marriage betwixt Iohn of Gaunt and Katheryne Swinford was approved of and the issue borne before the espousalls made legitimate by act of Parliament and confirmed by a Bull from Rome This is the Catalogue of the pedegree of the two houses of Lancaster and Yorke betwixt whom the competition for the Crowne of England was the occasion of expence of so much blood Although the Crowne of England upon the decease or deposition of Richard the second without issue was jure haereditario to descend to Edmond Mortimer the younger the Sonne of Philip Daughter and heire of Lionel Duke of Clarence the third Sonne of Edward the third yet his cosin Henry of Bullingbrooke Duke of Hertford and Sonne and heire of John of Gaunt the younger Brother of Lionell of Clarence taking advantage of the peoples forwardnesse and his kinsmans being generally distasted was Created and Crowned King From the yeare of our Lord 1399. untill the fourth of March 1460. In three Descents the slips of the red Rose in the line of Lancaster did beare sway but not without some interruptions and hazard For though Edmond Plantagenet Duke of Aumerle Sonne and heire of Edmond of Langley set not the White Rose claime on foot yet as maligning the prosperitie of Henry the fourth hee was a maine stickler in the conspiracie against him intended to have beene executed at Oxford But the eruption of Yorke never was manifest untill Richard Plantagenet Sonne of Richard of Bonysborough Anno 1455. drew his Sword to make good his claime to the Crowne of England And from his time I shall endevour to drawe a Compendiary of the times and places of the severall battells betweene these two houses strooke and the slaughter on both sides made The three and twentieth day of May at Saint Albones in Hertfordshire Richard Duke of Yorke gave battell to King Henry the sixt on whose side was slaine Edmond Duke of Somerset Henry Earle of Northumberland Humphry Earle of Stafford Thomas Lord Clifford say some others John with divers Knights and Esquires to the number of 37. with five thousand common souldiers and Henry himselfe was taken Prisoner on the Dukes part only sixe hundred in the totall 5641. A Battell was fought at Bloarheath in Shropshire the thirteenth day of September betweene the Lord Audly Lieutenant to Henry the sixt and the Earle of Salisbury in which Audly was slaine and his Army overthrowne at this battell was slaine in all two thousand foure hundred men with Sir Thomas Dutton beside six other Cheshire Knights and two Esquires thereof in all 2411. Sir Osbert Mountfort with twelve Gentlemen of his company was taken at Sandwich and carried to Ricebanke and there beheaded by the Lord Fauconbridge The Earle of Wiltes at Newbery causeth twenty Yorkists to bee hanged and quartered The tenth of Iune in the thirty eight yeare of the King at Northampton was a battell fought wherein was slaine Humphry Duke of Buckingham John Talbot Earle of Shrowsbury Thomas Lord Egremond John Viscount Beamond and Sir William Lucy with tenne thousand and thirty men slaine The Lord Skales is slaine upon the Thames seeking to escape by the Earle of Warwicks men The thirtieth of December at Wakefield was a battell strooke wherein the Queene prevailed with the slaughter of two thousand eight hundred persons not numbring Richard Duke of Yorke Edmond Earle of Rutland a child and the Earle of Shrowsbury taken prisoner but afterwards beheaded Sir John Mortimer and Sir Hugh Mortimer the Dukes base Vncles Sir Davy Hall Sir Hugh Hastings Sir Thomas Nevill Sir William Parry Sir Thomas Parry Sir Richard Limbricke Knights then likewise slaine on Candlemasse day vpon the plaine neere Mortimers crosse in Hereford-shire a field was fought betwixt the new Duke of Yorke and the Earles of Penbrooke and Wiltes wherein the Duke prevailed with the slaughter of 3800. men but no man of qualitie but Sir Owen Tyther that had married Queene Katherine Vpon Shrovetuesday the seventeenth of February at Saint Albones the second Battaile was fought betweene Queene Margaret and the Duke of Norfolke and others wherein were slaine two thousand three hundred men besides the Lord Bonvile Sir Thomas Keryell Sir John Gray and Baron Thorpe The most cruell and deadly Battaile of all others during the rage of this unnaturall division was fought at Towton or betweene Towton and Saxton within foure miles of Yorke the nineteenth day of March being Palme Sunday wherein were slaine of English-men Thirty five thousand ninetie and one and of strangers one thousand seven hundred fourty five besides two hundred and thirty slaine the day before at Ferry Brigge with the Lord Fitzwater and the base brother of the Earle of Warwicke The most remarkable men that fell in this bloody fight were Henry Piercy Earle of Northumberland The Earle of Shrowsbury The Earle of Devon John Lord Clifford The Lord Beamond The Lord Nevill The Lord Willoughby The Lord Wells The Lord Rosse The Lord Gray The Lord Dacres The Lord Fitz-Hugh The two base Sonnes of Henry Holland Duke of Exceter Sir Thomas Mollineux Sir Otes Beckingham Sir Aubrey Trussell Sir Richard Piercy Sir William Heyton Sir Jervoys Clifton Sir Foulke Hamys Sir Thomas Crackenthorpe Sir James Crackenthorpe Sir William Throllop Sir Andrew Throllop Sir Walter Harle Sir John Ormond Sir William Mollyns Sir Thomas Pigot Sir William Norborough and William Burton Knights The Earle of Devonshire there taken Prisoner with three other Knights were beheaded at Yorke and so may be reckoned amongst the slaine so that the account of the whole number besides those that died after of hurts then received thirty seven thousand fourty and six At Hegley More the Lord Mountacute charged and put to flight two thousand Lancastrians who were on foot to march to Henry the sixt at which time Sir Ralph Piercy with one hundred and seven were slaine the residue flying gave alarum to the Kings Army and upon the 15. of May in a plaine called Livels neere the water of Dowill in Hexam shire the battaile was fought against Henry the sixt by the Lord Mountague Generall for Edward the fourth wherein were taken Prisoners Henry Duke of Somerset The Lord Rosse The Lord Mollins and The Lord Hungerford Sir Thomas Wentworth Sir Thomas Hussey Sir John Finderne and sixteene Knights more executed at Hexam and Yorke Sir William Talboys titulary Earle of Kime or Angus and not Kent as Master Martin relateth Sir Ralph Nevill Sir Ralph Gray and Sir Richard Tunstall were taken afterwards but beheaded The number slaine is uncertainly set downe the most of our common Writers not naming any only faabian saith about two thousand so that I make that my skale to reckon by At a place called Danes more neere the Towne of Edgcot within foure miles of Banbury was a great Battaile fought upon Saint Iames his day the five and twentieth of Iuly wherein were slaine
Queen with the Duke of Somerset some few others taking with them the young Prince fled to the Bishoprick of Durham The King was taken and as a prisoner conveyed to London At their comming thither the Tower of London is yeelded unto the Earle of Warwicke by his souldiers the Lord Scales in disguised apparell endevoured to escape is taken by the Watermen and by them without due course of Law or orderly proceeding beheaded and his corps carelesly left upon the sands Tho Thorpe one of the Barons of the Exchequer upon whose advise the Lancastrians much relyed in the habit of a Monke his or owne shorne purposely to fly to the Queen is taken and committed prisoner to the Tower The Duke of York at this time being neither idle nor asleepe being advertised of this good successe leaveth Ireland and posts to London where by the advise and consent of the York faction he thought fit to discover the head of that ambitious serpent that hitherto had bin covered in the grasse of reformation and so that in the Kings name he summoneth a Parliament which being assembled in the presence of the Lords in the upper House he placeth himselfe in the Imperiall seate and with great courage and a confident brow hee layeth open his rightfull claime and Title to the Crowne of England as being the Sonne and heire of Anne Daughter and heire of Roger Mortimer Earle of March Son and heire of Philip the sole Daughter and heire of Lionell Duke of Clarence the third Son of Edward the third and elder Brother of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Father of the usurper Henry the fourth grand Father to Henry the fift who was Father to him that untruly stileth himselfe King Henry the sixt He further related that God had not blessed this unlawfull usurpation for by meanes thereof the Common-wealth had suffered so many and so grievous calamities that had not God been the more mercifull the same had bin overwhelmed by the multitude and grievousnesse thereof that though Henry the fift had made many conquests in France and Normandy yet as of ill-gotten possessions his heire could not take any benefit by them And how much heaven is at this time offended with his government wee may well feare if wee but call to mind the cruell butchering of so many honourable great Lords in defence of his title abroad the slaughter of so many thousand of his loyall subjects in maintenance of his quarrell the inutterable exhaust of the treasure unnecessarily consumed in France Normandy and else-where The civil broiles at home the losse of all formerly got in France and those parts the losse occasioned by the excursion and depredations of the Scots and French And lastly the oppressions extortions and violence daily unsufferably practised by the tiranny of an insolently ambitious woman upon the meaner sort of people And then concluded that he craved no favour from them except that justice did warrant his claime nor would expect or desire the possession of the Crowne except his descent were undisputable and his Title without just exception and for his owne particular he presumed that since vertue might be as bold to challenge its due as vice is apt to borrow of insinuation he might without offence put in his claime and demand allowance thereof This being a businesse of import required deliberation and mature consideration but in conclusion the Duke having before hand by his agents prepared the Lords Spirituall and few of the Nobilitie present that were not on his part the Burgesses were easily perswaded and that was generally resolved and enacted accordingly That King Henry during his life should retaine the name and honour of a King That the Duke of Yorke should be proclaimed Heire apparant to the Crowne and the Protector of the Kings person his Land Dominions and Country That at any time any King Henryes Friends Allies or Favourites in his behalfe should attempt the disanulling of this act that then the Duke should have present possession of the Crowne No sooner was the Parliament dissolved when the Duke dispatcheth Letters into Scotland requiring in the Kings name the Queene the Dukes of Somerset and Exceter and all other of the Nobilitie that remained in that kingdome with all speed to repaire to his Presence to London But they were otherwise resolved And having gotten together of English and Scots to the number of eighteene thousand men they marched into England The Duke of Yorke with his younger Sonne the Earle of Rutland with the Earle of Salisbury leaving the King in the custodie of the Duke of Norfolk and the Earle of Warwicke marched towards the Queene and approaching neere her Army at Wakefield the Dukes Scowâ—…s being returned certified him that the enemy farre exceeded their power in number and all warlike preparation Whereupon the Earle of Salisbury advised the Duke to retire and attend the comming of the Earle of March who was gone into Wales to raise the Marchmen But it being appointed that here his ambitious desires should come to a period The pride of his former victory and overweening of his souldiers valours made him deafe to all counsell of forbearing the field and hastened on by his destiny from Sandall Castle hee marched to Wakefield greene where the Lord Clifford on the one side and the Earle of Wilts on the other were placed in ambuscado The Duke of Yorke supposing that the Duke of Somerset who had the battell had no more forces but what were with him valianly and in good order marcheth towards him but being entred within their danger the Ambushes on both sides broke out upon him and slew him and three thousand of his side the rest with number and confusion overborne fled the Earle of Salisbury is taken prisoner and harmelesse Rutland that came thither but to see fashions is made a sacrifice for his Fathers transgression and kneeling upon his knees instructed by his infant feares with teares begging life is unmercifully stabbed to the heart by the Lord Clifford in part of revenge as he sware of his Fathers death The Queene unwilling to bee behind hand in crueltie as unlike a mercifull woman as he an honourable gentleman in cold blood without due forme of tryall causeth the Earle of Salisbury and as many as were taken prisoners to bee beheaded at Pomfret Castle and to have their heads as it were in scorne to be placed on poles about the walls of the Citie of Yorke an incitement as it were to make all interessed in the shame to adde spurres to the speedy course of vindicative desires and to draw on revenge to the uttermost This Richard Nevill Earle of Salisbury was third Sonne of Ralph Nevill first Earle of Westmerland by Ioane his second wife Daughter of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster hee married Elianor Daughter and heire of Tho Montague Earle of Salisbury had issue foure Sons six daughters 1. Richard the eldest was restored and
his teeth with haire on his head and nayles on his fingers and toes with a viperous strength enforcing as it were his passage through his mothers wombe whom afterwards he shamed not to accuse of adultery but as one that then wrought journy-worke with the Divell his manners and qualities seconded the feature and lineaments of his body and members which were much deformed being hooke shouldred splay footed and goggle eyd his countenance sower the composure of his face little and round his complexion swarfie his left arme from his birth drye and and withered Nature supplied these deformities of the body with a strong brayne a quicke apprehension a good memory and a most fluent tongue which he seldome exercised but to the abuse of credulitie And with the sweetnesse of his delivery hee could so prevaile with such whom he ment to worke upon that he would ofentimes as it were infatuate them and enforce their beliefe of his oathes and protestations which were by Saint Paul and wishing God to damne him if hee did not performe his word which at the time of the speaking was no part of his thought sometimes against the hearers knowledge and conscience hee was neither morally honest nor religiously good He usd to make authority the stawking horse to his will and his will the sole commander of his conscience the largenesse whereof could without any scruple swallow murther of brother Nephewes wife and neerest friends nay attempt rape and incest with his owne brothers daughter yet did with artificiall dissimulation so cover his dishonest and abhominable intentions that not many could discover them Who or whatsoever opposed his aspiring pride or profitable pleasure was by his plotting cunningly and covertly taken away or removed Hee was so throughly perfect in the Hypocriticall art of simulation and dissimulation that hee would use most complement and shew greatest signes of love and courtesie to him in the morning whose throat he had taken order to be cut that evening He held it for a maxime in policy that halfe doing in any thing was worse then no doing And therefore whatsoever he once attempted hee went through with it howsoever it seemed to others unnaturall and unchristian He used the instruments of his bloudy plottes as men doe their Candles burne the first out to a snuffe and then having lighted another tread that under foote yet howsoever his birth were proaigious and life monstrous yet his death was not dishonorable For though his cause were bad he fought bravely and dyed fighting leaving behind an ample testimony of his great valour and little grace with the end of his raigne by the sword which he had used for the moving of civill dissention betwixt the two houses of Yorke and Lancaster which had beene so long drawne and so often bathed in the blood of Christians was happily sheathed And the passage to concord prepared whilst this poore Island that had beene imbroyled with warre and her companions had leasure to call to minde the many murthers stratagemes slaughters overthrowes and calamities which through their unnaturall division of the two Roses she had sustained and thereby she found that from the time that Richard Duke of Yorke who was slaine in the battaile at Wakefield seeking to anticipate the time allotted unto him by authoritie of the Parliament whereby the Crowne was entayled to him and his issue to gaine the possession thereof and from whence all those praerecited miseries did proceed untill the death of the usurper there were slaine fourescore Princes of the blood royall and twice as many natives of England as were lost in the two conquests of France The dissension that fell was betwixt the house of Yorke descended from Lionel borne at Antwerpe Duke of Clarence second sonne of Edward the third and the house of Lancaster issued from Iohn of Gaunt the third surviving but otherwise fourth sonne of the same King the first giving for his cognizance the white Rose the other the Red. Lionell Duke of Clarence married to his first wife Elizabeth daughter heire of William Burgh Earle of Vlster and to his second wife Violenta of Galens Viscount of Mislaine by his first wife he had issue Philip sole only childe which Philip was married to Edmond Mortimer Earle of March and Vlster who had issue by her 1 Roger March the fourth Earle of March 2 Sir Edmond Mortymer that married the daughter of Owen Glendore 3 Sir Iohn Mortymer beheaded 3. H. 6. 1 Elizabeth married to the Lord Percy stiled Hotspur Philip first married to Iohn Hastings Earle of Pembrook and afterward to Richard Earle of Arundel and lastly to Iohn Lord Saint-Iohn dyed without issue Roger the fourth Earle of March 1387. nominated by King Richard the second successor to the Kingdome of England who married Elianor daughter of Thomas Holland Earle of Kent by whom he had issue two sonnes and two daughters 1 Edmond his eldest sonne who succeeded him in the Earldome 2 Roger died leaving his father 1 Anne who was married to Richard Earle of Cambridge sonne of Edmond of Langley Duke of Yorke 2 Elianor married to Edward Courtney Earle of Devonshire Richard of Conisborough married Anne sister and heire of Edmond Mortymer and had issue Richard Duke of Yorke This Richard was the first mover of the faction against the the house of Lancaster the bearer of the red rose He married Ciceley the daughter of Ralph Nevill first Earle of Westmerland and had issue 1 Henry that dyed before his Father 2 Edward of that name the fourth King of England 3 Edmond Earle of Rutland slaine at Wakefield by the Lord Clifford 4 Iohn that all dyed young 5 William and 6 Thomas 7 George Duke of Clarence murdered as afore 1 Anne the eldest daughter was first married to Henry Holland Duke of Exceter and after to Sir Thomas Sayntleoger 2 Elizabeth married to Iohn de la poole Duke of Suffolke 3 Margaret married to Charles Duke of Burgundy 4 Vrsula never married and thus was the title of Yorke derived Iohn of Gaunt so named of the place where he was borne fourth sonne of King Edward the third married three wives the first 1 Blaunch daughter and coheire of Henry first Duke of Lancaster by whom he had issue 1 Henry Plantagenet borne at Bullingbrooke 1 Philip married to Iohn King of Portingall and 2 Elizabeth married to Iohn Duke of Exceter 2 The second wife was Constance daughter and one of the Coheires of Peter king of Castile by whom he had issue Katherine afterward married to Henry sonne of Iohn the King of Spaine 3 His third wife was Katherine daughter of Payne Ruet aliàs Guyen King of armes and the relict of Sir Otes Swinford knight by whom hee had issue but before marriage 1 Iohn surnamed Beauford Earle of Somerset 2 Henry Bishop of Winchester 3 Thomas Branford Earle of Dorset 1 Iohan Branford first married to Ralph Nevill first Earle of Westmerland and then to Robert Ferrers Lord of Ousley This
doings only the King was utterly undone Then was demanded of the Nobilitie and Commons of the Realme what they judged of the substance and truth of these Articles who all agreed that the crimes were notorious And that the King was worthy for the same to bee deposed from his Princely dignitie The Noble men partly corrupted by favour part awed by feare gave their voices And the Commons who commonly are like a flocke of Cranes as the first flye all followers did the like Commissioners are appointed by both houses who pronounced sentence of Deposition against King Richard in manner and forme as followeth In the name of God Amen Wee Iohn Bishop of Asaph Iohn Abbot of Glassenbury Thomas Earle of Glocester Thomas Lord Barkley Sir Thomas Erpingham and Sir Thomas Gray Knights and William Thirning Iustice Commissioners for the causes hereafter specified By the Lords Spirituall and temporall and the Commons of the Realme of England representing all the States of our Kingdome specially deputed sitting in place of judgement considering the manifold perjuries and cruelties and many other the crimes and offences by Richard late King of this Realme committed and done contrarie to good government in the Realmes and dominions aforesaid during the time of his raigne Also considering the Articles which were openly exhibited and read before the said States which were so publike notorious manifest and famous that they could nor can by any shift or cover be concealed or avoyded considering also the Confession of the sayd King acknowledging and reputing and truly upon his certaine knowledge judging himselfe to have beene and to bee altogether insufficient and unskilfull for the rule and government of the Realme and Dominions aforesaid and not unworthy to bee Deposed for the notorious demerits by the said Richard first acknowledged and after by his will and mandate before the said States published and to them opened and declared in the English tongue upon these and other matters which were done concerning the same businesse before the said States and us by the delegation place name and Authoritie to us in this part committed in pursuance whereof Wee pronounce decree and declare the said Richard to have beene and bee unprofitable unable and altogether unsufficient and unworthy for the rule and government of the said Realmes and in regard and respect of the premisses worthy to bee deposed from all kingly dignitie and honor if any such dignitie and honor remaineth in him And for the like cautele We do depose him by our sentence definitive in this Writing inhibiting from henceforth expresly all and singular Lords Archbishops Bishops Prelats Dukes Marquesses Earles Barons Knights Vassales and all other persons whatsoever of the said Realmes heretofore the subjects of the same and every of them that from henceforth none obey or intend to obey the said Richard as King or Lord of the Dominions aforesaid And afterwards the same Commissioners by the conseâ—…t and suffrage of both houses were constituted Procurators joyntly and severally for all the States of the Realme to resigne and surrender unto King Richard for them and all other homagers of the Realme all the homages and fealties which were both due and done unto him as King and Soveraigne And also to declare unto him all the premisses concerning his Deposition Now Henry Duke of Lancaster that hee might bee reputed or reported at the least not to attaine the kingdome by intrusion and wrong was counselled by his friends to pretend some lawfull challenge or claime thereunto And being in power it was no sooner advised what was to bee done but it was presently devised how to doe it So a Title was drawne from Edmond sonne to King Henry the third whom they nicknamed Crookbacke affirming that he was the eldest sonne of King Henry and that hee for his deformitie was put from his right of succession which was for that cause given to King Edward the first To this Edmond the Duke was next of blood by his mother Blanch sole Daugter and heire to Henry Duke of Lancaster and Sonne to the same Edmond This cunning conveyance was perceived by most but seeming not to perceive it was a point of friendship in some and of obedience in the rest Therefore the Crowne of England being supposed unpossessed both by the resignation and also by the deposition of King Richard Duke Henry arose from off his seate and standing in the most view of the assembly making the signe of the Crosse on his forehead and brest said as followeth In the name of God Amen I Henry of Lancaster claime as my right the Crowne and Realme of England with all the Dominions and appendices to the same as being lineally descended by the right of lyne from the blood Royall comming from that good Lord King Henry the third and through the right that God of his grace hath sent mee by his assistance and the helpe of my ready kindred and noble friends have adventured to recover the same which was in point of destruction for want of good government and orderly distribution of justice therein and therewith reseated himselfe Then was it demanded in both Houses upper and lower whether they did consent that the Duke should raigne over them who all with one voice accepted of him for their King Then the Archbishop of Canterbury tooke him by the hand and placed him in the Throne of estate the Archbishop of Yorke assisting him and all the Parliament testifying their owne joy and wishing his Then the Archbishop of Canterbury upon this place of Scripture 1 Reg. 9. 17. See this is the man whom I spake to thee of this same shall raigne over my people did make a paraphrasticall exposition which ended the Duke was generally proclaimed King by the name of Henry the Fourth King of England and France Lord of Ireland The Common people voide of cares not searching into sequels but without difference of right or wrong inclinable to follow the mightie with showtes and clâ—…mours gave their applause not all upon judgement or faithfull meaning but only upon received custome at first to flatter the Prince whatsoever hee bee But lest the humour thereof should allay by delay it was forthwith Proclaimed that upon the thirteenth of September next ensuing the Coronation of the King should be celebrated at Westminster These matters being thus dispatched the proclaimed King rose from his Seate and went to Whitehall where hee feasted the Assembly royally yet hee made no show of statelinesse or pride or change of deportment in this so great change of fortune Vpon Wednesday following the before-remembred Procurators went to the deposed King to the Tower and declared to him the admission of his resignation and the manner of his Deposition and in the name of the States of the Realme did surrender backe the Homage and Fealtie formerly due unto him with this attestation that no man from thenceforth would beare unto him faith and allegeance as due to a King The
King Henries armes and plucked away his Cognizance from those that as his servants attended upon her and having there with somewhat eased her swolne heart shee with the Lords departed to Wallingford and from thence to Abington stirring up by the way the people to take armes in ayde of King Richard At length they came to Cicester and there tooke up their lodgings The Duke of Surry the Earle of Salisbury in one Inne the Duke of Exceter and the Earle of Glocester in another Inne the Army encamped in the fields The Bayliffe of the Towne suspecting what was true that these guests were no good subjects besets the house where the Duke of Surry lay who with his retinue growne desperately bold made strong defence against the assaylants The Duke of Exceter and his Company had not force enough to rescue their Companions Whereupon a Priest of their consort supposing thereby to divert the Townsmen from the assault set divers houses on fire but the fire more inflamed the townsmens furie and made them insist more obstinately in the attempt swearing not to rescue their losses but revenge them and quench the flames with the Traytors blood The Earle of Exceter and they that were with him perceiving the force of the assaylants to increase and that it was impossible for a few so to sustaine the fury of so many obstinately bent they fled out of the backside towards the Campe intending to bring the Army to the reskue But the souldiers having heard the alarum and seeing the fire within the Towne supposing the King was entred with his forces were strucke with a sudden and causlesse feare and wanting Commanders of courage to confirme them they disbanded and fled and whilst every one sought to save one they brought themselves all to confusion The Duke of Surry and his company manfully maintained the fight with great bloodshed on all sides from midnight untill three of the clocke the next after-noone and then being inferiour in number and fortune the Duke and the Earle of Salisbury were both wounded to death and taken and that evening dying their heads were strooke off and sent to the King to London There were then taken prisoners Sir Bennet Sherley Sir Bernard Brockas Sir Thomas Blount and twenty eight Lords and men of note who were afterwards upon King Henryes comming to Oxford sent thither unto him and there executed The Duke of Exceter with Sir Iohn Sherley fled into Essex from whence many times they attempted to have escaped to France but by contrary windes were driven backe againe and then lurking in secret places the Duke was taken and lead to Plashey and there beheaded There wanted not some in those times that made conjectures that now the Duke of Glocesters death was brought to bee reckoned for who by Exceters counsell and contrivance in the same place had beene wrongfully apprehended An example for those which square out their actions by the crooked line of their pleasure or power to other mens disprofit or disparagement but punishment of such impietie though it bee prolonged doth never faile but commeth at length and then surely though perhaps slowly This Duke of Exceter was a man of high Parentage great power and honourable Alliance Created Earle of Huntington in the eleventh yeare of King Richard now deposed in the one and twentieth hee was Created Duke of Exceter and upon the resignation of the place and release of the right thereto by Aubery de Vere Earle of Oxford was made that yeare Lord Chamberlaine of England and married Elizabeth the Daughter of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and Blaunch his wife by whom hee had issue Richard that dyed young Iohn afterwards Duke of Exceter Earle of Huntington Edward that dyed without issue and a Daughter named Constance first married to Thomas Mowbray sonne and heire of Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolke and after to Iohn Lord Gray of Ruthyn hee was popular and openly praise-worthy but his secret actions were hardly censured hee was partaker of all his brothers vices and of counsell to many of them yet somewhat more circumspect and close and not so much partaker of his prosperitie as violently carried with the torrent of his misery Thomas Spencer Earle of Glocester fled toward Wales but in the way was taken and beheaded at Bristoll hee married Constance Daughter of Edmond of Langly Duke of Yorke and had issue Richard that dyed young Elizabeth dyed young and Isabell who was borne seven moneths after her Fathers death and was first married to Richard Beauchamp Earle of Worcester by whom shee had issue Elizabeth her second husband was Richard Beauchamp Earle of Warwicke cosin german to her first husband by whom she had issue Henry afterwards Earle of Warwicke The counterfeit of King Richard flying into Scotland was apprehended committed to the Tower and from thence drawne and hanged and quartered and one Ferby and an other of K. Rich. Chaplaines with him divers others of all sorts Lords and Gentlemen with a great number of common souldiers were in other places put to death insomuch that the King though otherwise of a moderate and peaceable disposition seemed in this too too vindicative of his owne injurie or rather in maintaining the injury that hee had done The heads of the chiefe Conspirators were pitched upon poles and set over London bridge lamentable spectacles of heads and quarters of unfortunate dismembred wretches were visible in many parts of this Realme putrifying above ground not all for desert but many to satisfie either the malice or want of King Henryes friends Insomuch that some of those of deepest apprehension openly gave forth That in short time there would be just cause to wish King Richard againe as being more tolerable to indure the crueltie of one then of many and to live where nothing then where any thing might bee permitted was most safe The Abbot of Westminster in whose house and head this Conspiracy tooke life and light hearing of these disasters going from his Monastery Grange neere Westminster was taken with a dead Palsie and suddenly dyed speechlesse And although in this enterprise accident gave policie the checke and by a strange fortune which wisdome could not prevent overturned the project yet it is apparant that this Abbot first moved the stone that rowling along was likely toturne King Henry out of his Chaire The Bishop of Carlile was condemned for his treason but the extremity of his passion closed up his dayes and prevented the violence and shame of publicke execution King Richard as afore having abdicated his Regalitie did but a short time injoy that sweet securitie wherewith hee so flattered himselfe For first his goods which hee had given in satisfaction of the wrongs by him done were shared amongst his enemies and hee removed first to the Tower of London and then from thence to the Castle of Leeds in Kent and from thence to Pomfret where being kept in straight Prison innocent and ignorant of this offence
high Court of Parliament to Westminster wherein hee enforced the necessity of speedy pursuance of the Dolphin and his Adherents and easinesse of revenging the losse of his brother and their friends and allyes in case they would furnish him with money men and amunition being in readinesse provided Whereupon the Clergie cheerefully granted two tenths and the temporalty readily one fifteene and for that the Kings hast could not well stay the wonted course of collection thereof The Bishop of Winchester layed forth to bee received againe of the Designes of the spiritualty twenty thousand pounds so willing was the rich Cardinall to have his brother Clarence death revenged The King thus provided with money sent his brother the Duke of Bedford with the Army to Callice consisting of foure thousand men at armes and foure and twenty thousand Archers himselfe about the middle of May followeth and safely arriving at Callice hee hasted to relieve Charters whom the Dolphin with seven thousand men had besieged and comming to Maunt heard that the Dolphin was retired to Tours The Duke of Burgoyne who had received and feasted the King with his Father and Mother-in-law at Monstruell and from thence came with the King to Maunt went backe to Piccardy to resist the insolencies of Sir Iaques de Harcourt The King of Scots with the Duke of Glocester about the eight of Iuly besieged Dreux which upon the eight of August compounded That if they were not reskued before the twentieth of that moneth to deliver up the Towne the souldiers with their goods to march whither they would upon which day no reskue came they had all leave to depart except one Searle an Englishman fled thither for Treason out of Roane whom they presently executed and the Towne was delivered to the King of Scots whereof the Earle of Worcester was made Captaine and Sir Henry Mortimer Bayliffe The King pursued the Dolphin from place to place but hee was too flit of foot to bee easily overtaken In the way King Henry surprized the Towne of Baugency but tooke them all to mercy that craved it the like he did at Rugemounte from thence victuall failing hee went to Orleans and from thence to Vignei Sainct Yon where hee stayed awhile to refresh his men and from thence to Paris and having there fitted himselfe with supplies hee went and fate downe before Meuix in Brye a Towne no lesse well victualed then manned and no better furnished then fortified neverthelesse after many assaults the besieged forsooke the Walls and drew into the Market place where they began workes for their defence from whence being likewise beaten the King had possession of that and all the Fortresses in the Isle of France in Lonvaus in Brye and in Champayne The Duke of Bedford in the Kings absence called a Parliament in England in which was granted to the King towards the maintenance of his warres one Fifteene to bee payed in such moneyes as at the time of the graunt were current Vpon Saint Nicholas day Queene Katherine was brought to bed of a Sonne at Windsor who was by the Duke of Bedford and Henry Bishop of Winchester and the Countesse of Holland Christened by the name of Henry whereof when the King had notice out of a propheticke disposition hee sayd Good Lord I Henry borne at Monmouth shall small time raigne and much get and Henry borne at Windsor shall long Raigne and lose all but Gods will be done Divers Frenchmen under the leading of Oliver de Many who had given faith never to beare armes against the King of England entred Normandy and did rob and spoyle the countrey But being by the Earle of Suffolke encountred hee was after a long and desperate fight taken and all his Confederates rowted the King notwithstanding his breach of faith put him not to death but sent him prisoner to England where he dyed The Dolphin layed siege to Cosney who made composition that if they were not reskued by the King of England within tenne dayes to surrender The King was so intentive to the reskue that hee over-heat himselfe with travell and comming to Senlis found himselfe so distempered that hee was enforced to remaine there and send his brother Duke of Bedford to prosecute the dissigne who effected the same the Dolphin upon his approach raised the siege and dishonourably retired into Berry whereof in mockage hee was after called King of Berry the Queenes untimely visit who not long before having taken shipping at Southampton with a gallant Company of freshmen raysed and furnished at her owne charge under the conduct of the Duke of Bedford was come into France and had met the King at Paris where hee left her but shee having notice of his sicknesse was come unto him did much increase the Kings Fever insomuch that by the perswasion of the Doctors and direction of the Kings Councell against her owne will and the Kings desire whose ardent affection unto her could hardly brooke her absence shee left the King who after her departure growing worse and worse was removed to Bloys where within few dayes hee yeelded up his conquests to the all-Conquerour who sent him Crowned with never-dying victory to place of ever-living glory Somewhat before his departure out of this world hee made the Duke of Bedford Lieutenant generall of Normandy and Regent of the kingdome of France And the Duke of Glocester Protector of England and his sonnes person exhorting all to bee true and friendly to the Duke of Burgoyne to bee at unitie amongst themselves to bee loyall to their young Prince to bee seruiceable to his dearely beloved Queene to hold and preserve what he by his valour and Gods assistance had wonne never to conclude contract of amitie with the Dolphin or the Duke of Alanson untill they had submitted themselves to the Kings grace and so giving God thankes for all his former favours and blessings bestowed upon him hee dyed the last of August 1422. in the eight and thirtieth yeere of his age when hee had raigned nine yeares five moneths and foure and twenty dayes his body was carried to Westminster and there buried amongst his Ancestours his character appeareth best when it is referred to his recollection of himselfe for as hee was in youth the most untowardly so in his riper yeares hee approved himselfe of great noblenesse and vertue his stature was tall his personage slender but very strong active he was saith Walsingham modestus vultu actu magnanimus of courage invincible and fortunately victorious in all his battells never receiving checke in any of nature liberall of disposition affable of a generous spirit of infatigable constancy hee was wise and provident in Councell in judgement upright and just in his speech sober in countenance majesticke in comportment magnanimous borne and bred for conquest of life unreprovable and in his death generally greatly lamented in briefe his deeds gave cause of admiration to contemporaries and imitation
succeed in the Regency but the Duke of Yorke was appointed the Vncle being preferred before the cousin to the King which made the young duke to endevour what he could to crosse the new Regent in all the designes abroad and to under-value at home whatsoever was never so well atchieved else-where still plotting against him For ambition is a passion that will never suffer a man to sleep without dreaming of revenge or to wake without inventing stratagems to compasse desired ends Paris making sayle whilst the gale blowes turneth Traitour and not only rebelleth but inhumanly abuseth the English within their power and after it had remained 17. yeares in the possession of the English yeelds to the Constable who by composition gave the English leave to depart other Towns tread in the same steps whose course the Normans would have followed but that the Lord Talbot with some other his associats did with great discretion warlike behaviour slaughter some 5000. of the rebellious crew and therby kept the rest in awe Private envy all this time hindred publick good and the emulation betwixt the Dukes of Yorke and Somerset too long delayed the presence and supplyes of the new Regent that in the interim the French grew Citie merchants buying and selling Cities Towns and Forts to whom would give most but the English were no good chapmen would not sell honor to buy treason But now the Regent with 8000. new souldiers arrived at Harflew from thence marcheth to Roan where he won the title not undeservedly of equall holding the skale of justice keeping the ballance so even and upright that the partiall observations of those whom Somerset had placed as spies over his actions could not give intelligence of just cause to calumniate The revolted Duke of Burgoyne pretending title to the Towne of Callice assoone as the spring approacheth with an Army of forty thousand men most of them Artificers and tradesmen whom he easily engaged to the wars by his authority and show of advantage to them to have a Towne so convenient for any Trafficke to be at their disposall passeth over the water at Graveline and there assaults the poore Bastile of Oye mand but with fifty men twelve of them having sold their lives very deere killing ten for one being slaine the residue submitted whom together with the Fortresse the Duke gave to the Gantoys which place they beat downe and hanged nine and twenty of the souldiers and would have done the like to the rest had not the Duke stayed their cruelty The Piccards besieged the Castle of Saint Marke Sir Iohn Gedding being Captaine thereof who having endured two hot assaults and seeing no possibilitie to hold it yeelded upon composition to have their lives and lims saved which Castle was demolished likewise From thence they beguirt Callice with a siege and upon a first approach perswaded themselves to carry it by assault wherof they made three strong ones but they found by their repulses that they reckoned without their host and were well pleased to keepe after within their trenches not daring so much as to attempt to hinder the shipping that every day with provision entred the harbor The Duke of Burgoin sent the Lord Croye to besiege the Castle of Guiesne where hee got little honour and did lesse harme many attempts were made to stop the chanell of the Haven and to build a Bastile to stop the passage of boats but they were prevented in the execution and made fruitlesse In the meane time Penbrocke the Harrold brought a defiance to the Duke of Burgoyne giving him to understand from the Duke of Glocester the Protectour that he would God sending him wind weather either there or in any other place the Duke would appoint in his own Dominions give him battell if hee would but abide it to whom the Duke of Burgoyne answered I shall be sure to stay for him here untill I have my will of this Towne wherewith the Harrold departed the Duke of Burgoyne calleth a Councell and whilst they are debating what is best to be done the Callisians make a sally of horse and foot the foot falling upon the Bastile lately erected to hinder the passage of the river for Boats whilst the horse give the alarm to the Campe the Bastile is carried by force with the slaughter of eight score of the Burgonians and many prisoners with all the Artillery provision carried to Callice from wence issued then fresh forces to favour the retreat of the horse who with the losse of twenty horse and 120 men returned which stroke such an amazement amongst the Burgonian Bores they were incapable of any understanding what to doe and thereupon a faire gale of wind blowing the hearts of the bread and butter fed Flemings were so amated that they presently rumored the approach of the Duke of Yorke and after the rumour was once up the fame increased the number and the certainty of the sight of eight hundred sayle was affirmed so that those that seemed not to be daunted with the newes were suspected to bee traytours to the Duke of Burgoyne the Dutch upbraid the Piccards the French the Gantoys nay the most resolute of the Councell told the Duke of Burgoyne that the stay might give opportunitie to the enemie to beleaguer his Leguer and to set downe betwixt him and FRANCE and then they should bee coopt up and bee charged both before and behind which so did take the Duke of Burgoyne that presently in a fury raging like the Persian that threatned the Tempest and whipt the Sea he sent to the Lord of Croy and both of them that night quit their quarters and in that hast departed that they left a great part of their best Ordnance and all their provision for the reliefe and helpe of the besieged It seemed they had some reason to run for the next day being the seven and twentieth day of Iuly the Duke of Glocaster landed at Callice with five and twenty thousand good fighting men and finding the enemy recoyled forrageth all the Countries adjacent and for the space of sixe weekes harrowed all the parts of Flanders Artoys and Hennalt and so returning by Saint Omers Arde and Guyens comforting his friends and terrifying his enemies with great and rich booty they arrived at Callice But the want of bread whereof they could not be furnished all the way did bring divers diseases amongst the Army whereof more dyed then were slaine upon any Camisado by the enemy for encounter they had none all the way The Duke of Yorke returneth into England to the rescue of Rocksboro Castle defended by Sir Sir Ralph Gray and besieged by the King of Scots with thirty thousand men who having advertisement of the Earle of Northumber lands approach the Dukes safe returne fled with no lesse losse then dishonour and enough of both A truce is desired betwixt England and Burgoyne and obtained the meeting is appointed at
friendship is sworn and confirmed betwixt them by the marriage of the Duke of Burgoines Neece Mary of Cleurs to the Duke of Orleance which justifies the Proverbe The best meanes to vanquish an enemie is to doe him all the good you can The Regent divided his Forces into three parts hee sent the Lord Willoughby into Amyens the Lord Talbot to Deep and himselfe with the Duke of Somerset went into the Dutchie of Anion The Lord Willoughby made such speed that hee tooke many prisoners before they could get to any place of defence but presently the garrisons drawne together and make opposition but they are defeated and six hundred men of armes slaine such as escaped fell into the hands of the Earle of Saint Paul who was comming to the aide of the Lord Willoughby The Regent returneth with a great prey to Normandy whither Willoughby likewise commeth But the Duke of Somerset re-entreth the Marches of Britaine and tooke la Gearch by assault from thence hee marches to Ponsay The Marshall Loach intended to have surprized the Duke of Somerset in his Tents but the Duke to prevent that hazard meets him halfe way and chargeth so suddenly and soundly that the Marshall is rowted and threescore and two of his men are taken Prisoners then hee marched and tooke the Towne of Beamond and having manned all fitting places upon the Frontiers laden with rich spoyle he returneth The Lord Willoughby had entrenched himselfe round Deipe and built a Bastile upon Mount Pawlet which did much annoy the besieged But wanting amunition and supplies of men hee left his naturall Sonne to prosecute the siege himselfe posting to Roan The Dolphin with sixteene thousand men commeth to raise the siege and three dayes together plye the Bastile with assaults but could not carry it untill shot and powder fayling they were overpressed with multitude and young Talbot is taken prisoner with Sir Iohn Peyto and Sir Iohn Repley all which were shortly redeemed by exchange The rest of the souldiers seeing the Bastile wonne stood in armes all day but the enemy not over-willing to doe too much and they as willing to give way not being able to cope in the darke of night they retired to Roan The Earle of Saint Paul forsakes the English and is reconciled to France The English besieged Tartus for the raysing whereof the French King marcheth downe threescore thousand strong and relieveth the Towne and from thence marcheth to Saueryne which hee taketh in and therein Sir Iohn Rampston prisoner Then tooke hee in Arques the Captaine with all the souldiers by composition withdrawe to Burdeux The English cut off all convoyes of victuals from comming to the King for want whereof the King is driven to returne after whose departure the English reduce all that the King of France had taken and take his Lieutenant prisoner slaying or hanging all his souldiers The Lord Talbot this while taketh in Conquet and driveth the Bastard of Orleance from the siege of Galiordon The French in the Castle of Cornill detained many English prisoners Sir Francis the Aragonist apparelleth halfe a dozen lusty fellowes like Pesants carrying baskets with corne and victuals and sends them to the Castle hee with his company lye in ambush in a valley neere the Castle the six unsuspected are admitted and comming to the Captaines chamber seize upon him and give the signall to the ambush who came readily on entred the Castle put the souldiers to the sword and set the prisoners at liberty burnt downe the Castle and with the Captaine and the booty of the Castle returned to Roan Whilst thus the ball of warre was by the English honourably tost from one end to the other in the tennis court of France The divell and his ministers sowe the seeds of unnaturall sedition betweene the two brothers in England the one seeking by a legall course the reformation the other the ruine of a brother The Protector articles against the Cardinall for too ambitiously affecting preheminence to the derogation of the Kings prerogative and contempt of his lawes these Articles are delivered to the King and by the King to bee maturely examined by them to his Councell who being most of the Clergie and not daring to give occasion of offence to the Cardinall leave them unmedled withall whilst the Lady Elianor Cobham the Dukes Wife by the Cardinalls plot is accused of treason by sorcery and Witchcraft to have intended the overthrow of the King and advancement of her husband to the Crowne for this howsoever shee was acquitted of the treason shee is adjudged open Penance and perpetuall imprisonment in the Isle of Man Thomas Southwell Iohn Hun Priests Roger Bullingbrooke a supposed Necromancer and Margery Iourden stiled the Witch of Eley are arraigned for devising of a picture of Waxe to be made in proportion of the King which by their Sorcery they should make to consume and so accordingly should the Kings body for this they are condemned the Witch was burnt in Smithfield Bullingbrooke was hanged constantly affirming upon his death that there never was any such thing devised or thought of by them neither at any time was more desired of from him by the Dutchesse or any other from her but if hee could by his Art find out how long the King should live Iohn Hun had his pardon and Southwell died the night before hee should have beene executed The Duke of Glocester silently sees what speech could not amend undergoes all these affronts with patience attending equall distribution of Iustice as it had past on his forgetfull Wife so it might passe on his unnaturall brother the Archbishop But the Cardinall by his orall sanctitie and mentall impurity had so bewitched the King and those of the Church of his Councell that the good Duke hoped in vaine The Duke of Yorke hath a Sonne borne at Roane in Normandy and Christened there by the name of Edward The Countesse of Camings being dead the King of France and the Earle of Arminacke are Competitors for the inheritance The Earle takes ' possession but doubting and not without cause That the King of France would not be pleased to take a Rowland for an Oliver makes offer to the King of England of his Daughter in marriage and besides a large portion in money with her to deliver over full possession of all such Townes and Castles as were by him or his Ancestors detained in Aquitaine and had beene formerly by the Progenitors of the King of England conquered or by the King of France to any of them given And further to furnish the King with money sufficient to recover all or whatsoever was with-held from him there by any person whatsoever The Embassadors for this businesse were by the King of England graciously heard and honourably returned after whom were sent Sir Edward Hall Sir Robert Rose and others to conclude all things and by proxcie the young Lady is affiranced to King Henry The King of
succeeded in the Earledome 2. Iohn the second was Created Marquesse Mountague 3. Thomas married the Widow of the Lord Willoughby 4. George was Archbishop of Yorke and Lord Chancellor 1. Ioane the eldest Daughter was married to William Fisz-Allen Earle of Arundell 2. Cecily was married to Henry Beuchamp Duke of Warwicke 3. Alice was married to Henry Lord Fitz-Hugh 4. Elianor to Thomas Stanley Earle of Darby 5. Katherine to William Bonvile Lord Harrington and 6. Margaret to Iohn Vere Earle of Oxford Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke tooke to wife Cecily Daughter of Ralph Nevill first Earle of Westmerland and had issue eight Sonnes and foure Daughters 1. His eldest Sonne Henry dyed young 2. Edward afterwards King of England 3. Edmond Earle of Rutland slaine with his Father 4. Iohn dyed young 5. William 6. Thomas 7. George after Duke of Clarence 8. Richard surnamed Croutchbacke after King of England 1. Anne his eldest Daughter was married to Henry Holland Duke of Exceter 2. Elizabeth married to Iohn de la Poole Earle of Suffolke 3. Margaret married to Charles Duke of Burgundie 4. And Vrsula The Earle of March having tidings of his Fathers death encreaseth his Army and borne up with two wings desire of revenge and expectation to raigne hee tooke his leaue at Shrowsbury of the Inhabitants intimating to them at his departure the murther of his Father and Brother the destruction intended of himselfe and Familie and downfall of all that wisht well to his part if not heedfully prevented hee craved therefore their utmost assistance and their neighbours which they accordingly performed and then with some good strength presently tooke the field and having advertisement that Iasper Earle of Penbrooke with the Earles of Ormond and Wiltshire with a great power of Welch and Irish did follow after him hee suddenly marcheth backe againe and in a plaine neere Mortimers Crosse on Candlemasse day in the morning hee gave them battaile and with the slaughter of three thousand and eight hundred put the Earles to flight Owen Teuther who had married Queene Katherine Mother to Henry the sixt and divers Welch Gentlemen were taken and at Hereford beheaded The Queene encouraged by the death of the Duke of Yorke with a power of Northerne people with an intent to undoe what was done in the last Parliament marcheth towards London but when her souldiers were once South of Trent as if that River had beene the utmost limits of their good behaviour they did most licentiously forrage the Country harrowing burning and spoyling the same as if they had beene in the most barbarous land of heathens Approaching Saint Albones they were advertised that the Duke of Norfolke and the Earle of VVarwicke were ready to give them battaile The Queenes Voward hasteth to passe thorow Saint Albones but were saluted from the Market place with such a showre of arrowes that they were for safeguard glad to retire and sought to passe by another way which but not without some blowes they did and encountred with their enemies in the field who perceiving the maine battaile to stand and not to move by the trechery of Lonelace who with the Kentish men led the Van. the Southerne men turned afide and fled and by the Northerne prickers were slaughtered untill night saved their backes When night was come the residue despairing of each others well-meaning shifted away The Nobles about the King perceiving how the game went withdrew themselves The Lord Bonvile comming in a complementall manner to the King saying It grieved him to leave his Majestie but necessitie for safeguard of his life enforced it was importuned and Sir Thomas Kiryell like wise by the King to stay hee passing his royall word that their stay should not endanger their bodyes upon which promise they stayed but to their cost for such was the inplacable fury of the Queen that hearing Baron Thorpe was by the Commons beheaded at Highgate she the day after the battell being Ashwednesday caused both their heads to bee smitten off at Saint Albones whose death reckoned with the rest maketh up of the slaughtered the number of three and twentie hundred The King was advised to send one Thomas Hoe that had beene a Barrester to the Victors to thanke them for their paines and to tell them that hee would gladly come to them if with convenience it might be done The Earle of Northumberland appointed divers Lords to attend him to the Lord Cliffords Tent where the Queene and young Prince met to their great joy it was now observed that victory alwayes fled from where the King was present At the Queenes request he honored with the order of Knighthood thirty that the day before fought against the part where hee was the Prince likewise was by him dubbed Knight Then they went to the Abby where they were entertained with Anthems and withall an humble Petition to be taken into the Kings protection thereby to bee freed from the tiranny of the loose souldiers which was promised and Proclamation accordingly made but to small purpose for the Northerne men said it was made in their bargaine to haveall the spoyle in every place after they had passed the River of Trent and so they robbed and spoyled all they could come at which gave just cause of dislike to the indifferent-minded which only wisht the quiet and peace of the Country not respecting which Rose the red or white prevailed for now began that distinction by those Badges for the factions of Yorke and Lancaster to bee worne The Londoners hearing of this disorder were warned to looke to themselves and they were resolved since there was no more assurance in the Kings promise to keepe the Northerne men out of their gates The gentlenesse and tendernesse of a King not accompanied with courage and severitie is both hurtfull to himselfe and his estate In the Kings name the Londoners are sent to to send over to the Campe certaine Cart-loades of Lenton provision The Maior accordingly provides and makes all things ready but the Commons rose about Cripplegate and by strong hand say or doe what the Maior or his officers can they kept the Carts from going forth of the Citie The Maior sends the Recorder to the Kings Councell and knowing the predominancy of the Queenes passion if never so little troubled they entreat the Dutchesse of Bedford and the Lady Scales with all the Fathers of the Church resiant about London to intercede for him and excuse his not using force considering how apt the multitude was to take fire upon the least flash and how dangerous it might bee in these doubtfull times to raise their fury that would not easily bee allayed it was well advised to send women to entreat women for they so prevailed That some of the Lords of the Councell with a guard of foure hundred good souldiers were appointed to goe for London to enquire and certifie the truth of these things But before they set forth divers
newes of these proceedings set wide open the gates of the rebellion gave courage to the Northamptonshire men who prepared before to that purpose tooke this opportunity to make a commotion under the conduct of one Robert Hiliard by them stiled Robert of Risdate came to Grafton and there tooke the Queenes father Earle Rivers and his Son Sir Iohn VVoodvile and at Northampton without trial or judgement courses out of use amongst unruly rebells caused them to be beheaded Richard Woddevile Baron of Wymington married Iaquiet daughter of the Earle S. Pauls the widdow of Iohn Duke of Bedford for which not having the kings license he was fined to K. Henry the sixt in one thousand pounds he was installed knight of the Garter 30. Octob. Anno. H. 6. 28. And 4. of K. Ed. 4. he was created Earle Rivers made high Constable of England he had issue by the said Iaquet 7. sons and 6. daughters 1 Anthony that succeeded his father 2. Lewis dyed young 3 Iames dyed young 4 Iohn with his father taken at Edgcote and with him beheaded at Northampton as afore 5 Lionell Bishop of Salisbury that begat upon his Concubine Stephen Gardner afterwards Bishop of VVinton 6 Edward who died without issue 7. Richard that succeeded his brother Anthony in the Earldome but dying without issue left it to his sisters all living 1 Elizabeth at first married to Sir Iohn Gray of Groby and afterward to Edward the fourth 2 Margaret married to Thomas Fitzallan Earle of Arundel 3 Anne married to William Burcher sonne of Henry Earle of Essex first and after to George Gray Earle of Kent then to Sir Edw. Wingfield knight 4 Iaquet was married to Iohn Lord Strange of Knocking 5 Mary was married to William Harbert Earle of Huntington and 6 Katherine first married to Henry Stafford second Duke of Buckingham and then to Iasper of Hatfield Duke of Bedford The Lord Stafford having long lurked without discouery about Devonshire is apprehended for his base departure from the Earle of Pembrook beheaded at Bridgwater The Northerne men haue opportunitie to joyne with the Earle of Warwicke The whole body of the common-wealth thus fearefully groning under the fearefull expectation of unchristian cruelty The effects whereof divers of the nobility Clergy endevored by all means possible to prevent to that end on both sides mediated for some pacification But whilst it is in agitation both parts having drawne their forces together a generall preparation is made for an unauoydable banquet for death whilst King Edward the lesse circumspect by reason of some overtures of submission Cautelously tendred gave advantage to the Earle of Warwick who had secret intelligence of the order in the Kings camp in the dead of the night to fall upon it where with some small slaughter having slaine the sentinells they tooke the king prisoner in his bedwho was presently conveied to Midleham Castle in Yorkeshire to be kept safely by the Archbishop of Yorke The Earle of Warwicke relying vpon his brothers care of his charge considering that he was the Key of their worke And being perswaded that the brunt of the warres was past dismist most of his army but as one that reckoned without his host must make a new account so to that exigent he was driven For whilst he made search and diligent enquiry after King Henry whose place of imprisonment was not knowne King Edward escaped but whether by over-great promises seduced or through guilt of Conscience induced thereunto it is questionable But howsoever The Archbishop permitted him to have so much liberty by way of recreation on hunting that by the contrivement and assistance of Sir William Stanly and Sir Thomas Burgh he was both rescued from his keepers and in safty conducted to Yorke such is the instabilitie of occurrences in this world That therein is certaintie of nothing but incertaintie the secrets of Gods providence being inscrutable King Edward that in the morning was a prisoner at the Earle of VVarwicks devotion is now at liberty to provide how to question his mitred keeper and his late triumphant committer for their undutifull presumption From Yorke he posteth to Lancaster where his Chamberlaine the Lord Hastings had raised some forces with those he marcheth to London the love of whose Citizens he mainly relied upon and thereof found himselfe not deceived for they with willing readinesse receive him The Earle of VVarwick having information of what was past makes a vertue of necessitie and dispatches letters and Messengers to all his friends and confederates to draw to an head which they accordingly did But by the earnest solicitation and industry of those good patriots which before had laboured to have the sword of civill dissention sheathed Now an interview Vpon interchange of oathes for safety and faire returne on both sides is had betwixt the king the Duke of Clarence and the Earle of VVarwicke in VVestminster-Hall But the Earle like one endevoring to infect the ayre takes poyson into his mouth and spits it into the wind makes repetition of former courtesies done to Edward and for requitall thereof indignities returned which with such peremptory phrase he urged that they savoured so much of exprobration that the King unable to endure such harsh ill-becomming language from a subject in a scornefull fury departed the Hall and went to Canterbury And the Duke and Earle to Lincolne whither they had preappointed their powers to repayre under the conduct of Sir Robert VVells sonne and heire of the Lord VVells a valiant Gentleman and of approved sufficiency The King with intent to take off Sir Robert from VVarwicks part sends for Richard Lord VVells who with his brother in Law Sir Thomas Dymock comming to attend the kings pleasure received information from some of their friends in Court that the King was much incensed against them whereupon they take Sanctuary at VVestminster From whence upon the kings promise of generall pardon they came to his presence who gave command to the Lord VVells effectually by letter to solicite his son Sir Robert VVells to leave the Earle of VVarwick come to the kings service which was accordingly done but because it procured not desired effect the king not without blemish to his Honor in his rage caused both their heads to be strooke off The report wherof so enraged the young knight that no perswasion could prevaile with him to abide the Earle of VVarwicks cōming which was every day expected but passion having blinded his judgement led on by fury the inevitablenes of his fate he with his forces charged the kings army And whilest he laboured to go beyond man in doing his valour not checkt by discretion he proves lesse then a sucking child and for sinking under an oppressing multitude he was taken prisoner which so discouraged his men that they fled and the lighter to runne away they cast of their coates And thereby gave a name unto the place from whence
they fled which ever since hath beene called Loose Coate field in this place were slaine of the Earles part ten thousand and odde of the Kings side thirteen hundred but no man of marke Sir Robert Wells with all the prisoners then taken were there presently executed Sir Robert beheaded the other hanged which were threescore seven The report of this disaster turnes Clarence and his father in Law to Exceter from whence having dismist their army they fled to Dartmouth from thence they shipped to Callis having their Ladyes and divers Gentlewomen in their Company intending there to goe on shore but their expectation was frustrated for whilst he was about to land he was saluted with a great shot from the platforme which assured them there was no going on shoare there without apparant danger whereupon the Earle by messenger entreated Mounseir Vocleer the Earles Deputie leiftenant there But to give way to the Ladyes to land the Dutchesse of Clarence being then in travaile which Vocleer uncourteously refused and like the hedghog kept his Captaine out of his owne lodging not doing or permitting to be done any the least office of humanitie but denying the sicke and tender Ladies all courtesie and comfort wherefore the Earle was enforced to put againe to Sea Whilst King Edward for this so discourteous usage of the Earle sent the ungratefull Gascoyne a patent of the Captaines place of Callice under the great Seale of England And the Duke of Burgoyne gave him an annuitie of one hundred pounds per annum during life Notwithstanding Warwick being at Sea received intelligence from Vocleer whom it seemes did love the Earle in the second place but himselfe in the first That the Duke of Burgoine plotted his destruction whereupon the Earle kept the Seas and tooke all the Burgonians he cold meet making prize of their ladings wherewith he landed in France and from Deepe by the French Kings solemn invitation he went to the Castle of Amboyes where the King then kept his Court. And there the Ladies wants are supplied and honorable welcome and liberall entertainment given to the Earle and all his company The newes of the Earle of Warwickes being at the French Kings Court drew thither Queene Margaret and her sonne Edward with Iasper late Earle of Pembrock for this Iasper having beene attainted of treason William Lord Harbert was created Earle of Pembrook but being slaine William his sonne succeeded in the Earledome This Iasper and others with him who were lately broke out of prison in England and fled thither joyne in confederation with the Earle of Warwick and a solemn oath passeth betwixt the Duke of Clarence the Earles of Warwicke Oxford and Iasper of Pembrook never to deserte one the other during life nor desist to the uttermost of their best abilities to procure the releasment of King Henry and his restoration to the Crowne of England and to give the better Countenance to this confederation Prince Edward is married to the Earle of Warwicks daughter But therein the Earle of Warwick sitting in his ownlight overshot himselfe and by overdoing in policy to strengthen his part both himselfe and partakers are undon The water intended to drive the Mill being drawne to drowne the same for the Duke of Clarence after he had taken into his owne more serious consideration the purposed end of this match he easily perceived that that being seconded with the intended prosecution of the warres against King Edward would if succesfull prove the utter overthrow of his Brothers and the finall extirpation of the house of Yorke From hence arose and not without just ground the Dukes distrust of his owne fortunes For the prevention of which mischiefe hee inwardly became lesse forward to the businesse and began to cast about how to come fairely off from his Father-in-law propinquitie of blood proving a stronger incentive to affection then contracted affinitie though never so much combined with solemne promises and overt protestations From henceforth underhand he gives perfect intelligence to King Edward of all proceedings against him and withall assures him that he was resolved upon his comming into England to play the part of a loving Brother and as hee did now in heart decline the confederation so he would then cleane desert their cause herewith when King Edward acquainted his Brother the Duke of Yorke hee said hee alwayes thought as much for hee that at one time had turned Traitour to his Soveraigne would at another prove trecherous to his friend but wee may saith he presume better hereafter of our Brother The French King having furnished the new Confederates with men money and amunition and with necessary shipping They all went aborde and falling downe to the mouth of the river of Seyne they descried the Burgonians with a strong fleet prepared to interrupt their sayling forth Whereupon the Lords strike sayle and call to Councell But during their time of such consultation a strong Southwest wind comes from land with a terrible tempest of raine by fury whereof the Burgonian Fleet was driven to Sea and severed many of them being driven on ground in Scotland The storme being ceased having set the Queene and Prince with his Wife on shore Warwicke with his Complices hoise sayle and with a merry gale arrive safely at Dartmouth from whence hee gave notice to his partakers of his arrivall King Edward presuming of the strength of the Burgonian Fleet and their watchfulnesse had omitted preparation either to impeach his Adversaries landing or to affront them being landed by meanes whereof the Lords land at ease and having a cleere passage march forward in good array making Proclamation in every place where they come in King Henryes name to command all his loving subjects to bee ready both with purse and person to give him assistance against the Duke of Yorke who like a tyrant and an usurper withheld from him his Crowne and Patrimony by this meanes in few dayes his Army greatly encreased wherewith in good order and by easie marches keeping his men alwayes in action by exercising them and fitting them to their weapons hee made towards London upon notice of whose approach on the Sunday next after Michaelmasse day one Doctor Goddard a Chaplaine of the Earle of Warwicke appointed to preach at Pauls Crosse did so set forth the pious intention of the Earle his Master that endevoured the restoring of a wronged King to his liberty and Dominion and to free the kingdome from an Vsurper that his pithy perswasions prevailed so farre with his Auditory that none reproved him for his boldnesse but so approved of his Sermon that divers put their ghostly Fathers advice in practice insomuch that the Marquesse Mountacute who had as was pretended on King Edwards behalfe levied sixe thousand men about London found them all enclinable to goe with him to the Earle of Warwicke and accordingly went and joyned with him so suddenly and easily will the vulgar bee seduced This
where advised thereto by his Councell hee sent great Warwickes Brother the Archbishop of Yorke to bee kept prisoner in the Castle of Guisnes and the Earle of Oxford who had submitted himselfe upon pardon of life only to the Castle of Hams and layed all the Ports for the stopping of the Earle of Penbrookes going out of England which hee neverthelesse afterwards did with the young Earle of Richmond King Edward much displeased with the escape of the Earle of Penbrooke but more of that of Richmond by how-much the one could but abet the other might lay claime sent his Letters over to the Duke of Britaine whither those two Earles had found meanes to convey themselves and were in Britanny by him kindly entertained intimating therein his earnest desire either to have them sent over to him or at least watchfully kept from attempting any thing which he had iust causte to suspect they would to his prejudice by their being at liberty with many promises of thankfull respect for this courtesie if granted and for an earnest thereof sent him a token worthy the receiving which so prevailed with the Duke that the two Earles were debard each others company and all their English attendants taken from them and Britons appointed in their places which somewhat satisfied the King of England but gave no content to the English Gentlemen in France A Parliament is called at Westminster wherein all acts formerly made by him are confirmed And those that King Henry after his redemption of the Crowne had abrogated were revived And an ordinance made for the confiscation of all their lands and goods that had taken part against him and were fled with a restauration of all such as for his part had beene attainted both to blood and patrimony Towards his charges in this Parliament a competent summe of mony is voluntarilie given and in respect thereof a generall pardon is granted The Duke of Burgoyne not willing that his courtesies formerly done to his brother in law should be thought upon and willing to ingulph him in the warres of France That he in the meane time might have the better opportunitie to worke some malicious stratagem against the French king sends over Embassadors with ample instructions to solicit the King of England to set on foot his title to the Crowne of France making great offers with protestations to ayd and assist him therein both with purse and person The Embassadors have audience and after much debating the poynt amongst the privy Councell it was thus amongst them concluded 1 That the Crowne of France was not ambitiously affected But the title thereof legally Challenged as the unquestionable right of the now King of England 2 That the French warres if orderly pursued alwayes enriched English Souldiers 3 That France being made the seat of the war it would keepe them from making invasion on England and hinder them from supporting any against the King of England 4 That the French King had in an unsufferable fashion given an affront to the King of England in ayding and abetting Queene Margaret and her trayterous complices against him and prohibiting any his true subiects to reside within his territories And in continually sending combustible stuffe to feed the fire of rebellion which had so disquieted the common-wealth of England 5 That the King of France infested the Duke of Burgonies Countries with warres who was a friend and Collegue with the King of England and one that was in league with him both offensive and defensive Therefore this proposition from the Duke of Burgoin to vndertake the warres against France was to be approved of as being both lawfull and behoofefull for the honour of the King and the good of the Kingdome But the meanes how to pursue the warre being once undertaken was an other cause considerable For treasure the sinewes of warre was wanting and to procure a supply by Parliamentary courses would take up too much time They were therefore driven to find out and set on foote a proiect till then unheard of which was to draw by way of benevolence from the subject a seeming voluntary howsoever often very unwillingly payed contribution Thereby to supply the want of mony for the pursuance of these warres To this end divers Commissioners are assigned with letters to the knights and Gentlemen and severall instructions are sent into every County who did therein so effectually Comply themselues to doe the King service that by their perwasions most men of abilitie did enlarge their contributions to this so faire an enterprise and readily departed with their mony And a Kings kys to a sparing and therefore a rich widdow amongst many others drawne in by Court holy water to make oblation brought in twenty pounds more then was demanded for that being but twenty she gave forty It is almost a matter of admiration in these dayes how in those dayes The King could out of this little Island be furnished with able men for his warres old men women and children with sufficient meate to put in their mouthes the Cleargy and Schollers with competent maintenance and the markets with necessary provision considering the infinite number of those in the late Civill broyles slaughtered the paucitie of Ploughmen and husbandmen the want of farmers and the indigency of Cattell wherewith to stocke their farmes infinite quantities of ground lying unmanurde or tilled and the pastures and downes without sheepe or Cattell The generall spoyle and wastment which the Souldiers wheresoever they came and that was almost every where in this kingdome made and the generall ceasing and neglect of commerce or trafficke the shipping not daring to stir abroad the danger being so great to be robbed and spoyled either by hombred pirates or forraine foes yet such was Gods great mercies that every one of these respectively were supplied and did subsist without any notable defect or extraordinary want Henry Holland Duke of Exceter and Earle of Huntington dishinherited by act of Parliament with Henry Duke of Somerset and Thomas Earle of Devonshire in the fourth yeere of King Edward the fourth was this yeare found dead stript naked betwixt Dover and Callice but how hee came by his death no inquiry could bring to light he married Anne daughter of Richard Duke of Yorke and sister to Edward the fourth but had no issue by her she was after married to Sir Thomas Saytleoger and had issue by him a daughter to George Mannors Lord Rosse of Hâ—…mlack Provision for this French expedition of all things necessary being throughly made aad order taken for the quiet government of the kingdome in his absence and the stop of incursiones if any should by the Scots be made King Edward with an army of fifteene hundred men at armes and all of the nobility and Gentry gallantly mounted and wel attended with fifteene thousand archers on horsebacke eight thousand common souldiers whereof five thousand were sent to Brittaine and three thousand pioners to attend the ordnance and
if the Duke of Britaine were disturbed wherupon K. Lewis rested satisfied though not contented whilst K. Edw. forslowed no time to acquaint the Duke of Britayne with all the passages some think that had not the desire of compassing the E. of Richmond and Pembrook now in the D. of Britaines countries bin a better motive then any respect unto the D. the French K. might have had better successe in his requests K. E. to give K. Lewis a tast of his respect towards him notwithstanding his deniall of the proposition for the Duke of Brittaine sends a messenger unto him to acquaint him with trechery of the Constable against him and to carry the more credit of the truth of what was intimated hee sent two letters written with the Constables owne hand which were sufficient testimonies to accuse and convince the Constable of those crymes wherewith afterwards King Edward charged him The mony to be payd by the Articles is borowed of the Parisians so willing they were to see the Englishmens backs accordingly payed over the hostages are delivered wherupon the army retiers to Callice frō thence are trāsported into England performance of the agreement to the content of both parts made the hostages are with great prōises rewards redelivered Some forbeare not to say that K. E. lost more honour in this voyage then hee had purchased in nine victories before gotten but they were such as measure kings actions by the crooked level of their own erroneous fancies But those of better understanding affirme that it had bin a great error in judgement for the K. to be longer absent frō his so late conquered kingdom but great wisdome policie in him to take hold upon such an occasion to come off so fairely with a match for his daughter which had it taken effect had sufficiently recompenced his charge trouble But private men must not dispute the actions of Princes And further to examine the reason of what in this kind at this time was done might give occasion of discourse but not instruction King Edward being returned into England not unmindful that a great storme might follow though but a smal cloud as yet appeared dispatched Embassador to the Duke of Brittain to perswade with him to have the young Earle of Richmond sent over unto him for that he desired to match him in mariage with the Lady Cecily his younger daughter this faire overture of marriage or rather the feeling mediation of Angels wherof some store were sent but more promised so prevailed with the D. That upon the receipt of the sum sent the E. of Richmond is delivered to the Embassadors who thence conducted him to S. Malos where whilst they staied for a wind by the cunning advise and plotting of the D. treasurer who as it may be by the sequel gathered not wel pleased not to have bin treated withal according to that court custome with a feeling respect a more then ordinary proportion or common gratuity being inseparably incident to his treasurers place more scorne to be so neglected then love to Richmond The young L. escapes into Sanctuary From whence nor promises nor prayers could procure him Neverthelesse upon Peter Londoys his promise he should be safely kept there The Embassadors without their marchandize or mony departed to the no little discontent of the K. who greived much that the lambe had escaped his woolvish intention But being taught the rule what he could not avoyd he made shew to receive willingly he for that time said little At Christmas following he created his eldest son Ed. Prince of Wales D. of Cornwale and E. of Chester his second son Duke of York giving the order of knighthood to the son heire of the E. of Lincolne many others He created foure and twenty knights of the Bath upon the creation of the Prince of Wales whereof Bryan chiefe Justice and Littleton a Iudge of the common Pleas were two Thus whilst K. Edw. in England lived in peace quiet the turbulent D. of Burgoyne never constant but alwayes in contention reaped the triple fruit therof this yeare at three several times The first at Ganson where he lost some honour but more wealth The second at Morat where he lost more honour and many men The last at Nancy where he not only lost men mony reputation but life also by the Switzers whom he had driven to a desparate resolution then not in hope to escape but to sell their lives when submissiō would not be accepted at the deerest rate they fought prevailed Now begins Rich. D. of York to set on foote his untill then close contrived divelish devises to compasse the attainment of the crown of England for the first seene of the ensewing tragedy to facilitate his passage he secretly begins to with draw the Kings affection from his brother George Duke of Clarence and to that purpose susurreth unto him that some of Clarence followers were sorcerers and Nigromancers and that they had given forth speeches that one one whos 's Christen name began with the letter G. should dishinherit his children and carry the crowne of England and to put some varnish upon this suggestion one of the Duke of Clarence his servants which came with him out of Ireland from Dublin where the Duke was borne is in his Masters absence he being then in the country by the procurement under hand of Glocester endighted arraigned condemned and executed at Tiborne for conjuration and all within the space of two dayes hereof the Duke of Clarence being thereto irritated by his brother Glocester grieuously complaines to King Edward who insteed of giving redresse suspecting now the truth of the Duke of Glocesters buzz tooke an occasion likewise by Glocesters advise howsoever he made a glozing shew to Clarence of being jealous of his honour and disliking of the kings disrespect as he termd it of his brothers abuse frame a colour to commit Clarence to the Tower where his loving Brother Richard not as it was feared without the Kings privitie tooke that order that hee should not for so hee faithfully promised him upon his first commitment lye long in prison before hee would procure his release That he was drowned in a but of Malmesey and then layd in his bed to perswade the people that he dyed of discontent This George Duke of Clarence was Earle of Warwicke and Salisbury Lord of Richmond and great Chamberlaine of England he married Isabell daughter and coheire of Richard Nevill the great Earle of Warwicke by whom hee had issue Edward afterwards Earle of Warwicke who dyed without issue and Margaret married to Sir Richard Pole knight who had issue Henry Lord Mountayne and Reginald Pole Cardinall The Pestilence about this time raged with that fury in most parts of this kingdome that the sword in fifteene yeeres before devoured not so many as that did in foure moneths The King upon some present occasion sent to
by the space of a day and a night and never a Vessell appearing observing an hourely encrease of armed souldiers upon the Coasts by Poole being assured they were none of his partakers because no tokens before agreed upon at his approach to bee used were presented The wind blowing a fresh gale the Earle hoisteth sayle and returning toward France arrived in Normandy From whence he dispatcheth messengers to the French King Charles the eight by whom hee readily received a safe conduct together with a liberall quantitie of French Crowns to beare his charges on the way whereupon the Earle sent his shipping about whilst hee by easie journies came by land into Brittaine where hee received the newes of the Duke of Buckinghams death and the dispersing of the Confederates forces which somewhat troubled him at first But afterwards hee was much comforted at the sight of the Marquesse Dorset and those brave Commanders that were come with him And presently they enter into consultation what course was to bee taken in their beginning and progresse of the intended action amongst whom it was then generally concluded That King Richard as a Tyrant and a Traitour should be proscribed That Richmond should take upon him the Regall Dignitie then by Richard usurped That Richmond should publickly make a solemne protestation to take to Wife the Lady Elizabeth eldest Daughter of Edward the fourth That all the Nobles Gentlemen and others of the English Nation there present should doe homage and sweare allegiance to the Earle of Richmond as to their Soveraigne Lord And each to other enterchangeably give assurance upon the seale of their salvation alone and together with others to prosecute Richard and protect Richmond to the expence of the last drop of blood in their bodyes and the profusion of all their substances This thus concluded on upon Christmasse day before the high Altar in the great Church of Reimes the Earle of Richmond gave oath to marry the Lady Elizabeth immediatly after hee was quietly seated in the government of England And thereupon all the Lords and Knights there present the Bishop of Exceter showing them the way did doe him homage And in the same place each to other religiously did vow taking the Sacrament thereupon never to surcease prosecuting warre against Richard the Vsurper untill his deposition or destruction Relation hereof being made to the Duke of Britain he voluntarily made offer to furnish the Earle with all things necessary for the enterprise all things are accordingly providing in those parts whilst King Richard makes a diligent enquiry after all those that might bee suspected to bee favourers or furtherers of Richmonds association many of them are apprehended amongst whom Sir George Browne and Sir Roger Clifford with foure Gentlemen more are executed at London Sir Thomas Sentleger who had married Anne the Duke of Ezceters Widow the Kings owne sister and Thomas Rame Esquire were executed at Exceter And at an Assises held at Torrington for the Countie of Devon Thomas Marquesse Dorset and all such as were with the Earle of Richmond were indicted of high Treason and at the Parliament which presently followed all those so indicted were attainted and all their lands and good seized upon Thomas Lord Stanley is enforced to purge himselfe by oath and to sweare that hee then was altogether innocent of any trecherous practise against the King and unacquainted with any his Wives courses touching the succouring her Sonne yet neverthelesse hee is commanded to keepe her close and not to suffer any to have libertie to write to or confer with her A truce is concluded betwixt England and Scotland to continue for three yeares And for the better settling of amitie and concord betwixt the two kingdomes a Marriage is treated of betwixt the Duke of Rothsay the King of Scots eldest Sonne and the Lady Anne de la Poole King Richards Sisters Daughter formerly married to John de la Poole Duke of Suffolke John Earle of Lincolne the said Annes Brother King Richards Nephew is likewise the Daughters of Edward the fourth being excluded proclaimed heire of the Crowne of England Suspition seldome but slumbers never sleepes And a guiltie conscience is ever-more broad waking The jelousie of Richmonds Title and the horrour of King Richards conscience for the murther of his two innocent Nephewes so justly affright him that his sleepes are evermore interrupted with fearefull dreames insomuch that hee did often leape out of his bed in the darke and catching his sword which alwayes naked stucke by his side hee would goe distractedly about the Chamber every where seeking to find out the cause of his owne occasioned disquiet And in the day time hee alwayes would hold his hand upon his Ponyard as though hee would not bee behind-hand to requite the stroke of a sword with a stabbe his braines were still working and his cogitations hammering out strange stratagems for Massacres There must be no stone left unremoved whereupon Richmon might have footing Embassadours are sent to the Duke of Britaine with instructions upon any termes to procure or purchase his Person to bee delivered unto them But the Duke by extremitie of sicknesse was falne into that weaknesse that the Embassadours could have no audience Whereupon they addressed themselves to Peter Landoyes chiefe Treasurer to the Duke and his great Favourite They having found out the length of his foot by the experience of other mens successe that negotiated with him They so annointed him with oyle of Angels and large promises of the King of Englands ready willingnesse to make more ample satisfaction for any courtesie therein by him to be done That he resolutely undertaketh that the Kings pleasure shall bee in that point procured what injoyned this Treasurer that at Saint Mallowes not long before had countermined King Richards Enginers and preserved the Earle from the danger of the plotte That now hee should undertake to ingulph him in that quagmire from whence so lately hee had freed him cannot easily bee conjectured except that the eminencie of his place farre transcending his descent or desert had brought him into the generall hatred of those whom either hee by his inward power with the Duke had any wayes injured a course too common amongst those of like condition and qualitie or otherwise had not given that fulnesse of content that was expected And thrust him into the contempt of his betters by birth that scorned to have such a bubble to take place before them or into the envie of all such that would but could not obtaine like favour and preferment or into the hatred of the Commons who seldome or never thinke or speake well of Officers in like place that purchase their Masters favours by filling his coffers and emptying their purses And that hee could not devise a better meanes how to arme himselfe strongly against the machinations and excursions of such incertaine enemies but by the friendship and protection of so potent a Monarch as the King of
England was the validitie of whose gold and the power of whose arme might purchase or procure his freedome or sasetie if at any time thereafter impeached Whilst the Treasurer is plotting and placing his engines to make delivery of the merchandise as afore bought and sold. God who alwayes provideth for the deliverance out of danger for those that trust in him had so appointed that Christopher Vrswicke is sent out of Flaunders from Morton Bishop of Ely who by Gods especiall care and providence was ever mindfull and carefully watchfull of the Earle of Richmonds prosperous proceeding to forewarne the Earle of the neere and certaine perill hee was in and to acquaint him both with the plot and the meanes to prevent it The Earle quickly resenteth it and presently dispatcheth Vrswicke to the French King to crave the continuance of his gracious favour and againe to grant him safe passage thorow his Dominions Vrswicke was no sooner gone on his way but the Earle making no more then needs must acquainted with his intention having procured a guide by unfrequented wayes to conduct him into France gave private directions to the Earle of Penbrooke to make an overture to drawe his forces towards the Duke of Britaine who by this time had beene somewhat recovered of his maladie and was retired to take the ayre neere the borders of France That hee as though so by him desired might make view of them But assoone as ever they came neere any the confines of France hee should with all convenient speed make entrance thereinto and attend further directions The Earle of Pembrooke punctually followed his directions and safely arrived in the Dutchy of Anjou where they made their randevow Richmond with only five in his company himselfe disguised like an ordinary Serving-man through Woods and by-wayes came to Angeirs whither some of his retinue were gotten before and attended his comming From thence hee writeth to the Duke of Britaine excusing his so sudden and unmannerly departure occasioned through his certaine danger if not thus avoided by the plot aforesaid Some few dayes after his departure the Treasurer with a selected company of souldiers under the conduct of John Vitry Landoys his onely creature and counsellour who gave forth by the way that these men were waged for the ayde of the Earle of Richmond and to that purpose had Vitry formerly written to the Earle came to Vans where hearing of the Earles sudden departure hee sent out his Vauntcorriers into every quarter to apprehend and stay him but they lost their labours Sir Edward Woodvile and Captaine Poynings with their Companies being left behind in Vans had beene in great hazard to have beene distressed but their discreet behaviour both then and before had gotten a good opinion amongst the Townsmen that they quietly permitted their stay amongst them untill they had informed the Duke by the meanes of the Chancellour who was their friend and Landoys antagonist of their estate who much displeased with the harsh usage of the Earle by Landoys out of a noble and commendable disposition furnished them not only with money to discharge their debts in the Towne but also with carriages and all necessaries for their orderly accommodation in their march to the Earle of Richmond whither with a safe conduct hee sent them where they safely arrived The Earle returnes thankes to the Duke and with an authenticall Instrument whereby the Earle and all the Gentlemen present had subscribed to the repayment of the money lent and satisfaction of all things else by those Companyes received sends him a more ample and perfect remonstrance of the Treasurers trechery which afterwards gave just occasion to the Duke of Britaines kinred who were by Decree of the King and all the Peeres of France in regard of the Dukes infirmitie to manage the affaires of the Dutchy to question Landoys for that and other overbold actions of his to his after-overthrow For hee and his Favourite John Vitry upon the just complaint of the Chancellour and the unappeasable fury of the inraged multitude had their processe legally made against them and were accordingly hanged The Earle of Richmond admitted to the presence of the French King acquaints him with his intention and laying claime to the Crowne of England and his meanes of prosecution thereof and requesteth his amitie and assistance Both which King Charles faithfully promised and as effectually performed to his great honour In the interim Richmond and his retinue are honourably entertained and bountifully feasted in the French Court and many proffers of matches to the young English Bachelers there made but none succeeded Whilst the Earle is thus attending in the French Court John Vere Earle of Oxford who had long beene Prisoner in the Castle of Hams had so prevalently perswaded with James Blunt Captaine of the Fortresse and Sir John Fortescue Porter of the Towne of Callice that they not only gave him leave to take his owne liberty but accompanied him to the Earle of Richmond of whom they are joyfully welcommed and to him Captaine Blunt gives assurance that the Fortresse did remaine only at his devotion To the Earle at this time there resorted divers young Gentlemen that were students in the Vniversity of Paris proffering him their service amongst whom was Richard Fox at that time very famous for good Clerkship and faire carriage to whom the Earle then gave entertainment and then advised with him in all his affaires but afterwards upon proofe of his good abilities he made him one of his most privy Councell King Richard being informed that his Chapmen could not compasse his so much desired merchandize in Britaine and that Richmond was safe and fairely entertained in the French Kings Court hee resolved not to leave any thing undone how vile and nefarious soever that might further him to defeate his Adversary And being perswaded that hee could by any meanes anticipate the Earle from matching with his Neece Elizabeth And being so flesht in villany that custome in him had taken away all sence of sinning This downright instrument of the Divell resolveth to ridde his hands of Anne his Queene and as it were to win the prize from all precedent Tyrants in being guiltlesse of no impietie hee attempteth the marriage of his Neece his Queene being yet living But shee good Lady shall bee quickly made sure enough from hindring his despicable designe in joyning incest to murther And thus resolved cloking his wolvish condition under the vaile of innocent well-meaning this Monster of men backt by the divell and his dissembling lookes endevoureth to perswade the Queene of England his Brothers Widow that hee most entirely affected her pleasure and her childrens preferment and to obtaine her good opinion would not only pardon the Earle Dorset but promote him and all their kinred to Honour and prime offices of the Kingdome So farre hee prevailed with this meere pittifull Queene that shee had quite forgotten the murther of her innocent infants the butchering of her owne
it so home that the adverse part not able or at lest not willing to endure the shock for the cause of quarrell in a Souldier encreaseth the courage or abateth the edge of resolution gave grownd which moved King Richard to bring on the maine battaile And with a desperat resolution entred so farre into the enemies battaile that with his own hands hee slew Sir William Brandon Richmonds chiefe standard bearer and unhorst Sir Iohn Cheney a strong and stout man at armes And at length encountring with the Earle of Richmond enterchanged some buffets But Henry ayded by the divine helpe and favoured with the uprightnesse of his cause with stood Richards forceable assault But whilst the armies on both sides stood striving in a doubtfull hazard who should win the price Sir William Stanley with three thousand fresh men crying S. George a Richmond joyned with his brothers Souldiers brake into King Richards battayle who thereupon fled incontinently leaving their King behind to make a bloody catastrophe of his slaughterly raigne who throughly enraged furiously fighting without discretion or ability to prevaile he fell under the sword of his enemies The rumor of his death and the rowting of the battaile gave occasion to the reregard Commanded by Henry Earle of Northumberland who rather wished then expected what did befall to submit without striking stroke whereby the victory fell to the Earle Richmonds part who upon certainty thereof instantly in most religious divotion gave order for publicke thanks giving to God for their happy preservation and he himselfe that gave the precept made himselfe the patterne therein alighting from his horse and kneeling upon his knees first privatly to himselfe and then publickly with the rest gave glory to his maker There were not above one thousand slaine on both sides the cheife of whom was Iohn Duke of Norfolke who was often warned and much laboured that day to forbeare the field in regard there was found written upon his tent-dore Iack of Norfolke be not to boold For Dickon thy Master is bought and sold. But what God had before appointed could not be prevented This Iohn Howard was the sonne of Sir Robert Howard knight and Margaret eldest daughter and coheire of Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk in whose right he was created Duke of Norfolk the five and twentieth day of Iune in the yeare of our Lord 1483. He married two wives the first was Katherine daughter of William Lord Mullyns by whom he had issue one sonne and foure daughters Thomas that succeeded him and was created Earle of Surry in the first yeare of King Richard the third and was restored to grace and made Lord Treasurer in the sixteenth yeare of Henry the seventh and 1 Anne married to Sir Edmond Gorge knight 2 Isabell married to Robert Mortymer of Essex knight 3 Iane married to Thomas Tymperley Esquire and Margaret married to Iohn Windham of Cowtherck in Norfolk knight This Dukes second wife was Margaret daughter of Sir Iohn Chadworth knight by whom he had issue Katherine married to Iohn Bourcheir Lord Berners and no more Walter Lord Ferrers Sir Richard Ratcliff and Sir Robert Brackenbury knights with William Catesby an utterbarrister with some others were taken flying And shortly after executed at Leicester Francis Vicount Lovell and the two Staffords escaped and tooke Sanctuary in S. Iohns at Glocester Henry Earle of Northumberland submitting himselfe was not onely pardoned but received into favour whilst Thomas Howard Earle of Surry eldest sonne of Iohn Duke of Norfolk that then and there rendred himselfe as the other did to the conquerors mercy was committed close prisoner in Leicester and from thence sent to the Tower of London There were not on the Earle of Richmonds part above one hundred slaine the principall whereof was William Brandon This battaile was fought at Rodner neere Bosworth the two and twentieth day of August in the yeare of our Lord God 1486. After publicke thanks giving was as before prescribed orderly and religiously performed Earle Henry gave order to search amongst the slaine for such as were but wounded commanding those carefully to be drest and the other to be with decency on both sides buried The body of King Richard being amongst the slaughtered carkases found the whole armie gave a generall shoute and with loud acclamations of long live King Henry made the field ecchoe againe The Lord Stanly having in his custody King Richard the usurpers Crowne which amongst the spoyles his souldiers had found and brought to him placed the same on Earle Henryes head wherewith the souldiers reiterated their joyfull acclamations making the fields resound with long live King Henry of that name the seventh as if by their onely suffrages he had bin elected and confirmed King of England Here with the tent-keepers of the usurper came and submitted themselves to the Lord Stanly and brought with them young George Strange whom the usurper upon the Lord Stanlyes refusall presently to draw downe his forces to joyne with him had sworne before he went to dinner by the life of S. Paul to have had beheaded But was perswaded by his councell to forbeare the execution untill the battaile should be determined now being brought to the presence of his father The young Gentleman being thereto by his keepers instructed before craved the help of his mediation to the king for their pardon which was willingly undertaken and as easily procured From thence the camp presently removed and King Henry marched to the Towne of Leicester where for the more refreshing of his men and the better accommodation of himselfe for his journey towards the City of London he remained two dayes In the meane time the body of the usurper starke naked all mangled and besmeared with blood and dust without so much as the lest ragge to cover his privities was trussed behind Blanch Senigleer his owne Pursevant of armes like butchers ware his heads and his armes hanging on the one side of the horse his legs on the other and so was brought to Leicester where for a spectacle of hate and scorne by the space of two dayes he lay bare and uninterred At last by the Charitie of the Gray Fryers there without solemne funerall pompe scarce with ordinary solemnitie he was inhumed in their Monastery there he reigned two yeares two moneths and one day This Richard married Anne second daughter of Richard Nevill commonly stiled great Earle of Warwicke by whom he had issue Edward whom at twelue moneths old he created Prince of Wales but happily dyed before his father This Richard was borne at Fodringhay Castle in Northamptonshire the third sonne of Richard Duke of Yorke younger brother of George Duke of Clarence by him murdred in the Tower After the death of his brother King Edward the fourth he procured himselfe to be made Protector and guardian of his two Nephewes of whom he made himselfe the execrable murtherer For a fuller expression of his Character he was borne a monster in nature with all
besieged 1422. A Parliament in the Kings absence called The birth of Henry the sixt The Dolphin besieged Cosney An. 1422. R. 9. King Henry dieth The Duke of Bedford made Generall of Normandy The Duke of Glocester Protector Ann. 1422 R. 1. The Dolphin proclaimed King Pont Melon surprized by the French An. 1422. R. 3. Reduced by the Earle of Salisbury The league renewed with Burgoine A conspiracy at Paris Preventtd and punished The French defeated Ann. 1422 R. 2. The King of Scots marieth the Duke of Somersets Daughter Crotoy lost and recovered The English are victorious at Vernoyle 1424. The reduction of Vernoyle An. 14. 24. R. 3. The French frighted with the name of Salisbury A jarre betwixt the brothers in England drawes the Regent into Ergland The young King knighted The Regent returnes to France Burgoyne by letter disswades Glocester from his new wife The name of Salisbury a bugbeare to the French 1426. Ponterson taken by the English Mounts retaken 1427. An. 1427. R. 6. The pollicy of the French The death of Salisbury the downfall of the English good fortune Both wind Sun against the English The French every where revolt The Regent defies the French King The Armies on both sides in array An. 1428. R. 7. 1429. Henry the sixt Crowned The constancy of the Lord Barbason Ann. 1429 Reg. 8. Charles attempts Paris But disappointed retreats The Regent desirous to cope with King Charles An. 1430. R. 9. The Earle of Britaine defeated 1430. The Pusil Ioane taken Proceeded against Burned King Henry in person goeth into France King Henry returnes for England after a Truce concluded The Regent having buried the sister of Burgoyne marrieth a second wife An. 1432. R. 11. The Peasants in Normandy rebell The Duke of Burbon receiveth liberty of body out of prison and losse of life all in one day At St. Omers the Dukes of Bedford and Burgoyne meet and depart without conference 1435. The death of the Regent Emulation betwixt the Vncle and Nephew thwart the businesse in France Ann. 1435 R. 12. Callice besieged by the Duke of Burgoyne The Duke of Burgoyne retreats from Callice An. 1437. R. 13. 1437. The death of three great Ladyes The King of Scots murthered Ann. 1439 R. 14. A Parliament at Westminster Roan attempted but with losse to the French An. 1437. R. 16. Ann. 1437 Reg. 15. The Lord Talbot harroweth Piccardy 1438. Famine in England Pestilence in Paris 1439. An. 1439. R. 18. Ponthoys taken by the English Ponthoys succoured The French King braved by the Regent but is patient Treaty for a peace Ann. 1441 Reg. 20. The Duke of Orleance released The Earle of Saint Paul forsaketh the English An. 1442. R. 20. The Castle of Cornhill surprized by a stratagem Vnnaturall dissention betwixt brothers An. 1442. R. 21. Ann. 1442 Reg. 21. King Henry betrothed to the Earle of Arminacks Daughter An. R. 22. A truce agreed upon The Earle of Suffolk transends his Commission An. 1444. R. 22. 23. King Henry marrieth Duke Rayners Daughter 1444. The Regent comes for England An. 1416. R. 24. Glocesiers destruction plotted 1448. The Cardinal of Winchester dies William Wanfleet consecrated Bishop of Winchester An. 1430. R. 26. The truce broken by the English Ardes surprised An. 1449. R. 27. The Duke of Yorke sent into Ireland The English overthrowne An overbold but true language An. 1450. R. 27. Suffolke traduced The Parliament adjourned from Black-fryers to Lecester and then to Westminster Suffolke committed to the Tower A Parliament summoned Mortymer incites the many to insurrection The grievances of the Commons tendred to the Parliament Captaine Mend-all his private petition The two Staffords defeated and slaine The forme of Iacke Cades Warrant The captaine of the rebells slaine The Bishop of Salisbury murthered An. 1452. R. 29. A Parliament The Duke of Yorkes policy to cloake his intention Yorke raiseth forces in Wales The King sends to the Duke of Yorke Yorks answer Yorke dismisseth his army Yorke takes the oath of allegiance Burdeux is reduced Shrowsbury with his fourth sonne and his naturall brother slain at Chattillon 1453. Ann. 1453 R. 30. The Queene delivered of a Sonne Norman the first Lord Maior that went by water to Westminster to take his oath The Queenes Attourney with others slaine in a fray The Duke of Yorke writeth to the King Ann. 1454 R. 33. First battell at St. Albones The Duke of Somerset slaine 1455. Ann. 1455 Reg. 33. The Duke of Yorke conveyeth the K. to London Yorke made Protector of the King The Merchant strangers rifled An invasion attempted by the French Sandwich plundered The Scots make an inroad The Sheriffs of London in trouble for the escape of the Lord Egrimond Ann. 1455 Reg. 33. The Duke of Yorke with the Earles of Salisbury and Warwick betake themselves to their severall strengths The General agreement amongst the Nobilitie by the mediation of the King An. 1449 Strange apparitions An. 1459. R. 34. Sonne against father 1459. Subjects against Soveraigns Father against Sonne A fray An. 1458. R. 34. Three great Carricks taken worth 10000. 2. Battailes fought The Lord Audley slaine The Duke of Yorke flyeth An. 1428. R. 38. A Parliament The Earle of Warwicke with 25000. men taketh the field 3. Battell at Northampton Warwicke possest of the Tower An. 1459. R. 39. The Duke of Yorke puts in claime The Duke of Yorke to be proclaimed heire to the Crowne and Protector 4. Battell at Wakefield Young Rutland butchered The Earle of Salisbury beheaded Ann. 1458 R. 34. 1461. Fift battell at Mortimers crosse Sixt battel second at Saint Albones The Lord Bonvile and Thomas Kiryell beheaded by the Queene contrary to the Kings promise 30. Knights made Prince Edward dubbed Knight The Families of Yorke and Lancaster distinguished by the red Rose and white The Archbishop of Canterbury animated the Duke of Yorke to take upon him the Crowne Ann. 1460 Reg. 1. The Dukes title to the Crowne double An. 1460. R. 2. Edward leaveth London Lord Fitzwalter slaine at Ferry-brig 1461. The Lord Clifford slaine Ann. 1461 Reg. 2. The Earle of Northumberland with 36776. English slaine at Caxton field Edward the 4. Crowned An. 1461. R. 24. An. 1462 R. 2. An. 1642. R. 2. Conquet and Ree taken and pillaged by the Earles of Essex and Kent Sir Ralph Piercy slaine The Earle of Somerset taken prisoner An. 1464 R. 3. King Henry brought prisoner to the Tower The Earle of Warwick sent into France An. 1466 R. 6. Of Thomas Lord Scales of Nucells An. 1466 R. 9. The Lord Stafford forsakes Pembrooke Sir Hen Nevil slaine Ann. 1469 R. 9. King Edward taken prisoner King Edward escapes An. 1470 R. 10. The Lord Wells and Sir Thomas Dymock beheaded Ann. 1470 R. 10. Loose Coatefield Warwick entertained by the French King Visited by Queene Margaret Ioyne inconfederacy against King Edward Prince Edward married to his daughter The Burgonian Fleet dispersed Doctor Goddards Sermon at Pauls crosse King Edward enforced to forsake the land King Edward in danger of Pirates King Edward craveth succour of the Duke of Burgoyne Queene Elizabeth taketh Sanctuary at Westminster Rebells of Kent suppressed by Warwicke King Henry set at libertie A Parliament The Crowne entayled upon Clarence The Queene delivered of a Sonne An. 1471. R. 11. King Edward is admitted into Yorke An. 1471. R. 11. Warwicke entrencheth at Coventry King Edward entreth London An. 1471. R. 10. Warwicke slaine An. 1472 R. 11. Marquesse Mountacute Queene Margaret taken prisoner Prince Edw. slaughtered King Henry murdered Ann. 1472 R. 12. An. 1473. R. 13. A Kings kys to a rich widdow procured 40. where but 20. was expected An. 1474. R. 14. The Duke of Exceter found dead Ann. 1474 R. 4. King Edward writes to the French King * 300. crowns in gold and 30. yards of red velvet The duke of Burgoyn excuseth his breach of promise The Constable repromiseth ayd An. 1474 R. 14. Burgoyne departeth promising speedy returne The policy of the French King King Edward sends an Herald of armes to Lewis * S. Leoger Burgoyne retornes displeased The French Kingliberally rewardeth the good carriage of the English The manner of the internew of the 2 Kings King Edward could not be drawne from ayding the Duke of Brittayne A. 1475. R. 15. King Edward attempteth by a colourable pretence to procure Richmands person to be delivered to him Delivered to the Embassadors Escapeth into Sanctuary An. 1477. R. 17. Clarence drowned An. 1480. R. 22. An. 1483. R. 23. An. 1483. An. 1483. R. 1. An. 1484. R. 1. An. 1484. R. 2. Humphry Duke of Buckirgham slain at St. Albones 1455. Humphry slain at Northampton 38. H. 6. 1460. An. 1484 An. 1484 R. 1. An. 1484. Reg. 2. Richmonds ex hertation Battaile 1. Anno 1455. Dukes 1. Earles 3. Lords 1. Knights 11. Esquires 18. 5641. Battaile 2. Anno 1459. Lord 1. Knights 7. 2411. Knight 1. Battaile 3. Anno 1459. Duke 1. Earle 1. Lord 1. Viscount 1. Knight 1. Lord 1. Battaile 4. Anno 1469. Duke 1. Earles 2. Knights 8. Battaile 5. Anno 1491. Knight 1. Battaile 6. Lord 1. Knights 3. Battaile 7. Anno 1491. Earles 4. Lords 9. Knights 22. 37046. Battaile 7. Anno 1463. Knight 1. 107. Anno 1464. Duke 1. Lords 3. Knights 20. 2024. Battaile 8. Anno 1469. 5009. Earles 3. Lords 3. Knights 11. Battaile 9. Anno 1470. Knights 〈◊〉 10000. Battaile 10. Anno 1471. Earle 1. Marquesse 1. Lords 3. Knights 2. 10000. Battaile 11. Anno praedict A Prince Dukes 2. A Marquesse A Lord Prior An Earle A Baron Knights 20. Esquires 37. 1092. Battaile 12. Anno 1485. King 100. Duke 1. Lord 1. Knights 3. * Knights eldest Sonnes * Of coat-armour and Ancestry
end of August following In which time the truce began to be forgotten for the French awaiting all occasions of advantage by secret plots and devises had cunningly possessed themselves of divers Castles places of strength justifying their actions and affirming that what was politickly obtained without blows was no infringement of the Truce And afterwards they perfidiously conveyed 200. men at armes into the Castle of Roan presuming to have surprized it but being discouered they were all taken and either executed as traytours or ransomed The Regent knowing these coles would quickly kindle speeds him to his charge and preparation on both sides is made for war wherein he found the Duke of Burgoine lesse forward then he had used to be whereby the Regent found his affection did slacke but would not seeme to take notice thereof The Lord Talbot having payed his ransome commeth to the Regent bringeth with him 700. tryed souldiers They take the field on both sides in warlike manner making shews of encounter but twice together being provoked by the Regent to fight the French slunke away in the darke as not daring to abide the hazard of a battell The Peasants of Normandy pretending to shake off the English yoke which never had beene made insupportable rudely armed themselves and in outragious manner drew towards Cane but having neither power to command nor honesty to obey they were by the Earle of Arundel and the Lord Willoughby encountred and easily overthrowne with the slaughter of 1000. of them the rest were all taken whereof the chiefe Leaders were executed as traytors and the baser sort upon submission and acknowledgement of their errours permitted to depart to their severall homes But the Earle and the Lord Willoughby being now in the field and having intelligence that le Hire had besieged the Castle of Gorbury drew thither with intent to have succoured it but finding themselves too weak they made account to have retired to Beavoys but being descried they were pursued by le Hire who having advantage charged the Earle perceiving no safetie but not to hope of help resolved to win or dye fought valiantly but the Earle is dangerously wounded by the shot of a Culvering which caused the Lord Willoughby to retyre and convey the wounded Earle to Beavoys where within three dayes hee dyed say the Historians but the Harrolds say he dyed and was buried at Lewis in Sussex he married Mawd the Daughter of Sir Robert Lovell and had issue Humphry that succeeded him and Avitie married to Iames Butler Earle of Ormon and Wiltshire After the death of Arundel the Lord Willoughby dispierced his forces to their former garrisons but stayed himselfe there The Duke of Burbon taken at the battell of Agincourt after eighteene yeares imprisonment paying 18000 pounds for his ransome the same day hee was enlarged dyed at London Charles his Son who had married the Sister of the Duke of Burgoyn succeeded his Father Betwixt the two brother-in-lawes an unnaturall jarre was raysed but by the mediation of Mary Dutchesse of Berry they are reconciled by whose labour and industry with the helpe of the Duke of Burbon a reconciliation is likewise wrought betweene the French King and Burgoyne The jealousie between the Regent and the Duke of Burgoyne now was publickly discerned Whereby those that cald to mind the great charge that Henry the Fift gave on his death-bed carefully to retaine that Dukes amity laboured an enterview betwixt them to remove all scruples on either part which was obtained and Saint Omers was the place agreed upon where both Dukes being arrived they both standing too punctually on points of Honour who should give prioritie of visitation the Duke of Bedford as the Sonne Brother and Vncle of a King and Regent of France pretended it dishonourable for him to begin and the other challenging the same as of right belonging to him to have the first place the same being within his own Dominions The wisest in some points are foolish they both departed more discontented then before the haughtinesse of the spirit of the one and the great stomacke of the other being unable to give way to their unruly passions And hereupon the Duke of Burgoyne made choice rather to enter league with him that had murthered his Father then to keepe his oath with the King of England or the bond of love so often plighted with the Regent his friend and Brother-in-law And upon the receipt of a blancke Charter under the French Kings Seale to insert what Conditions of peace hee would hee proved renegado and falsified his faith to England lost his reputation to the world and sold himselfe slave to perpetuall ignomy The Towne of Saint Dennis by the perfidiousnesse of Mathew Gougley was betrayed to the Bastard of Orleance but the Lord Talbot presently beguirt the same with a siege to raise which the bastard Orleance drew great forces together but before their approach the Towne was given up and beatento the ground The inhabitants of Pontoys neverthelesse rebell and thrust out the English garrison whose examples did set the Parisians mindes on worke to tread the same steps but the Regents vigilancie over them hindred their intentions But now began the bright light of Englands glory to be ecclipsed those glorious beames of victory which they formerly had obtained every day more and more to decline The triple twine being cleane untwisted for the thrice renowned wise and circumspect Iohn Regent of France Duke of Bedford Aniou and Alanson Earle of Mayne Harecourt Dreux Richmond and Carlile and Vicount Beamond the Atlas whose shoulders kept the realme of France from sliding from their allegiance sworne to King Henries Father and Sonne upon the fourteenth of September 1435. at Paris exchanged all his glory here for the fruition of a more sempiternall felicitie in another place he was buried at Roan in our Ladies Church Whereat the Nobilitie of Normandy much repined as seeming desirous to have had some place of their owne territories to have been honoured by giving sepulture to so nobly deserving a Patriot unto them Yet such was their levitie that within few yeares after in the Raigne of Lewis the Sonne of Charles they instantly desired to have the Monument erected over him to bee demolished alleaging it was dishonourable to have so arch an enemy to France interred in the Metropolitan Citie of that Province But Lewis answered God forbid I should give way to so dishonourable an act as to molest the quiet of his dead bones that living would if offended have molested all here and it savours of too much basenesse to insult upon a dead Lyon Hee had two wives the first was Anne Sister of the Duke of Burgoyne the second Iaqueline daughter of Peter Earle of Saint Paul but had issue by neither No sooner was his death divulged but infinite alterations followed aswell in England as France Edmond Duke of Somerset as much affecting Soveraigne command underhand laboured to