Westminster wherein one Act was made against spreading of Prophecies the first motiue of rebellions and another against vnlawfull assemblies the first apparant acting of them But for feare of new tumults the Parliament was vntimely dissolued and gent. charged to retyre to their country habitations being furnished with such forces and commissions as were held sufficient to hold in bridle either the malice or rage of reasonlesse people yea so great grew the doubt of new insurrections that Trinity terme did not holde least gentlemen should by that occasion be drawen out of the country where they were esteemed to doe good seruice by keeping the Commons from commotions All these mouements seemed to be pretended by mouing of the earth in diuerse places of Sussex The affaires of England beyond the seas all this time were caried with variable successe S r Thomas Cheynie was sent to the Emperour to treat with him that his forces might ioine with the forces of England against the common enimies of them both according to the Articles for merly cōcluded These articles had bin well obserued for a time esp◅eially against the French But afterwards the emperour being diuerted about other preparations and therewith much solicited by the Scots not to be a helpe to ruine their kingdome fell by degrees from the K. of England filling his Embassadors with emptie hopes at the first wherein also he daily fainted and failed in the end In France the King placed the Rhenegra◅e with diuers Regiments of Almaine Lancequenots and certaine ensignes of F◅ench to the number of 4 or 5000 at the towne of Morguison midway betweene Bouline and Calais to empeach all entercourse betweene those two places wherevpon the King of England caused all the strangers that had serued the yeere against the rebells to the number of 2000 to be transported to Calais to them were adioined 3000 English vnder the command of Francis Earle of Hunting don S r Edward Hastings his brother to dislodge the French or otherwise to annoy them But the French perceiuing that the troubles in England were perfectly appeased and that the King thereby was much strengthened in his estate for that the vicious humors against him were either corrected or spent finding also that he daily grew rather into admiration then loue aswell for that it was apparant that hee had so well improued that little stocke which his father left as he was like to proue a thriuer in the end also weary in maintaining warres with Scotland as well in regard of the charge as for that his people were nothing desirous of seruice in that distant country Lastly hauing tried aswell the strength as curtesy of the English nation and doubtfull of the estates of the empire and of Spaine by whom not only the wings of his Kingdome had beene clipped on euery side but the whole body thereof dangerously attempted he resolued to fasten peace with England if he could Herevpon he dispatched to the English court Guidolti an Italion borne in Florence who made many ouertures to the Lords of the counsaile but all as from the Cunstable of France and espying with a nimble eye that matters of consaile were chiesly swayed by the Earle of Warwicke by great gifts and gretter hopes he wrought him to be appliable to his desires In the end it was concluded that foure Embassadors should be sent from the King of England into France and foure from the French King to treat with them that the English commissioners should come to Guisnes and the French to Arde and that their meeting should be chiefly at Guisnes The English yeelding to all with sincerity of minde the French accepting all but with intentions reserued to themselues The Lords appointed by the English were Iohn Earle of Bedforde William Lord Paget St William Peeter and Sr Iohn Mason Secretaries of State on the French side were appointed Mounsier Rochpott Mounsier Chastilion Guillant de Mortier and Rochetele de Dassi◅ in short time after the Earle of Warwicke was made Lord great M ◠another feather to his mounting minde The day wherein the English Embassadors arriued at Caluis Guidolti resorted vnto them with a letter from Mounsier Rochpot whereby he signified that the French intended not to come to Arde but desired that the English would goe to Bouline and that the meeting might be besides the Towne For this he alleadged that he was so weakly disposed in health that he could not trauaile farre and that he being Gouernor of Picardie and Chastilion of Newhauen they might not depart such distance from their charge and further that there must be much wast of time if the English should lye at Guisnes and the French at Ardes and that the equality would be more and the dishonour to one of the sides lesse if the enterview should be vpon the Frontires then if one part should be drawen into the territory of the other Vpon this rubbe the English Embassadors thought fit to demurre and so sent into England to receiue directions from the Lords of the counsaile They againe referred the matter wholly to the iudgement of the Embassadors affirming that it was a circumstance not much to bee stood vpon in case it were not vpon some sinenesse but for ease and commodity of them and their traine which indeed they might better finde neere Bouline then at Ardes in case also they could discerne no deepe inconuenience which might hinder the good issue of the good busines in hande which they esteemed sufficient if in substance it might be effected albeit in all points they had not so much of their mindes as they then desired and as at another time they would expect and so the English Commissioners went to Bouline and the French came to one of their forts neerest to Bouline Not long before the Emperour had beene assailed by the King of England to aide him in defence of Bouline against the French which he expresly refused alleaging that he was not bound so to doe by conditions of the league For that Bouline was a piece of new conquest acquired by the English since the league was made then the King offered to yeelde the Towne absolutely into his hands in case he would maintaine it against the French which offer also he refused to accept At the arriuall of the English embassadors the souldiers were sharply assailed with wants There was not one drop of beere in the Towne The bread and breadcorne sufficed not for six daies Herevpon the souldiers entred into proportion and to giue them example the Lord Clinton being Lord Deputie limited himselfe to a loafe a day The King was indebted in those parts aboue 14000 l besides for the Earle of Hunting dons numbers which were about 1300 foote besides also the increases daily rising for the monethly pay of English and strangers amounted to 6000 l besides allowance for officers Hereof the band of horsemen out of Germany tooke little lesse then 800 l the moneth and the Almains
state To Clemencie he was much enclined especially in matters of blood and most especially if it were for Religion a vertue so much the more esteemed by how much it had beene lesse vsed before insomuch that albeit hee was most earnestly affected to that religion wherein hee had beene brought vp yet none were executed in his time for other religion but only two blasphemous Heretickes Ioane Butcher and George a Dutchman And when Ioane Butcher was to be burned all the counsaile could not procure him to set his hand to the warrant Wherefore they employed Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury to deale privatly with him for his subscription But the King remained firme both in reason and resolution affirming that he would not driue her headlong to the Divell but because Heretickes for the most part haue a straine of madnesse he thought it best to apply her with some corporall chastisemâ—…nts which with respit of time might happely reduce her to good order The Archbishop was violent both by perswasions and entreaties and when with meere importunity he had prevailed The King in subscribing his name said that he would lay all the charge thereof vpon the Archbishop before God Not many yeares passed but this Archbishop also felt the smart of the fire and it may be that by his importunity for bloud hee did offend for a good thing is not good if it be immoderatelie desired or done His courage did appeare in the great delight he tooke in representations of Battailes Skirmishes Assaults and of all kinde of military exercises his iudgment was great either for errors or fine contriuances in the field And no actions of Armes were executed in his time but he would perfectly vnderstand by what aduantages on the one side or ouersights on the other the euent succeeded He tooke great pleasure in exercises of actiuity whereto he much trained his servants And to that end he often appointed challenges among them for wrestling leaping running riding shooting at roues and at rounds and such like games and at riding and shooting would sometimes be of one of the sides He had 100 archers of his ordinary guard who once mustering before him shot two arrowes euery man together against an inch board of well seasoned timber All stroke through the board and their arrowes stucke in another board behinde and divers pierced both the boards generally none might be of his guard but besides of tall and comely stature such as were either good archers or wrastlers or easters of the barre or leapers or runners or of some other man-like qualitie He was exceeding skilfull in fortifications and bestowed great cost in strengthening Calleis Berwicke and other parts thereabout He knew all the principall ports in England Scotland Ireland France and other countries not farre distant how they â—…ay when the tyde served what vessels of burthen they could receiue and what windes served for entrance Touching his care and knowledge in affaires of state nothing was more conspicuous in him He was much conversant amongst his counsaile and would well vnderstand what matters passed their iudgments and vpon what grounds In matters discoursed by them he would often encounter their reasons and adde most liuely reasons of his owne In so much that at last they made an order that no matters of weight should be debated vnlesse he were present Admirable he was to collect the speeches and opinions of many and to draw their differences to a true head alwaies bending himselfe rather iudiciously to resolue then by doubts and distinctions to perplex a businesse he had a chest whereof he alwaies carryed the key about him for keeping record of such matters as were concluded by his counsaile And embracing businesse for part of his solace hee appointed set times with Doctor Coxe Master of his Requests for speeding poore mens causes without tedious attendance or delay Of all the Magistrates Iustices and Gentlemen of sort within his realme he 〈◊〉 their names their housekeeping their religion and manner of life Hee was skilfull in the exchange beyond the seas and in all the circumstances and practises thereof And so was he both skilfull and provident in matters of the Mint at home To Embassadors hee would giue answere vpon the suddaine and touch both orderly and fully vpon every part of their orations to the delight and admiration of all the hearers He much frequented sermons and penned notes with his owne hand his notes hee â—…yphered with greeke characters to the end that they who waited on him should not read them His disports were ingenuous and man-like whereby he alwaies learned somewhat And yet as well from these as from his businesses of state he dayly reserved some houres for his private studies and exercises with his Teachers These endeavours fell vpon so excellent a capacitie that in every short distance of time he made incredible increase both in learning and experience of affaires and consequentlie in loue of all men Presently after that he was setled in his governement D â— Wotton the kings Embassador resident with the Queene Dowager of Hungarie regent of the Low Countries vnder the Emperor was discharged of that attendance and addressed to the Emperors court there to reside Embassador for the king insteed of Doctor Bonner Bishop of London and of Sir Francis Bryan who were called home He was furnished with instructions that being first informed from the former Embassadors as wel of the general state of the Emperours court as of such particuler intelligeÌ„ces as might serue to advaÌ„ce the kings intentioÌ„s he should deale with the Emperor to declare al Scots for his enemies except such as should be friends to the King which should appeare by his safe conduct That because it had bin agreed betweene the Emperor and the late K. of England that the yeare next ensuing they should withioyne forces inuade the Territories of the French King he should moue the Emperor to aduise of some order and forme for those proceedings That whereas the Duke of Lorraine had bin late before at the Emperors court and made 〈◊〉 ouerture for peace or truce betweene the Emperour and the French King he should be informed by Sr Francis Bryan of the whole estate of that businesse and awaite opportunity to put the Emperor in remembrance that it had beene couenanted betweene him and the King of England that neither of them should treat of peace or truce with the French King or any other common enimy without consent of the other and that the King of England had well obserued that article in refusing to giue eare to the French embassador making overture for such a treatise That whereas it had beene agreed betweene him and the King of England that either of them should send certaine ships to sea well manned and apparelled for fight which all that yeere had beene performed by the king whereas the Emperour shifted the default vpon his officers in case he should not cause the said Navy to be forthwith
the French King had drawen the Turke into Christendome and therefore was to be resisted as a common enimy And further in case the Emperor vpon extâ—…emity should compose agreement with the French the danger to England would be double First vpon offence taken by the Emperor then vpon the French Kings old disposition edged by euery new displeasure wherein the deuotion of the Bishop of Rome would not be wanting And againe the English Merchants were so ill intreated in the Empire the Realme was so much engâ—…ged in honour and in wealth as some remedy was to be sought none better then by giuing aide Lastly the French Kings proceedings were no lesâ—…e doubtfull then fearfull not only in regard of Stukelies report not altogâ—…ther to be neglected but by reason of his breaking and firing diuers English ships the auncient strength and fortresses of the realme Others were of aduice that the Emperors demands of aide should be denied First for that it would be too chargeable and almost â—…mpossible for the English to performe Thâ—…n for that when the Emperor should die the whole weight of the warre would râ—…ule vpon the English And further the Germaine Protestants would be offended herewith conceiue some doubts of their owne estates Lastly there was hope that the amity with â—…rance would not long continue but aâ—…end that the â—…mbassadors then lately sent would repaire all harmes done by the French upon English shipps Betweene both these the King stroke a midâ—…ing iudgment so to aiâ—…e the Emperor against the French King as other Christian Princes should also adioine and that for no other cause but as a common enimy for drawing the Turkes forces vpon them That herâ—…by as the cause was common so would there be more parties to it And this also would moderate the charge of aiding the Emperor according to the treaty and whensoeuer the Emperor should die or breake off it was likely that some of those Princes and parties should remaine so as the King should not stand alone Moreouer this friendship would much advance the Kinges other affaires in Germany and finally it would be honourable to breake with the French King vpon this common quarrell Against this advise of the King two obiections were made one that the treaty must be entertained with so many that it could not be speedily or secretly concluded The other that in case the purpose should be discouered and not concluded the French might be prouoked thereby to practise the like confederation against the English All these the King did knit vp in this conclusion first that the treaty should be made only with the Emperor and by the Emperors means with other Princes Secondly that the Emperors acceptance should be well vnderstood before any treaty were either entered or entertained against the French Herevpon letters were dispatched to M r Morison the Kinges Embassador with the Emperor whereby he was directed to declare to the Emperor how the King touched with pitty at the invasion of Christian countries by the Turkes would willingly ioinâ—… with him and other States of the Empire in case the Emperor could bring it to passe in some league against the Turkes and against their confederats But caution was giuen that he should not once mention the French King nor answere any mention made of him only to say that his commission extended no further But if the Emperor would send a messenger into England he should happily know more Herewith and because time beateth out truth letters were sent to M r Pickering the Kinges Embassador in â—…rance to know whether Sâ—…ukely hâ—…d acquâ—…inted hiâ—… with any of those matters which he had disclosed in England And with what familiarity the French King vsed him or by what other circuâ—…stances he could conceiue his report to be true Herewith also the Lord Gray was chosen deputy of Calais the Lord Wentworth remoued as one whose youth want of experience was held vnfit to gouerne that châ—…rge in turbulent times On the other side S r Nicholas Wentworth was remoued from being Porter of the towne by reason of his old age but had an hundred pounds yeaâ—…ly pension assigned him for his life Also by abating needlesse expences to be the better enabled against charge the seuerall tables for young Lorâ—…s for the masters of Requests and for Sergeants at armes 〈◊〉 laid downe and diuerse extraordinary allowances weâ—…e taken away And further because the King was to make paiment of 48000 l beyond the seas and had but 14000 l towards the summe 300 of the chiefe Merchants aduenturers granted to him a lone of 40000 l for three moneths to be leuied from the cloaths which they were then to transport after the rate of 20 shillings for euery cloath But these Aduenturers went not vpon any aduenture because at that shipping 40000 broad cloaths were by them transported Whilest these matters were in action two Lawyers arriued in England with direction from the French King to declare what matters had beene determined against the English by the French Kings counsell and vpon what reasons and also what matters were then depending and what care and diligence was vsed in those dispatches They were much commended by all for their modest behauiour and their sweet eloquence much delighted the King who againe in a short speech first thanked the French King for his desire to giuâ—… him satisfaction then commended them for well performing their charge but for the substance of their businesse he referred them to London where some of his counsell should commune thereof fully with them Here M r Secretary Peeter and M r Watton and S r Thomas Smith laid before them the grieuances of the English merchants whose losses by the French exceeded the summe of 50000 l To this the Embassadors gaue little answere but said they would make report thereof at their returne into France affirming that they had no commission but only to declare the manner and causes of iudiciall proceedings Presently aâ—…ter their returne Mounsier Villandry was sent againe in post to the King to declare vnto him that albeit M r Sydneies and M r Winters matters went iustly against them yet because thâ—…y were the Kings seruants and one of them in place neere his person the French King was content freely to giue to M r Sydney his ship and all his goods in her and to M r Winter his ship and all his owne goods But this offer the King refused assuming that he required nothing freely but expected iustice and expedition Villandry shewed further that the King his master was desirous that the ordinances and customes of England and France touching Marine affaires might be reduced into one forme without any difference betweene them Wherto answere was made that the English ordinances for marine affaires were no other then the ciuill lawes and certaine auntâ—…ent additions of the Realme wherein they could conceiue no reason or conueniâ—…ncy of change hauing long continued without râ—…proofe After this Uillandry brought
the Scots assembled they came to a riuer called Lynne crossed with a bridge of stone The horsemen and carriages passed through the water the foote men ouer the bridg which because it was narrow the army was long in setting ouer The Avantguard marched forth and the battaile followed but as the Arriere was passing ouer a very thicke mist did arise The Earle of Warwicke hauing before espyed certaine plumpes of Scottish horsemen ranging the field rerurned towards the Arriere to prevent such danger as the thicknesse of the mist the neerenes of the enimy and the disarray occasioned by the narrownes of the bridg might cast vpon them The Scots coniecturing as it was that some personage of honor staied to haue a view of the Arriere called to the english to know if any noble man were neere for that one whom they named well knowne to be of honourable condition would present himselfe to the Generall in case he might safely be conducted Certaine young souldiers not vsed to such traines made rash and suddaine answere that the Earle of Warwicke was neere vnder whose protection he might be assured Herevpon they passed the water placed 200 of their prickers behinde a hillocke and with 40 more cast about to finde the Earle Now the Earle espying 6. or 7. of them seattered neere the army and taking them to be of the English sent one to command them to their Arraâ—…e and to that end himselfe rode an easy pace towards them followed only with 10 or 12 on horsebacke He that had beene sent before was so heedlesse either to obserue or to advertise what they were that the Earle did not discouer them to be enimies vntill he was in the middest among them Certainely a commander should not carelesly cast himselfe into danger but when either vpon necessity or misadventure he falleth into it it much aduanceth both his reputation and enterprise if brauely he behaue himselfe Now the Earle espying where he was gaue so rude a charge vpon a captaine of the Scots named ' Dandy Care that he forced him to turne and chased him aboue 12 score at the lances point Herewith the residue retyred deceitfully towards the place of their Ambush from whence issued about 60 more Then the Earle gathered his small company about him and with good countenance maintained the fight But the enimy in the end whether perceiuing some succors advancing from the army where the Alarme was then taken or whether intending to draw the English further into their Ambush turned away an easy pace The Earle forbad his men from following fearing a greater ambush behind the hill as in truth there was At his returne he was receiued with great applause by the English souldiers for that he did so well acquit himselfe in the danger whereinto by error and not by rashnes he had bin carryed One of his men was slaine another hurt in the buttocke a third named Uane so grieuously hewne that many thousands haue dyed of lesse then halfe his hurts whereof notwithstanding he was cured afterwards of the Scots 3 were taken prisoners and presented to the generall by the Earle of whom one had receiued many great entertainments and curtesies in England I may happely be thought tedious in setting downe these occurrences which may seeme small But besides that in actions of armes small matters are many times of very great moment especially when they serue to raise an opinion of commanders I intend to describe this battaile fully not to derogate thereby any thing from the one nation or to arrogate to the other For what honor riseth vpon euent of a battaile when oftentimes the smallest accident ouerthroweth a side And when victory doth more often fall by error of the vanquished then by valor of the victorious But my purpose is to make it appeare what myseries both nations haue avoided and what quietnesse and security they haue attained by their peaceable vnion when as either of them being able to bring such forces into the field for then mutuall ruine they may now doe the like for their common either glory or necessity Againe this battaile being partially described heretofore by the writers of either nation and not without vncivill termes I will now set it forth so indifferently and fairely as I can Lastly this battaile is not slightly to be slipped ouer being the last wherein I pray that I may prophesie truly that was or euer shall be strooke betweene the two nations But I returne to my purpose Now the Scottish horsemen began to houer much vpon the English army and to come pricking about them sometimes within the length of their staues vsing some liberty of language to draw the English from their strength But the Generall of the English knowing right well that the Scots were expert in tumultuous fights restrained his horse from falling forth and maintained a close march vntill they came to Salt Preston by the Frith Here they encamped within view of the Scottish army little more then two miles distant from them About a mile from the English another way the Scottish horsemen were very busy vpon a hill and emboldened much partly vpon their former approaches and partly by the neerenesse of their army but cheifly vpon an opinion which they conceiued that the English horsemen were young and vnskilfull and easy to be dealt with came vpon the English with enereased troopes to the number of 1200 besides 500 foote which lay in ambush behind the hill The Lord Gray and Sir Francis Bryan impatient of braueries obtained leaue of the Generall a little to assay them and so as they came seattered vpon the spurre within a stones cast of the English and were beginning to wheele about the Lord Gray with some troopes of lighthorsemen charged them home These were forthwith seconded by certaine numbers of dimilances and both backed with about 1000 men at armes The Scots meant not to depart before they had done their errand wherefore turning their faces boldly maintained the fight three houres and more In the end ouerlaied with numbers they were put to slight and chased almost to the edge of their campe in this fight the chiefest force of the Scottish horsemen was defeated to their great disadvantage afterwards The Lord Hume by a fall from his horse lost his life His sonne and heire with two Preists and 6 gentlemen were taken prisoners and about 1300 slaine Of the English one Spanish hackbutter was hurt and three captaines of the light horse by vnadvised pursuite were taken prisoners The day next following the Lord Generall and the Earle of Warwicke rode towards the place where the Scottish army lay to view the manner of their eneamping as they were returned an herald and a trumpeter from the Scots overtooke them and hauing obtained audience the Herald beganne That he was sent from the Lord Governor of Scotland partly to enquire of prisoners but chiefly to make offer that because he was desirous to avoide not only profusion but the least
could take no place that nothing could moue the Scots to forsake their distant and heavy helps and to embrace friends both ready and at hand But besides that the long continued warres betweene the English and the Scots had then raised invincible iealousies and hate which long continued peace hath since abolished I doe herein admire the vnsearchable working and will of God by whose inflexible decree the vnion betweene the two Realmes did not then take effect when by the death of K. Edward it should haue beene of short continuance as by the death of Francis the second the vnion betweene France and Scotland did suddenly dissolue but was reserued vnto a more peaceable and friendly time so for a person in whose progeny it hath taken deepe and durable root And so for that time no conditions of peace being regarded both sides addressed themselues to their adventure The places where the two Armies lay encamped were divided by the river Eske the banks whereof were almost so deepe as the bankes of the Peathes mentioned before The Scots lay somewhat neere the one side the English about two miles from the other The English first raised their Campe and began to march towards the river Eske intending to possesse a hill called Vnder-Eske which commanded the place where their enimies lay The Scots coniecturing so much cast their Tents flat vpon the ground passed the River and mounted the Hill before the English could come neere Herevpon the English turned aside to another hill called Pinkenclench which afterwards fell much to their Advantage aswell for that they were then in place to bee ayded by their ships which rode neere in Edenburgh Frith as also for that they gained thereby the advantage both of winde and Sunne a great part of the strength of an Army and lastly for that their enimies were thereby cast into a cruell errour For no sooner did they espy the Eenglish turning from them but forthwith they were of opinion that they fled towards their shipping This surmise was first occasioned for that the English ships remoued the day before from Lieth to Muscleborough Frith which was conceiued to be for taking in their foote and carriages that the horsemen might with lesse encumbrance and more hast returne backe vpon the spurre Hereupon they had appointed the same night whose darknesse would haue encreased the feare to haue giuen a camisado vpon the English But vnderstanding that they were well entrenched hauing good esâ—…out abroad and sure watch within they brake that purpose but vpon this declining of the English from them the conceit did againe reuiue not only as a thing desired but because the English were inferior vnto them in number and had travailed farre and were well knowne to grow short in their provisions Yea wheâ—… they were discerned to make stand vpon the first ascent of Pinkenclench hill the coniecture ran that their flight was only deferred vntill they might couer their disorders by the dead darknesse of the night Maruailous security and alwaies dangerous when men will not beleeue any bees to be in a hiue vntill they haue a sharpe sense of their stings And thus the Scots heaued vp into high hope of victory tooke the English fallen for foolish birds fallen into their nette and seeming to feâ—…re nothing more then that they should escape forlooke their hill and marched into the plaine directly towards the English Here the Lord Governor put them in remembrance how they could neuer yet be brought vnder by the English but were alwaies able either to beate them backe or to weary them away He bad them looke vpon themselues and vpon their enimies themselues dreadfull their enimies gorgeous and braue on their side men on the other spoil in case either through slownesse or cowardise they did not permit them to escape who lo now already haue began their sight The whole army consisted of 35 or 36000 men of whom they made three battaillons In the Auantgard commanded by the Earle of Angus about 15000 were placed about 10000 in the battaile over whom was the Lord Governor and so many in the Arriere led by the valiant Gordone Earle of Huntley Hackbutters they had none no men at armes but about 2000 horsemen prickers as they are termed fitter to make excursions and to chase then to sustaine any strong charge The residue were on foote well furnished With Iacke and skull pike dagger bucklers made of boorde and sliceing swords broad thinne and of an excellent temper Every man had a large kerchiefe folded twice or thrice about the necke and many of them had chaines of latten drawne three or foure times along their hoses and doublet sleeues they had also to affright the enimies horses big rattles couered with parchment or paper and small stones within put vpó staues about three els long But doubtles the ratling of shot might haue done better service The Earle of Angus led the Avantguard with a well measured march whereupon the Lord Governor commanded him by a messenger to double his pace thereby to strike some terror vnto the enimy Himselfe followed with the battaile a good distance behinde and after came the Arrier well nigh euen with the battaile on the left side the avauntguard was slanked on the right side with 4 or 5 pieces of Artellery drawne by men and with 400 horsemen prickers on the left The battaile and Arriere were likewise guarded with Artillery in like sort drawne and about 4000 Irish Archers brought by the Earle of Argile serued as a wing to them both rightly so termed as being the first who began the flight The Generall of the English and the Earle of Warwicke were together when the Scots thus abandoned the hill which they espying gaue thankes to God holding themselues in good hope of the euent forthwith they ordered the artillery and taking a louing leaue departed to their seuerall charge the Generall to the battaile where the Kings standard was borne the Earle to the Avantguard both on foote protesting that they would liue or dy with the souldiers whom also with bold countenance and speech which serue souldiers for the best eloquence they put in minde of the honour their ancestors had acquired of their own extreme disgrace and danger if they fought not well that the iustice of their quarrell should not so much encourage as enrage them being to revenge the dishonor done to their King and to chastise the deceitfull dealings of their enimies that the multitude of their enimies should nothing dismay them because they Who come to maintaine their owne breach of faith besides that the checke of their consciences much breaketh their spirit haue the omnipotent arme of God most furious against them Herewith arose a buzzing noise among them as if it had bin the rustling sound of the sea a farre of euery man addressing himselfe to his office and encouraging those who were neerest vnto them The Earle ranged his Avauntguard in Array vpon the side of the hill
expecting vntill the enemy should more neerely approach The generall after he had ordered his Battaile parte vpon the hill and parte vpon the plaine somewhat distant from the Avantguard on the right side mounted the hill to the great artillerie to take a view of both the Armies and to giue directions as occasions should change The Arrier stood wide of the battaile vpon the same side but altogether vpon the plaine The L. Gray Captaine of the men at Armes was appointed to stand somewhat distant from the Avantguard on the left side in such sort as he might take the flanke of the enimie but was forbidden to charge vntill the foot of the Avantguard were buckled with them in front and vntill the battaile should be neere enough for his reliefe Now after that the Scots were well advaunced in the field marching more then an ordinary pace the great shot from the English ships and especially from the galley began furiously to scoure among them whereby the M◅ of Grime and diuers others about were torne in peices especially the wing of the Irish was so grievously either galled or fearred there with that being strangers and in a manner neutralls they had neither good heart to goe forward nor good likeing to stand still nor good assurance to run away The Lord Gray perceiued this amazement and conceiued thereby occasion to be ripe wherevpon when the enimy was not about two slight shot from the English avantguard suddainly and against direction with his men at armes he charged them on head The Scots were then in a fallow field whereinto the English could not enter but ouer a crosse ditch and a slough in passing whereof many of the English horse were plunged and some mired when with some difficulty and much disorder they had passed this ditch the ridges of the fallow field lay trauerse so as the English must crosse them in presenting the charge Two other disadvantages they had the enimies pikes were longer then their staues and their horses were naked without any barbs For albeit many brought barbes out of England yet because they expected not in the morning to fight that day few regarded to put them on The Scots confident both in their number order and good appointment did not only abide the English but with some biteing termes provoked them to charge They cloased and in a manner locked themselues together shoulder to shoulder so neere as possibly they could their pikes they strained in both hands and therewith their buckler in the left the one end of the pike against the right foote the other breast high against the enimy The fore ranke stooped so low as they seemed to kneele the second ranke close at their backs crossed their pikes ouer their shoulders and so did the third and the rest in their order so as they appeared like the thornie skinne of a hedghogge and it might be thought impossible to breake them Notwithstanding the charge was giuen with so well gouerned fury that the left corner of the Scots battaillon was enforced to giue in But the Scots did so brauely recouer and acquit themselues that diverse of the English horsemen were overthrowne and the residue so disordered as they could not conueniently fight or fly and not only iustled bare downe one another but in their confused tumbling backe brake a part of the Avantguard on foote In this encounter 26 of the English were slaine most part Gentlemen of the best esteem Divers others lost their horses and carried away markes that they had beene there The L. Gray was dangerously hurt with a pike in the mouth which strucke two inches into his necke The L. Edward Seymer sonne to the L. Generall lost his horse and the English Standard was almost lost Assuredly albeit encounters betweene horsemen on the one side and foot on the other are seildome with the extremity of danger because as horsemen can hardly breake a battaile on foot so mē on foot cannot possibly chase horsemen Yet hearevpon so great was the tumult and feare a mong the English that had not the commanders bin men both of approued courag and skill or happely had the Scots bine well fonrnished with men at Armas the army had that day beene vtterly vndone For an army is commonly like a flocke of fowles when some begine to flie all will follow But the Lord Gray to repaire his error endevoured with all industrie to vallye his horse The Lord Generall also mounted on horsebacke and came amongst them both by his presence aduice to reduce thē into order Sr. Ralph Vane Sr Ralph Sadler did memorable service But espcially the Earle of Warwicke who was in greatest danger declared his resolution and judgment to bee most present in reteyning his men both in order and in heart And hauing cleered his foot from disturbance by the horsemen hee sent forth before the front of his Avantgard S r Peter Mewcas Captaine of all the Hackbutters on foot and S r Peter Gamboa a Spaniard Captaine of 200 Hackbutters Spanish and Italians on horse These brought their men to the slough mentioned before who discharging liuely almost close to the face of the enimy did much amaze them being also disordered by the late pursuit of the English horsemen and by spoiling such as they had ouerthrowne At the backes of these the Archers were placed who before had marched on the right wing of the Avantguard and then sent such showers of shot ouer the Hackbutters heads that many bodies of their enimies being but halfe armed were beaten downe and buried therewith And besides the Master of the Artillery did visit them sharply with murthering haile-shot from the peeces mounted towards the top of the hill also the Artillery which slanked the Arriere executed hotly Lastly the ships were not idle but especially the galley did play vpon them and plague them very sore The Scots being thus applied with shot and perceiuing the Avantguard of the English to be in good order neerely to approach the men at armes to haue recouered their Array turned their Avantguard somewhat towards the South to win as it was thought some advantage of ground By this meanes they fell directly on head on the English battaile wherevpon the Earle of Warwicke addressed his men to take the slanke The Avantguard of the Scots being thus vpon and beset with enimies began a little to retire towards their great battaile either to be in place to be relieued by them or happely to draw the English more separate and apart The Irish Archers espying this and surmising the danger to be greater then it was suddenly brake vp committed the saftie of their liues to their nimble footmanship After whose example all the rest threw away their weapons and in headlong hast abandoned the field not one stroke hauing beene giuen by the English on soot But then the horsemen comming furiously forward had them very cheap The slight was made three waies some running to Edenburgh some along
and intentions of the Scots wholly vpon them The Lord Wharton and the Earle of Leuenoxe entred Scotland on the west marches with 5000 men and hauing marched two miles they wonne the church of Anan a strong place and alwaies much annoying the English there they tooke 62 prisoners fired most part of the spoyle and ouerthrew the fort with powder passing 16 miles further they tooke the castle of Milke which they fortified strongly and planted a garrison therein and after much spoile and wast of the country returned safely into England These successes did strike such a terror into many of the Scots that the Earle Bothwell and diuerse cheife gentlemen of 〈◊〉 and Meers supposing to finde more easy conditions by yeelding then by striuing submitted themselues to the King of England and were receiued by the Lord Generall into protection But it is most cerraine that the English made not their best improuements of these fortunate euents and that especially by two miserable errors â—…unctation in prosecuting and haste in departure But doubtlesse the vnion of these two realmes was a worke most proper to Gods omnipotent arme which afterwards effected the same as by milder meanes so in a more durable manner then they could haue bin vnited by Armes This high appointment of God we must reuerence and admire but not omit to obserue the errors committed First therefore after the retreit the English lodged the same night in the place where the battaile had bin fought Where and in the villages not farre distant they soiourned fiue daies without doing any thing in the meane time the English searched the riuers and hauens whether the Scottish ships were retyred in such sort as they left few ships of war vnspoiled or vntaken the army also gathered the spoile of the field whereof 30000 iacks and swords 30 peices of great artillery were shipped for England The English hauing thus long breathed and thereby giuen breathing to their enimies fired Lieth tooke S t Colmes Broughticragge Rockesborough Humes castle Aymouth Fial castle Dunglasse Kilnecombe and diuers other small pieces whereof parte they ruined parte they enlarged and fortified and furnished them with able souldiers accustomed with often and prosperous successe Herewith as if they had beene weary of their faire fortunes they suddainly brake off the enterprise and returned another way into England hauing staid not aboue 25 daies in Scotland and lost vnder 60 men The pretence of their departure was worse then the departure it selfe namely for that the yeare and their prouisions were far spent and the country afforded little forrage Assuredly as nature taketh least care for those things which she formeth in hast so violent and storm-like fortunes how terrible so euer are seldome durable Now the Lord Gouernor of Scotland being of great courage and sober iudgement as a man might well read in his face as he had amply performed his duty both before the battaile and in the field so especially after the fight he declared himselfe to be of a stout and vnbroken spirir For first he assembled the dispersed forces of the Scottish army albeit not in sufficient manner to giue a fresh battaile by reason that much of their armor was lost yet able to keepe the English from ranging at largâ—… Then hee presented the English with diuers offers of â—…reaty touching matters in difference vntill the country was dischargâ—…d of them lastâ—…y knowing right well that counsels are commonly censured by euents and that in matters of armes albeit the praise of prosperous successe is shared amongst many yet the blame of misadventures is charged vpon one And fearing hereby mutinies amongst his owne people and contempt of others hauing first assured the young Queene in place of good defence he assembled the Scottis nobility and vsed words to this effect I assure my selfe that many of you my Lords and more of the vulger are much displeased with me for that I haue advised this warre whereof so sad euents haue followed for this cause I haue assembled you together to reduce you to a better opinion or to blame you deepely either if you remaine offended or if you cast downe your courage throw feare the betrayer of all succors which reason can afforde for tell me if you are discontented with me for aduising this warre doe you not condemne your selues for following the aduice It is certaine that at the first you were all of my opinion and that I did nothing without your approuement If now vpon one misadventure you change your iudgements and charge the fault only vpon me you doe me wrong and discouer your owne weaknesse in being vnable to endure those things which you knew were casuall and which you were resolued to endure But I make no doubt but the same reasons which induced you to entertaine this warre will induce you also to prosecute the same howsoeuer sodaine and vnexpected euents dismay your iudgments for the present Touching my selfe I was alwaies of opinion and shall never change that it is better the kingdome should be in good estate with particular losse to many of the people then that all the people should be well and the state of the kingdome altogether lost or dishonourably impaired euen as it is better that a ship should be preserued with some discommodity to the sailers then that the sailers being in health the ship should perish or as it is lesse dangerous when diuerse parts of a tower are decaied and the foundation firme then when the foundation is ruinous albeit the parts remaine entire For the common estate is but weakned by calamities of particular persons but the ruine of the state inâ—…olueth all in a generall destruction And therefore they are to be blamed alike both who moue and who decline warre vpon particular respects the comeither honour or necessity must bee the true measure of both But the cause of this warre is no other then that wee will not incontinently submit our selues to doe what our neighbours require That is because at the first word wee are not forward to thrust our necks vnder the girdles of our enimies yea our old enimies yea our only enimies of any accompt for many years who in their gluttenous hope haue devoured our kingdome who by the bloody execution of their late victories haue shewen what curtesie wee may expect at their hands In doeing whereof wee shall abandon our ancient and approved friends who as they neuer failed vs in our extremities so are they now prepared with large aides to relieue vs who will not feare or pause at the least before he leap vpon this sodaine changeâ—… who will forsake long tryed friends to rely vpon those who alwaies haue beene ready by Armes to infest vs. Not at all times vpon desire either of revenge or spoile but to bring vs vnder their ambitious dominion which of vs had not rather dye this day then see our enimies in our strongest castles and yoakes of garrisons cast vpon our necks Who
never entertained into any religion but presently they tooke deepe root in the hearts and consciences of the common people When Leo Isauricus surnamed Iconomadius assembled a counsell at Constantinople wherein it was decreed that Images should be cast out of Churches and burnt the West part of his Empire did therevpon first rebell afterwards revolt And yet while these proceedings were but in the bud affaires of state without the Realme were maintained in good condition of honour but seemed rather to stand at a stay then either to advance or decline In Scotland the warres were maintained by the L. Gray of Wilton Lieutenant of the North with variable successe he fortified Haddington fired Dawkeith and wonne the Castle where foureteene Scots were slaine and 300 taken prisoners hee spoiled much of the country about Edenburgh Lowthum and Meers fired Muscleborough and fortified Lowder tooke Yester at the yeelding whereof he granted life to all except to one who had vsed vild speeches against K. Edward Those speeches were commonly cast vpon one Newton but he charged them vpon one Hamilton Herevpon Hamilton challenged Newton to the combate which hee did readily accept and the L. Gray consented to the triall to this purpose Lists were erected in the market place at Haddington whereinto at the time appointed both the combatants entered apparelled only in their doublets and hoses and weapned with sword buckler and dagger At the first encounter Hamilton draue Newton almost to the end of the lists which if he had fully done he had thereby remained victorious but Newton on the suddaine gaue him such a gash on the legge that therewith he fell to the ground Newton forthwith dispatched him with his dagger certaine gentlemen then present offered to haue fought with Newton vpon the same point but this was adiudged to be against the lawes of combate wherefore Newton was not only acquited but rewarded with a chaine of gold with the gowne which the Lord Gray did then weare howbeit many were perswaded that he was saulty and happily neither of them was free but he enioyed neither his escape nor his honor long for soone after he was hewen in pieces by Hamiltons friends On the other side the Scots became before Broughticragge with 8000 men and 8 pieces of Artillerie but it was for that time well defended by the English who by often sallies enforced their enimies with losse of their Artillerio to abandon the attempt after this diverse other enterprises were made vpon that fort at the last it was taken where the Scots slue all except Sir Iohn Latterel the captaine who was taken prisoner And now Henry the 2 d of France having newly succeeded Francis the first who dyed the last of March 1547. sent Mounsieur Dâ—…ssie his Liâ—…utenant into Scotland with an armie of about 10000 French Almaines who ioining with the Scots besieged Haddington and that with so good earnest as sixe pieces of artillerie discharged 340. shot in one day and in another â—…00 within 60 pâ—…ees of the wall they lodged so neere within the very ditches that the English 〈◊〉 divers of them with plummers of lead tyed to a trunâ—… or 〈◊〉 by a cord the place was but weake and the 〈◊〉 faire but the defendants by resolution supplyed all the defects making divers fallies with such liuely spirit that the Assaylâ—…nts were thereby discouraged from making assault The English from Barwicke with about 1500 horse did often relieue the defendants by breaking through the the middest of their enemies but at the last they were so strongly both encountred and encloased betweene the French Almaines and Scots that Sir Thomas Palmer the chiefe leader and about 400 were taken prisoners and divers slaine Herevpon the Earle of Shrewsbury was sent with an army of about 15000 men whereof 3000 were Almaines but vpon notice of his approach the French raised the field retyred so farre as Musâ—…leborough there encamped attributing much honour to the English for their vasour in regard of the small strength of the place which they defended when the Earle 〈◊〉 viâ—…uilled re-enforced the towne he marched 〈◊〉 â—…ard the enimies and encamped neere vnto them and first a fewe of the English horse aproached neere the army of the French who sent forth some troopes of their horse to encounter them but the English retyred vntill they had drawn the French into an ambush laid for the purpose and then charging together they had them cheap amongst which two captaines of account were taken prisoners The next day the Earle presented his army in plaine field before the enimies campe cloased in three bodies and ranged ready to abide battaile The French had newly receiued supply of 14 or 15000 Scots but yet remained within their strength holding it no wisdome to venter on men resolud to fight who being forthwith to depart the realme and could neither longe endanger nor indamage them much So the Earle after that he had remained about an hower and perceiuing that the French intended not to forsake their strength returned vnto his campe and afterwarde to England destroying Donbarr and some other which stood neere his passage the Army being dissolud and the Scots thought secure the Lord Gray with his horsemen entred Scotland did great wast in Tâ—…uedale and Liddesdale for the space of 20 miles and returned without encounter Also a navy was apoynted to coast along with the army before mentioned This fleet coming to Brent Iland fired 4 ships then atempting vpon S. Minees were repulsed by the Lord Dun and so without either glory or gaine returned into Englande Not long after the departure of the English army M r Dassie with his French and Almaines attempted sodenly to surprise Haddington the enterprise was gouerned in so secret manner that the French had slaine the English escouts and entred the base courte and aproached the maine gates before any alarme was taken but then the Townesmen came forth many in their shirts who with the helpe of the watch susteined the assault vntill the Souldiers in better apointment came to their aide These issued into the base court through a pryuie posterne and sharpely visited the Assailants with Halbeards and swordes Here the fight grew hot the darkenes and danger terrifying some and animating others Blowes flew at all adventures woundes and deathes given and taken vnexpected many scarce knowing their enimies from their friends But shame wrought such life and courage in the English as very few of the enimies who entered the court escaped aliue leauing their fellowes bleeding in their deadly wounds yet M r Dassie not discouraged herewith gaue 3 liuely assaults more that morning but was repelled with so great losse that 16 Carts and Waggons were charged with carrying away their dead and dying bodies besides 300 left in the base court After divers like adventures the English perceiving that the towne could not bee kept without danger nor lost without dishonour The Earle of Rutland was sent
that he had made leases in reuersion for more then xxi years for these offences he surrendred his office and submitted himselfe to be fined at the pleasure of the King So his fine was gessed at 6000 l whereof 2000 were remitted vpon condition that the other 4000 should be paid within the compasse of that yeare This he endured with a manly patience as knowing right well that he held all the residue of his estate vpon curtesie of those who hated him at the heart It was at the first suspected and afterwards expected by all that among other matters obiected against the Lord Paget the chiefe or at least one should haue beene for contriuing to Banquet the Lords at his house and vnder pretence thereof to take off their heads which was the only cause for which the Duke of Somerset lost his head But because no mention was made thereof because about the same time the Lord Gray of Wilton Bannister and Crane and a little after the Earle of Arundell were freely discharged hauing beene imprisoned for this conspiracy the conceit was taken that the Dukes head was the only aime and that the residue were vsed but as a countenance of state to dazle the people Letters were sent to the gouernor of Gernesey that divine seruice should there be vsed according to the forme of the Church of England A King of Armes named Vlster was newly instituted for Ireland his prouince was all Ireland and he was the first 4 th King of Armes the first herald appointed for Ireland Whilest these matters were in action the Emperors Embassador in England deliuered letters to the King from the Regent in the low Countries importing that whereas the King was bound by a treaty betweene the Emperor and the Kinges Father at Lutrect in the yeare 1542 that if the low Countries should be inuaded the King should aide him with 5000 foote or 70 crownes a day during 4 moneths and that this aide should be performed within one moneth after request For so much as the French King inuaded Luxembourg the Emperor required aide of the King of England according to the effect of that treaty Herevpon order was giuen that if the Embassador did moue for answere to this letter he should be told by two of the counsell that during the Kinges progresse his counsell was dispersed whose aduice he was desirous to heare And further that the K. had committed the same treaty to be perused by men whose iudgments as he did much respect so would he expect a time vntill their opinions might be heard And in case that after this the Embassador should againe require an answere then they should say that the King hauing lately wrestled out of most dangerous warres wherewith his yong years were ouerburthened he hoped well that the Emperor would not desire to thrust him into the like againe That he had sworne amity with the French King which he could not with his honour breake therefore if the Emperor should deeme it so meete he would mediate a peace as a friend to both which he should best effect by forbearing to vse hostility against either And in case the Embassador should still perseuere to vrge the treaty they were lastly directed to answere that the King did not hold himselfe bound by that treaty as both made by his Father and euidently preiudiciall to his real◅ for albeit agreements of peace are perpetuall bind the successor yet it is not so in agreements of society cōsederation And this the Emperor did right well vnderstand for whē the King in his last warres desired to enter a new treaty with the Emperor he returned answere that it should not need for albeit the King were discharged by his Fathers death yet the Emperor was still bound And againe the Emperor had not for his part performed the treaty as well in hindring the carriage of horses armor and munition which the King had prouided for his warres as also in neglecting to send aide when the low Country of Calais was forraged and therefore he did not iustly demand performance thereof from the King I know it hath beene often in like sort answered that treaties dissolue by death of those who made them for so the Fidenates held themselues discharged of the league which they had made with Romulus after his death And the Latines did the like after the death of Tullus and likewise after the death of Ancus The Etrurians affirmed the like after the death of Priscus And the Sabines after the death of Seruius And againe after that Tarquinius was cast out of state I know also that the difference is great betweene a league of peace and a league of society confederation But I will not touch euery string of this question which Hottoman calleth a noble question and much tossed and debated partly because it consisteth of many knotty and thorny distinctions wherein approued authors doe not well agree but chiefely because at this time it fell not to be a difference betweene the Emperor and the King For when the Embassador first came for answere to this letter M r Wotton and M r Hobbie answered according to the first branch of their instructions wherewith he departed well satisfied for the present and before he called for answere againe one Stukely arriued out of France and declared to the counsell how the French King being persuaded that Stukely would neuer returne into England because he departed without leaue vpon apprehension of the Duke of Somerset his master bewraied to him that if he could procure peace with the Emperor he intended to besiege Calais and was in hope to carry the towne by way of the sand hills and that from thence winning rice banke he might both famish the Towne and beate the market place how he further said that he intended to land in some angle of Scotland about Falmouth because boulewarkes there might easily be wonne and the people were for the most part Catholiques And further how at the same time Mounsier de Guise should enter England by the way of Scotland not only with good leaue but with aide and conduct from the Scots Vpon this discouery the King assembled his counsell at Windesor entred with them into deliberation whether it were either safe from him or to no disaduantage to rely so securely either vpon the strength or faith of France as either to refuse or neglect to afford aide vnto the Emperor and thereby happily incurre his hostility Many were of opinion that the King should condescend to aide the Emperor First for that if the King were desirous to hold the Emperor bound by the treaty made with the Kinges father he must also be obliged thereby Otherwise it was a lame halting league and could not possibly goe vpright Then for that if the Emperor should not be aided the house of Burgundie was like to be deuoured by the French whereby their greatnesse might grow dreadfull especi◅lly to England Then for that againe