the sixth of July 1189 and reigned nine Years nine Months dying in the 42 year of his Age being the 26 sole Monarch of England he was conttacted to Alice Daughter to Lewis the seventh King of France But falling passionately in love with Berengaria Daughter to Sanches the six King of Navar he married her in the way to the Holy Land whether she was accompanying her Father but had no Issue by her yet he left behind him Philip and Isabel his natural Children Thus the stout Lyons Heart to Death did yeild Whose dreadful Arms had strew'd the bloody field Of fruitful Palestine no Infidel Nor French nor Rebels could resist his Steel Victorious every where he did remain Cyprus he won yet by an Arrow slain The Reign and Actions of John King of England c. JOhn called by King Henry the Second his Father Lackland as being out of hopes of the Crown by reason so many Brothers were before him was notwithstanding Arthur his Eldest Brother Geofry's Son being alive crowned upon the Death of King Richard by Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury at Wesâ—minster through the instance of Queen Eleanor and most of the Nobles yet the French King promoted great troubles in England under pretence of Inthroaning the young Prince yet for great sum he connived at his being delivered into his Uncles hands so that upon new disturbances occasioned as well by the Clergy as Laity he was closely imprisoned The Poctovians rebelling the King prepared to quiet them but as well the Clergy as the Lay-peers denied him assistance of Men and Money or to wait on him in person yet with such a Power as he could raise with present Treasure he passed the Seas overthrew the Rebels took the young Prince who had escaped prisoner with divers Peers and two hundred French Knights reducing all the revolted Towns to their obedience so that Prince Arthur now kept under stricter restraint than ever died in prison as some will have it not without suspition of violence which caused much murmuring amongst the people and the French King laying hold of that opportunity cited King John as an Homager for the Dukedom of Normandy c. to appear at a set time to be tried by his Peers upon Articles of Murther and Treason but the King disdaining to obey the Summons he was pretendedly by the French King and his Peers disinherited and condemned in his absence so that by reason of the Intestine Troubles not being able to pass over with a sufficient Army to repel the insulting French men they seized upon many of his Towns and Castles some by force and others by treachery yet quieting matters somewhat better at home and getting a considerable sum of Money from the delinquent Barons and such as had been in Rebellion against him and having moreover a Subsidy granted him he prepared to pass the Seas when in the mean while the French King out of a bravado sent a Knight as his Champion to challenge to single Combate any of the Kings Subjects and in a mortal battle to justifie the proceedings of his Sender To match this Braggadocia John Curcy Earl of Ulster in Ireland who had some time before been brought prisoner into England upon a revolt of the Irish so that the King knowing him to be of a savage and untractable nature went in person to propose this honourable undertaking when looking on the King with a stern countenance enough to strike terror in the beholders he said In thy Quarrel I will neither draw Sword or fight a stroke but for the honour of the Realm of England I will shed my last drop of blood Hereupon the day was appointed and all things ordered to be in a readiness but in the mean while the Monsieur geting knowledge of the Earls Gigantick Stature and proportion of Limbs as likewise the great quantities of Provisions he daily devoured he thought it no boot to stay and thinking it was not safe to return into France he sneaked away and went for Spain so that Philip of France ashamed of the disgrace sent to excuse it yet new troubles as indeed this Kings Reign was a perpetual storm arising hâ— could not so soon get over Sea as he expected how ever upon his coming the French were terrified tâ— a degree of suing for peace and it was upon the relinquishing sundry places they had taken accordingly so that the two Kings appointing an interview anâ— the Irish Earl happening to be there the French Kinâ— was very desirous to see a tryal of his strength wheâ— placing a Steel Helmet upon a knotty trunk of Oaâ—â— the Irish man with a strong Sword that no body bâ— himself could weld after a dreadful sneer or two let fly with so full a charge that he cut not only the Helmet in two but entred his Sword so far into the wood that none but himself could pluck it out when being asked by King John 〈◊〉 he looked so furiously before he gave the blow his â—â—ply was That had he missed it he would have killed not only the two Kings but all the spectators The Truce that the French made with the English at this time served but to gain the greater advantage by rendring King John more supine in his Affairs for by degrees they encroached upon all Normandy geting even the City of Roan it self upon which Main Tourain Poctou revolted nor could King John hinder it having his hands full at home and when he was about to go for Normandy Habert Arch-bishop of Canterbury suspected to be a Pentioner of King Philip peremtorily forbid him to proceed in that voyage and the Earls and Barons a second time denyed their Aid insomuch that the King in a rage seized upon some of their Estates and grievously fined others nor was it a little gainful to him that Hubert the Arch-bishop dyed the same year whose large Treasure the King â—ook for the use of the Wars but now an obstacle â—rose The Monks of Canterbury chose one Reginald for their Arch-bishop who was Subprior of their Convent yet the King opposed it and presented John Grey Bishop of Norwich so that the Pope upon noâ—ice of what had happened rejected both and went â—bout to impose on them one Stephen d' Langton whom the Monks for fear of the Pope's high Curse wherewith they were threatned received as their Arch-bishop but the King knowing him to be one â—f the French Faction and that he would consequentâ— be prejudicial to his Affairs could not be brought 〈◊〉 hearken to it though the Pope sent him a present â—f Rings with some flattering Comments on them â—eclaring That the Right and Power over all Chiâ—â—â—â— as in the See of Rome But the King threatning if he desisted not from such pretentions in England he would stop all Monies that passed from hence to Rome and thereupon a hot contest by Letters happening between them the old blade in a pet Interdicted the Kingdom which the Bigottry of the times made the people think
the next day a Truce was concluded yet Simon de Monfort Earl of Leicester who headed the Baron's Army carrying the King about with him as his Prisoner got into his hands all the strong Holds These Proceedings in England putting a stop to the Pope's Revenue he sent Cardinal Ottobon his Legate to Excommunicate the Barons but they for a while despised it yet soon after falling out amongst themselves many of them came over to Prince Edw. who had taken the Field with an Army so that he enclosed the Earl of Leicester's Camp at Evesham and obliged him to battel where the Earl lost the day with his Life and had his Head Hands and Feet chopped off as a mark of Infamy By this Overthrow the King was rescued and set at liberty when to heal the long Divisions a Parliament was called at Winchester by whose Approbation the King seized the Charters of London and other Cities and Towns that had proved disloyal and the Legate proceeded to excommunicate the Bishops of Winchester London Worcester and Chichester for taking part with the King's Enemies And now Prince Edward with a great Train took a Journey to the Holy Land and the King more firmly to settle the Nation called a Parliament at Marlborough where the Statutes called by the name of the place were enacted but having been at Norwich to quiet a tumult and punish such as had burnt the Priory Church upon his return he fell sick at the Abby of St. Edmund in Suffolk and after a short Languishment dyed Anno 1272. from whence he was conveyed to Westminster and there buried in the Abbey This Henry King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Guyenne and Aquitain was eldest Son to King John his Wife was Eleanor Daughter of Raymond Earl of Provence by whom he had Issue Edward Edmund Richard who dyed young also John William and Henry Margaret married to Alexander the Third King of Scotland Beatrix married to John the First Duke of Bretaigne and Katharine who dyed young He began his Reign the 19th of October 1216. and reigned 56 Years and 28 Days being the 65th Year of his Age he was the 27th sole Monarch of England He was very charitably given and founded many Churches and Religious Houses In his time four Suns appeared from the Rising to the Setting after which followed a great Famine and eighteen Jews were hanged for crucifying a Child and others severely punished for circumcising another that had been christened Thus dyed Third Henry when on England's Stage H 'ad sway'd the Sceptre near a long liv'd Age The longest Reign the Nation e'er beheld Yet Life wound off by time the Cedar's fell'd The Reign and Actions of Edward the First King of England c. KIng Edward at the death of his Father Henry was warring in the Holy Land where he did Wonders in his own Person insomuch that the Sarazens dreading his Prowess the Governour of Damascus under a feigned Friendship sent a Villain to assassinate him who seeming as if he was about to deliver him a Letter stabbed him in three places in the Arm with a poisoned Dagger and had repeated the Wounds but that the Prince struck him down with his Foot whereupon his Guards came in and cut the Wretch in pieces as he lay on the floor yet these wounds by the Chirurgions were accounted mortal unless some one would hazard his own Life by sucking out the Poison but when every one shrunk back Eleanor his Wife who would by no means be persuaded from accompanying him in that tedious Journey chearfully undertook it and effected the Cure without any Injury done to her self for which generous Undertaking he raised Crosses and Monuments to her Memory in England The News of his Father's death no sooner reached him but setling the Affairs of the War he returned to England where together with his Queen he was crowned by Robert Kilwarby Archbishop of Canterbury at whose Coronation 500 Horses were let loose in a large Forest to be possessed by those that first caught them and upon notice the Welsh were in Arms he marched against them overthrew and slew Lewelin their Prince in a great Battel whose Head crowned with Ivy was set upon the Tower and utterly subduing those Mountainiers he made his Son Edward born amongst them at Caernarvon Prince of the Country And going for France he sate as a Peer of that Kingdom in consideration of the Lands and Territories he held there and upon his return banished the Jews to the number of 15000 for bringing in base Money and exacting Extortion Alexander the Third King of Scotland who had married King Edward's Sister being dead and the Lords Bruce and Baliol for want of other Heirs standing in competition for the Kingdom Edward by his Authority became Umpire and adjudged it to the latter promising to support his Right by Arms for which he was to become his Homager but that Prince being in the Throne to please his People who feared the English Greatness might be prejudicial to them hearkened to Proposals with France and suffered his People to enter the North parts of of England with Fire and Sword Edward drove them back with great slaughter entering Scotland and making such terrible Destruction that the Cities and Towns for the most part surrendred the Scotch Nobles sued for Peace and in the Parliament held at Berwick they acknowledged him their King swearing to be true Subjects to him for ever after sealing a solemn Instrument to that purpose whereupon King Edward leaving John de Warren Earl of Surry and Sussex as his Viceroy in that Kingdom sent John Baliol the late King Prisoner to the Tower of London and brought away with him the Crown Sceptre and Cloth of State burning their Records abrogating their Laws altering the Form of their Divine Service and transplanting their learned Men to Oxford He brought likewise the Marble Chair wherein the Kings of Scotland were wont to be crowned from the Abbey of Schone and sent it to Westminster upon which is written this prophetical Distich Ni fallat Fatum Scoti quocunque locatum Invenient Lapidem regnare tenetur ibidem Where'er this Stone the Scot shall placed find There shall he reign for there his Rule 's assign'd This was verified in King James the first upon the uniting the Kingdoms but more of that in his Reign King Edward going into France to recover such places as the French had taken in the latter end of his Father's Reign and refused to restore especially in Gascoign the Scots rebelled and under the leading of one William Wallis fell upon the English at an advantage near Striveling Bridge and put them to the rout killing amongst others Hugh de Cressingham the Treasurer and having flead him divided his Skin in parcels amongst them as a Trophie of their Revenge and committed many other outrages which hastened the King's Return at which time he summoned a Parliament at York giving the Scots a day to appear but they
and do great mischief especially in and about the City of London and had been greater but the Earl entered with his Army and put an end to those disorders and set King Henry at liberty who had been a Prisoner in the Tower for almost the space of Nine years conveying him to the King's Palace in great Triumph where on the 13th of October he was crowned again and went with the Crown on his head to St. Paul's Church the Earl of Warwick bearing up his Train and the Earl of Oxford carrying the Sword before him whilst the people cryed God save King Henry and a Parliament being called to sit at Westminster the 26th of November King Edward was declared a Traitor to his Country and a Usurper of the Crown his Goods and Lands were confiscated and his Adherents were attained The Earl of Worcester for his Cause lost his Head and all the Statutes made by Edward Revoked The Crowns of England and France were entailed to King Henry and his Heirs Male and for default of such Issue to George Duke of Clarence The Earl of Warwick to be Governour of the Land till it could be better settled Thus went the various change of Affairs in England 〈◊〉 the bloudy contest between the houses of York and Lancaster yet continued not the advancement of King Henry for King Edward holding Correspondency in England and gathering some Forces beyond the Seas landed at Ravenspur in Yorkshire where the better to insinuate with the People He at first pretended to come for his right as a private person but finding himself strong enough he siezed upon York and increasing in Power marched till â—he came near to the City of Warwick where his Brother the Duke of Clarence being reconciled to him by the means of a Maid-servant that had lived with the Old Dutches of York desiring the Earl to forsake King Henry's Cause and close with his Brother but that great Man more regarding his Engagement than Life or Interest sent him word that he had rather be an Earl and always like himself than a perjured Duke and that e'er his Oath should be falsified as the Dukes apparently was he would lay down his Life at his enemies Feet which he doubt not should be bought very dear whereupon King Edward hasted to London and was received by the Citizen no ways able to resist him when drawing out his Forces he marched against the Earl and his Accomplicies and on Easter day in the Morning Battel was joyned on Glad-more Heath near Barnet in which bloudy Conflict fortune at first seemed to favour VVarwick but by an unlucky mistake he lost the day for a great Mist falling the embroidered Stars upon the Coats of such as were commanded by the Earl of Oxford being taken for Suns which was King Edward's Cognizance VVarwick's Battallion charged by that Errour upon their Friends and they suspecting it done on purpose crying out Treason quitted the Field which the Earl perceiving and resolving not to out-live the loss of the day charged desperately into the King's Battel killing many with his own Hands but being cut off from the assistance of his own men he there was slain as likewise was his Brother the Lord Montacute in attempting to Rescue him on King Edward's Party dyed the Lords Cromwell Bourchier and Barns with Siâ— John Lisle and on both sides about 10000 of all sorts But thus ended not the Contests for the Crown for Queen Margaret in the right of her Husband and Son raised a strong Power Anno Domini 1471. and gave the King Battel at Tewxbury but Fortune now turned fatally averse to the Queen and her Family for losing the day with the death of John Lord Somerset John Courtney Earl of Devonshire Sir John Delues Sir Edward Hampden Sir Robert Whitingham Sir John Leukner and several others and a great many of lesser note The Queen in this rout fled and betook her self to a religious house for sanctuary but was takan thence and made close Prisoner young Prince Edward her Son was taken in his flight by Sir Richard Crofts who presented him to King Edward who having a while beheld him with a stern countenance demanded how he durst presume with Banners displayed to disturb his Kingdom to which the Prince replied that what he did was to recover his Father's Kingdoms and his most rightfull Inheritance But how dare you continued the Prince being but a Subject display your Colours against your Liege Lord Upon this resolute replie King Edward unworthily struck him on the Mouth with his Gantlet when Richard Duke of Gloucester basely taking the hint stabbed him and the Wound being seconded by some of the Servants the poor Prince fell dead at the King's feet Things being carried at an extraordinary highth Edmund Duke of Somerset the Prior of St. John's with divers Knights and Esquiers who had taken sanctuary were contrary to the Custome of those times taken thence by force and executed at Tewxbury and soon after Richard Duke of Gloucester the King's Brother stabbed the pious King Henry to the heart in the Tower of London and his body was exposed in a Coffin at St. Paul's to convince the People he was dead As for the Queen she continued several years a Prisoner but at length her Father mortgaged most of his Principalities to pay her Ransome and she thereupon was sent over Sea where in much sorrow and perplexity she languished â—ut the rest of her days and by this means the Lancastrians being utterly disabled to make head King Edward more assured in his Throne betook himself to his Pleasure and hearing of the Fame of Jane Shoar Wife to a Goldsmith in Gracechurch-street he sent for her and took her to his Bed upon which her Husband renounced her and for Grief and the Disgrace betook himself to travel beyond the Seas never returning into England He had likewise two other Concubines high in his esteem and being in the Year 1474. in France at an Interview with the French King Lewis told him that he would one day invite him to court the fair Ladies of Paris to which Offer Edward readily consented insomuch that the French King not being pleased with his forwardness whispering to Philip Comines his Bosome Friend told him that he repented of his Offer considering that there had been too many English Princes already at Paris so that the King returned without having any opportunity to prosecute such Amours Anno 1478. by the contrivance of Richard Duke of Gloucester George Duke of Clarence was accused of sundry Crimes and committed to the Tower where soon after he was smothered in a Butt of Malmsey Wine and 't is reported the King consented to so great a Wickedness upon a Prophecy That a G. should succeed an E. which however proved true though he mistook the Man for Richard Duke of Gloucester usurped the Throne and murthered his two Sons as will appear hereafter Two Acts yet more of this King's Cruelty are memorable viz. Going
interposing as some Authors have it â—…tween two Deuelists he was unfortunately run â—…rough after he had reigned six years Edred succeeding Edmund Anno 946. the Danes beâ—…n to gather courage not without being privately aâ—…mated by some treacherous English and amongst â—…em Weelstan Arch-Bishop of York so that â—… the â—… caused himself to be Crowned King of Northumâ—…rland against whom Edred marched with a great Army but had the Rear of it surprised by the underhand dealing of Woelstan however he made his party good put the Danes to the rout and returned with victory He made St. Germans in Cornwal a Bishops See which was by Canute the Dane translated to Credington and at last setled at Exeter by Edmund the Confessor where â—it at present remains This Edred was Tenth sole Monarch of England and reigned Nine years Edwy succeeded Edred Anno 955 and was crowned at Kingston upon Thames where it is repoted he committed Adultery with a great Lady his near Kinswoman in the sight of his Nobles and afterwards caused her Husband to be slain that he might more freely enjoy her He thrust out the Monks and put married Priests in the places of those that affected a single Life Banished Dunstan who is now stiled a Saint and the same that is reported to have taken a shee Devil by the Nose with a pair of Tongues for disturbing him at his Forge These things turned the Peoples Affections against the King to a degree of laying him aside and swearing Fealty to Edgar which made him pine to death after he had Rul'd Four years and was buried in the New Abby Church at Winchester Edgar began his Reign Anno 159 he recalled Dunstan and outed the married Priests making a Penalty against Drunkenness and the Land at that time being pestered with Wolves he laid a yearly Tribute of three hundred Wolves Heads upon the Prince of Wales and upon the Noble-men and Free-holders according to the largeness of their Possessions so that in a few years they were all destroyed He made it his business once a year to ride the Circuit of his Kingdom to inquire of Abuses done by his Judges in Illegal Actings or those that were done by private Persons one to another inflicting severe punishments on such as he found tardy yet he have himself up to prodigeous Lust insomuch that casting his Eyes upon any Women he liked he would have his satisfaction by fair means or force and killed Ethelwald an Earl and one of his principal Courtiers with a Spear as he was hunting in the Forest because he had married a beauteous Lady Daughter to Duke Orgarus when he had sent him to fetch her for his own use and then took her to Wife He deflowred a Nun called Wolfe-child and got on her a hopeful Brat which was afterwards Sainted by the name of Edith and afterwards another Nun called Ethelflede on whom he begot his Son Edward who succeeded him he had peace except a little bickering with the Welsh all his Reign feared a broad and at home having the greatest Navy of any King before him some Authors reporting it consisted of Three thousand Ships He was crown'd at Kingston upon Thames by Otho Archbishop of Canterbury and reigned sixteen years Edward the Thirteenth sole Monarch of England began his Reign Anno 975 and was usher'd in by a Famine and a Blazing Star with great contentions between the Monks and Married Priests Dunstan taking taking part with the former and Duke Alfarus with the latter and meeting to Dispute in an upper Room the press being great the Flour fell down and many were wounded only Dunstan's Chair stood fixed upon a Post which gave such credit to the Monks who without doubt had contrived the sinking of the Four as appeared by the Chair being fixed that they gained the point and the Married Priests were turned out suffering great necessity no Man daring to entertain or relieve them Soon after this the King going a Hunting and being near the Castle of Queen Elfreda his Mother-in-Law he separated from his Company and went to pay her and her Son a visit But the treacherous Queen to advance her own caused one of her Servants to stab him in the Back whilst he was drinking on Horseback at her Gate whereupon turning his Horse he fled the farther Treachery but not finding his retinue he through lossâ— of blood fainted and falling in the next Wood expired when he had reigned four Years Ethelred the Son of Edgar and Elfreda succeeded Edward who for his slowness in Affairs was Nick-named The Unready he was Crowned at Kingstone upon Thames the ordinary Seat of the Saxon Monarchs and upon his Coronation day a Cloud was seen throughout England half resembling Blood and half Fire and in the third year of his Reign the Danes Landed in divers parts of this Kingdom committing great Outrages and much about the same time a great part of London was laid in Ashes The King not being able to oppose the Torrent of the Danish power compounded a Peace for 10000 Pounds a Year but finding their Advantage they soon raised it to 40000 l which 〈◊〉 heavy upon the Nation and was called Danes Guilt oâ— Danes Money nor did this suffice them but they pillaged and ravag'd the Country so extreamly that the King to free his Sublects from the Oppressions they groaned under gave them private notice on St. Brices day to fall upon the Danes in all the Cities and Towns where they quartered which was done with so much secresie that most of them were cut off this being done on the 13 of November Anno 1002. the News flew into Denmark whereupon new swarms came over under the Leading of Swanus who destroyed all before them with Fire and Sword in such a terrible manner that the People fled to the Woods and Mountains and although the King bought his Peace at the price of 30000 Pounds yet not long after they flew 900 Monks and such as were of Religious Orders in Canterbury and having gotten a great sum of Money from the Archbishop Aphegus for his Ransom they notwithstanding stonâ—d him at Greenwich so that the King perceiving their treachery and cruel dealing and that he was no ways capable of opposing their fury he sent Emma his wise with her two Sons to her Brother Richard Duke of â—â—â—mandy and soon after left the Kingdom to follow them but Swanus being stabbed by his own Meâ— and Canutus his Son set up in his stead Ethelred returned but finding many Treasonable Designs carried on against him by Edricus one of his Dukes and a powerful Enemy in the Land which he was no ways able to oppose he died for grief when he had Reigned thirty seven years and was the fourteenth sole Monarch of England Edmund the Eldest Son of Ethelred Sirnamed Ironside succeeded him Anno 1016. and was Crowned at Kingstone upon Thames by Livingus Arch-bishop of Canterbury though Canute then Reigned as King at Southampton This Edmund
Wedding in Lambeth he suddenly fâ—ll down dead when he had reigned about two years He was third Son of Canute and the eighteenth sole Monarch he began his Reign Anno 1040 and was 〈◊〉 at Winâ—r and with him fell the Dâ—sh Monarchy in England and the Saxons re-entered to the no small Joy of the people Thus Monarchies and Monarchs rise and fall Whilst worldly Pomp is Fortunes Tennis-ball The Saxon Monarchy restored c. HArdicanute being dead Edward the seventh Son of Ethelred by Queen Emma was sent for out of Normandy where he had taken Sanctuary during the Danish Monarchy and Crown'd upon his Arrival at Winchester by Edsine Arch-bishop of Canterbury Anno 1042. and to gain the greater favour of the people he remitted the Tax of 40000 Pounds a year which had for 40 years been levyed upon all Lands except those of the Clergy by the Name of Dane-Guilt and the better to settle his Kingdom he compiled a Body of wholsom Laws from those of the Mercians West Saxons and Danes still known by the Title of Edward the Confessor's Laws written in Latin his Wars were only with the Welsh Irish and some Danes but those very inconsiderable yet Earl Goodwin being very powerful joyned with his Sons against him and in January a very deep Snow falling which covered the Earth till the middle of March the Cattle and Fowls of the Air were starved in abundance and the Summer produced Lightnings that burnt up the Corn whereupon a Famine ensued and the King at the Instigation of Goodwin and Robert Arch-bishop of Canterbury seized upon his Mothers Jewels and committed her Prisoner to the Abbey of Warwick putting her to undergo the Law Ordalium which is to pass over nine hot Plow-shares with naked feet and blindfold laid about a yard asunder which she did without touching them before she knew she was come to the place so that a reconciliation hereupon ensued and this manner of tryal was by way of Purgation for such as were suspected of Incontinency he Imprisoned her for Marrying Canute and not assisting him and his Brothers in their Extremity In this Kings Reign a great Earth-quake happened and Earl Goodwin was choaked at the King's Table with a piece of Bread which he wished might choak him if he had any hand in the Death of Alfrid the Kings Brother He is accounted the first King that ever Cured the King's-Evil he Marry'd Edith Daughter to Goodwin a very Beautiful Lady but had no Children by her being reported never to have Carnally known her and seeing a needy Courtier come into his Chamber one Morning as he lay in Bed with the Curtains drawn and take as much Money out of his Coffer as he could carry he suffered it without speaking but upon his third coming he reproved him of Covetousness charging him to be gone for if Hugoline his Treasurer should come and seize him in the Fact he would be sure to stretch for it and scarce was he gone when the Treasuaer who had casually left open the Coffer came and appeared in a great Consternation at the loss but the King bid him not trouble himself for he that took it had most need of it And lying soon after upon his Death-Bed perceiving those that stood about him to weep he said If you loved me you would not weep but rejeyce because I go to my Father with whom I shall receive the Joys promised to the Faithful not through my merite but the free mercy of my Saviour who sheweth mercy on whom he pleases And giving up the Ghost he was buried at Westminster when he had Reigned 20 Years and 6 Months and 27 Days he rebuilt St. Peter's Westminster and St. Margret's Church made the first Great Seal and was the 19 sole Monarch of England called the Confessor Harrold Son to Earl Goodwin and Sitha his Wife Sister to Swain the younger King of Denmark was upon the Death of King Edward taken for King though he waved the Ceremony of this Coronation and to ingratiate himself with the People lightened the Texes and Behaved himself Courteous and Affable to all Men but he had not long held the Regal Dignity before William Duke of Normandy sent to put him in mind of his Oath which was made during his Imprisonment in Normandy whether in the time of King Edward he had been driven by stress of weather importing that when ever Edward died he should secure the Kingdom for the Norman Duke but Harrold urging what he then did was by constraint and that he conceived himself not obliged to stand to it The Duke prepared to Invade the Kingdom at which time a Dreadful Commet appeared denouncing the Woes and Miseries that ensued for before the Normans arrived a great number of Danes and Norwigeans landed in the North under the Leading of Testo and Harrold Harfrager King of Denmark and spoiling the Country before them marched to York which constrained the King to draw out his Army but being about to pass Stamford-bridge built over the River Derwent his Forces were stopped by a single Dane of Gigantick stature and strength and forty of his Men killed in attempting to remove him but in the end a Soldier getting under the Bridge in a Boat run his Spear through a Creuis and by that means killed him so that the Bridge gained the King gave Battle and overthrew the Enemy with great slaughter killing the Danish King and Tosto his Brother and Olave the Kings Son with Paul Earl of Orkney were taken Prisoners however they upon earnest supplication were suffered to depart the Kingdom in the ships that brought them with the heavy news of their loss but the King had scarce time to consider his advantage before he had News that William Duke of Normandy was Landed with 50000 Men at Pevensey in Sussex on the eigth of September 1066 and fired his Fleet to put his Soldiers out of hopes of return which made Harrold hasten to oppose him who by this time had sent a Messenger to London to demand the Kingdom but they dismissed him with Threats and although the Duke to prevent the effusion of more blood proffered to fight hand to hand yet the King refused it saying It should be tried by more Swords than one Whereupon the Armys advancing pitched in a large Plain and from thence the King sent Spies into the Dukes Camp who being taken were lead from Rank to Rank and made to take a perfect survey of the Army and so dismissed The 14th of October 1366 being come the Armys drew out and faced each other till the Trumpets sounded the Charge when at the first Encounter the Normans were forced to give ground and retire in disorder which the English perceiving and thinking the Battle won carelesly disranked to pursue them which they perceiving and taking that advantage rallied and changed the face of Fortune for the Normans entering the loose squadrons overwhelmed the English with showers of Arrows so that all was turned
that without any constraint or imposition of Penalty they flocked thitheâ— from all parts whereupon the place was constrained to yield and Odo again Banish'd but whilst these thing passed Duke Robert was not idle for having gathereâ— what Forces he could he Landed at Southampton but finding himself unable to resist the Army that was marching against him and not joyned by the expected supply he repassed the Seas without doing any thing oâ— note except the ingageing VVilliam to pay him 3000 Mark a year and after his Decease to resign it to him or his Heirs and now Lanfrank the Arch-bishop dying the King supplied himself with Treasure by keeping the See of Canterbury and many other Ecclesiasticaâ— Promotions vacant for the space of four Years some oâ— which he likewise sold and was wont to say That Christ's Bread is a sweet Dainty and most delicious foâ— Kings Howbeit when two Monks were contending who should give most to be made Abbot of a certain Abby in the King's Disposal he espied a third Monk standing in a corner and causing him to advance he demanded VVhat he would give to be made Abbot Not onâ— Farthing replyed the Monk for I have renounced thâ— VVorld and Riches that I may the more carefully servâ— God Then replyed the King thou art worthy to bâ— made Abbot and the Abbey shall be thine The Scots by this time having Invaded England under the leading of Molcolm their King King VVilliam marched his Army Northward to oppose him but before it came to the trial of Battle a Peace was concluded and the 12 Villages in the Northern Marcheâ— which the Scots had held during the Reign of VVilliam the Conqueror restored them for a Tribute of twelve Marks a year And this year the King to strengthen him against the Scots rebuilt Carlisle in Cumberland which had been demolished by the Danes about two â—undred years before And in Anno 1093 made Anâ—elm a Norman Abbot Archbishop of Canterbury but â—ong the Peace lasted not between the two Kingdoms for Malcolm coming to Glocester to treat about further â—ccord and not being received or entertain'd according to his liking he returned in a rage and raising a great Army in his own Country fell into the English Frontires with Fire and Sword destroying all before him as far as Alnewick and no sooner were these stirs quieted but Robert Mobray and William of Anchon conspired with divers others to depose King William and set up Stephen de Albermarle a Sisters Son but were prevented and defeated The Welsh making many Incursions and Inroades into the Kings Territories he marched a powerful Army into the heart of Wales and there did such notable Exploits that the Welsh finding themselves unable to make head against his Forces submitted themselves so that from the year 1093 VVales has been subject to the Crown of England The King upon new provocations Invaded his Brother Roberts Terretories in Normandy taking divers Castles and strong holds inforcing him thereby to a Peace after which uniting their Forces against their younger Brother Henry who had practised the surprising their Territories he was besieged by them in the Castles of St. Michaels Mount in Normandy during which Siege King VVilliam's life was in great hazard for being too forward in charging such as sallied he was overthrown by a Knight and had his Horse slain but being known the Knight took him up and presented him with another Horse when the King springing into the Saddle and coming up with a fierce countenance demanded who it was that haâ— overthrown him but the undaunted Knight instead of excusing it boldly told him it was he Then saiâ— the King looking mildly upon him by St. Lukes facâ— for that was his usual Oath thou shalt be my Knight and inroled in my Check with a Fee answerable to thâ— worth But in conclusion Henry being constrained foâ— want of Water and other necessaries to submit the Brethren were reconciled and Robert preparing for the Holy Wars mortgaged his Dukedom of Normandy to King VVilliam for 6660 pounds to raisâ— which petty sum at that time he caused great Taxes as they were termed to be laid upon the People and forced the Religious Houses to contribute towards it And in the absence of Robert the French besieging Main in Normandy the King upon notice of it as hâ— sat at Dinner in his Palace of VVestminster swore Hâ— would never turn his back till he arrived there and so causing the Wall to be broke through for his passage he hasted to Sea commanding his Army to follow him but the Winds being contrary and the Seaâ— rough and boisterous the Mariners doubted to set sail and the Pilot besought the King to continue in the Port till the Weather was more favourable but he impatient of delay and disdaining to fear replied Hast thou ever heard that a King has been drowned therefore hoist up the Sails I charge thee and be gone So that safely and unexpectedly arriving in Normandy the French were so terrified that they raised the Siege This King denied that the Pope had any Authority over any Bishop of his Realm and also the Poweâ— of binding and loosing yet in acknowledgement to the See of Rome he paid Peter pence granted by his Father he derided Invocation of Saints and curbed the avarice and aspiring Ambition of the Clergy In his Reign a great Earthquake happened and the Steeple of the Abby of VVinchester was burnt with â—…ghtning which likewise rent the roof of the â—…by casting down the Image of the Virgin Mary â—…d her Crucifix breaking one of her Legs and not â—…ng after so great a Wind happened at London that it â—…ew down sixty some say six hundred Houses taking of the roof of Bow Church and carrying it a great â—…ight in the Air And so great a Famine and Morâ—…ity ensued that the quick were scarcely able to buâ—… the dead Two blasing Stars appeared and many â—…ars as if they shot fiery Darts at each other â—…nd in the last year of his Reign the Sea overâ—…wed her Banks carrying away a great number â—… People Cattle and Houses drowning most of the â—…ands which had been Earl Goodwins which is not â—…covered to this day but retain the Earls Name as â—…own by that of Goodwins Sands At Finchamstead â—…ear Abbington in Barkshire a Well of bloodly coâ—…oured Water sprung up for fifteen days and then â—…eased King VVilliam by this time having setled his Afâ—…irs betook him to Recreations and especially â—…unting in the New Forrest his Father had made by â—…he unpeopling and delapidation of a great many â—…owns and Vilages when so it happened that Sir VValter Tyrre a French Knight shooting at a Stag he Arrow glanced against a Tree and flying aslaunt â—…ruck the King into the breast of which he immeâ—…ately died August 1. Anno 1100. and his Body being â—…id in a Cart the best Herse those times afforded a â—…reat King it broke bemired in a dirty way yet beâ—…g put into
bring Which shows the frailness of each earthly thing The Reign of Henry the Second King of England c. HEnry Plantaginet commonly called Fitz Empress was three times Crowned first by Theobald Arch-bishop of Canterbury at Westminster then at Lincoln and lastly at Worcester and being setled in the Realm he demolished sundry Castles that had given too much incouragement to the falling off of such as at any time grew discontented some that had Honours unduly conferr'd on them he divested and reduced to a private State purged the Land of Forreign Soldiers and chiefly of the Flemings that had come over with King Stephen choosing his Council out of the most Worthy and Learned Men restraining the Incroachments and Oppressions of the greatest Persons without respect of their greatness which made the Lord Hugh Mortimer fall off and take up Arms against whom King Henry went in person and had been slain at the Siege of Bridgnorth had not Hubert d' St. Clare one of his Courtiers stepped between as the Arrow was coming and lost his own Life to save his Masters but this Lord soon reduced and the face of calmness appearing at home he passed into France to do Homage to King Lewis for his Provinces of Normandy Acquitain Anjou Main and Lorain which he claimed as his right 〈◊〉 in himself and partly in Eleanor his Queen and there he adjusted differences between himself and his Brother Geofry and after being highly Caressed and Entertained he returned to England where as much as in him lay intending to live peaceably he contracted an Alliance with Malcolme King of Scots restoring him the 〈◊〉 of Huntingdon The Welsh about this time making Inroads and greatly indamaging the English the King marched against them and joyned Battle but in the heat of the Fight his Standard was cowardly abandoned and his person in danger to be slain or taken Prisoner for which Henry d' Essex Standard bearer being accused by Robert d' Montford as the main cause of the dissertion the Combat as usual upon such Accusations was allowed them at Reading and Essex being overcome the King was notwithstanding contented to spare his life upon condition he became a Monk which accordingly he did and was immediately shorn but in conclusion the Welsh were subdued and the King returning in Triumph was Crowned together with Eleanor his Queen at Worcester where they both at the Offertory laid their Crowns on the high Altar vowing never to wear them after and this was the last of the three Crownings and his Brother Geofry now dead he seized upon sundry Citys and strong places in Normandy and setling his Affairs in that Province he returned to England where Becket Arch-bishop of Canterbury influenced by the Pope began to trouble the Kingdom not only at the Council Tours privately surrendring those Honours the King had heaped upon him to the Pope and from him receiving them again thereby to cast off the acknowledgements he had to the King or his Prerogative but countenanced all manner of violence in the Clergy even to murther so that the complaints of above a hundred Murthers done by the Clergy coming to the King's car and he not finding them punished by Church Censure brought some of them under the Civil Power commanding Justice to be administred without partiality as well to the Clergy as Laity to that end appointing Ministers of Justice in all parts of the Land whose charge it was to enquire into crimes of that or the like nature But this was opposed by Becket with a high hand challenging the King with invading the Rights of the Church demanding at the same time the Castle of Rochester and sundry other places as belonging to the See of Canterbury This made the King assemble all the Bishops in Convocation at Westminster Becket excepted where it was agreed That no Appeals should be made to Rome without the Kings Licence That no Arch-bishop or Bishops upon the Popes Summons should go out of the Land without the like leave That no Bishop should excommunicate any person holding of the King in chief or put any of his Officers under interdiction without the like Licence That Clerks criminals should if the King thought fit be tried before Secular Judges But although the King urged Becket to agree to them yet he absolutely refused it sending thereupon complaints to the Pope who for his profit and interest not desirous to break with England commanded Becket to yield to the King without any Salvo's or exception which not without much stomaching the matter he at last consented to on the word of a Priest and swore that he would observe the Laws which the King called Avitae as being made in the Reign of his Grandfather yet he refused afterwards to set his Seal saying What he had done was rather in some measure to pleasure the King than out of conscience For which and his continuing obstinate he was condemned to the confiscation of his Goods and the Bishop of Chichester in the name of the other Bishops disclaimed and for the afronting the King in his Palace with his Cross he was adjudged as a Traytor and perjured person and that he should as such be taken and imprisond which made him flee into Flanders where Pope Alexander and Lewis the French King openly declared for him which so far incensed King Henry that he banished his Kindred commanding his Sheriffs and other Officers to seize such as appealed to Rome as likewise the Kindred of those Clergy that were with Becket excluding him from being prayed for as Arch-bishop Becket being by this time in France excommunicated the Bishop of London and proceeded in the like nature with others so that there were scarce any found in the Kings Chappel to perform the Service This made him send to the Pope for Legates to absolve his Subjects and settle a peace in the Kingdom and although accordingly they were sent yet Becket standing off with much obstinacy nothing was effected wherefore as some Historians will have it to spite the Arch-bishop the more and the more firmly to establish the Kingdom he caused Roger Arch-bishop of York to Crown his Eldest Son Henry and at the Coronation Feast the King carried up and served at the Table the first Dish of Meat whereat the Arch-bishop whispering the young King said Rejoyce my fair Son for there is no Prince in the World that hath such a Servitor attending at his Table as you have this day To which the early raised Stripling replied Why wonder you at that my Lord seeing my Father knows he doth nothing that is unbeseeming him for as much as he is Royally born on one side but as for our self we are Royally born on both as having a King to our Father and a Queen to our Mother Upon which proud speech the old King told the Arch-bishop That he repented the too early advancement of the Boy And now by the mediation of Friends the old King and Becket were reconciled and all
the Profits and Arrears of the See of Canterbury restored But this restles Prelate taking his time to disturb the Kingdom whilst the old King was in Normandy published the Popes Letters by which Roger Arch-bishop of York and Hugh Bishop of Durham were suspended from their Ecclesiastical Functions for that they had crowned the young King in prejudice to the See of Canterbury and the Bishops of Exeter Sarum and London were cut off from the Church by censure for being Assistants at that Coronation nor would he at the young Kings earnest intreaties but under divers restrictions and hard conditions Absolve them Becket's new insolencies coming to the ear of the old King in Normandy he fell into a great rage and let such words fall that some of his Courtiers interpreting them to intimate the Kings desire to be rid of that proud Prelate contrary to his knowledge Richard Fitzurse William Tracie Hugh Brito and Hugh Norvil passed secretly into England and getting admittance into the Cathedral Church at Canterbury took their opportunity with concealed Weapons to fall upon him as he stood in the Evening Service time before the high Altar and there slew him with a Monk or two that made resistance and thereupon made their escapes This news flying to Rome and the Murther charged upon the King as done by hiâ— order the Pope began terribly to mennace him when he to take off the imputation of guilt not only protested his innocence but offered to purge himself by submitting to the Judgment of such Cardinâ— Legates as the Pope should send upon inquiry intâ— the Fact and the better to quiet the people that began to murmur against him he passed into Irelanâ— with a great Army and finding the several pettâ— Kings divided amongst themselves he made a Conquest of that Kingdom and made himself Lord Ireland Upon the Kings return from the Conquest Ireland he found two Cardinal Legates arrived Normandy by whom he was absolved after giving Oath that he was no ways consenting to the death Becket and declaring his sorrow for having let fâ— words in his anger that might administer any ocâ—sion of committing that crime whereupon the coâ—ditions of his Penance were enjoyned viz. That his own charge for the space of a year he should maâ—tain two huâ—dred Soldiers for defence of the Holy Laâ— That he should revoke all Customs introduced to the 〈◊〉 judice of the Churches Liberties and restore and make up the Possessions of the Church of Canterbury That he should cull home and freely receive all that were in Banishment for Becketg 's cause There were other secret Penances enjoyned which upon his coming over he performed The King notwithstanding the satisfaction he gave the Pope was not at ease for the young King Henry his Son instigated by his Mother the Kings of Scotland and France his two Brothers Richard and Geofry with divers Nobles as well English as Normans raised a Rebellion and seized upon many Towns in Britain and other places But the old Kings Fortune prevailed against them and by Humphry Bohun his High Constable in England he overcame Robert Earl of Leicester which made Lewis of France seek a Truce with him of six Months which was accorded and coming to Canterbury three Miles bare footed as his private Penance he entred the Chapter House of the Monks and humbly prostrating himself on the floor begged pardon and suffered himself voluntarily to be whipped on the back with Rods by all the Brethren of the House so that his stripes amounted to fourscore This confirmed the people of his innocency or at least satisfied their anger so that the Scots invading England were so unanimously opposed that they were defeated and William their King taken prisoner Young King Henry attempting to land was driven back to France by contrary Winds but making some other attempts he died in the expedition Anno 1183 And the next year Heraclius Patriarch of Jerusalem came into England to implore the Kings Aid â—gainst the Infidels that grievously oppressed the Eastern Christians and that he would go thither in person but the Nobles being consulted and not approving it only a supply of Money was granted The King the better to quiet his Son John who was of a turbulent spirit constituted him Lord of Ireland assigning him rents in England and Normandy however he conspired with his Brothers Richard and Geofry against him but before any thing came to perfection Geofry was troden to death under the Horses feet at a Turnament in Paris notwithstanding Richard by the assistance of Philip the French King drove his Father out of Mentz the place of his birth and for which reason he loved it above all other whereupon with tears he declared that seeing his Son had taken from him that day the thing which he most loved in the World he would requite him for from that day he would deprive him of that thing which in him should best please a Child viz. his heart and having a Scrowl of the Conspirators he no sooner found his Son John in the head of them and first in that Scrowl but he curst the hour of his Birth laying God's curse and his own upon all his Sons which he could not be prevailed upon to recal but fretting himself for the unnatural proceedings of his Children and worn out with age and toil he fell sick at Charon and finding the approach of death he caused himself to be carried to the Church and laid before the high Altar where after humble confession and sorrow for his sins he gave up the ghost Anno 1189 and waâ— intered at Font Everard This King Henry the Second was King of England Duke of Normandy Guen and Aquitain eldest Son to Jeffery Plantagenet Earl of Anjou Son to Foulk King of Jerusalem by Maud his Wife eldest Daughter tâ— Henry the First He began his Reign on the 25th oâ— October 1154 and reigned 34 years eight months anâ— eleven days and was the twenty fifth sole Monarcâ— of England he had Issue by his Wife Eleaner Will am who died 1156 Richard Geofry and Philip whâ— died very young John Maud who was married 〈◊〉 Henry sirnamed the Lyon Duke of Saxony Eleanâ— married to William King of Castile Joan married 〈◊〉 VVilliam King of Sicily and afterwards to Ramuâ— the fourth Earl of Tholouze By the lovely Rosamond his beautiful Concubinâ— he had natural Issue viz. VVilliam sirnamed Longspur and Jeffry Arch-bishop of York This Rosamond was Daughter to the Lord Clifford and whilst the King prosecuted his Wars in Normandy and France he caused her to be kept in a Labrinth built at VVoodstock to secure her from his jealous Queen but she finding her by a clew of Thred or Silk which the Fair one had accidentially let fall compelled her to drink Poison of which she died to the unspeakable grief of the King who not only detested his Queen for so much cruelty but raised a stately Monument at Godstow with this Scription Hic jacet in
although the Barons were excommunicated yet they slighted it and incouraged the City of London which was Interdicted for adhearing to their Interests and sent to Lewis Dauphin of France their Letters of Allegiance confirmed with their Seals intreating King Philip his Father to send him in order to take possession of the English Diadem but the Pope advertised of what was in hand sent his Apostolick commands to Philip charging him not to suffer his Son to molest St. Peter's Patrimony with a Curse upon such as should assist him but it prevailed not for the hot-headed Prince sent over with a Fleet of 600 Ships and 80 Boats landing in Kent where he joyned the Barons whereupon the King retired towards Winchester and the Dauphin came to London where he was received in triumph the Citizens doing him homage as did the Barons at Westminster he swearing to them That he would restore all men their Rights and recover to the Crown whatever King John had lost so that most important places submitted During these Transactions the King ruined the Houses and Castles of the Barons in Arms and set forward from Lyn in Norfolk to give them battle but passing the Washes the Floods destroyed most of his Baggage with many of his Soldiers which obliged him to desist But the Barons not having their rents paid began to look back and perceiving their services slighted by the Dauphin and the places of trust bestowed on his French-men they thought it high time to reconcile themselves to their King which was hastened by the discovery the Viscount d' Melun made upon his Death-bed viz. That Lewis had sworn when established on the Throne to condemn the Barons to perpetual banishment as Traytors to their King and utterly root out their Kindred so that forty of them immediately addressed their Letters of humble submission to the King but it so unfortunately fell out that he was dead before they arrived The death of this King is variously reported some will have it to be of a Flux others of a Surfeit but Writers of best credit say that coming to Swinstead Abby after his great loss in the Washes and seeing the liberal profuseness of the Monks whilst his Army was in a manner half starved he said in a pet holding a Loaf in his hand That if he lived but half a year he would make it 12 times as dear which being overheard by a Monk he mixed poison in a Cup of Wine and served it to the King as he was at dinner by the force whereof he died some again will have it to be done by intoxicated Fruit. This John was King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Normandy Guyen and Aquitain sixth Son of King Henry the Second by Q. Eleanor and 27 sole Monarch of England he began his Reign on the 6th of April Anno 1199 reigned 17 years 6 months and 13 days dying of poison the 19. of October 1216. Thus from a troubled Throne King John descends And in his Grave all toil and trouble ends There factious Subjects Popes nor Galick Arms Disturb his rest with their too rude alarms Death can alone from cares of state give rest The slumbring Grave is with no fears opprest The Reign and Actions of Henry the III. King of England c. KIng John being dead the Barons almost with one voice and consent notwithstanding Lewis was yet in the Land with his Army chose Henry eldest Son to the deceased King about Ten years of Age Crowning him nine days after his Fathers Death and the Earl of Pembroke was constituted his Guardian who raised an Army and marched against the French giving them a great overthrow near Lincoln taking several of the Barons that stood out with about 400 Knights and Esquires Prisoners besides a great Booty the French had scraped together in plundering the Country and many of the French that scattered from the Battel were killed by the Peasants nor was the Fleet appointed to bring Supplies out of France better treated for being met by the English most of the French Ships were burnt sunk or taken so that the Dauphin was obliged with such Forces as he could Rally to shut himself up in London whither he was followed by the Earl and besieged by Water and Land which made the Monsieur begin to think of a timely Capitulation The substance was That Lewis and the Barons in Arms should submit to the Censure of the Church and that then he and as many as would goe with him should be permitted to depart the Land with a Promise never to return again in a design of harming it and that he should use his Interest with his Father that such things as belonged to the English Crown and were wrongfully detained should be restored and that when himself should be King of France he should peaceably part with them and that he should immediately render to Henry all Castles and Places taken in England during the War To this Lewis swore and for the better security of the Barons that had been in Rebellion Wallo the Legate the Earl of Pembroke and the young King swore they should be restored as well the Barons as others to all their Rights and Inheritances with their Liberties before demanded of King John that none of the Laity should suffer damage or reproach for the Side or Party they had taken and that the Prisoners taken in War or by Surprize should be released Upon this Lewis the Dauphin and as many of his Followers as were left passed into France yet the Kingdom was molested by sundry turbulent Persons whom no Concessions nor Favours could oblige and amongst these were William Earl of Aumarle Robert de Veipont c. which encouraged the Welsh to raise new Broils on the Frontiers And soon after one Arnulph a Citizen of London with divers others Conspiring to call in Lewis a second time Arnulph and two others were hanged and several had for the like Attempt their Hands or Feet cut off and the Barons finding their Liberties but slowly confirmed began to murmur Lewis extreamly vexed for the disgrace he had suffered in England upon the Death of his Father though contrary to his Oath seized upon Rochel and the County of Poictu both appertaining to the English and the true Cause he excused by pretending King Henry as Homager of Aquitain should have attended at his Coronation but that he neither did it in Person nor shewed any Reason for his being absent by his Ambassadors These Proceedings made King Henry nâ— at Age Call a Parliament which granted him Supply in order to raise an Army for the recovery of his Right but that not proving sufficient though he that Summer vanquished the French in a set Battel he pressed about 5000 Marks from the Londoners above their Fifteenths and the Clergy were not exempted but under pain of the papal Censure obliged to pay the Tax of Fifteenths but the greatest Summe he raised was by revoking the Charters and Liberties excusing it by
neglecting it and refusing to acknowledge they ought so to doe he with a powerfull Army entred Scotland and being about to charge the Enemy as he was mounting his Horse startled and threw him breaking by a spurn of his Heel two of the King's Ribs yet without delay he remounted and gave them Battel charging quite through their Army with such slaughter that in a very short time they were all in Rout and Confusion so that in this Action near Fawkirk 70000 Scots are reported to be slain after which most of the strong places yielded to King Edward when returning victorious to England he in Parliament restored Mogna Charta and Charta Forestae agreeing that no Tax or Subsidy should be levied upon the People but by the Consent of Prelates Peers and Commons in Parliament and in the end of his Grants left out Salvo jure Coronae nostrae viz. Saving the rights of our Crown and at the earnest entreaty of the Pope he set Baliol at Liberty And now the King being desirous absolutely to subject and annex Scotland to the Crown of England raised another powerfull Army against which the Scots not able to make head retired and as their last refuge entreated the Pope to send his Letters of Inhibition which accordingly were sent but the King was so far from regarding them that he in a great passon swore he would not desist ahd when they urged it farther that if he persevered the Pope would take it upon himself he with a disdainfull Smile replied What! Have you done Homage to me as to the chief Lord of Scotland and do you now suppose that I can be terrified with Threatenings as if like one that had no Power to compell I would let the right which I have go out of my Hands Let me hear no more of this for if I do I swear by the Lord I will consume all Scotland from Sea to Sea This resolute Protestation so terrified the Scots that they only replied For the Justice and Rights of their Countrey they were ready to shed their Bloud and the King to justifie his Proceeding sent the Earl of Lincoln to Rome so that by the Influence of the Pope a Truce was concluded from all Saints to Whitsuntide but the Pope not so contented before the Truce was expired declared himself in favour of the Scots whereupon King Edward in a Parliament holden at Lincoln by the General Consent defended his Proceedings with a Protestation that they had not exhibited any thing to the Court of Rome as in form of Judgment or submitting to the Tryall of his Cause but rather for the satisfaction of its Merit and Justice and when the Pope required the King to stand to his decision for matter of Claim the Peers to whom the King had entirely referred it signified to the Pope that the King of England was not to answer in Judgment for any rights of the Crown before any Tribunal under Heaven and that by sending Deputies and Attornies to that purpose he should make the Truth and Justice of his Cause doubtfull forasmuch as it manifestly tended to the Disinherision of the Crown which with the help of God they would maintain against all Men And this was subscribed at Lincoln Anno 1301. by no less than 100 Peers so that Pope Boniface the Third perceiving no good to be done and loth to break with England gave over his Pretensions and left the Scots to make the best of their business whereupon the King made the Lord Segrave Custos of that Kingdom but the Scots thereupon growing impatient took Arms and overthrowing the Custos took him Prisoner but he was soon rescued by Sir Robert Nevil yet this made King Edward set forward with an Army which brought such a Terrour upon Scotland that he marched through the Kingdom from Roxborow to Cathiness 300 miles without the lest resistence for those that were in Arms betook themselves upon his approach to the Woods and Mountains The King thus absolute in Scotland had for a summe of Money Wallis their Ring-leader delivered into his hands so that at Westminster being found guilty of Treason in rebelling against the King his law full Sovereign he was hanged and quartered his Quarters sent into Scotland and set up in divers remarkable places after whose death Bruce that had contended with Baliol for the Kingdom headed the Scots and gathered a considerable Army but was routed by Aymery de Valence one of King Edward's Captains and forced into the Orcades where he lived an obscure Life with much hardship till he found another opportunity to head his Countrey-men and did many noble Exploits which drew King Edward to oppose him but in his way he fell sick at Carlisle where finding the near approach of Death he charged his Son Edward who was to succeed him that he should be industrious to bring the Scots under the English Obedience and that he should carry his Bones along with him through Scotland the better to render him victorious commanding on pain of his Curse not without common consent to recall out of Banishment Pierce Gavestone and farther enjoining him to send his Heart into the Holy Land accompanied with 149 Knights and their Train to which end he had laid up two thousand pounds of Silver and that upon pain of Damnation the Money should be turned to no other use then removing from Carlisle to Bury upon the Sands he there dyed of a Dissentery anno 1307. and his Body buried at Westminster This Edward the First was King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Aquitain c. eldest Son to Henry the Third by Eleanor his Queen his first Wife was Eleanor Daughter to Ferdinand the Third King of Castile by whom he had Issue John Henry and Alphons all dying young Edward who succeeded him Eleanor married to Henry the Third Earl of Barrie Joan married to Gilbert Clare Earl of Hereford and Gloucester Margaret married to John the Second Duke of Brabant Berenger Alice and then Mary who at the earnest Entreaty of her Grandmother became a veiled Nun at the Age of Ten years Elizabeth first married to John Earl of Holland and Zealand then to Humfrey Bohun Earl of Hartford and ctssex then Beatrix and Blanch. By his Second Wife Margaret Daughter to Philip the Hardy King of France he had Issue Thomas Earl of Norfolk and Earl Marshal of England Edmund Earl of Kent and Eleanor who dyed young he began his Reign on the 16th of November anno 1272. and reigned 34 Years 7 Months and 12 days dying in the 35th year of his Reign and the 69th of his Age. Thus did grim Death close up our Monarch's eyes From whom no mortal Might could take the Prize In Arms renowned the World his Fame has heard Belov'd by most and by all Mankind fear'd The Reign and Actions of Edward the Second King of England c. THis King from the place of his Birth was called Edward of Caernavon he began his Reign anno 1307
a great Scarcity of Provision happening he was constrained without performing any memorable Action to make his Retreat nor was the Scots so contented but falling on his Rear not only cut off a great many of his Men but obliged him to leave his Baggage with much Treasure as a Prey to them But now the Pope in favour of England having interdicted Scotland a Truce was concluded between the two Kingdoms for thirteen Years and so ended this tedious War and the King had leisure to make his Progress through the several Counties of York Lancaster and the Marches of Wales punishing such as had been in the former Rebellion and amongst others Andrew de Herkerley was drawn hanged and quartered for taking part with the Scots But now a greater Storm began to gather for young Mortimer making his Escape out at a Window and swimming the River of Thames fled beyond the Seas and joined himself to other Fugitives and banished English and not long after the Spencers oppressing the Kingdom and setting the King against the Queen she under a pretence of Visiting her Father's Court at Paris found means with her Son Edward to get beyond the Seas and refused upon the King 's sending for her to return till she joining with Mortimer her dear Fovourite and other Lords raising a considerable Power and holding Correspondence with the Lords that yet were disaffected in England landed in a hostil manner and marched against the King who was preparing to oppose her seizing upon many considerable Towns The King by this Proceeding finding himself in distress and that the Londoners and many of the Lords had declared against him setting the Prisoners every where at Liberty and recalling those that were banished thought it good to avoid coming to Battel whereupon the Queen with her Forces sate down before Bristol took it and therein Spencer the Elder whom she caused to be cut up alive after being dragged through the Streets for the Satisfaction of the People who mortally hated him And now the King finding himself in a manner forsaken fled into Wales and there for a time lay secret in the Abby of Neath but in the end being discovered and with him the younger Spencer Robert Baldok Chancellour and Simon de Reading the King hereupon was conveyed to Kenelworth Castle and the Lords to Hereford where the Queen lay and there Spencer and Reading being condemned by Sir William Trussel Lord Chief Justice on that occasion they were hanged The Confederates with the Queen having in this manner imprisoned the King and not conceiving it safe to set him at Liberty resolved amongst themselves to make Edward his Son a Prince of about thirteen years of Age King and thereupon sent Sir William Trussel to the Castle where the King was Prisoner to acquaint him with what was intended which put him into a mortal Agony from whence being recovered he greatly lamented and bewailed his hard Fate however Trussel being instructed what to doe proceeded to unking him in these words I William Trussel in the Name of all Men of the Land of England and of all the Parliament Procurator do resign to thee Edward the Homage that was made to thee some time and from this time forward I deprive thee and defie thee of all Power Royal and I shall never be tendent to thee after this time Anno Dom. 1327. And here following the Rule of other Historians we put an End to his Reign though he lived in Captivity as we shall have occasion to mention in the Reign of his Son This Edward the Second was King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Aquitain and fourth Son of Edward the First by Eleanor his Queen he began his Reign the 7th of June Anno 1307. and reigned 19 Years 6 Months and 18 days and was the 30th sole Monarch of England he was murthered Anno 1327. in the 20th Year of his coming to the Crown and the 41st of his Age and afterward buried at Gloucester His Wife was Isabel Daughter to Philip the Fair King of France and by her he had Issue Edward of Windsor John of Eltham Joan married to David Bruce and Eleanor married to Reynold Duke of Guelder In his time there happened a very great Famine throughout England with many strange Sights betokening the Woes and Miseries that after followed c. Thus by misguided Zeal a Monarch fell Vndone by Parasites he lov'd too well Hard Fate of Princes that in time wont see Their Friends from Foes untill they ruin'd be The Reign and Actions of Edward the Third King of England c. EDward the Third though scarcely of sufficient years of Discretion to know what belonged to the Titles or Rights of Crowns and Kingdoms had however more compassion on his afflicted Father than the Queen his Mohter had on her Husband for young as he was when he heard what had happened he greatly bewailed his Misfortune vowing never to take upon him the Government unless the King freely consented to resign without compulsion nor could they constrain him to it but with threats that they would utterly reject the whole Line and chuse a King out of the Nobility though of another Family Upon these Considerations the young King eight days after his Father's Resignation was crowned with the usual Ceremonies but the old King being yet alive and the People compassionating his Captivity his Deposers thought themselves no ways secure especially Mortimer who was suspected to be over familiar with the Queen and from that time they fell to plotting his death in order to which Mortimer procured an express from the young King to remove him under pretences of Friendship and Advantage but indeed that he might put him into such hands as he was sure would dispatch him and thereupon he was conveyed to Berkley Castle when by the way for fear he should be rescued by the People who had yet some remains of Love for him they set him on a Mole-hill in order to shave him for the better disquise and in an insulting manner told him That the Water of the next Ditch should accommodate him for that purpose to which the sorrowfull King replied That there should be warm Water whether they would or not and thereupon sent forth a floud of Tears and being arrived at Berkley Castle in the Custody of Thomas Gurney and John Matravers he was murthered by them or such as they appointed in this barbarous manner viz. being bound to a bed with his face downwards they thrust a hollow Horn into his Fundament and through that to prevent any burning or searing in the outward parts they thrust an Iron Instrument red hot twisting it amidst his Bowels till with horrible pain and torment amidst crys and groans he expired And this Wickedness Historians record to be acted upon Mortimer's sending an ambiguous Sentence prepared by Adam Torleton Eishop of Hereford to such as kept the Castle viz. Edvardum occedere nolite tâ—mere bonum est To kill King Edward refuse to
down and the better to encourage his Men to beat off the French that guarded the farther Shoar he entered the Water at a Ford in the head of the Army crying He that loves me let him follow so marching towards Cressie in the Province of Ponthieu he understood the French King was advancing with 100000 Horse and Foot nor was it long before the two Armies came in sight of each other which made King Edward divid his Forces into three Battalions giving the Van in charge to his Son Edward commonly called The Black Prince through the Warlike Actions that attended his Life c. the middle Battalion he reduced under the Command of the Earls Arundel and Northhampton and the last he retained himself placing his Carriages in the Rear commanding every man to leave his Horse and fight on Foot as resolving either to win the Victory or dye As for the French Army the King of Bohemia and the Earl of Alanson had the charge of the Van-guard King Philip of the Main Battel and the Earl of Savoy of the Rear and no sooner the Charge was sounded but a bloudy Conflict ensued whilst King Edward stood upon a hill with his Battalion to behold the Event and at the beginning the French Horse charging with great Fury made the Prince give way and had allmost enclosed his Battalion which made the Nobles that had the care of his Person send to the King to advertize him of the danger his Son was in when demanding only whether the Prince was alive and certified that he was so instead of sending the succours demanded he replied Let them send no more to me for any Adventure that may befall whilst my Son is alive but let them either vanquish or dye because the Honour of this glorious day shall be solely his if God suffer him to survive This resolute return not only made the English obstinate in fighting but repent they had sent to require aid wherefore redoubling their fury the French were overthrown on heaps especially by the Showres of Arrows that continually poured upon them from whence such a rout and disorder ensued that their Horse trampled down their Foot so that all was in confusion and nothing remained for the English but the Slaughter of the flying French men and the Field being entirely won the King advanced and embraced his Son encouraging him to future Glory by so prosperous a beginning In this Battel were slain Eleven Princes and about 1500 Barons Knights and Men of Arms Here fell the Kings of Bohemia and Majorâ—u Earl of Alanson Duke of Lorain Duke of Burbon Earl of Flanders Earl of Savoy the Dauphin of Vienois the Earl of Sancerrer and Harecourt the Earls of Aumarl and Nevers with six Counts of the Empire the grand Prior of France and Archbishop of Roan and of the meaner sort about 30000. The English lost not above Five thousand and amongst them none of considerable Note The King by this means grown terrible to the French marched to Calais and straitly besieged it yet permitted about 1508 Starvelings whom the Governour had turned out to spare Provision free passage relieving them with Victuals and Money And now the French finding their own weakness dealt underhand stirring up the Scots that so they might divert the King's Forces nearer home but they being encountred near Durham were overthrown and their King David taken Prisoner and in the Encounter the Earls of Murray and Strathern the Constable Marshal Chamberlain and Chancellour with many other Nobles were slain The Noble Prisoners beside the King were the Earls of Douglas Fife Weigton Southerland and Mentieth and King Edward being still in France sent Parties abroad under several Generals who gained great advantages over the French insomuch that the Kingdom was quite disheartened not only to see their Field Forces worsted but their Towns drop away very fast and amongst the rest that considerable one of Brigerac where the Earl of Darby and Lancaster commanding the Forces promised the better to encourage his Soldiers that when the Town was taken every Man should have the Plunder of the first house he enterd when so it happened that a common Soldier broke into the Mint-Master's Stores and there found great store of coined and uncoined Gold and Silver insomuch that not knowing how to dispose of it he acquainted the Earl with his Fortune desiring him to take it into his possession but he generously refused saying that his word was past and he would not recall it and the King having lain eleven months before Calais had it surrendred upon discretion which was seconded by the News that Sir Walter de Bendley had vanquished the Marshal of France slain 13 Lords 140 Knights 100 Esquires and made 9 Lords Prisoners with many Knights and Gentlemen of Note so that the French suing for Peace and offering extraordinary Advantages to the English it was accorded upon sundry Articles and Limitations but the French not long observing them the War broke out again more dreadfull than before for King Edward who had withdrawn the greatest part of his Forces entred again that Kingdom with a puissant Army laying a great part of it waste but in the mean while King Philip dying and John coming to the Crown and upon his giving the Dutchy of Aquitain to Charles the Dauphin King Edward to counter-balance him gave it to Prince Edward his Son commanding him to defend it who passing thither with an Army took most of the Towns with little resistence when heightened with the Success he pierced as far as the Gates of Burges in Berry but in his return to Bourdeaux John the French King opposed him with a very numerous Army but notwithstanding he had six to one in the Field he was overthrown by the Prince and taken Prisoner together with Philip his youngest Son the Archbishop of Sens with many great Lords and about two thousand Knights Esquires and Gentlemen bearing Armories and in the Fight were slain Fifty two Lords one thousand seven hundred Knights Esquires and Gentlemen together with the King's Standard-Bearer and about six thousand Common Soldiers it being ever the Fate of France to have the loss fall heavy on the Nobility and after many other advantages gained the Prince settling his Affairs returned to England with his Prisoners and was received with great Triumph and Henry Picard being then Lord Mayor of London at his own charge feasted four Kings viz. of England France Scotland and Cyprus and eight days were taken up in giving Glory to God for the Victory and the King not thinking the English Interest in France sufficiently secured sent over a Fleet of 1100 Sail and coming with his Army before the Walls of Paris he knighted for their better Encouragement in military Atchievments 400 Esquires and Gentlemen but at length through many Mediations and Intercessions it was concluded that King Edward and his Son should ever release unto King John and his Heirs the Right and Claim they had to the
Reign This Richard the Second was King of England and France Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain second Son to Edward the Black Prince by Joan his Wife Daughter to Edmund Earl of Kent His Reign began the 21st day of June 1377. and he reigned 22 Years three Months and eight days and was the 22d sole Monarch of England c. and was murthered in Pontefract Castle as will appear in the next Reign He had two Wives but no Issue or at least none that survived him his last Wife Isabel Daughter to Charles the Fifth King of France being so young that she was incapable of consummating the Joys of a Marriage Bed c. In his time made Portents and Prodigies happened the Bay and Lawrel Trees withered throughout England and suddenly after became green and flourishing and the deep River near Bedford divided into two Streams leaving the Chanel dry for three miles He caused his Palace of Shene now Richmond in Surry to be demolished occasioned by the excessive grief he conceived for the loss of his first Wife Queen Ann who dyed there he likewise upon the City's refusing to lend him 1000 l took away their Charter and obliged them to ransome it at a far greater Summe Thus we behold how Fortune plays with Kings There 's nothing stable found in earthly things The Greatness that on Power and Honour grows Like the wild Ocean has its Ebbs and Flows The Reign and Actions of Henry the IV. King of England c. HEnry of Bullinbrook so called from the place of his Birth Son to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster upon the Resignation of King Richard was crowned by Thomas Arundel Archbishop of Canterbury making it his business to ingratiate himself with the People thereby the better to secure what he had gained he sent his Ambassadours likewise abroad to keep up the Correspondency with foreign Princes as also to justifie his Proceedings but France and Normandy approved not of them but rather condemned what had pasted in dishonour of King Richard nor were there divers in England wanting who laboured to restore him and amongst these were John Holland Earl of Huntington Thomas Hollnnd Earl or Kent John Mâ—â—acute Earl of Salisbuy Thomas Spencer Earl oâ— â—â—â—ucester with the Dukes of Surry Exeter and 〈…〉 but these Lords were altogether unsuccessfull 〈◊〉 Undertaking although they raised a considerable number of Persons in Arms giving out King Richard was at liberty and there present the better to confirm which they had gotten his Chaplain to personate him for the Townsmen of Cyrencester assailed them took divers of them and because some of the Lords Servants had fired the Town to contribute to their Masters Escape whilst the People were busie in extinguishing the Flames they in Revenge cut off the Heads of such Noblemen as they had taken without Law or Process and the Commons of Essex did the like to the Earl of Huntingdon in revenge of the Duke of Gloucester's Death mentioned in the foregoing Reign to be made away at Cailais The Lord Spencer falling into the hands of the Rabble at Bristol met the same Fate Others were put to Death at Oxford and some at London John Maudlin the Counterfeit Richard and one Thurby were drawn hanged and quartered The Bishop of Carlisle was condemned but afterwards pardoned and thus the Attempt was totally frustrated yet it proved fatal to Richard for Henry finding he could not assure himself in the Throne whilst the deposed King lived and he purposely letting fall some words before his Favourites as Who shall rid me of the cause of my troubles c. Sir Pierce of Exton to curry-favour with him went to the Castle where King Richard was lodged and gaining admittance under pretence of an Order from the King he and seven of his Accomplices fell upon and murthered that poor Prince with Battel-Axes yet before he fell wresting a Weapon he killed four of them others will have him to dye through Famine and Discontent which may appear something likely when we consider he was exposed at St. Paul's London for the space of three days thereby to assure the People of his Death and prevent any Counterfeit that might be set up and afterwards buried at Kings-Langly in Hartfordshire yeâ— in the fifth year of Henry the V. his Remains were brought to Westminster and interred with his Ancestours where some will have that beautifull Pâ—â—ture of a King Crowned in a Chair of State to be placed at the upper end of the Choir in memory â— him However this freed not Henry from dangâ—â—â—â— for the Scots entered England and the Welsh took 〈◊〉 Arms under the Leading of Owen Glendour but were both defeated yet these publick Practices were seconded with a private one which had proveâ— more dangerous had it taken effect viz. a Calthrop being an Engine with four sharp Spears standing upward was placed in his Bed and had peradventure put an end to his days had he not espyed it before he lay down but it could not be known who placed it there The Welsh who rather retired than over-come took Arms in greater number and overthrowing the Lord Edward Mortimer who was sent to surpress them took him Prisoner and obliged him to marry Glendour's Daughter nor did People spare to spread abroad sundry inveterate Libels for which some were executed and amongst them several Gray Fryars and the King going against the Welsh was repulsed by a mighty Storm yet succeeded his Lieutenant the Early of Northumberland and his Son Piercy Hoâ—spur better against the Scots in the North for by them the Scots were overthrown in two Battels and some Persons of note taken Prisoners The King being at this time a Widower took to Wife the Lady Jane of Navarre Widow to John de Mountfort Duke of Britain which Marriage was followed by dreadfull Prodigies and soon after the Lord Piercy Hotspur when he had done Wonders against the Scots and thinking his Services slighted grew discontented and turned his Arms against King Henry and with him joyned Mortimer Earl of March Henry Piercy his Father and Owen Glendour pretending a Care to reform Disorders in the Government though it was afterwards discovered they intended nothing more than their own Interest for Mortimer was to have the South part of â—â—gland Piercy the North Glendour all beyond the 〈◊〉 and Archibald Earl of Douglas who had beâ—â—â—â— been takan Prisoner to have his Liberty and the Town of Berwick with the Territories belonging to it but before they could gather into any great Body the King was advancing with a powerfull Army towards Shrewsbury which they had fortified when Hotspur no sooner discovered the Royal Standard but resolving to loose his Life or win the Day drew out Fourteen thousand Men and desperately engaged the King and Prince Henry his Son yet being inferiour in number though he fought with a Courage beyond expression Fortune that never before failed him turned her back so that he was slain and the Earls
in the first place a Summons to demand the Dutchy of Normandy Aquitain Guyne and Anjou upon which the Dauphin who ruled all at Court sent him in derision a Tun of Tennis Balls as supposing them fittest for a Prince that had formerly given himself over to Sports and Recreation but at this time he was mistaken in his mark for the King highly incensed at the affront sent back word that he would shortly send him London Balls that should shake Paris Walls and proceeded to make large preparations for passing the Seas which incited the French to use their old Artifice of stirring up the Scots but they upon their attempting to enter England were overthrown by Sir Robert Humfreville This made the French King who was but weak in mind consult his Peers who concluded it would be most expedient for France to come to Terms with the English before the Matter was carried too far and accordingly Ambassadours were sent who at Winchester made offers of some Territories with a summe of Money to defray the charges of the preparation but more especially thinking by that means to please the King they made proposals of Marriage between him and and the beautious Princess Katharine of France but all this came to nothing for the King peremptorily demanded what had ever formerly belonged to his Progenitours and that being refused Antilop his Pursuvant at Arms was sent to King Charles with Letters of Defiance and he passed with such Forces as he had raised in order to his Embarking at Southampton commanding the Nobles and all that held Fee of the Crown to follow him and the French perceiving fair means would not doe proceeded to Treachery by corrupting the Lords Grey Scroop and Cambridge too with promises of vast summes of Gold to murther him before he took the Seas but this was discovered by a paper found in the bosome of the latter and the matter being plain the two first were executed but the last at the Instance of the Duke of York whose Son he was had his Pardon procured The King being by this time in a forwardness set sail on the 7th of August 1414. with 500 Ships and 30000 Soldiers besides Engineers Artificers and Labourers and on the 15th cast Anchor at the mouth of the River Seyn three miles from Hareflew and no sooner he came on shoar but falling on his Knees he implored God's Blessing and Assistence in prospering his Enterprize for the gaining his Right and his Army being landed he caused Proclamation to be made that no person whatsoever on pain of Death should presume to injure Churches Churchmen Women or Children and encouraging his Soldiers he soon made himself Master of the Town of Harflew and having at St. Martin's Church given God Thanks for the first success of his Arms he detached two thousand Horse and thirteen thousand Foot and marched with them through the Countries of Caux and Eu in his way to Callis when to hinder him the flying parties of French not only skirmished as they saw advantage but broke down Bridges plashed Trees carried away or destroyed all manner of Provision and Forage so that he was obliged to march along the Banks of the River Some as far as Bathencourt before he could gain the Pass and on the 24th of October he came to Azin or Agincourt the numerous Army of the French attending and watching all advantage The King being thus far advanced through a ruined and destroyed Countrey whereby his Soldiers for want of necessaries were become extremely feble he found he could not proceed without giving Battel and therefore resolved to pitch his Banner Royal but finding the Army extremely weakened and himself surrounded in a Toil at the instance of the Nobles he proposed Overtures to the French proposing the delivery of Harflew and such other places as he had taken since his arrival in France in consideration that himself and all with him might pass quietly to Calais and there ship for England To this the Mareschal and Constable who had the chief Command in the French Army were willing to hearken as knowing the danger of compelling a desperate Enemy to fight in the extremity of Despair but the other Commanders young Princes and Nobles more fiery than either valiant or wise would not hearken to any accord and so confidently they promised themselves the Victory that they had before hand divided the spoil causing the Bells to be rung and Thanks to be given in the neighbouring Churches â—hat God had delivered the Enemy into such a 〈◊〉 of advantage that he could not escape 〈◊〉 when Man proposes God disposes for too much confidence ruined them not considering that when it seemeth good the Almighty by weak things can destroy the powerfull nay so confident were they that they sent for King Charles and the Dauphin that they might have the Honour of the Victory and spent the night before the Battel in a careless manner of feasting and revelling whilst the English spent it in moderate refreshment and prayer King Henry seeing the Storm that he was bound to oppose commanded two hundred Archers to lodg in a Meadow secured against the French Horse with strong bushes and a large Diâ—ch placing likewise Archers in the Front of the Battel and to secure them they had long stakes shod with Iron to stick slantwise against the breaking in of the Horse which might be removed as accasion required ranging the Hoast into three Battalions flanking the whole with Archers and that he might not be hid on so eminent a day he wore on his Helmet a small Crown of Gold riding from Rank to Rank and giving necassary Orders in all places declaring that England should never be charged with his Ransome but that he resolved either to conquer or dye and then commanding his Standard to advance Since says he our injurious Enemies do attempt to shut up our way let us set upon them in the Name of the most glorious Trinity and in the best hour in the whole year whereupon Sir Thomas Epingham with a Warder in his hand advanced against the French who kept their ground covering the plains for many miles and throwing it up in the Air gave the signal to join Battel whereupon a joyfull shout ensued and the Archers from the Meadow as the French advanced let flie their Arrows galling and wounding Horse and Man whilst the Main Body joined and then the English army fell on like Men driven to their last necessities yet not without expressing a singular Conduct and Courage having the advantage of the French in charging by reason of the unweildiness of their Army insomuch that the English Arrows flying like Thunderbolts upon the thronging Horse no ways able to avoid them and those that advanced furiously being goared with the stakes as the Archers retired to give way to the Men of Arms making a Barracade against those that pressed behind nothing but rout and confusion ensued the French at such a disadvantage not being capable
made Prisoner by a Burgundian Knight and by him sold to to the English who sent her to Roan and being charged with Witch-craft Bloud-shead and the unnatural use of Man's Apparel contrary to her Sex she was burnt which was too barbarous a usage and had not been executed but to put the French out of the great hopes they conceived in the Promise she had made to drive the French out of the Kingdom and in some kind it had its effects but another expedient was resolved on which was to send over for young King Henry and he accordingly was crowned in Paris with great Pomp by the Cardinal of VVinchester on the 7th of December 1431. The French Nobility doing him homage and the King's Pattents and Grants touching the French Affairs passed under the Seal and Stile of Henry King of the Frenchmen and of England and the Lords Talbot and Arundel were successfully victorious in the Provinces of Main Anjou and other places but John Duke of Bedford Regent of that Kingdom dying at Paris Anno. 1435. with his death the English Affairs sunk for although Richard Duke of York was sent over Regent yet before his arrival Paris was lost by the treachery and revolt of the Citizens and the Duke of Burgundy falling off besieged or blocked up Callais upon notice of which the Duke of Gloucester passed with a great Army but the Burgundians were retired before his arrival which made him proceed to waste the Burgundian Territories and then returned to England whilst the Duke of Somerset the Lords Talbot and VVilloughby made good the English Interest against the French and now it was thought expedient that King Henry should Marry and by the contrivance of de la Pool Duke of Suffolk he took to Wife Margaret Daughter to Renate Duke of Anjou and Lorain Titular King of Sicily and Jerusalem c. with whom he had little or no Dowry and Suffolk's too much favour and interest with the Queen made the Nobles begin to murmur and indeed this Match proved in the end disadvantageous to the English for the Queen being a Woman of a high Spirit and finding her power over a good natured and easie King she delayed not to use it placing and displacing at her pleasure the greatest Counsellers and Ministers of State so the Interest in France daily lessoned and the Dauphinâ— recovered the greatest part of the Kingdom which moved Duke Humphry to reproach the Queen and her Council with bold truth whereby they became so exasperated that from that time they layed Snares to intrap him but finding no plausible opportunity they resolved to take a violent occasion and at a Parliament holden at St. Edmunds-bury Anno 1447. he was arrested by John Lord Beaumont Lord High Constable of England and others charged with High-Treason and put under a Guard of the King's Houshold but had not been long in his Confinement before he was found dead not without strong presumption of violence used towards him yet to shadow it with the people who entirely loved him as a vertuous wise and learned Patriot of his Country his body was exposed and it was given out that he died of an Imposthume and Palsie This Duke who had been the Prop of the English Affairs removed his Servants the better to colour the Matter were brought to Tryall and five of them convicted of High-Treason upon which Sentence they were drawn to Tyburn and being hanged about two Minutes were cut down alive stripped naked and marked out with a Knife to be quartered and then their Charters of Pardon were produced by the Marquess of Suffolk and now the whole frame of Government seemed to repose it self in the Queens Authority and such Favourites as by her insinuation with the King she raised to the highest Dignities This gave scope to the Duke of York's Ambition who concluding there was an open passage to the Crown delayed not the opportunity but consulted his Friends declaring his Title as descended from Lionel and Elder Brother to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster great Grand-father to King Henry the sixth aggravating the miscarriages in Government and keeping up popular divisions and indeed the King's mildness a Council out of Favour with the people â—osses and dishonours abroad a disorder and confusion of things at home mainly contributed to his design and about this time a Rebellion happening in Ireland the Duke of York was looked upon as the fittest Man to go over for the appeasing it and had the fortune to bring it to a happy issue when in the mean while the Duke of Suffolk the Queens great favourite was charged in a Parliament at Westminster with evil Demeanour Misprision and Treason and committed Prisoner to the Tower but the Queen soon after procured his release and now the Yorkists Faction considerably strengthened appeared bare-fac'd and being vigorously withstood by Adam Molins Bishop of Chichester Keeper of the Privy Seal to remove him out of the way a rable of Seamen were stired up to fall upon him at Portsmouth by whose rude hands the good Bishop was slain and in a Parliament holden at Leicester they procured the Banishment of the Duke of Suffolk for five years and as he was attempting to pass the Seas he was taken in Dover Road by such as the Duke of York had laid in wait for him and for want of a Block had his Head cut off on the side of a Cock-boat which was looked upon as a Judgment for his being a contriver of the death of Humphry Duke of Gloucester the King's Uncle Suffolk thus removed out of the way the Duke of York concluded he wanted but one step into the Throne and although he was yet in Ireland he so effectually wrought by his Friends in England that the Kentish Men took up Arms under the leading of Jack Cade and were joyned by those of Essex demanding that the Duke might be called home and that he with some others that Cade named might bechief in Council That those guilty of the death of Duke Humphry might receive due punishment That the Grievances of the people might be redressed and because these requests were not speedily answered they committed many violent out-rages in and about London as plundering the houses of the Citizens beheading the Lord Say Treasurer of England and Mr. Comer High Sheriff of Kent for attempting to perswade them to return to their Obedience However their fury being spent and the King's Proclamation for a Pardon coming out to indemnifie them they returned to their respective Habitations but Cade finding his Power and Credit with the Multitude upon some new disgust attempting again to raise the Rable he was encountered by the Gentry of Kent and slain by one Edan Upon the stirs and uproars in England the Duke of York without any Order hasted from Ireland and took up Arms pretendedly for the Reformation of the State which made King Henry fortifie himself and prepare to oppose their force â— but the Duke of York
head them against the King's Forces in England promising their Aid to help him to the Kingdom so that landing at Whitsand Bay in Cornwal many thousands resorted to him and being strong enough he besieged Exeter but it made a stout Resistence and was in conclusion relieved by the Earl of Devonshire whereupon Perkin's Men perceiving the little success they were like to have against the far greater Forces preparing to encounter them dropped away by degrees which he perceiving fled privately to the Abby of Beaulien in New Forest for Sanctuary but upon Promise of Life and a Pardon for his Crimes he came forth and submitted making his publick Confession and Recantation how he was but the Son of a converted Jew born at Tournay in Flanders and had been wrought upon to take this Enterprise upon him by the Duchess of Burgundy and others upon which he was committed close Prisoner to the Tower Yet some Practices being still on foot King Henry not thinking himself secure caused him to be tried at Westminster for High Treason in attempting to escape and carry with him the Earl of Warwick to raise new Commotions in the Kingdom and being sentenced was drawn to Tyburn and there hanged In this the innocent Earl of Warwick was involved without any other apparent reason than to cut him off that the Succession might be the more firm to Henry's posterity and this poor Prince who had been kept a Prisoner from his Infancy and little knâ—w what belonged to Law or Matters of State being by some who insinuated to be his Friends persuaded to confess upon his Tryall what he never intended or thought of by having a Promise of Pardon upon such a Confession the King very unkindly took him at his word and being condemned for High Treason he was beheaded on Tower-hill and in him failed the Name of Plantagenet as being the last of the Male Line of that illustrious House This cruel execution little inferiour to what Richard the III. had acted by his Newphews is held to be done upon the account of the Match between Prince Arthur the King's Son and the Princess Katharine of Spain the Spaniard appearing averse to conclude it till by the removal of the Earl of Warwick the Succession was better secured Anno 1506. Edmund de la Pool Earl of Suffolk was tried by the King 's express Command at the King's-Bench-Bar Westminster for killing a man and tho he had his Pardon yet being of the Royal Bloud it so disgusted him that he privately retired beyond the Seas and laboured to disturb Henry's Reign by secretly holding Correspondence in England which obliged the King to send his Spies abroad especially Sir Robert Courson who insinuating into the Earl's Favour got out of him who were his Conferates in England whereupon Sir James Tirrel the wicked Instrument in the Murther of the two young Princes Edward and Richard in the Tower and Sir John Windham with three others lost their Heads on Tower-hill Nor did the King spare any Cost or Labour to get the Earl into his hands but when his Pollicy failed Fortune befriended him for Philip King of Spain and Archduke of Austria in whose Countries the Earl remained being at Sea was driven into the West of England by Stress of Weather of which Henry had no sooner notice but he hasted to receive and entertain him which he did in a most splendid manner and with some difficulty procured his Promise to send him over the Earl a Prisoner protesting his Life should be secured to him and accordingly he was sent over and secured in the Tower King Henry supposing himself now secure made it his business to heap up Riches and for that purpose he had his Instruments Empson and Dudly who by grievous unlawfull and indirect ways oppressed the People for which they were justly punished as a Terrour to corrupt Judges which in the next Reign appears but in the midst of this Unrertaking the King dyed viz. anno 1509. on the 22d of April He had Issue by Elizabeth his Queen eldest Daughter to Edward the Fourth Arthur who was married to Katharine of Spain and dyed before his Father anno 1502. Henry Edmund who dyed 1499. Margaret married to James the Fourth King of Scotland Elizabeth who dyed young Mary first married to Lewis the Twelfth King of France and afterward to Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk Katharine who dyed young This Henry was King of England and France and Lord of Ireland Son to Edmund Tudor Earl of Richmond by Margaret Daughter and Heir to John Beaufort Duke of Somerset Grandchild to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster He began his Reign in the Year 1485 and reigned twenty three Years eight months and was the 39th sole Monarch of England he dyed in the 52d Year of his Age and was buried in the Chapel of his own Building at Westminster Thus after Toils of State and War are o'er Monarchs lie down to be disturb'd no more The Grave yields quiet and Repose from ill When Fate wound off the Wheels of Life stand still The Reign and Actions of Henry VIII King of England c. KIng Henry the Eighth was in his Father's Life time betrothed to Katharine of Spain his Brother Arthur's Widow and the old King left him to set up with 1800000 l that he had scraped together in his latter days the greatest Treasure any King of England ever left before This Henry was crowned at Westminster on the 25th of June 1509. together with Queen Katharine by William Warham Archbishop of Canterbury chusing many grave persons out of the Clergy and Lâ—iâ—y And now the people being enraged against Empson and Dudly for their illegal Oppressions the King to prevent Tumults that might have happened in the beginning of a young Prince's Reign if Redress had been refused caused them to be arrested and imprisoned and soon after being brought to Tryall and many heinous things proved against them together with the Cries and Clamours of the people for Justice they were sentenced to lose their Heads and were accordingly executed The King being of a martial Spirit and impatient of Ease sent his Heralds at Arms to the French King there in his Name and as in right belonging to the English Crown to demand the Dutchies of Normandy Guine Main and Anjou but they being refused he failed into France with a considerable Army besieged Terwin and thither came Maximilian the Emperour as a voluntary aider to the King and served under the English Standard as a Knight of the Order of the Garter and the French advancing with a considerable power to the relief of this place were routed allmost without fighting so from their cowardly running away being most Horse it was called in derision The Battel of Spurs yet six of their Standards and many Prisoners of note were taken and thereupon the Town yielded and the King marched to the Siege of Tournay which he won and obliged the Citizens for their Redemption to pay him