him by Baldwyn Earle of Flaunders he tooke the Sea for England where comming to shoare Earle Goodwyn met him and bound himselfe by Oath to be his guide to his Mother Queene Emma but being wrought firme for Harold he led him and his company a contrary way and lodged them at Guilford making knowne to King Harold what he had done who presently committed them all to slaughter sparing onely every tenth man for service or sale Prince Alfred himselfe he sent Prisoner to the Isle of Ely where having his eyes inhumanely put out in griefe and torment he ended his life Some adde a more horrible kind of cruelty as that his belly was opened and one end of his bowels drawne out and fastned to a stake his body pricked with Needles or Poignards and forced about till all his Entrailes were extracted This done he then set upon Queene Emma confiscated her Goods and banished her the Realme And now further to secure himselfe he kept the Seas with sixteene Danish Ships to the maintenance whereof he charged the English with great payments by which if he procured the safety of his Person he certainly procured the hatred of his Subjects This King for his swiftnesse in running was called Harefoot but though by his swiftnesse he out-runne his Brother for the Kingdome yet could he not runne so fast but that death quickely overtooke him For having Raigned onely foure yeares and some moneths he dyed at Oxfordâ— and was buryed at Westminster having never had Wife or Children Of the third and last Danish King in England KIng Harold being dead the Lords to make amends for their former neglect send now for Hardiknute and offer him their Allegeance who accepteth their offer and thereupon taking Sea arrived upon the Coast of Kent the sixth day after he had set saile out of Denmarke and with great pompe conveyed to London was there Crowned King by Elnothus Arch-bishop of Canterbury in the yeare 1040. His first Act was to be revenged of his deceased brother Harold whose body he caused to be digged up and throwne into the Thames where it remained till a Fisherman found it and buryed it in the Church yard of Saint Clement without Temple Barre commonly called Saint Clement Danes because it was the burying place of the Danes as some write But towards his Mother and halfe Brother Prince Edwâ—rd he shewed true naturall affection inviting them both to returne into England where he received them with all the honour that from a Sonne or Brother could be expected But now as the King Harold for his swiftnesse in running was surnamed Harefooâ—e So this King for his intemperance in dyet might have been surnamed Swines-mouth or Boccâ—di Porco for his Tables were spread every day foure times and furnished with all kindes of curious dishes as delighting in nothing but Gormandizing and Swilling and as for managing the State he committed it wholly to his Mother Qâ—eene Emma and to the politicke Earle of Kent Godwyn who finding this weaknesse in the King began to thinke himselfe of aspiringâ— and to make the better way for it he sought by all meanes to alien the Subjects hearts from the Prince amongst other courses he caused him to lay heavy Taxes upon them onely for Ship-money to pay his Danes amounting to two and thirty thousand pounds which was so offensive to the people that the Citizens of Worcester slew two of his Officers Thurstaâ— and Feâ—dax that came to Collect it But this King had soone the reward of his Intemperance For in a Solemne Assembly and Banquet at Lambeth Revelling and Carowsing he suddenly fell downe without speech or breath after he had Raigned only two yeares and was buryed at Winchester His death was so welcome to his Subjects that the day of his death is to this day commonly celebrated with open pastimes in the street and is called Hocks-tide signifying scorning or contempt which fell upon the Danes by his death For with him ended the Raigne of the Danes in England after they had miserably afflicted the kingdome for the space of two hundred and forty yeares though in Regall Government but onely six and twenty Of English Kings againe and first of Edward the Confessour KIng Hardiknute dying without issue as having never beene marryed and the Danish line cleane extinguished Edward for his Piety called the Confessour halfe Brother to the deceased Hardiknute and sonne to King Ethelred by his Wife Queene Emma was by a generall consent admitted King of England and was Crowned at Winchester by Edsyne Arch-bishop of Canterbury on Easter day in the yeare 1042. being then of the age of forty yeares He was borne at Islip neare to Oxford and after his Fathers death for safety sent into France to the Duke of Normandy his Mothers Brother from whence he now came to take upon him the Crowne of England His Acts for gaining the Peoples love were first the remitting the yearely tribute of forty thousand pounds gathered by the name of Danegilt which had beene imposed by his Father and for forty yeares together paid out of all mens Lands but onely the Clergy and then from the divers Lawes of the Mercians West Saxons Danes and Northumbrians he selected the best and made of them one Body certaine and written in Latine being in a sort the Fountaine of those which at this day we tearme the Common Lawes though the formes of pleading and processe therein were afterward brought in by the Conquerour The Raigne of this King was very peaceable Onely in his sixth yeare the Danish Pirates entred the Port of Sandwich which with all the Sea-coast of Essex they spoyled and then in Flanders made merchandise of their prey As likewise the Irish with thirty ships entred Severne and with the assistance of Griffyth King of Southwales burnt or â—lew all in their way till at last Reese the brother of Griffyth was slaine at Bâ—lenden and his head presented to King Edward at Glocester His Domesticall troubles were onely by Earle Gâ—dwyn and his sonnes who yet after many contestations and affronts were reconciled and Godwyn received againe into as great favour as before But though King Edward forgave his Treasons yet the Divine Providence did not for soone after as he sate at Table with the King on Easter Munday he was suddenly strucken with death and on the Thursday following dyed and was buryed at Winchester Some make his death more exemplar as that justifying himselfe for Prince Alfreds death he should pray to God that if he were any way guilty of it he might never swallow downe one morsell of bread and thereupon by the just Judgement of God was choaked by the first morsell he offered to eate In this Kings time such abundance of snow fell in Ianuary continuing till the middle of March following that almost all Cattell and Fowle perished and therewithall an excessive dearth followed Two Acts are related of this King that seeme nothing correspondent to the generall opinion had of his Vertue
London where they were lodged at Marchantailors Hall The last of September the Embassadours went to the King at Greenwich where after long communication an Agreement was at last concluded under pretence of a marriage to be had betweene the Dolphin of France and the Lady Mary Daughter to the King of England that in name of her marriage money Tourney should be deliveted to the French King he paying to the King of England for the Castle he had made in that Citty six hundred Thousand Câ—ownes in twelve yeeres by fiftie Thousand Crownes yeerly and if the marriage should chance not to take effect then that Tourney should be againe restored to the King of England for performance of which article Hrstages shotld be delivered namely Monsiâ—ur de Memorancye Monsieur de Monpesac Monsieur de Moy and Monsieur Morett and moreover the French King should pay to the Cardinall of England a thousand markes yeerly in recompence of his Revenewes received before of his Bishoprick of Tourney All things thus concluded the Cardinall made to the Embassadours a solemne Banquet and after presented them with a stately Mummery The eighth of October the King feasted them at Greenwich and at night presented a stately Maske of Knights and Ladies with reare devises and great magnificence The next day Sir Thomas Exmew Major of London feasted them at Goldsmiths-Hall and then delivering their foure Hostages they tooke their leave At whose departure the King gave to the Admirall of France a Garnish of guilt vessell a paire of covered Basons gilt twelve great guilt Bowles fower paire of great guilt Pots a standing Cup of Gold garnished with great Pearles and to some other he gave Plate to some other cheins of Gold to some rich Apparell to the great comendation of his liberality Shortly after their departure the Earle of Worcester Lord Chamberlaine the Bishop of Ely the Lord of Saint Iohns Sir Nicholas Vaux Sir Iohn Pechy and Sir Thomas Bullen as Embassadours from the King of England accompanied with Knights Gentlemen and others to the number of above foure hundred passed over to Callice and from thence went to Paris where after Royall Entertainment by the King with diâ—erse Maskes and stately shewes they tooke their leaves and rode to Tourney to see the Citty delivered to the French men on the eighth of February to the great griefe of the English Garrison After the English Embassadours were returned King Henry to cheere up the foure French Hostages left heere for performance of covenants on the seaventh of May presented a solemne and stately Maske wherein himselfe the Duke of Suffolke and the French Queene were Actors and on the eight of March following was a solemne Just holden and with great magnificence performed In the eleventh yeere of King Henries Raigne died the Emperour Maximilian for whom the King caused a solemne obsequie to be kept in Paules Church After whose death the French King and the King of Spain endeavoured by sundry plots each of them to get the Empire but in conclusion Charles King of Castile afterwards called Charles the fifth was elected Emperour for joy whereof a solemne Masse was sung at Pauls the seaventh of Iuly at which were present the Cardinall Campeius the Cardinall of Yorke the Duke of Buckingham Norfolke and Suffolk with the Embassadours of Spaine France Venice and Scotland and this yeere the King kept Saint Georges feast at Winsor with great solemnity At this time diverse young Gentlemen that had been in France after the manner of that Country carried themselves so familiarly with the King that the Lords of his counsell thought it a disparagement to him and thereupon with his leave first obtained they banished them the Court and in their places brought in more staied aud graver men namely Sir Richard Winkefield Sir Richard Ierningham Sir Richard Weston and Sir VVilliam Kingston In the summer of this yeere the Queene lying at her Mannor of Havering in Essex desired the King to bring thither the foure Hostages of France to whom shee made a Royall Banpuet and in September following the King lying at his Mannor of Newhall in Essex otherwise called Beaulieu where he had newly built a stately Mansion invited the Queen and the French Hostages thither where after a sumptuous Banquet he presented them with an extraordinary Mask for the Maskers were the Duke of Suffolk the Earl of Essex the Marquesse Dorset the Lord Aburgaveny Sir Richard VVinkfield Sir Richard VVeston and Sir VVilliam Kingston the youngest of whom was fifty yeeres old at least that the Ladies might see what force they had to make age young againe At this time the French King was very desirous to see the King of England with whom he had entred into such a league of alliance and to that end made meanes to the Cardinall that there might be an Enterview betweene them at some convenient place to which the Cardinall noâ— so much to satisfie the French King as to shew his owne greatnesse in France eâ—sily condiscended and thereupon perswaded King Henry how necessary it was that such an Enterview should be and then were sent unto Guysnes under the rule of Sir Edward Belknap three thousand artificers who builded on the plaine before the Castle of Guysnes a most stately Pallace of timber curiously Garnished without and within whither both the Kings in Iune next following agreed â—o come and to answere all commers at the Tilt Tournies and Barriers whereof proclamation was made in the Court of England by Orleance King of Armes of France and in the Court of France by Clarentius King of Armes of England whilst these things were preparing on Candlemas Even as the King and Queene were come from Even-song at their Mannour of Greenwich suddainly there blew a Trumpet and then entred into the Queenes Chamber foure Gentlemen who brought with them a waggon in which sate a Lady richly apparelled which Lady acquainted the King that the foure Gentlemen there present were come for the love of their Ladies to answer all commers at the Tilts on a day by the King to be appointed which day was thereupon appointed on Shrovetuesday next â—nsuing where they all behaved themselves with great valour to the great delight of the King and Queene By this time King Henry was ready for his journey into France and so removing from his Mannour of Greenwich on Friday the five and twentieth of May he with his Queene arived at Canterbury where he ment to keepe his Whitsontide At which time the Emperour Charles returning ouâ— of Spaine arrived on the coast of Kent where by the vice Admirall of England Sir William Fitz-Williams he was conducted to land and there met aud received by the Lord Cardinall in great state After which the King himselfe rode to Dover to welcome him and on Whitsunday earely in the morning conducted him to Canterbury where they spent all the Whitsontide in great joy and solace The chiefe cause that moved the Emperour at this time
up a White Flagge and desired Parlee but Parlee was denyed because he had combined with Rebells with whom it is not lawfull to hold Parlee Then he demanded that his Company might passe away with their Baggage but neither would this be granted Then he required â—hat some of the chiefer sort might have leave to depart but neither could this be obtained At last when they could prevail in nothing they hanged out the white Flagge again and submitted themselves absolutely without any condition to the Deputies mercy who presently consulteth how to deal with them and this was the Case Their number was well neer as great as the English there was present fear of danger from the Rebells and the English were so destitute of meat and apparell that they were ready to mutiny unlesse they might have the spoyl granted them and besides there were no ships neither to send them away if they were spared For these Reasons it was concluded the Deputy gain-saying and letting tears fall That onely the Leaders should be saved the rest all slain and all the Irish hanged up which was presently put in execution to the great disliking of the Queen who detested the slaughter of such as yeelded themselves and would accept of any excuses or allegations And yet more cruelty then this was at that time committed in the Netherlands for Iohn Norris and Oliver Temple English Commanders together with some Companies of Dutch setting out early one morning took Mechlyn a wealthy Town of Brabant at an assault with ladders where they promiscuously murthered both Citizens and Religious Persons offering violence even upon the dead taking away Grave-stones which were sent into England to be sold. About this time certain English Priests who were fled into the Netherlands in the yeer 1568 by the procurement of William Allen an Oxford Schollar joyned themselves to study at Doway where they entred into a Collegiate Form of Government to whom the Pope allowed a yeerly Pension But tumults arising in the Low-Countries and the English Fugitives being commanded by the King of Spains Deputy to depart from thence other the like Colledges for the trayning up of the English youth were erected one at Rheims by the Guises and another at Rome by Pope Gregory the thirteenth which alwayes afforded new â—upplyes of Priests for England when the old fayled who should spread abroad the seeds of the Romish Religion here amongst us from whence those Colledges had the name of Seminaries and they called Seminary-Priests who were trayned up in them In these Seminaries amongst other Disputations it was concluded That the Pope hath such fulnesse of Power by Divine Right over the whole Christian world both in Ecclesiasticall and Secular matters that by vertue thereof it is lawfull for him to excommunicate Kings absolve their subjects from their Oath of Allegiance and deprive them of their Kingdoms From these Seminaries at this time there came two into England Robert Parsons and Edmund Campian both of them English-men and Jesuites Parsons was born in Somerset-shire a fierce and rough conditioned fellow Campian was a Londoner of a milder disposition They had been both brought up in Oxford Campian a Fellow of St. Iohn's Colledge and had been Proctor in the yeer 1569 and when he was made Deacon counterfeited himself to be a Protestant till such time as he slipped out of England Parsons was of Baylioll Colledge where he made open profession of the Protestant Religion till for dishonest carriage he was expelled the House and then fled to the Popish Party Both these came privily into England in the disguise one while of Souldiers another while of Noble-men sometimes like English Ministers and sometimes in the habit of Apparitors Parsons who was made the Superiour brake forth into such open words amongst the Papists about deposing the Queen that some of themselves had a purpose to complain of him to the Magistrates Campian though something more moderate yet in a Writing provoked the English Ministers to a dispuâ—e and published in Latine an Elegant Book of his ten Reasons in maintenance of the Doctrine of the Romish Church as Parsons in like manner set forth another violent Pamphlet against Clark who had written modestly against Campians Provocaâ—ion But Doctor Whitaker soundly confuted Campian who being after a yeer apprehended and put upon the Rack was afterward brought out to a Disputation where he scarcely made good the great fame that went of him In this yeer was the return of Captain Drake from his incredible Voyage round about the World which Magellan had before attempted but died in the Voyage whereof to relaâ—e all particular accidents would require a large Volume It may suffice in this place to deliver some speciall Passages He was born of mean Parentage in Devon-shire yet had a great man Francis Russell after Earl of Bedford to be his God-father His father in K. Henry the eighth's time being persecuted for a Protestant changed his Soyl and lived close in Kent K. Henry being dead he got a place amongst the Marriners of the Queens Navy to reade Prayers and afterward bound his son Franâ—is to a Ship-Master who in a Ship which went to and fro upon the Coast with Commodities one while to Zealand another while to France trayning him up to pains and skill at Sea who afterward dying took such a liking to him that he bequeathed his Barque to him by his Will This Barque Drake sold and then in the yeer 1567 went with Sir Iohn Hawkins into America in which Voyage he unfortunately lost all he had Five yeers after having gotten again a good sum of Money by Trading and Pyracy which the Preacher of his Ship told him was lawfull he bought a Ship of Warre and two small Vessells with which he set Sayl again for America where his first Prize was great store of Gold and Silver carryed over the Mountains upon Mules whereof the Gold he brought to his Ships but left the Silver hiding it under ground After this he fired a great place of Traffique called The Crosse at the River Chiruge when roaming to and fro upon the Mountains he espyed the South Sea where falling upon his knees he craved assistance of Almighty God to finde out that passage which he reserveth for another Voyage and for the present having gotten much riches he returned home Afterwards in the yeeâ— 1577 the thirteâ—â—th day of November with five Ships and Sea-men to the number of 163 he set Sayl from Plimmoâ—th for the Southern Sea and within five and twenty dayes came to Cantyne a Capâ— in Baâ—bâ—ry and then sayled along by the Islâ— of Fâ—gâ— which sends forth â—â—emes of Sulphur and being now unâ—eâ— the Line he let every one in his Ships blood The sixteenth of Apâ—â—l entring into the mouth of the Plateâ— they espyed a world of Sea-Calves in which place Iohn-â—oughty the next to Drake in Authority was called in question for raising Sedition in the Navy wâ—o being found guilty was beheaded
destined to his bed and for this purpose the Earle of Carlile and the Earle of Holland were sent into France to treat of a marriage with a younger daughter of the Great Henrie the fourth King of France deceased and sister to the present King Lewis which marriage afterward took effect but was not accomplished in King Iames his dayes who dyed soon after the agreement It was now the yeare 1623. in which in Michaelmas Terme there was a Call of fifteene Sarjeants at Law who kept their Feast in the Middle-Temple Hall Some Passages of small moment I confesse are omitted by me in this Raigne of King Iames as whereof for want of knowing the particulars I dare not venture upon making the Relation which if some men would have done the truth of our Chronicles should not have been mingled with so many falsities Of his TAXATIONS IN his second yeare in the moneth of September he sent Privie Seales to the wealthiest Citizens of London for monies to bee borrowed of them and in October following the customes of Merchandises both outward and inward were raised and then were letten out to Farme In a Parliament holden at Westminster the third yeare of his Reigne there were given him three entire Subsidies and six fifteens by the Temporalty and by the Clergie foure entire Subsidies This yeare also Henry Lord Mordant convicted in the Star-Chamber for divers misprisions was fined to pay ten thousand Marks and Edward Lord Sturtâ—n for the like offence to pay six thousand Marks and Henry Earle of Northumberland for offences laid to his charge to pay thirty thousand pounds and some yeares after Sir Iohn Bennet Iudge of the Prerogative Court was fined to pay twenty thousand pounds In his fourth yeare he repayed threescore thousand pounds to the Citizens of London which the Londoners had lent to Queen Elizabeth three yeares before her death an act by which he got more love than hee payed money In his seventh yeare hee had ayd throughoâ—t England for making his eldest Son Prince Henrie Knight which though levied with great moderation brought him in great summes of money In his eighteenth yeaâ—e in a Parliament holden at Westminster the Temporalty gave him two Subsidies and the Clergie three and in another Parliament in the yeare 1623. the Temporalty gave him three subsidies and three fifteens the Clergy foure Subsidies Besides these Subsidies hee sent abroâ—d many great Privie Seales and had also a benevolence throughout the Realme not without some grudging but without any just cause for it should have been remembred that he took it not out of covetousnesse to gather wealth but out of very necessity to supply wants For by his imploying many Embassadours in Ordinary many Extraordinarie by his necessarie bounty to his followers and by his charge of keeping severall Courts none of all which hee could avoyd His expences were farre greater than any of his Predecessors had ever beene Of his Lawes and Ordinances THE day of his removing from Charter-house at his first comming into England he caused Proclamation to be made that all Monopolies and Protections should cease as likewise all oppressions done by Salt-Peeter men by Purveiers and Carters On the 26. of May following hee set forth a Proclamation restraining all persons under great penalties from killing of Deere or any kind of Fowle used for Hawking The seventeenth of May Proclamation was made against Robberies on the borders and on the nineteenth of May another for â—niting the people inhabiting about the borders of England and â—câ—â—land to live in love â—nd quiâ—tnesse In this first yeare in a Parliament â—hen holdenâ— it was Enacted that neither Arch-bishop nor Bishop should Alienate Grant or Demise or in any sort convey no not to the King himselfe â—â—y of the Honours Lands Tenements or Hereditaments being parcell of the possessions of his Arch-biâ—â—op or Bishoprick and if any were it should be utterly voyd and of no effect notwithstanding any former Law Act or Ordinance to the contrarie He then also caused himself by Proclamation to be Enstyled King of Great Britaine that the division of England and Scotland might be no more remembred In his second yeare by his Letters Patents he incorporated the Felâ—-makers of London by the name of Master Wardens and Communalty of the Art or Mysterie of the Felt-makers granting them divers privileges and liberties for their good government of their Corporation In Novem. of his second yeare were Proclaimed in London certaine new pieces of coyne both of gold and silver with the true valuation and weights of them according to the Mint of both Nations English and Scottish In a Parliamenâ— holden the 3. year of his Reigne the Oath of Allegiance was devised and ordained and soon after minâ—â—tred to all sorts of people This yeere also hee mâ—de Proclamation to redresse the misimployment of Lâ—â—ds or goods given to 〈◊〉 uses Also this yeare he set forth a Proclamation for beariâ—g of 〈◊〉 in Sâ—ips to be in this manner that from thenceforth all the Subjects of greâ—â— â—rittâ—â—â—â— should beaâ—e in their mayne top the Red-Crosse coâ—monly called the 〈◊〉 Geâ—â—ges Crâ—sse and the 〈◊〉 Crosse commonly callâ—d St. Andreâ—â—â— Crâ—sse joynâ—d togeâ—her and the Subjects of South-Britâ—â—â—â—â— should caâ—â—y in their Foretop only the Red-â—roâ—se as they were wont and 〈◊〉 â—ubjects of North-Briâ—â—â—ine only the White-Croâ—se In this â—ourth yeare on the 〈…〉 he set â—orth a Proclamation commanding all Iesuiâ—s Seminâ—ry 〈…〉 to depaâ—â— the Realme before the first of August following and 〈…〉 returne upon paâ—ne of death according to diverse Statutes in that 〈◊〉 â—rovided In his second yeare he had set forth a Proclamation against 〈…〉 increase of new buildings which being little regarded Now in his fourâ—â— yâ—â—re he renewed the said Proclamationâ— adding withall that the 〈◊〉 and windowes of all new buildings should be either of Brick oâ— stone◠〈◊〉 â—â—sobeying whereof many were called in the Star-chamber and there fined◠〈…〉 yeare he gave order for planting of Mulberry Trees and breeding of 〈◊〉 wormes that England might be a Country as well of silke as Cloath In his â—â—venth yeare he instituted the Order of the Baronets which hath much degeâ—â—â—ated â—ince his institution and thereby having been devised for the benefit of 〈◊〉 hath caused but little contentment unto England This yeare also the â—ing himselfe in person came to the Star-chamber where he had appointed the 〈◊〉 men to meetâ— and there for the better keeping of Coynes of Gold within 〈◊〉 Realmeâ— he raised the prizes of them ordayning the price called the Vnity which went before but for twenty shillings to bee curâ—ant now for twâ— and twenâ—y the double Crowne and all other peeces to encrease in the lâ—ke proportion in his fifteenth year he granted to the Apothecaries of London to be a Corporation for themselves and their successours for ever and by Letters Paâ—enâ—s made them a Body Politick and corporate In his time by his appointment â— strict decree passed in the Star-chamber
beene bred in Cambridge not perhaps that his learning was so great but that it was great either in respect of that age which had but little or in respect of his Brothers who had none at all and the People having beene oppressed before by the ill Government of two Kings that were illiterate could not chuse but be glad to come under the Government of a King â—hat was Learned And though his Brother Robert as being the Elder had right unto it yet he as out of sight was out of minde and perhaps neglected as being himselfe negligent withall it was given out that he was chosen King of Hierusalem and therefore no looking for him to come home and to give force to all these reasons Henry Newborough Earle of Warwicke was a principall â—urtherer His course for establishing himselfe in the Kingdome IT is a hard matter to keepe that safely which is unjustly gotten and therefore he tooke all possible care to overcome that hardnesse which he effected by these meanes First he called Anselme Arch-bishop of Canterbury home from Exile placed William Gyfford a learned man in the Bishopricke of Winchester and Monasteries that had beene long vacant he furnished with good Abbots And because it is no lesse pleasing to the People to have bad instruments punished then the good to be advanced he cast Ralph Bishop of Durham a principall cause of their late oppressions into prison then mitigated the rigour of the new Lawes and promised restitution of the old And that there might be no abuse in measures he ordained a measure made by the length of his owne Arme which is called a Yard He restored to his Subjects the use of Lights and Fire in the night which before had beene forbidden after eight a clocke at night He acquited the People from the Taxe of Danegelt and from all other unjust payments which had beene imposed upon them by the two former Kings He gave free liberty to the Nobility and Gentry of the Realme to inclose Parkes for Deere and Warrens for Coneyes and such like game And because he knew Scotland might be an ill Neighbour to him if not tyed by some Bond and none so sure as the Bond of Alliance he therefore takes Matild sister of the present King Edgar to be his Wife His Troubles during his Raigne RAlph Bishop of Durham the late King Williams great Instrument for Exactions that had by this King beene committed to the Tower made an escape and passing over to Duke Robert in Normandy incenseth him not to suffer himselfe to be baffled by a younger Brother as for his Brother William there was some reason because his Father had given him the Kingdome by his Will but what could Henry pretend who had his Portion given him in money Besides it was an agreement with his Brother William with consent of all the Lords of the Reâ—lme that the Surviver of them should succeed With such like instigations and withall assuring him there were many in England would take his part he easily perswaded the Duke to that from which he could hardly have disswaded him who thereupon with a convenient Army puts to Sea and lands at Portsmouth while Henry waited for his comming about Hastings and being landed there much people resorted to him that it was like to have beene a bloody businesse but by mediation of Friends working upon the flexible nature of Duke Robert it was brought at last to this agreement that King Henry should pay to Duke Robert three thousand markes yearely and Duke Robert should succeed him in the kingdome if he survived And thus this cloud that threatned so great a storme brought with it â—ather Sunshine and faire weather for now to his possession of the Kingdome there was added a right and he might now justifie his being a King without any scandall or usurpation After this another little cloud arose but was soone dispersed For Robert de Belesme Earle of Shrewsbury a rash young man of disposition but more through discontentment though discontented for nothing but that having a great Estate he was not a King as well as some others fortifyed the Towne of Shrewsbury and the Castle of Bridgenorth and got many Welshmen to assist him but the King comming with a mighty Army so terrifyed the Welsh that they abandoned the Earle and left him a prey to the King in his person and more in his Estate for the King seised his Estate into his hands but for his Person he onely banisht it the Realme For as yet the shedding of blood and putting to death though for great Treasonable practises was not much in use Policy of State was not yet growne to that heighth of severity The like attempt and upon the like occasion was made by William Earle of Mortaigne in Normandy and of Cornwall in England Unckle to the King onely for denying him the Earledome of Kent which because he could not obtaine he entred into Treasonable practises by which he lost the Earledomes he had before But these troubles were but as the labour of a Woman that is safely delivered painefull for a time but ending in joy and indeed for the most part this King had the fortune to be a gainer by his losses After this Duke Robert came in kindnesse into England to visitâ— his Brother Henry where he was so well pleased with his entertainment that in requitall thereof and to doe a favour to the Queene that was his God-daughter he released to King Henry the three thousand markes which he was yearely to pay him But returning into Normandy and considering better what he had done he so repented him that he spared not to give out that his Brother had directly cousened him Which comming to King Henryes eare so incensed him that he presently sent over a mighty Army which forraged the Country and wonne many Townes and Cities and soone after went over himselfe where he so prevailed that he left Duke Robert but onely Roan in all Normandy to put his head in and this done returnes into England And now Duke Robert beginnes to be sensible of his owne weaknesse and therefore comes over into England to try the uâ—â—ermost of his Brothers good nature himselfe had sent him a Tunne of Wine to refresh him withall when in a siege he was ready to perish for want of water and it cannot be but that gratefulnesse and naturall affection meeting together must needes worke something in the minde of a Brother Thus resolved he presents himselfe to the King referring both his Dukedome and himselfe and all differences and debates to his will and pleasure But whether incensed with the scandalous words Duke Robert had given out of him or whether aspiring to joyne Normandy to England as his Father had done before King Henry scarce vouchsafed to heare him speake at least vouchsafed not to make him any answer but in a sullen manner turned away and so left him which scornefull usage put the Duke into such indignation that
of Anjoâ— brought upon him a distemper which encreased by eating against his Physitiâ—ns advise of a Lâ—mprey a meate alwayes plâ—â—sâ—ng 〈◊〉 himâ— but never agreeing with him cast him into a â—â—aver which in few â—ayeâ— put a pâ—â—iâ—d to his life So cerâ—aine it is that one intemperate action is enoâ—â—h to overthrow the temperance of a whole life as of this King Henry it is saidâ— thâ—â— he seldome did eaâ— but when he was hungry never did drink but when he was â—thirstâ— yet this but onâ—e yeelding to his sensuall appetite made hâ—m forfeâ—â— all benefit of his former abstinence though some write he tooâ—â— his dâ—â—th by the fâ—ll off his hâ—rsâ— He died upon the first of Dâ—â—ember at night in â—he yeâ—re 1135. when he had Raigned five and thirty yeares lived threescore and seven His bowels braines and eyes were buâ—ied at Roan in Noâ—mandy where he died the rest of â—iâ— body was stuffed with Salt wrapped in Oxe hides and brought over inâ—â— England and with honoâ—rable Exequies buried in the Monastery of â—eâ—dingâ— which himselfe had Founded His Physitiâ—n that â—ooke out his braines with the intolerable stinch shortly after died In this King Henry ended the line of the Nâ—rmans as touching the Heiâ—es Males and then câ—me in the Freâ—ch by the title of Heires generall Men of nâ—te in his time MEn of learning in his time were manyâ— first Stephen Harding a Benedictine Monke who was Founder of the Cistercian Ordeâ—â— Then Anselme Arch-bishop of Câ—â—terbury who beâ—ides his activenesse in matters of State writ many great and learned bookes Then Waltâ—r Câ—lâ—â—â— Arch-deacon of Oxford who delivered a History written in the British tongue from Brute to Cadwallader to Geoffry of Monâ—â—â—â—â—h to translatâ— and added forty yeares of his owne â—ime Also 〈◊〉 a Monâ— of Wâ—â—câ—ster who writ Dâ— rebâ—s Gestis Anglorum Also Eâ—dmâ—râ—s a Mâ—â—k of Câ—â—terbury who â—â—sides othâ—r wâ—â—ks writ the History of his owne tâ—me under the two Williâ—â—s and Hâ—â—â—y the first THE RAIGNE OF KING STEPHEN AFter the decease of King Henry presently steps upon the Stage of Royalty Stephen Earle of Boleyne Sonne to Stephen Earle of â—loys by Adela Daughter of King William the Conqâ—â—â—our and though there were two other before him Maâ—de the Empresse and Theobald his elder Brother She in a substantiall right He in a colourable yet taking advantage of being Priâ—â—â— Occâ—pans the first Invader as being quickly here after King Henries death where the other stayed lingring about other Affâ—ires he solicits all the Orders oâ— the Realme Bishops and Lords and People to receive him for their Soverâ—ine wherein besides his owne large promises what great matters he would do for them all he had the assistance also of Henry his Brother Bishop of Winchestâ—râ—nd â—nd the Popes Legate and of Roger Bishop of Salisbury his great friend 〈◊〉 the most powerfull men at that time in the State who partly by force of Reasons but more indeed by force then Reasons procure the State to accept him for their King and so upon Saint Stephâ—ns day in Anno 1135. he was Crowned at Westminster in presence of but three Bishops few of the Nobility and not one Abbot by William Arch-bishop of Canterbury with great solemnity That which put â— scruple in mens minds and made them averse at first from consenting to Stepheâ— was the Oath they had taken to receive King Henries Daughâ—â—r Maude to be their Qâ—een after his decease but the weight of this scruple was something abated when it was urged that no Precedent could be shewed that ever the Crowne had beene set upon a Womans head And Roger Bishop of Salisbury brought another Reason because they had taken that Oath but upon condition that the King shoulâ— not marry heâ— out of the Realme without their consents and the King having brokâ—n the condition was just cause to nullifie their Obligation to which was added thâ—â— the Oath having beene exacted by Authority which is a â—ind of forcing it might have the Plea of Per minâ—s and therefore void And yet more then all these Hâ—gh Bigâ—t sometime Stewâ—â—d to King Henry immediately after his decease came oveâ— into England and tooke a voluntary Oath before divers Lords of the Land that he was present a little before King Henries death when he adopted and chose his Nephew Stephen to be his Successour because his Daughter Mâ—â—dâ— had grâ—evously at that timâ— displeased him But howsoever their breach of Oath was thus palliaâ—ed it is certaine that many of them as well Bishops as other Lords came afterward to an evill end at least â—o many calamities before their end VVhat course he tooke to establish himselfe in the Kingdome IT is a true saying 〈◊〉 rebâ—s optiâ—â— servatâ—â— Imperium quibuâ— pâ—â—atur and this was Stephens course he got the kingdome by Proâ—ises and he establisht it by Performances he pleased the People with easing them of Taxes and Impositions He pleased the Clergy with forbearing to keepe Bishoprickes and Abbeyes Vacant and with exempting them from the Authority of the Temporall Magistrate He pleased the Nobility with allowing them to build Castleâ— upon their owne Lands He pleased the Genâ—â—y with giving them liberty to hunt the Kings Deere in their owne Woods and besides with advancing many of them in Honours and for his Brother Theobald who being the elder was before him in pretence to the Crowne he pleased him with a grant to pay him two thousand Markes a yeare and then to strengthen himselfe abroad no lesse then at home he marryed his Son Eâ—stace to Constance a Daughter of Lewis King of France which alliance alone might be thought a sufficient security against all Opposition And yet one thing more which establisht him more then these at least these the more for this that he had seiseâ— upon King â—enries treâ—sure which amounted to a hundred thousand pound besideâ— Plate and â—ewels of inestimable value which he speâ—t no◠〈◊〉 vaine riot but imployed to his best advantage both in procuring of Friends and in levying of Souldiers out of Britany and Flanders Of his Troubles in his Raigne THere may wel be made a Chapter of the troubles of his Raign seeing his whole Raign was in a manner but one continued trouble at leaâ—t no longer intermissioÌ„ then as to give him breath against new encounters til at last when he grew towards his lâ—st he rather left to be in trouble then was at quiet being forced to make his adversary his Heâ—re and to leave his Crown to him that had sought his life For he was no sooner set in his Chaire of State but he was presently disquieted and made to rise by the provocation of David King of Scots who solicited by some Lords of England but chiefly by Maâ—de the Empresse whose Right he had sworne to defend with a mighty Army entred Nâ—rthumberland tooke Carlile and Newcastle and was proceeding further till King Stephen with a greater Army comming against him yet rather bought his
received in all places as she went peaceably and at London joyfully where Queene Matild made humble suite unâ—o her for the liberty of King Stephen her husband and that he might but be allowed to live a private life the Londoners also made suite to have the Lawes of King Edward restored but the Empresse not onely rejected both their suites but returned them answers in harsh and insulting language Indeed most unseasonably and which gave a stop to the current of all her fortunes for Queene Matild finding thereby how high the Empresse pulses did beate sent presently to her Sonne Eustace being then in Kent to raise Forces with all speed with whom the Londoners as much discontented as she doe afterwards joyne and Henâ—y Bishop of Winchester as much discontented as either of them fortifies his Castles at Waltham and Farnham and specially Winchester where he stayes himselâ—e attending upon what Coast the next wind of the Empresse would blow Of all these things the Empresse had intelligence and thereupon secretly in the night she fled to Oxford sending streight charge to have King Stephen more narrowly watched more hardly used put as some write into fetters and fed with very bare and poore Commons withall she sends to her Unkle David Kings of Scots to come unto her with all speed possible who comming accordingly they fall into consultation what is first to be done the lot fals upon Winchester as being their greatest adversary now no lesse in apparence then in power so Winchester they besiege which Queene Matild hearing she with her Sonne Eustace and the Londoners come presently to the succour where a fierce battell being fought the end was that the party of Queene Matild prevailed and the Empresse to make her escape was faine to be laid upon a Horse backe in manner of a dead Corps and so conveyed to Glocester while Earle Robert her brother disdaining to flie was taken Prisoner whom Queene Matild caused to be used the more hardly in retaliation of the hard usage which the Empresse before had shewed to King Stephen Things standing in these termes propositions were made by the Lords for pacification but such were the high spirits of the Empresse and her brother Robert that no conditions would please them unlesse the Empresse might enjoy the Crowne But after long debate whether by agreement betweene themselves or by connivence of the keepers both King Stephen and Earle Robert got to be at liberty When the first thing King Stephen did was to looke out the Empresse to requite the kindnesse she had shewed him in prison and hearing her to be at Oxford he layes siege to the Towne and brings the Empresse to such distresse that she had no way to free her selfe but by flight and no way to flee but with manifest danger yet she effected it by this devise It was in the Winter season when frost and snow covered all the ground over she therefore clad her selfe and her foure servants that were with her in white cloathes which being of the colour of Snow made her passe the Watches without being discerned and by this meanes came safe to her friends at Wallingford Yet Mamesbury who lived at that time confesseth he could never learne certainely by what meanes she made her escape But howsoever she escaped this present danger yet it left such an impression of feare upon her that she never after had any mind to appeare upon this stage of Warre but left the prosecution of it to her Sonne Henry who was now about sixteene yeares of age and being forward of his age and able to beare Armesâ— was by his great Unkle David King of Scots Knighted to make him more forward It was now the ninth yeare of King Stephens Raigne when Ralph Earle of Chester keeping possession of the City of Lincolne was in the night time assaulted by the King but the Earle perceiving the Kings Forces to be but small suddenly issued forth and repelled the King with the slaughter of fourescore of his men Yet two yeares after this the Earle was reconciled to the King and came of his owne accord to waite upon him when perfidiously he was detained by the King and not set at liberty till he had surrendred into the Kings hands all the Castles that were in his possession which though it brought the King some present benefit yet it wrought him a greater future losse for it lost him his credite with all men and no man afterward would trust his word Now was Duke Henry come to the age of nineteene yeares and was in possession of the Dukedome of Anjou by the death of his Father Geoffrey Plantagenet and not long after this he marryed Eleanor the Daughter and Heire of William Duke of Guyen by whom he had that Dutchy and also the Earledome of Poicton Normandy he had by his Mother but more by the peoples inclination So as being possest now of foure great Principalities this greatnesse of Estate added to the greatnesse of his spirit made him aspiring to recover his Right in England and over he comes bringing with him but small Forces but promising himselfe great from the people of this kingdome and many indeed resorted to him with whom he fell presently and besieged Marleborough but by the Kings greater Forces was repelled After this their Armies continued in the field still rather watching advantages to be doing then doing any thing sometimes advancing when no Enemy was neare and then retiring when the Enemy came till at last it was like to come to a set Battell when suddenly Eustace King Stephens onely Sonne unfortunately dyed Unfortunately for himselfe but fortunately for the kingdome For now King Stephen being left destitute of issue to succeed was the more easily drawne to conditions of Peace as likewise the Empresse Maude having lately lost her Brother Robert Earle of Glocester and Miles Earle of Hereford her two best Champions was no lesse willing of Peace then he which being furthered by the Lords of both sides was at last concluded upon these conditions that Stephen should hold the kingdome of England during his life and adopt Duke Henry as his Heire to succeed him And this agreement thus made and in a Parliament at Winchester confirmed Duke Henry ever after accounted King Stephen no lesse then a Father and King Stephen Duke Henry no lesse then a Sonne and well he might if it be true which some write that the Empresse when a Battell was to be fought betweene King Stephen and her Sonne went privily to him asking him how he could find in his heart to fight against him that was his owne Sonne could he forget the familiarity he had with her in her firt Widow-hood But this was no matter for the Writers of that time to deliver It touched too neare the interest of Princes then in being and Princes must not be touched while they live nor when they are dead neither with uncertainties as this could be no other But howsoever it was certaine
the King the estate of his kingdome and the oppressions of Popes inquiry was made of the Revenues which the Romans and Italians had in England which were found to be annually sixty thousand Markes being more then the yearely Revenues of the Crowne which so moved the King that he caused the same to be notifyed with all other Exactions to the Generall Councell now Assembled at Lyons and this with the ill usage of his Agent Martin so vexed the Pope that he is said to have uttered these words It is time to make an end with the Emperour that we may crush these petty Kings for the Dragon once appeased or destroyed these lesser Snakes will soone be trodden downe But upon the Popes rejecting the consideration of these grievances of England and despiâ—ing the Kings message who he said began to Frederize it was absolutely here ordained under great penalty that no contribution of money should be given to the Pope by any Subject of England and the King for a time assents unto it but being of an irresolute and wavering nature and afraid of threats he soone gave over what he undertooke so as the Pope continued his former rapine and though he had promised never to send any more Legats into England yeâ— sent he other Ministers under the title of Clerkes that had as great power as Legats and effected as much And now for the other part of the State new occasions also of complaint were offered Peter of Savoy Earle of Richmond comes into England bringing with him certain Maides to be marryed to young Noble men of this Countrey the Kings Wards of whom Edmund Earle of Lincolne hath one and Richard de Burgh another and the same yeare three of the Kings Brothers by the Mother Guy de Lusignan William de Valence and Athelmar Clerke are sent over to be provided of Estates in England also Thomas of Savoy sometimes Earle of Flanders by Right of his Wife comes with his sister Beatrix Countesse of Provence the Queenes Mother who are againe Feasted and Gifted for which the King is taxed the next Parliament in Candlemas Terme and besides sharply reprehended for his breach of Promise having Vowed and Declared by his Charter never more to injure the State in that kinde also for his violent taking up of provision of Waxe Silke Roabes and specially of Wine contrary to the will of the sellers and many other grievances they complaine of all which the King patiently heares in hope to obtaine his desire but yet nothing is effected and the Parliament being Prorogued till Midsummer following and the King growing more obdurate then before it afterward brake up in discontent But the Parliament not supplying him he is advised to furnish his wants with sale of his Plate and Jewels of the Crowne being told that though they were sold yet they would revert againe unto him and having with great losse received money for them he askes who had bought them Answer is made the City of London That City said he is an inexhaustible Gulph If Octavius Treasure were to be sold they surely would buy it And now to vexe them he appoints a Faire to be kept at Westminster forbidding under great penalty all exercise of Merchandise within London for fifteene dayes and all other Fayres in England and namely that of Ely but this Novelty came to nothing the Inconvenience of the place as it was then and the foulenesse of the weather brought more affliction then benefit to the Traders That Christmas also he requires Newyeares gifts of the Londoners and shortly after writes unto them his Letters imperiously deprecatory to ayde him with money and thereby gets of them twenty thousand pounds for which the next yeare after he craves pardon of them And notwithstanding his continuall taking up all Provisions for his House yet he lessens his House-keeping in no honourable manner And then seeing he could get nothing of the States together he calls unto him or writes to every Nobleman apart declaring his poverty and how he was bound by Charter in a debt of thirty thousand pound to those of Burdeaux and his Gascoynes who otherwise would not have suffered him to depart home at his last being in France but faâ—ling herein of Temporall Lords he addresseth his Letters to the Prelates of whom he findes as little reliefe by much importunity and his owne presence he got of the Abbot of Ramsey a hundred pound but the Abbot of Borough had the face to deny him though the King told him it was more Almes to give money to him then to a Begger that went from doore to doore The Abbot of Saint Albons yet was more kind and gave him threescore Markes To such lownesse did the necessity of this indigent King through his profusion bring him The Iewes ever exposed to his will feele the weight of these his wants One Abraham found a Delinquent redeemes himselfe for seven hundred Markes and Aaron another Iew protests the King had since his last being in France taken from him at times thirty thousand Markes of Silver besides 200. Markes of Gold given to the Queene But now the Lords assemble againe at London and presse him with his promise made unto them that the Chiefe Justiciar Chancellour and Treasurer should be appointed by the Generall Councell of the kingdome but by the absence of Richard Earle of Cornwall which was thought to be done of purpose they returne frustrate of their desire And now the Bishopricke of Winchester falling void the King sends presently to the Monkes of the Cathedrall Church to Elect his Brother Athelmar and because he would not be denyed he goes thither himselfe in person and there enters the Chapter house as a Bishop or Prior gets up into the Presidents Chaire beginnes a Sermon and takes his Text Iustice and Peace have kissed each other and thereupon useth these words To me and other Kings who are to governe the people belongs the rigour of Judgement and Justice to you who are men of quiet and Religion Peace and Tranquillity and this day I heare you have for your owne good beene favourable to my request with many such like words whereby the Monkes finding the earnestnesse of his desire held it in vaine to deny him and Athelmar is Elected but with this reservation if the Pope allow it Shortly after followes the memorable Case of Sir Henry de Bathe a Justiciar of the kingdome and a speciall Counsellour to the Kingâ— who by corruption had attained to a mighty Estate and is said in one Circuit to have gotten two hundred pound land per annum He is accused by Sir Philip Dâ—rcy of falsehood in the Kings Court and the King is so incensed against him that in the Parliament at this time holden in London Proclamation is made that whosoever had any Action or Complaint against Henry de Bathe should come and be heard One of his fellow Justiciars accused him of acquiting a malefactor for a bribe The King seeing Henry
was one great branch of assistance lopt off from the English which had been a great meanes before to make it flourish and it was not so much that the assistaâ—ce was taken from the English as that it was added to the French for after this the Duke of Burgoigâ—e brought more assistance to the new king of France than ever he had done before to the King of England By which we may see when the Divine Providence hath a worke to effect what slight occasions it oftentimes takes to effect the worke Great blowes had been given before in France to the English fortune by the enemie but now a blow was given to it by Destiny which made the Enemyes blowes the more incurable for now the wise valiant faithfull Regent of France Duke of â—â—â—ford Anjou and Alansâ—n Earle of Mayne Harcourt Drieux Richmond and Carlile and Viscount Beâ—mont upon the fourteenth of September 1435 ended his life at Pâ—ris which was in a manner the ending the life of the English fortune in France all former blowes had beene upon inferior members but this was a blow upon the head and therefore mortall and indeed the English fortune in France never 〈◊〉 liâ—â—ed up its head but very weakely He was buried in our Ladies Church at 〈◊〉 whereat the Nobility of Normandy much repined who would have had theiâ— owne Territory honored with his Sepulchre yet see the levity of these men who a few years after in the Reigne of Lewis the Son of Charles would have had his Monument to have beene demolished as being dishonorable such an Arch enemie to France should be Interred in the Metropolitan Citie of that Province But 〈◊〉 answered God forbid I should give way to so dishonorable an act to disquiet his dead bones who living would have disquieted us all and it savours of too much basenesse to insult upon a dead Lyon But yet in these disasters there might have beene some reparation by a good Succeâ—â—or had not Envy and Ambition bred disturbance the Duke of Somerset desired the Succession but the Duke of Yorke obtained it which bred such an envy in the Duke of Somerset towards him that he laboured nothing so much as to crosse his designes and was a means to hinder the Duke of Yorkes going to his charge so long thâ—â— the Pâ—risians had time to thinke of freeing themselves from the English serviâ—â—de and thereupon the Citie after it had remained seventeen yeares in the possesâ—â—â—â— oâ— the English yeilds to the Constable and upon composition expels all the English and which was worse many other Towns followed this example of Paris for what Town would not willingly do as Paris did the epitome as it were of all France and which they stick not to call Le Monde de Paris as though there were upon earth no oâ—hâ—r world but Paris Even the Normans who had alwaies been most firm to the English yâ—â— had run the â—ame course if the Lord Talbot had not kept them in awe with the â—laughter of five thousand of them that way inclined And now after thesâ— great losses we must be content to play smaller game cast at Castles and Forts and some small Towns like the strugling of dying men doing acts of life till there be no more life remaining And this was now our case in France The new Regent with eight thousand Souldiers arrived at Harflâ—w and from thence marcheth to 〈◊〉 where he wonne the reputation of justice and uprightnesse notwithstanding all the calumniations of the Duke of Somerset when the revolted Duke of 〈◊〉 pretending title to the Town of Callis approacheth it with an Army of forty thousand men takes the poore â—â—stile of Oyâ— and slaughters and hangs many of the â—â—fendants The â—â—xards besieged the Castle of St. Markâ— tooke it and demolished itâ— from thence they begirt Callis with a â—iege but were repelled Then the Duke of Bâ—rgoigâ—e sent the Lord Croy to besiege the Castle of Guysnesâ— but were repelled thâ—râ— also In the meane time Pembroke the Herald brought a defiance to the Duke of â—urgoigne from the Duke of Glocester the Protector that he would give him battell if he would abide it to whom the Duke of Burgoigne answered he should be 〈◊〉 to finde him where he now was Whereupon he calleth a Councell and whilst they are debating what is best to be done the Calliciens make a sallye take the Baâ—â—â—â—â— which they had builded by force and slew eight score of the Burgoigâ—ians which so terrified them that they upbraid the Duke of Burgoigne and make both him â—nd the Lord Croy to quit their quarters and in such haste to be gone that they left â—â—reat part of their best Ordnance and all their Provision for the reliefe and helpe of the besieged and it seemes they had reason so to do for the next day being the sâ—ven and twentieth of Iuly the Duke of Glocester landed at Callis with five and twenty thousand good fighting men who finding the enemy recolled forraged all the Countrey thereabout and for the space of sixe weekes â—arrowed all thâ— parts of Flâ—â—ders Artholâ— and Hainault and then returning by St. Omers Arde and Gâ—â—sâ—es arrived at Callis And now we must look a little home for the D. of Yorke returning intoâ— Eâ—glâ—nâ— findes the Castle of Roksborough beâ—ieged by the King of Scots with thirty thâ—usand men but he hearing of the Earle of Northumberlands appâ—oâ—ch and the Dukes returne incontinently fled And now againe to France where the Towne of Hâ—rflew was sold to the French but the Duke of Somerset and the Lord Talbot besetting it both by sea and land though the Earle of Ewe and the Bastard of Orleance and Bourbon wiâ—h foure thousand men came to relieve it yet upon composition it was surrendred And here we may have leave to speake of a private matter for about this time the Dutchesse of Bedford married Sir Richard Woodvile a gallant young Gentleman but of small meanes which though it offended her friends yet it seems offended not God who made her mother of many children by him and amongst the rest of the Lady Elizabeth afterwards married to King Edward the fourth Also about this time Iames King of Scots who before had beene eighteene years Prisoner in England and afterward released with a wife of a noble house a great Dowre and many honorable Presents yet proved ungratefull was murthered in his bed-chamber by night whose murtherers being found out were cruelly tortured And now againe to France when the Duke of Burgoigne could neither by force nor policie take Câ—llice he attempted a ridiculous practise to cut a ditch that should drowâ— both the Town and Country but after much labour and expence his designe like a vapour vanished into ayre The Lord Talbot besieged Tankervile and after foure moneths siege hath it rendred to him In revenge whereof the French King in his owne person layes siege to Monstreau which whil'st the Duke of Yorke was providing to rescue he was
the Preacher for abusing his sacred function with so shamefull a Sermon The Tuesday following this Sermon the Duke of Buckingham with divers Lords and Knights came to the Guildhall in London and there before the Major and whole assembly of Citizens made a very solemne and long Oration wherein he recited many grievances of the late King Edwards Government his many unnecessary Taxations and unjust severities thereby to bring his children into hatred and then reâ—embred them of the late Sermon made at Pauls Crosse by a learned Doctor who cleerly shewed the bastardy of King Edwards children and that Richard Duke of Glocester was the onely rightfull and indubitate heire to the Crowne of England which the Lords of the Kingdome having taken into their consideration had thereupon agreed to accept him for their King and now himselfe was come to acquaint them with it and to require their consents Which Oration ended all men stood wondring at the motion but no man offered to speak a word At which the Duke marvelling as supposing the Major had prepared them before he asked the Major privately what this silence meant who answered that perhaps they had not heard or understood what it was he said Whereupon the Duke with a more aâ—dible voice repeated the same matter againe in a more earnest and plain expression yet neither did that move them to shew any inclination to the motion Then the Duke whispering with the Major It was thought that the Citizens being used to have such motions made them by their Recorder they would better it from him and thereupon the Recorder is commanded to move them in it but the Recorder called Fitzwilliams being an honest man and newly come to his place repeated onely as neer as he could the words of the Duke but added nothing of his own so as neither did this move the people to breake their silence At last the Duke seeing their resolved â—ullennesse told them plainly that all the Nobility and Commons of the Realme were agreed to choose the Protectour for their King as the true and undoubted heire so as he needed not to have moved them to it but onely for the great respect they all bare to this honourable City and therefore required them plainly to speak their mindes whether they would joyn with them in this choice or no. At this certaine servants of the Dukes and other of their procuring standing at the lower end of the Hall cast up their Caps and cryed aloud King Richard King Richard whereat though the whole multitude of Citizens marvelled what they meant yet the Duke taking advantage of it as of an unanimous conset A goodly cry saith he and thanked them all for their universall approbation promising he would acquaint the Protectour with the great love they shewed toward him and then requiring the Major and chiefe Citizens to meet him the next morning at Baynards Castle where the Protectour then lay there to joyn with him in Petitioning the Protectour to accept of this their freely profered subjection he tooke his leave and so departed The next morning according to appointment they all meet at Baynards Castle where the Duke of Buckingham sends up word to the â— Protector thâ—â— himself with the L. Major his Brethren were come to present a Supplication to him concerning a busines of great importance but the Protectour though preacquainted with all passages yet made it strange what their Supplication should be and answered that though he suspected nothing which the Duke of Buckingham presented to him yet he desired at least some some slight inâ—imation to what it might tend To this it was answered that the busines they came about was to be made known to himself in Person and therefore humbly besought him of admission in his presence Upon this as if not yet well assured of their well meaning towards him he appeares unto them in an upper Gallery making semblance as though he would prevent all danger by standing something aloofe and in his Fort To whom the Duke of Buckingâ—â—â— in behalfe of the Major and Nobility there present in most respective and reâ—erent manner makes reqâ—est that his Grace would pardon what he should deliver to him and much circumstance he used before he would discover their cause of â—omming but though long first yet at last he told it That in respect of the urgent necâ—ssâ—ties of the Common-wealth they all humbly intreated him to take upon him the Government of the Kingdome as in his own Right to whom they all tendred their Allegiance At which words the Protectour starting back as if he had heard something most unpleasing to him passionately answered I little thought good Cozen that you of all men would have moved me to a matter which of all things in the world I most decline Farre be it from to accept of that which without apparent wrong to my deare deceased brothers sweet children and my own upright Conscience I cannot well approve of And then being about to proceede in his premeditated diâ—â—imulation the Duke in a seeming abrupt passion kneeling upon his knee sayd Your Grace was pleased to give me free liberty to deliver unto you in the name of this worthy assembly the tender of their â—â—tifull obedience to you but I must further adde that it is unanimously resolved on that your late brother King Edwards children as being generally known to be Illegitimate shall never be admitted to the Crown of England and therefore if your Grace shall neither regard your selfe nor us so much as to accept it we are directly determined to conferre it upon some other of the House of Lâ—â—caster that will be more sensible of his own and our good These words wrought so powerfully upon the Protectours passions that with some change of Countenance and not without a seeming reluctation he said Since I perceive the whole Realme is so resolved by no meanâ— to admit my deer Nephews being but children to Reigne over you and seeing the Right of succession belongs justly to me as the indubiâ—ate Heire of Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke my Illustrious Father Wee are contented to condiscend to your importunities and to accept of the Royall Government of the Kingdome and will to the uttermost of my power endeavour to procure and maintain the welfare thereof And having so said he came downe from his Gallery and very formally saluted them all which so pleased the giddy multitude that presently they fell to acclamations Long live King Richard our dread Soveraigne Lordâ— and then every man departed THE REIGNE OF KING RICHARD THE THIRD IT was now the eighteenth day of Iune in the yeer 1483. when Richard Duke of Glocester tooke upon him the Crown so as the imaginary Raigne of Edward the fifth continued but just tenne weeks The next day King Richard with a great train went to Westminster-hall and placed himselfe in the Court of the Kings Bench saying he would take the Crown upon him in that place where the
Earle returning into Brittâ—iâ—e received there the news of the Duke of Buckinghams death and the dispâ—râ—ing of the Confederates forces with which though he was at first much troubled yet was he as much comforted afterward when he saw the Marquesse Dorset and those other Lords and Captaines come unto him soon after whose comming upon Christâ—â—sse day before the high Altar in the great Church of Rheims the Earle of Richmoâ—d gave Oath to marry the Lady Elâ—zabeth as soone as he should be quietly â—eâ—led in the Government of England and thereupon all the Lords and Knights there present did him homage and in the same place each to other Religiously Vowed taking the Sacrament upon it never to cease prosecuting warre against king Richard till either his Deposition or Destruction King Richard being informed of these things makes diligent enquiry after all such as might be suspected to be favourers of Richmonds association of whom Sir George Brown and Sir Roger Clifford with foure other Gentlemen are apprehended and exâ—cuted at London Sir Thomas Sentlâ—geâ— whom mâ—rried Anne the Duke of Excetâ—rs widdow this kings own sister and Thomas Rame Esquire were executed at Exceter Thomas Marquesse Dorset and all such as were with the Earle of Richâ—â—â—d were at a Parliament then holden attâ—inted of Treason and all their Goodâ— aâ—d Lands seized on to the kings use Besides these a poore Gentleman called Câ—lliâ—gborâ—â— for making a small ryme of thâ—ee of his wicked Coâ—nsellours the Lord Lâ—â—â—ll Sir Robert Ratcliffe and Sir William Catesby which ryme was thus framed 〈◊〉 Cat the Rat and â—â—vell the Dog rule all Englaâ—â— under a â—â—og was put to deatâ— â—nd his body divided into foure quarterâ— At this time a Truce is conclâ—ded betwixt England and Scâ—â—land for three yearsâ— and for a seâ—ling a firmer Amity between the two kingdomes a marriage it treatedâ— of between the Duke of Rothsay eldest Sonne to the king of Scots and the Lady Anne de la Poole daughter to Iohn Duke of Suffolk by Anne sister to king Riâ—hard which sister he so much favoured that after the death of his own sonne who dyed some time before â—e caused Iohn Earle of Lincolne her sonne and his Nephew to be proclaimed Heire apparent to the Crown of England And now King Richard to take away the Root of his feare once againe sent Ambâ—â—â—adors to the Duke of Britaine with ordeâ— besides the great gifts they caried with them to make offer that king Richard should yeerly pay and answer the Duke of all the Revenues and Profits of all lands and possessionsâ— as well belonging to the Earle of Richmond as of any other Nobleman or Gentleman that were in his company if he after that time would keep them in continuall prison and restraine theâ— from liberty But the Duke of Britâ—ine being at that time fallen into such infirmity that the Ambassadors could have no audience they addressed themselves to â—eter Landois the Dukes chief Treasurer and he taken with this golden hook faithfully promised to satisfie their Request and had done so indeed but that B. Mortoâ— sojourning then in Flâ—â—ders had by his friends Intelligence of his purpose and presently informed the E. thereof The E. was then at Vaâ—â—eâ—â— who upon the Bps. information taking with him only five servants as though he went but to visit some friend when he was five miles forward on his way suddenly turned into a Wood adjoyning and there changing apparell with one of his servants followed after as their attendant and never rested till by wayes unknown he came to his company abiding at Angiâ—râ— yet was not his departure so secret nor so sudden but that Peter Landois had notice of it who sending Posts after him was so neer overtaking him that he was scarce entred one houre into Francâ— when the Posts arrived at the Conâ—ines and then durst goe no further In the mean time Sir Edward Woodvile and Captaine Pâ—ynings who with their companies were left behinde in Vannes had been in danger of Peter Lâ—ndis his malice but that the Duke being informed by the Chancellour of their case not only protected them but furnished them with all necessaries for their journey to the Earle and was so incensed against Lâ—â—dois for this action of his that for this and some other over-bold preâ—umptions he was afterward hanged The Earle having passed this danger in Britaine and being arrived in France addresseth himselfe to the French king imploring his ayde and hath it promised and performed and in this time Iohn Vere Earle of Oxford who had long time been kept prisoner in the Castle of Hammes so farre prevailed with Iames Blunt Captaine of the Fortresse and Sir Iohn Fortescue Porter of the Town of Callice that not onely they suffered him to be at liberty but accompanied him also to the Earle of Richmâ—â—â— to whom Captain Blunt gave assurance that the Fortresse remained wholly at his devotion At this time also there resorted to the Earle divers young Gentlemen that were Students in the University of Paris profering him their service amongst whom was Richard Fox at that time famous for his learning with whom afterward the Earle advised in all his affaires made him one of his most Privy Counsell and at last Bishop of Winchester But now king Richard having been disappointed of his designe in Britaine hath another way in his head to disapoint the Earle of Richmond of his marriage with the Daughter of Queen Elizabeth and to this end he sent to the Queenâ— being still in Sanctuary divers messengers who should first excuse and purge him of all things formerly attempted and done against her and then should largely promise promotions innumerable not onely to her selfe but also to her sonne Lord Thomas Marquesse Dâ—râ—etâ— by â—orâ—e of which promises the messengers so prevailed with her â—hat noâ— onely she began â—o relent but 〈…〉 was content to submit her selfe wholly to thâ— kingâ— pleasure And thereupon putting in oblivion the murther of her innoâ—â—â—â— Children the butchering of her own Brother and Sonne the infamy of her â—oyâ—ll Huâ—â—and the aspersion of Adulteâ—y cast upon her selfe the imputation of Bastardy laid to her Daâ—â—hterâ—â— forgetting also her Oaâ—h made to the Earle of Richmonds Mothâ—r seduced by flaâ—tering words she first delivered into king Richards hands her â—ive Daughters and after sent letters to the Marquesse her Sonne being then at Pariâ— witâ— the Earle of Richmond willing him by any means to leave the Earle and with all speed to repaire into Englandâ— where for him were provided great Honours and Promotions Assuring him further that all offences on both parts were forgotâ—en â—nd forgiven and both he and she incorporated in the kings favour If we wonder at this credulity in the Queen we may conceive she was moved with the 〈…〉 motives of Feare and hope she feared no doubt that if she denyed the kingâ— request he would presently take some sharpe course both against her and her Dâ—â—â—htâ—rs and she hoped that
of Scotland sent for aid to the Queen of England But this was matter for consultation It seemed a bad Example for a Prince to give aid to the rebellious Subjects of another Prince On the other side it seemed no lesse then impiety not to give Ayd to the Protestants of the same Religion but most of all it seemed plain madnesse to suffer adversaries to be so neer neighbours and to let the French nestle in Scotland who pretend Title to England upon such like considerations it was resolved to send them Ayd and thereupon an Army of six thousand Foot and twelve hundred Horse was sent under the Command of the Duke of Norfolk the Lord Grey of Wilton his Lievtenant Generall Sir Iames a Crofts Assistant to him the Lord Scroop L. Marshall Sir George Howard Generall of the men at Arms Sir Henry Percy Generall of the Light-horse Thomas Huggens Provost Marshall Thomas Gower Master of the Ordnance Master William Pelham Captain of the Pyoners and Master Edward Randoll Serjeant Major and divers others These coming into Scotland joyned with the Scotish Lords and set down before Leith where passed many small skirmishes many Batteries and sometimes Assaults to whom after some time a new supply came of above two thousand Foot whereof were Captains Sir Andrew Corbet Sir Rowland Stanley Sir Thomas Hesbith Sir Arthur Manwaring Sir Lawrence Smith and others yet with this new supply there was little more done then before many light skirmishes many Batteries and sometimes Assaults so long till at last the young French King finding these broyls of Scotland to be too furious for him to appease he sent to the Queen of England desiring that Commissioners might be sent to reconcile these differences whereupon were dispatched into Scotland Sir William Cecill her principall Secretary with Doctor Wotton Dean of Canterbury who concluded a Peace between England and France upon these Conditions That neither the King of France nor the Queen of Scotland should thenceforth use the Arms or Titles of England or Ireland And that both the English and the French should depart out of Scotland And a generall pardon should be enacted by Parliament for all such as had been actors in those stirs This Peace was scarce concluded when Francis the young King of France died leaving the Crown to his younger brother Charles who was guided altogether by the Queen-Mother and molested with the Civill dissentions between the Princes of Guise and Conde for whose reconcilement the Queen sent Sir Henry Sidney Lord President of VVales and shortly after an Army under the leading of the Lord Ambrose Dudley Earl of VVarwick who arriving at Newhaven was received into the Town which having kept eleven months he was then constrayned by reason of a Pestilence to surrender again upon Composition and so returned About this time when the Parliament was upon dissolving it was agreed upon by the House of Commons to move the Queen to marry that she might have Issue to succeed her to which purpose Thomas Gargrave Speaker of the House with some few other chosen men had accesse to the Queen who humbly made the motion to her as a thing which the Kingdom infinitely desired seeing they could never hope to have a better Prince then out of her loyns Whereunto the Queen answered in effect thus That she was already marryed namely To the Kingdom of England and behold saith she the Pledge of the Covenant with my husband and therewith she held out her finger and shewed the Ring wherewith at the time of her Coronation she gave her self in Wedlock to the Kingdom and if saith she I keep my self to this husband and take no other yet I doubt not but God will send you as good Kings as if they were born of me forasmuch as we see by dayly experience That the Issue of the best Princes do often degenerate And for my self it shall be sufficient that a Marble stone declare That a Queen having Raigned such a time lived and dyed a Virgin Indeed before this time many Matches had been offered her First King Philip and when he was out of hope of matching with her himself he then dealt with the Emperor Ferdinand his Unkle to commend his younger Son Charles Duke of Austria to her for a husband And when this succeeded not then Iohn Duke of Finland second Son to Gustavus King of Sweden was sent by his father to solicite for his eldest Brother Erricusâ— who was honourably received but the Match rejected Then Adolphus Duke of Holst Unkle to Frederick King of Denmark came into England upon a great hope of speeding but the Queen bestowed upon him the Honour of the Garter and a yeerly Pension but not her self Then Iames Earl of Arran was commended to her by the Protestants of Scotland but neither the man nor the motion was accepted Of meaner Fortunes there were some at home that pleased themselves with hope of her Marriage First Sir William Pickering a Gentleman of a good House and a good Estate but that which most commended him was his studiousnesse of good letters and sweet demeanour Then Henry Earl of Arundel exceeding rich but now in his declining age Then Robert Dudley youngest son of the Duke of Northumberland of an excellent feature of face and now in the flower of his age but these might please themselves with their own conceit but were not considerable in her apprehension they might receive from her good Testimonies of her Princely favour but never Pledges of Nuptiall love About this time the Earl of Feria who had married the daughter of Sir William Dormer being denyed leave of the Queen for some of his wives friends to live out of England grew so incensed that he made means to Pius the fourth then Pope to have her excommunicate as an Heretick and Usurper but the Pope inclining rather to save then to destroy and knowing that gentle courses prevail more with generous mindes then roughnesse and violence in most loving manner wrote unto her exhorting her to return to the Unity of the Catholike Church and as it is said made her great offers if she would hearken to his counsell Particularly That he would recall the Sentence pronounced against her mothers Marriage confirm the Book of Common Prayer in English and permit to her people the use of the Sacrament in both Kindes But Queen Elizabeth neither terrified with the Earl of Feria's practises nor allured with the Popes great offers according to her Motto Semper Eadem persisted constant in her resolution To maintain that Religion which in her conscience she was perswaded to be most agreeable to the Word of God and most consonant to the Primitive Church Whilst these grounds of Troubles are sowing in England France and Scotland it is not likely that Ireland will lie fallow though indeed it be a Countrey that will bring forth Troubles of it self without sowing but howsoever to make the more plentifull Harvest of troubles at this time Iohn Oneal
easie matter for him to surprize the Queen whom when he had in his hands he might then set the Queen of Scots at liberty and might easily obtain of Queen Elizabeth a toleration of Religion The former Reasons tooke somewhat with the Duke but this point of surprizing the Queen he abhorred as an impious fact and therefore rejected as pernitious and Dangerous In France a little before this was the mariage solemnized between Charles the ninth King of France and Elizabeth of Austria daughter to the Emperor Maximilian in gratulation whereof Queen Elizabeth sent into France Thomas Lord Buckhurst who with great magnificence was received and perhaps the more in regard of a motion now intended to be made for the Lord Buckhurst having in his retinue one Guydo Cavalcantius a noble man of Florence the Queen Mother of France as being a Florentine her self had often conference with him when she would many times say what a happines it would be to both the Kingdoms if a Match were made between the Queen of England and her sonne Henry Duke of Angiou and at last desired him to commend the motion to the Queen of England both from her and from her son the King of France as a thing they both exceedingly desired The Lord Buckhurst returned having for a present from the King of France a chayn weighing a thousand French crowns and Cavalcantius at his return made the motion to the Queen who seemed not unwilling to hearken to it for by this Match there should be added to the Kingdome of England the wealthy Dukedoms of Angiou Bourbon Auverne and in possibility the Kingdome of France it self Hereupon a Treaty was held in which the French propounded three Articles one concerning the Coronation of the Duke another concerning the Joynt Administration of the Kingdom a third concerning a Toleration of his Religion to which it was answered that the two first Articles might in some sort be composed but the third scarce possibly for though a contrary Religion might be tolerated between Subjects of the same Kingdome yet between a wife and her husband it seemed very Incongruous and inconvenient yet the matter at last came to this conclusion That if the Duke would afford his presence with the Queen at divine Service and not refuse to hear and learn the doctrine of the Church of England he should not be compelled to use the English Rites but at his pleasure use the Romane not being expresly against the word of God But upon these Punctiliâ—s they could not accord and so the Treaty after it had continued almost a yeer brake utterly off It was indeed generally thought that the Maâ—ch was never really intended of either side but that they both pretended it for onely their owne ends for the Earle of Leicester who knew more of the Queenes minde then any man wrote at this time to Sir Francis Walsingham the Queens Embassador in France That he found the Queens inclination so cold in the matter that though the Point of Religion were â—ully accorded yet she would finde one point or other to breake it off At this time the continuance of the Duke of Norfolkes affection towards the Queen of Scots came to be discovered by a packet of Letters sent by Ridolphus to the Bishop of Rosâ—e and by Bayliffs confession who brought the letters being set upon the Rack so as the Bishop of Rosse was confined to the Isle of Ely Thomas Stanlie Sir Thomas Gerard and Râ—lâ—ton were cast into the Tower and Hâ—nry Howard who had an aspiring minde to be Arch-bishop was committed to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury's keeping At the same time the Queen of Scots sent money to her confederates in Scotland which being by Higford delivered to one Browne to carry and told it was Silver when he found by the weight that it was Gold he began to suspect something and thereupon went and delivered both the money and Letters to the Lords of the Councell Upon this Higford being examined confessed the whole matter and withall gave notice of that Commentary also of the Queen of Scots which is mentioned before Two dayes after the Duke himself being examined and knowing nothing what his servauâ—s had confessed deâ—yed every particular and thereupon was brought again to the Tower by Ralph Sadler Thomas Smith Henry Nevill and Doctor Wilson And after him Bannester who was the Dukes Counsell at Law The Earls of Arunâ—el and Southampton the Lord Lumley the Lord Cobham Henry Percy Lowder Powell Goodyer and others are committed to prison who upon hope of pardon confessed all they knew concerning the matter When these things and especially the Commentary which the Duke thought had been burnt were shewed him he then cryed out I am betrayed by my own servants not having learned to be distrustfull which is the very sinew of Wisedom And then with all submission he besought the Lords to mediate for him to the Queen towards whom he protested he never had the least thought of doing any hurt And now seeing it appeared that the Bishop of Rosse had been the whole-contriver of the businesse it was deliberated what to do with him because he was an Ambassadour Hereupon divers Civilians are called as David Lewis Valentine Dale William Drury William Aubâ—y and Henry Iones of whom these questions were asked First Whether an Ambassadour who raiseth Rebellion against that Prince â—o whom he is an Ambassadour may enjoy the Priviledges of an Ambassadour and is not lyaâ—le to punâ—shment They answered That such an Ambassadour hath forfeited the Priviledges of an Ambassadour and is liable to punishment Secondly Whether the Minister or Procter of a Prince who is deposed by publike Authority and in whose room another is Inaâ—gurated may enjoy the Priviledges of an Ambassadour They answered That if such Prince be lawfully deposed his Proctâ—r cannot challenge the Priviledges of an Ambassadour forasmuch as none but absolute Princes and such as have-Right of Majesty can appoint Ambassadours Thirdly Whether a Prince who is come into another Princâ—s Countrey and held in Custody may have his Proctor and if he shall be held an Ambassadour They answered If such a Prince have not lost his Soveraignty he may have his Proctor but whether that Proctor shall be reputed as an Ambassadour or no this dependeth upon the Authority of his Delegation Fourthly Whether if a Prince give warning to such a Proctor and to hiâ—â— Prince who is under custody that this Proctor shall not from hencefâ—rth be accounted for an Ambassadour Whether that Proctor may by Law challenge the Priviledge of an Ambassadour They answered A Prince may forbid an Ambassadour to enter into hiâ— Kingdome and may command him to depart the Kingdome if he â—ontain nâ—t himself within his due limits yet in the mean while he is to enjoy the Priviledges of an Ambassadour Upon these Answers the Bishop of Rosse is warned by the Lords of the Councell that he shall no longer be esteemed an Ambassadour but be punished as
colour of honour but indeed that they might be intrapped and they and together with them the Protestant Religion at one blow if not clean cutt off yet receiveâ— deadly wound For the marriage being celebrated there presently followed that cruell Massacre at Paris and the terrible slaughter of the Protestants throughout all the Cities of France but to set a shew of equity upon the fact Edicts and Proclamations were presently set forth that the Protestants had plotted a wicked conspiracy against the King the Queen Mother the Brethren the King of Navarre and the Princes of the blood Royall and to keep the thing in memory Coyne was presently stamped upon the one side whereof was the Kings picture with this Inscription Virtus in Rebelles on the other side Pietas excitavit justitiam But the King of France notwithstanding all the shew hee made of Piety escaped not the Divine revenge for before the yeer came about hee fell sick of a bloody Flixe and afterwards with long and grievous torments ended his life A little before this Mota Fenell Embassador to the King of France being in England by vertue of an order from the Queen Mother of France propoundeth to Queen Elizabeth at Kenelworth two dayes before the Massacre in that Kingdome the marriage of her youngest sonne Francis Duke of Alenson for the Queen Mother had been told by some cunning men that all her sons should be Kings and she knew no way for it but this Bâ—t Queen Elizabeth by reaâ—on of the disparity of age modestly excused her self For he was scarce â—eventeen yeers old and she was now past eight and thirty yet she promised to consider of it and Alenson did not leave to prosecute the â—â—it At tâ—is time Thomas Percy Earl of Northâ—mberland who first Rebelled and afterwards fled into Scotland was for a sum of money delivered by the Earl of Morton to the Lord Hunsdon Governour of Barwick and a while afâ—er was beheaded â—t York And now as these two great Personages the Duke of Norfolkâ— and the Earl of Northumberland were taken away by a violent death so three other great Personages were at this time tâ—ken away by a naturall death First Wâ—llâ—am Paulet who from a private man came by degree to be Marquesse of Winchester lived to the age of within three yeers of a hundred and could reckon a hundred and three of his children and his childrens issue after he had held the pâ—ace of Lord Treasurer of England above twenty yeers in whose roome succeeded Sir Wâ—lliam Cecill Lord Burleigh then dyed Edmund Earle of Darby famous as well for his hospitality and good house-keeping as for his skill in Surgery and Bone-setting then dyed Sir William Peter who being descended from an honest stock at Exceter in Devonshire was Privy Counsellor and Secretary to King Henry the Eight Kiâ—g Edward the Sixth Queen Mary Queen Elizabeth who plantâ—d himself in Essex where he purchased greaâ— possessions whose son Iohn was by King Iames made Baron of Writle in that Country And now Qâ—een Elizabeth having formerly borrowed money oâ— her Subjects she thankfully repayd it which wonne her no lesse love then if she had given it and more love she gained also at this time by two Proclamations by one of which she commanded Noble men to observe the Law of keeping Retâ—iners by the other she restrained Informers who under colour of spying out Crown Land concealed by private persoâ—s sacralegioâ—sly seized upon the Lands of Parish-Churches and Alms-Houses piously endowed by the Queens Ancestors And more Love and Honour also she gained at this time by two acts of Justice the one that she satisfied the English Merchants out of the goods which were detâ—ined belonging to the Dutch and restored the rest to the Duke D' Alva and make a full transaction with the Merchants of Geneva for the monâ—y intercepted the other that she freed England at this time of the debts which her Father and her Brother had run into in forraign partâ— and were increased by yeerly interest and caused the obligations of the City of London which had so often been renued to be given in to the great rejoycing of the Citizens The Spanish affairs growing now very turbulent in the Netherlands Flushing lost the towns of Holland revolted and the Spanish Navy vanquished by the Zelanders Duke D'Alva against his will began to shew more kindnesse towards the English so as in the month of Ianuary the trade which in Anno 1568. had been forbidden was now allowed again between the Dutch and the English for two yeerâ— but those two yeers expired the English removed their trading to the confederates Stateâ— The last yeer in the month of November a daughter was born to the French King to whom he requested Queen Elizabeth to be God-mother who theâ—eupon sent William Somerset Earl of Worcester into France with a Font of massy Gold to stand as her Deputy at the Christning Hereupon and for that the Queen promised to observe the League strictly the French King and the Queen mother began to affect her more and more and the Duke D'Alenson wrote sundry love-letters to her the French King and His Mother interceding for the mariage with all earnestnesse It is true the Queen conceived divers reasons why it was fit for her to marry but the Courtiers for their own ends disswaded her as much from it at last the Queen Mother of France was wonderfull importunate that her sonne Alenson might have leave to come and see herâ— whereunto being wearyed with continuall Letters and Messages she gave her consent but upon condition that hee should not take it for any disgrace to him if hee returned without obtaining his suit But as soon as Queen Elizabeth had notice that his brother Henry was elected King of Poland and that the King of France was very sick shee gave intimation to Alenson by Edward Horsey Governour of the Isle of Wight that hee should not make too much haste into England but should first procure a peace by some meanes or other in France and declare by some notable Argument his good will towards the Protestants thereby to be the more welcome Ghest into England Hereupon a peace was concluded in France and in certain places the Protestants were allowed to exercise their Religion and then again the French King and the Queen Mother used all their endeavour to have the marriage go forward for they were very desirous thâ—t Alenson who was of a crooked and perverse disposition and prone to raise tumults might bee removed out of France and withall they requested of Queen Elizabeth that if the Duke of Angiou took his voyage into Poland by Sea hee might have publike caution to sail through the British Ocean To this last request she not only consented with all alacrity but also made offer of a Fleet to conduct him thither In the mean while Alenson fell sick of the Meazles which his mother signified to Queen Elizabeth by Count Rhets excusing him
Ambassadours proof out of History That the Kings of Scots born in Scotland did anciently without question hold the Earldome of Hâ—ntington by Right of Inheritance Yet she commanded a Sequestration to be made of the Revenues of those Lands by Bâ—rleigh Master of the Wards and willeth the King That out of the goods of the Earl of Lenox in Scotland satisfaction might be made to his Grand-mothers Creditors here For she tooâ— it in ill part that the King had recalled the Inâ—â—oâ—â—ment of the Earldom of Lenox made to his Unkle Charlâ— and his Heirs after the death of Charles to the prejudice as was suggested to her of Arbella although indeed it be a Priviledge of the Kings of Scotland That they may recall Donations made in their minorâ—ty The Earl of Morton in the mean while not enduring the disgrace to be outed of his Regency regarded not the prescript Form of Government lately set down but drew the Administration of all matters to himself and kept the King in his own power at the Castle of Sterling admitting none to his presence but whom he pleased At this presumption the Lords growing angry made the Earl of Atholl their Captain and in the Kings Name levyed a great Army and were ready to encounter Morton but by the intercession of Robert Bowes the English Ambassadour they were stayed from fighting and Morton presently betook himself home and the Earl of Atholl soon after died not without suspition of being poysoned At this time the King of Spain and Pope Gregory the thirteenth held secret Consultation to invade at once both England and Ireland and to work the absolute ruine of Queen Elizabeth The Pope to gain the Kingdom of Ireland for his son Iames Buen of Compagno whom he had made Marquesse of Vincola The King of Spain secretly to relieve the Irish Rebells as Queen Elizabeth did the Dutch while friendship in words was upheld on both sides and being known That the greatest strength of England consisted in the Navy Royall and Merchants Ships it was advised that the Italian and Dutchâ—Merchants should hire these Ships for long Voyages to the end that while they were absent the Queens Navy might be surprized with a greater Fleet and at that time Thomas Stukeley an English fugitive should joyn himself to the Irish Rebells with new Forces For he making great boast and promising the Kingdom of Ireland to the Popes bastard son had so insmuated himself into grace with the ambitious old man that he adorned him with the Titles of Marquesse of Leinster Earl of Wexford and Caterlogh Viscount Mâ—rogh and Baron of Rosse the principall dignities of Ireland and made him Commander over eight hundred Italian Souldiers to be employed in the Irish War With which Forces Stuckeley setting Sayl from 〈◊〉 Vecchia arrived at length in Portingall where he and his Forcesâ— were by the divine providence diverted another way For Sâ—â—aâ—â—iaâ— King of Portiâ—gall to whom the chief Command in this Expedition against England was assigned being first to dispatch a War in Africa in Ayd of Mahomet Abdall son to the King of Fesse perswaded Stukeley to go along with him into Maureâ—ania together with his Italian Souldiers and then afterward they would go together against Ireland To this motion Stukeley soon agreed and therein agreed with his destiny for in that memorable Battell where three Kings were slain both he and Sebastian lost their lives At this time Sir Henry Sidney who had been Deputy of Ireland at severall times eleven yeers delivered up his Deputy-ship to Sir William Drury President of Munster Such a Deputy for good Government that if any have equalled him none have exceed him It was now the yeer 1579 and the two and twentieth yeer of Queen Elizabeths Raign when Iohn Casimire son of Frederick the third Count Palaâ—ine of the Rhyne came into England where after he had been entertained with Tiltings and Justs made Knight of the Garter the Queen tying the Garter about his leg and rewarded with a yeerly Pension he returned And now was Alexander â—â—rnise Prince of Parma made Governour of the Netherlands by the King of Spain and Queen Elizabeth supplied the States with a great Sum of money for which William Davyson brought into Eâ—gland the ancient precious Habilliments of the Family of Burgundy and their costly Vessells laid to pawn by Matthew of Austria and the States Siâ—ier in the mean time herein England ceaâ—eth not by all amorous devices to perswade the Queen to marry Alanson wherein he drew her so far that the Earl of Leicester gave ouâ— He crept into the Queens affection by love Potions and unlawfull Arts and Simier on the other side endeavoured by all means to cast down Leicester discovering his mariage with the Earl of Essex widdow whereat the Queen grew so angry that she consined him to the Castle at Greenwich and had meant to have him Committed to the Tower but that the Earl of Sussex though his greatest Adversarie disswaded her telling her that none ought to be molested for contracting lawfull Matrimonie But Leicester notwithstanding was so provoked for his confining that he was bent to revenge it and if it be true as some saidâ— he had suborned on Teudâ—r a Yeoman of the Guard to murder Simier sure it is the Queen by Proclamation commanded that no person should offer injury to the Embassadour or any of his servants At which time it fell out that as the Queen together with Simier the Earle of Lincolne and Hatton Vice-Chamberlaine were rowed in a barge to Greenwich a young man shooting off a Harquebus out of a boate shot one of the rowers in the Queenes Barge thorough the arme with a bullet who was presently taken and ledde to the Gallowes but upon solemne Protestation that he did it unwillingly and out of no malicious Intent he was let go and Pardoned Some would have perswaded the Queen that was purposely suborned to shoote either her or the French Embassadour but she was so far from suspecting her Subjects that she would often say She would not believe any thing against them which a mother would not believe against her children After a few dayes Alanson himself came privately into England with only on or two attendants and came to the Queen at Greenwich at a time when she thought not of it they had secret conference together all parties being sent away after which being seen of very few he returned home but within a moneth or two after the Queen enjoyned the Lord Burleigh treasurer the Earle of Sussex Leicester Hatton and Walsingham seriously to weigh both the dangers and the Commodities likely to arise from the marriage with him and to consult with Simier concerning the marriage Covenants As in England there was some feare of this Frenchman So in Scotland at this time of another Frenchman called Esme Steward Lord of Aubigny who came now into Scotland to visit the King his cosen He was the sonne of Iohn Steward brother to Matthew