that knew themselves guilty in the Pale fled to them So that Sir Edward Poynings was enforced to make a Wild-Chase upon the Wild-Irish Where in respect of the Mountains and Fastnesses he did little good Which either out of a suspicious Melancholy upon his bad Success or the better to save his service from Disgrace he would needs impute unto the Comfort that the Rebels should receive under-hand from the Earl of Kildare every light suspition growing upon the Earl in respect of the Kildare that was in the Action of Lambert Simnel and slain at Stoke-field Wherefore he caused the Earl to be apprehended and sent into England where upon Examination he cleared himself so well as he was re-placed in his Government But Poynings the better to make compensation of the Meagerness of his Service in the Wars by acts of Peace called a Parliament where was made that memorable Act which 〈◊〉 this day is called Poynings Law whereby all the Statutes of England were made to be of force in Ireland For before they were not neither are any now in force in Ireland which were made in England since that time which was the tenth year of the King About this time began to be discovered in the King that disposition which afterward nourished and whet-on by bad Counsellors and Ministers proved the Blot of his times which was the course he took to crush Treasure out of his Subjects Purses by Forfeitures upon Penal Laws At this men did startle the more at this time because it appeared plainly to be in the King's Nature and not out of his Necessity he being now in Float for Treasure For that he had newly received the Peace-money from France the Benevolence-money from his Subjects and great Casualties upon the Confiscations of the Lord Chamberlain and divers others The first noted Case of this kind was that of Sir William Capel Alderman of London Who upon sundry Penal Laws was condemned in the summ of seven and twenty hundred Pounds and compounded with the King for sixteen hundred And yet after Empson would have cut another Chop out of him if the King had not died in the instant The Summer following the King to comfort his Mother whom he did always tenderly love and revere and to make Demonstration to the World that the proceedings against Sir William Stanley which was imposed upon him by necessity of State had not in any degree diminished the affection he bare to Thomas his Brother went in Progress to Latham to make merry with his Mother and the Earl and lay there divers days During this Progress Perkin Warbeck finding that time and temporizing which whilest his practices were covert and wrought well in England made for him did now when they were discovered and defeated rather make against him for that when matters once go down the Hill they stay not without a new force resolved to try his adventure in some exploit upon England hoping still upon the affections of the Common People towards the House of York Which body of Common People he thought was not to be practised upon as persons of Quality are But that they only practice upon their affections was to set up a Standard in the field The Place where he should make his Attempt he chose to be the Coast of Kent The King by this time was grown to such an height of Reputation for cunning and Policy that every Accident and Event that went well was laid and imputed to his foresight as if he had set it before As in this particular of Perkin's Design upon Kent For the world would not believe afterwards but the King having secret Intelligence of Perkin's intention for Kent the better to draw it on went of purpose into the North a-far-off laying an open side unto Perkin to make him come to the close and so to trip up his heels having made sure in Kent before-hand But so it was that Perkin had gathered together a Power of all Nations neither in number not in the hardiness and courage of the Persons contemptible but in their nature and fortunes to be feared as well of Friends as Enemies being Bankrupts and many of them Felons and such as lived by Rapine These he put to Sea and arrived upon the Coast of Sandwich and Deal in Kent about July There he cast Anchor and to prove the affections of the People sent some of his men to land making great boast of the Power that was to follow The Kentish-men perceiving that Perkin was not followed by any English of name or account and that his forces consisted but of strangers born and most of them base People and Free-booters fitter to spoil a Coast than to recover a Kingdom resorting unto the principal Gentlemen of the Countrey professed their loyalty to the King and desired to be directed and commanded for the best of the King's service The Gentlemen entring into Consultation directed some forces in good number to shew themselves upon the Coast and some of them to make signs to entice Perkin's Soldiers to land as if they would joyn with them and some others to appear from some other places and to make semblance as if they fled from them the better to encourage them to land But Perkin who by playing the Prince or else taught by Secretary Frion had learned thus much That People under Command do use to consult and after to march in order and Rebels contrariwise run upon an Head together in confusion considering the delay of time and observing their orderly and not tumultuary Arming doubted the worst And therefore the wily Youth would not set one foot out of his Ship till he might see things were sure Wherefore the King's Forces perceiving that they could draw on no more than those that were formerly landed set upon them and cut them in pieces ere they could flie back to their Ships In which Skirmish besides those that fled and were slain there were taken about an hundred and fifty persons Which for that the King thought that to punish a few for example was Gentleman's play but for Rascal-People they were to be cut off every man especially in the beginning of an Enterprize and likewise for that he saw that Perkin's Forces would now consist chiefly of such Rabble and scum of desperate people he therefore hanged them all for the greater terrour They were brought to London all rail'd in Ropes like a Team of Horses in a Cart and were executed some of them at London and Wapping and the rest at divers places upon the Sea-Coast of Kent Sussex and Norfolk for Sea-marks or Light-houses to teach Perkin's People to avoid the Coast. The King being advertised of the landing of the Rebels thought to leave his Progress But being certified the next day that they were partly defeated and partly fled he continued his Progress and sent Sir Richard Guilford into Kent in message Who calling the Countrey together did much commend from the King their fidelity manhood and well
the Rebels camp 21 Espousals of James King of Scotland and Lady Margaret 118 Exchanges unlawful prohibited 40 Exceter besieged by Perkin 102 the Loyalty of the Town 103 the Town rewarded with the King 's own Sword 105 Execution of Humphrey Stafford 12 John a Chamber and his fellow-Rebels at York 41 Sir James Tyrril murderer of King Edward's two Sons 71 of divers others 75 Sir William Stanley 77 Rebels 79 Perkin's company 81 Audley and Cornish Rebels 96 another counterfeit Earl of Warw. 110 Perkin Warbeck 111 the Mayor of Cork and his Son ibid. Earl of Warwick ibid. F. FAme ill affected 97 Fame entertained by divers the reasons of it 70 Fame neglected by Empson and Dudley 119 Fear not safe to the King 79 Fines 43 Without Fines Statute to sell Land 58 Flammock a Lawyer a Rebel 92 Flemings banished 75 Flight of King Henry out of Britain into France wherefore 34 Forfeitures and Confiscations furnish the King's wants 9 17 Forfeitures aimed at 45 76 Forfeitures upon Penal Laws taken by the King which was the blot of his times 80 Fortune various 16 22 Forwardness inconsiderate 96 Fox made Privy Counsellor 10 made Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal ib. his providence 98 Free-fishing of the Dutch 129 Title to France renewed by the King in Parliament 56 Frion joyns with Perkin 68 First-fruits 10 In forma Pauperis a Law enacted for it 84 G. GAbato Sebastian makes a Voyage for Discovery 107 Gordon Lady Katherine wife to Perkin 87 Granado vindicated from the Moors 60 Guard Yoomen first instituted 7 Gifts of the French King to King Henry's Counsellors and Souldiers 64 Gratitude of the Pope's Lègate to King Henry 42 H. HAllowed Sword from the Pope 101 Hatred of the People to the King with the main reason of it 12 Hearty Acclamations of the People to the King 〈◊〉 King Henry his Description 133 c. his Piety 1 60 he hath three Titles to the Kingdom 2 Hereticks provided against a rare thing in those times 115 Hern a Counsellor to Perkin 101 Hialas otherwise Elias to England how 98 Holy War 114 Hopes of gain by War 64 Hostages redeemed by the King 10 Houses of Husbandry to be maintained to prevent the decay of People 45 Histories defects in them what 46 I. IAmes the Third King of Scotland his distress and death 42 Idols vex God and King Henry 105 John Egremond Leader of the Rebels 41 Inclosures their manifest inconveniencies and how remedied 44 Ingratitude of Women punished 85 Innovation desired 12 Incense of the People what 118 Instructions of Lady Margaret to 〈◊〉 66 Intercursus Magnus 91 Intercursus Malus ibid. 129 Invectives of Maximilian against the French King 〈◊〉 Invectives against the King and Council 79 Improvidence of King Henry to prevent his troubles 12 14 Improvidence of the French 82 Jointure of Lady Katherine how much 117 Jointure of Lady Margaret in Scotland how much 119 Joseph a Rebel 92 Ireland favoureth York Title 15 Ireland receiveth Simon the Priest of Oxford with his counterfeit ibid. Irish adhere to Perkin 68 Jubile at Rome 114 Juno i. e. the Lady Margaret so called by the King's friends 65 K. KAtherine Gordon Perkin's Wife royally entertained by K. Hen. 104 Kent loyal to the King 81 94 The King the publick Steward 36 Kings their miseries 50 King of Rakehels Perkin so called by King Henry 103 The King's Skreen who 92 King of France Protector of King Henry in his trouble 133 Kingdom of France restored to its integrity 25 King of France buys his Peace of King Henry 64 King of Scots enters England 87 again 98 Knights of the Bath 95 Knights of Rhodes 〈◊〉 King Henry Protector of the Order 115 L. LAncaster Title condemned by Parliament 3 Lancaster House in possession of the Crown for three Descents together 〈◊〉 Lambert Simnel See Counterfeit 13 Laws enacted in Parliament 38 Divers Laws enacted 123 Law charitable enacted 84 A good Law enacted ibid. A Law of a strange 〈◊〉 83 A Law against carrying away of Women by violence the reasons of it 39 Law of Poynings 79 Laws Penal put in execution 80 A Legate from the Pope 42 preferred to be Bishop in England by King Henry ibid. his gratitude to King Henry ibid. Lenity of the King abused 101 Letters from the King out of France to the Mayor of London 64 A Libel 55 Libels the causes of them 79 Libels the females of Sedition ibid. Libels the Authors executed ibid. A Loan from the City to the King repaid 46 London entred by King Henry in a close Chariot wherefore 5 London in a tumult because of the Rebels 95 London purchase Confirmation of their Liberties 124 M. MAlecontents their effects 40 Margaret of Burgundy the fountain of all the mischief to K. Henry 18 she entertains the Rebels 41 69 she a Juno to the King 65 she instructs Perkin 66 Lady Margaret desired in Marriage by the Scottish King 108 Manufacture forein how to be kept out 36 123 Marriage of King Henry with Lady Elizabeth 10 of the French King with the Duchess of Britain 55 of Prince Arthur 116 Mart translated to Calice the reasons of it 74 Maintenance prohibited by Law 38 Merchants of England received at Antwerp with procession and great joy 91 A memorable Memorandum of the King 121 Military power of the Kingdom advanced how 44 Mills of Empson and Dudley what and the gains they brought in 124 Mitigations 120 Money bastard employments thereof repressed 36 Money left at the King's death how much 132 Morton made Privy Counsellor 10 made Archbishop of Canterbury ib. his Speech to the Parliament 32 Morton's Fork 58 Morton author of the Union of the two Roses 114 Moors expelled Granado 61 Murmuring 14 Murmurs of the People against the King 70 Murther and Manslaughter a Law concerning it in amendment of the common Law 39 Murther of King Edward the Fifth 85 Murther of a Commissioner for the Subsidy 93 N. NAvigation of the Kingdom how advanced 45 Neighbour over-potent dangerous 34 Bad News the effect thereof in Souldiers 63 Nobility neglected in Council the ill effects of it 32 Nobility few of them put to death in King Henry's time 134 North the King's journey thither for what reasons 11 O. OAth of Allegiance taken 9 Oath enforced upon Maximilian by his Subjects 46 Oath kept ibid. Obedience neglected what follows 42 First Occasion of a happy Union 109 Obsequies for the French King performed in England ibid. Obsequies to Tyrants what 1 An Ominous answer of the King 119 An Ominous Prognostick 129 Opinions divers what was to be done with Perkin 105 Orator from the Pope met at London-Bridge by the Mayor 101 Order of the Garter sent to Alphonso 64 Ostentation of Religion by the King of Spain 60 Over-merit prejudicial to Sir William Stanley 73 Outlawries how punished 120 Oxford Earl fined for breach of the Law 121 P. PAcificator King Henry between the French King and Duke of Britain 32 Pardon
proclaimed by the King 9 11 16 A Parliament called speedily 7 A Parliament called for two reasons 33 another 122 Parliaments advice desired by the King 33 35 56 Passions contrary in King Henry joy and sorrow with the reasons of both 36 Peace pretended by the French King 29 Peace to be desired but with two conditions 33 Peace concluded between England and France 64 People how brought to decay the redress of it by the King 44 Pensions given by the King of France 64 A Personation somewhat strange 65 A great Plague 12 Edward Plantagenet Son and Heir of George Duke of Clarence 4 Edward Plantagenet shewed to the People 17 Plantagenet's Race ended 195 Perkin Warbeck History of him 65 his Parentage 68 God son to K. Edward the Fourth ibid. his crafty behaviour 65 69 favoured by the French King 68 by him discarded 69 favoured by the Scottish King 85 he yieldeth and is brought to the Court 106 set in the Stocks 109 executed at Tyburn 111 A Pleasant passage of Prince Arthur 118 Policy to prevent War 26 A point of Policy to defend the Duchy of Britain against the French 29 34 Policy of State 26 Pope sows seeds of War 54 Pope Ambassador to him 24 Poynings Law in Ireland 79 Priest of Oxford Simon 13 Pretence of the French King 28 29 Prerogative how made use of 133 Price of Cloth limited 45 Prisoners Edward Plantagenet 4 Prince of Orange and Duke of Orleance 37 Maximilian by his Subjects 46 Priviledges of Clergy abridged 39 Priviledges of Sanctuary qualified in three points 24 Proclamation of Perkin what effect 90 Protection for being in the King's service limited 58 Proverb 104 Providence for the future 43 Q. QUeen Dowager 13 enclosed in the Monastery of Bermondsey 16 her variety of Fortune ibid. Queens Colledge founded in Cambridge 17 Q. Elizabeth Crowned after two years 24 Queen Elizabeth's death 119 R. REbellion of Lord Lovel and Staffords 11 Rebellion in Yorkshire 41 Rebellion how to be prevented 35 Rebellion how frequent in King Henry's time 42 Rebellion of the Cornishmen 92 Rebels but half-couraged men 96 Religion abused to serve Policy 122 Remorse of the King for oppression of his People 131 Restitution to be made by the King 's Will 132 Return of the King from France 64 Retribution of King Henry for Treasure received of his Subjects 43 Revenge divine 1 Revenge of Blood 122 Reward proposed by Perkin 111 Richard the Third a Tyrant 1 Richard slain at Bosworth-field ibid. this 〈◊〉 Burial ibid. murder of his two Nephews 2 jealous to maintain his Honour and Reputation ibid. hopes to win the People by making Laws ibid. this Virtues overswayed by his Vices 2 yet favoured in Yorkshire 40 Riches of King Henry at his death 132 Riches of Sir William Stanley 76 Richmond built upon what occasion 106 Riot and Retainers suppressed by Act of Parliament 123 Rome ever respected by King Henry 42 A Rumour false procuring much hatred to the King 12 Rumour false enquired after to be punished 23 Rumour that the Duke of York was alive first of the King 's own nourishing 37 S. SAnctuary at Colneham could not protect Traytors 12 Sanctuary-priviledges qualified by a Bull from the Pope in three points 24 Saturday observed and fancied by King Henry 5 96 Saying of the King when he heard of Rebels 41 Scottish men voyded out of England 58 Service of 〈◊〉 92 Simon the Priest 13 Skreens to the King who 92 A Sleight ingenious and taking good effect in War 〈◊〉 Sluce besieged and taken ibid. Soothsayers Prediction mistaken 〈◊〉 Speeches 32 49 53 Speech of the King to Parliament 55 Speech of Perkin 85 Speech conditional doth not qualifie 〈◊〉 of Treason 77 Speeches bitter against the King 64 Sparks of Rebellion neglected dangerous 〈◊〉 Spies from the King 72 Sprites of what kind vexed K. Henry 65 Stanley Sir William crowns King Henry in the field 〈◊〉 motives of his falling from the King 77 is appeached of Treason 70 is confined examined and consesseth 〈◊〉 is beheaded 77 Reasons which aliènated the King's affections 78 Star-Chamber Court confirmed in certain cases 38 Star-Camber Court described what Causes belong to it ibid. Statute of Non-claim 43 Steward publick the King 36 Strength of the Cornishmen 96 Spoils of Bosworth-field 78 Spoils as water spilt on the ground 97 Subsidy denied by the inhabitants of Yorkshire and Durham the reason wherefore 40 Subsidies denied by the Cornishmen 92 Subsidy Commissioner killed 93 Subsidy how much 91 Swart Martin 19 Sweating Sickness 6 the manner of the cure of it ibid. Sweating Sickness the interpretation the People made of it 23 T. ATale pleasant concerning the King 137 Terrour among the King's Servants and Subjects 67 Tyrrell Sir James a murderer of King Edward's two Sons 71 Tyrell executed 122 Thanks of the King to the Parliament 32 Thanksgiving to God for the Victory 1 23 24 61 Three Titles to the Kingdom meet in King Henry 2 Title to France stirred 54 by the King himself 55 Treasure to be kept in the Kingdom 45 Treasure raised by the King how 23 31 120 Treasure inordinately affected by the King 121 Treasure how increased 124 Treasure left at the King's death how much 132 Trade the increase thereof considered 36 Trade in decay pincheth 90 Traytors taken out of Sanctuary 12 Tower the King's lodging wherefore 75 A Triplicity dangerous 94 Triumph at the Marriage of the Lady Elizabeth to King Henry 10 Truce with Scotland 25 Tyrants the Obsequies of the People to them 1 V. VIctory wisely husbanded by the French 37 Victory at Black-heath 96 Union of England and Scotland its first original 98 Voyage of King Henry into France 63 Voyage for Discovery 107 Urswick Ambassador 65 Usury 40 W. VVAlsingham Lady vowed to by King Henry 20 Wards wronged 120 War between the French King and the Duke of Britain 30 War the fame thereof advantagious to King Henry 31 War gainful to the King 91 War pretended to get money 57 War of France ended by a Peace where at the Souldiers murmur 64 White Rose of England 69 104 Wilford counterfeit Earl of Warwick 110 A Wives affection 129 Woodvile voluntarily goes to aid the Duke of Britain 31 Woodvile slain at St. Albans in Britain 62 Wolsey employed by the King 130 Women carried away by violence a Law enacted against it the reasons 39 Womens ingratitude punished by Law 84 Y. YEomen of the Guard first instituted 7 Yeomanry how maintained 44 York House and Title favoured by the People 3 12 York Title and Line depressed by King Henry 4 10 York Title favoured in Ireland 15 Yorkshire and Durham deny to pay the Subsidy 49 THE HISTORY Of the Reign of KING HENRY The SEVENTH AFter that Richard the Third of that Name King in Fact only but Tyrant both in Title and Regiment and so commonly termed and reputed in all times since was by the Divine Revenge favouring the Design of an Exil'd man overthrown and slain at
the King remits himself to your grave and mature Advice whereupon he purposeth to rely This was the effect of the Lord Chancellor's Speech touching the Cause of Britain For the King had commanded him to carry it so as to affect the Parliament towards the Business but without engaging the King in any express Declaration The Chancellor went on FOR that which may concern the Government at home the King hath commanded me to say unto you That he thinketh there was never any King for the small time that he hath reigned had greater and juster cause of the two contrary Passions of Joy and Sorrow than his Grace hath Joy in respect of the rare and visible Favours of Almighty GOD in girting the Imperial Sword upon his side and assisting the same his Sword against all his Enemies and likewise in blessing him with so many good and loving Servants and Subjects which have never failed to give him faithful Counsel ready Obedience and couragious Defence Sorrow for that it both not pleased God to suffer him to sheath his Sword as he greatly desired otherwise than for Administration of Justice but that he hath been forced to draw it so oft to cut off Trayterous and disloyal Subjects whom it seems God hath left a few amongst many good as the Canaanites among the People of Israel to be thorns in their sides to tempt and try them though the end hath been always God's Name be blessed therefore that the Destruction hath faln upon their own Heads Wherefore his Grace saith That he seeth that it is not the Blood spelt in the Field that will save the Blood in the City not the Marshal's Sword that will set this Kingdom in perfect Peace But that the true way is to stop the Seeds of Sedition and Rebellion in their beginnings and for that purpose to devise confirm and quicken good and wholsom Laws against Riots and unlawful Assemblies of People and all Combinations and Confederacies of them by Liveries Tokens and other Badges of Factious dependance that the Peace of the Land may by these Ordinances as by Bars of Iron be soundly bound in and strengthned and all Force both in Court Countrey and private Houses be supprest The care hereof which so much concern eth your selves and which the nature of the Times doth instantly calls for his Grace commends to your Wisdoms And because it is the King's desire that this Peace wherein he hopeth to govern and maintain you do not bear only'unto you Leaves for you to sit under the shade of them in Safety but also should bear you fruit of Riches Wealth and Plenty Therefore his Grace prays you to take into consideration matter of Trade as also the Manufactures of the Kingdom and to repress the bastard and barren Employment of Moneys to Usury and unlawful Exchanges that they may be as their natural use is turned upon Commerce and lawful and Royal Trading And likewise that Our People be set on work in Arts and Handy-crafts that the Realm may subsist more of it self that Idleness be avoided and the draining out of our Treasure for Foreign Manufactures stopped But you are not to rest here only but to provide further that whatsoever Merchandize shall be brought in from beyond the Seas may be employed upon the Commodities of this Land whereby the Kingdoms stock of Treasure may be sure to be kept from being diminished by any over-trading of the Foreiner And lastly because the King is well assured that you would not have him poor that wishes you rich he doubteth not but that you will have care as well to maintain his Revenues of Customs and all other Natures as also to supply him with your loving Ayds if the case shall so require The rather for that you know the King is a good Husband and but a Steward in effect for the Publick and that what comes from you is but as Moisture drawn from the Earth which gathers into a Cloud and falls back upon the Earth again And you know well how the Kingdoms about you grow more and more in Greatness and the Times are stirring and therefore not fit to find the King with an empty Purse More I have not to say to you and wish that what hath been said had been better exprest But that your Wisdoms and good Affections will supply GOD bless your Doings IT was no hard matter to dispose and affect the Parliament in this Business as well in respect of the Emulation between the Nations and the Envy at the late growth of the French Monarchy as in regard of the Danger to suffer the French to make their approaches upon England by obtaining so goodly a Maritim Province full of Sea-Towns and Havens that might do mischief to the English either by Invasion or by interruption of Traffick The Parliament was also moved with the point of Oppression for although the French seemed to speak Reason yet Arguments are ever with multitudes too weak for Suspitions Wherefore they did advise the King roundly to embrace the Britons Quarrel and to send them speedy Ayds and with much alacrity and forwardness granted to the King a great rate of Subsidy in contemplation of these Ayds But the King both to keep a decency towards the French King to whom he 〈◊〉 himself to be obliged and indeed desirous rather to shew War than to make it sent new solemn Ambassadors to intimate unto him the Decree of his Estates and to iterate his motion that the French would desist from Hostilitiy or if War must follow to desire him to take it in good part if at the motion of his People who were sensible of the cause of the Britons as the ancient Friends and Confederates he did send them Succours with protestation nevertheless that to save all Treaties and Laws of Friendship he had limited his Force to proceed in ayd of the Britons but in no wise to war upon the French otherwise than as they maintained the possession of Britain But before this formal Ambassage arrived the Party of the Duke had received a great blow and grew to manifest declination For near the Town of Saint Alban in Britain a Battel had been given where the Britons were overthrown and the Duke of Orleance and the Prince of Orange taken Prisoners there being slain on the Britons part six thousand men and amongst them the Lord Woodvile and almost all his Souldiers valiantly fighting And of the French part one thousand two hundred with their Leader James Galeot a great Commander When the news of this Battel came over into England it was time for the King who now had no subterfuge to continue further Treaty and saw before his Eyes that Britain went so speedily for lost contrary to his hopes knowing also that with his People and Foreiners both he sustained no small Envy and disreputation for his former delays to dispatch with all possible speed his Succour into Britain which he did under the Conduct of Robert Lord Brook
But now my Lords Ambassadors I am to propound unto you somewhat on the King's part The King your Master hath taught our King what to say and demand You say my Lord Prior that your King is resolved to recover his right to Naples wrongfully detained from him And that if he should not thus do he could not acquit his Honour nor answer it to his People Think my Lords that the King our Master saith the same thing over again to you touching Normandy Guien Anjou yea and the Kingdom of France it self I cannot express it better than in your own words If therefore the French King shall consent that the King our Master's Title to France at least Tribute for the same be handled in the Treaty the King is content to go on with the rest otherwise he refuseth to Treat THE Ambassadors being somewhat abashed with this demand answered in some heat That they doubted not but the King their Sovereign's Sword would be able to maintain his Scepter And they assured themselves he neither could nor would yield to any diminution of the Crown of France either in Territory or Regality But howsoever they were too great matters for them to speak of having no Commission It was replied that the King looked for no other answer from them but would forthwith send his own Ambassadors to the French King There was a question also asked at the table Whether the French King would agree to have the disposing of the Marriage of Britain with an exception and exclusion that he should not marry her himself To which the Ambassadors answered That it was so far out of their King's thoughts as they had received no Instruction touching the same Thus were the Ambassadors dismissed all save the Prior and were followed immediately by Thomas Earl of Ormond and Thomas Goldenston Prior of Christ-Church in Canterbury who were presently sent over into France In the mean space Lionel Bishop of Concordia was sent as Nuntio from Pope Alexander the sixth to both Kings to move a Peace between them For Pope Alexander finding himself pent and lockt up by a League and Association of the principal States of Italy that he could not make his way for the advancement of his own House which he immoderately thirsted after was desirous to trouble the waters in Italy that he might fish the better casting the Net not out of St. Peter's but out of Borgia's Bark And doubting lest the fear from England might stay the French King's voyage into Italy dispatched this Bishop to compose all matters between the two Kings if he could Who first repaired to the French King and finding him well inclined as he conceived took on his Journey towards England and found the English Ambassadors at Calice on their way towards the French King After some conference with them he was in honourable manner transported over into England where he had audience of the King But notwithstanding he had a good ominous name to have made a Peace nothing followed For in the mean time the purpose of the French King to marry the Duchess could be no longer dissembled Wherefore the English Ambassadors finding how things went took their leave and returned And the Prior also was warned from hence to depart out of England Who when he turned his back more like a Pedant than an Ambassador dispersed a bitter Libel in Latin Verse against the King unto which the King though he had nothing of a Pedant yet was content to cause an answer to be made in like Verse and that as speaking in his own person but in a stile of scorn and sport About this time also was born the King's second Son Henry who afterward relgned And soon after followed the solemnization of the Marriage between Charles and Ann Duchess of Britain with whom he received the Duchy of Britain as her Dowry the Daughter of Maximilian being a little before sent home Which when it came to the ears of Maximilian who would never believe it till it was done being ever the Principal in deceiving himself though in this the French King did very handsomly second it and tumbling it over and over in his thoughts that he should at one blow with such a double scorn be defeated both of the Marriage of his Daughter and his own upon both which he had fixed high imaginations he lost all patience and casting off the Respects fit to be continued between great Kings even when their blood is hottest and most risen fell to bitter Invectives against the person and actions of the French King And by how much he was the less able to do talking so much the more spake all the Injuries he could devise of Charles saying That he was the most Perfidious man upon the earth and that he had made a Marriage compounded between an Advoutry and a Rape which was done he said by the just judgment of God to the end that the Nullity thereof being so apparent to all the World the Race of so unworthy a person might not reign in France And forthwith he sent Ambassadors as well to the King of England as to the King of Spain to incite them to War and to treat a League offensive against France promising to concur with great Forces of his own Hereupon the King of England going nevertheless his own way called a Parliament it being the seventh year of his Reign and the first day of opening thereof sitting under his Cloth of Estate spake himself unto his Lords and Commons in this manner MY Lords and you the Commons When I purposed to make a War in Britain by my Lieutenant I made declaration thereof to you by my Chancellor But now that I mean to make a War upon France in Person I will declare it to you my Self That War was to defend another man's right but this is to recever our own and that ended by Accident but we hope this shall end in Victory The French King troubles the Christian World That which he hath is not his own and yet he seeketh more He hath invested himself of Britain he maintaineth the Rebels in Flanders and he threatneth Italy For Our Selves he hath proceeded from Dissimulation to Neglect and from Neglect to Contumely He hath assailed our Confederates he denieth our Tribute in a word he seeks War So did not his Father but sought Peace at our hands and so perhaps will be when good Counsel or Time shall make him see as much as his Father did Mean-while let us make his Ambition our Advantage and let us not stand upon a few Crowns of Tribute or Acknowledgement but by the favour of Almighty GOD try Our Right for the Crown of France it self remembring that there hath been a French King Prisoner in England and a King of England Crowned in France Our Confederates are not diminished Burgundy is in a mightier Hand than ever and never more provoked Britain cannot help us but it may hurt them New Acquests are more Burthen than Strength
The Male-contents of his own Kingdom have not been Base Popular nor Titulary Impostors but of an higher nature The King of Spain doubt ye not will 〈◊〉 with us not knowing where the French King's Ambition will stay Our Holy Father the Pope likes no Tramontanes in Italy But howsoever it be this matter of Confederates is rather to be thought on than reckoned on For God forbid but England should be able to get Reason of France without a Second At the Battels of Cressy Poictiers Agent-Court we were of Our selves France hath much People and few Soldiers They have no stable Bands of Foot some good Horse they have but these are Forces which are least fit for a Defensive War where the Actions are in the Assailant's choice It was our Discords only that lost France and by the Power of GOD it is the good Peace which we now enjoy that will recover it GOD hath hitherto blessed my Sword I have in this time that I have Reigned weeded out my bad Subjects and tryed my good My People and I know one another which breeds Confidence And if there should be any bad Blood left in the Kingdom an Honourable Forein War will vent it or purifie it In this great Business let me have your Advice and Ayd If any of you were to make his Son Knight you might have ayd of your Tenants by Law This concerns the Knighthood and Spurs of the Kingdom whereof I am Father and bound not only to seek to maintain it but to advance it But for matter of Treasure let it not be taken from the Poorest sort but from those to whom the Benefit of the War may redound France is no Wilderness and I that profess good husbandry hope to make the War after the Beginnings to pay it self Go together in GOD's Name and lose no time for I have called this Parliament wholly for this Cause THus spake the King But for all this though he shewed great forwardness for a War not only to his Parliament and Court but to his Privy Council likewise except the two Bishops and a few more yet nevertheless in his secret intentions he had no purpose to go through with any War upon France But the truth was that he did but traffick with that War to make his Return in money He knew well that France was now entire and at unity with it self and never so mighty many years before He saw by the tast that he had of his Forces sent into Britain that the French knew well enough how to make War with the English by not putting things to the hazard of a Battel but wearing them by long Sieges of Towns and strong fortified Encampings James the Third of Scotland his true Friend and Confederate gone and James the Fourth that had succeeded wholly at the devotion of France and ill affected towards him As for the Conjunctions of Ferdinando of Spain and Maximilian he could make no foundation upon them for the one had Power and not Will and the other had Will and not Power Besides that Ferdinando had but newly taken breath from the War with the Moors and merchanded at this time with France for the restoring of the Counties of Russignon and Perpignian oppignorated to the French Neither was he out of fear of the Discontents and ill blood within the Realm which having used always to repress and appease in person he was loth they should find him at a distance beyond Sea and engaged in War Finding therefore the Inconveniences and Difficulties in the prosecution of a War he cast with himself how to compass two things The one how by the declaration and inchoation of a War to make his Profit the other how to come off from the War with saving of his Honour For Profit it was to be made two ways upon his Subjects for the War and upon his Enemies for the Peace like a good Merchant that maketh his gain both upon the Commodities Exported and Imported back again For the point of Honour wherein he might suffer for giving over the War he considered well that as he could not trust upon the ayds of Ferdinando and Maximilian for supports of War so the impuissance of the one and the double proceeding of the other lay fair for him for occasions to accept of Peace These things he did wisely fore-see and did as artificially conduct whereby all things fell into his lap as he desired For as for the Parliament it presently took fire being affectionate of old to the War of France and desirous afresh to repair the dishonour they thought the King sustained by the loss of Britain Therefore they advised the King with great alacrity to undertake the War of France And although the Parliament consisted of the first and second Nobility together with principal Citizens and Townsmen yet worthily and justly respecting more the People whose Deputies they were than their own private Persons and finding by the Lord Chancellor's Speech the King's inclination that way they consented that Commissioners should go forth for the gathering and levying of a Benevolence from the more able sort This Tax called Benevolence was devised by Edward the Fourth for which he sustained much Envy It was abolished by Richard the Third by Act of Parliament to ingratiate himself with the people and it was now revived by the King but with consent of Parliament for so it was not in the time of King Edward the Fourth But by this way he raised exceeding great summs Insomuch as the City of London in those days contributed nine thousand pounds and better and that chiefly levied upon the wealthier sort There is a Tradition of a Dilemma that Bishop Morton the Chancellor used to raise up the Benevolence to higher Rates and some called it his Fork and some his Crotch. For he had couched an Article in the Instructions to the Commissioners who were to levy the Benevolence That if they met with any that were sparing they should tell them That they must needs have because they laid up and if they were spenders they must needs have because it was seen in their port and manner of living So neither kind came amiss This Parliament was meerly a Parliament of War for it was in substance but a Declaration of War against France and Scotland with some Statutes conducing thereunto As the severe punishing of Mortpayes and keeping back of Soldiers Wages in Captains The like severity for the departure of Soldiers without licence Strengthning of the Common Law in favour of Protections for those that were in the King's service And the setting the gate open and wide for men to Sell or Mortgage their Lands without Fines for Alienation to furnish themselves with Money for the War And lastly the avoiding of all Scottish-men out of England There was also a Statute for the dispersing of the Standard of the Exchequer throughout England thereby to size Weights and Measures and two or three more of less importance After the Parliament
fresh Example of Lambert Simnel would draw at one time or other some Birds to strike upon it She used likewise a further diligence not committing all to Chance For she had some secret Espials like to the Turks Commissioners for Children of Tribute to look abroad for handsom and graceful Youths to make Plantagenets and Dukes of York At the last she did light on one in whom all things met as one would wish to serve her turn for a Counterfeit of Richard Duke of York This was Perkin Warbeck whose Adventures we shall now describe For first the years agreed well Secondly he was a Youth of fine favour and shape But more than that he had such a crafty and bewitching fashion both to move Pity and to induce Belief as was like a kind of Fascination and Inchantment to those that saw him or heard him Thirdly he had been from his Childhood such a Wanderer or as the King called him such a Land-loper as it was extreme hard to hunt out his Nest and Parents Neither again could any man by company or conversing with him be able to say or detect well what he was he did so flit from place to place Lastly there was a Circumstance which is mentioned by one that wrote in the same time that is very likely to have made somewhat to the matter which is That King Edward the Fourth was his God-father Which as it is somewhat suspicious for a wanton Prince to become Gossip in so mean a House and might make a man think that he might indeed have in him some base Blood of the House of York so at the least though that were not it might give the occasion to the Boy in being called King Edward's God-son or perhaps in sport King Edward's Son to entertain such Thoughts into his Head For Tutor he had none for ought that appears as Lambert Simnel had until he came unto the Lady Margaret who instructed him Thus therefore it came to pass There was a Towns-man of Tourney that had born Office in that Town whose name was John Osbeck a Convert Jew married to Catherine de Faro whose business drew him to live for a time with his Wife at London in King Edward the Fourth's days During which time he had a Son by her and being known in Court the King either out of a religious Nobleness because he was a Convert or upon some private acquaintance did him the Honor as to be God-father to his Child and named him Peter But afterwards proving a dainty and effeminate Youth he was commonly called by the diminutive of his name Peterkin or Perkin For as for the name of Warbeck it was given him when they did but guess at it before examinations had been taken But yet he had been so much talked on by that name as it stuck by him after his true name of Osbeck was known While he was a young Child his Parents returned with him to Tourney Then was he placed in a house of a kinsman of his called John Stenbeck at Antwerp and so roved up and down between Antwerp and Tourney and other Towns of Flanders for a good time living much in English Company and having the English Tongue perfect In which time being grown a comely Youth he was brought by some of the Espials of the Lady Margaret unto her Presence Who viewing him well and seeing that he had a Face and Personage that would bear a Noble fortune and finding him otherwise of a fine Spirit and winning Behaviour thought she had now found a curious Piece of Marble to carve out an Image of a Duke of York She kept him by her a great while but with extreme secrecy The while she instructed him by many Cabinet-Conferences First in Princely behaviour and gesture teaching him how he should keep State and yet with a modest sense of his misfortunes Then she informed him of all the circumstances and particulars that concerned the Person of Richard Duke of York which he was to act Describing unto him the Personages Lineaments and Features of the King and Queen his pretended Parents and of his Brother and Sisters and divers others that were nearest him in his Childhood together with all passages some secret some common that were fit for a Child's memory until the death of King Edward Then she added the particulars of the time from the King's death until he and his Brother were committed to the Tower as well during the time he was abroad as while he was in Sanctuary As for the times while he was in the Tower and the manner of his Brother's death and his own escape she knew they were things that a very few could controle And therefore she taught him only to tell a smooth and likely Tale of those matters warning him not to vary from it It was agreed likewise between them what account he should give of his Peregrination abroad intermixing many things which were true and such as they knew others could testifie for the credit of the rest but still making them to hang together with the Part he was to play She taught him likewise how to avoid sundry captious and tempting questions which were like to be asked of him But in this she found him of himself so nimble and shifting as she trusted much to his own wit and readiness and therefore laboured the less in it Lastly she raised his thoughts with some present rewards and further promises setting before him chiefly the glory and fortune of a Crown if things went well and a sure refuge to her Court if the worst should fall After such time as she thought he was perfect in his Lesson she began to cast with her self from what coast this Blazing star should first appear and at what time it must be upon the Horizon of Ireland for there had the like Meteor strong influence before the time of the Apparition to be when the King should be engaged into a War with France But well she knew that whatsoever should come from her would be held suspected And therefore if he should go out of Flanders immediately into Ireland she might be thought to have some hand in it And besides the time was not yet ripe for that the two Kings were 〈◊〉 upon terms of Peace Therefore she wheel'd about and to put all suspition a far off and loth to keep him any longer by her for that she knew Secrets are not long-lived she sent him unknown into Portugal with the Lady 〈◊〉 an English Lady 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Portugal at that time with some Privado of her own to have an eye upon him and there he was to remain and to expect her further directions In the mean time she omitted not to prepare things for his better welcome and accepting not only in the Kingdom of Ireland but in the Court of France He continued in Portugal about a year and by that time the King of England called his Parliament as hath been said and declared open War against France
at London to Treat On the King's part Bishop Fox Lord Privy Seal Viscount Wells Kendal Prior of St. John's Warham Master of the Polls who began to gain much upon the King's opinion Urswick who was almost ever one and Risley On the Arch-Duke's part the Lord Bevers his Admiral the Lord Verunsel President of Flanders and others These concluded a perfect Treaty both of Amity and Intercourse between the King and the Arch-Duke containing Articles both of State Commerce and Free-Fishing This is that Treaty which the Flemings call at this day Intercursus Magnus both because it is more compleat than the precedent Treaties of the Third and Fourth years of the King and chiefly to give it a difference from the Treaty that followed in the One and twentieth year of the King which they call Intercursus Malus In this Treaty there was an express Article against the Reception of the Rebels of either Prince by other purporting that if any such Rebel should be required by the Prince whose Rebel he was of the Prince Confederate that forthwith the Prince Confederate should by Proclamation command him to avoid the Countrey Which if he did not within fifteen days the Rebel was to stand proscribed and put out of Protection But nevertheless in this Article Perkin was not named neither perhaps contained because he was no Rebel But by this means his wings were clipt off his Followers that were English And it was expresly comprised in the Treaty that it should extend to the Territories of the Duchess Dowager After the Intercourse thus restored the English Merchants came again to their Mansion at Antwerp where they were received with Procession and great Joy The Winter sollowing being the Twelfth year of his reign the King called again his Parliament Where he did much exaggerate both the Malice and the cruel Predatory War lately made by the King of Scotland That that King being in Amity with him and no ways provoked should so burn in hatred towards him as to drink of the Lees and Dregs of Perkin's Intoxication who was every where else detected and discarded And that when he perceived it was out of his reach to do the King any hurt he had turned his Arms upon unarmed and unprovided people to spoil only and depopulate contrary to the Laws both of War and Peace Concluding that he could neither with Honour nor with the safety of his People to whom he did owe Protection let pass these wrongs unrevenged The Parliament understood him well and gave him a Subsidy limited to the summ of one hundred and twenty thousand Pounds besides two Fifteens For his Wars were always to him as a Mine of Treasure of a strange kind of Ore Iron at the top and Gold and Silver at the bottom At this Parliament for that there had been so much time spent in making Laws the year before and for that it was called purposely in respect of the Scottish War there were no Laws made to be remembred Only there passed a Law at the Suit of the Merchant-Adventurers of England against the Merchant-Adventurers of London for Monopolizing and exacting upon the Trade which it seemeth they did a little to save themselves after the hard time they had sustained by want of Trade But those Innovations were taken away by Parliament But it was fatal to the King to fight for his Money And though he avoided to fight with Enemies abroad yet he was still enforced to fight for it with Rebels at home For no sooner began the Subsidie to be levied in Cornwal but the people there began to grudge and murmur The Cornish being a race of men stout of stomach mighty of body and limb and that lived hardly in a barren Countrey and many of them could for a need live under ground that were Tinners they muttered extremely that it was a thing not to be suffered that for a little stir of the Scots soon blown over they should be thus grinded to Powder with Payments And said it was for them to pay that had too much and lived idly But they would eat the bread they got with the sweat of their brows and no man should take it from them And as in the Tides of People once up there want not commonly stirting Winds to make them more rough So this People did light upon two Ring-leaders or Captains of the Rout. The one was one Michael Joseph a Black-smith or Farrier of Bodmin a notable talking Fellow and no less desirous to be talked of The other was Thomas Flammocke a Lawyer who by telling his neighbours commonly upon any occasion that the Law was on their side had gotten great sway amongst them This man talked learnedly and as if he could tell how to make a Rebellion and never break the Peace He told the people that Subsidies were not to be granted nor levied in this case that is for Wars of Scotland for that the Law had provided another course by service of Escuage for those Journies much less when all was quiet and War was made but a Pretence to poll and pill the People And therefore that it was good they should not stand now like sheep before the Shearers but put on Harness and take Weapons in their hands Yet to do no creature hurt but go and deliver the King a Strong Petition for the laying down of those grievous Payments and for the punishment of those that had given him that Counsel to make others beware how they did the like in time to come And said for his part he did not see how they could do the duty of true English-men and good Liege-men except they did deliver the King from such wicked Ones that would destroy both Him and the Countrey Their aim was at Archbishop Morton and Sir Reginald Bray who were the King 's Skreens in this Envy After that these two Flammocke and the Black-smith had by joynt and several Pratings found tokens of consent in the Multitude they offered themselves to lead them until they should hear of better men to be their Leaders which they said would be ere long Telling them further that they would be but their servants and first in every danger but doubted not but to make both the West-end and East-end of England to meet in so good a Quarrel and that all rightly understood was but for the King's service The People upon these seditious Instigations did arm most of them with Bows and Arrows and Bills and such other Weapons of rude and Countrey People and forthwith under the Command of their Leaders which in such cases is ever at pleasure marched out of Cornwal through Devonshire unto Taunton in Somersetshire without any slaughter violence or spoil of the Countrey At Taunton they killed in fury an officious and eager Commissioner for the Subsidie whom they called the Provoct of Perin Thence they marched to Wells where the Lord Audley with whom their Leaders had before some secret Intelligence a Noble-man of an ancient Family
he must needs be some way though perhaps unwillingly faulty The addition of some aspersions withal were thought not to be amiss which if not true should at least carry a shew of truth That the Emperour practised something in this kind the consequences make it more than probable Henry being a noble Prince and one that scorned money as much as any one breathing was glad of the Emperour 's coming yet was his Treasury very bare and so great a Guest could not be entertained without as great expences Charles upon notice of the King's pleasure attended by the Marquess of Dorset the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield the Lord De La-ware and others of the English Nobility comes from Graveling to Calais from whence he passed to Dover where he was received by the Cardinal who was accompanied with two Earls ten Bishops ten Abbots thirty six Knights a hundred Gentlemen thirty Priests all these apparelled in Velvet and at least seven hundred Servants Two days he staid at Dover before the King came At length he came and welcomed him with all Princely entertainment professing that no greater happiness could betide him on earth than the enjoying his Majesty's most desired company though but for so short a time From Dover taking Canterbury in the way they came to Greenwich where the Queen awaited the longed for presence of her Nephew From thence to London where they were received by the Citizens with the solemnities usual at the Coronation of our Kings At Whitsontide both Princes came to Pauls where they heard the Cardinal say Mass. Sports agreeable to the entertainment of such a Guest were not wanting But when mention was made of renewing the League Windsor was thought fittest for the Treaty it being not above twenty miles from London and a place altogether as it were composed for pleasure Windsor is situated in a large Plain upon the banks of the River Thames The Castle being the chiefest in England for strength comparable to that of Dover but far exceeding it in greatness and beauty is built on a hill This Castle contains besides the King's Court a goodly Church by Edward the Third dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and St. George adjoyning to which is the College where are the houses of the Dean Prebendaries and Vicars Choral where also live twelve Souldiers discharged of the Wars called Knights and having pensions who in their habits are bound daily to frequent the Church there to pray unto God for the Knights of the Illustrious Order of the Garter Of this Order the Castle is the Seat where according to the first Institution the Knights are to be installed on certain days are to Offer and to do some other duties Here upon Corpus Christi day these Princes having on the Robes of the Order in their stalls heard Mass and receiving the Sacrament bound themselves by Oath inviolably to observe the Conditions of this new League the chief Articles whereof were these That they should with joint and as great Forces as they could invade France That the Emperour should yearly pay to the King as much as was due to Him and his Sister from the French viz. 133000 Crowns That the Emperour should at convenient years take to Wife his Cousin-german the Lady Mary the King 's only Child who after reigned and at age of forty years was married to Philip the Emperour's Son That he by whose default it should happen that this match should not succeed should pay the other 500000 Crowns And for assurance of this the Emperour should put St. Omers and Aires into the King's hands One would have thought it had passed the reach of humane policy to have dissolved this band But shortly after broken it was and could never after be firmly knit again After eight days stay at Windsor these Princes went to Winchester and from thence to Southampton where was the Emperour's Fleet consisting of a hundred and eighty Ships Here on the first of July the Emperour took Ship and made for Spain In the mean time the Earl of Surrey having gathered a Fleet landed near Morleys in Bretaigne forced the Town and burned it And having wasted all the Countrey thereabout he went into Picardy to joyn with the Imperials Some Forts they took and razed They besieged Hesdin but without success For Winter coming on and our men dying apace of the Flux they were fain to set sail homeward I will conclude this year with an ignominious and fatal loss to Christendom the Isle of Rhodes being on Christmas-day taken by the Turks while Christian Princes disagreeing about matters of nothing ruine themselves and invite the Miscreant to propagate his long since too too formidable Empire God grant they may at length considering the common danger rouze up themselves and with joint-resistance repell this Enemy of Christ's Cross who although he be far enough from some is too near to the farthest ANNO DOM. 1523. REG. 15. C Hristiern the Second King of Denmark by the rebellion of his Subjects driven out of his Kingdom had resided some while with the Emperour whose Sister he had married The fifteenth of June accompanied with his Wife Niece to Queen Katherine he landed at Dover At London they abode some days with that due honour that kindred and Princes give to one another The fifth of July they returned toward Calais In the mean time a Parliament was held at London wherein the States being certified of the necessity of War and what a fair occasion was offered for the recovery of France but that the War was like to be defective in regard of the weakness of its sinews a great summ of money was easily granted The Kings of France exact money of their Subjects at their pleasure the Kings of England do not usually without a Parliament wherein the pretence of War with France was wont to be a great motive of the Subjects liberality And indeed France was at this time greatly distracted being oppressed with so many Enemies abroad and having to do with undermining Treachery at home insomuch that our advantages if wisely followed seemed to promise us whatsoever we could hope for Francis was on the one side pressed with the War of Milan on the other side by the Emperour At home Charles Duke of Bourbon revolted from him by Letters inciting our King to the recovery of his hereditary as he acknowledged Right in France whereto respectless of pain or peril he promised his faithful assistance Neither was this offer to be slighted for he had conceived an implacable hatred against his Prince and was able to make a great party in France His valour and experience were after manifested by the greatness of his exploits performed in a short space Francis being taken prisoner by him Rome sacked by his conduct the Pope besieged in the Castle of St. Angelo and fain at last to ransom himself and his Cardinals at a mighty rate These notable advantages were all let slip through
on him for the Divorce of her Mother Manet alta mente repostum Judicium latum spretaeque injuria Matris It is reported that King Henry having determined to punish his Daughter the Lady Mary with Imprisonment for her Contumacy was by the sole intercession of Cranmer diverted from his Resolutions And when she was by her Brother King Edward to be disinherited the Archbishop made a long suasory Oration to the contrary neither could he be induced to subscribe to the Decree until the Judges of the Realm generally affirming that it might lawfully be done the dying King with much importunity prevailed with him In ingrateful persons the conceit I will not say the feeling of one Injury makes deeper impression than can the remembrance of a thousand real Benefits It was now bruited that with his Fortune Cranmer had also changed his Religion insomuch that to gratifie the Queen he had promised to Celebrate the Exequies of the deceased King after the Romish manner To clear himself of this imputation he by writing declares himself ready to maintain the Articles of Religion set forth by his means under King Edward his Reign to be consonant to the Word of God and the Doctrine of the Apostles in which Resolution he being confirmed by Peter Martyr required him for his Second in this Religious Duel But Words are not regarded where Violence is intended His Death was absolutely determined but how it might be fairly contrived was not yet resolved First therefore they deal with him as a Traytor And having for some while continued prisoner in the Tower to alienate the minds of the People who held him in high esteem he is on the thirteenth of November together with the Lords Ambrose and Guilford Dudley and Lady Jane condemned for Treason But the machinators of this mischief against Cranmer were so ashamed of their shadowless endeavour that they themselves became Intercessors for his Pardon and yet afterwards most irreligiously procured him to be Burned for pretended Heresie Before he was committed to Custody his Friends perswaded him after the example of some other of his religious Brethren who had long since escaped into Germany by flight to withdraw himself from assured destruction To whom he answered Were I accused of Theft Parricide or some other crime although I were innocent I might peradventure be induced to shift for my self But being questioned for my Allegiance not to men but to God the truth of whose holy Word is to be asserted against the errours of Popery I have at this time with a constancy befitting a Christian Prelate resolved rather to leave my life than the Kingdom But we will now leave Cranmer in Prison whose farther Troubles and Martyrdom we will in their due places relate Concerning Peter Martyr it was long controverted at the Council Table whether having so much prejudiced the Catholick Religion it were fit he should be proceeded against as an Heretick But it was at length determined that because he came into England upon Publick Assurance he should have liberty to depart with his Family So having Letters of Pass signed by the Queen he was transported with his Friend Bernardine Ochinus and came to Antwerp from thence to Colen at last to Strasburg from whence he first set forth for England In the mean time on the first of October the Queen was with great pomp Crowned at Westminster by Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and that after the manner of her Ancestors On the fifth of the same month a Parliament is called at Westminster wherein all the Laws Enacted against the Pope and his adherents by Henry and Edward were repealed And in the Convocation-House at the same time was a long and eager Disputation concerning the Sacrament of the Lords Supper the Prolocutor Dr. Weston with many others maintaining Christ's Corporal real presence in the Sacrament Among those few who sided with the Truth were John Ailmer and Richard Cheyney both by Queen Elizabeth made Bishops the one of London the other of Glocester John Philpot Archdeacon of Winchester who confirmed this Doctrine with the Testimony of his Blood James Haddon Dean of Exceter and Walter Philips Dean of Rochester At length the Truth was oppressed by Multitude not Reason Whereupon the Restitution of Romish Rites is again concluded and on the one and twentieth of December Mass began to be celebrated throughout England The same day also the Marquis of Northampton and Sir Henry Gates not long since Condemned were set at liberty and Pardoned And the Lords Ambrose and Guilford Dudley with Lady Jane had their Imprisonment more at large with hope of Pardon also ANNO DOM. 1554. REG. 1 2. THe Queen who was now Thirty seven years old and hitherto thought averse from Marriage either in regard of her own Natural inclination or conscious to her self of the want of such Beauty as might endear a Husband to her her Affairs so requiring began at length to bethink her of an Husband She feared lest the consideration of her Sexes imbecility might bring her into contempt with her People she being yet scarce setled in her Throne and the Kingdom still distracted in their Affections to several Competitors Fame had destined three for her Bed Philip Infant of Spain the Emperour's Son Cardinal Pool and the Marquis of Exceter The two last were proposed for their Royal Descent and the opinion of the Love of their Countrey there being hope that under them the Freedom and the Priviledges of the Kingdom might be preserved inviolate But besides proximity of Blood in each of the three Cardinal Pool was much affected by the Queen for his gravity sanctimony meekness and wisdom Courtney for his flourishing youth his courteous and pleasant disposition But he I know not how was somewhat suspected not to think sincerely of the late established Religion but to have favoured the Reformed And the Cardinal being now in his fiftieth and third year was deemed a little too old to be a Father of Children But their opinion prevailed as more necessary who thought this unsetled Kingdom would require a puissant King who should be able to curb the factious Subject and by Sea and Land oppose the French by the accrue of Scotland become too near Neighbours and Enemies to us Upon these motives the ambitious Lady was easily induced to consent to a match with Philip. For the Treaty whereof the Emperour had about the end of the last year sent on a grand Embassage Lamoralle Count Egmond with whom Charles Count Lalaine and John Montmorency were joyned in Commission In January the Ambassadors arrived at London and in a few days conclude the Marriage the Conditions whereof were these That Matrimony being contracted between Philip and Mary it should be lawful for Philip to usurp the Titles of all the Kingdoms and Provinces belonging to his Wife and should be joynt-Governour with her over those Kingdoms the Priviledges and Customs thereof always preserved inviolate and
would send him into his Countrey with the honorable Title and Authority of a Legate And now he feigned to himself a double hope of a Kingdom if not Secular at least Ecclesiastical by virtue of his authority Legatine and the dignity of Archbishop of Canterbury Queen Mary had her Education for some years under Margaret Countess of Salisbury the Mother of Pool who was then a Child and that by Queen Catharine's means who intended as it was thought to marry her Daughter the Lady Mary to one of the Countesses Sons thereby to strengthen her Daughters claim to the Crown if it should happen that Henry should decease without other lawful Issue the Countess being Daughter to George Duke of Clarence who was Brother to Edward the Fourth The Cardinal whether for this or some other reasons knowing himself to be in dear esteem with the Queen was confident if not of the Crown by Marriage yet at least of all advantages of her Favour Neither was he therein deceived for Mary having obtained the Crown earnestly sued unto him to restore himself to his Countrey and the Pope not ignorant how much he would advantage the Apostolick See at the Queens request dispatched him with most ample Authority But the Emperour having a Project on foot for his Son was somewhat jealous of the Cardinal and therefore began seriously to treat with Cardinal Dandino the Pope's Legate with him for the conclusion of a Peace between him and the French that so he might give a stop to Pool whose coming into England the Emperour's affairs being not yet setled might peradventure make all fly asunder Dandino to gratifie Charles by Franciseo Commendono sends Letters to Pool advising him not to set forth as yet forasmuch as this Legacy undertaken without the Emperour's consent was displeasing and the English Nation for the most part especially the Londoners did so hate the name of the Pope of Rome that his Legacy would be held in contempt among them A Legate therefore was not to be employed unto them until perswasions had brought them to a better temper Pool having received these Letters in his Cloister thought it fitting to expect his Holiness pleasure The Pope not brooking the increase of the Emperour's greatness by the addition of such Estates and fretting that Dandino had presumed to stay the Cardinal recalled Dandino and conferred on Pool alone the Legacy both into England for the one affair and to the Emperour and the French for the Treaty of a Peace He willingly undertaking it presently set forward from Trent certifying the Emperour and the French of his large Commission The Emperour perceiving that these devices would be no longer availeable sent Don Juan de Mendoza unto him with Letters wherein he plainly discovered his fear that the Cardinal's premature arrival in England might prove an obstacle to his proceedings there which were great and hopeful Wherefore it was his desire that he should either there attend his pleasure or if he would needs go further he might come to Liege and there expect the event of his designs The Cardinal upon receipt of these Letters returns to Dilling not far from Trent certifies his Holiness of the whole carriage of the Business and sends expostulatory Letters to the Emperour shewing therein what an indignity it was to Apostolick See that his Holiness Legat sent upon a Treaty of Peace and to reduce a Kingdom to the obedience of the Church should so disgracefully with contempt to his Holiness and that by the Emperour's command be detained in the midst of Germany in the sight of the Enemies of the Church That great Divine Domingo Soto Ordinary Preacher to the Emperour was then at Dilling By him he perswades the Emperour not to hinder this Legation being it would so much hazard the estate of the Church but especially of the Kingdom of England At length with much ado and that not until the Emperour had intelligence that the Articles concerning his Son's Marriage were agreed on he obtained leave to come to Brussels but on this condition that he should there reside until the Emperour were assured that the Marriage between Philip and Mary were Solemnized So to Brussels he came where having saluted the Emperour who received him very courteously and that time might not pass unprofitably with him he begins to put in execution one part of his Legation which was to draw the Emperor and the King of France to some indifferent terms of Peace The Emperour professing that he would not reject Peace upon any reasonable conditions the Cardinal goes into France to treat with Henry concerning the same thing Who made as fair shews as did the Emperour but their minds exulcerated with inveterate hate made all his pains fruitless Henry at his departure embracing him signified the sorrow he had conceived that he had not sooner occasion to be acquainted with his worth For had he truly know him his endeavours should have been totally for his advancement to the Papacy A little after his return to Brussels came the Lords Paget and Hastings Ambassadors to the Emperour from their Majesties of England who signified their joint-longing to see the Cardinal and therefore desired he might be forthwith dismissed that by virtue of his Authority he might rectifie the Church of England wonderfully out of tune by reason of the Schism wherewith it had been afflicted So in September he had leave to go for England but was by contrary winds detained at Calais until November in which month he at length arrived at Dover His entertainment was most honourable the Kings and Nobles alike striving to manifest their joy And because being in the year 1539 by Parliament declared Enemy to the Estate and by the same Law condemned to die the Estates then assembled in Parliament repealed that Act and restored him to his Blood the Kings themselves coming to the House extraordinarily for the confirmation of the Act before his arrival at London A little after his coming both Houses were sent for to the Court where the Bishop of Winchester Lord Chancellour having in the presence of the Kings and the assembly spoken something concerning the Cardinal's grateful arrival the Cardinal himself began a long Oration in English wherein He acknowledged how much he was bound to the Kings and the Estates of the Realm by whose favour those Laws for his Exile and Proscription were repealed and he once more made a Native of the Land He was bound by the Laws of Gratitude to endeavour the requital of this Benefit whereto an occasion happily offered it self The late Schism had separated them from the Union of the Church and made them exiles from Heaven by the Authority conferred on him by the Pope St. Peter's Successor Christ's Vicar he would bring them back into the Fold of the Church the sole means of attaining their celestial Heritage Wherefore he exhorted them ingenuously to acknowledge the Errours of these later years and to detect them with sincere alacrity
Conditions of thè League concluded with the Emperour Rhodes taken by the Turk Christiern King of Denmark The Duke of Bourbon revolts The death of Adrian the Sixth Clement the Seventh succeedeth and Wolsey suffereth the repulse Wolsey persuades the King to a Divorce Richard Pacey Dean of Pauls falleth mad The Battel of Pavy Money demanded and commanded by Proclamation The King falls in love with Ann Bolen A creation of Lords Wolsey 10 build two Colleges demolisheth forty Monasteries Sacriledge punished Luther writes to the King The King's Answer A breach with the Emperour The King endeavours to relieve the French King A League concluded with the French King The French King set at liberty The King of Hungary slain by the Turks Wolsey seeks to be Pope Sede nondum vacante Rome sacked Montmorency Ambassador from France War proclaimed against the Emperour The inconstancy of the Pope Cardinal Campegius 〈◊〉 sens into England The King's Speech concerning his Divorce The Suit of the King's Divorce The Queens speech to the King before the Legates The Queen diparteth Reasons for the Divorce Reasons against the Divorce The Pope's inconstancy Wolsey falls The Iegates repair to the Queen Their conference with her Her answer Cardinal Campegius his Oraition Wolsey discharged of the Great Seal Sir Thomas More Lord Chancellour The Cardinal accused of 〈◊〉 Wolsey's Speech to the Judges Christ-Church in Oxford Wolfey-falls sick Wolsey is confined to York The Cardinal is apprehended His last words He dicth And is buried His greatness His buildings The Peace of Cambray The first occasion of Cranmer's rising Creation of Earls The Bible translated into English An Embassy to the Pope All comnierce with the See of Rome forbidden The Clergy fined The King declared supreme Head of the Church The death of William Warham Archbishop of Canterbury Cranmer though much against his will succeedeth him Sir Thomas More resigns the place of Lord Chancellour An interview between the Kings of England and France Catharina de Medices married to the Duke of Orleans The King marrieth Ann Bolen The birth of Queen Elizabeth Mary Queen of France dieth The Imposture of Elizabeth Barton discovired No Canons to be constituted without the King's assent The King to collate Bishopricks The Archbishop of Canterbury bath Papal authority under the King Fisher and More imprisoned Persecution Pope Clement dieth First-fruits granted to the King Wales united to England The King begins to subvert Religious Houses Certain Priors and Monks executed The Bishop of Rochester beheaded Made Cardinal unseasonably Sir Thomas More beheaded Religious Houses visited The death of Queen Catharine Queen Ann the Visconnt Rochford and others committed The Queen condemned with her Brother and Norris Her Execution Lady Elizabeth difintarited The King marrieth Jane Seymour Death of the Duke of Somerset the King 's natural Son Bourchier Earl of Bath Cromwell's Honour and Dignity The beginning of Reformation The subversion of Religious Houses of less note Commotion in Lincolnshire Insurrection in Yorkshire Scarborough-Castle befieged Rebellion in Ireland Cardinal Pool Rebels executed Cardinal Pool writes against the King The birth of Prince Edward Seymour Earl of Hertford Fitz-William Earl of Southampton Powlet and Russel rise The abuse of Images restrained Becket's Shrine demolished * Uniones The Image of our Lady of Walsingham Frier Forest makes good a 〈◊〉 Saint Augustine's at Canterbury Battel-Abbey and others suppressed The Bible translated The Marquess of Exceter and others beheaded Lambert convented and burned Margaret 〈◊〉 of Salisbury condemned The subversion of Religious Houses Some Abbots executed Glastonbury A catalogue of the Abbots who bad voices among the Peers New Bishopricks erected The Law of the Six Articles Latimer and Schaxton resign their Bishopricks The arrival of certain Princes of Germany in England for the treatise of a Match between the King and Lady Ann of Cleve The King marrieth the Lady Ann of Cleve Cromwell created Earl of Essex and within three months after beheaded Lady Ann of Cleve 〈◊〉 The King marrieth Catharine Howard Protestants and Papists alike persecuted The Prior of Dancaster and six others hanged The Lord Hungerford executed Beginnings of a commotion in Yorkshire Lord Leonard Grey beheaded The Lord Dacres hanged Queen Catharine beheaded Ireland made a Kingdom The Viscount Lisle deceased of a surfert of Joy Sir John Dudley made Viscount Lisle War with Scotland The Scots overthrowes The death of James the Fifth King of Scotland Hopes of a Match between Prince Edword and the Queen of Scots The Scottish Captives set liberty The Earl of Angus return-eth into Scotland The League and Match concluded The Scottish shipping detained War with Scotland War with France A League with Emperour Landrecy besieged but in vain The people licensed to eat White Meats in Lent The King 's sixth Marriage William Parr Earl of Essex Another of the same name made Lord Parr The Lord Chancellour dieth An Expedition into Scotland * Alias Bonlamberg The Earl of Hertford Protector Hing Henry's Funerals The Coronation The death of Francis King of France MusselburghField Reformation in the Church The Scots and French besiege Hadinton The Queen of Scots transported into France Humes Castle and Fastcastle gained by the Enemy Gardiner Bishop of Winchester committed to the Tower Gardiner deprived of his Bishoprick Boner Bishop of London committed also Discord 〈◊〉 the Duke of Somerset and his Brother the Lord Admiral The Lord Admiral beheaded An Insurrection in Norfolk and in Devonshire Some Forts lost in Boloignois * Corruptly Bonlamberg Enmity between the Protector and the Earl of Warwick The Protector committed The death of Paul the Third Pope Cordinal Pool elected Pope The Duke of Somerset set at liberty Peace with the Scots and French The Sweating Sickness The death of the Duke of Suffolk A creation of Dukes and Earls The descent of the Earls of Pembroke 〈◊〉 between the 〈◊〉 Dukes of Somerset and Northumberland revived Certain Bishops deprived Some of the Servants of the Lady Mary committed An Arrian burned An Earthquake The Queen of Scots in England The Earl of Arundel and the Lord Paget committed The Bishop of Ely Lord Chancellor The Duke of Somerset beheaded A Monster The King Sicknoth His Will wherein he disinheriteth his Sisters He dieth His Prayer Cardanus Lib. de Genituris Sir Hugh Willoughby frozen 10 death Commerce with the Muscovite Lady Mary flies into Suffolk Lady Jane proclaimed Queen Northumberland forced to be General * L. qui in provinciâ sect Divus ff de Ris Nupt. L. 4. C. de Incest Nupt. Gloss. ibid. C. cum inter c. ex tenore Extr. qui fil sins legit Northumberland forsaken by his Souldiers The Lords resolve for Queen Mary And to suppress Lady Jane Northumberland proclaims Mary Queen at Cambridge Northumberland and some other Lords taken Queen Mary comes to London Gardiner made Lord Chancellour Diprived Bishops restored King Edward's Funeral The Duke of Northumberland the Earl of Warwick and the Marquis of Northampton condemned The Duke of Northumberland Bheaded Bishops imprisoned Peter Martyr The Archbishop Cranmer Lady Jane Lord Guilford and Lord Ambrose Dudley condemned The Coronation A Disputation in the Convocation-House Popery restored The Queen inclines to marry The Articles of the Queens Marriage with Philip of Spain * Which as I conceive would have 〈◊〉 in the year 1588. Sir Thomas Wyat's Rebellion Sir John Cheeke is taken and dieth Bret with five hundred Londoners revolts to Wiat. The Duke of Suffolk perswades the People to Arms in vain The Queens Oration to the Londoners Wyat is taken The Lady Jane Beheaded The Duke of Suffolk Beheaded Wyat Executed And Lord Thomas Gray A Disputation at Oxford Cranmer Ridley and Latimer Condemned Additions to the former Nuptial Compacts Philip arrivith in England And is married to the Queen Cardinal Pool comes into England Cardinal Pool's Oration to the Parliament The Realm freed from 〈◊〉 The Queen thought to be with Child Lords created Lady Elizabeth and the Marquess of Exceter set at liberty John Rogers Burned and Bishop Hooper Bishop Ferrar many others and Bishop Ridley and Latimer The death of Pope Julius the Third Paul the Fourth succeedeth Gardiner sueth to be Cardinal Gardiner 〈◊〉 Charles the Emperour resigns his Crowns The Archbishop of York Lord Chancellour A Comet A 〈◊〉 Edward Archbishop Cranmer Burned This year eighty four Burned The exhumation of Bucer and Phagius Cardinal Pool consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury An Embassage to Muscovia The Lord Stourton hanged Thomas Stafford endeavouring an Insurrection is taken and Beheaded War against France proclaimed Pool's authority 〈◊〉 abrogated and restored The French overthrown at St. Quintin St. Quintin taken A nocturual Rainbow Calais besieged by the French Calais yielded The Battel of Graveling The French overthrown Conquet taken and burned by the English The Daulphin married to the Queen of Scot. The death of Cardinal Pool The Queen diesh
Now did the Sign 〈◊〉 and the 〈◊〉 was come under 〈◊〉 Perkin should appear And therefore he was straight sent unto by the Duchess to go for Ireland according to the first designment In Ireland he did arrive at the Town of Cork When he was thither come his own Tale was when he made his Confession afterwards That the Irish-men finding him in some good clothes came flocking about him and bare him down that he was the Duke of Clarence that had been there before and after that he was Richard the Third's base Son and lastly that he was Richard Duke of York second Son to Edward the Fourth But that he for his part renounced all these things and offered to swear upon the Holy Evangelists that he was no such man till at last they forced it upon him and bad him fear nothing and so forth But the truth is that immediately upon his coming into Ireland he took upon him the said Person of the Duke of York and drew unto him Complices and Partakers by all the means he could devise Insomuch as he wrote his Letters unto the Earl of Densmond and Kildare to come in to his Ayd and be of his Party the Originals of which Letters are yet extant Somewhat before this time the Duchess had also gained unto her a near Servant of King Henry's own one Stephen Frion his Secretary for the French Tongue an active man but turbulent and discontented This Frion had fled over to Charles the French King and put himself into his service at such time as he began to be in open enmity with the King Now King Charles when he understood of the Person and Attempts of Perkin ready of himself to embrace all advantages against the King of England instigated by Frion and formerly prepared by the Lady Margaret forthwith dispatched one Lucas and this Frion in the nature of of Ambassadors to Perkin to advertise him of the King 's good inclination to him and that he was resolved to ayd him to recover his right against King Henry an Usurper of England and an Enemy of France and wished him to come over unto him at Paris Perkin thought himself in heaven now that he was invited by so great a King in so honourable a manner And imparting unto his Friends in Ireland for their encouragement how Fortune called him and what great hopes he had sailed presently into France When he was come to the Court of France the King received him with great honour saluted and stiled him by the name of the Duke of York lodged him and accommodated him in great State And the better to give him the representation and the countenance of a Prince assigned him a Guard for his Person whereof the Lord Congreshall was Captain The Courtiers likewise though it be ill mocking with the French applied themselves to their King 's bent seeing there was reason of State for it At the same time there repaired unto Perkin divers English-men of Quality Sir George Nevile Sir John Taylor and about one hundred more and amongst the rest this Stephen Frion of whom we spake who followed his fortune both then and for a long time after and was indeed his principal Counsellor and Instrument in all his Proceedings But all this on the French King's part was but a Trick the better to bow King Henry to Peace And therefore upon the first Grain of Incense that was sacrificed upon the Altar of Peace at Bulloign Perkin was smoaked away Yet would not the French King deliver him up to King Henry as he was laboured to do for his Honors sake but warned him away and dismissed him And Perkin on his part was as ready to be gone doubting he might be caught up under-hand He therefore took his way into Flanders unto the Duchess of Burgundy pretending that having been variously tossed by Fortune he directed his course thither as to a safe Harbour No ways taking knowledge that he had ever been there before but as if that had been his first address The Duchess on the other part made it as new and strange to see him pretending at the first that she was taught and made wise by the example of Lambert Simnel how she did admit of any Counterfeit stuff though even in that she said she was not fully satisfied She pretended at the first and that was ever in the presence of others to pose him and sift him thereby to try whether he were indeed the very Duke of York or no. But seeming to receive full satisfaction by his answers she then feined her self to be transported with a kind of astonishment mixt of Joy and Wonder at his miraculous deliverance receiving him as he were risen from death to life and inferring that God who had in such wonderful manner preserved him from Death did likewise reserve him for some great and prosperous Fortune As for his dismission out of France they interpreted it not as if he were detected or neglected for a Counterfeit Deceiver but contrariwise that it did shew manifestly unto the World that he was some Great matter for that it was his abandoning that in effect made the Peare being no more but the sacrificing of a poor distressed Prince unto the utility and Ambition of two Mighty Monarchs Neither was Perkin for his part wanting to himself either in gracious and Princely behaviour or in ready and apposite answers or in contenting and caressing those that did apply themselves unto him or in pretty scorn and disdain to those that seemed to doubt of him but in all things did notably acquit himself Insomuch as it was generally believed as well amongst great Persons as amongst the Vulgar that he was indeed Duke Richard Nay himself with long and continual counterfeiting and with oft telling a Lye was turned by habit almost into the thing he seemed to be and from a Lyar to a Believer The Duchess therefore as in a case out of doubt did him all Princely honour calling him always by the name of her Nephew and giving him the Delicare Title of the White-Rose of England and appointed him a Guard of thirty persons Halberdiers clad in a party-coloured Livery of Murrey and Blew to attend his Person Her Court likewise and generally the Dutch and Strangers in their usage towards him expressed no less respect The News hereof came blazing and thundering over into England that the Duke of York was sure alive As for the name of Perkin Warbeck it was not at that time come to light but all the news ran upon the Duke of York that he had been entertained in Ireland bought and sold in France and was now plainly avowed and in great honour in Flanders These Fames took hold of divers in some upon discontent in some upon ambition in some upon levity and desire of change and in some few upon conscience and belief but in most upon simplicity and in divers out of dependance upon some of the better sort who did in secret favour and