as ever which caused the King again to advance and entering Kent with his Army near unto Oateford he gave them Battel which continued doubtful and bloody for the space of four hours When the Danes Vauntgard giving back their Horse upon the Right advanced yet fell soon into disorder and retiring amongst the Foot put them to the rout so that they were slain on all hands leaving above four thousand dead on the place when of the English there died not above six hundred and here had not the Traitour Edrick stopped the English in pursuit of their Enemy by laying before them the danger of an Ambush the Danes had never more been able to have made Head But by this means they had leisure to pass into Essex and send for recruits from beyond the Seas and then began to tyrannize as much as ever which caused King Edmund to enter Essex with his Army flushed with many Victories and at Ashdon three Miles from Saffron-Walden gave them Battel which was fiercely maintained on either side for many hours till in the end the Danes began to recoil which Edrick perceiving drew off his Party and fell to the Enemy by which means they became Victorious So that there died of the English Nobility Dukes Alfred Godwin Athelword Athelwin and Earl Urchin together with Cadnoth Bishop of London and Woolsey Abbot of Ramsey with many other of the Clergy that were come thither to pray for the success of the Army against the Pagan Danes the remembrance of which overthrow is retained unto this day King Edmund thus betrayed was forced to retire from the Field on foot and with the remainder of his Army marched to Glocester whereupon London submitted to the Conquerors as likewise did all the places of strength adjacent Yet such was the love of the English to their King that they from all parts resorted to him and earnest to regain the late dishonour though at the utmost hazard soon recruited his Army and came on to meet the Danes who swell'd with success were advancing Northward and at Dearburs near unto the River Severn met where both Armies were set in Battel Array when just as the bloody blast was about to be sounded A Captain stepped between the Hosts and desired to be heard which being granted he thus began Many Battles said he have been fought and many streams of Blood already shed for the Sovereignty of this Land between these two valiant Nations and the courage of the Generals Captains and Soldiers sufficiently tried wherein Fortune her self seemeth to have been Conquered for if at any time a Battel was won it was not long kept neither the Conquered so weakned but that he retained both Courage and power to turn the Scale What is the mark then you aim at Is it honour and fame Titles indeed that attend on War but seldom long enjoyed or rarely fall to the lot of the common Soldiers at the price of whose Blood they are for the most part purchased Let him therefore that would wear the Crown hazard himself to avoid the slaughter of many men and by single Combate try who is most worthy to Command and who to Obey or divide betwixt them the Kingdom which is large enough to maintain two having heretofore maintained seven Reigning Kings This Proposal was imbraced by King Edmund as the best expedient to put an end to a hazardous and doubtful War as likewise by Canute King of the Danes who by mutual consent went into an Island called Alney
Inroads into the Northern parts which caused King Edward to draw together a great Power composed as well of Foreign Nations as of English and marched against them But several of the disaffected Lords under pretence that the King had not ratified the promised Liberties and Priviledges refused to assist him so that for want of good conduct though the English exceeded the Scots in number yet coming to a Battel at Banocksbourn near Streveling the English were overthrown more by stratagem than plain force for the Scots having digged pits and set up sharp stakes in them cover'd them over with Earth and Hurdles so that the English Horse charging furiously their weight broke the Hurdles and there goring on the stakes became useless being in that manner killed on all sides by Scottish Archers who let fly at them as thick as Hail Upon this discomfiture the King was resolved to die in the Field and much perswasions were used to induce him to save himself by retiring In this Battel fell the Earl of Glocester and the Lord Clifford and about 700. Knights and Esquires and as Modes Accountans relates 6000. common Soldiers though the Scotch Historian will have it 15000. The King being retired to York resolved to raise a new Army to revenge this dishonour but such was the perverseness of his Nobility that it came to nothing yet the Scots heightned with this success attempting to win Ireland were overthrown and Edward Brother to King Robert who had caused himself to be Crowned King slain And now the King having lost his Privado or second self to whom he might open the Cabinet of his thoughts to supply the Room of Gavistone began to settle his affections on Hugh D' Spencer Lord Chamberlain and so doated on him as likewise on his Son for his sake that all things moved by their advice which more inraged the discontented Lords than the actions of Gavistone had done especially when they perceived two to spring up in the room of one Yet so far the Lords prevailed that they procured their banishment but not long for the Earl of Lancaster and the Lords of his Faction taking up Arms the King was resolved to maintain his Regal Authority though with the loss of his Life And therefore marched against them who now upon some distaste given were deprived of the Queens mediation and thereupon commandment was given for the reversion of the Sentence against the Spencers which was performed at London by the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and his Suffragan And now the King having increased his Power followed hard upon the Lords and caused Lancaster to draw off his Army from Burton upon Trent and march towards Burrowbridges when in the way several of the Lords of his Faction left him and threw themselves upon the Kings Mercy amongst whom was the Traitour Mortimer Lancaster with his retinue being arrived at Burrow-Bridges was there stopped by Andrew D' Hackerly Captain of Carlile and Simon Ward Captain of York who had gathered great forces in those parts and there after some parly he and the Lords of his Faction surrendred themselves When three days after the King came with all his Forces and Erected a Court of Justice where the Earl of Lancaster and most of the Lords and Barons that were taken being Sentenced as Traitours were shortly after Executed besides a number of the meaner sort though contrary to the Kings own inclination as many suppose by his afterwards bewailing the Death of his near Kinsman the Earl of Lancaster Things being at this pass the Queen began to conceive high displeasure at the proceedings of the Spencers who had prevailed with the King to abridge her allowance whereupon she complained that she was rather kept as a waiting Woman than a Queen or Heir of France and at that time Charles the Fifth King of France seeking occasion of quarrel against the English took this advantage and secretly dealt with the Queen to obtain leave to come to his Court and to bring with her Prince Edward her Son which she effected and at the same time the Lord Mortimer having corrupted his Keepers or as some will have it by giving them a sleepy Potion got out of the Tower and fled into France Where upon the Queens arrival he became of her Cabinet Council and otherwise more familiar than either became her honour or his duty as in place convenient will appear These things happening and great differences arising between the two Nations Queen Isabel taking the advantage solicited her Husband that she might go over to mediate and reconcile the business which request of hers was seconded by the Lord Spencer who perswaded the King from going over to secure his possessions in Normandy in person upon no other account then that he was afraid to stay behind him Upon this intercession of the Spencers the King consents to the Queens desire and all things were prepared to transport her where indeed upon her arrival she so sar prevailed with her Brother that matters of debate ceased upon condition that King Edward should give to his Son the Dutchy of Aquitaine and Earldom of Pontine which was accorded to and the Prince sent over to do Homage to his Uncle for them though to the utter undoing of the King his Father for now the Plot began which in the end dispossessed him of his Crown and Life though coloured under a pretence of ruining the Spencers which specious pretext drew many who would otherwise have been unwilling to have â—ngaged The Prince having payed his Homage to Charles D' Volois King of France was together with Queen Isabel his Mother sent for back but the conspiracy not yet having taken root she made many trivial excuses to delay time which Walter Stapleton Bishop of Exeter who attended on the Prince perceiving and having had some knowledge of the frequent Councils that were held and seeing the Kings Enemies in such favour with the Queen amongst whom Mortimer was chief he as in duty bound secretly returned and advertised the King of the imminent danger who thereupon solicited though to no purpose the King of France to send over his Wife and Son Whereupon he unadvisedly caused them to be proclaimed Enemies to the Kingdom and banished them with all their adherents Which discovery and Sentence of Banishment so nettled the Queen and her Accomplices that after some feigned submission she resolved by open force to enter the Land and thereupon without the consent of her Husband or the Peers of England she affianced her Son Prince Edward to the Lady Philippa Daughter to the Earl of Hanault and with the Money of her Portion levied Soldiers in Germany and other places Upon notice of these proceedings the King thought it time to strengthen himself and therefore set forth his Navy which scouring the narrow Seas brought in a Hundred and twenty French Prizes as likewise he fortified the Sea-Ports and put Garisons into the places that stood most advantagious to hinder the landing of a
foreign Army Yet the Queen and her Confederates put to Sea her whole Power not exceeding 3000 of all Nations and two days before St. Michaels day landed at Orwel in Suffolk the force being commanded by the Lord John Brother to the Earl of Hanault The news of their arrival coming to the Kings Ear he seemed like one amazed and at first would not credit the report but upon his being further certified he sent to the Citizens of London for Aid who answered that they would honour with all submission the King Queen and Prince but resolved to shut their Gates against strangers and to withstand them to their power this answer bearing no favourable Construction to the King he committed the charge of the Tower and in it his other Son commonly called John of Eltham in the Custody of Sir John D' Weston and retired with his favorites the Spencers Baldock and others into the West to gather forces against the Queen and her Accomplices having first Proclaimed them Traitours and offered the reward of 1000 pounds to any that could take the young Lord Mortimer dead or alive And by this his unadvised abandoning his chief strengths he gave the Queens party opportunity to strengthen themselves several Lords and others daily coming to their assistance and the better to terrify the Kings partakers and to colour the Treason it was rumour'd that the French King had sent with his Sister so many Dukes Earls and Lords that England would not suffice to feed them and that the Pope had sent to Excommunicate all the Kings partakers for which purpose two Cardinals had been sent over and credibly reported to have been seen in the Queens Camp though all was but fictitious and further to ingratiate with the People she caused it to be Proclaimed that her coming was only to remove evil Councillors from the King the same pretences that were used by our late forty one Parliament though Roger Lord Mortimer was the man that chiefly Councilled all the mischief then were the Kings favorites branded with the names of Traitors and Enemies to the Nation and 1000 pounds bid to any that could bring the younger Spencers Head And thereupon the Londoners rise in a tumultuous manner and commit many outrages cutting off the Bishop of Exceters Head as likewise the Head of John Le Marchel whom the King had appointed to Govern the City They likewise broke open the Prisons and set all Prisoners at liberty got into their possession the Tower and taking thence the Lord John of Eltham proclaimed him Custos or chief Governour of the City and the Queen likewise to strengthen her Faction caused most of the Prisons in England to be set open and repealed such as had been banished so that thereby her power greatly increasing She or rather the Lord Mortimer followed the King who destitute of friends still fled before his pursuers who besieged Bristol and therein took the Elder Spencer whom without any form of Trial they cut up alive having first exposed him to the fury of the People upon notice of which the King entered on Ship-board and intended to fly for Ireland but upon further consideration came ashore in Wales and there for the love the Welshmen bore him was concealed for many days in the Abby of Neath but the Queen and her Accomplices coming to Hereford after Prince Edward was Proclaimed High Keeper of England Henry Earl of Lancaster Brother to the late Earl of Lancaster Sir William Delazouch and others who had Lands in those parts where the King absconded were sent in quest of him with sums of Money to facilitate the discovery who in the end surprised him together with the young Lord Spencer Robert Baldock Lord Chancellor and Simon de Reading whom without any respect to the Person of the King they conveyed to Monmouth and from thence was the King carried to Kenelworth Castle and there committed to the keeping of the Earl of Leicester but the rest to Hereford where without any form of Trial was put to death the Lord Spencer being hanged on a Gallows fifty foot high and Robert Baldock committed to the keeping of the Bishop of Hereford who sent him up to London and exposed him to the fury of the Rabble who though a Bishop was used by them in such a barbarous manner only for being true to his Soveraign that within a short time after he died the Earl of Arundel and two other Gentlemen of note were put to death to pleasure Mortimer and now the mournful King divested of all his friends being at Kenelworth there repaired to him the Bishops of Winchester Hereford and Lincoln two Earls two Abbots four Barons and three Knights from every County with two of the Judges as from the Parliament which the Queen had called at London to perswade him to a Resignation of his Crown to his Son Edward and so many devices they had heaped together that in the end having first given private notice to the King of their approach and the cause they came to Kenelworth and presented themselves before the King who clad in black sutable to his mournful condition came out of an inward Chamber when in the head of the company set in order according to their qualities the Earl of Leicester and Bishop of Hereford began to declare the Message with which they were charged by the Body of the Kingdom as they termed the then sitting Parliament alledging that the Common-wealth of England was weary of his Government and conceived such irreconcileable dislike of his management of Kingly affairs that they would by no means permit him longer to Reign over them but were contented that his Eldest Son Prince Edward should succeed him in his Throne if he would make a voluntary Resignation if not they would proceed to Elect another not of his Blood c. The sound of this mournful Message struck so to the Kings Heart that e're any could prevent it he fell to the ground and lay stretched in a swoon a considerable time e're life could be perceived or he recovered to his Senses But in the end recovering he with many heavy Sighs bewailed his Infortunate condition and began to parly with his Vassals but found them inflexible persisting in threatning sort to tell him that unless he would freely resign his Diadem to his Son and disclaim all Right-to the Crown they would return his Answer and that immediately thereupon the Parliament would proceed to the Election of another not of his Race These Menaces made the distressed King who now was fallen low in the Opinion of his Subjects through the false insinuation of the factious Lords to consent to their hard proposals confessing that for his many sins God had permitted these Calamities to fall upon him but seeing they had not rejected his Race he was content to submit Whereupon they proceeded to the new invented and never before practised Ceremony of dekinging their Sovereign which in this manner was performed by Sir William
Joy that not a Cloud of Discontent appeared upon the Brow of any but such is the Malice of the Powers of Darkness to hinder the progress of the Gospel which in his Pious Reign whilst he absolutely weiled the Sword of Justice spread so wide that the like no Age had parallel'd was not wanting to raise such Pestilential Whirlwinds of Discontent or rather Treasonable Intentions as overturned all order and Government bedewing Albions Surface with Blood and lastly with that more valuable then Ten thousand vulgar lives and to accomplish it the Monsters his Agents a while sought by underhand means but at last finding the Rabble moulded for their purpose they appeared bare faced and inveighed against his Favourites and first of all the Duke of Buckingham who at length was Murthered by one Felton basely and treacherously at Portsmouth for which the Murtherer was deservedly hanged in Chains The next thing was to object against the Legality of Ship-Money though Twelve of the Judges were of opinion that the Land being in danger of an Invasion the King at any time with the advice of his Counsel might leavy Money to defend it without intrenching upon Priviledge of Parliament for indeed if such a thing might not be the Nation might be over-run with a Forreigne Enemy before money in a Parliamentary way could be raised to defend it yet these were but slight Cavels for what happened afterward for they openly encouraged the Scots to Rebel and act such Insolencies that the like happened not in that Kingdom before in the age of Man Sacriledge and Murther being counted Trifles and although they in Parliament denyed the King any supply for his urgent occasions yet for their dear Rebel Bretheren of Scotland in recompence for the mischief they had done in Church and State they voated them 100000 pounds and to shew themselves better than their words soon after added 200000 more and then fell to Impeach the noble Earl of Strafford of High-Treason as many believed upon no other account then that he was the Kings Favourite and so far proceeded in their pernicious Designs by raising Tumults with Clubs and Stalves to assault the Kings Pallace crying out Justice against the Earl and no Bishops that the King though not without the Earls consent thinking to appease those Blood thirsty Wretches after his Attaindure Signed a Bill for his Execution which on the 12 of May 1841 was Executed on Tower-Hill his Majesty being greatly averse to that Fatal Trajedy and at the same time O the Indulgence of this Blessed Prince Signed another Bill for the Houses siting till they should consent to be dissolved which they turned to his destruction for having got the Millitia into their Hands they Armed against him and to them joyned such Rake-Hells as they could scrape together of all Religions as Anabaptists Independants Quakers Presbyters Brownists Ranters Advanities Socinians and what not all fit Instruments of Hells to hew down the Ceeder of Monarchy and Imbrew the Earth with Blood of her Sons Upon this and many other affronts the King sets up his Standard at Nottingham after his having been denyed entrance into Hull by the disloyal Knight Sir John Hotham who had a Reward for his Treason the just Judgment of God soon overtook him for both he and his Son were soon after Beheaded by their Rebellious Masters Command viz. The Parliament for to please whom he had manifestly broken his Oath to his Prince And now all being in a Combustion and no likelyhood of deciding matters but by the Sword though nothing was wanting on his Majesties part that might conduce to a Peace and happy Reconcilliation many dreadful Battels were Fought wherein the success was various till most of the Flower of the English Nobillity were Lost and the King left destitute of Mony and other such necessaries as are Rightfully termed the Sinns of War Fortune who rightfully is painted Blind turned the Scale of Victory and success till no considerable place of Strength but Oxford was left him where finding no concessions would mollifie the Flinty temper of his implacable Enemies he after some consultation with his Council resolved rather than to hazard being obliged to such hard conditions as a close Seige might extort to Fly to the Scotch Army who were in the Parliaments pay and from some of whose perfidious chief he had received several kind Invitations which he effected in the disguise of a Serving-Man and found it Incamped at South-well where he was first kindly entertained with promise of Protection but Treacherous Villains as they were and be it a Brand to their Posterity for ever rather then loose their Arrears due from the Parliament they delivered up their lawful Soveraign the best of Kings to the dispose of his merciless Enemies but Heavens vengeance delayed not to such perfidious dealing for soon after all Scotland was put into a Bloody Sweat by the Usurper The King being in the Hands of his Enemies was Imprisoned at Holmby where having stayed some time he was taken thence by Collonel Joyce and carryed to Childersly thence to Newark and so by several Stages till he came to Hampton-Court where a Treaty was proposed though nothing less intended for at that very time the Tub-thumpers fearing if the King should be restored they should loose their canting Trade bauled out nothing but Death and desolation saying Not words but rhe Sword shall end the Controversie and placing a hundred Bugbears before the Peoples Eyes to render them averse to any compliance but there cant availed not for such was the Gracious concessions of this good King that they were highly approved of by many and therefore Cromwell and his Faction fearing it should come to perfection layed a Plot to fright the King from Hampton-Court by possessing him under pretence of Friendship that there was a design against his Life which was so Hypocritically demonstrated to him by Collonel Whaly that the King leaving Letters behind him to signifie the cause of his departure he in the Company and by the advice of Mr. Ashburnham and others departed about midnight none endeavouring to Impeach his passage the Plot being before hand so layed and in the end came into the Isle of Wight of which Collonel Hammond was made Governour who being Brother to his Majesties Chaplain he thought he might the better confide in him but as disloyal as he was he proved perfidious to his distressed Majesty for upon the Parliaments publishing their Order to make it Treason for any that concealed his Person he secured him and sent them notice thereof Upon this the King Writes to the Parliament giving them more fully to understand the reasons of his departure and that he was still desirous that the Treaty of Peace might be continued and that he would consent to any thing that in Honour and conscience he might do so that after many messages had passed the Treaty was renewed wherein the Kings extraordinary Wisdom appeared and his Princely Goodness so far
a Jesuit William Cawley a Brewer Nicholas Love Son to Doctor Love of Winchester John Dixwel a Recruit to the Long Parliament Daniel Blagrave Daniel Broughton Edward Denby John Hutchison Francis Lossely Lord Munson James Challenor Sir Henry Mildmay Robert Wallop James Harrington and John Philips These were the pack of Hellhounds that were thought most fit to hunt after Royal-Blood as Indeed they were for such Monsters never Breathed before on Brittish-Soil Matters being brought to this pass on the 20 of January 1648. Bradshaw the President with about 70 of the aforesaid pack Guarded by Partizans came into Westminster-Hall and sate down in the Court whither the King was brought by Collonel Thomlinson and placed at the Bar by the Serjeant at Arms where a Crimson-Chair was set in which he sate down without moving his Hat or Regarding the Monsters yet the President stood up and declared why he was brought thither laying many Notorious Falsities to his charge and was seconded by Solicitor Cook but the King not to Impair his Kingly Character absolutely denyed the Jurisdiction of the Court and so Learnedly opposed the Illiterate Rout with Stupendious Arguments that they were beaten from all Defences and nothing to say but that they were well satisfied in their Power and that it was not for him to dispute their Jurisdiction as indeed it availed not for past doubt they Right or wrong had before-hand determined his Destruction and yet they convened his Majesty before them the day following and the next day as also on the 23 and still pressed him to answer the charge and own the Jurisdiction of the Court without permitting him though he earnestly desired it to give his reasons why he refused it nor to plead for the Liberty of his Subjects which most of all he insisted on but Adjourned the Court to the 27 when notwithstanding the Kings Learned Arguments and perswasions which they impatiently heard they passed Judgment upon him which after a long repetition of what had passed during the Tryal concluded in the words For all which Treasons and Crimes this Court doth adjudge that he meaning the King as a Tyrant Traytor Murtherer and publick-Publick-Enemy shall be put to Death by severing his Head from his Body after which Bradshaw declared It was the Act and Resolution of the whole Court And thus they layed to his charge things that he knew not nor could be possible Guilty of for Kings are accountable to none but God nor can any man of Sence Imagine that Treason can be committed against a Subject by his Prince no Law allowing that it can descend but it must ever ascend Yet to the amazement of all Nations having carryed on their Villany to this height they proceeded further for on the 29 of January a Warrant was directed under the Hands of John Bradshaw Thomas Lord Gray of Grooby and Oliver Cromwell to Francis Hacker Collonel Hunks and Lieutenant Collonel Phray for the Execution of their wicked Sentence the place appointed for the Tragedy being before VVhitehall and the next day between the hours of ten in the Morning and five in the Afternoon to compleat the great wickedness But to amuse the People that every where detested against their Diabollical proceedings and to prevent any attempt that might be made to rescue his Majesty they caused it to be Rumoured that they would respite the Execution yet on the Fatal 30 of January in the Year aforesaid the Commissioners met and ordered four or five of their Canting Tub-Preachers to attend upon his Majesty at St. James's but he refused to have any conference with those Varlets In the Morning before his Majesty was brought thence Dr. Juxon Bishop of London officiated and read Divine Service when as the Second Lesson appointed to be Read for that day by the Church Calender happened to be the 27 Chap. of St. Matthew being the History of our Saviours passion which caused his Majesty to Thank the Doctor for chusing so fit a place of Scripture but being given to understand that it fell in course he was highly Animated then his Majesty received the Sacrament after which and some other Devotions ended he was conveyed to Whitehall through the Park by a Regiment of Foot but about his Person were a private Guard of Partizans the Bishop on the one hand and Collonel Thomlinson on the other when with a chearful voice he bid the Guard march faster saying That now he went before them to strive for a Heavenly Crown with less Solicitude then he had often Incouraged his Souldiers to Fight for an Earthly Diadem Being come to the Stairs of the long Gallery he passed through and coming in to an appartment appointed for him continued in fervent Prayer wondering at the delay but the reason was because the Scaffold was not Finished here he received a Letter from the Prince brought by Mr. Seymour and Dinner time came he refused to Dine only Eat a bit of Bread and Drank a Glass of Clarret About one of the Clock Collonel Hacker came with his Guard of Officers and brought his Majesty accompanyed with the Bishop and Collonel Thomlinson through the Banqueting-House and from thence upon the Scaffold a Bridge being made from one of the Windows to it round about which stood a Guard of 7 Regiments of Horse and Foot there placed to keep off his weeping Subjects from approaching to commiserate their dying Soveraign the Scaffold was hung with mourning and so Villanously were they bent on their wicked purpose that fearing his Majesty would not willingly submit to the Axe they had driven in Iron staples to force him to the Block with Cords O monstrous Barbarity of these Inhumane monsters His Majesty looking upon the Blcok and having asked Hacker whither there were none higher turned to Thomlinson and began his Speech wherein he declared His Innocence the unjust Incroachments of the Parliament upon his Perogative Royal and their begining the unnatural War against him yet Prays to God to forgive them all and all that had a hand in his Death advises them to restore the Church and Liberties of the People and the Crown to his Successor laying down the particular means and methods that would unavoidably conduce to the Nations happiness declaring till they were effectually observed the Nation would be miserable and Lastly that his Blood was causelesly shed and that he Dyed the Martyr of the People and then at the motion of Dr. Juxon declared his Religion saying That he Dyed a good Christian according to the Profession of the Church of England as he found it left to him by his Father of which this good man can bear me witness meaning Dr. Juxon then turning to the Officers said Sirs Excuse me for I have a good Cause and I have a Gracious God then turning to Hacker he said Take care they do not put me to pain after which he said to the Executioner I shall say but very short Prayers and when I thrust out my Hands