restraint of his liberty and stomaching his former disgraces indignities would endure no longer but studied euery hower how to escape not yet knowing what to do when he did escape to which purpose by faire promises and false perswasions he corrupted his keepers Strangwaies Blewet Astwood and long Roger seruants of Sir Iohn Digby Lieutenant of the Tower to slay their said Master and set both Perkin and the true Earle of Warwicke at large and so to make their fortunes as they could either by domestike or forraine friends to which when the innocent Prince condiscended as glad any way to enioy his libertie and to be freed of his imprisonment for you see birds kept in golden cages beat and flutter vp and downe as scorning their enclosure to get out into their natiue Country the region of the aire mischiefe and misfortune which plaies the tyrant with many men all their liues long neuer affordeth one day or breathing time to giue them a taste of any pleasure or contentment discouered the whole conspiracy to the King and his Councell not leauing out any circumstance which might either exasperate his rage or pull forward death and destruction to the delinquents Whereupon without further disputing the matter Perkin Warbeck Iohn a Water sometimes Maior of Corck and his sonne were the 16. of Nouember arraigned and condemned at Westminster of high Treason and the 23. hanged at Tyburn Perkin mounted on a scaffold reading his confession and contrary to all expectation aâ—king the King and Country forgiuenesse and dying penitently with great remorce of conscience and compunction of spirit Et sic â—inis Priami Not long after Edward Earle of Warwick who had beene the 21. of Nouember arraigned at Westminster before the Earle of Oxford high Constable of England for the present was vpon the 28. 1429. beheaded at the Tower Hill For he quietly confessed the enditement concerning his consent and willingnesse to obtaine his libertie though it were by violating the law in that kinde and breaking of prison whose simplicity I rather lament then condemne the offence For it was a dangerous time for any Plantaginet to liue in and I may well cry out Omne tulit secum Caesaris ira malum But the King was indeed glad of this occasion and fortune gaue vertue the check because as he had imprisoned him without a cause he knew not what to doe with him without a fault yet some report that the principall reason of accelerating his death was a speech of Ferdinando's king of Spaine who should sweare that the mariage betweene Lady Katherine his daughter and Prince Arthur of Wales should neuer be consummated as long as any Earle of Warwick liued For the very name and title was not only formidable to other Nations but superstitions to the wauâ—ring and vnconstant English whereupon the King was the gladder to take hold of this opportunitie where in the conuiction of Law had cast this stumbling-block of treason in his walke and race to a longer life and yet was there nothing done but by orderly proceedings and iustifiable courses more then when the silly Prince submitted to his mercy he thought it the greatest point of mercy to looke to himselfe and so for the benefit of his posteritie and the sedation of all troubles both present and to come struck off his head and with him the head of all diuision and dissention FINIS True Histories to be preferred before all prophane and deuised relâ—tions The house of Lancaster began the first wrong Rebellion in Ireland naturall Sparâ—ago Sebastian Mortimer Treason did neuer long prosper Margaret Duches of Burgundy chiefest enemy of Henry the seuenth The Lord Louel and Stafford rebell against Henry the seuenth No Saâ—ctâ—ary for Traitors â— new Earle of Warwick The end of diuelish deuices our destruction Lambert Earle of Wâ—rwicke saâ—â—eth into Ireland The Earle of Kildare a sauorer of this counterfet Margaret Duches of Burgundy entertaineth this quarrell Eurip. Mâ—dâ—â— Articles agreed vpon by the Councell to prâ—uent the warre The Earle of Warwicke shewne in publike Iohn de la Pooles sonne Duke of Susâ— folke by a sister of Edward the fourth Now Earle of Lincolne taketh part with Lambert The Earle of Lincolâ—e and Lord Louel goe into Ireland to Lambert The King raiâ—eth an Armie The Lord Marâ— quesse Dorceâ— sent to the Tower Eurip. Bacchâ— Mâ—rtinus Swart Lambert with his Armie commeth into England Lucan lib. 1. The King with his army is ready to the encounter Lucan lib. 2. The Earle of Lincolne commeth forward to Newarck to meet the King Stoke field The armies ioyne The King obtaineth the victory against the Rebells Lucan lib. 9. The Duches of Burgundy is rather enraged then daâ—nâ—ed with the newes Euriâ— Medea The Duches of Burgundy raiseth new troubles Another Richard the fourth Peter Warbâ—ck instructed by the Duches hâ—w to demeane himselfe Perkins Oration to the Irish Lords The French King sendeth for Perkin Lucan Lib. 7. Perkin welcommed to Lady Margaret Eurip. Hippolitus Coronatus England strangely possessed with the humor of Perkin Sr. Robert Clifford sent to Perkin Lucan lib 6. The King prepareth for Peâ—kin Paâ—â—â— Helâ—â—â— Embasie to the Arch-Duke Eurip. Andromache The Duches answer to Doctor Warrham oranâ—tion Oâ—id Epist. Petrâ—rck dâ— contemptu mu ndi dial 3. The Embassador returne into England Quid. de arte amandi lib. 3. Eurip. Iphigenia in aulide A riot 〈◊〉 the Esterlings Sir William Stanley accused Eurip. Herefuâ—â—â—â— Sir William Stanley beheaded Eurip Heraclida Libel â—rs hanged Speciall Commissioners sent into Ireland Lucan lib. 5. The North of Ireland Sueuorum morâ—scu Politianâ— The Earle of Kildare accused by Sr. Edward Poinings The King progresse intercepted vpon report of Perkins lanâ—ding 〈◊〉 lib. 9. Perkin commeth to Kent Eurip. Hecuba Perkins company defeated he driuen backe to seâ— Ouid. 6 6. â—aâ—torum Perkin resolueth for Ireland and so into Scotland Perkins Oration to the King of Scots The King of Scots resolueth to assist Perkin Ouid. Epist. Helena Paridi The King of Scoss prouideth Perkin of a wife The Ladies answer Perkin marieth the Ladie Katherin Gourdon daughter to the Earle Huntley The Scots inuade England in the behalfe of Perkin â—ucan lib. 2. Perkin lamenteth the English slaughters The Kings aâ—â—â—swer Lucan lib. 3. Perkins answer Eurip. Helena They prepare in England against Perkin Arebellionin the west diuerteth the army out of Scotland â—â—mock and Ioseph Captains of the Rebâ—lls Men in authority Eurip. Hâ—raâ—lida The Armies in England raised Lord Audley Captaine of the Rebels Black-Heathâ—ield London Lucan lib. 1. The Rebels â—uercome Lord Audeley executed Lib. 8. Lib. 9. The King of Scots prepareth against England King of Scots besiegeth Norham Castle The Earle of Surrey raiseth the siege Lucan lib. 7. The Earle of Surrey entreth Scotland The King of Scots offreth a priuate combate to the Earle of Surrey The King of Spaine would marry his daughter to Prince Arthur An Embassador to the King of Scots from Spaine Lucan lib. 7. An Embâ—ssador from Englâ—nd to Scotland The King of Scots will not deliuer Perkin Eurip suppliceâ— Perkin discharged out of Scotland Perkin retorneâ—h into Ireland Perkin ecâ—meth into England Perkin besiedgeth Excester Perkin discomfited leaueth Excester and departeth to Taunton The Lord Dawbney generall of the Kings forceâ— The King commeth forward with his Army The Duke of Buckingham Eurip. supplâ—ce◠〈…〉 Perkin desperat of all reliefe taketh Sauctuary Eurip. suppliceâ— The Lord Daubney sent after Perkin The Army of Perkin submitteth to the King without fighting The King râ—turneth to Exâ—ester Perkins Wife taken Eurip. Hecuba Perkin submittet to the King Lady Margaret much troubled with this discomfortable newes Perkin deceiueth his keepers anâ—â— escapeth Perkin commeth to the Prior of Shene Perkin once againe 〈◊〉 but ignominiously vsed 〈◊〉 lib. 5. Perkins confession Lib. 3. de pontâ— Perkin committed to the Tower Li. 4. de 〈◊〉 〈…〉 Perkin corrupting his keepers to escape out of the Tower is takâ—n and hanged at Tiburn The Earle of Warwicke beheaded
of the world and times For the Maiestie of Kings will not be tied vp with the slender bindings of rebellion nor taught any lesson against their wils either of fauouring or disfauouring whom they please As for personall faults Alas Princes Prelates Officers Maiestrates and all sorts of men will runne the race of mortality and if it were possible to remoue offenders at pleasure the persons may be changed but the imperfections continue Let them therefore alone a Gods name for they must stand or fall to the estate of their liues which he hath appointed only this I will be bold to say I would haue no man for any priuate respect runne in the outragious races of sinnes himselfe or defend any wickednesse in others beare with great men in their vices flatter or temporize for profit or preferment yeeld vnto base or degenerating actions either for feare or fauour or in a word doe any thing contrary to Gods word wherein as in a glasse men may perspicuously behold the way of life and death and the infallible positions which in the affirmatiue and negatiue conclude all things either by precept or interdiction Eurip. Orest. Paruis enim res magnas quomodò caperet quis laboribus stultum etiam velle conarihaec quando enim excanduerit populus ad iram prolapsus similis est igni ad extinguendum vehementi si vero pedetentim quis ei concitato quidem cedens obsecundârit tempus cautè obseruans cum autem emiserit flatus forsan exhalauerit THE TRVE AND wonderfull History of PERKIN VVARBECK THE contentions betweene the houses of Yorke and Lancaster are the subiects of many discourses and therefore I will insist the lesse either vpon Genealogies Titles Vsurpations Warres Factions Encounters Reuenges Battails Slaughters or other accidentall outrages which for 90. yeares filled the wrinckles of the face of our Common-wealth of England with the blood and sweat of tenne Kings and Princes of the race roiall 60 Dukes and Earles 1000 Lords and Knights and 150000 Soldiers and people Only I must make a little commorance and abiding in the wretched and ragged house of enuie and malice gouerned and ouerseene by a woman who was so opposite and aduerse to the Lancastrian family that for all King Henry the seuenth had obtained the Crowne by a strong hand and as we say diuinitùs praemunitus yea debarred all Titles or fuming shadowes of Titles by consummating that mariage with the Lady Elizabeth eldest daughter of Edward the fourth she yet contriued all the waies of his ouerthrow and inuit â fortunâ entertained euery occasion which might adde fuell to the fier of her inueterate hate and blood-thirstie humor of reuenge as if she had beene borne like certaine Antipathies in nature which cannot endure any neighbour-hood or commixture such as the Eugh and Palme the Figge and Vine the strings of Wolues and Sheep which makes me remember the story of Eteocles and Pollinices the sonnes of Oedipus whose hate was so great in their liues that after death the bones being burnt togeather the flame of the sacrifice deuided asunder This was Margaret Dutches of Burgundy sister of Edward the fourth and a sworne aduersary to cast the red Rose of England into the black pit of confusion who perceiuing her first hopes frustrated and annihilated concerning the progression of Lamberts enterprises studied night and day vpon further and further instigations yea houered ouer opportunitie like a hawke for her pray to torment and trouble the peace of England embracing euery strange and prestigious illusion and not caring with what pullies of ridiculous and impossible actions her malice and reuenges were woond vp so they might be hurried downe againe vpon the head of the King whom she cursed on her knees and hated euen beyond the tendernesse of her sex many of her owne friends for his sake Therefore to weary his patience a little more she set vp another puppet like the former one Peter Warbeck a Fleming to act a part of wonder on the Stage of dangerous Innouation and take vpon him the Title of Richard the fourth Prince of England and white Rose of the same But before I play the Midwife or if you will Phisitian with her to deliuer her wombe of this monstrous birth of Peter Warbeck whom she taught the cunning and audacious impudency of personating Richard Duke of Yorke murthered with his brother in the Tower by Richard the third some eight yeare before I thinke it not impertinent to our purpose in hand to tell you what this Lambert was and wherein he seemed cosened with the whorish smiles of an adulterate fortune by the only meanes and coadiutement of this Dutches of Burgundy The first and second yeares of Henry the seuenth swelled to so great a height of ioy blessednesse and contentment from the rivulets of King Richards slaughter the corroboration of his estate the amity of the Nobles the mariage with the eldest daughter of Yorke the birth of Prince Arthur the league and amitie of forraine Princes and the applause of all his subiects that the diuine prouidence thought it meet to temper and allay the excesse of the same with some mixtures of feares and displeasure lest mortalitie might presume too farre and man triumph that his owne arme of flesh had contriued his establishment So that the Lord Louel Humphrey and Thomas Stafford with Sir Thomas Broughton and diuers others attempted a dangerous rebellion and drew into the field a great Army against the King whom to preuent the Duke of Bedford with such forces as could be raised on a soddain made hast to an encounter but his fortune was so good that with a successefull Oratory not striking a stroake he preuailed to dissipate those threatning and thickning clouds of disturbance For after he had intimated the hainousnes of their transgression nature of their offences which were capital Treasons with al inferred the Kings great mercy which was willing to pardon their rashnesse and pitiful ouersights so they would desist and retire peaceably into their Countries the whole company surceased and quietly deposed their Armes whereupon the Lord Louel fled and the Staffords tooke Sanctuary in a Village called Culnaham two miles from Abington but because the Iudges of the law alledged that the Townes of refuge among the Iewes were ordained for other purposes and that Ioab was killed holding by the hornes of the Altar and the places of priuiledges in England were neuer meant to suborne Traitors Humphrey Stafford was taken by force from the Towne and sent to the Tower from whence they brought him to Tyborne and there put him to execution His yonger Brother Thomas was notwithstanding remitted as a man whom consanguinitie and brother-hood had rather deceiued then wilfulnesse and malice against the King abused O blessed wisedome that can so temper Iustice with the consideration of mens frailties and other maleuolent circumstances to keep her a while from contracting a brow of reuenge
a fearefull countenance seemed to discountenance both his honor and the action had not the Duches taken the cause in hand with a more vndaunted courage and like a true Virago raised her spirits to a higher pitch of reuenge thus resuscitating her darling and answering the Doctor MY Lords Embassadors of England For the dignity of princelines commandeth no lesse awfull regard of Maiesty combineth me to such obseruation Besides I am no way offended with your persons but your message wherin I know the Oratour hath much transcended his bounds but speaking for his fee and doing another mans errand he is the more pardonable and therefore as neere as I can reâ—ember I will answer succinctly to euery point deliuered First whereas you impeach the miraculous and wonderfull preseruation of this Prince In which yet my credit and knowledge of the truth shall be of sufficiency to answer all other obiections and intercedings I cannot blame you nor him that set you on worke For he well knowes that sonnes â—re to bee preferred before daughters and ashamed of the â—reachery of his ancestours he would put off the blame by a tricke of policy in laying as great faults on the shoulders of his aduersary I meane my brother Richard whose tyranny and obdurate heart hath onely wrought this relenting in me that say do what England can I will be now the Protectrix of this euery way distressed Prince and so to conclude this poynt assure your King Permanet in voto mens mea firma suo Secondly whereas you inferre the improbability and vnlikelihood of sauing the Prince being in a Tyrants custody and determining to murther the King himselfe I answer in a word I am of your minde if euer he had come into his hands But it is well knowne that the Cardinall himselfe was deceiued and the childe conuayed away in despight of the maleuolent practises of so cruell an Homicide Yet say it had not beene so I hope eldest brothers daughters are preferred before a yonger brothers claime and hee had fiue Princesses besides my Nephew Warwicke to wrastle wiâ—hall before he could goe out of the lists with his owne triumphs Therefore it was not the feare of him that did accelerate his murther as you suppose but his resolution to bee King in despight of Heauen and Hell Thirdly concerning the dispossessing of the Queene their mother by your Parliament I am ashamed of your asseueration that euer man and such a man whom as you say the Heauens protected should bee attainted of inhumanity to thinke a woman might not bee affrighted with a Tyrant when hee himselfe ranne into euery corner from his reaches But say there had beene a fault perpetrated through the timidity of her sex and tendernesse of her widdow-hood would any man marry the daughter and hate or distresse the poore mother in whose behalfe I may well say with Ariadne to Theseus Sinon ego causasalutis Noâ— tamen est cur tu fis mihi causa necis And therefore if there were no more then to reuenge her quarrell I will bee an enemy to Lancaster while I liue and am no further mooued with your vnseasonable oratory then afraid of his menaces Fourthly whereas you would insinuate with our Nobles and trusty friends to desist from my allegiance and aâ—â—sting my Nephew in his lawfull claime you thinke belike we are as perfidious as your selues that seeme glad of Treason and turmoiles vpon the very sound of innouation yea the least aduantage or disaduantage will cause you leaue your Prince in the midst of his enemies Fiftly concerning your exprobration of Maximilian for ingratitude and not coadiuting your King in his petty reuenges vpon France First his great dessignes are not to be compared to your triuiall businesse and hauing matters of high consequence else-where he could not leaue them to attend your weaker importunities Secondly he well knew it was but a folly to assist you in any businesse of France for as fasâ— as you got it one way you would loose it another so that you cannot now show any Town or Fort either of King Edwards conquests or Henry the fifts enterprises except Calice which lying so neere you you cannot for shame but defend And thirdly in my conscience he tooke pitty of you knowing you had a warre at home to attend and so were not able to prosecute both encounters at once goe back therefore and tell your politike Prince that whereas words are but womens weapons to his imagination we determine to arme our selues and this Prince by Gods assistance and my power shall bid him base in his owne Kingdome with speare and shield and make an equall combat the decider of both their Titles Last of all concerning your inuectiue against women alas I smile at your schollership and am ashamed at your poore discretion in adapting some poeticall inuention out of fury or despight to your present purposes when both the same man and all others of the same condition are as forward to commend as dispraise vs For to answere your worne out and threed bare Tragedian hearke what our Diuine Petrarch affirmeth Huius mens terrenarâ—m nescia curarum Coelestibus desiderâ—s ardet in cuius aspectu si quid vnquam veri est diuini specâ—â—en decoris effulget cuius mores consummata honestatis exempâ—â—â— sunt cuius nec vox necoculorum vigor mortale aliquid nec incessuâ—â—â—minem represent at With which words she arose and carried away Perkin with such state and maiestie that Sir Edward Poinings though he were euery way inuincible for his courage and a knowne man for wonderfull and seuerall exploits yet seemed amazed at her Heroicall speech and delicat manner of obstinacy Notwithstanding the Embâ—ssadors and Councell of Estate often met and after long debating the matter somewhat to pacifie the King of England for many reciprocall gratuities and benefits receiued they concluded that the Arch-duke should neither aide nor assist Perkin nor his complices in any cause or quarrell whatsoeuer against the maiesty of England Only if the Duches continued in her obduratnesse and would not desist from her feminine rages and terrible prosecutions they were not to oppose against her nor was it in their power to let or withstand it For she was an absolute gouernour in her owne territories and the seignories and lands assigned for her dower were of sufficiency to suffulciat her enterprises without their contradiction or restraint When this answere was giuen they returned againe into England with a true relation of all occurrences as they chanced and circumstances impending whereupon King Henry both politike and charitable for of all other things he desired if it were possible to auoid effusion of blood and hazzardous danger of battaile supposing that was the last remedy of curing diseased Common-wealths as Surgeons doe to festered sores contriued another worke which although it was branded by some with the character of traiterous intelligences yet it serued his turne for
circuit of patience but answered this our Captaine somewhat like himselfe that he was as loyall to the King as he as seruiceable as he as louing to his countrey and crowne of England as hee and so defied him to his face which added only fuell to the former fire that the vndaunted Souldier apprehended and attached him of high treason which seemed an vnsufferable peece of businesse and had it not beene within Dublin or some principall place vnder the English command an Herculean and intricate Labour But thus is this great Earle vnder arrest and without any more adoe carried into England to answer the matter But when he came before the King and Councell to bee examined of treason and matters laid to his charge eyther his innocencie was a Perseus shield against this Gorgons head of calumniation or his wit and delicate iudgement brought him out of the labyrinth of those troubles or the times affordâ—d not such seueritie and proceedings or the King had other matters to thinke vpon or indeed it was no pollecie to rub these new soares with rude hands according to the rule Horrent admotas vulnera cruda manus For hee was quietly dismissed thanked rewarded and of Deputie made Lieutenant and so sent backe againe vpon the engaging of his hononr to withstand the landing of Perkin if euer he came into Ireland By this occasion the King was without feare of battaile and determined his progresse about Midsommer to visit his mother lying at Latham in Lancashire still wife to the earle of Derbie But as he was preparing his iourney newes came of Perkins landing in England which a while diuerted him and enforced his retardance from his first determination For in truth when the Duches of Burgundie had notice of all the Kings proceedings both in England and Ireland and that the principall offenders were condemned and executed and confederats dissipated and ouerwatched shee found too late her owne slacknesse and the first misfortune of the King of France his retractions from assisting the Prince For whether I name Peter or Perkin or Warbeck or Prince or Richard Duke of Yorke or Richard the fourth all is one man and all had one end And questionlesse if at his first repairing into Ireland hee had made for England while that rumour had possessed the people and the looking after nouelty busied them with strange and impossible hope while euery one stood amazed to gaze after wonders while the conspiracy was in growth and had diuers factious Nobles to forme it to a larger birth while the souldiers desired to bee doing and men grew weary of ease and quietnesse The businesse might haue plunged the Kingdome and successe tooke a flight with strong wings indeede whereby you may perceiue the sweetnesse and benefit of expedition in all dangerous businesse and resemble vniustifiable actions to theeuish bargaines which either must bee made away in the darke or hastned apace in the proudest market place according to the saying Praceps facit omne timendum Victor in nulla non creditur esse Carina Notwithstanding our great Duches remained vndaunted and in a manner of scorne to depend vpon others promises she aduentured on her owne power and determined to put him vnder the wings of Fortune let her ouershade him as she pleased so gathering his forces together and furnishing her ships with a sufficient company and some valiant Captaines shee sent him to sea and onely prayed to the wrathfull Nemesis as authour of her reuenge for successe and thriuing in so glorious an attempt Heere were of all nations and conditions of men Bankrupts Sanctuary-men Theeues Robbers Vagabonds and diuers others who affecting liberty rapine and spoile desisted from honest labor to be the seruants of dishonest rebellion His fortune as we now prophanely abuse that terme draue him on the coast of Kent before Deale-Castle where being becalmed he cast anchour sending diuers on shore to certifie the Inhabitants of this arriuall preparation purposes and well â— furnished army and to put them in minde of their ancient liberties priuiledges and vndaunted courages which haue giuen battell to Kings and made their owne peace with Conquerors But alas this oratory flew like a shaft without a head and they had learnt other lessons of stability and loyalty as finding the sweetnesse of peace and happinesse of gouernment Notwithwanding they called a Councell and I beleeue if they had beene fully resolued that hee was the true Prince indeed they would haue entertained the motion For some of their fingers itched to be doing but suspicious of his originall and former weaknesse and wisely apprehending how shame and reuenge dogged treason and rebellion at the heeles they concluded to continue firme and faithfull to the State and so with a kinde of policy to allure them to land they sent diuers to Perkin with flattering hopes of their assistance while they were indeede mustering of forces to surprize them as fast as they should land which when Perkin perceiued he imagined that all could not be well or consorting to his expectation For in this point his wit and experience serued him to vnderstand thus much that common people and multitudes stirred to sedition vse no solid councells or settled discourses but come flocking with their fulnesse and forwardnesse to assist their friends and follow their pretences according to Euripides description of a confused company and rebellious army In infinito enim exercitâ— Incoercita turba nauticaque licentia Violentior igne malus vero qui mali nihil agit Whereupon hee durst not land himselfe and was sorry so many of his company were on shore but seeing there was no remedy he sent others if neede were to releue them or bring them backe againe to his ships When the Kentishmen beheld such a rabble of strangers and dissolute persons and wisely foresaw that there was no no man of honor or eminence to giue credit to the attempt they presently coniectured that they came rather to spoile and forage the coasts then to releeue a distressed Prince in his right and so running the right way indeed stood firmly for their Countrey and set vpon them as they were stragling vp and downe in the villages enforcing the better sort and better armed backe againe to their boats and surprizing such as could not maiutaine the quarrell and had presumed too farre from the maine battell of whom they tooke 160. prisoners yea the principall Captaines themselues while they laboured to perswade the retreat and to gather them together after some martiall forme of resistance viz. Moumford Corbet Whight Bets Quintine or Geuge who were all brought to Sr. Iohn Pechy high Sheriffe and so raled in ropes like horses drawing in a cart sent vp to London and there executed in diuers places adioyning to the City whereby Perkin had matter of disconsolation for the time and time enough to saile backe againe into Flanders to entertaine better aduice and more company The King as
and let me be the seruant of your desires and you shall be hereafter the Mistris of my performances If I preuaile let this kisse seale vp the contract and this kisse be a witnesse to the endentures and this kisse because one witnesse is not sufficient consummate the assurance and so with a kind of reuerence and fashionable gesture after he had kist her thrise he tooke her in both his hands crosse-wise gazed vpon her with a kind of putting her from him and pulling her to him and so againe and againe rekissed her and set her in her place with a prety manner of enforcement The yong Lady pleased as well with the complement of his behauiour as the matter in hand which was the hope of one of the greatest Diadems in the World whether as louers who in a simpathy of liking applauding any thing from their amorosos seemed pleased with the very accent of his voice and variety of the Court-ship or vnaccustomed to such wooers she remained glad of the opportunity or taught before-hand what to doe she resolued to cast away all peeuishnesse and nicety or indeed rauished with the thing proposed she was loath to be silent considering she was pleased and could not be displeased considering he had begun so kindely with her and therefore answered him with a prety blushing modesty to this effect My Lord If I should act a true womans part I might play the hypocrite in standing a loofe off from that I most desire and cry out with Ariadne against Theseus Non ego sum titulis surripienda tuis whereupon some resemble vs to lapwings that make a great ciulation farthest from their nests But I meane not to deale so with you but come as neere as I can in my answere to that which consorteth with reason and probabilitie If I were then absolutly at my owne dispoâ—ing I would thanke you more then I doe and thinke you for your gentlenesse and faire demeanour worthy of any creature or thing you could desire As for your disclaiming deceitfull words and flattering Oratory concerning our beautie comelinesse vertues and such like baits to draw vs into the net of selfe-loue and amasement I like it the better and wish that all women were of my minde to marry vpon faire and reasonable conditions and not be hurried away sometimes to their ouerthrowes with the violence of passion and affection which is the best excuse they can make for their folly yea many times simplicity But you see I am the Fathers daughter and the Kings cosin so that I will in no sort preferre my owne will before their directions and disposing of me If then it pleaseth them to hazzard me or as you please to bestow me in this sort I shall be proud to call you mine and glad if you vouchsafe to esteeme me yours Lay then your foundation on them and you shall see the frame of the building erected to your owne liking For belieue it such Wardes as my selfe may well be resembled to delicate plantâ— in rich grounds which either grow too rancke and out of order for want of pruning and looking to or thriue not in their situation for lack of refreshing and manuring all wich is reformed by the discretion of a skilfull gardner and aduised ouerseer Therefore noble Sir repaire I say to the Master of the family leaue is light know their pleasures for your admission into this Nursery and then shall I be glad to be a flower of your owne choise whether it be for profit pleasure or exornation What need more words the mariage was consummated and poore Perkin transported in his owne contemplation for ioy that if he proceeded no further his fortune had conduced him to such a harbour kissing the ground which he trode vpon and swearing the verie place was the seat of his Genius Ipse locus misero ferre volebat opem But when he more and more perceiued that the Scots like a peece of wax were rolled together by his warming hand and fashioned to what forme hee pleased hee then made no question to hammer out his designes on the anuile of preuailing to their euerlasting glory and his establishment yet heerein hee went beyond himselfe and deceiued both them and himselfe by warranting powerfull aydes in his assistancâ— from all the parts of the Realme as soone as he should set footing in England notwithstanding they prepared all things for an inuasion and euery man was ready to please the King and pleasure the Prince yea they were so forward that in hope of gaine spoile victory renowne and reuenge they cared not whether the Dukes title were good or no and so with a well appoynted army and sufficient forces they marched towards the confines and borders of the North. But the King out of discretion loth to make more haste then good speed and vnderstanding policy coniecturing that the English by reason of Perkins being in Scotland might alwaies haue an army in readinesse or raise sudden troops to lie in Ambuscado in the borders by way of preuention sent forth diuers Stradiots and Scowtmasters to discouer the Countrey and the behauiour of the English who returned with full assurance of the coasts cleerenesse and for any thing they saw they might make both incursions and excursions at their pleasure which although in some cases made the King the rather to wonder as if England were secure from any idle proiect or indeede scorned Perkins title and claime yet because it was generally accepted for good newes he would not be a contrary amongst so many but made the more haste and so with fire and sword as if hee did arma virâ—mque canere entred Northumberland proclaiming the title of the Duke of Yorke by the name of Richard the fourth and promising both pardon and preferment to all such as would submit themselues to the yoke of his obedience the deniall whereof was accompanied with such spoile cruelty and insulting that neuer before or since did they euer triumph ouer vs or prooued so tyrannous so that I may well cry out as the Poet doth against Scilla Intrepidus tanti sedit securus ab alto Spectator sceleris miseri tot millia Vulgi Non piguit iussisse mori congesta recepit Omnia Tyrrhenus Sillana cadauera gurges Wherein questionlesse they had gone forward but that they perceiued no ayde or succour to come from any parts of England to restore this titular Duke Besides the souldiers full of spoile and bloud would goe no further till they had sent their presents to their wiues and children or returned themselues to gratifie one another after such a victory but in truth the King resoluing it would bee reuenged determined rather to retire with this assured victory then to tarry the nuncupatiue Dukes vnsure and vncertaine proceedings and so reculed into Scotland againe Some remember that at this time though it was but a very simple policy Perkin vsed a certaine kind of ridiculous mercy
Earle of Surrey was so enraged at the bragging and ouer-daring Prince that he followed him at the heeles and in reuenge of many mischiefes perpetrated by him in such audacious manner he entred Scotland defaced the Castle of Cundrestins deuasted the Tower Hedonhaâ—â— vndermined the Tower of Edington ouerthrew the Pile of Fulden and sent Norey King of Armes to the Captaine of Haiton Castle the strongest fortification betweene Barwick and Edinborough to deliuer the same which he absolutely denied vntill the worthy Generall set himselfe downe before it made his approches and cast vp a strong rampart or battery for the expugnation preuailing so farre that at last it was surrendred their liues onely saued who were no soooner departed according to the conditions but our Generall quite ouerthrew and demolished the same The King of Scots was within a mile of the siedge and yet durst not reskue the same only by way of ostentation he sent Marchemount and another Herrald to the Earle of Surrey with a kind of defiance and challenge either to encounter with him Army to Army or body to body conditionally that if the victory fall to his maiesty the Earle should deliuer and surrender for his ransome the Townâ— of Barwicke with the fish-garthes of the same if the Earle againe were Victor the King would pay 1000. pound sterling for his redemption The noble Generall welcommed these Herralds and like a couragious yet vnderstanding Captaine quickly answered all the points of their commission First he was ready to abide the battaile in the plaine field and would if he pleased for the same purpose lay open the trenches and make the passages so easie that victory should haue comfort of comming amongst them Secondly he thought himselfe much honoured that so noble a Prince and great a King would vouchsafe to descend to so low a dregree of contention as a priuate duello with him for which he would not onely repute him heroike and magnanimous but setting his loyalty to his Prince aside performe all good offices which belonged to the sweet contract of a perpetuall amity if it were possible betweene them Thirdly for the towne of Barwicke it was none of his but the King his masters which hee would not so much as coniâ—cture vpon without his consent and aduice as he himselfe might well iudge in the affaires of Princes what was to bee done Fourthly hee thought his owne life worth all the townes of the world and so would gladly hazard himselfe yea was proud as hee said before that so great a Maiesty would parallel him in such a kinde onely he desired pardon for a little vaine-glory that if hee conquered the King hee would release him freely if the King vanquished him hee would either yeeld him his life or pay such a tribute and competency as is befitting the state and degree of an Earle to all which he was the rather induced because he was confident that Causa iubet melior superos sperare secundos But it should seeme these affronts were meere flourishes For neither battell nor combat nor any enterprize worth the recording was put in practise although the English forces had layen long in the Countrey to the same purpose wherupon the Lord Generall loth to spend his time so inconsiderately and somewhat wearied with the distemperature of the Climate and vnseasonablenesse of 〈◊〉 weather the Countrey affoording nothing but mists and foggs at this time of the yeere raised his camp and retired to Barwicke But when the truth was further enlarged the King commauded him so to doe by his letters of priuate intelligence For now came a time in which the windowes of heauen seemed to open and the God of mercy thought to recompence his patience and goodnesse with a quiet end of his troubles and happy successe in his enterprizes which fell out vpon this occasion Ferdinando King of Spaine and Elizabeth his wife hauing a purpose to marry their daughter Lady Katherine to Arthur Prince of Wales and very loth that any content on betweene the King of Scots whom he much fauoured and the King of England whom he highly respected should be as it were a wall of partition betweene their proiected amity and royall affinity especially that either probability of an interest or counterfet deuice of the issue-male from the house of Yorke should cast any blockes or hinderances in the way of these pretences he most prouidently sent one Peter Hialos a man of great learning experience and prudency as an Embassadour to Iames King of Scots by way of mediation to contract a league of peace and absolute amity betweene the King of England and him who proceeded with such faire conditions and preuailed so well in his proposed message that hee perceiued a glimmering sun-shine of this peace a farre off but that there were certaine thickning clowds of mischeefe and disturbance which by some effectuall heat from the King of Englands breath must bee remooued and dissipated and therefore hee wrote to King Henry that if it would please him to send some worthy man to be his associate in this enterprize he perswaded himselfe that an honest oratory would quickly conclude the profitable articles of amity For the Poet had assured him and hee found by some experience that Addidit inualidae rebus facundia causae And for an entrance into 〈◊〉 same he assured the King that there was gâ—â—at likelihood to lay downe the bloudy colours of defiance and flourish the pleasant ensignes of tranquility For the King of Scots had already protested hee was onely emulous of King Henries vertues and not maligned or despighted his person and for Perkins title he made it a matter of conscience and charity For he knewe him the right heire if he were the right creature and the Cleargy warranted the actions as meritorious The better sort disclaimed all tyrannous prosecutions For except their obedience to the King they spent and consumed their estates and onely returned with teares and lamentations for the loâ—se of 〈◊〉 friends The inferiour sort imputed all to the superiour commands and as for the formidable effects and bloudy issue of warre it was only the chance and fortune of encounters the action of fury and the vengeance or curse appropriate to dissentions according to that worthy author of excellent sentences and proprositions Sed mentibus vnum Hoc solamen erat quod votiturba nefandi Conscia quae patrum iâ—gulos quae pector a fratrum Sperabat gaudet monstris mentisque tumustu Atque omen scelerum subitos putat esse furores Whereupon King Henry boasting of the character of Prince of peace so that he might not be branded with ignominy of basenesse pusillanimity and dishonour quickly consented to such agreement and for the same purpose sent Richard Fox Bishop of Durrham who stilllay in the baÌ„ttered Castle of Norrham as his cheefe Commissioner who accordingly associated himselfe with Peter Hialos at the towne of Iedworth in Scotland whither the
Embassadour from King Iames likewise repaired Heere were many matters disputed vpon many conditions layd open many difficultâ—es raised many greeuances vrged and many conclusions argued but because they failed in the maine poynt nothing was determined For the King of England required Perkin Warbeck to bee deliuered into his hands as the principall fountaine of this venomous streame the cheefe â—ccasion of his vnquietnesse the perturber of his Realme the seducer of his subiects and the author of many rebeilions But the King of Scots like a Prince indeed would not buy his peace with the bloud of Innocents especially a man comming to him for succour shewing all the markes of a distressed and abused Prince allied vnto him by marriage commended by the Emperor assisted by the Duches of Burgundy in himselfe of faire demeanour sweet behauiour and of a most royall and well esteemed spirit Therefore I say he would by no meanes betray him into the hands of his enemies that was so long admitted into the bosome of his friends nor should it bee sayd that in any such degree for any wordly respect whatsoeuer King Iames of Scotland would bee base or perfidious which he had learned from the example and punishment of Prusias King of Bithynia whom the Romans deposed for consenting to betray Hanibal into their hands though they had promised large rewards and threatned seuere vengeance The Commissioners answered directly that they intended not by way of defamation or contumelious discouery of the vanity of the man or impossibility of his businesse to make him odious or corroborate their owne purposes by the destruction of so silly a creature or discrediting so poore a businesse but meerely to shew the truth and vnfold the secrets of the deceit that such a Prince as King Iames might not be colluded with shadowes and apparitions but orderly drawen into this holy and generall league wherein both Emperour France and Spaine desireth a combination of amity with England onely there wanted himselfe to make the number compleat that the horne of Achelous might bee sent from nation to nation from kingdom to kingdom For I can assure you the Marchants of England haue been receiued into Antwerp with generall procession the Emperor is pleased with this combination the King of Spaine pretendeth a marriage the King of France endeauoureth a league and all the Princes of Europe seeke after a true confirmation of quietnesse Therefore once againe be not an enemy to the good of all Christendome nor so aduerse to this holy combination that the world shall rather esteeme you wilfull and preiudicate then wise and considerate Notwithstanding all this forcible and effectuall intimation the King of Scots would not consent to deliuer Perkin vpon any condition but as hee came to him for refuge hee should depart vntouched and not by his occasion bee in worse case then the bruit beasts or vildest condition of men as he had learned long since out of that ancient Tragedian Habet confugium bâ—llua quidem petram Seruiverò ar as deorum ciuit as verò ad ciuitatem Fugit calamitatem passa Rerum enim humanarum Non est quicquam perpetuò beatum Yet with much adoe hee was brought to a truce for certaine yeeres and condescended to this that Perkin should bee no longer succoured harboured or maintained by him or in his territories and dominions with which answer and orderly ratification of the same the Embassadours departed the Armies retired the Souldiers discharged the King of England satisfied the Orators of France who from Doâ—er had audience at London about the same purpose rewarded and of all others the worthy Peter Hialos as principall worke-man in this intricate businesse liberally and bountifully recompenced Only poore Perkin whose glorious meteor began now to bee exhaled seemed disconsolate and examinated at this newes and determination especially when King Iames began to expostulate and reason the matter with him First from a repetition of the benefits and fauours receiued by his Princely liberality and gentlenesse Secondly from his consanguinity in marrying his kinswoman vpon dangerous hopes and triuiall aduentures Thirdly from his many trialls of sundry conflicts in England proouing all his promiseâ—winde and smoke and his best enterprizes triuiall fanaâ—icall Fourthly vpon the now combination of amity with all the Princes of Europe which could not be done without the King of Englands consent and agreement Fiftly vpon the fatherly regard of his Countrey which had neede haue some breathing time of ease and rest and must questionlesse take a loue day of consolation and desisting from turmoiles Last of al from the care of the Religion Mother-Church vnto whose obedience and regard hee was now absolutely sworne Therfore he desired him to take some other course and depart out of his Realme For as hee heard hee was now interessed in the confederacy of the peace of Christendome and vnlesse hee should bee a periured and perfiâ—ious Prince hee could in no sort infringe the conditions nor breake the truce combined by a firme and vnseparable adiuration When Perkin had heard him out although euery word was worse then the croking of some night-rauen or scrich-owle and the amazement for the time might haue much disabled him yet loth to discredit his cause by any demisnesse or pusillanimity and seeing all answers were superfluous and the very messengers of despaire and disconsolation he raised himselfe with some outward cheerefulnesse and as well to auoyd ingratitude toward so great a Benefactour as to countenance himselfe and his businesse he thus casting away all feare and abashing timidity replied Most worthy Prince Mortale est quod quaeris opus mihi fama perennis And therefore God forbid that my commorance in your Court and Kingdome or the weakned cause of my attempts should prooue disaduantagious oâ— ominous vnto you both in regard of the many fauours your Princelinesse hath heaped vpon me vndeserued and mine owne willingnesse not to bee too too troublesome or offensiue vnto so benigne a Maiesty which rather then it should bee hazarded for my sake without a cheerfull and liberall willingnesse the fame and glory of the enterprize shall be sufficient for mee and I will not onely disclaime my right and interest in the Kingdome of England my lawfull inheritance by descent but poure out my selfe and spend my life most profusely for your sake Onely this I must entreat at your hands to giue me leaue to rigg and calcke vp my ships and gather together that dispersed company I haue or such as would willingly and voluntarily attend me Which seeming but reasonable and no way repugning the former agreement with the Embassadours was quickly condescended vnto so with many gifts and royall furniture for his wife and family he tooke his leaue sailed backe the same way he came into Ireland determining as the last anchor-hold of his fortunes either to vnite himselfe with the Cornish-men whom he knew not fully appeased or to retire to
a spredding tree of royalty and therefore hee requested their loyalty and resolued courages to take his part that the right heire of the crowne might bee restored to England and themselues eternized to heereafter memory for so meritorious a worke Little needed a spur saith our Prouerb to a forward horse all that saw him beleeued it and such as heard onely the report according to the Poet errorem vocis vt omen amo Clapt their hands for ioy that they should bee employed in an enterprize of such wonder and important greatnesse whereupon money horse armour men and all things else were promised which might be aduantagious to such a businesse But alas Ireland was too weake and of themselues they did onely discouer their malice curbed yet with insufficiency giuing the King notice how their wills exceeded their power and that they were ready to entertaine euerie opportunitie to doe any mischeefe Therefore they sent ouer into England acquainting many discontented persons with the businesse but most principally as to the life of their actions they submitted to Margaret Duches of Burgundy sister of King Edward the fourth for her directions This was a woman of a wonderfull composure so adorned with princely qualities and setled in Maiesticall authoritie as you shall heare heereafter that she was admired of all Europe and beloued in her owne countrey Onely as stinking flies lying secretly in boxes of sweet oyntments putrifie the same did an innated malice and virulent hatred to the Lancastrian Family corrupt her other vertues and as it were thrust vp her princely enduments into a meere bog poole of dirt and filthinesse For although shee knew the bloud of Yorke extinguished and that the Earle of Warwicke was in King Henries possession as taken forth together with the Lady Elizabeth now his wife out of the castle of Sherrington in Yorke-shire vnder the custodie of Sr. Robert Willoughby Yet insatiate in her hate and so consequently in her reuenge Nam ingentes parturit ira minas She admitted of euerie motion of disturbance and inuented meanes of her owne to set in combustion the whole sâ—ate of England vnder a hopefull pretence to see the King ouerthrowne and supplanted Thus did she pile vp together the fire of this disturbance and countenanced the matter more with her greatnesse and power then all the other complices besides but if you aske me how she continued in this authority being a widow amongst strangers and enemie to so great a Prince as the King of England I will answer in a word and measure out the cheefe and principall cord that bound her royaltie together Charles Duke of Burgoine hauing married this Lady Margaret daughter to Richard Duke of Yorke and sister to Edward the fourth had yet no issue by her but left one sole daughter behinde him named Mary which hee had by his first wife the daughter of the Duke of Bourbon this was married to Maximilian sonne to Frederick the Emperour by whom he had two Princes Philip and Margaret which children after the death of the Lady Mary their mother this Lady Margaret Duches Dowager so entirely beloued so tenderly brought vp so motherly nourished and so carefully preserued that she was highly reputed of and esteemed for the same To which when she added a politique ordring her affaires both for the maintenance of their honour and administration of Iustice in the Common-wealth so that I may say with the ancient Poet Saepenumero iam per subtiliores sermones iui ad contentiones veni maiores quam conueniat genus foemineum perscrutari c. The whole bodie of the gouerment willingly consented to be apparrelled and adorned after her fashion so that like an absolute Prince indeed she proceeded both in the gouernment for their benefit and the illustration of her owne greatnesse In this Orb of reputation thus moouing herselfe she still shined like a full planet from whose influence could proceede nothing but sweet presages till stepping aside into a contrary motion of despight and rankor against the King as an enemie to knowledge and her owne conscience she countenanced this ridiculous yet vnhappy coniuration which by her meanes grew apace like broad and stinking burs vnprofitable in themselues and spoiling all the grasse about them vntill at last they were by a politique hand of preuention pull'd vp by the roots and cast vnder foot into the dirt For when King Henry was certefied of all these tumults and comminations and knew the deepnesse and fulnesse of the channell in which the tottered barke of this rebellion steered he verily supposed the best point of wisdome was principiâ—s obstare and so attempted with all care and vigilancy to turne the rage of those troubles another way or else to preuent them from flowing ouer the banks of his enclosures and although the collusion fraud of the inuention vexed him more then the matter or substance of such a rebellion yet hee moderated his anger and with Ianus looked both waies smiling with one face at the ridiculousnesse and deceit of the proiect and marking warily with another all the meanes to redact the confused Chaos of this molestation to better order and vniformity desiring onely at Gods hands to preuent effusion of bloud which must needes bee spilt in any settled warre and contracted army Besides in well ordred battells the euent was disputable and many times punishments were ordained as well to reduce good men ad correctionem and amendment as to bring bad men to ruinam and destruction And therfore if it were possible he would rebate the insolency by other meanes and diuert it from handy blowes and bloudy contentions whereupon he called his Councell together at the Charter-house besides his royal mannour of Richmond and there consulted how to pacifie this sudden tumult and conspiracy without any further disturbance or open defiance This motion of the Kings so tempered with grauity mercy and commiseration was so well accepted of the whole company that they presently applauded his high wisdome and religious care and put in practise whatsoeuer seemed conuenient for their intended affaires They first began with a generall pardon published to all offenders that were content to receiue the same and remain obedient to the Maiestie of England For although at this very instant Sr. Th. Broughton who had obscured the Lord Louell a great season from the King was in a manner ready to giue him battell with many friendly coadiutors and a well-settled army yet did the King thinke it policie to desist from a forcible ouerrunning them because as desperate of life or pardon considering their former treasons and abuses they would hardly be reclaimed in their rages but now fight for their liues and liberties Againe in shewing exemplarie Iustice vpon them once subiect to accusation or condemnation he must needes proceed against many yea such whose offences in standing out could admit of no pardon and therefore as I sayd he gently proclaimed the
same which was much auailable to his purpose For euen those which fauoured the Lord Louell most began to stagger in their resolutions when they perceiued the Kings benignitie and knew with what lenitie and commiseration he was willing to proceede Secondly they thought it necessary and pertinent to their peace to shew the sonne of Clarence personally abroad in the Citie and other publike places whereby the rumor might be dashed out of countenance and the purblinde eies of false opinion extinguished For such an impression this â—ictiue relation of his escape had made that though they beheld him present yet durst some of them sweare it was but a deuise of the Kings whereby you may obserue the danger and inconueniences of idle reports which if they be not strangled in the cradle with Hercules Serpents and smothered betimes ere they come to stronger groth and life will viper like after they haue receiued warmth in ones bosome fly in his face Nay such is the nature of deuices in a tottering Common-wealth that prohibitions to restraine them augment them the more and they who would haue spoken nothing but truth left to their owne liberty being prohibiâ—ed diuulge more then they meant Thirdly It was determined that Queene Elizabeth wife to Edward the fourth should loose her lands and be deposed from all manner of sway in the gouernment because she had voluntarily submitted her selfe and daughters to the hands of King Richard whereby all former contractâ— and pretences of establishment might haue beene frustrated through the inconstancie of a woman or as the State pretended a priuate ambition or couetousnesse to set any loome on worke to weaue the web of her owne pleasure and contentment which although was a heinous crime and very dangerous to the present Kings peace and tranquillitie yet questionlesse the doome and iudgement seemed ouer rigorous Durus fuit hic sermo and if euer 〈◊〉 ius proued summa iniuria it was verified in this verdict For questionlesse they forgot the turbulency of those times the rage of the tyrant the fearefulnesse of many accidents the seducingâ— of a King and the flattering promises of a whole Common-wealth wherein stronger iudgements might haue falled then a womans But it should seeme that God hath a speciall hand in the punishment of sinnes and disposing of Kingdomes For without controuersie if she consented to the murthering of King Richards wife for her owne ease and emolument if she seemed an aduersary to the good pretended to England by vniting the â—amilies or if she proiected her owne aduancement in the present glory of the Kingdome forgetting the losse of her husband the murther of her kindred the slaughter of her children the odiousnesse of the incest and the curse of Heauen vpon crying sins God would neuer suffer such horrible faults vnreuenged but as you heare inflicted her wauering and inconsiderate timerousnesse with this punishment For she was presently confined to the Abbey of Barmondsey in Southwarke and there deceased after she had liued a while in some calamitous distresse and excruciation both of soule and body such are all humane instabilities wordly chances and the condition of Princes themselues Otherwise she that being a poore widow had resisted the Kings importunity by her chast and modest behauiour attracted his good will to marry her she that had founded a Colledge in Cambridge bearing her name at this hower of Queenes Colledge for the propagation of learning and education of Children and Students she that had loued her husband and the glory of England endeauouring all things to the augmentation of the honor of them both she that seemed proud in workes of charity and to help forward the petitions of honest complainants and distressed suiters she that kneeled on her knees for Clarences liberty and importuned the King to remember his brother by the example of Richard the first who remitted his brother Iohn a farre greater delinquent had neuer fallen so low into the dangerous pit of a sonne in lawes displeasure and seene her selfe generally maligned through the kingdome or else as I said the reuealed things belong to vs the secret to God who questionlesse blew the coales of this displeasure to purge the contagion and infection of hiâ— heart which was only knowne to himselfe Fourthly because they knew that reward and hope of gaine might doe much with corrupted persons and irresolute men as all Rebels were they proclaimed a gratuity of aâ—housand pounds sterling to any one which would present the State with the body of this counterfeit Lambert to which they were the rather induced because not long before the Tyrant Richard the third had preuailed with the like against the Duke of Buckingham whom his owne seruant Banister betraied in hope of recompence from the State which is also a custome in Italy where the heads of the Banditi are vallued at so many checkinos or peeces of gold and so the Zaffi or other desperate Ruffiani obtaine many preies and booties Last of all it was concluded to haue forces in readinesse and an Army prepared whatsoeuer should chance with all prouision and furniture belonging to the setting forth of the same and honour of such a Kingdome that neither security or presumption one way of their owne greatnesse and establishment might make them too confident of themselues nor vilipending and slight regard of the contrary another way too negligent against their enemies When all things were thus befitted to the disposing and ordering their affaires On a Sunday ensuing Edward the yong Earle of Warwick was brought froÌ„ the Tower through the publike streetes of London to the Cathedrall Church of Pauls where he remained all Procession time and high Masse hauing open conference with many of the Nobilitie especially such whom the King suspected might haue been induced to the commotion vpon the full assurance of his escape But if he had asked them why he was imprisoned or what transgression the King could impute vnto him to detaine him in dures in that manner and after put him to death being an infant innocent without law or reason I meruaill what they would haue answered or how the Councell themselues would haue satisfied a iudicious questioner in that kinde yet by this occasion the imaginations of diuers were setled and the better sort belieued that these Irish newes were simulatory and represented Ixions boasting that he had laien with Iuno when it was but a cloude as by the monstrous birth of the Centaures did appeare But it was not so with all For as it often happens in the stopping of a violent inundation of water that it causeth it the more to rage and make a terrible noice whereas running in a deep channell it would goe quietly away So fell it out in the suppressing of these rumors and mens hatred and malice many were the more exasperated and by this gentle and saire course to reduce them thought all but trickes of policie to deceiue them proouing like certaine kinds
of burs and nettles which soughtly handled sting the more violently but hardly crushed together lose their force and energie Of this sort was the Earle of Lincolne sonne to Iohn de la Poole Duke of Suffolke and Elizabeth another sister to Edward the fourth who much maligning the aduancement of this Earle of Richmond farre his inferiour as he supposed tooke hold of this open Rebellion as a meet opportunitie to beate out his own ends on such a pestilent anuile and therefore determined to vphold fortifie support this Irish expedition and take part with his new cozen who as he made him selfe belieue was escaped indeed for all the prety conueiances of the State This Earle of Lincolne besides his blood experience wisedome in great important affaireâ— had a priuacy of humor which many men excepted against as fantasticall and precise For he was so cautelous in his words and singular in his phrases and actions that he would neither sweare nor tell a lie by reason his communication was still seasoned with sauorie Parenthesis and breakings off or if you will Aposâ—opesis As I will not confidently auerre it but it is so and so if men may be credited in their mortalitie The number amounts to so many if men faile not in their computations I dare not iustifie it further then one my credit another with such like Yea in his enterprises he was both curious and Roman like for stricknesse of discipline yet valiant enough To conclude in a word had not the mantle of greatnesse ouer-couered his gesture and actions the same garbe and fashion in an inferior might haue beene thought ridiculous but to our purpose in hanâ— When he apprehended a kind of feare and iealosie in King Henry through this false rumor he determined with the same water that draue the Mil to drowne it and out of this fiction to raise a matter of consequence whereupon he presently repaired to Sir Thomas Broughton and others who like the Theeues of Aegypt lying in the reedes by the Riuer Nilus breaking out vpon any hope of aduantage vpon the silly passengers watched all occasions to be reuenged on the King and yet could render no iust account of their discontentments and after diuers consultations concluded to saile into Flaeunders to his Aunt the Duches being his Mothers owne sister and so without further commorance after the King had dissolued the Parliament at London put the same in practise whither he was well commed with all worthy and kind embraces Not long after Francis Lord Louel repaired vnto him well accompanied where for the time secured and assembling themselues with this Position that omnia efficit consilium quod ferrum hostile efficere potest lest the World should laugh them to scorne for prosecuting idle and vaine attempts they resolue that the Earle of Liucolne and Lord Louel should repaire into Ireland and adde a better countenance to the businesse by their presence in attending and honouring their new King with all gracefull ceremonies and markes of maiestie Then with the power of the Irish-men to bring him into England by which time the Duches forces would be ready to ioine with them Last of all to giue King 〈◊〉 battaile wheresoeuer in which if they preuailed they might at their pleasures depose this counterfeit Lambert and deliuer the true Earle of Warwicke out of prison in all which they proceeded accordingly and with expedition But King Henry supposing he had setled and appeased the minds and vnstable humours of his Nobilitie by the personall presence of Edward Earle of Warwicke began to be lesse moued and disturbed yea as it were secure and carelesse of any further malice and dangerous attempt against his estate and dignitie mistrusting nothing lesse then any man to be so foolish and mad as to belieue that Lambert could be the Earle so that he coniectured nothing but the suppressing of those barbarous Irish and the sedation of that trouble vntill he heard how the Earle of Lincolne was fled out of the Realme vntill he heard how the Lord Louel was confederate with him vntil he heard how diuers were vnited vnto them vntill he heard how the Duches of Burgoine coadiuted the enterprise vntill he heard they had raised a strong party and were resolued to giue him battaile this somewhat moued him and exasperated his displeasure For when he saw no other cataplasme could serue the turne but that he must cauterise the sore and sere and cut away the putrified flesh of this corrupted and rebellious body he determined with strong hand and martiall power to doe the same Whereupon he commanded his Musters to goe forward and appointed the seuerall Captaines a Rendezvous where the whole Armie might meet as occasion and his aduersaries should incite him and lest others might pretend discontentments wants debts deuotion pilgrimages and such like and so goe out of the Realme after the rest he gaue order to all Lieutenants of Shires Sherifes Maiors Bailifes and officers to search and watch the Ports Hauens for the going out and recourse of strangers or passengers vnlicensed and vnlimitited Thus what he could not with the Foxes he was faine to compas with the Lions skin yet knowing that Victoria est tota â—ita in bona consultationâ— he did not cast away the other but when he saw no Councell nor policie could either lâ—niat their obduratnesse nor diuert their inficious intents against him he resolued with an equall strength to remoue the blocks of his peace and quietnesse cast thus in his way by flagitious contumacy and ridiculous innouation But some fires are not so easily quenched as raised or maintained for though all his aduises and good order consorted with successe yet were they not sufficient to stop the mouth or hinder the passage of the present disturbance with deputies or Commissioners therefore he set forward in person supposing they would arriue from Flanders side on some of those Coasts and so came to Saint Edmonds Bury where he was certified that the Lord Thomas Marquesse Dorcet was comming to him to excuse and purge himselfe of those crimes enforced against him or at least such ouersights in which he perfunctorily performed his duty while he was in France To him was sent the Earle of Oxford by way of anticipation to intercept at this time his iourney For the King was too full of troubles and cogitations about the suppressing his enemies and new raised tumults and so could not attend his businesse The Earle had only Commission to conuey him to the Tower which when some of the Councell supposed a hard doome he answered them plainly What need further words If he be my friend as I am confident thereof he will be contented a while to suffer a little reproach and rebuke for my sake yea peraduenture pleasure and contentment If he be otherwise it is a place of security and would I had my aduersaries as safe there as they would me
Therefore I will say the lesse in this point vnto you because you haue euer beene faithful to my progenitors and willing to be counted a Nation for the defence of vertue and propulsing of iniuries As for the ill successe of Lambert in personating my cozen the Earle of Warwicke and setting a foot that title whereby you may be terrified in heereafter prosecutions Alas I confesse it was for my sake and a meere deuise to sound the foord of the troublesome streames of those times proceedings wherein if my Vncle of Lincolne had any way thriued you must be assured thogh they would not hazzard my person so yong yet it was only to make way to my fortunes For smal recompeÌ„ce should haue stopped his mouth vt maior â—nx extinguit minorem my presence quickly haue turned the streame and with the sonne exhaled the strength of his meâ—eor This tricke my Grand-father put vpon the State when he was Gouernor amongst you by lack Cade of Kent who proclaimed himselfe Mortimer to see how the people affected the Title or could remember the Genealogie in the truth of his precedencie as marrying the daughter of Lionel Duke of Clarence third son of our great Edward the third of England and Heroos of his time so that I hope this shall be no barre or interception either to my interest or your good will considering I am now come in person to offer vp my selfe a sacrifice if need be for you all and promise you by the secrets of my birth-right to make you a glorious and free Nation vnder me if I preuaile by your meanes These words were vttered so audaciously and yet with simulatory maiesty that they conceiued euery thing in his be halfe and not once disputed on the craft or cunning conueiance of the businesse but exalted and applauded him with all reuerence and due honor combining themselues with affectionate obedience to his aide and assistance wherein â—hat they might be the better induced iust at the same instant as if honour made hast to welcome him according to our Poet Nunc festmatos nimium sibi sâ—nsit honores and fortune determined to smile on them all Charles the French King in some diâ—pleasure with King Henry of England sent for Perkin out of Ireland with resolution to make him the roiall head of an Army against England which although it much animared the Irish to belieue the former seduction yet it was but a deuise of the French Kings to diâ—ert the warre which the King of England pretended out of France and so to enforce him backe againe to looke home to his owne affaires Howsoeuer this our Counterfet was not a little reuiued with such a message and supposed himselfe exalted to heauen in being thus called to the familiarity and acquaintance of Kings and Princes so that comming into France accordingly he was roially accepted and after a Princely manner entertained hauing a guard assigned him whereof the Lord of Congreshall was gouernour Hither also repaired vnto him especially while he lay in Paris Sir George Neuil the Bastard Sir Iohn Tailer Rowland Robinson and a hundred English Rebels But alas all these were but smoaking illusions For on a soddain Ingemâ—it rector sensitque deorum Esse dolos fata suae contraria menti And when a peace was to be determined and concluded betweene England and France the French King quickly dismissed the yong man and all his associats vnder colour of excuse that he durst no longer protect him against his new confederat and brother of England but some others attending vpon him yeelded a more forcible reason for his departure that he himselfe suspected how King Charles would deliuer him into the hands of the King of England and therefore he beguiled the Lord Congreshall and fled from Paris by night But howsoeuer this may be disputed and whether he departed without the Kings consent or no he was questionlesse deceiued in his expectation and in a manneâ— desperate of successe so that loth to remaine amongst such distrustfull enemies hee quietly returned to his most assured friend the Lady Margaret of Flanders the master builder of this worke The Duches before he came thought euery hower from his departure a whole yeare till his retorne For to heare how he proceeded was a quiet to her thoughts and to know how fortune would deale with him a ioy to her heart but to see him a very rauishment Yet when she vnderstood how he was abiected and repudiated in the French Court it could not choose but be a great agony and amasement vnto her Notwithstanding to preuent all suspition she seemed at his arriuall no lesse reuiued then a mother is glad for the retourne of her long absented sonne or a person condemned for a pardon and restauration to his life and dignity At his first approach she receiued him with large embraces and hanging ouer his neck seeming to shed teares of ioy and comfort for his escape from many dangers and aduentures O dissembling and deceiuable hypocrisie that euer a woman should be the author of such diuellish deuises and hellish proiects and yet ouer-daube her mischieuous imaginations with the sugred showes of loue and regard of pitty toward a Prince in distresse but this made Hippolitus long a goe cry out O Iupiter quodnam adulterinum hominibus malum Mulieres ad solis lucem habit are fecâ—sti c. and this she had learned of her owne Phisitians who in administring of bitter pils had shewed her to roule them ouer in some candide powder and this we haue taught our selues out of Gods one mouth who in seuerall places of Scripture hath puplished wherein a bad woman doth exceed all the creatures of the World After this extacy was past she proceeded with a cunning desire to haue him relate his first miraculous preseruation his after trauails and exploration of Countries his next entertainement in Ireland and France and finally his resolution to goe forward in his noble and necessary intendment for his inheritance and recouery of the Crowne of England wherein he proceeded so effectually and orderly without stammering or stuttering that the whole company verily belieued it and such as were not present the rather induced by the report of others sorrowing for nothing but that they heard him not Vina Voce and endeauouring what they could to present their personall obedience vnto him Whereupon when she perceiued how euery thing consorted to her owne wishes she assigned him a Guard of 50 persons in Murry and Blue and honoured him with a cloth of Estate and denomination of the White Rose and Prince of England From thence forward the Nobilitie of Flaunders and diuers of England with all obsequious diligence attended him and from a reuerent estimation of his auncestors performed all the good offices which belonged to the exornation of his maiestie and extention of their owne loues and dutâ—es so that in a word this Sinons horse entred the broken
wals of Troy and feined inuention shadowed with the pretence of verity and truth preuailed with their credulitie that they adhibited the more faith and indubitate trust vnto it supposing verily he had been preserued by the wil and prouidence of God and so committed to the trust and custody of some faithfull friend either by King Edward or his mother when she was in Sanctuary relying also on this impossibility that any Tyrant would so rebell against God as infring the orders of holy Church and take him perforce from thence as yet the story manifesteth was to be done euen by the Cardinall himselfe By this time the same of this iuggled miracle was not only blowne ouer Flanders and the Territories adiacent but so rumored in England by reason the present gouernment suppressed all publique reports libels and writings that in the very whispering Nam fraudibus euentum deder at fortuna It was more forcible then if it had been published by lâ—cence and authority Thus haue I seene a fire smoothered and enclosed in some secret place neâ—er to bee quiet till it were vented out and when it came to eruption made the more forcible and outragious noyse For it was heere receiued as an infallible truth and not onely beleeued of the better sort but entertained of the common people who being more liberall of audacious behauiour and lesse fearefull to offend God began to confirme it with oathes as a matter of truth which others but barely affirmed as a report of vncertainty Thus began trouble vpon trouble and as the Spring putteth forth the buds and blossomes like the messenger of Summer and pleasant times to ensue So did this fantasticall fable thus diuulged prognosticate following calamity â—nd consequent desolation For after it was knowne with what honour he had beene entertained in Flanders and reuerenced in other places of Europe there began sedition on euery side in England and no man was sure of his friend the times grew to such distraction Some that were fled to Sanctuaries for great and hainous offences perpetrated discharged themselues and went beyond the seas vnto him Some that had confined themselues to priuiledged places for debts and accounts began to shew themselues vnder his support and combination then being safest when the State is vnsafest Some euen of the better sort through rashnesse and â—emerity because they would bee counted factious and stirring drew apace vnto him Some out of the nature of inconstancy or rather impression of melancholy neuer to be remooued from the opinion they haue once entertained beleeued verily that this Perkin was the indubitate sonne of Edward the fourth Some through simplicity and easinesse of apprehension without examining the probability and likelihood of the matter yeelded to any thing which was told them Some temporizers to curry fauor in the change of Princes perswaded and solicited other to their opinions that so bringing many coadiutors they might not onely be reputed of strength and reputation in their countries but the better welcommed and entertained with the preuailer Some through indignation and enuy murmuring at their slender aduancement or grudging they were not more condignely rewarded for their former paines and aduentures in his Maiesties businesse resorted to this new Prince in hope of better acceptation And some ouerwearied with eâ—se and placability of idlenesse greeuing to see the world stand at a stay with desire of change ran headlong into this fury madnesseâ— and seditious conspiracy O tempora ô mores ô flagitiosa voluntas But for all this rumour of this twice borne Duke Richard of Yorke and that England was diuided and drawne into parts taking and seuerall factions so that the minds of men were vexed either with the hope of gaine or preferment or feare of losse and confusion Yet was the King and his Councell not much disturbed or affrighted more then their maruell and modest anger at so many persons seeming in their right wits to be seduced either in the contriuing such a manifest and notorious lie or assenting and preparing themselues to countenance the same without feare of God or men not once forecasting the dangerous penalty of treasons contempts conspiracies and practises against their naturall Prince and so sufficient a Gouernour For it was not onely a pernicious fable and fiction strange and maruellous but prodigious and vnnaturall to resussitate a maâ— from the dead and with impudent asseueration to set it forth and palliate it with the vesture and garment of a professed verity But in such cases be Kings ueuer so wise nor matters so triuiall and vnlikely there is no sitting still nor giuing way to the businesse especially there is no rebating an enemy with proclamations writings and prohibitions who commeth forward with the clamors of war well settled prepâ—ration of offence Therfore his Maiesty thought it the best course to looke about him and both by force and policy to preuent the mischeefe impending and threatned For hee perceiued how already the fire of rebellion had taken hold of some of the principall houses of England whom hee knew had vnderhand already sent messengers vnto Lady Margaret to vnderstand when Richard Duke of Yorke would come conueniently into England that they might be ready to help and succour him euen at his first arriuall This businesse encreased to a fulnesse and ripenesse about the eighth yeere of his Maiesties raigne insomuch that the confederates by common assent agreement posted ouer Sr. Robert Clifford Knight and William Barley into Flanders to be the better assured of all particulars who were not only gladly accepted and louingly welcommed of the Duches with full intimation of the truth and wonderfull deliuery of strangenesse of the story Nec grauide lachrymas continuere genae But brought to the sight and sweet entertainment of Perkin who played the counterfet so exactly that his words resembled for cible incantations according to that of the Poet Vna per at hereos exit voxilla recelsus Vâ—rbaque ad inuâ—tum praefert cogentia numen â— For all men praised his vertues and qualities with a resolued beleeâ—e of his princelinesse and Sr. Robert Clifford swore directly that he was extracted of the bloud royall and the very sonne of King Edward the fourth Whereupon hee wrote letters of confidence credit to his associates in England that as the Queene of Saba told Salomon she did not beleeue the halfe of that which was reported till shee had seene it with her eyes So he could not bee perswaded to so much as rumour had preferred till he had ouerveiwed him in person But when these letters were receiued in England the conspiratours caused them to be openly published and diuulged in many places with full credence that it was true and not fained which was spoken by the Duke of Yorke and therefore they neede not be afraid to be drawne to such a commotion and parts taking all yet was carried so orderly and couertly that the King more then vncertaine
suspition could not as yet detect any person of name or quality which troubled him so much the more But when hee perceiued indeede that this misty vapour was not quiâ—e vaniâ—hed nor the impression put out of the mad braines of the common people and vnderstood how Sr. Robert Clâ—fford was priuily fled into Flanders he resolued on a conspiracy against him and thought it expedient both for the saueguard of himselfe and his Realme whose reciprocall good or hurt were dependants one vpon another to prouide some remedy for the repressing of this abusing fraud and deceit and suppressing the insolency if it should extend to force and rebellion Wherefore hee disperâ—ed seuerall companies both of horse and foot to defend the sea coasts that no man might passe or repasse vnapprehended who had not license or safe conduct for his iourny busines and affaires Then hee sent downe the Lieutenants and lustices into their seuerall countries to detaine the people in obedience and muster the forces of the same as occasion should serue Which order obserued he vnderhand authorized wise and discreet Espiâ—lls into all the cities of the Low-Countries to discouer of what Prouince progeny parentage and estate this misnamed Richard was descended and propagated promising princely rewards to such persons as could relate the truth and as a man may say enucleate the secret Besides hee wrote louing letters to certaine trusty friends concerning the same who to doe their Prince and Countrey seruice dispersed themselues into seuerall townes and cities both of France and Burgundy where they were certified and assured by the testimony of many honest persons amongst whom some of especiall wit and behauiour repaired to the towne of Tourney that this fained Duke was of meane parentage and truly named Peter Warbeck which was principally confirmed by one Nathaniâ—l Osbeck of his owne kinred who as it should seeme in hope of reward tooke vpon him more then the rest and exprobrated him for so countersetting with this taunt out of the Poet Sed malè dissimulat quis enim celauerit ignem Lumine qui semper proditur ipse suo And alas howeuer he is now transhaped into a princely garb and fashion we of Peter named him Perkin for his effeminatenesse and childisnnesse With this newes and man the inquisitours returned into England and made a true report vnto his Maiesty of all that euer they knew and heard both concerning the assumpted presumption and impudency of the counterfet as also the proceedings and purposes of all the conspiratours which was seconded by the faithful letters of especial persons who had larger commission to make their commorance the longer out of England when the King was thus satisfied and as he supposed to all seeming reasonable vnderstanding had openly and apparantly manifested it heresolued to haue it further published and declared by open proclamations and sound of trumpet both in the Realmes of England and Ireland and in the courts of forraine Princes for which purpose he sent ouer diuers Embassadours to many Countries especially to Philip Arch-Duke of Burgoine and his Councellours as a place which neerest concerned him This Embasie was the charge and commission of Sr. Ed. Poinings a most valiant Gentleman and William Warrham Doctor of the lawes a man of great modesty learning and grauity The generall poynts of their commission had large fields to walke in but the principall matters to be enforced had these limitations FIrst to declare that the young man resident amongst them with the Lady Margaret was descended of a base and obscure parentage hauing falsly and vntruly vsurped the name of Richard Duke of Yorke who long before was murthered in the Tower with his brother the Prince by the commandement of King Richard their vncle as many men liuing can testifie Secondly that from the probability of the matter and enforcement of reason there was no likelihood that King Richard dispossessing the Prince both of his life and Kingdom would leaue the other brother stil to affright him and trouble him in his gouernment Thirdly that Queene Elizabeth their mother was therefore attainted in Parliament for surrendring her daughters into the Tyrants custody and committing them into his hands who she knew had already murthered their brethren Fourthly to desire the Arch-Duke and the principall Lords of his Councell not to giue any credit to such illusions nor suffer themselues to bee any more blinded or seduced with impostures or shadowing appearances of truth Last of all to remember how King Henry had some few yeeres since succoured and releeued Maximilian their principall Lord almost oppressed and ouercome with the forraine hostility of the French King and intestine rebellion of his owne subiects and therefore it must be vnprincely and a poynt of great ingratitude either directly or indirectly to abett or maintaine any traytour or trayterous practises against him or the peace and tranquility of his Kingdome With these instructions the Embassadours failed into Flanders and were gently receiued and honourably welcommed by the Arch-Duke and his Councell as appeared by the solemnity of their audience and quicke dispatch of their businesse wherein Doctor William Warrham in a well penned oration declared the Kings minde as before you heard and by the way touched the malice of Lady Margaret saying with the Poet Tantaenè animis coele stibus irae And vnder a kinde of reprehension rebuked her inficious disposition against a Prince of so great worth and deseruing that neuer wronged her nor entertained a preiudiciall motiue to inflict either her or hers with any malignant iniury wherin she only might be compared to a weak breath which spitting against a forcible winde had it returned bâ—cke againe into her face adding withall somewhat vehemently that in her olde age contrary to the nature of all births shee had brought forth two such detestable monsters that is to say Lambert before disputed vpon and now this Peter that the like was neuer heard of And whereas in the conception of children women were commonly deliuered in eight or nine moneths as nature did require she could not be released in eight or nine yeeres nay the youngest was fifteen yeeres old before her threnes were passed and they iustified to be shewed openly and this was not sufficient neither but they must bee at least extracted of Princes and able to giue Kings battell in the open field whereupon hee might well conclude with that ancient Poet Sedres excellens est contra reptiles bestias Remedia mortalibus deorum prebuisse aliquem Quae viperas ignem superant Sed nullus contra mulierem remedia inuenit adhuc Malam huiusmodi sumus hominibus malum This oration so effectually deliuered and in the publique assembly audaciously maintained did not so much trouble and vex the Duches as affâ—ight and dishearten poore Perkin who in a manner exanimated lest his fraud and pestilentiall enterprizes should not onely bee discouered but discouraged began to be somewhat appaled and by
the present and so diuers were appointed to discouer the secrets of the contrary by feigned dissimulation Of these were two sorts one to feigne themselues Yorkists and so learne out what they could preiudiciall to King Heâ—ry another to tamper with Sir Robert Clifford and William Burley for their returne to the obedience of the King and concerning the Plot it selfe he reputed it iustifiable as authorised by all Authors ages and Common-wealthes who set downe in their politique discourses that Fraus est concessarepellere fraudem Armaque in armatos sumere iurâ— finunt These cunning enformers so demeaned themselues and imploied theirâ—time with such sedâ—lity and care that they perswaded though with much adoe Sir Robert Clifford to desist from this foolish and dangerous collusion which had neither sure ground nor foundation to stay it selfe vpon but Master Barley could not be diuerted at this instant till within two yeares after almost tired out with expectation after Pâ—ter Warbecks fortunes and successe he returned of himselfe to the King and had pardon both for life and liberty The others likewise proceeded so effectuaily that they had sure notice of especiall persons confederate and adiured to this blinde and foolish proiect of which they presently enformed the King who by that means could not only personally name his home enemies but to preuent the worst did as personally attach the most principall that is to say Sir Iohn Ratcliffe the Lord Fitzwater Sir Simon Mountford Sir Thomas Thwaits William Dawbney Robert Clifford Thomas Cressenor and Thomas Astwood with these were diuers religious persons imprisoned as William Rochford Doctor of Diuiuitie and Thomas Poines both Friers Dominicks Doctor William Sutton William Worsley Deane of Paules Robert Laiborn and Richard Lâ—ssly with diuers others vnapprehended of whom some tooke Sanctuarie and some fled into Flaunders to Perkin But of those whose liberties were constrained Sir Simon Mouâ—â—ford Sir Robert Ratcliffe and William Dawbney were beheaded as powerfull factious and chiefe authors of the conspiracie the rest were pardoned especially the Priests who were in those times for their orders sake sequestred from publique executions what offences soeuer they perpetrated which made them so forward in all facinorous actions and others so superstitious as to beleeue any thing they either proiected or attempted from which hypocriticall and deceiuable manner of life all Poets and Philosophers themselues haue had both generall and particular inuectiues against Priests augures soothsaâ—ers figure casters and religious persons both for their prophane liues and seducing vanities so that Euripides amongst many other places concludes in his Ephigenia Vatiduûm omne genus ambitiosum malum est and all the Kingdomes and times of the World hauâ— smarted through the pride couetousnesse and malicious wickednesse of Priests and Fryars and lastly Iesuites as I said before But to our Story Although the Lord Fâ—â—zwater was pardoned his life for the present yet comming after to Calice he was beheaded for attempting to escape by corrupting his keepers and so to goe to Perkin whereby this strange and intricate worke so busied his Maiesty that he would often compare it to the conquering of Hydra a beast so priuiledged by nature that as one head was struck off seuen others grew in the place For his turmoiles both at home and abroad encreased and he seemed as much tormented with the suspition of bosome friends as affrightings of forraine enemies which so exasperated him that as he supposed to preuent the worst considering Maximilian King of the Romans had ieofaild with him in his wars against France and that Lady Margaret with the Flemings had supported Perkin Warbeck against him he in a kind of reâ—â—nge banished all Low-Countrie men and their commodities out of the Realme with restraining the Merchant from hauing accesse into any of their Cities But alas this was to no purpose and in truth rather a custome of anger then secret of policie as if a man because his finger torments him should cut off his hand to ease himselfe for they did the like by vs whereby the Mart being kept at Calice and no vent else-where for our Marchandize many poore house-keepers complained for want of worke many rich men murmured and were compelled to lessen their families and abate their retinue many Merchants felt the losse and the Trades-man cried out-right because the Esterlings brought all manner of manuall worke ready made into the Land and tooke from them both their labour and customers whereby a riot was made vpon them at the Stilyard and the Maior of London with the principall Officers had much adoe to appease the tumult and this was the ninth yeares disturbance The King thus turmoiled euery way repaired for diuers reasons to the Tower of London whither shortly after came Sir Robert Clifford vnto him partly trusting to the Kings promise partly mistrusting his owne company and Perkins weakenesse But the chiefest polecie of his resiance in the Tower was to secure himselfe and lay hold of all others suspected or accused in this conspiracy who thither resorting to the Councell might with ease and without any tumult be committed to prison as it presently fell out For after the King had admitted Sir Robert and insinuated with him in excellent positions of Diuinity and morality by way of disceptation vrging the loue and fauour of his Prince in his true obedience and reconciliation he not only related the manner of Perkins proceedings but on his knees with teareâ— in his eies discouered the matter to be weake and impossible if it had not factious supportation from some of powerfull houses of England and very neere his Maiesties person whereof though many were punished and the rest dissipated and diuided Yet Sir William Stanley remained vnsuspected and his heart trembled to accuse him But when the King heard Sir William Stanley named he started back amazed and in a manner confounded that Sir Robert was affraid he had done him more harme in the relation then good in the detection At last he burst out what my bosome friend my Councellor my Chamberlaine then I see there is no trust in men nor as the Psalmist saith confidence in Princes For as we shal not want instruments to goe forward with what enterprise we please as Dauid had his Ioab so shall we not lack enemies let them be neuer so carefull and desirous to fauour the least deseruer but I may well now cry out Heu cadit in quâ—nquam tantum scelus and with the kingly Prophet exclaime It was not mine enemies abroad but my companions and such as eate at my table betraied me What Sir William Stanley he hath the gouernment of my Chamber the charge and controlment of all that are next my person the loue and fauour of our Court and the very keyes of our treasurie He made me a conquerour in the field and by his hand I scourged tyrannie out of his Throne therefore it is impossible and I cannot belieue it But
relate and therefore I desist to put you now to further wonder and amasement at the same because I haue them as it were registred in a scedule which at your Princely pleasure you may ouer-looke with the Duches and Councels of Burgundies hands to confirme the same so that I confesse when the King of France sent for me out of Ireland I was in a manner secure of my estate and thought vpon no further assurance then his gratious apprehension of my indâ—bitate claime But it should seeme most gratious King that you are reserued for the glory of this businesse and euerlasting memory of so remarkeable an action wherein I submit my selfe ships and people to your guidance and direction Oh doe not then annihilate my confidence nor reiect my demands For next to the high controuler of mens actions I haue put my selfe vnder the shadow of your supportation and altogether rely on the vnity of your willingnesse and power to beare me through the difficulties of this passage When he had made an end and giuen them cause of some amasement at his yeares and tendernesse of experience to deliuer yet his minde so freely and with some illustration of words and readines of gesture the King without any further scruple or diffidence cheered him telling him plainly he would assist him and what-euer he was or intended to be he should not repent him of his comming thither so concluding with a speech of Medeas to Iason Hinc amor hinc timor est ipsum timâ—r auget amorem he gaue order for his entertainment accordingly whereby he had time with his wearied people to repose himselfe and the King occasion to thinke of many matters yet rather for custome then to be diuerted from his resolutions he called his Councell and disputed the matter with them they again as it happened to Rheoboam and shall be withall the Princes in the World grew to contradiction and deuided themseelues some standing for their Countrie some for their priuate affection some to please the Prince and some to enioy a good opinion of polecie and wisedome The grauer sort and of greatest experience disannulled all the former intimation of the Prince with the impossibility of the businesse as if he were but a bare assumer of titles indeed The quieter sort and such as had smarted with the dissentions betweene England and Scotland disclaimed any further warrâ— and were weary with that which had passed The yonger sort apprehended it as a worthy enterprise and though it had but colour of commiseration yet considering he was befriended from the Emperour King of the Romains and the whole state of the Low-Countries it could not choose but help them with many friends There was another sort who confessing the pouerty of their Countrie concluded that by this meanes by forraging spoiling aâ—d getting good booties in England much wealth might inrich them without losse or hindrance of their owne and so cared not how the warre began nor how long it continued The last sort consisted of such who because they would haue their credit enlarged from an opinion of States-men and high reaching capacities argued as we say on both sides pro contra and from a kind of Enthymema raised profit and emolument to the Kingdome out of their sophistry That if the Duke were assisted and preuailed Scotland was sure to confirme their owne conditions If he were countenanced though not preuailing the King of England would accord to any offers or demands rather then King Ieames should take part with his aduersarie and so strange a competitor Whereupon it was resolued that without further diffidence or drawing the Duches of Burgundies businesse in question the King should entertaine the Prince who presently honored him accordingly and caused him to be proclaimed the Duke of Yorke shewing him all the fauours the Countrie could afford and affording him such entertainement as they imagined was both befitting his person and condition He againe as if that spes bona dat vires cheered himselfe and assumed a new kind of behauiour both tempered with grauity and yet commended for cheerefull and well becomming so that by the way of solace and inuitation to pleasure and delight he hauked and hunted yea the Ladies of the Country graced the Court and came with all conueniencie and befitting their estates to the Citie For vnderstanding so great a Prince in possibilitie to be one of the mightiest Kings of Europe not full eighteene yeares of age yong wise and in the compleate strength of beauty was resident amongst them they conceiued matters beyond the Moone and thought themselues happy if he would fancy or fasten vpon any of them What should I say although with the Poet Tarda solet magnis rebus inesse fides Yet heere was no mistrust nor any way giuen to feare and displeasure but as the time businesse and place afforded shewes masques and sundry deuises inuited him to his contentment and the present ouercomming all pensiuenesse so he courted with some danced with others iested with the rest and was acceptable to all till at last the King giuing way to the motion he fancied the Lady Katherine Gourdon daughter to Alexander Earle of Huntle nigh kinswoman to the Crowne and because she should not thinke him barren of education nor heart bound to his ambitious designes he tooke an opportunitie thus to discouer his loue vnto her and good opinion of her Lady said he and the first of Ladies that euer vsurped my libertie or taught my tongue to pronounce the accent of affection or liking If I proceed not so passionate as your sex expects or you may imagin is the custome of Courtiers I pray you impute it to the multiplicity of my businesse and greatnes of my affaires besides it is not seemly with Princes to betray their high spirits into the hands of deceit and ouerworkiâ—g fancy yea foppishnes either of words or gesture yet concerning your person I can say with Paris to Helena Si tu Venisses pariter certamen in illud in dubium Veneris Palma futura fuit and touching my good will If I liue I will make you as great in the World as my selfe and desire no more but that you keep you within the limits of loue and obedience that our children may be our owne and the Common-wealth reioice they bee not mocked or deceiued with extraâ—eall enheritors What I am you now see and their is no boasting in distresse what I may be I must put it to the triall and submit to the diuine prouidence If you dare now aduenture on the aduersity I sweare to make you partaker of the prosperity yea lay my Crowne at your feet that you shall play with me as Apame did with Darius to command and I obey Take me now then into your embraces and I will adore and reuerence your vertues as you commiserate my misfortunes Oh giue me leaue to say no more lest I be transported to vndecencies be now conformable
Orators pleading for the time in a bad cause with good words and handling an ill matter too-too well From thence he went couragiously against the whole company and what with the former Earles assaulting them on the one side and his owne charges on the other side as knowing how the Kings businesse stood to make an end of the warre the battaile began apace and not a man but prepared himselfe to fight it out till at last the Lord Dawbney engaged himselfe so farre that he was taken prisoner but whether for feare or through his owne wit and pollicie they quickly released him and he as quickly dispatched the matter and made an end of the warre For he put them all to flight so that a man may well say vnto them Via nulla saâ—utis Non fuga non virtus vix spes quoque mortis honestae and I may truely report of the contrary neuer was a battaile so well fought and so quickly determined For before the King was ready to goe to dinner there were slaine two thousand Rebels and many more taken prisoners the rest hardly escaped home who for all their defeature and vncomfortable newes to the people were rather accelerated to reuenge their companions wrongs then exanimated from further attempts or seemed grieued at the King and Countries molestation shewing sad lookes but stomachous hearts and so remained intoxicated in their braines and ready vpon euery occasion to a new rebellion as you shall heare hereafter When this battaile was ended and so delicately contriued for the King lost not aboue foure hundred men some imputed it to the Kings policy who appointing the same on Monday by way of anticipation fell vpon them on Saterday and so taking them somewhat vnprouided had the fortune to preuaile and thriue in his aduantage Such as were taken and apprehended had their pardon except the principall and fire-brands of the mischiefe For the Lord Audeley was drawne from Newgate to the Tower-Hill in a Coat of his owne armes painted vpon paper reuersed and all to torne and there beheaded the 28. of Iune Thomas Flamoch and Michael Ioseph were executed after the order of Traitors and their quarters sent into Cornwall for the terrifying of the people some were dispatched at sundry Townes as they deserued amongst whom the Smith and diuers others of his immodest friends had no excuse to make for this rebellion but whether they preuailed or no they were sure to be registred to eternity for daring to doe somewhat in behalfe of their Countries liberty and bidding battaile to Kings and Princes at their Pallace Gates and before the Citie Wals euen London it selfe that great Citie the Chamber for their treasury and strength of their roialtie which makes me remember a saying of Lucan Sed me velsola tueri Fama potest rerum toto quas gessimus orbe Et nomen quod mundus amat And in another place Quid plura feram tum nomina tanto Inuenies operi vel famam consule mundi and this was the end of the twelfth yeare In this time you must know that the King of Scots lay not idle but meerely vpon supposition of what would follow prepareth himselfe nor was so ill befriended but he had secret intelligences of all King Henries purposes and intendments whereupon he enlarged his Army barracadoed his passages entrenched and fortified the holds kept good Watch and Ward and stood on the pinacles of a high presumption to encounter with the proudest forces of England yea to giue defiance if need were to the King himselfe Notwithstanding he now lay a while only at defence watching with what warde the English would breake vpon him and wondring at my Lord Dawbneis retraction and why he came not forward as his espials had aduertised but when he vnderstood of the Westerne rebellion he then coniectured the truth and a while reposed himselfe till a Messenger of these Westerne men came vnto Perkin and profered their obedience and endeuours if he would come and ioine his Army with theirs and so as their Prince and Captaine reuenge there wrongs this was motioned to King Ieames who for all he confessed that if they would ioine with the Cornish men there might be a gate open indeed to preuaile and walke in the fields of Victorie yet he would by no meanes aduenture his people so farre and confessed plainly he wanted ships for transporting so great an Army into those parts Only because he would be doing to please the supposed Prince he meant to take this opportunitie of the King of Englands disturbance and once againe aduenture into his territories and so with a sufficient preparation he attempted the Castle of Norrham standing vpon the Riuer of Twede deuiding Scotland and England But Richard Fox Bishop of Durham a man of great learning courage experience and fidelitie suspecting as much had well stored and fortified the same and was in it with such power munition and prouision as he was able to raise sending the King word of the siedge and inuiting the Earle of Surrey to come to his reskue with all expedition The Earle was mustering of men in Yorke-shire when this newes extended it selfe and like a worthy seruitor hastned his iourney the rather and so with twelue Earles and Barons of the North Countrie one hundred Knights and Gentlemen of name and twentie thousand Soldiers well ordered and armed he came to raise the siedge in which this braue Prelate was so engaged Besides he furnished a hansome Nauy at Sea whereof the Lord Brooke was Admirall to giue their attendance whatsoeuer should chance But when the King of Scots and his counterfet Duke of Yorke had full and certaine notice of the Earle of Surreis approach and that the Lord Dawbenies army was also integrat and vnbroken yea ready to march forward as a second to the former they thought it better to retire with securitie then to tarry the aduenture with certeinty of losse if not hazzard both of life and honour and so by a voluntary consent they raised their campe and returned vnder colour of commiseration of the people whom they knew in the best war must be subiected to slaughter or captiuitie and to this purpose they could yield a reason out of our Poet to certain spirits that wondred at their affrightings and drawings back seeing no perill apparant nor hearing of any stedfast reports concerning a more forcible enemie and so calling for a book reading to them this leâ—â—on of satisfaction Potuit tibi Vulnere nullo Stare labor belli potuit fine caede subactum Captiuumque ducem violatae tradere paci Quiâ— furor â— Coeci scelerum Ciuilia bella Gesturimetuunt ne non cum sanguine vincant This answere of the Kings did rather harme then good to poore Perkin For they perceiued the King was weary of this warre and loth to take his part any longer and so they rested a while displeasingly pleased But the truth was the