him by Baldwyn Earle of Flaunders he tooke the Sea for England where comming to shoare Earle Goodwyn met him and bound himselfe by Oath to be his guide to his Mother Queene Emma but being wrought firme for Harold he led him and his company a contrary way and lodged them at Guilford making knowne to King Harold what he had done who presently committed them all to slaughter sparing onely every tenth man for service or sale Prince Alfred himselfe he sent Prisoner to the Isle of Ely where having his eyes inhumanely put out in griefe and torment he ended his life Some adde a more horrible kind of cruelty as that his belly was opened and one end of his bowels drawne out and fastned to a stake his body pricked with Needles or Poignards and forced about till all his Entrailes were extracted This done he then set upon Queene Emma confiscated her Goods and banished her the Realme And now further to secure himselfe he kept the Seas with sixteene Danish Ships to the maintenance whereof he charged the English with great payments by which if he procured the safety of his Person he certainly procured the hatred of his Subjects This King for his swiftnesse in running was called Harefoot but though by his swiftnesse he out-runne his Brother for the Kingdome yet could he not runne so fast but that death quickely overtooke him For having Raigned onely foure yeares and some moneths he dyed at Oxfordâ— and was buryed at Westminster having never had Wife or Children Of the third and last Danish King in England KIng Harold being dead the Lords to make amends for their former neglect send now for Hardiknute and offer him their Allegeance who accepteth their offer and thereupon taking Sea arrived upon the Coast of Kent the sixth day after he had set saile out of Denmarke and with great pompe conveyed to London was there Crowned King by Elnothus Arch-bishop of Canterbury in the yeare 1040. His first Act was to be revenged of his deceased brother Harold whose body he caused to be digged up and throwne into the Thames where it remained till a Fisherman found it and buryed it in the Church yard of Saint Clement without Temple Barre commonly called Saint Clement Danes because it was the burying place of the Danes as some write But towards his Mother and halfe Brother Prince Edwâ—rd he shewed true naturall affection inviting them both to returne into England where he received them with all the honour that from a Sonne or Brother could be expected But now as the King Harold for his swiftnesse in running was surnamed Harefooâ—e So this King for his intemperance in dyet might have been surnamed Swines-mouth or Boccâ—di Porco for his Tables were spread every day foure times and furnished with all kindes of curious dishes as delighting in nothing but Gormandizing and Swilling and as for managing the State he committed it wholly to his Mother Qâ—eene Emma and to the politicke Earle of Kent Godwyn who finding this weaknesse in the King began to thinke himselfe of aspiringâ— and to make the better way for it he sought by all meanes to alien the Subjects hearts from the Prince amongst other courses he caused him to lay heavy Taxes upon them onely for Ship-money to pay his Danes amounting to two and thirty thousand pounds which was so offensive to the people that the Citizens of Worcester slew two of his Officers Thurstaâ— and Feâ—dax that came to Collect it But this King had soone the reward of his Intemperance For in a Solemne Assembly and Banquet at Lambeth Revelling and Carowsing he suddenly fell downe without speech or breath after he had Raigned only two yeares and was buryed at Winchester His death was so welcome to his Subjects that the day of his death is to this day commonly celebrated with open pastimes in the street and is called Hocks-tide signifying scorning or contempt which fell upon the Danes by his death For with him ended the Raigne of the Danes in England after they had miserably afflicted the kingdome for the space of two hundred and forty yeares though in Regall Government but onely six and twenty Of English Kings againe and first of Edward the Confessour KIng Hardiknute dying without issue as having never beene marryed and the Danish line cleane extinguished Edward for his Piety called the Confessour halfe Brother to the deceased Hardiknute and sonne to King Ethelred by his Wife Queene Emma was by a generall consent admitted King of England and was Crowned at Winchester by Edsyne Arch-bishop of Canterbury on Easter day in the yeare 1042. being then of the age of forty yeares He was borne at Islip neare to Oxford and after his Fathers death for safety sent into France to the Duke of Normandy his Mothers Brother from whence he now came to take upon him the Crowne of England His Acts for gaining the Peoples love were first the remitting the yearely tribute of forty thousand pounds gathered by the name of Danegilt which had beene imposed by his Father and for forty yeares together paid out of all mens Lands but onely the Clergy and then from the divers Lawes of the Mercians West Saxons Danes and Northumbrians he selected the best and made of them one Body certaine and written in Latine being in a sort the Fountaine of those which at this day we tearme the Common Lawes though the formes of pleading and processe therein were afterward brought in by the Conquerour The Raigne of this King was very peaceable Onely in his sixth yeare the Danish Pirates entred the Port of Sandwich which with all the Sea-coast of Essex they spoyled and then in Flanders made merchandise of their prey As likewise the Irish with thirty ships entred Severne and with the assistance of Griffyth King of Southwales burnt or â—lew all in their way till at last Reese the brother of Griffyth was slaine at Bâ—lenden and his head presented to King Edward at Glocester His Domesticall troubles were onely by Earle Gâ—dwyn and his sonnes who yet after many contestations and affronts were reconciled and Godwyn received againe into as great favour as before But though King Edward forgave his Treasons yet the Divine Providence did not for soone after as he sate at Table with the King on Easter Munday he was suddenly strucken with death and on the Thursday following dyed and was buryed at Winchester Some make his death more exemplar as that justifying himselfe for Prince Alfreds death he should pray to God that if he were any way guilty of it he might never swallow downe one morsell of bread and thereupon by the just Judgement of God was choaked by the first morsell he offered to eate In this Kings time such abundance of snow fell in Ianuary continuing till the middle of March following that almost all Cattell and Fowle perished and therewithall an excessive dearth followed Two Acts are related of this King that seeme nothing correspondent to the generall opinion had of his Vertue
Church was founded before the Conquest by Ingelricus and Emardus his Brother Cousins to King Edward the Confessour These were this Kings workes of Piety in England but in Normandy he Founded also an Abbey at Caen where his Wife Maude built likewise a Monastery of Nunnes He gave also to the Church of Saint Stephens in Caen two Manors in Dorsetshire one Mannor in Devonshire another in Essex much Land in Barkeshire some in Norfolke a Mansion house in Woodstreete London with many Advowsons of Churches and even he gave his Crowne and Regall Ornaments to the said Church being of his owne Foundation for the redemption whereof his Sonne Henry gave the Manour of Brydeton in Dorsetshire In this Kings time Robert sonne to Hyldebert Laâ—ie Founded the Priory of Ponâ—fraite Henry Earle Ferrers Founded a Priory within his Castle at Tutbury Alwyn Chylde a Citizen of London Founded the Monastery of Saint Saviours at Bermondsey in Southwarke and gave to the Monkes there divers Rents in London Also in this Kings time Mauricâ— Bishop of London after the firing of the former Church of Saint Paul in London began the Foundation of the new Church a worke so admirable that many thought it would never have beene finished Towards the building of the East end whereof the King gave the choyce stones of his Castle at the West end of the City upon the banke of the River Thames which Castle having beene at that time fired in place thereof Edward Kilwarby Arch-bishop of Canterbury did afterwards Found a Monastery of Blacke-fryers The King also gave the Manor of Storford to the same Maurice and to his Successours in that See after whose decease Richard his next Successour bestowed all the Rents of his Bishopricke to advance the building of this Church maintaining himselfe by his private Patrimony and yet all he could doe made no great shew but the finishing of the worke was left to many other succeeding Bishops In the fifteenth yeare of this Kings Raigne William Bishop of Durham Founded University Colledge in Oxford Also one Gylbert a Norman Lord Founded the Abbey of Merton in Surrey seven miles from London and Thomas Arch-bishop of Yorke first builded the Minster of Yorke In this Kings sixteenth yeare his Brother Duke Robert being sent against the Scots builded a Fort where at this day standeth New Castle upon Tyne but the Towne and Walls wâ—re builded afterward by King Iohn Also in this Kings time Ledes Castle in Kent was builded by Creveken and the Castle of Oxford by Robert d' Oylie two Noble men that came into England with him Osmond Bishop of Salisbury built the new Church there Also Waring Earle of Shrewesbury built two Abbeyes one in the Suburbs of Shrewesbury and another at Wenlocke Casualties happening in his time IN the twentyeth yeare of his Raigne so great a fire happened in London that from the West-gate to the East-gate it consumed Houses and Churches all the way and amongst the rest the Church of Saint Paul the most grievous fire that ever happened in that City Also this yeare by reason of distemperature of weather there insued a Famine and afterwards a miserable mortality of Men and Cattell Also this yeare in the Province of Wales upon the Sea shoare was found the body of Gawen sisters sonne to Arthur the great King of the Britaines reported to be foureteene foot in length Also in this Kings time a great Lord â—itting at a Feast was set upon by Mice and though he were removed from Land to Sea and from Sea againe to Land yet the Mice still followed him and at last devoured him Of his Wife and Children HE had to Wiâ—e and her onely Mathilde or Maude Daughter to Baldwyn Earle of Flanders She was Crowned Queene of England the second yeare of his Raigne the seventeenth yeare of his Raigne she dyed a Woman onely memorable for this that nothing memorable is Recorded of her but that she built a Nunnery at Caen in Normandy where she lies Buryed By her he had foure sonnes and fivâ— daughters His Sonnes were Robert Richard William and Henry of whom Robert the eldest called Court-cayse of his short thighes or Court-hose of his short Breeches or Courtois of his courteous behaviour for so many are the Comments upon his name succeeded his Father in the Dutchy of Normandy Richard his second Sonne was kild by mis-fortune hunting in the New-Forest William his third Sonne called Rufus succeeded his Father in the Kingdome of England Henry his youngest Sonne called Beauclerke for his Learning had by his Fathers Will five thousand pounds in money and the inheritance also of his Mother His Daughters were Cicelie Câ—nstance Adela Margaret and Elenor of whom Cicelie was Abbesse of Caen in Normandy Constance was marryed to Alan Earle of Britaine Adela to Stephen Earle of Blois Margaret affianced to Harold King of England but never marryed and dyed young Elenor betroathed to Alphonsus King of Gallitia but desiring to dye a Virgin she had her wish spending her time so much in Prayer that with continuall kneeling her knees were brawned Of his Personage and Conditions HE was but meane of stature yet bigge of body and therewithall so strong that few were able to draw his Bow growing in yeares he was bald before his beard alwayes shaven after the manner of the Normans and where in his younger time he was much given to that infirmity of Youth which grows out of strength of Youth Incontinency after he was once marryed whether out of satiety or out of Grace he was never knowne to offend in that kind Of so perfit health that he was never sicke till that sicknesse whereof he dyed Of a sterne countenance yet of an affable nature In warre as expert as valiant In Peace as provident as prudent and in all his Enterprises as Fortunate as Bold and Hardy Much given to Hunting and Feasting wherein he was no lesse pleasant then magnificent He made no great proficience in Learning as having had his education in the licentiousnesse of the French Court yet he favoured learned men and drew out of Italy Lanfranke Anselme Durand Traherne and divers others famous at that time for Learning and Piety Very devout he was and alwayes held the Clergy in exceeding great Reverence And this is one speciall honour attributed unto him that from him we beginne the Computation of our Kings of England His Places of Residence HIs Christmas he commonly kept at Glocester his Easter at Wiâ—chester and his Whiâ—sontide at Westminster and once in the yeare at one of these places would be new Crowned as though by often putting on his Crowne he thought to make it sit the easier upon his head And for the houses which the Kings of England had in those dayes in London I finde that at Westminster was a Palace the ancient habitation of the Kings of England from the time of Edward the Confessour which in the Raigne of King Henry the Eight was by casuall fire burnt downe
beene bred in Cambridge not perhaps that his learning was so great but that it was great either in respect of that age which had but little or in respect of his Brothers who had none at all and the People having beene oppressed before by the ill Government of two Kings that were illiterate could not chuse but be glad to come under the Government of a King â—hat was Learned And though his Brother Robert as being the Elder had right unto it yet he as out of sight was out of minde and perhaps neglected as being himselfe negligent withall it was given out that he was chosen King of Hierusalem and therefore no looking for him to come home and to give force to all these reasons Henry Newborough Earle of Warwicke was a principall â—urtherer His course for establishing himselfe in the Kingdome IT is a hard matter to keepe that safely which is unjustly gotten and therefore he tooke all possible care to overcome that hardnesse which he effected by these meanes First he called Anselme Arch-bishop of Canterbury home from Exile placed William Gyfford a learned man in the Bishopricke of Winchester and Monasteries that had beene long vacant he furnished with good Abbots And because it is no lesse pleasing to the People to have bad instruments punished then the good to be advanced he cast Ralph Bishop of Durham a principall cause of their late oppressions into prison then mitigated the rigour of the new Lawes and promised restitution of the old And that there might be no abuse in measures he ordained a measure made by the length of his owne Arme which is called a Yard He restored to his Subjects the use of Lights and Fire in the night which before had beene forbidden after eight a clocke at night He acquited the People from the Taxe of Danegelt and from all other unjust payments which had beene imposed upon them by the two former Kings He gave free liberty to the Nobility and Gentry of the Realme to inclose Parkes for Deere and Warrens for Coneyes and such like game And because he knew Scotland might be an ill Neighbour to him if not tyed by some Bond and none so sure as the Bond of Alliance he therefore takes Matild sister of the present King Edgar to be his Wife His Troubles during his Raigne RAlph Bishop of Durham the late King Williams great Instrument for Exactions that had by this King beene committed to the Tower made an escape and passing over to Duke Robert in Normandy incenseth him not to suffer himselfe to be baffled by a younger Brother as for his Brother William there was some reason because his Father had given him the Kingdome by his Will but what could Henry pretend who had his Portion given him in money Besides it was an agreement with his Brother William with consent of all the Lords of the Reâ—lme that the Surviver of them should succeed With such like instigations and withall assuring him there were many in England would take his part he easily perswaded the Duke to that from which he could hardly have disswaded him who thereupon with a convenient Army puts to Sea and lands at Portsmouth while Henry waited for his comming about Hastings and being landed there much people resorted to him that it was like to have beene a bloody businesse but by mediation of Friends working upon the flexible nature of Duke Robert it was brought at last to this agreement that King Henry should pay to Duke Robert three thousand markes yearely and Duke Robert should succeed him in the kingdome if he survived And thus this cloud that threatned so great a storme brought with it â—ather Sunshine and faire weather for now to his possession of the Kingdome there was added a right and he might now justifie his being a King without any scandall or usurpation After this another little cloud arose but was soone dispersed For Robert de Belesme Earle of Shrewsbury a rash young man of disposition but more through discontentment though discontented for nothing but that having a great Estate he was not a King as well as some others fortifyed the Towne of Shrewsbury and the Castle of Bridgenorth and got many Welshmen to assist him but the King comming with a mighty Army so terrifyed the Welsh that they abandoned the Earle and left him a prey to the King in his person and more in his Estate for the King seised his Estate into his hands but for his Person he onely banisht it the Realme For as yet the shedding of blood and putting to death though for great Treasonable practises was not much in use Policy of State was not yet growne to that heighth of severity The like attempt and upon the like occasion was made by William Earle of Mortaigne in Normandy and of Cornwall in England Unckle to the King onely for denying him the Earledome of Kent which because he could not obtaine he entred into Treasonable practises by which he lost the Earledomes he had before But these troubles were but as the labour of a Woman that is safely delivered painefull for a time but ending in joy and indeed for the most part this King had the fortune to be a gainer by his losses After this Duke Robert came in kindnesse into England to visitâ— his Brother Henry where he was so well pleased with his entertainment that in requitall thereof and to doe a favour to the Queene that was his God-daughter he released to King Henry the three thousand markes which he was yearely to pay him But returning into Normandy and considering better what he had done he so repented him that he spared not to give out that his Brother had directly cousened him Which comming to King Henryes eare so incensed him that he presently sent over a mighty Army which forraged the Country and wonne many Townes and Cities and soone after went over himselfe where he so prevailed that he left Duke Robert but onely Roan in all Normandy to put his head in and this done returnes into England And now Duke Robert beginnes to be sensible of his owne weaknesse and therefore comes over into England to try the uâ—â—ermost of his Brothers good nature himselfe had sent him a Tunne of Wine to refresh him withall when in a siege he was ready to perish for want of water and it cannot be but that gratefulnesse and naturall affection meeting together must needes worke something in the minde of a Brother Thus resolved he presents himselfe to the King referring both his Dukedome and himselfe and all differences and debates to his will and pleasure But whether incensed with the scandalous words Duke Robert had given out of him or whether aspiring to joyne Normandy to England as his Father had done before King Henry scarce vouchsafed to heare him speake at least vouchsafed not to make him any answer but in a sullen manner turned away and so left him which scornefull usage put the Duke into such indignation that
Geoffrey of Monmouth Bishop of Saint Asaph in Wales Also Hugo Carthusianus a Burgundian but made Bishop of Lincolne here in England THE LIFE and RAIGNE OF KING HENRY THE SECOND KING Stephen being dead Henry Duke of Anjou by his Father Geoffry Plantagenet succeeded him in the Kingdome of England by agreement whom he preceded by right as being Sonne and Heire of Mawde sole daughter and Heire of King Henry the first and was crowned at Westminster by Theâ—bald Arch-Bishop of Canterbury on the seventeenth of December in the yeare 1155. and was now a greater Prince then any of his Ancestours had beene before and indeed the Kingdome of England the Dukedome of Normandy and the Dukedome of Anjou in his owne right and in the right of his wife Queen Eleanor the Duchy of â—uyen and the Earldome of Poictou bâ—ing all united in his person made him a Dominion of a larger extent then any King Christian had at that time He was borne at Ments in Normandy in the yeare 1132. a great joy to his Father Geoffry Duke of Anjou a greater to his Mother Mawde the Empresse but so great to his Grandfather King Henry the first that it seemed to make amends for his sonne William whom unfortunately he had lost before by Shipwrack The yeares of his childhood were spent at home under the care of his Parents at nine yeares old or there abouts he was brought by his Unkle Robert Earle of Glocester into England and placed at Bristow where under the tuition of one Matthew his Schoolemaster to instruct him in learning he remained foure yeares after which time he was sent into Scotland to his great Unkle David King of Scots with whom he remained about two yeares initiated by him in the Principles of State but chiefely of his owne estate and being now about fifteene yeares of age was by him Knighted and though scarce yet ripe for Armes yet as a fruit gathered before its time was mellowed under the discipline of his Unkle Robert one of the best Souldiers of that time And now the Duke his Father not able any longer to endure his absence sent with great instance to have him sent over to him for satisfying of whose longing Earle Robert provided him of passage and conducted him himselfe to the Sea side where he tooke his last farewell of him Being come into Anjou his Father perhaps over-joyed with his presence not long after died leaving him in present possession of that Dukedome being now about nineteene yeares of age when shortly after he married Eleanor late the wife of Lewis King of France but now divorced A yeare or two after he came againe into England where after some velitations with King Stephen they were at last reconciled and his succession to the Crowne of England ratified by Act of Parliament Not long after he went againe into France and presently fell to besiege a Castle which was detained from him by the French King in the time of which siege newes was brought him of King Stephens death which one would have thought should have made him hasten his journey into England yet he resolved not to stirre till he had wonne the Caste which resolution of his being knowne to the Defendants they surrendred the Castle but yet no sooner but that it was sixe weekes after before he came into England when he was now about the age of three and twenty yeares His first Acts after he came to the Crowne He beganne his Raigne as Solomon would have begunne it if he had beene in his place for first he made choyce of wise and discreet men to be his Consellours then he banished out of the Realme all strangers and especially Flemmings with whom the Kingdome swarmed as of whom King Stephen had made use in his warres amongst whom was William of Ypres lately before made Earle of Kent Castles which by King Stephens allowance had beene built he caused to be demolished of which there were said to be eleven hundred and fifteene as being rather Nurseries of rebellion to the subject then of any safety to the Prince He appointed the most able men of that profession to reforme abuses of the Lawes which disorder of the wars had brought in He banished many Lords who against their Oath had assisted King Stephen against him as thinking that men oncâ— perjured would never be faithfull and to the end he might be the lesse pressing upon the people with Taxations he resumed all such Lands belonging to the Crown which had any way beene aliened or usurped as thinking it better to displease a few then many and many other things he did which in a disjoynted State were no lesse profitable and expedient then requisite and necessary His Troubles during his Raigne HE had no Competitors nor Pretenders with him for the Crowne and therfore his troubles at first were not in Capite strooke not at the roote as K. Stephens did but were onely some certaine niblings at inferiour parts till at last he brought them himselfe into his own bowels For what was the trouble in his first yeare with the Welsh but as an exercise rather to keep him in motion then that it needed to disquiet his rest for though they were mutinous for a time while they looked upon their owne Bucklers their Woods and Mountainous passages yet as soone as K. Henry did but shew his sword amongst them they were soone reduced to obedience for the present and to a greater awfulnesse for the future It is true Henry Earle of Essex that bore the Kings Standard was so assaulted by the Welsh that he let the Standard fall to the ground which encouraged the Welsh and put the English in some feare as supposing the King had beene slaine but this was soone frustrated to the Welsh and punished afterward in the Eaâ—le by condemning him to be shorne a Monke and put into the Abbey of Reading and had his lands seised into the Kings hands And what was his trouble with Malcolme King of Scots but a worke of his owne beginning for if he would have suffered him to enjoy that which was justly his owne Cumberland and Huntingtonshire by the grant of King Stephen and Northumberland by the gift of his Mother Maude the Empresse he might have staied quietly at home and needed not at all to have stirâ—ed his foote but he could not endure there should be such parings off from the body of his Kingdome and therefore went with an Army into the North where he wonne not but tooke Northumberland from him with the City of Carlâ—ill and the Castles of Newcastle and Bamberg and meerely out of gratefulnesse in remembrance of the many coâ—rtesies done him before by David King of Scots he left him the County of Huntingâ—on but yet with condition to owe fealâ—y and to doe homage to him for it And what was his trouble with his brother Geoffrey but a Bird of his owne hatching For his Father Geoffrey Duke of Anjou had three sonnes Henry
throwing downe his Colours at Ptolemais was the death of Conrade Duke of Tyre whom they pretended King Richard had murthered wherein though King Richard made his innocency appeare by the testimony of Limbeldus who confessed himselfe to have beene the author of the Marquesses death yet the pretence served to detaine him in prison and in prison indeed they kept him till his Ransome was agreed upon and paid which being a hundred thousand pounds fourescore thousand was paid in hand whereof two parts to the Emperour a third part to Duke Leopold and for the rest hostages given to the number of fifty of whom the Bishop of Roan was one though the hostages afterward were delivered without paying the rest for Henry the Emperour dying shortly after his Successour had the conscience not to take it as knowing it had beene unjustly exacted and indeed the accidents that befell both the Emperour and the Duke Leopâ—ld were evident demonstrations of the injustice they had done for the Emperour shortly after died and the Duke Leopold in a Tilting for solemnity of his Birth-day fell off his horse and so broke his leg that to save his life he was faine to have his leg cut off And now after fifteen months imprisonment King Richard is released and returnes into England foure yeares elder then he went out and thus ended his journey to the Holy Land Yet one memorable accident happening to him in the Holy Land may not be omitted that going one day a Hawking about Ioppa finding himselfe weary he laid him downe upon the ground to sleepe when suddenly certaine Turkes came upon him to take him but he awakened with their noyse riâ—eth up gets a horsebacke and drawing out his sword assaults the Turkes who faigning to flie drew the King into an Ambush where many Turkes lay who had certainâ—ly taken him if they had knowne his person but one of the Kings servanâ— called William de Patrellis crying out in the Saracene tongue that he was the King they presently lay hold upon him and let the King escape Troubles in his Dominions in his absence KING Richard at his going out of England had so well setled the Government of the Kingdome that might well have kept it in good order during all the time of his absence but disorders are weeds which no foresight can hinder from growing having so many hands to water them where occasions of distast are no sooner offered then taken and oâ—tentimes taken before they be offered as was here to be seene For King Richard had left in chiefe place of authority William Longshampe Bishop of Ely a man who so carried himselfe that although the things he did were justifiable yet the pride with which he did them was unsufferâ—ble seldome riding abroad without five hundred some say a thousand in his traine not for safety but for state and though there were other left in authority besides himselfe yet his power was so predominant that he made of them but Ciphers and ruled all as he list himselfe This insolency of governing was soone distasted by many and specially by Iohn the Kings brother who counting the greatnesse of his Birth an equall match at least with any substitute greatnes affronted the Bishop in the managing of affaires in such sort that while some adhered to the one and some to the other the Kingdome in the meane time was in danger to be rent asunder till at last the Bishop finding himselfe too weake or at least fearing that he was so but rather indeed deposed from his authority by the Kings Letters and the Arch-bishop of Roan put in his place thought it best for him to flie the Realâ—e wherupon for his greater safety disguising himselfe in womans apparell and carrying a Webbe of Cloath under his arme hee sought in this manner to take Shipping and passe the Sea But being discovered and knowne the women in revenge of the abuse done to their cloathes in making them his instruments of fraude fell upon him and so beat him that it might have beaten humility into him for ever after This disgrace made him glad to get him into Normandy his native Countrey where to little purpose he wooed King Richard and Queene Eleanor for reparation But this was but a sport in comparison of the mischiefes done in Normandy by Philip King of France for first he invades Normandy where he takes many Towns and amongst others Gysorts and drawes the Kings brother Iohn to combine with him promising to assist him in winning the Kingdome of England and to have his sister Adela whom King Richard had repudiated to be his wife with which promise Duke Iohn had beene ensnared if his Mother Queene Eleanor had not disswaded him But in England Duke Iohn tooke upon him as King perswading the people that his brother King Richard was not living and indeed it was easie to remove the knowing him to be a prisoner to the affirming him to be dead but such was the faithfulnesse of the Arch-bishop of Roan and other the Princes of the Realme to King Richard that they opposed Duke Iohn and frustrated all his practises and the Bishop of Ely had told him plainely that though King Richard were dead yet the succession in the kingdome belonged not to him but to Arthur Duke of Britaine sonne of Geoffrey his elder brother And in these termes King Richard found his State when he returned from the Holy Land His Acts and Troubles after his returning from the Holy Land AT his comming home from the Holy Land the first thing he did was to give his Lords and people thankes for their faithfulnesse to him in his absence and then for their readinesse in supplying him for his Ransome But as for his brother Iohn in whom ungratefulnesse seemed to strive with ambition which should be the greater in him he depriveth him of all those great possessions he had given him some adoe he had to make sound certaine peeces which he had corrupted as the Castles of Marleborough Lancaster and a Fortresse at Saint Michaels Mount in Cornwall but chiefely the Castles of Nottingham and Tichill which stood so firmly for Duke Iohn that they were not reduced to obedience without some bloud and much expense But hâ—s greatest trouble was with Philip King of France in whom was so ingraffed a spleene against King Richard that he seemed to be never well but when he was working him some ill Now therefore King Richard to make it appeare he had not left the Holy War for nothing having first obtained in Parliament a Subsidy towards his charges caused himselfe to be new Crowned at Winchester lest the people through his long absence might have forgotten they had a King he departs with a hundred Ships into Normandy but it was withall upon this occasion sitting one day at dinner in his litâ—le Hal as it was called news was brought him that King Philip had besieged Vernoull with which he was somoved that he swore a great oath he would
of the Scots which came to the rescue thereof at Hallidowne-hill utterly defeated where were slaine seven Earles ninety knights and Bannerets foure hundred Esquires and about two and thirty thousand common Souldiers as our Writers report as theirs but foureteene thousand and with this effusion of bloud is Baylioll returned to his miserable kingdome and to hold good correspondence with the King of England hereafter doth him Homage for his Realme of Scotland and the Ilands adjacent But though he had a kingdome yet he had not quietnesse for many of the Scots aided by the French made warre upon him divers yeares after during all which time King David with his wife remained in France If any man marvell why King Edward would aide Bailioll against King David who had married his sister he may consider that Alliances how neare soever weigh but light in the Scales of State About this time the I le of Man is conquered by William Montacute Earle of Sâ—lisbury for which service King Edward gave him the Title of King of Man Of his Acts after he came of age ANd now Robert of Arthois banished out of France comes into England whom King Edward makes Earle of Richmond and of his Counsell This Robert perswades King Edward to make warre upon France to which Crowne he said he had more right then he that held it with whose perswasions King Edward is at last resolved to undertake the enterprise and to furnish himselfe of Noble Chiefetaines he at one time in a Parliament at Westminster the eighth yeare of his Raign creates sixe Earles Henry of Lancaster he made Earle Dâ—rby William Montacute he made Earle of Salisbury Hugh Audeley Earle of Glocester William Clinton Earle of Huntington and Robert Clifford or Ufford Earle of Suffolke also twenty knights of whom Thomas de la Moore who writ the life of the Kings Father was one withall he enters League of amity with many Princes abroad with the Dukes and Eâ—rles of Gelders Iulyers Cleves Heynault and Brabant and with the Arch-bishop of Colen and Valeran his brother as on the other side the King of France got to take his part the Bishop of Liege Iohn King of Bohemia Earle of Luxemburg Henry Count Palatine Aubert Bishop of Mets Otho Duke of Austria Ame Earle of Geneva with many other Princes and Captaines out of Germany Spaine and other Countries King Edward thus resolved in himselfe and furnished with friends abroad goes over into Flanders with his Queene and children makes his residence at Antwerp where by perswasion of the Flemings he takes upon him the Stile Title and Armes of the King of France for by this they accounted themselves disobliged of the Bond of twenty hundred thousand crownes which they had entred into never to beare Armes against the King of France and hereupon the League was established betweene them and King Edward And now King Edward for a beginning to put his claime in execution sets upon Cambray and enters France by the way of Vermandois and Thierach on the other side King Philip seiseth on the Dutchy of Guienne and sends thither the Conte d' Eu Constable of France with the Earles of Foix and Armigniack At last both Armies came so neare together that a fight was appointed the Friday after but upon better consideration the English thought it no discretion to give battell to an Army so much greater then their owne if they could avoid it and the French thought it as little discretion for them to hazard the person of their Prince within his owne kingdome and perhaps were not a little moved with the warning given them by Robert King of Sicilie a great Astronomer that he fore-saw by the Starres some great misfortune to threaten the French if they should that day fight with the Engliâ—h King Edward being present and thus both Armies having their severall reasons to decline the battell they parted without doing any thing onely an accident happened scarce worth remembring yet must be remembred A Hare starting out before the head of the French Army caused a great shout to be made whereupon they who saw not the Hare but onely heard the shout supposing it to be the onset to the battell disposed themselves to fight and foureteene Gentlemen for encouragements sake as the custome is were knighted called afterward in merriment knights of the Hare But now King Edward must a little looke home and therefore leaving the Queen in Brabant he passeth himselfe into England about Candlemas having beene in Brabant about a yeare and landing at the Tower about midnight and finding â—t unguarded was so much displeased that he presently sends for the Major of â—ondon commanding him to bring before him the Chancellour and Treasurer with Sir Iohn Saint Paul Michael Watch Philp Thorpe Henry Stratford Clergy men who it seemes were Officers for his Receipts and Iohn Sconer Justice of the Bench all which except the Chancellour were apprehended and committed to prison as were afterward in like manner divers Officers of Justice and Accomptants upon inquiry made of their unjust proceeding During the Kings abode in England William Montacute Earle of Salisbury and Robert Ufford Earle of Suffolke leâ—t in Flanders to oppose the French having performed divers great eâ—ploits were aâ— last in an encounter about Lisâ—e so overlaid by multitude as they were both taken and sent prisoners to Paris Besides about this time two accidents happened that were thought would be great rubs in King Edwards proceeding one that his Wives Father William Earle of Haynâ—ult dying and leaving his sonne to succeed this son left his brother King Edward and fell to take part with the King of France the other that the Duke of Normandy thinking himselfe as strong as ever William Duâ—â— of Normandy was that conquered England he saw no reason but he might conquer it as well as that William and thereupon makes preparation by Sea and Land to attempt the enterprise but these were but vapours that never came to be winds at least brought no stormes for Iohn Earle of Haynault had quickly enough of the King of France and was soone after reconciled to his brother King Edward and the Duke of Normandy went no further then preparations for indeed King Edwâ—â—d prosecuted his courses against France with such heate that all the neighbouring Princes seeing a fire kindled so neare their owne borders were glad to looke â—o themselves at home But now to impeach the King of Englands returne into Fraâ—ceâ— King Philip had provided a mighty Navie in the Haven of Sluce consisting of twâ— hundred saile of Ships besides many Gallies and two thousand armed men in thâ— Port ready to encounter him upon his landing whereof King Edward being adveâ—tised prepares the like number of Ships and sets out to Sea upon Midsommer Eve is mâ— the morrow after with a Navy likewise from the North parts conducted by Sir â—â—bert Morley and encounters his enemy who lay to intercept him with such force and courage and such
but these last more by humility shewed to their Prince Leolyn then by force of Aâ—mes But yet he must not have all the glory of his time some must be imparted to his sister Elflede who being marryed to Ethelred Earle of Mercia had by him a daughter but with so grievous paâ—nes in her travaile that ever after she refused the nuptiall bed of her Husband saying it was a foolish pleasure that brought with it so excessive paines And thereupon after her husbands death made choyce to follow the warres assisting her brother both against the Welsh and against the Danes whom she brought to be at her disposing Dying she was buryed at Glocester in the Monastery of Saint Peter which her Husband and her selfe had built King Edwâ—rd himselfe after foure and twenty yeares Raigne deceased at Faringdon in Barkshire in the yeare 924. and was buryed in the new Monastery of Winchester which his Father began and himselfe wholly finished having had by his three Wives six Sonnes and nine Daughters of whom his eldest sonne Athelstan succeeded him in the kingdome whom his Grandfather King Alfred had with his owne hands Knightedâ— in an extraordinary manner putting upon him a purple Robe and girding him with a girdle wrought with Pearle His second sonne Elfred he so loved that he caused him to be Crowned King with himselfe which yet he enjoyed but a short time being taken away by death His third sonne Elsward presently upon his Fathers death dyed himselfe also His fourth son Edwyn was by his brother Athelstan out of jealousie of state put into a little Pinnace without either Tackle or Oares accompanyed onely with one Page with griefe whereof the young Prince leaped into the Sea and drowned himselfe His fifth and sixth sonnes Edmund and Edred came in succession to be Kings of England Of his Daughters the eldest Edytha was marryed to Sithricke the Danish King of Northumberland and he deceasing she entred into a Monastery which she began at Tamworth in Warwickshire and there dyed His second daughter Elflede tooke upon her the vow of Virginity in the Monastery of Ramsey in the County of South-hampton where she dyed and was interred His third daughter Eguina was first marryed to Charles the Simple King of France and after his decease to Herbert Eaâ—le of Vermandois His fourth daughter Ethelhild became a Nunne in the Monastery of Wilton which was sometime the head Towne giving name to the whole County of Wilâ—shire and anciently called Ellandon That we may see in those first times of Religion when there was leaâ—t knowledge there was most devotion His fifth daughter Edhold was marryed to Hugh surnamed the Great Earle of Paris and Constable of France And Edgith his sixth daughter to Otho the Emperour of the West â—urnamed the Great His seventh daughter Elgina was marryed to a Duke of Italy His ninth Edgina to Lewis Prince of Aquitaine in France After the death of King Edward his eldest sonne Athelstan succeeded and was Crowned at Kingstone upon Thames in the County of Surrey by Athelmuâ— Archbishop of Canterbury in the yeare 924. The beginning of whose Raigne was molested with the Treason of one Elfrid a Nobleman who being apprehended and sent to Rome to purge himselfe and there denying the Act upon his Oath fell suddenly downe and within three dayes dyed to the eternall â—errour of all perjured persons Presently upon this another dysaster befell King Athelstan for having caused his brother Edwyns death as before is shewed chiefly procured by his Cupbearers suggestions It hapned not long after that his Cup-bearer in his service at a Festivall stumbling with one foote and recovering himselfe with the other and saying merrily See how one brother helpes another His words put the King in remembrance of his Brother whose death he had caused and with remorse thereof not onely caused his Cup-bearer to be put to death but did also seven yeareâ— penance and built the two Monasteries of Middleton and Michelnesse in the County of Dorset in expiation of his offence This King ordained many good Lawes and those to binde as well the Clergy as the Laity amongst which one was the Attachment of Felons that stole aâ—ove twelve pence and were above twelve yeares old Of this King there is one Act related that may seeme ridiculous another that may seeme miraculous For what more ridiculous then that going to visit the Tombe of Saint Iohn of Beverley and having nothing else of worth to offer he offered his knife in devotion to the Saint Yet the miracâ—lous is more apparent For going to encounter the Danes and praying to God for good successe he prayed withall that God would shew some signe of his rightfull cause and thereupon striking with his sword he strucke it an ell deepe into a hard stone which stood so cloven a long time after But whether this be true or no this certainly is true that he obtained many great victories against the Danes against the Scots against the Irâ—sh and against the Welsh whose Princes he brought to be his Tributaries entring Covenant at Herefâ—rd to pay him yearely twenty pound weight of gold three hundred of silver and five and twenty hundred head of Cattell besides a certaine number of Hawkes and Hounds Lastly he joyned Northumberland to the rest of his Monarchy and enlarged his Dominions beyond any of his Predecessours which made all Neighbouring Princes to seeke his friendship and to gratify him with rare presents as Hugh King of France sent him the sword of Constantine the Great in the hilt whereof was one of the nayles that fastned Christ to his Crosse He sent him also the speare of Charles the Greaâ— reputed to be the same that pierced Christs side as also part of the Crosse whereon Christ suffered and a piece of the Thorny Crowne put upon his head Likewise Otho the Emperour who had marryed his sister sent him a vessell of pretious stones artificially made wherein were seene Landskips with Vines Corne and Men all of them seeming so artificially to move as if they were growing and alive Likewise the King of Norway sent him a goodly Ship with a gilt Steâ—ne purple â—ayles and the decke garnished all with gold Of these accounted Holy Reliques King Athelstan gave part to the Abbey of Saint Swithin in Winchester and the rest to the Monastery of Mamesbury whereof Adelm was the Founder and his Tutelar Saint He new built the Monasteries of Wilton Michelnesse and Middleton Founded Saint Germans in Cornwall Saint Petrocus at Bodmyn and the Priory of Pilton new walled and beautifyed the City of Exceter and enriched either with Jewels or Lands every speciall Abbey of the Land But the chiefest of his workes for the service of God and good of his Subjects was the Translation of the Bible into the Saxon Tongue which was then the Mother tongue of the Land He Raigned fifteenâ— yeares Dyed at Glocestâ—r and was buryed at Mamesbery in the yeare 940. having never beene marryed
but who can thinke himselfe too old for a Kingdome when Galba for attaining the Romane Empire was contented to buckle on Armour being fourescore yeares old The Dâ—ke in his time of peace came over into England to visite his cousin King Edward who besides his Princely entertainment made him at that time as some thinke a promise to leave him his Successour in the Kingdome Harold after this going over to the Dukâ— in Normandy for procuring some friends of his to be released the better to effect it tooke his solemne Oath to assist him for obtaining the Kingdome So as having the word of Edward and the oath of Harold he had now sufficient obligations to expect it But hearing of the death of King Edward and that Harold was Crowned King he thought himselfe not more forgotten by Edward then wronged by Harold and therefore sent messengers to him to put him in mind of K. Edwards Pâ—omise and his owne Oath but Harold puffed up with the conceit of being a King as though that very name were enough to expiate all breach of Oathes and that nothing could binde him who had now the fetters in his owne hand returned onely sleight answers that his Oath was forced and voyd in it selfe as being made without consent of the Kingdome Whereupon the Duke thus sleighted by Harold endevours to make him an honest man by force assuring himselfe he should find him the weaker Enemy for finding him a perjured Friend The Reasons that facilitated his Conquest of England DUke William incensed with Harolds answers acquaints his Nobility with his purpose who with some adoe consented to ayd him as likewise many other great Lords of France but specially Baldwyn Earle of Flanders whose daughter he had marryed and who being at that time Guardian of the young King of France procured ayde from him also and to make the Enterprise the more successefull Pope Alexander the second sent him a Banner with an Agnus of Gold and one oâ— the haires of Saint Peter So as the preparation of the Duke both by Sea and Land was very great having three hundred saile of ships and as some write 890â— and as one Norman above a thousand and as Cemeticensis three thousand and though Harold had likewise provided a warlike Fleet to encounter him yet it was at thaâ— time unfortunately diverted another way for Taustayâ—e his Brother being then in rebellion in the North and Harold Harfager King of Norway at the same time invading those parts and perhaps upon a bruite that the Dukesâ— Fleet was not yet ready to come forth removed both his Fleet and Army thither where though he got the Victory at Stamford with the death both of his Brother Toustayne and of the King of Noâ—way yet it made way for the Duke to land quietly and he entred the Kingdome as one may enter a house when the doores are all left open By this meanes King Harâ—lds shipping the best wall of defence to an Island was utterly frustrate and as for his Land Forces they were by his Battaile at Stamford exceedingly both weakned and impaired yet hearing that Duke William was landed at Pemsey not farre from Hastings in Sussex he repaired thither with all speed and gathering together his broken Forces and encreasing them by all the meanes he could made himselfe ready to give the Duke Battaile Duke William in the meane time as soone as he had landed his men sent his ships presently away that there might be no thinking of any thing but either Death or Victory And then going himselfe on land it is said his foot slipped and he fell downe which some that stood by taking for an ill signe No saith he I have by this taken possession of this Land And indeed Presages are but as Animus ejus qui praesagit as in this Dukes fall it afterwards fell out Many wayes of composition betweene Duke William and King Harold were propounded yet Harold would hearken to none as nothing doubting of successe and perhaps thinking it a disgrace to capitulate for that which was now his owne and when one of his Brothers called Gyrth being lesse interessed and therefore clearer sighted intreated him to consider what a fearefull thing it was to breake an Oath which he so solemnely had sworne Harold seemed to conceive that nothing which he did being a private man could be of force to binde him now being a Prince and so on the fourteenth day of October being Saturday in the yeare 1066. which day he liked the better because it was his Birth-day hoping that the day of his Birth would not so much degenerate to prove the day of his death though even this also bred no good blood to the Action for the Souldiers of Harold thinking thereby to honour their Kings Birth-day spent the night before in revelling and drinking where the Souldiers of the Duke out of consideration of their next dayes worke spent the night in quietnesse and devotion they joyned battaile the Kentish-men being placed in the Fore-front as by an ancient custome is their due and King Harold with his Londoners leading the maine Battaile where though their Armies were not much unequall in number for they were each of them neare about threescore thouâ—and men yet there was great oddes in the expertnesse of their Souldiers and more in the advantage of their weapons for the Duke had with him all the flowre of France and Flanders where King Harold had lost his best men in his late Battaile and for advantage of weapons the Normans had long Bowes and Arrowes which of the English at that time were not at all in use what mervaile then that the Normans got the Victory though King Harold losing his life yet lost no Reputation and though the English Souldiers shewed no lesse valour in being Conquered then the Normans did in Conquering One circumstance may not be omitted that King â—arold as an expert Generall had ordered his men in so firme a Body that no force of the Normans could disorder their Rankes till Duke Williamâ— used a Stratagem commanding his men to retire and to counterfeit flight by which he drew the English on upon a hollow ground covered with earth whereinto many of them fell and perished and besides into an ambush of his Horsemen which unexpectedly fell upon them and cut them in pieces Withall there seemes one great errour to have beene committed at least if it were an errour and not rather a neceâ—sity that there was not a supplementall Army provided as his Brother Gyrth would have had it which might have come on if the first had failed and would have beene of great advantage against a wearyed Army But when Sic visum est superis all humane force is weake and cannot withstand all humane Providence is unprovided and cannot prevent The body of Harold at his Mother Thyrace suite was recovered and lyes buryed in Waltham Abbey which he had begunne to build at least to repaire But here Gyraldus
intention to passe into Hungary the Country where he was borne but by contâ—ary winds was cast upon the Coast of Scotland where the King Malcolme not onely most kindly entertained him but for a stricter bond of kindnesse tooke his Sistâ—r Margaret to Wife by whom he had many Children out of which in the second Generation after a match was found by which in the person of King Henry the second the Saxâ—n and Norman blood were conjoyned the union whereof continues in the race of our Kings of England to this day Not long after to Edgar in Scotland came the two great Earles Edwyn and Marchar brothers to Agatha the late King Harolds Wife also Hereward Gospatrick and Syward with many other Lords and shortly after Stigand and Aldred Arch-bishops with divers of the Clergy And these Lords being together in Scotland did but watch opportunity to recover that which for want of taking opportunity they had lost And assisted by the Scots they invaded the North parts spoyling the Country and killing many for the fault they had themselves committed but all they could do was but to forrage the Country and so returne After this in the third yeare of his Raigne the two sonnes of Swayne King of Denmarke Harold and Canutus with a Fleet of 240. ships entered Humber and invaded the North parts with whom the English Lords in Scotland joyned and â—orraged all the Country till they came neere to Yorke When the Normans that were in the Towne to save the City set fire on the suburbs but the fire not so contented by assistance of a violent winde tooke hold of the City it selfe burning a great part of it and which perhaps was more worth then the City a Library of excellent Bookes and the Normans that were left in defence of the City to the number of three thousand were all slaine King William hearing hereof was so much incensed that with all speed he raised an Army and entred Northumberland wasting the Country that already lay wast and yet for all his great rage was contented with a great summe of money to purchase the Danes departure By these devastations in many Shires of the Kingdome but especially in Northumberland so great a Dearth and Famine followed that men were glad to eate horses and dogges cats and rats and what elâ—e is most abhorrent to nature and betweene Yorke and Durham the space of 60. miles for nine yeares together there was so utter desolation as that neither any house was left standing nor any ground tilled Many other insurrections there were in his Raigne as at Exceter at Oxford in the Isle of Ely and many times by the Scots in the Northerne parts but all these were easily supprest for they were but scattered Forces Et dum singuli pugnant universi vincuntur whereas if they had united themselves into an Army they might perhaps have made it a Warre which now were little more then Routs and Riots Yet some write that King William granted Cumberland to Malcolme King of Scots to hold from him conditionally that the Scots should not attempt any thing prejudiciall to the Crowne of England for which Grant King Malcolme did him Homage The greatest and last was an Insurrection raised in Normandie by his sonne Robert the more dangerous because unnatural for by the instigation and assistance of Philip King of France emulous now of K. Williams greatnesse he entred Normandie claimed it as in his owne right His father indeede had made him a promise of it long before but Robert impatient of delay as counting so long staying to bee little better then disinheriting endeavoured by strong hand to wrest it from his father But his father King William hearing hereof with a strong Army passeth over into Normandie where in a battaile meeting hand to hand with his sonne was by him unhorsed and hurt in the arme but his sonne perceiving him by his voyce to bee his father suddenly leapes off his horse takes up his father casts himselfe downe at his feete and humbly intreats his pardon which as a father he easily grants embraceth his sonne and ever after the sonne from the father had fatherly love and the father from the sonne a filiall obedience But though his father did thus pardon him yet it seemes there is a Nemesis or to say better a Divine Providence that did not pardon him for after this it is observed he never prospered in any thing hee undertooke It cannot perhaps be discovered whether the Kings severity begat his subjects Insurrections or his subjects Insurrections the Kings severity but which of them soever was the mother it is certaine they were nurses each of them to other His aptnesse to forget Injuries CErtainly there is no such goodnesse of nature as aptnesse to be reconciled of which vertue it seemes King William had a large proportion for he seldome remembred injuries after submission Edric the first that rebelled against him he placed in Office neere about him Gospatric who had beene a factious man and a plotter of conspiracies against him he made Earle of Glocester and trusted him with managing a War against Malcolme King of Scots Eustace Earle of Boleyne who in the Kings absence in Normandy attempted to seise upon Dover Castle he received afterward into great favour and respect The Earles Marchar Syward with Wolnoth the brother of Harold a little before his death he released out of prison Edgar who as next heire to the Saxon Kings had often attempted by Armes to recover his right he not onely after twice defection pardoned but gave him also allowance as a Prince It is said twenty shillings a day or rather a pound weight of silver and other large livings besides so as Edgar finding the sweetnesse of safety and the pleasures of a Country life spent the rest of his dayes which were many retired from Court neither envying nor being envyed Only Waltheoff Earle of Northumberland and Northamâ—ton of all the English Nobility was put to death in all the time of this Kings Raigne and not he neither till hee had twice falsified his Oath of Allegeance Of new Acquests to this Kingdome by this Kings meanes IN the thirteenth yeare of his Raigne he subdued Wales and made it tributary to him as before in the seaventh yeare of his Raigne he brought Malcolme King of Scots to do him Homage and thereupon to give him Hostages that if England made him greater then he was before a King of a Duke he no lesse made England greater then it was before three Kingdomes in one Of his Exactions and courses for raysing of money AS his Taxations were many in number so they were various in kinde not alwayes bringing in money directly but sometimes obliquely saving it The first taxe he laid upon his subjects was in the first yeare of his Raigne after his returne out of Normandie a grievous taxe all writers say but none what taxe it was In the third yeare of his Raigne he ransacked all
be abrogated that when a man marryed his Lord should lye the first night with his Bride Which custome by her indevour was altered to a payment in money After these troubles were ended in the North a new trouble ariseth in the West for now the Welsh men hearing of King Williams distractions enter upon the English borders making spoyle and havocke of men and Townes whom King William went with an Army to encounter but could doe no good upon them till he was faine to returne to London and provide him a stronger Army About this time also Robert Mowbray Earle of Northumberland by whom Malcolme King of Scots was in King Williams service formerly slaine finding his service not rewarded as he expected enters into Conspiracy against the King but the King being informed of the practise seiseth suddenly upon many of his Complâ—ces and himselfe after many devises and shifts for flight is taken and put in prison in the Castle of Windsor After this King William to take a further revenge of the Welsh and to make an absolute conquest of that unquiet people with a farre greater Army then ever before enters Wales and thinkes with new devices of Castles and Forts utterly to subdue them but they defending themselves with their Woods and Mountainous passages tyre and weary out the King and his Army so as he leaves the businesse to two Hughes one Earle of Salop the other of Chester who first invaded and tooke Anglesey their Island of refuge where they used all kinde of cruelty pulling out of eyes and cutting off hands and noses in prosecuting of which businesse Hugh Earle of Salop was slaine but Hugh Earle of Chester entred Wales and in the end with the slaughter of Rees the last King of Wales made an absolute Conquest of the Country For after this though they often rebelled yet they were in a true subjection And these for the most part were all the troubles of his Raigne where we may observe that none of them did ever overtake him but still he met them and from none of them he ever fled but was still the pursuer and yet so many as might well have taken away all the comfort of a Crowne and have made him willing to change his Diadem for a paire of Beades but that Ambition though sometimes weary yet never tyâ—es His Exactions and Courses for raising of money IN the second yeare of his Raigne Lanfranke Arch-bishop of Canterbury dyed who had kept the kingdome and King in some good Order but assoone as he was dead the King as though he were then got loose ranged without reines in all licentiousnesse preying especially upon the Clergy as amongst whom he found the richest Booties When Bishoprickes or Abbeyes were vacant it was familiar with him to seise them into his owne hands as this of Lanfranke he kept to his owne use foure yeares together and longer would have kept it if a sicknesse of his Body had not healed this disease of his minde For finding himselfe in some hazard of death he then conferred the Arch-bishopricke of Canterbury upon Anselme and the Bishopricke of Lincolne upon Robert Bloet two eminent men of that time but assoone as hee was well againe it repented him of that he had done and was not quiet till hee had drawne from the said Bloet five thousand pounds and from Anselme also good summes of money For he repented not more in time of sicknesse for the evill he had done in health then being in health he repented him of the good he had done in sicknesse that it may in a manner be said there was nothing made him sicke but health and nothing made him be in health but sicknesse But this preying upon the Clergy was growne into such a custome with him that he kept in his hands at one time three Bishoprickes Canterbury Winchester and Salisbury and twelve Abbeys all which he let out to Farme and received the profits and from this King the use is said to have risen first in England that the Kings succeeding had the Temporalties of Bishops Sees as long as they remained voyd Having agreed to pay the King of France a great summe of money he raised it in this manner He caused twenty thousand men to be levied under pretence for his warres in Normandy but when they were ready to be shipped it was signified to them from the King that whosoever would pay tenne shillings towards the levying of Souldiers in Normandy should be excused from going and stay at home which was so plausible an offer to the Army that scarce a man was found that accepted not the condition When Duke Robert went into the Holy Land he pawned his Dâ—tchy of Normandy to his Brother King William for 6666. pounds or as some write for 12600. which money King William tooke up part by a grievous Imposition so that Bishops melted their Plate and the Temporall Lords spoyled their Tenants for the payment thereof and part by loane but chiefely of Religious persons He sold the Abbey of Glastenbury to Thurstan for five hundred pounds and when he built Westminster Hall he made that an occasion to lay a heavie taxe upon the people who grudged at it as done of purpose He usually sold all Spirituall preferments to them would give most and tooke Fines of Priests for Fornication as also he tooke money of Jewes to cause such of them as were converted to renounce Christianity and returne to Judaisme as making more benefit by their Unbeliefe then by their Conversion He caused divers of the Nobility to pay grievous Fines for transgressing his Laws though the fault were never so small He set forth a Proclamation that none should goe out of the Realme without his Licence by which he drew much money from many for either they must tarry at home and live discontented or else content him for giving them leave to goe abroad And from thence the Custome or Law of Ne exeas Regno seemes to have taken its beginning for Precedents of servitude are sure to live where Precedents of Liberty are commonly still-borne These were his wayes for raising of money wherein Promoters and Informers were his darling servants and the most officious of all was Ralph Bishop of Durham of whom he would often say there was not such another man in the world to serve a Kings turne And yet he was not so greedy of lucre but that he did some Acts that may serve for examples as one time an Abbey being vacant two Monkes of the Covent came suiters to him for the place offering great summes and each of them out-bidding the other whereupon the King looking about and espying another Monk standing not farre off asked him what he would give for the place Who answering he neither had any thing to give nor would give any thing if he had it Well said the King thou hast spoken honestly thou art fitter to be Abbot then either of these and so bestowed the place upon him gratis
he resolved to set his whole state at stake and either to redeeme his disgrace or to forfeit his life So returning into Normandy he useth all his force in raising of Forces but King Henry suspecting his intentions and not using to give Insurrections time to ripen came upon him so suddenly with a mighty Army that he drew him to a battell before he was halfe ready to fight Yet desire of revenge so animated the Duke and the Duke his Souldiers that never battell was more fiercely fought and the Normans seemed at first to have the better till King Henry shewing himselfe in the Army put such courage into his Souldiers that they quickly made good the advantage they had in number and King Henry obtained a compleate victory both in slaughter of men of whom there werâ— slaine above ten thousand and in taking of prisoners to the number of foure hundred amongst whom besides divers other Great ones as the Earle of Mortaigne William Crispine and William Ferreis was Duke Robert himselfe whom the King having first taken order for all things in his new State of Normandy brought over with him into England and committed him to the Castle of Cardyffe in Wales where he remained a prisoner till he dyed used for a time with reasonable liberty for Recreation till attempting to make an escâ—pe it was thought fit to put out his eyes which though it encreased his misery yet it shortned not his life for he lived many yeares after in all from the time of his first imprisonment sixe and twenty And thus this great Duke who in his birth was the joy of Nature in his life was the scorne of Fortune and it is not unworthy the observing that the English wonne Normandy the very same day forty yeare the Normans had wonne England Such Revolutions of fortune there are in kingdomes and so unstable is the state of all worldly Greatnesse And now is King Henry as great as ever his Father was and as Greatnesse draws envy as much envyed as ever his Father was and as Envy makes Enemies as much opposed as ever his Father was for now Fulke Earle of Angioâ— and Baldwyne Earle of Flanders upon small occasions and Lewis the grosse King of France upon none but such as envy suggested seeking to place William Sonne to Duke Robert in his Right to Normandy assaulted the Kings Dominions perhaps to try whether Greatnesse had not made him unwieldy but King Henry to shew that Greatnesse had made him more Active went over into Normandy with a mighty Army and at Nice encountred the French King where a bloody Battell was fought with exceeding valour on both sides but at last King Henry repelled the French King and recovered Nice and after many other conflicts betweene them with variety of Fortune at lâ—st the King made peace with the Earle of Angiou confirmed by a marriage of the Earles Daughter with his Sonne Williamâ— and upon this also the two Kings grow to a peace in which William Son to King Henry being about seventeene yeares of age was invested into the Dutchy of Normandy doing homage for the same to the King of France From whence it was afterward a Custome that the King of Englands eldest Sonne as long as Normandy remained in their hands was made alwayes Duke of Normandy After this Charles Earle of Flanders being slaine at Bruxels by a conspiracy of his owne people and leaving no issue behind hâ—m Lewis King of France invested William Sonne to Dâ—ke Robert in the Earledome of Flanders as descended from Eaâ—le Baldwyn whose Daughter Maude was wife to King William the first and Grandmother to this William so as William now having gotten this steppe of advancâ—ment seekes to goe on and to recover Normandy and was thereof by assistâ—â—ce of the King of France in a faire possibility when in a certaine light conâ—lâ—ct receiving a wound in his hand the thread of his faire possibility was upon a suddaine cut off and of that light wound he shortly after dyed King Henry now in perfect peace abroad was not without some little disquietings at home and marching thorow Powis-land in South Wales to represse some Insurrections of the Welsh he came to certaine Straights where his maine Army could not passe in which place the King was smitten with an Arrow full upon the breast whereat he swore by our Lords death his usuall Oath that it was no Welsh arme had shot that Arrow yet in this distâ—esse for a thousand head of Cattell he had the passage left open and came safely off And these were his troubles of Armes both at home and abroad during all his Raigne His Taxations and wayes for raising of money TOwards the marriage of his Daughter Maude with the Emperour he obtained at his first Parliament at Salisbury three shillings upon every Hide of Land throughout the kingdome which was afterward drawne to a custome to receive ayde from the Subjects whensoever the King gave his eldest Daughter in marriage Besides this he had no more in all his Raigne but onely one supply for his Warres in France but he kept Bishoprickes and Abbeyes voyd in his hands and that of Canterbury five yeares together By an Act of Parliament or rather by a Synod of Bishops holden at London he was authorised to punish marriage and incontinency of Priests which the Bishops afterwards repented for he suffered Priests to have Wives for Fines or rather tooke Fines of them whether they had wives or no bâ—cause they might have them if they would Punishments which before his time were mutilation of Member he made Pecuniary And the Provisions of his house which were used to be paid in kind were in his time rated at certaine prizes and received in money By this Chapter and the next before it appeares there were in this Kings dayes but few troubles at home nor but few Taxations whereoâ— the one may be thought to be cause of the other the first perhaps of the second but certainely the second of the first Lawes first instituted in his tâ—me HE first instituted the forme of the High Court of Parliament for before his time onely certaine of the Nobility and Prelates of the Realme were called to consultation about the most important affaires of State but he caused the Commons also to be assembled by Knights and Burgesses of their owne appointment and made the Court to consist of three parts the Nobility the Clergy and the Common people representing the whole body of the Realme and appointed them to sit in severall Chambers the King the Bishops and Lords of the Realme in one Chamber and the Commons in another to conferre together by themâ—elves Other Orders of that Court he Ordained as they are in use at this day The first Councell of this sort was held at Salisbury on the 19. day of Aprill in the 16. yeare of his Raigne He forbad the wearing of long haire which at that time was frequent after the manner of the
of this Kings Raigne the first Chanons entred into the Church of our Lady in Southwarke called Saint Mary Overey Founded by William Pountlarge knight and William Dancyes Normans Robert the first Earle of Glocester the Kings base Sonne builded the Castles of Bristow and Cardyffe with the Priory of Saint Iames in Bristow And his Sonne Earle William began the Abbey of Kensham Geoffrey Clinton Treasurer and Chamberlaine to the King Founded the Priory at Kenelworth of Regular Chanons Henry Earle of Warwicke and Margaret his Wife Founded the Colledge of Saint Marâ— in the Towne of Warwicke and Roger de Belemond his Sonne and Ellyne his wife translated the same Colledge into the Castle of Warwicke in the yeare 1123. Roger Bishop of Salisbury built the Devises in Wiltshire the Castles also of Mamesbury and Shirborne He repaired the Castle of Salisbury and environed it with a wall he also built the stately Church of Salisbury destined to a longer life then any of his other workes Ralph Bishop of Durham began to build the Castle of Norham upon the banke of the River of Tweed In the 32. yeare of this Kings Raigne the Priory of Norton in Cheshire was founded by one William the sonne of Nychel and the Abbey of Cumbermere in the same Shire The Colledge of Secular Chanons also in the Castle of Leycester and the Abbey without the North gate of the same Towne called Saint Mary de Prato Also in this Kings Raigne was Founded the Monastery of Plimpton in Devonshire with the Cathedrall Church of Exetâ—r the Priory of Merton the Hospitall of Kepar the Priory of Oseney neare Oxford by Robert de Oylye Knight and the Hospitall of Saint Crosse neare Winchester by Henry Blois Bishop there also Robert Earle of Ferrers Founded the Abbey of Merivall and indeed so many in his time were built that one would thinke the Inhabitants of England to be all Carpenters and Masons that were able to finish so many great buildings in so short a time as this Kings Raigne â— Casualties happening in his time IN this Kings dayes all the foure Elements were guilty of doing much mischiefe but chiefely the water For King Henry returning into England after his conquest of Normandy left his sonne William with his sister Mary Countesse of Perche Richard his sonne by a Concubine the Earle of Chester with his wife Lucie the Kings Neece by his sister Adela and other Lords and Ladies and passengers to the number of 180. to follow after him who taking Shipping and â—he best Ship the King had whether by carelesnesse or drunkennesse of the Saylours were all drowned The Prince indeed was got into the Ship-boate and out of danger but hearing the lamentable cries of his sister compassion wrought so in him that he turned about his boate to take her in which over-charged with the multitude over-turned and they all perished none escaped but onely one Saylour who had been a Butcher who by swimming all night upon the Mast came safe to Land An accident not more grievous then exemplary for amongst other conclusions from hence we may gather that no state is so uncertaine as prosperity no fall so sudden as into adversity and that the rule He that stands let him take heed he fall not cannot alwayes be observed because a man happens sometimes to fall before it is possible for him to take heed Another great mischiefe was in this Kings dayes wrought by the water for by the breaking in of the Sea a great part of Flanders was drowned whereupon a great number of Flemmings being Suiters to King Henry for some place to inhabit he assigned them a part in Walâ—â— neare the Sea called Pembrokeshire where they have inhabited to this day the King by this one action working two good effects both shewing compassion to distressed strangers and putting a bridle upon unquiet Natives But the water had another way to doe mischiefe as much by defect as this was by excesse for upon the tenth of October the River of Medway many miles together did so faile of water that in the midst of the Channell the smallest vessels could not passe and the same day also in the Thames betweene the Tower of London and the Bridge men waded over on foote for the space of two dayes also at another time the River of Trent at Notingham was dryed up a whole day Now for the Earth though naturally it be without motion yet it moves sometimes when it is to do mischiefe specially being assisted by the Aire as in this Kings dayes it moved with so great a violence that many buildings were shaken downe and Malmesbery saith that the house wherein he sate was lifted up with a double remove and at the third time setled againe in the proper place Also in divers places it yeelded forth a hideous noyse and cast forth flames at certaine rifts many dayes together which neither by water nor by any other meanes could be suppressed But yet the active Element of Fire was busiest of all for first Chichester with the principall Monastery was burnt downe to the ground From West-cheape in London to Aldgate a long tract of buildings was consumed with fire Worcester also and Rochester even in the Kings presence then Winchester Bathe Glocester Lincolne Peterborough and other places did also partake of this calamity that there could be nâ— charging the fire with any partiality and to speake of one forraine casualty because a strange one In Lombardy this yeare was an Earthquake that continued forty dayes and removed a Towne from the place where it stood a great way off Of his Wives and Children AT his first comming to the Crowne he married Matild or Maude sister to Edgar then King of Scotland and daughter to Malcolme by Margaret the sister of Edgar Etheling This Matild if she were not a veyled Nun she was at least brought up in a Nunnery and thereby growne so averse from marriage that when the motion was first made her to marry with King Henry she utterly refused it as resolved though perhaps not vowed to die a Virgin till at last importuned and even forced by the authority of her brother she rather yeelded then consented for she did it with so ill a will that it is said she prayed if ever she had issue by the marriage that it might not prosper and indeed it prospered but untowardly as will be seene in the sequell But though she made this imprecation before she knew what it was to be a Mother yet when she came to be a Mother she shewed her selfe no lesse loving and tender of her children then loyall and obsequious to her husband And to make amends for this seeming impiety towards her children there is a story related of her reall piety towards the poor for a brother of hers comming one morning to visit her in her chamber found her sitting amongst a company of Lazar people washing and dressing their ulcers and sores and then kissing them afterward when
Peace then wonne it for to recover Newcastle out of his hands he was faine to let King David hold Cumberland and his Sonne Henry the Earledome of Huntington as their Inheritance for which the Father would not for his as being engaged but the Sonne for his as being free did Homage to King Stephen No sooner was this trouble over but he was presently under another for being faine somewhat ill at easeâ— it was bruited abroad that he was dead which â—o distracted mens mindes that every one thought it wisdome to shift for himselfe and the Great Lords made a contrary use of Castles to that which King Stephen intended when he gave liberty to build them for the King intended them for his owne defence against his Enemies and they made use of them in their owne defence against the King for now Hugh Bigâ—t Earle of Norfolke possesseth himselfe of Nâ—rwich Baldwyn Rivers of Oxford and Robert Quesquâ—rius of other Castles In these difficulties King Stephen though he could not in person be in all places at oncâ— yet in care he wasâ— and there most where was most danger imploying others against the rest Against Baldwyn he went himselfe whom driven before out of Oxford and gotten to the Isle of Wight the King foâ—â—owed and drove him also from thence aud at last into Exile And now England afforded him once againe to take a little breath but then Normandy presently begins with him afresh For now Gâ—offrey Plâ—â—tagenet Duke of Anjou in right of Maude his Wife enters upon his Townes there and â—eeâ—es to get possession of the Country when King Stephen passeth over with an Army and arâ—ests his proceeding and after some small defeates of his Enemies brings the matter at last to a pecuniary Composition He to pay the Duke five thousand Markes a yeare and the Duke to relinquish his claime to Normandy This done he returnes into England where new Commotions are attending himâ— For the Lords in his absence resenting his breach of Promises upon which they had aâ—mitted him to the Crowne make use every one of their Castles and stand upon their Guard The Lord Talbot held Hereford Earle Robert Maâ—ds Brother Bristow William Lovell the Castle of Cary Paganell the Castle of Ludlâ—w William Mounâ— the Castle of Dunster Robert Nicholor of Lincolne the Castle of Warham Eustace the Sonne of Iohn the Castle of Melton William the Sonne of Alan the Castle of Shrewsbury and withall David King of Scots never regarding his former agreement enters Northumberland with an Army committing so great cruelty in ravishing of Maydes murthering of Infants slaughtering of Priests even at the Altar that never any barbarous Nation committed greater Thus the kingdome from the one end to the other was in Combustion that if the King had had as many hands as Briareus there would have beene worke enough for them all Yet all this dismayed not the King but as having learned this Lesson Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito growes the more in confidence the lesse he was in assurance and as if danger were the fuell of Courage the more erected in himselfe the lesse he was upheld by others and so venturing what his Rebels at home would doe in his absence he passeth himselfe in person against David King of Scots as being the most dangerous and therefore the first to be repressed but finding it hard to draw him to a Battell and impossible without a battell to doe any good upon him he leaves the care of that quarrell to Thurstine Arch-bishop of Yorke and returnes himselfe home if it may be called home where he scarce had a safe place to put his head in But though many Lords were Rebellious against him yet some there were stucke firmely to him by whose Assistance and his owne industry partly by inticements partly by inforcements he reduced most of them to Obedience and all of them to Submission when in the meane time Thurstine Arch-bishop of Yorke and in his sicknesse Ralph Bishop of Durham assisted with William Earle of Aumerle William Piperell of Nottingham and Hubert de Lacy fought a memorable Battell against David King of Scots wherein though King David himselfe and his Sonne Henry performed wonderfull Acts of Prowesse yet the English got the Victory with the slaughter of eleven thousand Scots in the Fight besides many other slaine in the flight where of the English none of account were slaine but onely a Brother of Hubert Lacyes and some small number of Common Souldiers This Victory infinitely pleased and comforted King Stephen who not long after to make an absolute suppression of the Scots passeth againe with an Army and inforceth King David to demand a Peace delivering his Sonne Henry into King Stephens hands for a pledge and comming homeward by the way he besieged Ludlow one of Rebels nests where Prince Henry of Scotland had beene taken Prisoner if King Stephen in his owne person had not rescued him After this once againe the King got a little breathing time but it was but to prepare him for greater Encounters For now Maud the Empresse her selfe in person comes into play in whom the Oath before taken was to have its tryall for till now though never so really intended yet it could not actually be performed for how could they receive her for Queene who came not in place to be received but now that she came in person now was the time of tryall how the Oath would worke and worke it did indeed with many and that strongly For Maude comming into England with Robert Earle of Glocester her Brother was most joyfully received at Arundell Castle by William de Aubigny who had marryed Adeliza the Queene Dowager of the late King Henry and had the said Castle and County assigned her for her Dower King Stephen having intelligence hereof commeth to Arundell Castell wiâ—h an Army and besiegeth it but either diverted by ill counsell or else finding the Castle to be inexpugnable he left the siege and suffered the Empresse to passe to Bristow The King hearing that Raâ—ulph Earle of Chester Sonne in law to Robert Earle of Glocester had possest himselfe of the City of Lincolne thither he goeth with an Army and besiegeth it thither also came the said Earle of Chester and Robert Earle of Glocester to raise his siege at which time a most fierce battell was fought betweene them upon Candlemas day wherein it is memorable what wonders of valour King Stephen performed For when all his men about him were either fled or slaine yet he kept the field himselfe alone no man daring to come neare him Horrentibus inimicis incomparabilem ictuum ejus immanitatem saith Hoveden yet over-mastered at last by multitude he was taken prisoner and brought to Maude the Empresse who sent him to be kept in safe custody in the Castle of Brisâ—ow where he remained till All-hollantide after And now the Empresse having gotten King Stephen into her hands she takes her journey to London
many Ieâ—es were hurt and some slaine and thereupon a rumour was suddenly spread abroad that the King had commanded to have all the Iewes destroyed Whereupon it is incredible what rifling there was of Iewes houses and what cutting of their throats and though the King signified by publike Declaration that he was highly displeased with that which was done yet there was no staying the fury of the multitude till the next day so often it fals out that great solemnities are waited on with great dysasters or rather indeed as being connaturall they can hardly be asunder Of his first Acts after he was Crowned HE beganne with his Mother Queene Eleanor whom upon her Husbands displeasure having been kept in Prison sixteen yeares he not onely set at liberty but set in as great authority as if she had beene left the Regent of the kingdom The next he gratifies was his brother Iohn to whom he made appeare how much the bounty of a Brother was better then the handnesse of a Father For he conferred upon him in England the Earledomes of Cornwall Dorset Somerset Nottingham Darby and Leycester and by the marriage of Isabel daughter and heire to the Earle of Glocester he had that Earledome also as likewise the Castles of Marleborough and Lutgarsall the Honours of Wallingford Tichill and Eye to the value of 4000. Markes a yeare an estate so great as were able to put a very moderate mind into the humour of aspiring of which Princes should have care Concerning his affianced Lady Adela it may be thought strange that having desired her so infinitely when he could not have her now that he might have her he cared not for her but the cause was knowne and in every mans mouth that she was now but his Fathers leavings yet he would not send her home but very rich in Jewels to make amends if it might be for the losse of her Virginity though this was something hard on his part when the Father had taken all the pleasure that the sonne should afterward pay all the charges But by this at least he made a quiet way for his marriage now concluded and shortly after to be consummated in Sicilie with Berengaria the daughter of Garsyas King of Navarre And now his minde is wholly set upon his long intended voyage to the Holy Land for which he thinkes not the treasure left by his Father to be sufficient which yet amounted to nine hundred thousand pounds but forecasting with himselfe the great charge it must needs be to carry an Army so long a journey he seekes to enlarge his provision of money by all the means he can devise Not long before Hugh Pudsey had been advanced to the Bishopricke of Durham and now for a great summe of money he sold him the Earledome and then said merrily amongst his Lords Doe yee not thinke me a cunning man that of an old Bishop can make a young Earle From the Londoners also he drained great summes of money and made them recompence in Franchises and Liberties which they had not before He made also greatsales to the the King of Scots he sold the Castles of Berwick and Roxborough for ten thousand pounds to Godfryde Lucie Bishop of Winchester the Manors of Weregrave and Ments to the Abbot of Saint Edmundsbery the Manor of Mildhall for one thousand Markes of silver to the Bishop of Durham the Manor of Sadborough and when it was marvelled that he would part with such things he answered that in this case he would sell his City of London if he could finde a Chapman But the worst way of all was that pretending to have lost his Signet he made a new and made Proclamation that whosoever would safely enjoy what under the former Signet was granted should come to have it confirmed by the new whereby he raised great summes of money to himselfe but greater of discontentment in his subjects By these and such like meanes he quickly furnished himselfe with money and now it remained onely to consider to whose care he should commit the government of the Kingdome in his absence and after deliberation he made choyce for the North parts of Hugh Bishop of Durham joyning in Commission with him Hugh Baldulph and William Brunell and for the South parts he appoints William Longshampe Bishop of Ely and Chancellour of England and for his greater strength causeth the Pope to make a Legat of all England and Scotland and for Normandy and Aquitaine Robert Earle of Leycester all men eminent for prudence and uprightnesse and which is most of all for loyalty and indeed to make a man fit for such imployment all these vertues must concurre As for his brother Iohn he knew very well his aspiring minde and therefore would have tied him to live in Normandy and not to come into England till his returne but that their Mother Queene Eleanor interceded and passed her word for him and that nothing might be left unprovided for he appointed his Nephew Arthur the sonne of his brother Geoffrey Duke of Britaine to be his Successor if himselfe should faile And now Undique convenere vocat jam carbasus auras every man is ready to take Shipping and no stay now but for a Wind onely some say that King Richard before his departing calling his Lords and Knights unto him and swearing them to be true gave to overy of them a blew riband to be knowne by from whence the first occasion of the Order of the Garter is thought to beginne Of his journey into the Holy Land KING Richard having prepared an Army of thirty thousand foote and five thousand horse and having appointed to meete Philip King of France in Sicilie at the latter end of Iune in the yeare 1190. sets forward himselfe by Land to Marseillis and there stayes till his Ships should come about but his Navy being driven by tempest to other parts and the King weary of long staying after sixe weekes he hireth shipping for himselfe and his company and passeth forward to Messana in Sicilie where arrived also the King of France and not long after his owne Navy In this Iland the King William now lately dead had married Iane King Richards sister from whom Tancred the present King with-held her Dower and therefore though he shewed King Richard faire countenance yet he dealt secretly with the Messanians to use all meanes to get him gone whereupon the Messanians taking a small occasion set suddenly upon the English and thrust them out of their Towne with which King Richard justly offended who had his Campe without the Towne prepares himselfe to revenge the affront when Tancred sending to him to signifie that the affront was offered without his knowledge and much against his liking so pacified him that for the present he remained satisfied but understanding afterward that the Messanians did but waite their opportunity till the Spring when King Richard should be going he resenting their intention staies â—ot their leisure but assaulting the Towne with fire
kingdome all sorts of people were drawne so dry by the two great occasions of his Journey and his Ransome and afterward by other Taxations that the richest men had enough to doe to maintaine themselves without being at the charge to make provision for others All workes of Piety were now for the service of the Holy Land and therefore it may well passe if not for a worke of Devotion at least worthy to be remembred that William Bishop of Ely builded the outer wall of the Tower of London and caused a deepe ditch to be made about it with an intention the River of Thames should have surrounded it though it could not be effected Onely Hubert Walter who at one time was Arch-bishop of Canterbury the Popes Legat Lord Chancellour Lord Chiefe Justice and the immediate Governour under the King both in Wales and England Founded a Monastery at West Derham in Norfolke where he was borne begunne another at Wolverhampton and finished a Collegiate Church at Lambeth Of his Wifâ— and Children IN his Infancy he was contracted to a daughter of Raymond Earle of Barcelone after that affianced to Adela or Alice daughter of Lewis King of France yet married to neither of them but he married Berengaria daughter of Garsias King of Navarre whom his Mother Queene Eleanor brought unto him into Sicilie from whence passing into Cyprus their marriage was there solemnised afterward going forward to the Holy Land he carried her and his sister Iane Queene of Sicilie along with him where they remained till his returne home and then sent them to passe to Sicilie and from thence into England but that ever she came into England no mention is made neither what became of her after she parted from King Richard at the Holy Land But children certainely he had none either by his wife or by any Concubine unlesse we reckon as a Priest in Normandy did who told King Richard he had three daughters and the King marvelling who they should be seeing he knew of none he had yes saith the Priest you have three daughters Pride Covetousnesse and Lechery which the King taking merrily called to the company about him and said I am told by a Priest here that I have three daughters and I desire you to be witnesses how I would have them bestowed my daughter Pride upon the Templars and Hospitallers my daughter Covetousnesse upon the Monks of the Cistercian Order and my daughter Lechery upon the Clergy Casualties happening in his time IN his time the Towne of Mawling in Kent with the Nunnery was consumed with fire and in his time the bones of Arthur the famous King of Britaine were found at Glastenbury in an old Sepulchre about which stood two Pillars in which letters were written but could not be read Upon the Sepulchre was a crosse of Lead whereon was written Here lyâ—th the Noble King of Britaine Arthur Also in this Kings dayes for three or foure yeares together there raigned so great a dearth that a Quarter of Wheate was sold for 18. shillings 8. pence and then followed so great a mortality of men that scarce the living sufficed to bury the dead Of his Personage and Conditions HE was tall of stature and well proportioned faire and comely of face of haire bright abourne of long armes and nimble in all his joynts his thighes and legs of due proportion and answerable to the other parts of his body To speake of his morall parts his Vices for the most part were but onely upon suspition Incontinency in him much spoken of nothing proved but his Vertues were apparent for in all his actions he shewed himselfe Valiant from whence he had the appellation or surname of Caeâ—r de Lyon wise liberall mercifull just and which is most of all Religious a Prince borne for the good of Christendome if a Barre in his Nativity had not hindred it The remorse for his undutifulneesse towards his Father was living in him till he dyed for at his death he remembred it with bewailing and desired to be Buryed as neare him as might be perhaps as thinking they should meete the sooner that he might aske him forgivenesse in another world Of his Death and Buriall HE dyed of a wound with an Arrow in his Arme which neglected at first and suffered to wrankle or as others say ill handled by an unskilfull Chirurgeon in foure dayes brought him to his End But his Charity deserves to have it remembred that finding himselfe past hope of Recovery he caused the Party that had wounded him to be brought before him who being asked what moved him to doe this Fact answered that King Richard had killed his Father and two of his Brothers with his owne hand and thereforâ— would doe it if it were to doe againe Upon this Insolent answer every one looked the King should have censured him to some terrible punishment when contrary to all their expectations in a high degree of Charity he not onely freely forgave him but gave a speciall charge he should be set at liberty and that no man should dare to doe him the least hurt commanding besides to give him a hundred shillings for his paines An Act that well shewed he had beene at the Holy Land or rather indeed that he was going to it He dyed the sixth day of Aprill in the yeare 1199. when he had lived 44. yeares Raigned nine and about nine moneths and had his Body Buryed at Founteverard by his Father his heart at Roan in remembrance of the hearty love that City had alwayes borne him and his bowels at Chalons for a disgrace of their unfaithfulnesse others say at Carlile in England Of Men of Note in his time IN his time were famous Baldwyn Archbishop of Câ—nterbury who followed King Richard into the Holy Land and dyed there Hubert that succeeded him Hugh Bishop of Lincolne William Bishop of Ely a man equally famous and infamous also Baldwyn Archbishop of Canterbury a learned Writer in Divinity Daniel Morley a great Mathematician Iohn de Herham and Richard de Herham two notable Historians Guilielmus Stephonides a Monke of Canterbury who wrote much in the praise of Arch-bishop Becket also one Richard Divisiensis Nicholas Walkington and Robert de Bello Foco an excellent Philosopher Of Martiall men Robert Earle of Leycester Ranulph de Fulgers two of the Bâ—â—dolphs Hugh and Henry three Williams Marshall Brunâ—ll and Mandevill with two Roberts Rosse and Sâ—vevile THE RAIGNE OF KING IOHN KING Richard being dead the right of Succession remained in Arthur Sonne of Geoffrey Plantagenâ—t elder Brother to Earle Iohn but Iohn as thinking the title of Arthur but a Criticisme in State and not for every ones capacity at least in common sense not so plaine as his owne who was the sonne of a King and the Brother to a King ascends into the Throne as confidently as if he had no competitor Onely Hubert Arch-bishop of Canterbury went before and made an Oration in his behalfe wherein seeking to doe him
of the Liberties of the kingdome which though oppugned by some and spâ—cially by William Brewer and Hubert de Burgh whom the King had now made his chiefe Justiciar as having beene an Act of constraint yet the King then againe ratified and twelve knights or other Legat men of every Shire by Writs were charged to examine what the Lawes and Liberties were which the kingdome injoyed under his Grandfather and that they should returne them by a certaine day and here the King by Parliament resumeth into his hands such Alienations as had beene made by his Ancestors of any Crowne Land The next yeare after another Parliament is held at Westminster wherein is required the fiftieth part of all the movables both of the Clergy and Laity for the recovery of those parts in France with-held from the Crowne by Lewis now King contrary to his Oath and promise made here in England at his departure which though it concerned the Honour and Dignity of the kingdome and the estates of most of the Nobility yet would it not be yeelded to but upon confirmation of their Liberties which in the end was obtained in the same words and forme as King Iohn had granted them in the two Charters before and twelve knights are chosen in every Shire to dispart the old Forests from the new and the new to be laid open and ploughed and improvedâ— to the great comfort and benfit of the subject and two yeares they were accordingly injoyed Of his Acts after he came to be of age IT was now the tenth yeare of King Henries Raigne and being about nineteene yeares of age he claimed to take the government of the kingdome into his own hands and no longer to be under a Protectour and now will presently appeare the difference betweene a Prince that is ruled by good Counsell and a Prince that will doe all of himselfe and take no advise For the ten yeares hee was ruled by a Protectour were all passed as it were in a calme without noyse or clamour but as soone as he tooke upon him the government himselfe there grew presently stormes and tumults no quietnesse either to the subject or himselfe nothing but grievances all the long time of his Raigne For at the Parliament now holden at Oxford as soone as he was Crowned againe he presently cancels and annuls the Charter of the Forests as granted in his Nonage and therefore he not bound to observe it and then not using any longer the Seale which the Protectour had used he makes a new and causeth a Proclamation to be made that whosoever would enjoy any benefit of Grants under his Seale should come and have them signed by his new Seale by which course he drew much mony from many and this was the first grievance Shortly after he commits the keeping of Barkehamstead Castle to one Walleran a Duâ—chman which Castle belonged to his Brother Richard Earle of Cornewall but when Earle Richard required to have the possessionâ— as oâ— right he ought it was then plotted by Hubeâ—t Burgh Chiefe Justice and the Kings chiefe Counsellor to commit him to prison which the Earle understanding oâ— at least suspecting flies presâ—ntly to Mâ—rleborough where he finds William Earle Marshall his vowed friend with whom he hasâ—ens to Stamford and there meeâ—es with the Earles of Chester Glocester Warren Hereford Ferrers Warwicke and diverâ— other Barons who all confederate together and send to the King â—hat unlesse he restore the Castle to his brother and â—o them the Liberties of Forests which he had lately cancelled at Oxford they would seeke to recover them by the sword Here upon King Henry to pacifiâ— his brotherâ— not onely renders the Castle to himâ— but gives him besides all that his Mother had in Dower and also great possessions which the Earle of Britaine and thâ— Earle of Bâ—leigne lately deceasedâ— had in England but to the Petition of the Lords he makes a dilatory answerâ— and this was another grievance Not long after King Henry is perswaded by Hugh â—e Brun Earle of March who had married his Mother to make a journey into France for recovery of his right thereâ— but the Earle perswaded it for ends of his owne which to have discovered had beene no way to comâ—â—â—â—e themâ—â—e must therefore â—ay some colours upon his worke and it was colour enoughâ— that the action would be of great benefit to the King if it might succeedâ— and the likelihood of succeeding was most apparent by reason of the great inclinaâ—ion of the people to King Henry and their great aversnesse from King Lewis Upon these colours King Henry undertaking the action raiseth great summes of money from the Clergyâ— and from the Londoners for redemption of their Libertiesâ— and takes the â—hird part of all the goods of the Iewesâ— but when he returned home a yeare after without having done any thing but spent his treasure and his timeâ— and that which was moâ—e worth then both these the lives of many Noble men and others this was another grievance And now King Henry bringing many Pâ—â—ctâ—â—ins over with him who had served him in his warresâ— he was to reward them â—ere which he could not doe but by displacing and spoyle of his Officers First therefore he calleth Ralph Bretton Treasurer of his Chamber to account and grievously Fâ—nes him for defrauding him in his Office Then likewise is Hubert de Burgh Chiefe Justiciar and his Chiefe Counsellour called to account for such Treasure as passed his Office who being further charged with crimes of Treason flies to the Church of Merton for sanctuary from whence when the King commanded him to be drawne out by violence the Bishop of London hearing of it commanded him to be returned back to sanctuary upon paine of Excommunication but the King commanding him to be kept from sustenance hunger at last enforced him to render himselfe to the Kings mercy all his goods which were very great confiscate Also Walter Bishop of Carlile is thrust out of his Office of Treasure and William Rodon knight from his place of Maâ—shall of the Kings house and all the chiefe Counsellours Bishops Earles and Barons of the kingdome are removed as distrustedâ— and onely strangers preferred to their roomes of which course Peter de Rupibus a Poictouin Bishop of Winchester and one Peter de Rivalis the Kings speciall Favorite were said to be the Authors and this was another grievance The King was now about eight or nine and twenty yeares old and a Consultation was had for a fit wife for him There was propounded a sister of Alexander King of Scots but it was not thought fit the King should marry the younger sister when Hubert de Burgh had married the elder he therefore takes one of his owne choosing and marries Eleanor daughter to Raymond Earle of Province by which match he neither had Portion by his Wife nor strength of Alliance by friends or if any were it was all made vaine by distance onely he had by her
the King the estate of his kingdome and the oppressions of Popes inquiry was made of the Revenues which the Romans and Italians had in England which were found to be annually sixty thousand Markes being more then the yearely Revenues of the Crowne which so moved the King that he caused the same to be notifyed with all other Exactions to the Generall Councell now Assembled at Lyons and this with the ill usage of his Agent Martin so vexed the Pope that he is said to have uttered these words It is time to make an end with the Emperour that we may crush these petty Kings for the Dragon once appeased or destroyed these lesser Snakes will soone be trodden downe But upon the Popes rejecting the consideration of these grievances of England and despiâ—ing the Kings message who he said began to Frederize it was absolutely here ordained under great penalty that no contribution of money should be given to the Pope by any Subject of England and the King for a time assents unto it but being of an irresolute and wavering nature and afraid of threats he soone gave over what he undertooke so as the Pope continued his former rapine and though he had promised never to send any more Legats into England yeâ— sent he other Ministers under the title of Clerkes that had as great power as Legats and effected as much And now for the other part of the State new occasions also of complaint were offered Peter of Savoy Earle of Richmond comes into England bringing with him certain Maides to be marryed to young Noble men of this Countrey the Kings Wards of whom Edmund Earle of Lincolne hath one and Richard de Burgh another and the same yeare three of the Kings Brothers by the Mother Guy de Lusignan William de Valence and Athelmar Clerke are sent over to be provided of Estates in England also Thomas of Savoy sometimes Earle of Flanders by Right of his Wife comes with his sister Beatrix Countesse of Provence the Queenes Mother who are againe Feasted and Gifted for which the King is taxed the next Parliament in Candlemas Terme and besides sharply reprehended for his breach of Promise having Vowed and Declared by his Charter never more to injure the State in that kinde also for his violent taking up of provision of Waxe Silke Roabes and specially of Wine contrary to the will of the sellers and many other grievances they complaine of all which the King patiently heares in hope to obtaine his desire but yet nothing is effected and the Parliament being Prorogued till Midsummer following and the King growing more obdurate then before it afterward brake up in discontent But the Parliament not supplying him he is advised to furnish his wants with sale of his Plate and Jewels of the Crowne being told that though they were sold yet they would revert againe unto him and having with great losse received money for them he askes who had bought them Answer is made the City of London That City said he is an inexhaustible Gulph If Octavius Treasure were to be sold they surely would buy it And now to vexe them he appoints a Faire to be kept at Westminster forbidding under great penalty all exercise of Merchandise within London for fifteene dayes and all other Fayres in England and namely that of Ely but this Novelty came to nothing the Inconvenience of the place as it was then and the foulenesse of the weather brought more affliction then benefit to the Traders That Christmas also he requires Newyeares gifts of the Londoners and shortly after writes unto them his Letters imperiously deprecatory to ayde him with money and thereby gets of them twenty thousand pounds for which the next yeare after he craves pardon of them And notwithstanding his continuall taking up all Provisions for his House yet he lessens his House-keeping in no honourable manner And then seeing he could get nothing of the States together he calls unto him or writes to every Nobleman apart declaring his poverty and how he was bound by Charter in a debt of thirty thousand pound to those of Burdeaux and his Gascoynes who otherwise would not have suffered him to depart home at his last being in France but faâ—ling herein of Temporall Lords he addresseth his Letters to the Prelates of whom he findes as little reliefe by much importunity and his owne presence he got of the Abbot of Ramsey a hundred pound but the Abbot of Borough had the face to deny him though the King told him it was more Almes to give money to him then to a Begger that went from doore to doore The Abbot of Saint Albons yet was more kind and gave him threescore Markes To such lownesse did the necessity of this indigent King through his profusion bring him The Iewes ever exposed to his will feele the weight of these his wants One Abraham found a Delinquent redeemes himselfe for seven hundred Markes and Aaron another Iew protests the King had since his last being in France taken from him at times thirty thousand Markes of Silver besides 200. Markes of Gold given to the Queene But now the Lords assemble againe at London and presse him with his promise made unto them that the Chiefe Justiciar Chancellour and Treasurer should be appointed by the Generall Councell of the kingdome but by the absence of Richard Earle of Cornwall which was thought to be done of purpose they returne frustrate of their desire And now the Bishopricke of Winchester falling void the King sends presently to the Monkes of the Cathedrall Church to Elect his Brother Athelmar and because he would not be denyed he goes thither himselfe in person and there enters the Chapter house as a Bishop or Prior gets up into the Presidents Chaire beginnes a Sermon and takes his Text Iustice and Peace have kissed each other and thereupon useth these words To me and other Kings who are to governe the people belongs the rigour of Judgement and Justice to you who are men of quiet and Religion Peace and Tranquillity and this day I heare you have for your owne good beene favourable to my request with many such like words whereby the Monkes finding the earnestnesse of his desire held it in vaine to deny him and Athelmar is Elected but with this reservation if the Pope allow it Shortly after followes the memorable Case of Sir Henry de Bathe a Justiciar of the kingdome and a speciall Counsellour to the Kingâ— who by corruption had attained to a mighty Estate and is said in one Circuit to have gotten two hundred pound land per annum He is accused by Sir Philip Dâ—rcy of falsehood in the Kings Court and the King is so incensed against him that in the Parliament at this time holden in London Proclamation is made that whosoever had any Action or Complaint against Henry de Bathe should come and be heard One of his fellow Justiciars accused him of acquiting a malefactor for a bribe The King seeing Henry
de Bathes friends to be many and strongâ— breakes out into rage protesting that whosoever would kill Henry de Bathe should be acquited for the deed But afterward by intercession of the Earle of Cornwall and the Bishop of London the King becomes pacifyed and Sir Henry is released paying two thousand Markes and after is restored to his former place and favour The King keeping his Christmas at Yorke the marriage is solemnized betweene Alexander King of Scots and Margaret his Daughter to the Feast of which solemnity it is said the Arch-biâ—hop gave sixe hundred fat Oxen which were all spent at one meale and besides the Feast cost him foure thousand Markes About this time the Pope solicits King Henry to undertake the Crosse and so doth Alphonsus King of Castile offering to accompany him in person to rescue the King of France who was now held Prisoner by the Souldan And because a ransome collected for him in France was by tempest cast away at Sea the Captive King offers to restore Normandy to the King of England so he would come to his rescue Upon this solicitation of the Pope and the grant of a tenth of the Clergy and Laity for three yeares to come the King undertakes the Crosse rather it seemes to get the money then with any purpose to performe the Journey which had it beene collected saith Paris would have amounted to six hundred thousand pounds to the utter impoverishing of the kingdome And now the King by Proclamation cals the Londoners to Westminster and there causeth the Bishops of Worcester and Chichester to declare his Intentions and to exhort the people to undertake the Crosse and attend him but few are moved by their perswasions onely three knights of small note whom thereupon the King in open view imbraceth kisseth and cals his Brethren checking the Londoners as ignoble Mercenaries and there himselfe takes his Oath for performing it and to set forth upon Midsummer day next In taking his Oath he layes his right hand on his Breast according to the manner of a Priest and after on the Booke and kist it as a Layman About this Tenth granted by the Pope but not by the People a Parliament is called at London where the Bishops are first dealt withall as being a worke of Piety and they absolutely refuse it then the Temporall Lords are set upon and they answer as the Bishops which put the King into so great a rage that he drove out all that were in his Chamber as he had beene madde Then he â—als to perswade them apart sending first for the Bishop of Ely and deales with him in all kind manner recounting the many favours he had done him The Bishop replies Disswading him from the Journey by the Example of the King of France and to that purpose useth many good reasons which the King hearing in great passion commanded his servants to thrust him out of doore perceiving by this what was to be expected of the rest and thereupon fals upon his former violent courses and first the City of London is compelled to the Contribution of a thousand Markes and the Gascoyners being upon revolt unlesse speedy succour be sent them generall Musters are made and commandement given that whosoever could dispend thirteene pounds per annum should furnish out a Horseman This occasions another Parliament wherein it seemes the State beganne wisely to consider that all their oppositions did no good the Kings turne must be served one way or other therefore they agreed to relieve him rather by the usuall way then force him to those extravagant courses which he tooke but yet so as the Reformation of the Government and the ratification of their Lawes and Liberties might once againe be solemnely confirmed And after fifteene dayes consultation to satisfie the Kings desire for his holy Expedition a Tenth is granted by the Clergy and Scutage three Markes of every knights Fee by the Laity and thereupon those often confirmed Charters are againe ratifyed and that in the most solemne and Ceremoniall manner that State and Religion could possibly devise The King with all the Great Nobility of England all the Bishops in their reverent Ornaments with burning Candles in their hands assemble to heare the terrible sentence of Excommunication against the infringers of the same And at the lighting of those Candles the King having received one in his hand gives it to a Prelate that stood by saying It becomes not me being no Priest to hold this Candle my heart shall be a greater Testimony and withall laid his hand spread upon his Breast all the time the sentence was read which was thus Pronounced Authoritate Dei Omnipotentis c. Which done he caused the Charter of King Iohn his Father granted by his free consent to be openly read In the end having throwne away their Candles which lay smoaking on the ground they cryed out So let them who incurre this sentence be extinct and have no better savour then these snuffes and the King with a loud voyce said As God helpe me I will as I am a Man a Christian a Knight a King Crowned and annoynted inviolably observe all these things and therewithall the Bels rung out and the people shouted for Joy Yet was not all so quieted by this Grant but that there were grievances still whereof the first fals upon his Brother Richard Earle of Cornwall for the King having seven and twenty yeares before given him the Province of Gâ—scogne now that he had a Sonne of his owne he would take it from his Brother and give it to his Sonne and the Earle refusing to deliver his Charter it is plotted to imprison him but he escaping out of Burdeaux comes over into England The King to win the Nobility of Gascogne to turne to him promiseth them thirty thousand Markes which they accept so as he binde himselfâ— by his Oath and Charter to performe it This strictnesse of theirs the King takes in ill part and thereupon sends Simâ—â— Montford Earle of Leycester a sterne man to be their Governour who with his insolent Government so discontents them that after three yeares suffering they send the Arch-bishop of Burdeaux with other great men to complaine of his Insolencies whereupon Montford is sent for and because the Lords tooke part with him the King takes part with the Gascoyners which Montford tooke so ill that he upbraides the King with breaking his Promise to whom the King in great rage replyed that no promise was to be kept with an unworthy Traytor at which word Montford riseth up protesting that he lyed and were he not Protected by his Royall Dignity he would make him repent those words The King commands his Servants to lay hold on bim but the Lords would not permit it Yet after this great affront to the King is Montford sent over againe into Gascogne though with a more limited Authority and shortly after the King with a Fleete of three hundred Ships goes thither himselfe and soone composeth all
differences in the Country But now the King of Spaine pretends a title to Aquitaine and to take him off King Henry sends to treate of a marriage betweene Prince Edward and his Sister Eleanor which being accepted by the King of Spaine the Marriage is solemnized at Burgos where the King of Spaine knights the Prince and quits his claime to Aquitaine for him and his Successours for ever and King Henry invests the Prince and his Wife in it and gives unto him besides Ireland Wales Bristow Stamford and Grantham and from hence it came that ever after this the Kings eldest Sonne was immediately upon his Birth Prince of Wales and Earle of Chester After this King Henry prepares to returne home and well he might having spent in this and his former Journeyes into those parts the summe of seven and twenty hundred thousand pounds More then all the Lands if they had beene sold were worth which when the King was told he desired there might be no words made of it for his credite And now being to returne he is desirous with the King of Frances leave to passe thorow France and comming to Paris with a thousand Horse where he stayed eight dayes is there most Royally Feasted by the King of France and he as royally Feasts the King of France againe But it is the Londoners and the Iewes that are like to pay for all For comming home about Christmas when the Londoners presented him with a hundred pounds in money and afterwards with two hundred pounds in Plate it was so sleighted and so ill taken that a hole was presently found in their coate for an escape of a Prisoner which cost them three thousand Markes Yet was not this enough but he takes good Fleeces from the Iews and then lets them out to Farme to his Brother Richard for a great summe of money and he to make what more of them he could Yet after all this he complaines of his Debts which he saith are at least three hundred thousand Markes which must needes be the heavyer to him because he had diminished his ownâ— meanes by the allowance of fifteene thousand Markes per annum to his Sonne the Prince The onely hope is in the Parliament but a Parliament being called they fall presently upon their old Grievances complaining upon the King for breach of Charters and renuing their Claime to have the Chiefe Justiciar the Chancellour and Treasurer to be chosen by themselves so nothing was done for the King at this time and the Parliament being prorogued till Michaelmas after as little then by reason many of the Peeres came not as not being summoned according to the tenour of Magna Charta And now while the King was using meanes to winde himselfe out of Debt there happened occasions to put him further in For now Thomas Earle of Savoy the Queenes Brother being at warre with the City of Thuryn must be supplyed with money towards it by the King of England Now the Elect Bishop of Toledo the King of Spaines Brother comes into England and must be sumptuously Feasted and have great gifts presented him Now Eleanor the Princes Wife arrives with a multitude of Spaniards and must all be entertained at the Kings charge and have no small presents given them at their departure Now comes Rustandus from the Pope with power to Collect the Tenth of the Clergy for the Popes use and the Kings and to absolve him from his Oath of the Holy warre so he would come to destroy Manfred Sonne to the Emperour Fredericke now in possession of the kingdome of Sicilie and Apulia And this man likewise hath great gifts bestowed upon him besides a rich Prebend in Yorke But the Pope by too much seeking his profit loseth credit and all for the Clergy sleights him and will give him nothing and when he would have borrowed of the Earle of Cornwall five hundred Markes the Earle answered he liked not to lend his money to one upon whom he could not Distraine But King Henries greatest charge was his purchasing a kingdome for his Sonne Edmund for now comes the Bishop of Bâ—nonia from the Pope with a Ring of Investiture to Prince Edmund in the kingdome of Sicilie which he pretends to be at his disposing and King Henry takes it in so good earnest that after this he cals his Sonne Edmund by no other name then King of Sicilie But all this was done by the Pope but to angle away King Henries money as indeed upon this hope he had drawne the King into the engagement of a hundred and fifty thousand Markes for to draw the King on it was given out that the Pope had deleâ—ted all Manfreds Forces and was thereby in possession of the kingdome when the truth was that Manfred had defeated the Popes Forces and was thereby himselfe established in the kingdome The yeare 1275. the King keepes his Christmas at Winchester where new Grievances arise The Merchants of Gascogny having their Wines taken from them by the Kings Officers without satisfaction complaine to their Lord the Prince he to his Father and his Father having beene informed before-hand by his Officers that their clamour was unjust as relying upon the Princes favour he falls into a great rage with the Prince and breakes out into these words See! now my Blood and my owne Bowels impugne me but afterwards pacified he gives order the injuries should be redressed And now the Princes Followers themselves come to be a Grievance who relying upon their Master commit many outrages and spoyle and wrong men at their pleasure and the Prince himselfe is not altogether free of whom it is said that meeting a young man travailing by the way he caused one of his eares to be cut off and one of his eyes to be put out and many such prankes plaid by him and his Followers in Wales made the Welsh breake out into open Rebellion which the Prince would faine have suppressed but there was no money to be had towards the doing it And now the King fals to shifts he comes into the Chequer himselfe and there layes penalties upon Sheriffes that returne not their moneys in due time then he fals upon measures of Wine and Ale upon Bushels and Weights and something he gets but London is his best Cheqâ—er and every yeare commonly he hath one quarrell or other to the Londoners and they are sure to pay And now fals out an accident seeming of great honour but certainely of no profit to the kingdome Richard Earle of Cornwall the Kings Brother is Elected King of the Romans for although Alphonsus King of Spaine the great Mathematician were his Competitour yet Earle Richards money wrought more then his Learning and the Arch-bishop of Câ—llen comes over to fetch him and Crowned he is at Aquisgrane This Earle of Cornwall is reported able to dispend a hundred Markes a day â—or ten yeares besides his Revenues in England But now as a man that payes deare for an Office lookes that his
brought to King Edward and for the love of her Prince Leolyn was content to submit himselfe to any conditions which besides subjection of his State was to pay fifty thousand pounds Sterling and a thousand pounds per annum during his life and upon these conditions the marriage with his beloved Lady was granted him and was solemnized here in England whereat the King and Queene were themselves present Three yeares Leolyn continued loyall and within bounds of obedience in which time David one of his Brothers staying here in England and found by the King to be of a stirring Spirit was much honoured by him Knighted and matched to a rich Widow Daughter of the Earle of Darby and had given him by the King besides the Castle of Denbigh with a thousand pounds per annum though as it was afterwards found he lived here but in the nature of a spy For when Prince Leolyns Lady was afterward dead and that he contrary to his Conditions formerly made brake out into rebellion then goes his Brother David to him notwithstanding all these Favours of the King and they together enter the English Borders Surprise the Castles of Flynt and Rutland with the person of the Lord Clifford sent Justiciar into those parts and in a great Battaile overthrew the Earles of Northumberland and Surrey with the slaughter of Sir William Lyndsey Sir Richard Tanny and many others King Edward advertised of this Revolt and overthrow being then at the Vyzes in Wiltshire prepares an Army to represse it but before his setting forth goes privately to his Mother Queene Eleanor lying at the Nunnery of Aimesbury with whom whilest he conferred there was one brought into the Chamber who faigned himselfe being blinde to have received his sight at the Tombe of King Henry the third Aâ—soone as the King saw the man he remembred he had seene him before and knew him to be a most notorious lying Villaine and wished his Mother in no case to beleeve him but his mother who much rejoyced to heare of this Miracle for the glory of her husband finding her sonne unwilling that his Father should be a Saint grew suddenly into such a rage against him that she commanded him to avoid her Chamber which the King obeyes and going forth meetes with a Clergy man to whom he tels the story of this Impostour and merrily said He knew the justice of his Father to be such that he would rather pull out the eyes being whole of such a wicked wretch then restore them to their sight In this meane time the Arch-bishop of Canterbury had gone of himselfe to Prince Leolin and had laboured to bring him and his brother David to a re-submission but could effect nothing for besides other reasons that swayed Prince Leolin the conceit of a Prophesie of Merlin that he should shortly be Crowned with the Diadem of Brute so overweighed him that he had no care for peace and shortly after no head for after the Earle of Pembroke had taken Bere Castle which was the seat of Prince Leolin he was himself slain in battell and his head cut off by a common Souldier was sent to King Edw. who caused the same to be Crowned with Ivie and to be set upon the Tower of London And this was the end of Leolin the last of the Welsh Princes betraied as some write by the men of Buelth Not long after his brother David also is taken in Wales and judged in England to an ignominious death First drawn at a horse taile about the City of Shrewsbury then beheaded the trunke of his body divided his heart and bowels burnt his head sent to accompany his brothers on the Tower of London his foure quarters to foure Cities Bristow Northâ—â—pton York and Winchester A manifold execution and the first shewed in that kind to this kingdome in the person of the son of a Prince or any other Noble man that we reade of in our History It is perhaps something which some here observe that at the sealing of this conquest King Edward lost his eldest son Alphonsus of the age of twelve years a Prince of great hope and had onely left to succeed him his sonne Edward lately borne at Carnarvan and the first of the English intituled Prince of Wales but no Prince worthy of either Wales or England And thus came Wales to be united to the Crowne of England in the eleventh yeare of this King Edwards Raigne who thereupon established the government thereof according to the Lawes of England as may be seene by the Statute of Rutland in the twelfth yeare of his Raigne The worke of Wales being setled King Edward passeth over into France upon notice of the death of Philip the Hardy to renew and confirme such conditions as his state in those parts required with the new King Philip the fourth intituled the Faire to whom he doth homage for Aquitaine having before quitted his claime to Normandy for ever After three yeares and a halfe being away in France he returns into England and now in the next place comes the businesse with Scotland and will hold him woâ—ke at times as long as he lives and his sonne after him Alexander the third King of Scots as he was running his horse fell horse and man to the ground and brake his necke and died immediatelyâ— by reason whereof he leaving no issue but onely a daughter of his daughter Margaret who died also soone after there fell out presently great contention about succession Ten Competitors pretend title namely Erick King of Norway Florence Earle of Holland Robert Bruce Earle of Anandale Iohn de Baylioll Lord of Galloway Iohn de Hastings Lord of Abergeveny Iohn Cummin Lord of Badenaw Patrick de Dunbarre Earle of March Iohn de Vescie Nicholas de Sulâ—s William de Rosse all or most of them deâ—cending from David Earle of Huntington younger brother to William King of Scots and great Unkle to the late King Alexander This title King Edward takes upon him to decide pretending a Right of Superiority from his Ancestours over that kingdome and proving it by authority of old Chronicles as Marianus Scotus William of Malmsbury Roger de Hoveden Henry of Huntington Ralph de Luceto and others which though the Scottish Lords who swaied the Interregnum opposed yet are they constrained for avoyding of further inconveniences to make him Arbiter thereof and the tenne Competitours bound to stand to his award Two are especially found betweene whom the â—ight lay Iohn de Baylioll Lord of Galloway and Robert Brâ—ce the one descending from an elder daughter the other from a sonne of a younger daughter of Alan who had married the eldest daughter of this David brother to King William The controversie held long twelve of either kingdome learned in the Lawes are elected to debate the same at Berwick all the best Civilians in the Universities of France are solicited to give their opinions all which brought forth rather doubts then resolutions whereupon King Edward the better to
sway this businesse by his presence takes a journey Northward where being come as farre as Lincolnshire he lost his beloved wife Queene Eleanor and thereupon going backe to see her Funerall performed at Westminster that done he returnes presently to his Scottish businesse And now sixe yeares were passed since the death of King Alexander and yet nothing concluded in this controversie whereupon King Edward deals privately with Bruce who had the weaker Title but the more friends and promiseth him if he would sweare fealty and homage to the Crowne of England he would Invest him in that of Scotland But Bruce answers he was not so dâ—sirous to rule as thereby to infringe the liberties of his Countrey Whereupon with the like offer he sets upon Baylioll who having better right but lesse love of the people and more greedy of a kingdome then honour accepts the condition and thereupon is Crowned King at Scone hath fealty done him by all the chiefe Nobility except Bruce comes to New-Castle upon Tyne where King Edward then lay and there with many of his Nobles sweares fealty and doth homage to him as his Soveraigne Lord. Which act done to secure him overthrew him for being little beloved before hereby he became lesse such as stood for Bruce and others of the Nobility tender of the preservation of their Countries liberty took stomach against him and not onely for this but shortly after for his injustice in the case of the Earle of Fife one of the sixe Governours in the time on the Interregnum who had beene slaine by the Family of Alberneth the brother of which Earle prosecuting Law before King Baylioll in his high Court of Parliament and having no right done him King Baylioll giving judgement of the side of the Alberneths he appeales to the Court of the King of England whereupon King Baylioll is summoned appeares sits with King Edward in his Parliament till his cause was to be heard and then is cited by an Officer to arise and to stand in the place appointed for pleading then he craves to answer by a Procuratour but is denied and thereupon descends to the ordinary place and defends his cause himselfe which indignity as he tooke it so incenseth him that he returnes home with a breastfull charged with indignation meditates revenge renues the ancient league with France confirmes it with marriage of his sonne Edward to a daughter of Charles brother to King Philip glad in regard of late offences taken against the King of England to embrace the same which done Baylioll defies King Edward renounceth his Allegeance as unlawfully done being not in his power without consent of the State to doe any such Act. Hereupon brake out that mortall dissension betweene the two Nations which consumed more Christian bloud and continued longer then ever quarrell we reade of did between any two people in the world For he that beganne it could not end it but it lasted almost three hundred yeares and was never throughly abolished till the late blessed union wrought by him in whom Wisdome and Vertue Right and Power concurred all to make it firme And now the fatall Chaire in which the Kings of Scotland used to be Inaugurated seemes to recover its secret operation according to antient Prophesie that whither soever that Chaire should be removed the kingdome should be removed with it and this Chaire King Edward caused to be brought out of Scotland to Westminster and to be placed there amongst the Monuments where it still continues But now King Baylioll being summoned to appeare at New-Castle and refusing to come King Edward enters Scotland with an Army consisting of foure thousand horse and thirty thousand foot besides five hundred horse and one thousand foote of the Bishop of Durham Berwicke is first wonne with the slaughter of fifteene thousand Scots our Writers say more and after that the Castles of Dunbarre Roxborough Edinbough Sterliâ—g and Saint Iohns Towne and now King Balioll sues for Peace submits himselfe takes againe his Oath of Fealty to King Edward as his Soveraigne Lord which done a Parliament for Scotland is held at Berwicke where the Nobility likewise did Homage to him confirming the same by their Charter under their hands and seales onely William Dowglasse refuseth content rather to endure the misery of a Prison then yeeld to the subjection of the King of England But King Baylioll notwithstanding his submission is sent prisoner into England after his foure yeares Raigne in Scotland and King Edward returnes home leaving Iohn Warren Earle of Sussex and Surrey Warden of all Scotland Hugh Cressingham Treasurer and Ormesloy Chiefe Justice with Commission to take in his name the Homages and Fealties of all such as held Lands of that Crowne But this continued not long for King Edward being absent in France the Scots fell upon the Officers he had left slew Sir Hugh Cressingham with sixe thousand English recovered many Castles and regained the towne of Berwick and all by the animation and conduct of one William Walleys a poore private Gentleman though Nobly descended who seeing his Countrey without a Head and thereby without a Heart all the great men either in captivity or subjectionâ— assembles certaine of as poore and desperate estate as himselfe and leads them to attempt upon whatsoever advantages they could finde to annoy the English and having therein good successe it so encreased both his courage and company that he afterward came to be the generall Guardian of the whole kingdome and was in possibility to have absolutely redeemed his Countrey from the subjection of the English if the speedy comming of King Edward had not prevented him For now King Edward to bring his worke neare together removes his Exchequer and Courts of Justice to Yorke where they continued above sixe yeares and thither he cals a Parliament requiring all his subjects that held of him by knights service to be ready at Roxborough by a peremptory day where there assemble three thousand men at Armes on barded horses and foure thousand other armed men on horse without bards with an Army of foote answerable consisting most of Welsh and Irish besides five hundred men at Armes out of Gascoyne and with this power he makes his second expedition into Scotland the Earles of Hereford and Norfolke with the Earle of Lincolne led his Vauntgard at the famous battell of Fonkirke where the shouts of the Scots were so great that King Edwards horse frighted withall cast him off and brake two of his ribs which notwithstanding he gets up againe goes on and gets the victory wherein are reported to be slaine two hundred knights and forty thousand foot of the Scots but William Walleys with some few escaped to make more work And here againe that kingdome might seeme as if quite overthrowne Most of the estates of the Earles and Barons of Scotland with their titles that had stood out were bestowed on the English and a Parliament is called at Saint Andrewes where all the great
men of that kingdome except onely Walleys once againe sweare Fealty to the King of England It seemes swearing of Fealty was with the Scots but a Ceremony without substance as good as nothing for this is now the third time they swore Fealty to King Edward yet all did not serve to make them loyall for not long after comes the newes of a new King made and Crowned in Scotland Robert Bruce Earle of Carrick sonne to that Bruce who was competitour with Baylioll escaping out of England becomes Head to the confused Body of that kingdome and perceiving Iohn Cummyn who had a title himselfe to goe about to bewray his intentions to King Edward he finding him at Dunfrayes sets upon him and murthers him in the Church Whereof as soone as King Edward heard he sends Aymer de Valence Earle of Pembroke and the Lords Clifford and Percie with a strong power to revenge the death of Cummyn and to relieve his Wardens of Scotland who upon Bruces revolt were all retired to Berwicke whilst himselfe prepares an Army to follow wherein to be the more nobly attended he caused Proclamation to be made that whosoever ought by their Paternall succession or otherwise had meanes of their owne for service should repaire to Westminster at the Feast of Pentecost to receive the Order of knighthood and a Military Ornament out of the Kings Wardrobe Hereupon three hundred young Gentlemen all the sonnes of Earles Barons and knights assemble at the day appointed and receive Purples silkes Sindons Scarffes wrought with Gold or Silver according to every mans Estate For which traine because the Kings House was too little by reason a part of it had beene lately burnt roome is made and the Apple-trees cut downe at the new Temple for their Tents where they attire themselves and keepe their Vigile The Prince whom the King then likewise knighted and gave him the Dutchy of Aquitaine kept his Vigile with his Traine at Westminster and the next day girds these three hundred knights with the Military Belt in such manner as he himselfe had received it Which done the King before them all makes a Vow that alive or dead he would revenge the death of Cummyn upon Bruce and the perjured Scots Adjuring his Sonne and all the Nobles about him upon their Fealty that if he dyed in this Journey they should carry his Corps with them about Scotland and not suffer it to be interred till they had vanquished the Usurper and absolutely brought the Country to Subjection The Prince and all the Nobles promise upon their Faith to imploy their uttermost power to performe his Vow and herewithall he sets forth with a potent Army presently after Whitsontide and makes his last Expedition into Scotland in the foure and thirtieth yeare of his Raigne The Earle of Pembroke with that power sent before and aid of the Scottish party had before the King arrived in Scotland defeated in a battaile neare Saint Iohns Towne the whole Army of the new King and narrowly missed the taking of his Person but he escaping in disguise and sheltring himselfe in obscure places was reserved for greater Battailes his Brothers Nigell Bruce and shortly after Thomas and Alexander a Priest were taken and Executed after the manner of Traytors at Berwicke And now King Edward had done for Fighting all was now for Executions and indeed his desire of Revenge made him inexorable and vow to spare none of what degree soever The Earle of Atholl though of Royall blood and allyed unto him was sent to London where all his preferment was to have a higher paire of Gallowes then the rest The Wife of Robert Bruce taken by the Lord Rosse is sent Prisoner to London and his Daughter to a Monastery in Lindsey The Countesse of Boughan who had beene ayding at Bruces Coronation is put into a woodden Cage and hung out upon the walls of Berwicke for people to gaze on But though Bruces party was thus dejected and himselfe at this time appeared not but shifted privily from place to place in a distressed manner attended onely with two Noble Gentlemen who neeer forsooke him in his misfortunes the Earle of Lenox and Gilbert Hay yet gives he not over but gathers new Forces with which he suddenly assailes the Earle of Pembroke at unawares gives him a great defeate and within three dayes after chaseth the Earle of Glocester into the Castle of Aire where he besieged him till by the Kings Forces he was driven againe to his former retire Whereupon King Edward who had spent his Winter at Carlile in Iuly following with a fresh Army enters Scotland himselfe but falling into a Dysentery or Bloody-flix at Borough upon the Sands he ended his life and thus ended King Edwards troubles with Scotland but not Englands troubles which are more to come then yet are past But though this businesse of Scotland never left King Edward till his dying day yet it had been upon him but as an Ague sometimes putting him into violent heats and sometimes leaving him in a quiet temper with such a vicissitude that when he had quietnesse with Scotland he had troubles with France whereof the time is now to speake It is well knowne that Philip King of France Father of the present King and Edward King of England were neare Cousins the Sonnes of two Sisters and it hath beene shewed before at King Edwards returning from the Holy Land and passing through France what extraordinary kindnesse and mutuall courtesie passed betweene them that one would have thought neither they noâ— theirs should ever have falne out and perhaps never should if they had beene private men and not Princes For private men may easily continue Friends as having none to consider but themselves but Princes hardly as having besides themselves their Subjects to consider And though they be the Subjects oftentimes that make the Quarrell yet they are the Princes that must maintaine it And besides betweene Princes there can never be but jealousies and where jealousies are every trifle makes a quarrell And this was the case of these two Kings certaine of the King of Englands Subjects had upon the Coast of Normandy done spoyle to some Subjects of the King of France and this difference of the Subjects made a difference betweene the Kings while each of them standing in defence of his owne fall out themselves and for a beginning the King of France summons King Edward as owing homage to that Crowne to appeare and answer it in his Court. And King Edward though voluntarily before he had done it in a way of Courtesie yet being now impetiously commanded he refuseth it upon which refusall all his Territories in France are condemned to be forfaited and an Army is presently sent to seise upon the same led by Charles de Valois and Arnold de Neele Constable of France Burdeaux with divers other Peecâ—s of importance are taken from him And now King Edward well knowing what danger it was to have so powerfull an
Adversary endevours first to strengthen himselfe with Friends abroad seekes to match his Sonne Edward with a Daughter of Guy Earle of Flanders Marries one of his Daughters to the Dâ—ke of Barrâ— who pretended Title to Champaigne another to Iohn Duke of Braâ—ant sends fifteene thousand pounds Sterling to Adolph de Nassaw the Emperour for recovery of certaine Lands which he claimed in France and with all these and many other conâ—ining Princes he sets upon the King of France and then sends over his Brother Edmund Earle of Lancaster the Earles of Lincolne and Richmond with eight and twenty Banners seven hundred men at Armes and a Navy of three hundred and sixty Saile In the meane time the King of France having had intelligence of the intended alliance betweene King Edward and Guy Earle of Flanders sends for the said Earle as if knowing nothing thereof to come with his Wiâ—e and Daughter to make merry with him at Paris where instead of Feasting him he makes him Prisoner and takes from him his Daughter in regard he sought being his Vassall to match her with his capitall Enemy The Earle excuseth it the best he could and by much mediation is released himselfe but not his Daughter whereupon the Earle presuming upon aide from King Edward takes Armes and defies the King of France who thereupon comes with an Army of sixty thousand against him which caused King Edward with all speed possible to relieve this distressed Earle and so leaving the Government of the kingdome in his absence to the Bishop of London the Earle of Warwicke and the Lords Reynold Grey and Clifford with five hundred Saile and eighteene thousand men at Armes he passeth over into France but finding the Country distracted into many popular Factions and the King of France daily getting upon them having already won Lisle Doway Courtray Burges and Dam and the Emperour Adolph failing to send him aide as he had promised he fell into great perplexity and having stayed the whole Winter at Gaunt where by reason of many outrages committed by his Souldiers he was so affronted by the Gauntois that his owne person was not without some danger He thereupon in the Spring of the yeare concludes a Truce with the King of France for two yeares takes his sister Margaret to Wife and affianceth the Daughter of the same King to his Sonne Prince Edward and so returnes into England And these were all the troubles King Edward had with France But now must something be spoken of troubles with his Lords at home whereof this was the beginning In a Parliament at Salisbury the five and twentieth yeare of his Raigne the King requires certaine of his Lords to goe to the Warres in Gascoyne which needed a present supply by reason of the death of his Brother Edmund but the Lords make all their excuses every man for himselfe Whereupon the King in great rage threatned they should either goe or he would give their Lands to others that should Upon this Humfrey Bohun Earle of Hereford High Constable and Roger Bigod Earle of Norfolke Marshall of England make their Declaration that if the King went in Perâ—on they would attend him otherwise not Which answer offended the King more and being urged againe the Earle Marshall protested he would willingly goe thither with the King and march before him in the Vauntguard as by right of inheritance he ought to doe But the King told him plainely he should goe with any other though he weâ—â— not himselfe in Personâ— I am not so bound saith the Earle neither will I take tâ—â—t journey without you The King swore by God Sir Earle you shall either goe or hâ—â—â—â— And I sweare by the same Oath said the Earle I will neither goe noâ— hangâ— and so without leave departs Shortly after the two Earles assemble many Noble men and other their Friends to the number of thirty Bannereâ—s so as they were fifteen hundred men at Armes well appointed and stood upon their Guâ—â—dâ— The King like a prudent Prince who knew his times prosecuâ—es them not as then bâ—â— lets the matter passe in regard that his businesse called him presently into Flanders when being ready to take ship the Arch-bishops Bishops Earles Barons and the Commons send him a Roll of the Grievances of his Subjects concerning his Taxes Subsidies and other Impositions with his seeking to force their services by unlawfull courses to which the King sends answer that he could not aâ—tâ—r any thing without the advice of his Councell who were not now about him and therefore required them seeing they would not attend him in his Journey which they absolutely refused to doe though he went in Person unlesse he had gone into France or Scotland that they would yet doe nothing in his absence prejudiâ—iall to the peace of the kingdome and that at his returne he would set all things in good order to their contentment But having taken his Journey and being held there with long delayes to his exceeding great expenses he was forced to send over for more supply of Treasure and thereupon gave order for a Parliament to be held at Yorke by the Prince and because of his Minority for he was then but sixteene yeares of age by such as had the manage of the kingdome in his absence and to the end he would not be disappointed of aide he condescends to all such Articles as were demanded concerning the great Charter Promising from thenceforth never to charge his Subjects otherwise then by their consents in Parliament and to pardon all such as had denyed to attend him in this Journey After this in the 27. yeare of his Raigne a Parliament is called at Westminster wherein the promised Confirmation of the two Charters and the allowance of what disafforestation had heretofore beene made was earnestly urged and in the end with much adoe Granted and that with omission of the Clause Salva Iure Coronae nostrâ— which the King laboured to have inserted but the people by no meanes would agree and the perambulation of the Forests of England was then committed to three Bishops three Earles and three Barons But some yeares after in the two and thirtieth yeare of his Raigne King Edward begunne to shew his resentment of the stubborne behaviour of his Nobles towards him in times past and so terrifies Roger Bigod Earle Marshall that to recover his favor the Earle made him his Heireâ— in Possession though he had a Brother of his owne living reserving onely to himselfe a thousand pounds per annum during his life Of others likewise he goâ— great summes for the same offence The Earle of Hereford escaped his fine by death But the Arch-bishop of Canterbury whom he accused to have disturbed his Peace in his absence he sends over to Pope Clement the fifth who succeeded Bonifacâ— that he might be crusht with a double power This Pope was Native of Burdeaux and â—o the more regardfull of the Kings desire and the Kingâ— the more confident of
was the marke now aimed at having taken away his kingdome openly how they might take away his life secretly be the Authours of it and not be seene in it but this must be the Contents of a Chapter hereafter Of his Taxations BY this King it appeares there is something else besides the grievance of Taxations that alienates the mindes of English Subjects from their King for never were fewer Taxations then in this Kings time yet never were the Subjects minds more alienated from their King then they were from him Before his Coronation in a Parliament holdeâ— at Westminster â—â—ere was granted him a fifteenth of the Clergy and a twentieth of the Temporalty In his fifth yeare in a Parliament at Lâ—â—don was granted him a fifteenth of the Temporalty In his fifteenth yeare was granted the sixth penâ—y of temporall mens Goods through England Ireland and Wales towards his Warreâ— with Scotland And more then these we reade not of but then at the defeate of the Earle of Lancaster there were Confiscations that supplyed the place of Taxations by which as one saith he became the richest King that had beene since the Conquest Of his Lawes and Ordinances HE Ordained that the moneyes of his Father though counted base by the People should be currant In the eight yeare of his Raigne by reason of a dearâ—h which raised the price of all Victuals it was Ordained by Parliament that an Oxe fatted with grasse should be sold for fifteene shillings fatted with Corne for twenty the best Cow for twelve shillings a fat Hogge of two yeares old three shâ—llings foure pence a fat Sheepe shorne foureteene pence with the Fleece twenty pence a fat Goose for two pence halfe-penny a fat Capon two pence a fat Hen a penny foure Pigeons a penny whosoever sold for more should forfait their Ware to the King But after these Rates imposed all kinde of Victuals grew so scarce that provision could hardly be made for the Kings house whereupon shortly after the Order was revoked and Market Folkes permitted to make the best of their Wares In this Kings time an Ordinance was made against knights Templars accused of Heresie and other crimes and they were all apprehended and committed to divers Prisons The like was done by all the Kings of Christendome at one instant being condemned in a Generall Counsell at Vienna In the 14. yeare of his Raigne on the 15. of October the Clerkes of the Exchequer went towards Yorke with the Booke called Domus Dei and other Records and Provision that laded one and twenty Carts but within halfe a yeare they were brought backe againe Affaires of the Church in his time IN the 17. yeare of his Raign the Bishop of Hereford was arrestedâ— accused of High Treason for aiding the Kings enemies in their late rebellion but he refuâ—ed to answer being a consecrated Bishop without leave of the Arch-bishop of Canterbury whose Suffragan he was and who he said was his direct Judge next the Pope or without the consent of his fellow Bishops who then all arose and humbly craved the Kings Clemency in his behalfe but finding the King implacable they tooke him away from the Barre and delivered him to the custody oâ— the Arch-bishop of Canterbury shortly after he was againe taken and convented as before which the Clergy understanding the Arch-bishops Canterbury Yorke and Dublin with tenne other Bishops all with their Crosses erected went to the place of Judgement and againe tooke him away with them charging all men upon paine of Excommunication to forbeare to lay violent hands upon him with which audacious Act the King was so much displeased that he presently commanded inquiry to be made ex Officio Iudicis concerning those Objections against the Bishop wherein he was found guilty though absent and had all his Goods and Possessions seised into the Kings hands In this Kings time the Crowchet Fryers came first into England In his time Pope Iohn the two and twentieth first Instituted the Feast of Corpus Christi begunne before by Urban the fourth Workes of piety done by him or by others in his time THis King founded Oriall Colledge and Saint Mary Hall in Oxford He builded â— Church of Fryers at his Manour of Langley where the soule of Gaveston should bâ— prayed for In this Kings twentieth yeare Richard Rothing Sheriffe of London bâ—â—lded the Parish Church of Garlickhithe in London Ralph Baldocke Bishop of London gave two thousand Markes to the building of the new Worke of the Chappell on the South side of Pauls Church And left much more by his Testament Casualties IN the eighth yeare of this Kings Raigne was so great a dearâ—h that Horses and Dogges were eaten and Theeves in prison pluckt in peeces those that were newly brought in amongst them and eate them halfe alive which continuing three yeares brought in the end such a pestilence that the living scarce sufficed to bury the dead In the fourth yeare of his Raigne the Church of Middleton in Dorsetshire with all the Monuments was consumed with Lightning the Monkes being at Mattins In this Kings time digging the Foundation of a worke about Pauls were found more then a hundred heads of Oxen and kine which confirmed the opinion that of old time it had beene the Temple of Iupiter and that there was the Sacrifice of Beasts Of his Wife and Children HE marryed Isabel Daughter of Philip the Faire King of France she being but twelve yeares of age who lived his Wife twenty yeares his Widdow thirty and dying at threescore and three yeares old at Rysings neare London was buried in the midst of the Gray Fryers Quire in London By her he had issue two Sons and two Daughters his eldest Sonne named Edward of Windsor because borne there succeeded him in the kingdome His second Sonne named Iohn of Eltham because borne there was at twelve yeares old created Earle of Cornwall he dyed in Scotland in the flowre of his Youth unmarryed His eldest Daughter Ioane being a childe was marryed in the fourth yeare of King Edward her Brother to Dâ—vid Prince of Scotland Sonne to King Robert Bruce at seven yeares old who comming afterward into England to visit her Brother dyed here and was buryed at the Gray Fryers in London His second Daughter Eleanor was marryed to Reginold the second Earle of Gelder with a portion of fifteene thousand pounds and had issue by him two Sonnes who were Earles successively Of his Personage and Conditions HE was faire of body and of great strength but given much to drinke which made him oftentimes bewray his owne Secrets For his other conditions his greatest fault was that he loved but one for if his love had beene divided it could not have beene so violent He was extreame in nothing but in loving and though love moderated be the best of affections yet the extremity of it is the worst of passions He was rather unfortunate then unhappy seeing unfortunatenesse is in the Event unhappinesse in the Cause and
Sir Iames Dowglasse the King surrenders by his Charter all his title of Soveraignty to the Kingdome of Scotland restores divers Deeds and Instruments of their former Homages and Fealties with the famous Evidence called Ragmans Roll and many ancient Jewels and Monuments amongst which was the blacke Crosse of Scotland and besides any English man is prohibited to hold lands in Scotland unlesse he were a dweller there In consideration whereof King Bruce was to pay thirty thousand Markes and to renounce his claime to the Counties of Cumberland and Northumberland and any other place possessed by him in England This was no good beginning and yet worse followed after For another Parliament being holden at Winchester Edmund Earle of Kent the Kings Unkle is there accused and condemned upon his confession for intending to restore his brother the late King Edward an intention onely without any fact yet condemned he was and brought to the Scaffold but generally so beloved of the people that he stood on the Scaffold from one a clocke till five before any executioner could be found that would doe the office till at last a silly wretch of the Marshalsey was gotten to cut off his head But the Authors of his death escaped not long themselves for in the third yeare of the Kings Raigne another Parliament is holden at Nottingham wherein the Queen hath all her great Joynture taken from her and is put to her Pension of a thousand pounds a yeare and her selfe confined to a Castle where she remained the rest of her dayes no fewer then thirty yeares a time long enough to finde that her being the daughter of a King the sister of a King the wife of a King and the mother of a King were glorious titles but all not worth the liberty of a meane estate and as for Mortimer lying then in the Castle of Nottingham and lately created Earle of the Marches of Wales he was seised on in this manner the King taking with him William Montacute Robert Holland and others goe secretly one night by Torch-light through a privie way under ground till they came to the Queenes Chamber where leaving the King without they entred and found the Queene with Mortimer ready to goe to bed then laying hands on him they led him forth after whom the Queene followed crying Bel fits â—el fits ayes pitie du gentil Mortimer good son good sonne take pity upon the gentle Mortimer suspecting that her sonne had beene amongst them this course was taken to apprehend him for avoyding of tumult he having no fewer then ninescore knights and Gentlemen besides other meaner servants continually about him But thus seised on he is committed presently to the Tower accused of divers great crimes whereof these were chiefe that he had procured the late Kings death that he had beene the author of the Scots safe escaping at Stanhope Parke corrupted with the gift of thirty thousand pounds that he had procured the late marriage and Peace with Scotland so dishonourable to the King and kingdome that he had beene too familiar with the Queene as by whom she was thought to be with child of which Articles he is found guilty and condemned and thereupon is drawne and hanged on the common Gallowes at the Elmes now called Tiburne where his body remained two dayes as an opprobrious spectacle for all beholders After these businesses in England there comes a new businesse upon him from the King in France for about this time Philippe le Bel King of France the Queens brother dying without issue the right of succession to the Crowne is devolved upon the Heire to Charles a former King wherein are competitours Philip Duke de Valois and Edward King of England Edward is the nearer in bloud buâ— drawes his Pedegree by a Female Philippe the further off but descending by all Males and because the Law Salique excluding Females was conceived as well to exclude all descendants by Females therefore is Philips title preferred before King Edwards and Philip is received and crowned King of France to which preferment of his Robert d' Arthois a Peere of great power gave no small furtherance And now as soone as Philip was Invested in the Crowne he summons King Edward to come and doe his Homage for the Dutchy of Guyenne and his other lands in France held of that Crowne according to the custome which though it were some prejudice to King Edwards claime afterward yet in regard his kingdome of England was scarce well setled and himselfe but young he was contented to doe and thereupon the sixth of Iune in the yeare 1329. King Edward in a Crimson Velvet gowne imbroidered with Leopards with his Crowne on his head his Sword by his side and golden Spurres on his heeles presents himselfe in the body of the Cathedrall Church of Amyens before King Philip sitting in his Chaire of Estate in a Velveâ— Gowne of a Violet colour imbroydered with Flowers de lys of Gold his Crowne on his head and his Scepter in his hand with all his Princes and Peeres about him The Viscount Melun Chamberlaine of France first commands King Edward to puâ— off his Crowne his Sword and his Spurres and to kneele downe which he did on a Crimson Velvet Cushion before King Philip and then the Viscount putting both his hands together betweene the hands of the King of France pronounced the words of the Homage which were these You become Liegeman to my Master here present as Duke of Aquitaine and Peere of France and you promise to beare faith and loyalty unto him Say yea and King Edward said yea and kissed the King of France in the mouth as Lord of the Fee The like Homage also he did for the Earldome of Ponthieu But this act of submission left a rancour in King Edwards heart which afterwards brake so out that it had beene good for France 〈◊〉 had never beene exacted This done King Edward returnes home and there finds a new busines with Scotland upon this occasion Edward Baylioll sonne to Iohn Baylioll sometimes King of Scotland two and thirty yeares after his fathers deposition beganne now to shew himselfe attempting the recovery of that Crowne and comming out of Fraâ—ce where he had all that while remained and getting aide under-hand in Englaâ—d with them he suddenly assailes those who had the government of Scotland during the Nonage of the young King David being at that time with the King of Fraâ—ce and in a battell overcame them with the slaugher of many Noble men and thousands of the common people and thereupon was immediatly Crowned King of Scotland at Scone But notwithstanding this great defeat King Baylioll was forced to retire him into England to get more aide of King Edward who now shewes himselfe in the action joynes with Baylioll against his brother in Law King David goes in person with a strong Army to recover Berwicke which after three moneths siege being valiantly defended by the Lord Seton was taken in and the Army
himselfeâ— and first marching through 〈◊〉 where he takes in many Townes he plants his siâ—ge afterward before 〈◊〉 but having spent there sixe or seven weekes without effecting any thing he â—asseth thence and takes in the Cities of Sens Nevers the Dutchy of Bâ—rgoyne redeemes it self from spoil with paying two hundred thousand Floâ—ens of gold then he marcheth up to â—aris and plants his Camp within two small Leagues of the Towâ—â— where â—e honoured 400. Esquires and Gentlemen with the Order of knighthood but when Sir Walter de Manny had made a Bravado before the Gates of the City and the King saw that the Daulphin would by no provocations be drawne out to battell he raiseth his siege and returnes into Briâ—aine to refresh his Army from thence he marcheth towards Charâ—res with a purpose to besiege that City and though great offers were made him by the French and Commissioners from the Pope solicited him with all earnestnesse to accept them yet neither they nor the Duke of Lancasters perswasions could prevaile with him till a terrible â—torme of haile with thunder and lightning fell upon his Army which so terrified him being a warning as it were from Heauen that he presently vowed to make Peace with the French King upon any reasonable conditions as shortly after he did at a Treaty of Britigny neare to Chartres upon these Articles that the Fiefs of Thouars and Belleville the Dutchy of Guyenne comprising Gascoyne Poictou Sanâ—ogne Limoâ—sin Perigort Quercie Rhodes Angoulesme and Rochell together with the Counties of Guysnes and Callice and some other places with the Homages of the Lords within those Territories should be to the King of England who besides was to have three Millions of crownes of goldâ— whereof sixe hundred thousand in hand foure hundred thousand the yeaâ—e following and the rest in two yeares after and for this the King of England and his sonne the Prince of Wales for them and their successours for ever should renounce all their right pretended to the Câ—owne of France the Dutchy of Normandy the Countries of Touraine Anjou Mayne the Homage and Soveraignty of Britaine and the Earledome of Flanders and within three weekes King Iohn to be rendred at Callice at the charge of the King of England except the expenses of his house For assurance of which accord should be given into his hand five and twenty of the greatest Dukes and Lords of France for Hostages The Scots not to be aided by the French King nor the Flemmings by the English This accord and finall Peace signed by both Kings was ratified by their two eldest sonnes Edward and Charles and sworne unto by the Nobility of both kingdomes The Hostages are delivered to King Edward who brought them into England and thereupon King Iohn is honourably conducted to Callice after he had remained prisoner in England neare about five yeares but being come to Callice he was detained there above three moneths till the money which he was to pay in hand could be provided and for providing the rest he was put to hard shifts being faine to give the Iewes leave to dwell in France for twenty yeares paying twelve Florins a man at the entry and sixe every yeare after At this time the Prince by dispensation marries the Countesse of Kent daughter to Edmund brother to Edward the second and his Father investing him with the Dutchy of Aquitaine he was now Prince of Wales Duke of Aquitaine Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester and Kent and not long after with the Princesse his wife he passeth over into France and keepes his Court at Burdeaux This was now the yeare 1362. and the fiftieth yeare of King Edwards age wherein for a Iubilee he shewes himselfe extraordinarily gracious to his peoplâ— freely pardoning many offences relesing prisoners revoking exiles with many other expressions of his love and bounty The yeare following was famous for three Kings comming into England Iohn King of France Peter King of Cyprus and Dâ—vid King of Scots The King of Cyprus came to solicite King Edward to joyne with other Princes in the Holy Warre but receives onely royall entertainment and excuses The King of Scots came for businesse and visitation but why the King of France came is not so certaine whether it were about taking order for his Hostages or to satisfie King Edward for breach of some Articles or else for love to the Countesse of Salisbury or perhaps out of a desire to let England see his Majesty being at liberty which had beene darkened before by the cloud of captivity but whatsoever the cause of his comming was the cause of his staying at least of longer staying then he meant was a mortall sicknesse whereof having lien all the Winter at the Savoy in March or Aprill following he died and his body convaied over into France was buried at Saint Donis with his Ancestours The Prince of Wales was now growne famous all the Christian world over and the man to whom all wronged Princes seemed to appeale and to flie for succour for which end there came at this time to his Court Iames King of Majorque and happened to come at a time when the Princesse lay in and thereupon he and Richard King of Navarre were taken to be Godfathers to his sonne Richard For the like assistance also there came at the same time to him Peter King of Castile driven out of his kingdome by the French in favour to Peter King of Aragon and Prince Edward partly out of charity to succour a distressed Prince and partly out of policy to keepe his Souldiers in exercise undertakes the enterprise and was so prosperous in it that with one battell having but thirty thousand against a hundred thousand hee put King Peter in possession of his kingdome though he was ill rewarded for his labour for the ungratefull King would not so much as pay his Souldiers An unfortunate journey for the Prince for though he came back with victory yet he brought backe with him such an indisposition of body that he was never throughly well after not perhaps by poyson nor given him by his brother the Duke of Lancaster though both were suspected but there were causes of distempering him enough besides the Countrey the season the action it selfe and it may be more marvelled that his Souldiers came home so well then that he came so ill but howsoever being now returned there was presently to his indisposition of body added discontentment of minde for not having meanes to pay his Souldiers which forced him to winke at that which he could not chuse but see and seeing grieve at how they preyed upon the Countrey and thereupon how the Countrey murmured against him and now to stop this murmuring his Chancellour the Bishop of Rhodes devised a new Imposition of leavying a Frank for every Chimney and this to continue for five yeares to pay the Princes debts but this Imposition made the murmuring the more for though some part of his Dominions
withall made the Bishop sweare that if the said Iohn and Gaunt should at any time either directly or indirectly attempt the Crown or that rightfully through want of issue it should devolve unto him that then he should discover this matter and make it known unto the King and Councell Afterward the Queen being dead and the Bishop finding Iohn of Gaunt as he thought too much aspiring he secretly told him this relation and this adjuration of his supposed mother advising him not to seeke higher than a private state for else he was bound by oath to make it known to all the World Thus far the Bishop did well but when he saw the Son of Iohn of Gaunt not only aspiring but possessed of the Crown why did he not then discover it and joyn at least with the Bishop of Caâ—lile in opposing it Certainly we may know that either the whole relation was but a Fable or that Wickham was a Temporizer or that Iohn of Gaunt was a most patient man to suffer the affront of such an indignity with lâ—sse than the death of him that did it But howsoever it was it is certain the Duke bore a mortall grudge to the Bishop who had no way to withstand such an enemy but by making Alice Pierce his friend by whose means after two years he was restored to all his livings and afterward K. Edward being dead and Alice Pierce banished by the means of a greater friend than Alice Pierce his full ourse he obteined in the second year of k. Richard a generall pardon under the Great Seale of England and from that time forward enjoyed a quiet life and dyed in the fourth yeare of this King Henry the fourth being then of the age of above 80 years and lieth buried in the Church of St. Swithenâ— in VVinchester in a monument of his own making in his life time leaving for his heire Thomas Perrot the son of his sister Agnes married to VVilliam Perrot Another great example of the volubility of Fortune in Professors of learning was Roger VValden who dyed in the ninth yeare of this King he was at first a poor Scholler in Oxford and the first step of his rising was to be a Chaplain in the Colledge there of St. Maries from thence by degrees he got to be Dean of Yorke and after this a high step to be Treasurer of England and yet a higher after that upâ—n the banishment of Thomas Arundell to be Archbishop of Canterbury But beinâ— now at the top he came down again for in this kings time Thomas Arundell beiâ—g restored to the Archbishopricke VValden was not only put out of â—hat place 〈◊〉 was called to accompt for the Treasureâ—ship and though he shewed hiâ— quietus est yet all his Temporalties were seized and his person imprisoned till by the mediation of the now Archbishop Arundell he was made Treasurer of Calice and after promoted to be Bâ—shop of London The next place after these is justly due to Geoffry Châ—ucer and Iohn Gower two famous Poets in this time and the Fathers of English Poets in all the times after Chaâ—cer dyed in the fourth yeare of this king and lyeth buried at VVestminster Gower in this kings ninth yeare and was buried in St. Mary Overys Church in Southwarke And now come others to be remembred who lived and died in this kings time Hugh Legate born in Hartfordshire a Monke of St. Albons who wrote Scholies upon Boetius de Consolatione Nicholas Gorham born also in Hartfordshire a Dominick Frier and the French kings Confessor though an Englishman VValteâ— Disse so called of a Town in Norfolke where he was borne Confessor to the Duke of Lancaster Lawrence Holbeck a Monke of Ramsey who wrote an Hebrew Dictionary Iohn Cotton Archbishop of Armagh Richâ—rd Scroope brother to William Scroope Lord Treasurer of England made Archbishop of Yorke and writing an invective against King Henry lost his head William Thorpe an earnest follower of Iohn Wickliffe for which he was committed to Saltwood Castle where he dyed Stephen Patrington born in Yorkâ—shire and Robert Mascall a Carmelite Frier of Ludlow both of them Confessors to king Henry the fifth Boston a Monke of the Abbey of Burie in Suffolke who wrote a Catalogue of all the Writers of the Church and other Treatises Iohn Purvey who was convented for teaching Doctrine conâ—rary to the Church of Rome and compelled to recant Thomas Rudburne Bishop of S. Davids who wrote a Chronicle Nicolas Riston who considering the strife between the then Anti-popes wrote a booke De tollendo schismate Robert Wansham a Monke in Darâ—etshire who wrote a booke in verse Of the Originall and signification of Words Robert Wimbledon an excellent Preacher as appâ—arâ—th by the Sermon he made upoâ— this Text Redde rationem Villicatioâ—is tuae THE REIGNE OF KING HENRY THE FIFTH HENRY of Monmouth so called from the place in Wales where he was born eldest Son of King Henry the fourth succeeded his Father in the kingdom of England to whom the Lords of the Realm swore Homage and Allegiance before he was yet Crowned an honor never done before to any of his Predecessors and afterwards on the ninth of Aprill in the yeare 1412 he was Crowned at Westminster by Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury with all Riâ—es and Solemnities in such case accustomed And as the Scripture speaks of Saul that assoone as Samuel had annointed him King he had a new heart given him and he became another man than he was before So was it with this king Henry for presently after his Coronation he called before him all his old Companions who had been frâ—tres in malo with him strictly charging them not to preâ—ume to come within ten miles of his Court untill such time as they had given good proofe of their amendment in manners and least any of them should pretend want of maintenance to be any cause of their taking ill courses he gave to every one of them a competent meanes whereby to subsist And knowing as he did the fashion of the Scots and Welch that in times of change they would commonly take advaâ—tage to make Inroades upon the Borders he therefore caâ—sed Forts and Bulwarks in fit places to be erected and placed Garrisons in them for preventing or repelling any such incuâ—sions Immediately after this he called a Parliament where a Subsidie was granted without asking and in this Parlâ—ament the Commons began to harp upon their old string of taking away the Temporalties of the Clergie and the Bishops fearing how it might take in the kings ears thought it best to divert him by striking upon another string which they knew would be more pleasing to him which was to shew him the great right he had to the Crown of France And hereupon Chicheley Archbishop of Câ—nterbury in a long narration deduced the kings Right from Isâ—bel Daughter to Philip the fourth married to king Edward the second from whom it discended by direct line to his Majesty and no
February the foureteenth crowned at Westminster Shee surviving king Henry was re-married to Owen Teuâ—â—â— an Esquire of Wales who pretended to be discended from Cadwalladeâ— the antienâ— king of Wales though some write him to be the sonne of a Brewer whose meannesse of estate was recompensed by the delicacy of his personage so absolute in all the lineaments of his body that the only contemplation of it might well make her forget all other circumstances by him she had three sonnes Edmond Iâ—sper and Owen and a daughter that lived but a while Her sonne Owen tooke the habit of Religion at Westminster the other two were by king Henry the sixt their halfe brother advanced in honor Edmond was created Earle of Richmond and marrying the sole heyre of Iohn Beaufort Duke of Somerset was Father by her unto Henry the sâ—aventh king of England the only heyre of the house of Lancaster Iasper her second sonne was first created Earle of Pembroke and after Duke of Bedford but dyed without lawfull issue This Queenâ— either for devotion or her owne safety â—oke into the Monastery of Bermoâ—dsey in Southwarke who dying the second oâ— January 1436. she was buried in our Ladies Chappell within St. Peters Church at VVestminster whose corps taken up in the Reigne of king Henry the sâ—aventh her Grand-childe when he laid the foundation of that admirable structure and her Coffin placed by king Henry her husbands Tombe hath ever since so remained and never since re-buried where it standeth the cover being loose to bee seene and handled of any that will By her king Henry had only one son named Henry who succeeded him in the Kingdom Of his Personage and Conditions HE was tall of stature leane of body and his bones small but strongly made somewhat long necked black haired and very beautifull of face swift in runing so as hee with two of his Lords without bow or other engine would take a wilde Buck or Doe in a large Parke Hee delighted in songs and musicall Instruments insomuch that in his Chappell amongst his private prayers he used certaine Psalmes of Dâ—vid translated into English meeter by Iohn Lydgate Monke of Bury And indeed it may be truly said of him as was said of Aenaeâ—s Quo justior alter Nec piâ—tate fuit nec bello major arâ—iâ— for he seldom fought baâ—â—ell where he got not the victory and never got victory whereof he gave not the glory to God with publique Thanksgiving He was a better man a King then a Subject for till then he was not in his right Orbe and therfore no mervaile if he were somthing exorbitant He was of a mercifull disposition but not to the prejudice of wisedom as thinking wise cruelty to be better then foolish pitty He was no lesse politick then valianâ— for he never fought battell nor wonne Town wherein hee prevailed not asmuch by stratagem as by force He was so temperate in his dyet and so free from vain-glory that we may truly say he had something in him of Caesar which Alexander the Greâ—â— had not that he would not bee drunke and somâ—hing of Alexander the Great which Caesar had not that he would not be flattered He was indeede a great affector of Glory but not of glory the blâ—st of mens mouthes but of the Glory that fills the sailes of Time He dyed of full yeeres though not full of yeeres if he had lived longer he might have gone over the same againe but could not have gone further If his love were great to Military men it was not small to Clergy men insomuch as by many he was called the Prince of Priests Of his Death and Buriall SOme say he was poysoned which Polydore Virgill saith was much suspected The Scots write that he died of the disease called St. Fiâ—cre which is a Palsie and a Crampe Eâ—guerant saith that he died of St. Anthonies fire But Peter Basset Esquire who at the time of his death was his Chamberlaine affirmeth that hee died of a Pleurisie which at that time was a sicknesse strange and but little known Being dead his body was embalmed and closed in lead and laid in a Chariot-Royall richly apparelled in cloath of Gold was conveyed from Boys de Vinâ—â—nâ—es to Paris and so to Roaâ— to Aâ—bevyle to Câ—llys to Dâ—ver and from thence through London to Westminster where it was interred next beneath King Edward the Confessor upon whose Tombe Queene Katherine caused a Royall picture to be layed covered all over with silver plate gilt but the head thereof altogether of massie silver all which at that Abbies suppression were sacrilegiously broken off and transferred to pâ—ophaner uses Hee dyed the last day of August in the yeere one thousand foure hundred twenty two when he had reigned nine yeeres and five Moneths lived eight and thirty yeeres Of men of Note in his time MEN of valour in his time were so frequent that we may know it to be a true saying Regis ad exempluâ— and men of learning likewise in such numbers that we may know the Prince to have been their Patron First Alayn de Lyn a Carmelite Frier in that Towne who wrote many Treatises Then Thomas Otterborne a Franciscan frier who wrote an History of England Then Iohn Seguerd who kept a Schoole in Norwich and wrote sundry Treatises reproving as well the Monkes and Priests as Poets for writing of filthy verses Robert Rosâ— a Carmelite frier in Norwich who writing many Treatises yet said nothing against the Wickleâ—ists Richard Câ—yster borne â—o Nofolke a man of great holinesse of life favoring though secretly the doctrine of VVickliffâ— William Wallis a Black frier in Liâ— who made a booke of Moralizations upon Ovids Metamorphosisâ— William Taylor a Priest and a Master of Art in Oxford a stedfast follower of Wickliffes doctrine and burnt for the same at Smithfield in London the last yeere of this â—ings reigne Bartholomew Florarius called so of a Treatise which he wrote called Florarium who writ also another Treatise of Abstinence wherein he reproveth the corrupt manners of the Clergie and the pâ—ofession of the Friers Menâ—icants Alsâ— Titus Liviâ—â— de Foâ—â— Lâ—visâ—is an Itâ—lian bornâ— but seeing he â—as râ—siant here and wâ—ote the life of this King it is not unfit to make mention of him in this place also many others THE REIGNE OF KING HENRY THE SIXTH THere had beene a Race of Princes of which for three generations together it might be rightly sayd Pulcherrima proles Magnanimi Heroes nati melioribus Annis For King Edward the Third had many Sons not inferior in valour to the many Sons of King Priâ—â—â—s not excepting his valiant Son Hector having so equall a match for him as Edward the blacke Prince who wanted but an Homer to have been an Achilles Then Iohn of Gâ—unâ— likewise had divers Sons men as valorous as any that Age afforded Then Henry the Fourth had foure Sons oâ— so heroicall disposition all that you might know them all to be
King of France making a slight answer the Regent marcheth apace towards him and as fast the King of France marcheth away The Regent followed him but could not overtake him till he came neere Seâ—lys there both the Armies encamped and embattelled yet only some light skirmishes pâ—â—â—ed between them and a night or two after the French king fled with his Army to Brâ—y which the Duke thinking to be but a plot to draw him further off from Paris of whose fidelity he had no great assurance followed him no further but returned thither At which time the Regents brother the Cardinall having prepared forces to assist Pope Martin in Bohemia the Regent borrowed them of him for a present expedition and with them marched into Champaigne where he found the French king encamped upon the Mount Pihall whose number being twice as many as the Regents yet by no provocations could he be drawn to battell but secretly fled to Crispis whereupon the Regent also returned to Paris Whilâ—st these things are done in France In England upon St. Leonards day the 6. of November 1429 King Henry not yet eight yeers old was with great solemnity Crowned at Westminster at whose Coronation were made six and thirty Knights of the Bathe and after the solemnity a feast and if any man desire to know so much Cookery hee may read in Fabian all the dishes of meate that were served at that feast About this time in France a strange Impostor ariseth a maid called la Pucelle taking upon her to be sent from God for the good of France and to expell the English and some good indeed she did for by her subtle working the King was received into Champaigne and many Townes were rendred to him whil'st the Lord Lâ—nguevile tooke by surprize the Castle of Aumarle and slew all the English that were in it But all these were but petty acquests to the king of France there is a knot of friendship between the Dukes of Bedford and Burgoigne which must be broken or he will never be able to compasse his designes He therefore labours by all meanes possible to disunite them wherein he so little prevailed that the Duke of Burgâ—igâ—e acquaints the Regent with all the practises who thereupon with many thanks exhorteth him to continue fiâ—me of which he should never have cause to repent him And because Normandy was a principall part of the English strength in France he goeth thither and by many reasons perswades them as their Ancestors had alwayes been to be faithfull to the Crown of England In this time of the Regents absence from Paris the King of France drew all his forces thither using all meanes possible by Escalado Battery and burning the gates to enter the City but was so withstood by the vigilancy of the Citizens that he was glad to sound Retreat leaving his slaine and maimed souldiers behind him all but the Pucelle who being hurt in the legge and almost stifled with myre in the ditch was by a servant of the Duke of Alanson drawne up and conveyed after the King to Berry who by the way received the submission of the Inhabitants of Lâ—igâ—ye Some other services were performed on both sides by the Duke of Suffolk and Sir Thomas Kyriell for the English by the Bastard of Orleance and Sir Stepheâ— le Hye for the French but of no great importance till at last the Pucelle who a little before had caused an English Captaines head to be cut off because he would not humble himselfe to her upon his knee was by Sir Iohn of Luâ—zemburgh taken and presented to the Duke of Burgoigne who sent her to the Regent and he to the Bishop of the Diocesse who judicially proceeding against her as a Sorceresse and deceiver of the King and his subjects she was after many delayes of promise to discover secret practises and lastly of her feigning to bee with childe publickly burnt at Roan And now the Regent finding how much the Crowning of the French king had furthered his designes he made account the like effect would follow the Crowning of King Henry in France whereupon he is sent for to come over and comming to Paris was by his Uncle the Bishop of Winchester and Cardinall of Eusebius not yet above nine yeares old with all usuall ceremonies Crowned King of France receiving the oaths of Homage and Fealty of all the French Nobility that were present and of all the Inhabitants of Paris and of the places adjacent Upon this Pope Eugenius laboured a Reconcilement between the two Kings but could effect nothing but onely a Truce for six yeeres which agreed upon King Henry reâ—urnâ— into England and landeth at Dover the eleventh of February But the six-yearesâ— Truce was scarce openly Proclaimed when the French had cunningly possessed themselves of divers Castles and places of strength justifying their actions affirmingâ— That what was politickly obtained without blowes was no infringement of the Truce and afterwards they perfidiously conveyed two hundred men into the Castle of Roan with intent to have surprized it but being discovered they were all taken and either ransomed or put to execution Upon this the Regent whose wife the Sister of the Duke of Burgoigâ—e being lately dead and he maried againe to Iaquelinâ— the Earle of S. Pauls daughter with whom he went over into England returned againe to Paris to whom the Lord Talbot having now paid his ransome commeth bringing with him seven hundred tryed souldiers and with them the Regent takes the field where the French Army lay but the French slunâ— away in the dark as not daring to abide the hazard of a battell About this time the Duke of Bourbon taken at the battell of Agincourt after eighteen yeares imprisonment paying eighteen thousand pounds for his Ransome the same day he was enlarged dyed at London And now a very great effect was produced out of a very small cause There had been sparks of unkindnesse between the two great Dukes of Bedford and Burgoigâ—â— which brake out into a flame upon this occasion A time and place was appointed where they should meet to compound some differences that were between them The place agreed upon was St. Omers a Town in Burgoigne When the time came they stood upon this nice point Which of them should first come to the place as thinking that he which did so should thereby acknowledge himselfe to be the meaner person The Duke of Bedford thought he had no reason to doe it seeing he was Regent of France and therefore superiour to any subject in the Kingdome And the Duke of Burgoigne thought he had no reason to doe it seeing it was to be done in his own Dominions where he was himselfe the Soveraigne Lord. Upon this nice point they parted without meeting and the unkindnesse grew afterward to so great hatred that the Duke of Burgoigne chose rather to be friends with him thâ—t had murthered his father than ever to have any more commerce with the Duke of Bedford Thus
whom if the King would be pleased to commit toward till his legall tryall might be had in Parliament he would then not onely dismisse his army but come unto his presence as a loyall subject Hereupon the Duke of Somerset is committed to prison The Duke of Yorke dismisseth his army and commeth in person to the King in whose presence contrary to his expectation he found the Duke of Somerset which so moved him that he could not hold but presently charged him with Treason which the Duke of Somerset not onely denieth but 〈◊〉 aâ—re the Duke of Yorke to have conspired â—he kings death and the usuâ—pation of the Crown whereupon the king removeth to London the Duke oâ— Yorke as a prisoner ryding before him and the Duke of Somerset at liberty which was not a little mervailed at by many And now the king calleth a Councell at Westminster where the two Dukes are earnest in accusing each other but while the Counsell are debating of the matter there comes a flash of lightning out of France which diverted them for the Earl of Kendall and the L' Espar câ—me Embassadours from Burdeaux offering their obedience to the Crown of England if they might but be assured to be defended by it but withall at the same time there came a report that Edward Earle of March sonne and heire to the Duke of Yorke with a great power was marching towards London Here was matter for a double consultation and for this latter it was resolved on that the Duke of York should in the presence of the king and his Nobility at the high Altar in Paulâ— take his Oath of submission and Allegiance to king Henry which he accordingly did and then had liberty to depart to his Castle of Wigmore And for the former the Earle of Shrewsbury with about three thousand men was sent into Gascoigne who ariving in the Isle of Madre passed forth with his power and took Froâ—sack and other pieces but having received in the night instructions from Burdeaux of certaine conspiratours he makes all the speed he can thither and was entred the Town before the French had notice of his comming so that many of them were slaine by the Lord L' Espar in their beds Shortly after there arrived the Earle of Shrewsbury's sonne Sir Iohâ— Talbot with the bastard of Somerset and two and twenty hundred men by whose means Burdeaux is well manned with English in which time the Earle was not idle but went from place to place to receive the offered submission of all places where he came and having taken Chatilloâ— he strongly fortified it whereupon the Freâ—ch king raiseth an army and besiegeth Chatillon to the rescue whereof the Earle maketh all possible speed with eight hundred horse appointing the Earle of Kendall and the Lord L' Espar to follow with the foot In his way he surprized a Tower the French had taken and put all within it to the sword and meeting five hundred French men that had been forraging many of them he slew and the rest he chased to their Campe. Upon whose approach the French left the siege and retyred to a place which they had formerly fortified whither the Earle followeth them and resolutely chargeth them so home that he got the entry of the Campe where being shot through the thigh with an Harquebuse and his horse slaine under him his sonne desirous to relieve his father lost his own life and therein was accompanied with his bastard brother Henry Talbot Sir Edward Hall and thirty other Gentlemen of name The Lord Nolius with threescoâ—â— other were taken prisoners the rest fled to Burdeaux but in the way a thousand of them were slaine And thus on the last day of July in the yeer 1453. at Chatilloâ— the most valourous Earle of Shrewsbury the first of that name after foure and twenty yeers service beyond the seas ended his life and was buried at Roaâ— in Normandie with this Inscription upon his Tombe Here lyeth the right Noble knight Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury Weshford Waterford and Valence Lord Talbot of Goodrich and Orchenfield Lord Strange of Blackmere Lord Verdon of Actoâ— Lord Cromwell of Winkfield Lord Lovetâ—ft of Worsoppe Lord Furnivall of Shâ—ffield knight of the Noble Orders of St. George St. Michael and the golden fleece great Marshall to King Henry the sixth of his Realme of France The Earle of Kendall the Lords Montserat Rosaine and Dâ—â—gledas entred the Castle of Chatillon and made it good against the French the space of ten dayes but then having no hope of succour they delivered it upon composition to have liberty to depart to Burdeaux and now the Gascoigâ—â—s were as ready to open their gates to the French as they were before to the English by means whereof in short time the French recovered againe all Gascoigâ—e except Burdeaux and that also at length upon condition that both garrisons and inhabitants with all their substance might safely depart for England or Callice and that the Lords L' Espar and Durant with thirty others upon paine of death should never after be found in the Territories of France At this time upon St. Bartholomews day an ancient custome being that the Major of London and the Sheriffs should be present in giving prizes to the best wrestlers It hâ—ppened that at the wrestling place neere Moore-fields the Prior of S. Iohns was there to see the sports when a servant of his not brooking the disgrace to be foyled before his Master against the custome of the place would have wrestled againe which the Major denyed whereupon the Prior fetcht Bowmen from Clarkâ—â—â—ell to resist the Major and some slaughter was committed the Majors Cap was shot through with an Arrow he neverthelesse would have had the spoâ—t goe on buâ— no wrestlers came yet the Major Sr. Iohn Norman told his brethren he would stay awhile to make tryall of the Citizens respect towards him which he had no sooner said but the Citizens with Banners displayed came in great numbers to him and fetcht him home in great triumph Upon the neck of this began the quarrell in Holborne between the Gentlemen of the Inns of Chancery and some Citizens in appeasing whereof the Queens Atturney and three more were slaine And now the Duke of Yorke by all means laboureth to stirre up the hatred of the Commons against the Duke of Somerset repeating often what dishonour England sustained by Somersets giving up the strong Towns of Normandy and how he abuseth the Kings and Queens favour to his own gaine and the Commons grievance then he addresseth himselfe to those of the Nobility that could not well brook his too much commanding over the Kings and Queens affection amongst others he fasteneth upon the two Nevils both Richards the father and the sonne the one Earle of Salisbury the other of Warwick with whom he deales so effectually that an indissoluble knot of friendship is knit betwixt them by whose assistance the King lying dangerously sick at Claringdon the
Son in Law Sir Thomas Dymock and comming to attend the Kings pleasure was told by his friends how wonderfully the King was incensed against them whereupon for their safety they take Sanctuary at Westmiâ—ster But upon the Kings Princely word they come unto him who commâ—ndeth the Lord Wells to write to his Sonne to desist from adhering to the Eaâ—le of Warwicke which the Lord Wells accordingly did but Sir Robert Wells notwithsâ—â—nding his Fathers letters continuing firme to â—he Earle still so much incensed King Edward that he caused both his Father and Sir 〈◊〉 Dymock to be beheâ—ded He supposed perhaps that the Lord Wâ—lls was himself underhand a friend to the Earl and had not dealt sincerely with him in procuring his Sonne to leave that party But now Sir Robert Wells seeing the King draw neer to Stamford where he had pitched his Tents and hearing of his Fathers beheading was much distracted what to doe to decline bâ—ttell with the King he thought would shew too much feare and â—o give him battell before the Eâ—rle of Warwicke were come with his forces would shew too much boldnesse But his Veines were so filled with a desire of revengiâ—â— his Fathers death that he thought he could never shew boldnesse enough and thereupon encountring with the Kings Army farre greater â—hen his own opprest with multitude was taken prisoner together with Sir Thomas de Lâ—â—d and divers others who presently in the place were put to execution as soone as Sir Robert Wâ—llâ— was taken the Lincolneshirâ— men to make themselves the lighter to run away threw off their Coates for which cause this battell was afterward called Lâ—se-â—oate-field in which it is reported were slaine above ten thousand men The Earle of Warwick 〈◊〉 of this Deâ—eate and not having present 〈…〉 raise an army sufficient to oppose king Edwardâ— when he could by no means drâ—â— the Lord Stanley to his party he determined to sayle into Frâ—â—câ— and hyring ships at Dartmouth in Devâ—â—â—â—ire he with his sonne in Law the Duke of Clarence 〈◊〉 their wives took to Sea and thinking to land at Câ—lliâ—e of which Town he himsâ—â—â—â— was Captaine he was by the Lord Vâ—â—cleere a Gascoigne whom he had left his Deputy there repelled and with so great inhumanity that the Dutchesse of Clarâ—â—â—â— who was then in labour was faine to be delivered in the ship all the courtesie 〈◊〉 thâ—â— distresse shewed was only to send a flaggon or two of wine which fact of Vâ—â—cleeres when king Edward heard of he was so well pleased with it that he presently sent him a Patent to be Captaine of the Town himself and the Duke of 〈◊〉 for the same service sent unto him Philip de Comiâ—es who hath written the History of these times with a grant of one thousand Crowns pension during his life Never man was beter paid for one act of diâ—sembling for the truth was Prae 〈◊〉 exclâ—sit forâ—â— it was out of his love that he suffered him not to enter the Town for he knew there were many great ones in it so addicted to king Edward and so maliciously bent against the Earle that if he or any of his company should have come they would in all likelihood have done them some mischiefe And hereof he made a good proofe soon after for when the Earle took to sea again the Lord 〈◊〉 sent him word he should take heed where he landed for that the Duke of 〈◊〉 lay in waite to take him which advertisement did the Earle more good then the keeping him out of Callice did him hurt The Earle upon this advertisement â—â—â—ded at Dâ—epe in Norâ—aâ—die whereof when king Lewis heard he sent and invited him to come to his Court at Amboiâ— where he received him with no lesse honour than â—f he had been a king In the mean time king Eâ—â—ard made enquiry for all such as were ayders to the Earle of Warwickâ— of whom some were apprehended as guilty some fled to Sanctuary and some submitted to the kings mercy as Iohn Marquesse Moâ—â—â—cute whom he courteously received Queen Margareâ— who at this time sojourned with Duke Rayner her father hearing of the Earle of Warwicks arrivall with her Son Prince Edward came to Ambois and with her also came Iasper Earle of Pembrooke and Iohn Earl of Oxford lately escaped out of prison and fled into France between whom a new Combination is made and for a foundation of firme amiâ—ie king Heâ—ries sonne Prince Edward marries Anne the Earle of Warwicks second daughter after which marriage the Duke of Clarence and the Earles took a solemn Oath never to leave the warre till either king Henry or his sonnne Prince Edward were restored to the Crownâ— But notwithstanding this Oath this marriage put new thoughts into the Duke of Clarence his minde casting with himselfe that the issue of it could be no lesse then the utter extirpation of the house of Yorke whereupon making faire shew still to his Father in Law the Earle of Warwicke he underhand fals off and secretly gives advertisement to his brother king Edward of all their proceedings And now the Earle of VVarwicke having been six months in France in this time he had 〈◊〉 from the king of France both ships and men and money and receiving 〈◊〉 out of England that many Lords and others were ready to adventuâ—e their lives in his quaâ—rell if he would come for the people generally held him in such 〈◊〉 that they thought the Sunne was taken from the world when he was 〈◊〉 and this in great part for his greâ—t Hospiâ—ality who it is said used to spend â—spamâ— a breakfâ—st he with the Earles of Oxford and Pembrooke took to 〈◊〉 and though the Duke of Bâ—rgoigne had a Fleâ—â— at sea to inâ—ercept him yeâ— his Fleet beâ—â—g by â—empest scattered and king Edwâ—rdâ—rusting â—rusting to that Fleeâ— having provided no otherâ— the Earle had a quiet passage to land at Darâ—mouth in Devonshire wheâ—e being landed he made Proclamation in king Heâ—ry the sixâ—hâ— name that all good Subjâ—ctâ— should prepâ—re to fight against king Edward who contrary to Right had usurpeâ—â—he Crown Upon which Proclamation it is scarce to be believed how mâ—ny thoâ—â—â—nds of men resorted to him with which foâ—ces he made towarâ—s Loâ—don upon notice of whose approach on the Sunday next after 〈◊〉 day one Doctor Gâ—ddard a Chaplaine of Hiâ— preaching at Paulâ— Crossâ— did so sâ—t foâ—th his Earles pious intention that many of his auditory were moved to favour the Earle proceeding insomuch that the Mâ—rquesse Montacuâ—e who had in king Edwards behâ—lf 〈◊〉 six thousand men about London found them all inclinable to goe with him 〈◊〉 the Earle of VVarwick and accordingly wâ—nt and joyned with him King Edâ—â—rd hâ—â—ring of the great flocking of people to the Earle sent forth letters into all parts of the Realme for raysing an army but few came and those few with no great good will which when he perceived he began to doubt his case and thereupon â—â—coâ—panied with
Ireland from Dublin where the Duke was born is in his Masters absence by the procurement underhand of the Duke of Glocester indicted â—rraigned condemned and executed at Tyburne for a Conjurer and all within the space of two dayes and the Duke of Glocester to make shew that he had no hand in this fellows death set on the Duke of Clarence to complaine of it to King Edward and in the mean time finds matter at least colour of matter to make him be committed to the Tower â—nd then againe to make shew he had no hand in his imprisonment bids him be of good cheere for it should not be long ere he would see him released and he kept his word for not long after by his procurement he was drowned in a But of Malmesey and this was his releasement and then laid in his bed to make the people believe that he died of discontent whose death King Edward though perhaps consenting to it so much resented that afterwards when he was sued unto for any mans Pardon he would â—ighing break out into such words Oh unfortunate brotherâ— for whose life not one man would open his mouth Being dead he was buried at Tewkesbury in Glocestershire by the body of his Dutchesse who great with childe dyed of Poyson a little before It was now the two and twentieth yeere of King Edwards Reigne when Iames King of Scotland sent Ambassadors to treate of a Mariage between his eldest sonne Iames Duke of Rothsay and Cicely king Edwards second daughter This overture for a March was by the king and his Councell readily imbraced and a great part of the Portion was delivered to the Scots with this Proviso That if the mariage diâ— not proceed the Provost and Merchants of Edenbourgh should be bound to repâ—y it againe But the Scotish king who had other fantasies in his head and would take counsell of none but his owne will and diverted also perhaps by the king of France not onely dallyed the proceeding in the maâ—ch but affronted those of the Nobility thâ—t perswaded him to it in so much that his Brother the Duke of Albany was enforced to abandon the Country and to flie for refuge into England by whom king Edward being informed of king Iames his fickle disposition was so much incensed that under the conduct of the Duke of Glocester accompanied with the Duke of Albany he sent an Army of twenty thousand against Scotland who in their way took in Barwick and besieged the Castle which being resolutely defended by the Earle Bothwell the Duke left the Lord Stanley to continue the siege whil'st he wiâ—h the rest of the Army marched towards Edenbourgh where within the Castle of Maydens king Iames had immur'd himselfe But the Nobility of Scotland seeing the danger they were in endeavoured by humble submission to procure a peace at least a cessation from war which with much importunity they obtained upon these Conditions That full satisfaction should be presently given for all dammages sustained by the late incursions That the Duke of Albany should be fully restored to grace and place with an abolition of all discontents between his brother king Iames and him That the Castle of Barwicke which had been now out of the Possession of the English one and twenty yeers should immediately be surrendred into the Generals hands and from thence no reduction of that or the Town attempted That all such summes of money as upon the proposition of the marriage had been delivered should be repaid All which except the first Article were accordingly pâ—â—formed When this busines with Scotland was indifferently accomodated King Edward receivâ—s intelligence from his Ambassadour-Leidger in France that the French King not only denied the payment of the annuall Tribute of fifty thousand crowns agreed upon and sworn to upon the ratification of the late concluded Peace but had also married the Dolphin of France to the Lady Margaret daughter of Maximillâ—n Sonne of the Emperour which so much incensed K. Edward that he resolves to revenge it and by the advise of his Counsell open warre was presently Proclamed against France but whil'st King Edward is making preparation and intentive to the busines he is attached by the hand of death and upon the ninth of April in the yeer 1483 at Westminster ended this mortall life Of his Taxations IN his second yeer he sent his Privy Seale through England to move men to give him a certaine summe of money towards resisting the Scots whâ—ch was granted and given liberalâ—y In his seventh yeer in a Parliament at Westminster were â—â—sumed all manner of gifts which the King had given from the first day he tooke possession of the Realm to that time In his eighth yeer at a Parliament were grantâ—d two Fifteens and a Demy In his thirteenth yeer a Parliament was holden wherein a Subâ—idie was granted and the yeer following towards warre to be undertaken in France a new way of raysing money is devised called a Benevolence by which great summes of money were gotten of the Subject and it is not unworthy the relating what an old rich Widdow at this time did whom King Edward amonstothers having called before him merrily asked what she would willingly give him towards his great charges By my troth quoth shee for thy lovely countenance thou shalt have even twenty pounds The King looking scarce for half that summe thanked her and lovingly kist her which so wrought with the old widdow that she presently swore he should have twenty pound more and payd it willingly Noâ— long before his death he was by ill Counsellours put upon a distastefull course for raysing of mony which was by fining men for delinquencies against Penall Statures by which course some money was gathered but before it came to full execution he dying that also dyed with him Of his Lawes and Ordinances IN his fourth yeer he newly devised the Coyne both of Gold and Silver as aâ— this day it is the Gold he named Royals and Nobles the Silver Groats and 〈◊〉 Groats the new Groate weighing scantly three pence and the Noble of six shillings eight pence appointed to goe for eight shillings foure pence In his fifth yeer it was Proclamed in England that the Beakes or Pykes of Shooes and Bootes should not passe two Inches upon paine of Cursing by the Clergie and forfeiting twenty shillings to be paid one noble to the King another to the Cordwayners of London and the third to the Chamber of London and for other Countries and Towns the like order was taken Before this time and since the yeer 1382. the Pykes of Shooes and Bootes were of such length that they were faine to be tyed up to the Knees with chaines of Silver and gilt or at least with silken laces Affaires of the Church in his time IN this Kings time the Jubile which was before but every fiftieth yeer was by Pope Sixâ—â—â— the fourth brought to be every five and twenty yeer Also where before this time
the Preacher for abusing his sacred function with so shamefull a Sermon The Tuesday following this Sermon the Duke of Buckingham with divers Lords and Knights came to the Guildhall in London and there before the Major and whole assembly of Citizens made a very solemne and long Oration wherein he recited many grievances of the late King Edwards Government his many unnecessary Taxations and unjust severities thereby to bring his children into hatred and then reâ—embred them of the late Sermon made at Pauls Crosse by a learned Doctor who cleerly shewed the bastardy of King Edwards children and that Richard Duke of Glocester was the onely rightfull and indubitate heire to the Crowne of England which the Lords of the Kingdome having taken into their consideration had thereupon agreed to accept him for their King and now himselfe was come to acquaint them with it and to require their consents Which Oration ended all men stood wondring at the motion but no man offered to speak a word At which the Duke marvelling as supposing the Major had prepared them before he asked the Major privately what this silence meant who answered that perhaps they had not heard or understood what it was he said Whereupon the Duke with a more aâ—dible voice repeated the same matter againe in a more earnest and plain expression yet neither did that move them to shew any inclination to the motion Then the Duke whispering with the Major It was thought that the Citizens being used to have such motions made them by their Recorder they would better it from him and thereupon the Recorder is commanded to move them in it but the Recorder called Fitzwilliams being an honest man and newly come to his place repeated onely as neer as he could the words of the Duke but added nothing of his own so as neither did this move the people to breake their silence At last the Duke seeing their resolved â—ullennesse told them plainly that all the Nobility and Commons of the Realme were agreed to choose the Protectour for their King as the true and undoubted heire so as he needed not to have moved them to it but onely for the great respect they all bare to this honourable City and therefore required them plainly to speak their mindes whether they would joyn with them in this choice or no. At this certaine servants of the Dukes and other of their procuring standing at the lower end of the Hall cast up their Caps and cryed aloud King Richard King Richard whereat though the whole multitude of Citizens marvelled what they meant yet the Duke taking advantage of it as of an unanimous conset A goodly cry saith he and thanked them all for their universall approbation promising he would acquaint the Protectour with the great love they shewed toward him and then requiring the Major and chiefe Citizens to meet him the next morning at Baynards Castle where the Protectour then lay there to joyn with him in Petitioning the Protectour to accept of this their freely profered subjection he tooke his leave and so departed The next morning according to appointment they all meet at Baynards Castle where the Duke of Buckingham sends up word to the â— Protector thâ—â— himself with the L. Major his Brethren were come to present a Supplication to him concerning a busines of great importance but the Protectour though preacquainted with all passages yet made it strange what their Supplication should be and answered that though he suspected nothing which the Duke of Buckingham presented to him yet he desired at least some some slight inâ—imation to what it might tend To this it was answered that the busines they came about was to be made known to himself in Person and therefore humbly besought him of admission in his presence Upon this as if not yet well assured of their well meaning towards him he appeares unto them in an upper Gallery making semblance as though he would prevent all danger by standing something aloofe and in his Fort To whom the Duke of Buckingâ—â—â— in behalfe of the Major and Nobility there present in most respective and reâ—erent manner makes reqâ—est that his Grace would pardon what he should deliver to him and much circumstance he used before he would discover their cause of â—omming but though long first yet at last he told it That in respect of the urgent necâ—ssâ—ties of the Common-wealth they all humbly intreated him to take upon him the Government of the Kingdome as in his own Right to whom they all tendred their Allegiance At which words the Protectour starting back as if he had heard something most unpleasing to him passionately answered I little thought good Cozen that you of all men would have moved me to a matter which of all things in the world I most decline Farre be it from to accept of that which without apparent wrong to my deare deceased brothers sweet children and my own upright Conscience I cannot well approve of And then being about to proceede in his premeditated diâ—â—imulation the Duke in a seeming abrupt passion kneeling upon his knee sayd Your Grace was pleased to give me free liberty to deliver unto you in the name of this worthy assembly the tender of their â—â—tifull obedience to you but I must further adde that it is unanimously resolved on that your late brother King Edwards children as being generally known to be Illegitimate shall never be admitted to the Crown of England and therefore if your Grace shall neither regard your selfe nor us so much as to accept it we are directly determined to conferre it upon some other of the House of Lâ—â—caster that will be more sensible of his own and our good These words wrought so powerfully upon the Protectours passions that with some change of Countenance and not without a seeming reluctation he said Since I perceive the whole Realme is so resolved by no meanâ— to admit my deer Nephews being but children to Reigne over you and seeing the Right of succession belongs justly to me as the indubiâ—ate Heire of Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke my Illustrious Father Wee are contented to condiscend to your importunities and to accept of the Royall Government of the Kingdome and will to the uttermost of my power endeavour to procure and maintain the welfare thereof And having so said he came downe from his Gallery and very formally saluted them all which so pleased the giddy multitude that presently they fell to acclamations Long live King Richard our dread Soveraigne Lordâ— and then every man departed THE REIGNE OF KING RICHARD THE THIRD IT was now the eighteenth day of Iune in the yeer 1483. when Richard Duke of Glocester tooke upon him the Crown so as the imaginary Raigne of Edward the fifth continued but just tenne weeks The next day King Richard with a great train went to Westminster-hall and placed himselfe in the Court of the Kings Bench saying he would take the Crown upon him in that place where the
great to enter the Bay he caused certaine Boaâ—es to be manned forth thinking thereby to toule out the French but when this neither would draw them to come abroad he then called a Councell where it was determined that first they should assayle Prior Iohn and his Gallies lying in Blankesable Bay and after set upon the rest of the French Fleeâ—e in the Haven of Brest and it was further appointed that the Lord Ferrers Sir Stephen Bull and others should go on land with a convenient number to assault the Bulworkes which the French had there made while the Admiâ—all with Row Bâ—rges and little Gallies entred into the Bay that so the Frenchmen might at once be assailed both by sea and land But though this were determined by the Councell of Warre â—et the Lord Admirall had a trick by himselfe for by the advise of a Spanish Knight called Sir Alphonso Charunt affirming that he might enter the Bay with little danger he called to him William Fiâ—s-VVilliams VVilliam Cooke Iohn Colley and Sir VVolston Browne as his most trusty friends making them privy to his intent which was to take on him the whole enterprize with their assistance only and so confident he was of successe that he wrote to the King to come thither in person to have the honour of the enterprize himselfe but it seemes the King had better Fates at least went not and thereupon on Saint Marks day the Admirall put himselfe in a small row Bâ—rge and appointing three other small row Ships and his own Ship-boat to attend him and therewith on a sudden rowed into the Baâ— where Pryor Iohn had moored up his Gallies just to the ground which Gallies with the Bulworks on the land shot most cruelly yet the Admirall went on and comming to the Gallies drove out the French-men The Bay was shallow and the other ships by reason the Tide was spent could not enter which the French-men perceiving they entred the Gallies againe with Morris Pikes and began a new fight whereupon the Admirall attempting to returne back into his row Bâ—rge which by violence of the Tide was driven downe the streame with a Pike was throwne over boord and drowned the just issue of his head-strong enterprize the forenamed Alphonso was also there slaine upon which sorrowfull accident the Lord Ferrers with the rest returned into England After whose departure Pryor Iohn came forth with his Gallies and coasting over the borders of Sussex burnt certaine poore Cottagesâ— but the King made suddenly a new Admirall the Lord Thomas Howard eldest Brother to him that was drowned sonne and heire of the Earle of Surrey who so skowrd the seas that the French were no more to be seen on any coast of England King Henry had hitherto performed Acts of Armes though in Jest yet with great magnificence he will not performe them with lesse being now in earnest and especially to deale with so potent aa adversary and therefore when it was concluded by Parliament that he should make a Warre in France himselfe in pâ—rson he sent before to prepare the way for him George Talbot Earle of Shâ—ewsbury high Steward of his Houshold accompanied with the Lord Thomas Stanley Earle of Derby the Lord Dowckeroy Pryor of Saint Iohns Sir Robert Ratcliffe Lord Fitswater the Lord Hastings the Lord Cobham Sir Riceap Thomas Sir Thomas Blunt Sir Richad Sacheverell Sir Iohn Digby Sir Iohn Askew Sir Lewis Bagot Sir Thomas Cornwall and others to the number of eight thousand who arrived at Callice about the middle of May after him in the end of May followed Sir Charles Somerset Lord Herbert Lord Chamberline accompanied with the Lord Percy Earle of Northumberland the Lord Gray Earle of Kent the Lord Stafford Earle of Wiltshire the Lord Dudley the Lord Delaware Sir Edward Hussey Sir Edward Dimmock Sir David Owen with others to the number of six thousand These Generalls joyning together issued out of Callice and on the two and twentieth day of Iune sate downe before the strong Towne of Terwin which City was strongly fortified and in it was Governour the Lord Poultreny who had with him six hundred Horsemen and five and twenty hundred Almans besides the Inhabitants Here at the very first happened two disasters to the English one that the Baron Carew was slaine with a shot from the Towne the other that Sir Nicholas Vaâ—x and Sir Edward Belknappe coming from Guysâ—es with four and twenty Carts of Provision were set upon by the Duke of Vendosme Lieutenant of Picardie and many of the English slaine and the Provision taken In this state was the English Campe at Terwin when King Henry the last day of Iune came himselfe to Callice and on the one and twentieth of Iuly took the field having in his Army of fighting men not above nine thousand but with Pyoners and others that attended the Cariages eleven thousand and three hundred men His foreward was led by Charles Brandon Viscount Lisle his maine Battaile by himselfe and Sir Henry Guildford carried his Standard and in this order he marched forward to the siege of Terwin entring upon the French ground the five and twentieth of Iuly On the morrow after by negligence of the Carters that mistook the way a great Gunne called the Iohn Evangelist was overthrowne in a deep Pond of water aud could not at that time be recovered but a few dayes after the Master Carpenter taking with him a hundred labourers went and weyed it up but having carted it ready to bring away was set upon by eight hundred French and the most of his company slaine the Gunne was taken by the French and carried to Bulloyne In the French Army were to the number of eleaven thousand footmen and four thousand Horse whereof were Captaines the Lord De la Palyce the Lord De Priennes the Duke De Longuevyle the Earle of Saint Paul the Lord of Floringes the Lord of Clermont and Richard De la Poole an English man sonne to Iohn Duke of Suffolke The Armies were come within two miles one of another and some light skirmishes passed between them specially one on a day called the dry Wednesday for the day was wonderfull hot and the King with his Army stood in order of battaile from six a clock in the morning till three in the afternoone after this the King removed towards Terwyn and as the Army marched another of the Kings Bombards of Iron called the Redde Gunne was overthrowne in a lane and there left which the French understanding went with a great power to fetch it away as they had done the other but the Lord Berners Captaine of the English Pyoners prevented them and though set upon by the French to the number of nine or ten thousand yet by the valour of the Earle of Essex and Sir Riceap Thomas with the bold adventures of Sir William Tyler and Sir Iohn Sharpe they recovered it and brought it safe to the Campe. On the fourth of August K. Henry came before the city
triumph during their abode in Tourney amongst other compliments of entertainment there was had a Justs where the King and the Lord Lisle answered all comers after the Justs was a sumptuous Banquet after the Banquet the Ladies danced and then came in the King and eleven other in a Maske all richly apparelled with Bonnets of gold and when theâ— had passed the time at their pleasures the garments of the Maskers were cast off amongst the Ladies take them that could This was King Henries disposition that he could not forbear Revelling in the midst of his Armes and Ladies must be entertained as well as souldiers After this finding the French not willing to come to a Battaile and the winter drawing on he left Sir Edward Poynings Governour of Tourney and then returned to Callice and from thence passed into England and rode in post to Richmond to the Queene Whilst King Herry was thus busied in his warre with France the King of Scots though his Brother in law yet instigated by the French King and taking advantage of King Henries absence assembled his people to Invade England but before his whole power could come together the Lord Humes his Chamberlin with seven or eight thousand men entred the borders but as he was returning with a great booty of Cattle in a field overgrowne with Broome called Milfield he was encountred by Sir Edward Bulmer having with him not above a thousand men who lying in that field in ambush broke out upon him and put him to flight with the slaughter of five or six hundred of his company and foure hundred taken prisoners the Lord Humes himselfe escaped by â—light but his Banner was taken and this by the Scots was called the ill Rode In the meane time the whole power of Scotland was assembled no fewer then one hundred thousand men though Buchanan in favour of his Countrey â—aith not the fifth part of that number and with these King Iames approaching the borders and coming to Norham Castle laid siedge unto it which for want of Powder was soone delivered up unto him But by this time the Earle of Surrey Lievtenant of the North parts had assembled an Army of six and twenty thousand men to whom also soone after his Sonne the Lord Admirall with one thousand expert souldiers came and joynedâ— and now having many great Lords and Knights in his Army he appointed to every one their station and then was informed that King Iames being removed six miles from Norhaâ— lay embattelling upon a great Mountain called Floddon where it was impossible to come neere him but with great disadvantage for at the foot of the hill oâ— the left hand was a great maâ—ish ground full of reeds and water on the right hand was a river called Till so swift any deepe that it was not possible on the back-side were such craggie rocks and thick woods that there was no assayling him on that part the forepart of his Campe he had fenced with his great Ordnance Being in such a hold the Earle of Surry found there was no possibility of a Battaile unlesse he could draw him from the hil wherupon he called a counâ—ell by which it was determined to sâ—nd Roug-Crossâ— Puâ—suivant at Armes with a trumpet to the K. of Scots to let him know that he was ready on Friday following to give him Battaile if he would abide it wherunto the King of Scots by his Pursuivant Ilay made answer that at the day prefixed he should finde him ready for Battail as he desired that he would willingly have come to such a maâ—ch if he had bin at Edenburgh but though he made this answer yet he would not leave the strong Hold he was in but kept himselfe still upon the Hill at last Thomas Lord Howard sonne and heiâ—e to the Earle of Surrey having viewed the Countrey round about declared to his Father that if he would but fetch a smal compasse and come with his Army on the back of his Enemies he should enforce the Scottish King to come down out of his strength or else stop him from receiving of victuals oâ— any other thing out of Scotland This councell of the Lord Howard his Father followed and King Iames perceiving what their meaning was thought it stood not with his honour to be forestalled out of his owne Realme and thereupon immediately raised his Camp and got to another Hill but not so steepe as the other which the Earle of Surrey perceiving he determined to mouâ—t it and to fight with the Scots before they should have leisure to fortifie their Campe and herewith making a short Speech for encouragement of his Souldiers he divided his Army into Battailes the Vanâ—guard was led by the Lord Howard to whom was joyned as a Wing Sir Edward Howard the middle-ward was led by the Earl himself and the Rear-ward by Sir Edward Stanley the Lord Dacres with a number of horsmen was set apart by himselfe to succor where need should be the Ordnance was placed in the Front and in other places as was thought most convenient and in this order they March forward towerds the Scots On the other side King Iames reckoning upon the benefit of the Hill thought the English half mad to venture a Battaile upon such disadvantage and thereupon making a Speech to encourage his Souldiers who were of themselves so forward that they needed no encouraging Hee divided his Battailes in this manner the maine Battaile he led himself to which he appointed two Wings the right led by the Earls of Huntley Crâ—wford and Mountrosse the left by the Earls of Lenox and Argyle together with the Lord Hâ—mes Lord Camberlain and so confident they were of victory that the King first and after all the Lords and meaneâ— meâ— put away their Horses as thinking they should not need them which confidence was afterward their undoing for when the Battaile being joyned Sir Edward Howard in getting up the Hill was so assaulted by the Earles of Lenox and Argyle that he was left almost alone and in manifest perill to be slaine in comes the Lord Dacres with his Horsmen and trode under foot the Scottish Battaile of speeres on foot which he could not have done if they had kept their Horses And this part of the Scottish Aâ—my being led by the Earles of Crawford and Mountrosse they were both of them slaine and the whole Battaile but to flight In another part also Sir Edward Stanley did the like upon the Battaile led by the Earles of Lenox and Argyle putting it to flight with the slaughter also of these two Earles King Iames notwithstanding maintained the fight still with great resolution till Sir Adam Forman his Standard-bearer was beaten downe and then not fainting though despairing of successe he rushed into the thickest of his Enemies amongst whom he was beaten downe and slaine and to make his death the more honourable there dyed with him three Bishops whereof one was Alexander Archbishop of Saint Andrewes the Kings base
Sir Giles Capell Thomas Cheiney and others obtained leave of the King to be at the challenge where they all behaved themselves with great valour but specially the Duke of Suffolke whose glory the Dolphyn so much envied that he got a Dutch-man the tallest and strongest man in all the Court of France secretly as another person to encounter him with a purpâ—e to have the Duke foyled but indeed it turned to his greater honour for he foiled the Dutch-man in such sort that when they came to the Barriers the Duke by maine strength took him about the neck and so prommeled him about the head that he made the blood issue out at his nose many other Princes and Lords did bravely and after three dayes the Justs ended King Henry was not long behinde to solemnize it in England also for at Greenwich the Christmas following on Newyeers night and Twelfth night he presented such strange and magnificent devices as had seldome been seene and the third of February following he held a solemne Justs where he and the Marquesse Dorset answered all commers at which time the King brake three and twenty speares and threw to the ground one that encountred him both man and horse At this time preparation was making for King Henry in person to go to Callice there to meet with the French King and Queene but death hindred the designe for before the next spring the first of Ianuary the French King dyed at the City of Paris fourscore and two dayes after his marriage teaching others by his example what it is for an old man to marry a young Lady King Henry hearing of the French Kings death sent the Duke of Suffolke Sir Richard Winkefield and Doctor West to bring over the Queene Dowager according to the Covenants of the marriage Whereupon the Queene was delivered to the Duke by Indenture who obtaining her good will to be her husband which was no hard matter that had been her first love wrote to the King her brother for his consent whereat the King seemed to stick a while but at last consented so as he brought her into England unmarried and then marry at his return but the Duke for more surety married her secretly in Paris and after having received her Dower Apparrell and Jewels came with her to Callice and there openly married her with great solemnity At their coming into England King Henry to shew his contenâ—ment with the marriage in the company of the Duke of Suffolke the Marquesse Dorset and the Earle of Essex all richly apparelled held a new kinde of Justs running courses on horseback in manner Volant as fast as one could follow another to the great delight of the beholders This yeer the King at his Mannour of Oking Woolsey Archbishop of Yorke came and shewed him letters that he was elected Cardinall for which dignity he disabled himselfe till the King willed him to take it upon him and from thenceforth called him Lord Cardinall but his Hat and Bull were not yet come after which Doctor Warham Archbishop of Canterbury and Lord Chancelour of England finding Woolsey being now Cardinall to meddle more in his office of Chancelourship then he could well sufferâ— resigned up the Seal which the King presently gave to Woolsey About this time Cardinall Campejus was sent by Pope Leo to King Henry to solicite him to a Warre against the Turke with whom Cardinall Woolsey was joyned in Commission who hearing of the ragged retinue of his fellow Cardinell sent store of red cloath to Callice to make them fit followers of so great a Lord and when Campejus was landed at Dover Cardinall Woolsey caused the gentry of Kent to waite upon to Black-heath where he was met and received by the Duke of Norfolk and many Prelates there in a Tent of cloath of gold shifted himself into his Cardinals robes Eight Mules he had laden with necessaries but Woolsey not thinking them enough for his honour sent him twelve more But now see the shame of pride for in Cheap-side his Mules by some mischance overthrew their Carriages and Coffers on the ground whose lyds flying open shewed the world what treasure it was they carried old Breeches Boots and broken Shoos broken Meat Marybones and crusts of Bread exposing him to the laughter of all the people yet the Cardinall went joging on afore with his Crosses guilt Axe and Mace unto Pauls Church and by the way had an Oration made him by Sir Thomas Moore in name of the City and then waited on with many Bishops was conducted to Bath Place where he was lodged for his own particuler he got well by the Journey for the King gave him the Bishoprick of Salisbury but the errand he came about which was to have Ayde by mony for a Warre against the Turke he could not obtaine for it was well known to be but a devise to get money without any intention of what was pretended In his seventh yeer King Henry kept his Christmas at his Mannour of Eltham where on Twelfth night according to his custome was a stately Maske of Knights and Ladies with solemne Daunsing and a most Magnificent Banquet It was now the eight yeer of King Henryes Reigne when the new league between him and the French King was Proclaimed in the City of London and this yeer Mageret Queene of Scots eldest Sister to King Henry having before married Archibald Dowglasse Earle of Angus by reason of dissention amongst the Lords of Scotland was glad with her husband to flye into England and to seek succour at her brothers hands who assigned to her the Castle of Harbottell in Northumberland to reside in where she was delivered of a daughter named Margaret From thence the King sent for her and her husband to come to his Court and thereupon the third of May Queene Margaret riding on a white Palfrye which the Queen of England had sent her behinde Sir Thomas Parrâ— came through London to Baynards Castle and from thence went to Greenwich but her husband the Earle of Angus was secretly before departed into Scotland which when King Henry heard he onely â—aid it was done like a Scot. And now in honour of his sisters coming King Henry the nine and twentieth of May appointed two solemne dayes of Justs where the King the Duke of Sâ—ffolke the Earle of Essex and Nicholas Carew Esquire took upon them to answer all commers amongst others the King and Sir William Kinston ran together which Sir William though a strong and valourous Knight yet the King overthrew him to the ground all the rest was performed with no lesse valour then magnificence This yeer died the King of Aragon Father to the Queene of England for whom was kept a solemne Obsequie in the Cathedrall Church of Pauls and Queene Margaret after she had been a yeer in England returned into Scotland In this yeer were sent twelve hundred Carpenters and Masons with three hundred Labourers to the City of Tourney in France to build a Castle
Sir Edward Baynton and others The last of October the Duke of Albonye sent two or three thousand men over the water to besâ—edge the Castle of VVarke who by battery of their Ordnance won the ouâ—ermost Ward called the Barnekins and continuing their battery won the second Ward but then Sir William Lisle that was Captaine of the Castle issuing forth with those few he had left drove the Frâ—nch-mâ—n from the place and slew of them to the number of three hundred a memorable service and for which the Earle of Surrey afterwards gave him great thankes The Earle would gladly have followed his enemies inâ—o their owne Borders but that his Commission was onely to defend England and not to invade Scotland Shortly after the Queeâ—e of Scots Mother to the King sent to her Brother the King of England for an abstinence from Warre till a further communication might be had which being graâ—â—ed the English Army brake up and the Earle of Surrey returned to the Court. And now for a while we must be coâ—â—ent to heare of petâ—y Occurrances because greater did not happen which if it make us like the Story the worse it may make us like the times the better seeing they are ever the best times that afford lest matter to be talked of but this time will lasâ— but a while for shortly we shall come to hear Occurrances that have been matter of talk to this day whereof the like have never scarce been seen and will hardly be beleeved when they are heard a Marriage dissolved after twenty yeeres coâ—summation houses built in Piety under pretence of Piety demolished a King made a captiveâ— a Pope held a prisonerâ— Queenes taken out of love put to death out of loathing and the Church it selfe so shaken that it hath stood in distraction ever since At this time the Emperouâ— Charles sent to the King of England two Mâ—ses trapped in crimson Velvet richly embridered also eleven goodly Jeâ—its trapped with russeâ— Velvet richly wrought foure Speares and two Javelins of strange timber and worke richly garnished and five brace of Greyhoâ—ndâ— To the Queene he sent two Mules richly trapped and high Chaiâ—es after the Spanish fashion which Presents were thankfully received both of the King and Queene At this time in the moneth of October the Cardinall sent out Commissions that every man being worth forty pounds should pay the whole Subsedie before granted out of hand which he called an Anticipation which fine new word he thought would make them pay their money the more willingly but they loved their money better then any words he could devise In this yeere the King sent the Lord Morley Sir VVilliam Hussey knight and Doctor Lee his Almoner to Fâ—rdinand Archduke of Austria with the Order of the Garter which he received in the towne of Norimberg to his great contentment In this yeere through Bookes of Prognosticatâ—ons foreshewing much hurt to come by waters and â—â—oods many persons withdrew themselves to high grounds for feare of drowning specially one Bolton Prior of Sainâ— Bartholâ—mewes in Smithfield builded him an House upon Harrow on the Hill and thither wenâ— and made provision for two moneths These great waters should have fallen in February but no such thiâ—â— happeniâ—g the Astronomers excused themselves by saying that in the computaâ—ion they had miscounted in their number an hundred yeeres In this meane time many enterpriâ—es were attempted betweene the Englishmen of Callice and Guyâ—â—es and the Frenchmen of Bulloigne and the Froâ—â—tiers of Picardâ—â— and still Sir VVilliam Fitz Williams Captaine of Guysnes Sir Robert Iâ—rningham Captaine of Newnham Bridge Sir Iohn Walloppe and Sir Iohn Gage were the men that did the French most hurt This yeere the first of September was Docter Thomas Hannibell Master of the Rolles receaved into London by Earles Bishops and diverse Lords and Gentlemen as Embassadours from Pope Clement who brought with him a Rose of gold for a present to the Kingâ— on the day of the Nativity of our Ladâ— after a solemne Masse sung by the Cardinall of Yorke the said present was delivered to the King which was a Tree forged of fine Gold and with branches leaves and flowers resembling Roses About the beginning of Winter the adventâ—rers called Krâ—ekers being not above two hundred and of them five and twenty horsmen made an attempt to fetch some booty from a Village not farre from Mattrell wherof the Earle of Dâ—mmartine having notice he set upon them with a far greater number and slew most of them and this was the end of the Kreekers as brave men as ever served any Prince In December this yeere there came to London diverse Embassadours out of Scotland about a peace to be hadâ— and a mariage to be concluded between the King of Scots and the Lady Mary daughter to the King of England At this time the Lord Leonard Gray and the Lord Iohn Grâ—y brothers to the Lord Marquesse Dorset Sir George Cobham sonne to the Lord Cobham VVilliaâ— Carye Sir Iohn Dudley Thomas VVyat Francis Poynts Francis Sidâ—â—y Sir Anthony Browne Sir Edward Seymor Oliver Manners Percivall Hart Sebastiâ—â— Nudigatâ— and Thomas Calen Esquires of the Kings Household made a challenge of Arms against the Feast of Christmas which was proclaimed by Windsor the Herauld and performed at the time appointed very Nobly at Tilts Tâ—rneys Barriars and the assault of a Castle erected for that purpose iâ— the Tilt-yard at Greenwich where the King held his Christmas that yeer with great State and magnificence About this time Iohn Iokyn Steward of the Household to the French Kings Motheâ— came into England and was received in secret manâ—er into the House of one Doctor Larke a Prebrendary of Saint Stephens who oftentimes talked with the Cardinall about a Peace to be concluded between the two Kings of â—ngland and France of whose often meetings Monsieur de Brate the Emperours Embassadour grew very jealous The four and twentieth of Ianuary Monsieâ—r Brynion President of Roan came to London as Embassadour from the French King and was lodged with the said Iohn Iokyn which small things should not be related but that they were preparatives to great matters afterward On Sunday the fifth of March were received into London Monsieur de Beuer Loâ—d of Campher Admirall of Flanders Monsieur Iohn de la Coose President of 〈◊〉 Master Iohn de la Gache as Embassadours from the Lady Margaret in the name of the Emperour who required three things First they demanded the Lady Mary the Kings only daughter to be presently delivered and she to be nâ—â—ed Empresse and as Governesse take possession of all the Low-Countryes Secondly that all such summes of money as the King should give with her in maâ—riage should be paid incontinently Thirdly that the King of England should passe the sea in person and make Warre in France the next Summer The â—â—rst two demands were not agreed too for certaine causes and as to the third the King said he would take time
of Scotland sent for aid to the Queen of England But this was matter for consultation It seemed a bad Example for a Prince to give aid to the rebellious Subjects of another Prince On the other side it seemed no lesse then impiety not to give Ayd to the Protestants of the same Religion but most of all it seemed plain madnesse to suffer adversaries to be so neer neighbours and to let the French nestle in Scotland who pretend Title to England upon such like considerations it was resolved to send them Ayd and thereupon an Army of six thousand Foot and twelve hundred Horse was sent under the Command of the Duke of Norfolk the Lord Grey of Wilton his Lievtenant Generall Sir Iames a Crofts Assistant to him the Lord Scroop L. Marshall Sir George Howard Generall of the men at Arms Sir Henry Percy Generall of the Light-horse Thomas Huggens Provost Marshall Thomas Gower Master of the Ordnance Master William Pelham Captain of the Pyoners and Master Edward Randoll Serjeant Major and divers others These coming into Scotland joyned with the Scotish Lords and set down before Leith where passed many small skirmishes many Batteries and sometimes Assaults to whom after some time a new supply came of above two thousand Foot whereof were Captains Sir Andrew Corbet Sir Rowland Stanley Sir Thomas Hesbith Sir Arthur Manwaring Sir Lawrence Smith and others yet with this new supply there was little more done then before many light skirmishes many Batteries and sometimes Assaults so long till at last the young French King finding these broyls of Scotland to be too furious for him to appease he sent to the Queen of England desiring that Commissioners might be sent to reconcile these differences whereupon were dispatched into Scotland Sir William Cecill her principall Secretary with Doctor Wotton Dean of Canterbury who concluded a Peace between England and France upon these Conditions That neither the King of France nor the Queen of Scotland should thenceforth use the Arms or Titles of England or Ireland And that both the English and the French should depart out of Scotland And a generall pardon should be enacted by Parliament for all such as had been actors in those stirs This Peace was scarce concluded when Francis the young King of France died leaving the Crown to his younger brother Charles who was guided altogether by the Queen-Mother and molested with the Civill dissentions between the Princes of Guise and Conde for whose reconcilement the Queen sent Sir Henry Sidney Lord President of VVales and shortly after an Army under the leading of the Lord Ambrose Dudley Earl of VVarwick who arriving at Newhaven was received into the Town which having kept eleven months he was then constrayned by reason of a Pestilence to surrender again upon Composition and so returned About this time when the Parliament was upon dissolving it was agreed upon by the House of Commons to move the Queen to marry that she might have Issue to succeed her to which purpose Thomas Gargrave Speaker of the House with some few other chosen men had accesse to the Queen who humbly made the motion to her as a thing which the Kingdom infinitely desired seeing they could never hope to have a better Prince then out of her loyns Whereunto the Queen answered in effect thus That she was already marryed namely To the Kingdom of England and behold saith she the Pledge of the Covenant with my husband and therewith she held out her finger and shewed the Ring wherewith at the time of her Coronation she gave her self in Wedlock to the Kingdom and if saith she I keep my self to this husband and take no other yet I doubt not but God will send you as good Kings as if they were born of me forasmuch as we see by dayly experience That the Issue of the best Princes do often degenerate And for my self it shall be sufficient that a Marble stone declare That a Queen having Raigned such a time lived and dyed a Virgin Indeed before this time many Matches had been offered her First King Philip and when he was out of hope of matching with her himself he then dealt with the Emperor Ferdinand his Unkle to commend his younger Son Charles Duke of Austria to her for a husband And when this succeeded not then Iohn Duke of Finland second Son to Gustavus King of Sweden was sent by his father to solicite for his eldest Brother Erricusâ— who was honourably received but the Match rejected Then Adolphus Duke of Holst Unkle to Frederick King of Denmark came into England upon a great hope of speeding but the Queen bestowed upon him the Honour of the Garter and a yeerly Pension but not her self Then Iames Earl of Arran was commended to her by the Protestants of Scotland but neither the man nor the motion was accepted Of meaner Fortunes there were some at home that pleased themselves with hope of her Marriage First Sir William Pickering a Gentleman of a good House and a good Estate but that which most commended him was his studiousnesse of good letters and sweet demeanour Then Henry Earl of Arundel exceeding rich but now in his declining age Then Robert Dudley youngest son of the Duke of Northumberland of an excellent feature of face and now in the flower of his age but these might please themselves with their own conceit but were not considerable in her apprehension they might receive from her good Testimonies of her Princely favour but never Pledges of Nuptiall love About this time the Earl of Feria who had married the daughter of Sir William Dormer being denyed leave of the Queen for some of his wives friends to live out of England grew so incensed that he made means to Pius the fourth then Pope to have her excommunicate as an Heretick and Usurper but the Pope inclining rather to save then to destroy and knowing that gentle courses prevail more with generous mindes then roughnesse and violence in most loving manner wrote unto her exhorting her to return to the Unity of the Catholike Church and as it is said made her great offers if she would hearken to his counsell Particularly That he would recall the Sentence pronounced against her mothers Marriage confirm the Book of Common Prayer in English and permit to her people the use of the Sacrament in both Kindes But Queen Elizabeth neither terrified with the Earl of Feria's practises nor allured with the Popes great offers according to her Motto Semper Eadem persisted constant in her resolution To maintain that Religion which in her conscience she was perswaded to be most agreeable to the Word of God and most consonant to the Primitive Church Whilst these grounds of Troubles are sowing in England France and Scotland it is not likely that Ireland will lie fallow though indeed it be a Countrey that will bring forth Troubles of it self without sowing but howsoever to make the more plentifull Harvest of troubles at this time Iohn Oneal
whose father King Henry the eighth made Earl of Tyrone to prevent the punishment of a private Out-rage upon a Brother broke into open Rebellion against the Prince and though his attempts were maturely made frustrate by timely opposition yet this was he that in the beginning of the Queens Raign sowed the seeds of that trouble in Ireland which afterward took so deep root that till the ending of her Raign it could never thorowly be rooted out though this man a yeer or two after came into England and casting himself at the Queens feet acknowledged his fault and obtained pardon The Treaty of Edinburgh should by promise have been confirmed by Francis the French King while he lived he not having done it Queen Elizabeth requires his Dowager the Queen of Scots to confirm it but she solicited often to it by Throgmorton the Queens Ligier in France made alwayes answer She could not do it without the counsell of her Nobility in Scotland whereupon Queen Elizabeth suspecting that this answer was but to hold her in amuzement while some mischief was practising against her sent Sir Thomas Randoll into Scotland to perswade the Lords there to enter into a League of mutuall amity with her and other Protestant Princesâ— and further by no means to permit their Queen now a widow to marry again to any forraign Prince for which she alleadged many great reasons In the mean while the Queen of Scots purposing to return into Scotland sent before-hand D'Oysette a French Lord to intreat Queen Elizabeth that with her leave she her self might passe by Sea into Scoâ—land and D'Oysette might passe by Land But Queen Elizabeth openly denyed both the one and the other unlesse she would confirm the Treaty of Edinburgh saying It was no reason she should do the Queen of Scots courtesie if the Queen of Scots would not do her right The Queen of Scots much troubled with this answer expostulates the matter with her Ligier Throgmorton and much complains of the unkindenesse but in the mean time providing Shipping she loosed from Calice and under covert of a mist notwithstanding that Ships were laid to intercept her she arrived safe in Scotland where she intreated her subjects in so loving a manner that she gave great contentment to the whole Kingdom as well to the Protestant Party as the other and then sent Letters to Queen Elizabeth proferring all observance and readinesse to enter League with her so she might by Authority of Parliament be declared her Successor which was but her Right To this Queen Elizabeth answered That though she would no way derogate from her Right yet she should be loth to endanger her own security and as it were to cover her own eyes with a Grave-cloth while she was alive but fell again to her old Admonition requiring her to confirm the Treaty of Edinburgh And now to shew the respect she bore her when her Unkles the Dukes D'Aâ—male D' Albeufe and other Lords of France that had brought her home returned thorow England she gave them most bountifull and loving entertainment These two Queens indeed were both of great Spirits and both very wise but these grew such Jealousies of State between them the Queen of Scots doubting lest Queen Elizabeth meant to frustrate her Succession Queen Elizabeth doubting lest the Queen of Scots meant to prevent her succession that it kept them more asunder in love then they were neer in blood and was cause of many unkinde passages between them in all which though the Queen of Scots were a very neer Match to the Queen of England in the abilities of her minde yet in the favours of Fortune she was much her inferiour But now for all the courtesie which Q. Elizabeth shewed to the Queen of Scots Unkles at their returning thorow England yet new practises were again set on foot against her at Rome the Duke of Guise especially labouring to have her be Excommunicate but Pope Pius still averse from such roughnesse meant now to try the Queen another way and thereupon sent the Abbot Martinengiâ— and when he might not be admitted to enter England then caused the Bishop of Viterbo his Nuntio in France to deal earnestly with the Queens Ligier Throgmorton that she as other Princes had done would send her Orators to the Councell of Trent which he before had called But the Queen nothing tender in this point made peremptory answer That a Popish Assembly she did not acknowledge to be a Generall Councell nor did think the Pope to have any more Right or Power to call it then any other Bishop This Answer not only exasperated the Pope but so alienated also the King of Spain's minde from her that he was never after so kinde a friend to her as he had been and none of her Embassadours ever after had any great liking to be employed to him And now at this time as the Abbot Martinengi was the last Nuntio that ever was sent from the Pope into England so Sir Edward Carne now dying at Rome was the last Ligieâ— that was ever sent to the Pope from the Kings of England And now Queen Elizabeth knowing well that she had drawn many ill willers against her State she endeavoured to strengthen it by all the means she could devise She caused many great Ordnance of Brasse and Iron to be cast She repaired Fortifications in the Borders of Scotland She encreased the number of her Ships so as England never had such a Navy before She provided great store of Armour and Weapons out of Germany she caused Musters to be held and youth to be trayned in exercises of Artillery and to please the people whose love is the greatest strength of all she gave leave to have Corn and Grayn transported and called in all base Coyns and Brasse Money It was now the Fifth yeer of Queen Elizabeths Raine when diverse great persons were called in question Margaret Countesse of Lenox Neece to to King Henry the eight by his eldest sister and her husband the Earle of Lenox for having had secret conference by letters with the Queen of Scots were delivered prisoners to Sir Richard Sackvile Master of the Rolles and with him kept a while in custody Also Arthur Poole and his brother whose great grand-father was George Duke of Clarnce brother to King Edward the fourth Antony Fortescue who had married their sister and other were arraigned for conspiring to withdraw themselves to the Duke of Guise in France and from thence to return with an Army into Wales to Declare the Queen of Scots Queen of England and Arthur Poole Duke of Clearnce which particulars they confessed at the Barre and were thereupon condemned to die but had their lives spared in regard they were of the Blood Royall Also the Ladie Katherine Grey daughter to Henry Grey Duke of Suffolke by the eldest daughter of Brandonâ— having formerly been married to the Earle Pembrookes eldest sonne and from him soone after lawfull divorced was some yeers after found to
colour of honour but indeed that they might be intrapped and they and together with them the Protestant Religion at one blow if not clean cutt off yet receiveâ— deadly wound For the marriage being celebrated there presently followed that cruell Massacre at Paris and the terrible slaughter of the Protestants throughout all the Cities of France but to set a shew of equity upon the fact Edicts and Proclamations were presently set forth that the Protestants had plotted a wicked conspiracy against the King the Queen Mother the Brethren the King of Navarre and the Princes of the blood Royall and to keep the thing in memory Coyne was presently stamped upon the one side whereof was the Kings picture with this Inscription Virtus in Rebelles on the other side Pietas excitavit justitiam But the King of France notwithstanding all the shew hee made of Piety escaped not the Divine revenge for before the yeer came about hee fell sick of a bloody Flixe and afterwards with long and grievous torments ended his life A little before this Mota Fenell Embassador to the King of France being in England by vertue of an order from the Queen Mother of France propoundeth to Queen Elizabeth at Kenelworth two dayes before the Massacre in that Kingdome the marriage of her youngest sonne Francis Duke of Alenson for the Queen Mother had been told by some cunning men that all her sons should be Kings and she knew no way for it but this Bâ—t Queen Elizabeth by reaâ—on of the disparity of age modestly excused her self For he was scarce â—eventeen yeers old and she was now past eight and thirty yet she promised to consider of it and Alenson did not leave to prosecute the â—â—it At tâ—is time Thomas Percy Earl of Northâ—mberland who first Rebelled and afterwards fled into Scotland was for a sum of money delivered by the Earl of Morton to the Lord Hunsdon Governour of Barwick and a while afâ—er was beheaded â—t York And now as these two great Personages the Duke of Norfolkâ— and the Earl of Northumberland were taken away by a violent death so three other great Personages were at this time tâ—ken away by a naturall death First Wâ—llâ—am Paulet who from a private man came by degree to be Marquesse of Winchester lived to the age of within three yeers of a hundred and could reckon a hundred and three of his children and his childrens issue after he had held the pâ—ace of Lord Treasurer of England above twenty yeers in whose roome succeeded Sir Wâ—lliam Cecill Lord Burleigh then dyed Edmund Earle of Darby famous as well for his hospitality and good house-keeping as for his skill in Surgery and Bone-setting then dyed Sir William Peter who being descended from an honest stock at Exceter in Devonshire was Privy Counsellor and Secretary to King Henry the Eight Kiâ—g Edward the Sixth Queen Mary Queen Elizabeth who plantâ—d himself in Essex where he purchased greaâ— possessions whose son Iohn was by King Iames made Baron of Writle in that Country And now Qâ—een Elizabeth having formerly borrowed money oâ— her Subjects she thankfully repayd it which wonne her no lesse love then if she had given it and more love she gained also at this time by two Proclamations by one of which she commanded Noble men to observe the Law of keeping Retâ—iners by the other she restrained Informers who under colour of spying out Crown Land concealed by private persoâ—s sacralegioâ—sly seized upon the Lands of Parish-Churches and Alms-Houses piously endowed by the Queens Ancestors And more Love and Honour also she gained at this time by two acts of Justice the one that she satisfied the English Merchants out of the goods which were detâ—ined belonging to the Dutch and restored the rest to the Duke D' Alva and make a full transaction with the Merchants of Geneva for the monâ—y intercepted the other that she freed England at this time of the debts which her Father and her Brother had run into in forraign partâ— and were increased by yeerly interest and caused the obligations of the City of London which had so often been renued to be given in to the great rejoycing of the Citizens The Spanish affairs growing now very turbulent in the Netherlands Flushing lost the towns of Holland revolted and the Spanish Navy vanquished by the Zelanders Duke D'Alva against his will began to shew more kindnesse towards the English so as in the month of Ianuary the trade which in Anno 1568. had been forbidden was now allowed again between the Dutch and the English for two yeerâ— but those two yeers expired the English removed their trading to the confederates Stateâ— The last yeer in the month of November a daughter was born to the French King to whom he requested Queen Elizabeth to be God-mother who theâ—eupon sent William Somerset Earl of Worcester into France with a Font of massy Gold to stand as her Deputy at the Christning Hereupon and for that the Queen promised to observe the League strictly the French King and the Queen mother began to affect her more and more and the Duke D'Alenson wrote sundry love-letters to her the French King and His Mother interceding for the mariage with all earnestnesse It is true the Queen conceived divers reasons why it was fit for her to marry but the Courtiers for their own ends disswaded her as much from it at last the Queen Mother of France was wonderfull importunate that her sonne Alenson might have leave to come and see herâ— whereunto being wearyed with continuall Letters and Messages she gave her consent but upon condition that hee should not take it for any disgrace to him if hee returned without obtaining his suit But as soon as Queen Elizabeth had notice that his brother Henry was elected King of Poland and that the King of France was very sick shee gave intimation to Alenson by Edward Horsey Governour of the Isle of Wight that hee should not make too much haste into England but should first procure a peace by some meanes or other in France and declare by some notable Argument his good will towards the Protestants thereby to be the more welcome Ghest into England Hereupon a peace was concluded in France and in certain places the Protestants were allowed to exercise their Religion and then again the French King and the Queen Mother used all their endeavour to have the marriage go forward for they were very desirous thâ—t Alenson who was of a crooked and perverse disposition and prone to raise tumults might bee removed out of France and withall they requested of Queen Elizabeth that if the Duke of Angiou took his voyage into Poland by Sea hee might have publike caution to sail through the British Ocean To this last request she not only consented with all alacrity but also made offer of a Fleet to conduct him thither In the mean while Alenson fell sick of the Meazles which his mother signified to Queen Elizabeth by Count Rhets excusing him
her self with all her Forces to compell them While Wilkes in Spain unfoldeth theâ—e matters Iohn of Austria sendeth to Queen Elizabeth in most grievous manner accusing the States for disobedience and making a large declaration of the causes for which he had taken up Armes again Thus Queen Elizabeth like a fortunate Princesse sate as an Honourable Arbitresse between the Spanish the French and the States insomuch that it was not untrue which one wrote That France and Spaine were Ballances in the Scale of Europe and England the Beame to turne them either way for they still got the better to whome she adhered About this time when the Judges sate at the Assizes in Oxford and one â—owland Iâ—nkes a Book-seller was questioned for speaking approbrious words against the Queen suddenly they were surprised with a pestilent favour whether rising from the noysome smell of the prisoners or from the dampe of the ground is uncertaine but all that were there present almost every one within forty hours died except Women and children and the Contagion went no further There died Robert Bell Lord chief Baron Robert D'Oylie Sir William Babington D'Olye Sheriffe of Oxford-shire Harcourt Weynman Phetiplace the most noted men in this Tract Barham the famous Lawyer almost all the Jurours and three hundred other more or lesse This yeer the title of the Lord Latimer which had flourished in the Familie of the Nevills ever since the dayes of King Henry the sixth was extinct in Iohn Nevill who died without issue male and left a faire estate to four daughters whereof the eldest marryed Henry Earl of Northumberland the second Thomas Cecill who was afterward Earl of Exceter the third Sir William Cornwallis and the fourth Sir Iohn Daverse In Ireland the O-Moores and O-Conors and others whose Ancestours the Earl of Sussex in Queen Maries dayes had for their rebellion deprived of their Patrimonie in Loyse and Ophâ—liâ— did now break forth into a new Rebellion under the conduct of Roriâ— Oge that is Roderick the younger set on fire the village of Naasse assault Lâ—chlin from whence being driven back by the valour of George Careâ— the Governour he was afterward slain Out of England at this time there went into the Low-countries Iohn North the Lord Norths eldest sonneâ— Iohn Norris second son to the Lord Norris Henry Cavendish and Thomas Morgan Colonells with many voluntaries to learn Militarie experience Thither also came Caesamire the Elector Palatines sonne with an Army of German Horse and foot at the Queenes charges upon theâ—e Don Iohn assisted by the Prince of Parma Mondragon and other the best Commanders of Spain confident of victorie flyeth furiously before they expected him yet after a long fight was forced to retreat but then turning again and thinking to breake through the Hedges and Brakes where the English and Scottish voluntaryes had placed themselves was again repulsed for the English and Scottish were so hot upon the matter that casting away their garments by reason of the hot weather they fought in their shirts which they made fast about them In this battell Nâ—â—â—â—â— fought most valiantly and had three horses sâ—ain under him as also 〈◊〉 the Scot Bingham and William Mâ—râ—ham Now for comfort â—o the afflicted Provinces there came at that â—â—me into the Netherlands the Count Swâ—â—zenberg from the Emperour Mâ—nsieâ—â— Beâ—â—â—â—â—re from the French King and from the Queen of England the Lord Cobham and Walâ—ingham with Commission to procure conditions of Peace but returned without doing any thing for that Don Iohn refused to admit the Proâ—estanâ— Religion and the Prince of Orange refused to return into Holland About this time Egrâ—mâ—â—d Râ—â—cliffe son to Henry Earl of Susseâ— by his second wife who had been a prime man in the rebellion of the North and served now under Don Iohn was accused by the English fugitives that he was sent under hand to kill Don Iohn which whether true or false he was thereupon taken and put to death The Spaniards have affirmed That Ratcliffe at his last end confessed voluntarily That he was freed out of the Tower of London and moved by Walsinghams large promises to do this Fact but the English that were present at his death deny that he confessed any such thing though the English Rebells did all they could to wrest this confession from him At this very time Don Iohn in the flower of his age died of the Pestilence or as some say of grief as being neglected by the King of Spain his brother a man of an insatiable Ambition who aymed first at the Kingdom of Tunis and after of England and who without the privity of the French King or King of Spain had made a league with the Guises for the defence of both Crowns Alanson although very busie about the Belgick War yet now began again to pursue the Marriage with Queen Elizabeth for renewing of which suit first was Bachervyle sent to the Queen and soon after Ramboulet from the French King and within a month after that Simier a neat Courtier and exquisitely learned in the Art of Love accompanied with a great number of the French Nobility whom the Queen at Richmond entertained in such loving manner that Leicester began to rage as if his hopes were now quite blasted Certainly a little before when Ashley a Lady of the Queens Bed-chamber mentioned the Earl of Leicester to her for husband she with an aâ—gry countenance replyed Dost thou think me so unlike my self and so forgetfull of Majestie as to prefer my servant whom I my self have advanced before the greatest Princes of the Christian world But it is now time to return to the Scottish Affairs The Earl of Morton Regent of Scotland though a man of great wisedome and valour yet was now so overcome of covetousnesse that he grew universally hated and thereupon with the joynt consent of the Nobility the Administration of the Common-wealth was translated to the King though he was yet but twelve yeers old and twelve of the chief Lords were appointed to attend him in Councell three of them by course for three months amongst whom the Earl of Morton for one that they might not seem to cast him quite off The King having taken upon him the Administration sent presently the Earl of Dumformelin to Queen Elizabeth acknowledging her great deserts towards him and requesting to have the Treaty of Edinburgh agreed on in the yeer 1559 to be confirmed for the more happy restraining the robbers about the borders and withall That his ancient Patrimony in England namely the Lands granted to his Grand-father Maâ—â—hew Earl of Lenox and the Countesse his Grand-mother might be delivered into his handsâ— who was the next Heir The Queen readily promised the former demands but stuck a little at the last concerning the Patrimony For she would not grant That Arbella the daughter of Charles the King of Scots Unkle Born in England was the next Heir to the Lands in England neither would she grant the
Of his Magnanimity VVOrd was brought him as he sate at dinner that his City of Mans in Normandy was besieged and in great danger to be taken if not presently relieved whereupon the King asked which way Mans lay and then caused Masons presently to take downe the Wall to make him passage the next way and so rode instantly towards the Sea His Lords about him advising him to stay till his people were ready No saith he but such as love me I know will follow me And being come on Shipboard and the weather growing very tempestuous he was advised by the Master of his Ship to stay for some calmer season No saith he Feare nothing I never yet heard of any King that was drowned And thereby comming to Mansâ—nexpected â—nexpected he presently dispersed the Besiegers and tooke Helias Count de la Flesche who had been Authour of the tumult Prisoner who vaunting to the King and saying Now indeed you have taken me by a wile but if I were at liberty againe you should finde me to doe other manner of feats at which the King laughing Well then saith he go your wayes and doe your worst and let us see what feats you will do Being reconciled to his Brother Robert he assisted him to recover the Fort of Mount Saint Michael which their Brother Henry did forcibly hold in Normandy during which siege straggling one time alone upon the shoare he was set upon by three horsmen who assaulted him so fiercely that they drove him from his saddle and his saddle from his horse but he taking up his saddle and withall drawing out his sword defended himselfe till rescue came and being afterward blamed for being so obstinate to save his saddle he answered It would have angred me at the very heart that the knaves should have bragged they had wonne the saddle from me Of his justnesse in keeping his word THis vertue specially was commended in him and he would often say that even God himselfe was obliged by his word But if we observe the course of his life we shall finde that howsoever he might keepe his word in small matters yet certainly not in greatâ— For he kept not his word with his Brother Robert to whom he promised to leave the Kingdome of England after his decease but performed it not Nor he kept not his word with his subjects for in the rebellion of the Norman Lords he promised the English if they would now stick to him they should have their ancient Lawes restored and be allowed liberty to hunt in his Forests which promise he either kept not at all or at least soone brake Nor he kept not his word with God himselfe for being sick at Glocester and in some hazard of his life he made a solemne vow that if he recovered he would leade a new life and give over all his disorderly courses but being recovered he grew more disorderly then he was before that if denomination be made from the greatest actions it cannot be truly said that he was just of his word but such is the priviledge of Princes over their subjects that if they make a promise it must be beleeved and if they breake it it must not be questioned Of his Incontinencie MUch is spoken of his lascivious life in generall but nothing in particular for neither is mentioned any violence he ever offered to any nor is any woman named to have beene his Concubine and Princes Concubines are seldome concealed It is true he was never married and of a strong constitution of body and so probable he might be inclining to that vice but probabilities are not alwayes concluding and therfore whether it be a true accusation or but a slander it may well be doubted only one base son of his is spoken of called Bertrannus whom he advanced in honour and matched in a Noble Family But why should we more look for particulars of his Incontinency then of his Prodigality for he was taxed no lesse for being Prodigall then for being Incontinent and yet of his Prodigality there is not so much as one instance recorded unlesse we take this for an instance that when his Chamberlaine brought him a paire of hose which because they were new he asked what they cost And being told they cost three shillings in a great chafe he threw them away asking him If he thought a paire of hose of three shillings to be fit for a King to weare Get thee gone saith he and let me have a paire of a Marke His Chamberlaine went and bringng him another paire scarce so good as the former and telling him they cost a Marke I marry saith the King these are something like and was better satisfied with hearing what they cost then with seeing what they were worth and yet was this no imputation to his wisdome for to say the truth it is no defect of wisdome in a King to be ignorant what his cloaths are worth Of his wavering in Religion HE appointed a disputation to be held betweene Christians and Jewes and before the day came the Jewes brought the King a Present to the end they might have an indifferent hearing The King took the Present encouraging them to quit themselves like men and swore by Saint Lukes face his usuall oath that if they prevailed in Disputation he would himselfe turne Jew and be of their Religion A young Jew on a time was converted to the Christian Faith whose Father being much troubled at it presented the King sixty Markes intreating him to make his sonne to returne to his Judaisme whereupon the King sent for his sonne commanding him without more adoe to returne to the Religion of his Nation But the young man answered he wondred his Majesty would use such words for being a Christian he should rather perswade him to Christianity with which answer the King was so confounded that he commanded the yoâ—g man to get hâ—m out of his sight But his Father finding the King could doe no good upon his sonne required his money againe Nay saith the King I have taken paines enough for it and yet that you may see how kindly I will deale you shall have one halfe and the other halfe you cannot in conscience deny me There were fifty Gentlemen accused for hunting and killing the Kings Deere which they denied and were therefore condemned to the triall of fire which by Gods mercifull judgement they passed through untouched the King hearing it and deceived of the confiscation he expected is said in a great chafe to say How happens this Is God a just Judge in suffering it Now a murraine take him that beleeves it It seemes also he doubted of many points of Religion then in credit For he would often proteâ—t that he beleeved not that Saints could profit any man in Gods sight and therefore neither would he nor any other that were wise as he affirmed make Intercession either to Peter or to any other for helpe Affaires of the Church in his time THe
received in all places as she went peaceably and at London joyfully where Queene Matild made humble suite unâ—o her for the liberty of King Stephen her husband and that he might but be allowed to live a private life the Londoners also made suite to have the Lawes of King Edward restored but the Empresse not onely rejected both their suites but returned them answers in harsh and insulting language Indeed most unseasonably and which gave a stop to the current of all her fortunes for Queene Matild finding thereby how high the Empresse pulses did beate sent presently to her Sonne Eustace being then in Kent to raise Forces with all speed with whom the Londoners as much discontented as she doe afterwards joyne and Henâ—y Bishop of Winchester as much discontented as either of them fortifies his Castles at Waltham and Farnham and specially Winchester where he stayes himselâ—e attending upon what Coast the next wind of the Empresse would blow Of all these things the Empresse had intelligence and thereupon secretly in the night she fled to Oxford sending streight charge to have King Stephen more narrowly watched more hardly used put as some write into fetters and fed with very bare and poore Commons withall she sends to her Unkle David Kings of Scots to come unto her with all speed possible who comming accordingly they fall into consultation what is first to be done the lot fals upon Winchester as being their greatest adversary now no lesse in apparence then in power so Winchester they besiege which Queene Matild hearing she with her Sonne Eustace and the Londoners come presently to the succour where a fierce battell being fought the end was that the party of Queene Matild prevailed and the Empresse to make her escape was faine to be laid upon a Horse backe in manner of a dead Corps and so conveyed to Glocester while Earle Robert her brother disdaining to flie was taken Prisoner whom Queene Matild caused to be used the more hardly in retaliation of the hard usage which the Empresse before had shewed to King Stephen Things standing in these termes propositions were made by the Lords for pacification but such were the high spirits of the Empresse and her brother Robert that no conditions would please them unlesse the Empresse might enjoy the Crowne But after long debate whether by agreement betweene themselves or by connivence of the keepers both King Stephen and Earle Robert got to be at liberty When the first thing King Stephen did was to looke out the Empresse to requite the kindnesse she had shewed him in prison and hearing her to be at Oxford he layes siege to the Towne and brings the Empresse to such distresse that she had no way to free her selfe but by flight and no way to flee but with manifest danger yet she effected it by this devise It was in the Winter season when frost and snow covered all the ground over she therefore clad her selfe and her foure servants that were with her in white cloathes which being of the colour of Snow made her passe the Watches without being discerned and by this meanes came safe to her friends at Wallingford Yet Mamesbury who lived at that time confesseth he could never learne certainely by what meanes she made her escape But howsoever she escaped this present danger yet it left such an impression of feare upon her that she never after had any mind to appeare upon this stage of Warre but left the prosecution of it to her Sonne Henry who was now about sixteene yeares of age and being forward of his age and able to beare Armesâ— was by his great Unkle David King of Scots Knighted to make him more forward It was now the ninth yeare of King Stephens Raigne when Ralph Earle of Chester keeping possession of the City of Lincolne was in the night time assaulted by the King but the Earle perceiving the Kings Forces to be but small suddenly issued forth and repelled the King with the slaughter of fourescore of his men Yet two yeares after this the Earle was reconciled to the King and came of his owne accord to waite upon him when perfidiously he was detained by the King and not set at liberty till he had surrendred into the Kings hands all the Castles that were in his possession which though it brought the King some present benefit yet it wrought him a greater future losse for it lost him his credite with all men and no man afterward would trust his word Now was Duke Henry come to the age of nineteene yeares and was in possession of the Dukedome of Anjou by the death of his Father Geoffrey Plantagenet and not long after this he marryed Eleanor the Daughter and Heire of William Duke of Guyen by whom he had that Dutchy and also the Earledome of Poicton Normandy he had by his Mother but more by the peoples inclination So as being possest now of foure great Principalities this greatnesse of Estate added to the greatnesse of his spirit made him aspiring to recover his Right in England and over he comes bringing with him but small Forces but promising himselfe great from the people of this kingdome and many indeed resorted to him with whom he fell presently and besieged Marleborough but by the Kings greater Forces was repelled After this their Armies continued in the field still rather watching advantages to be doing then doing any thing sometimes advancing when no Enemy was neare and then retiring when the Enemy came till at last it was like to come to a set Battell when suddenly Eustace King Stephens onely Sonne unfortunately dyed Unfortunately for himselfe but fortunately for the kingdome For now King Stephen being left destitute of issue to succeed was the more easily drawne to conditions of Peace as likewise the Empresse Maude having lately lost her Brother Robert Earle of Glocester and Miles Earle of Hereford her two best Champions was no lesse willing of Peace then he which being furthered by the Lords of both sides was at last concluded upon these conditions that Stephen should hold the kingdome of England during his life and adopt Duke Henry as his Heire to succeed him And this agreement thus made and in a Parliament at Winchester confirmed Duke Henry ever after accounted King Stephen no lesse then a Father and King Stephen Duke Henry no lesse then a Sonne and well he might if it be true which some write that the Empresse when a Battell was to be fought betweene King Stephen and her Sonne went privily to him asking him how he could find in his heart to fight against him that was his owne Sonne could he forget the familiarity he had with her in her firt Widow-hood But this was no matter for the Writers of that time to deliver It touched too neare the interest of Princes then in being and Princes must not be touched while they live nor when they are dead neither with uncertainties as this could be no other But howsoever it was certaine
Geoffrey and William and dying he left his Dukedome of Anjou to his eldest son Henry but to hold no longer then till he should come to be King of England and then to deliver it up to his second sonne Geoffrey and he made his Lords to sweare not to suffer his body to be buried untill his sonne Henry had taken his Oath to doe it which Oath Henry afterward in reverence to his Fathers body did take but as he tooke it unwillingly so he willingly brake it and sent presently to Adrian the then Pope for a Dispensation of his Oath which granted he enters Anjou with an Army and takes from his brother Geoffrey being little able to make resistance not onely the Dukedome of Anjou but some other Cities also which his Father had absolutely given him for his maintenance yet out of brotherly kindnesse was content to allow him a Pension of a thousand pounds a yeare which brotherly kindnesse was so unkindly taken by his brother Geoffrey that it brake his heart and within a short time after died And thus these troubles begun by Henry himselfe were soone ended but now a trouble is comming on begun by Lewis King of France and this is like to stick longer by him For King Lewis not having yet digested King Henries marriage with his divorced wife Eleanor seekes all opportunities to expresse his spleene by doing him displeasure and a fit opportunity was now offered for there fell out a difference betweene Raymond Earle of Saint Giles and Henry King of England about the Earledome of Tholouse which Raymond possest and Henry claimed in this difference King Lewis takes part with Raymond as pretending it to be the juster side Hereupon are great forces provided on both sides and it was like to have come to a dangerous battell but that by mediation of friends a Peace was made and to make the Peace the firmer a marriage was concluded betweene Henry King Henries eldest sonne scarce yet seven yeares of age and Margaret daughter of King Lewis not past three who was delivered to King Henry to bring up till fit yeares for consummation This was then thought a strong linke to hold them in friendship but it proved afterward a cause to make the greater breach and indeed when a sonne is once matched into a Family the Father must never looke from thence afterward to have a good wish seeing the daughter thus matched can have no advancement but by the advancement of her husband and he none at least none so wâ—ll as by the ruine of his Father yet this brake not out till some yeares after It was now about the eighteenth yeere of King Henries Raigne and his sonne Henry growne to be seventeene yeares of ageâ— when it came into the Kings minde to have his sonne Henry crowned King and Raigne with himselfe in his owne time partly out of indulgence to his sonne but chiefely as having found by his owne experience that Oaths for succession are commonly eluded but Oaths for present Allegeance as being Verba de Praesenti can have no evasion and pleasing himselfe with this conceit he acquaints his Lords with his purpose and causeth his sonne Henry to be crowned King by the hands of Roger Arch-bishop of Yorke and all the Lords to sweare Allegeance to him at the Feast of which solemnity King Henry to honour his sonne would needs carry up the first dish to his Table whereupon the Arch-bishop Roger standing by and saying merrily to the new King What an honour is this to you to have such a waiter at your Table Why saith he what great matter is it for him that was but the sonne of a Duke to doe service to me that am the sonne of a King and Queene Which the old King hearing beganne to repent him now it was too late of that he had done For indeed the honour which by Gods commandement children are to doe to their Parents is by such making them their equals in a manner abolished at least it gives them stomachs to take more upon them then is fit But King Henry passed it over and meant to set the best side outward And now King Lewis tooke displeasure that his daughter was not crowned as well as her husband and therefore to satisfie him in that point King Henry sendeth his sonne Henry and his wife Margaret into Englandâ— and causeth them both to be crowned by Walter Arch-bishop of Roan and shortly after the young King Henry and his wife goe backe to King Lewis her Father and by him with great joy and variety of sports were entertained In the time of their being there King Lewis partly out of his old spleene to King Henry and partly to make his sonne in law more absolure fals oftentimes into conference with him and finding his hot spirit to be fit tinder for such fire tels him it was a shame he should suffer himselfe to be made a stale have the title of a King and not the authority and that as long as he stood in such termes that which seemed an honour was indeed a disgrace With which words of King Lewis the young King Henry was set afloate and from that time forward stucke not openly to oppose his Father whereof his Father having intelligence sent messengers to King Lewis desiring him from the King their Master to be a meanes to bring his sonne to more moderation But King Lewis hearing the Embassadours name their Master King with an angry countenance said unto them What mean you by this to call him King who hath passed his Kingdome over to his son and with this answer sent them away To this evill another worse was added that Queene Eleanor his wife enraged with jealousie of her husbands Concubines both incenseth her sonne Henry and perswadeth also two other of her sonnes Richard and Geoffrey to joyne against their Father telling them it would be better for them that their brother should prevaile who could not chuse but allow them better maintenance then their Father did With these perswasions they passe over into Normandy and joyne with their brother Henry who emboldned by their assistance growes now more insolent then he was before that when messengers were sent to him from his Father requiring him to lay downe his Armes and to come lovingly to him he proudly made answer that his Father must not looke he would lay downe his Armes unlesse himselfe first would lay downe his authority and resigne the Kingdome And now Lewis King of France calling together the great Lords of his Kingdome and with them William King of Scots Hugh Earle of Chester Roger Mowbray Hugh Pigot and other of his sonnes party they all take their Oaths to assist the young King Henry with all their power and thereupon all in one day the French invade Normandy Aquitaine and Britaine the King of Scots Northumberland and King Lewis the City of Vernoill which he brought to that distresse that it was agreed by the Inhabitants if it were
not turne his face till he were revenged whereupon he caused the wall right before him to be presently beaten downe that so he might passe forward without turning his face and thus in haste he goes to Vernoull whither he was no sooner come but the King of France made as great haste to be gone not without some losse and more disgrace Here his brother Iohn submits himselfe to him and with great shew of penitence intreats his pardon which he readily granted saying onely I wish you may as well remember your fault as I shall forget it The King of France having left Vernoull enters Turonia and neare to Vindocinum pitcheth his Tents thither King Richard followes him and with his comming so affrighted him that leaving bagge and baggage Munition Tents and Treasure to a marvellous valew he gets him gone and glad hee was so rid of King Richard After this a Truce was agreed upon for a yeare which each of them longed till it were expired as having no pleasure but in troubling one another In this time there was a trouble at home though not to the King yet to the kingdome for Robin Hood accompanied with one little Iohn and a hundred stout fellowes more molested all passengers upon the High-way of whom it is said that he was of Noble bloud at least made Noble no lesse then an Earle for some deserving services but having wasted his estate in riotous courses very penury forced him to take this course in which yet it may be said he was honestly dishonest for he seldome hurt any man never any woman spared the poore and onely made prey of the rich till the King setting forth a Proclamation to have him apprehended it hapned he fell sicke at a certaine Nunnery in Yorkshire called Birckleys and desiring there to be let bloud was betraid and made bleed to death Such another trouble though not to the King yet to the kingdome fell out by reason of the Jewes and first at the Towne of Linne in Norfolke upon this occasion A Jew being turned Christian was persecuted by those of his Nation and assaulted in the streete who thereupon flying to a Church hard by was thither also followed and the Church assaulted which the people of the Towne seeing in succour of the new Christian they fell upon the Jewes of whom they slew a great number and after pillaged their houses By this example the like assaults were made upon the Jews at Stamford and after that at Lincolne and lastly at Yorke where infinite numbers of Jewes were massacred and some of them blocked up in the Castle cut the throats of their wives and children and cast them over the wals upon the Christians heads and then burnt both the Castle and themselves neither could this sedition be staied till the King sent his Chancellour the Bishop of Ely with force of Armes to punish the offenders His last trouble was a punishment of covetousnesse for one Guydomer having found a great treasure in the Kings Dominions and â—or feare of King Richard flying to a Towne of the King of France for his safegard was pursued by the King but the Towne denying him entrance and he thereupon going about the wals to finde the fittest place for assaulting it one Bertram de Gurdon or as others call him Peter Basile shot at him with a Crosse-bow and hit him on the arme of which wound he died within foâ—re dayes after and so ended all his troubles Of his Taxations and wayes for raising of money OF Taxations properly so called there were never fewer in any Kings Raigne but of wayes to draw money from the subject never more It is true the first money raised for his journey was all out of his owne estate by selling or pawning of Lands but when at his comming backe he resumed the Lands into his hands agaâ—ne without paying backe the money he had received this if it may not have the name yet certainely it had the venome of a bitter Taxation Likewise the feigning to have lost his Seale then enjoyning them to have their Grants confirmed by a new though it went not in the number yet it had the weight of a heavy Taxation where it lighted Afterward the money raised for his Ransome was not so properly a Taxation as a Contribution or if a Taxation for him yet not by him which was done in his absence by the subjects themselves and indeed no Taxations are commonly so pinching as those which are imposed upon the subject by the subject and such was this for to raise money for his Ransome therâ— was imposed upon every Knights Fee 20. s. of all Lay-mens Revenues the fourth part and the fourth part of all the Revenues of the Clergy with a tenth of their goods Also the Chalices and Treasure of all Churches were taken to make up the sum Afterward this onely was a plaine Taxation and granted in Parliament that of every Plough-land through England he should have two shillings and of the Monkes Ciâ—teaux all their Wooll of that yeare And one more greater then this and was this yeare imposed towards his warres in Normandy that every Hide of Land as much as to say every hundred Acres of Land should pay five shillings which computed without deductions will rise to a summe that will seeme incredible Lawes and Ordinances in his time HIs Ordinances were chiefely for the Meridian of London for where before his time the City was governed by Portgraves this King granted them to be governed by two Sheriffes and a Major as now it is and to give the first of these Magistrates the honour to be remembred the names of the Sheriffes were Henry Cornhill and Richard Reyner and the name of the first Lord Major was Henry Fits-Allwyn who continued Major during his life which was foure and twenty yeares And now beganne the City first to receive the forme and state of a Common-wealth and to be divided into Fellowships and Corporations as at this day they are and this Franchise was granted in the yeare 1189. the first year of King Richard the first Affaires of the Church in his time THe Church within his owne Dominions was quiet all his time no contestation with the Pope no alterations amongst the Bishops no difference betweene the Clergy and the Laity or the Clergy amongst themselves they all seemed to lie asleepe till they were afterwards awakened in the time of the succeeding King But abroad in his time there was an addition of three Orders of Devotion the Order of the Augustine Friers called Friers Mendicants begunne by William of Paris then the Order of Friers Minors begunne by Saint Francis and lastly the Orders of Friers Preachers begunne by Saint Dominick though not confirmed till the first yeare of Pope Honorius Workes of Piety in his time VVOrkes of Piety are for the most part workes of plenty penury may inwardly have good wishes but outwardly it can expresse but little and indeed all parts of the
Leader then the 〈◊〉 besides there fell at the instant such a showre of raine as dissolved their 〈◊〉 and made their Bowes of little use and at the breaking up of the showre the 〈…〉 full in the face of the French dazling their sight and on the backe of the 〈◊〉 as if all made for them K. Edward who had gotten to a Windmill beholding 〈◊〉 a Sentinell the countenance of the Enemy and discovering the disturbance 〈◊〉 by the change of place instantly sends to charge that part without giving 〈…〉 to re-accommodate themselves whereupon the discontented Genâ—â—ese 〈◊〉 which the Coâ—nt de Alanson perceiving he comes on with the horse and 〈…〉 â—age cries out On on Let us make way upon the bellies of these Genoueses 〈…〉 but hinder us and instantly pricks on with a full careere through the midst 〈…〉 followed by the Earles of Lorraine and Savoy and never staies till he came 〈◊〉 the English battell where the Prince was the fight grew hot and doubtfull 〈…〉 as the Commanders about the Prince send to King Edward to come up with his power to aide him The King askes the messengers whether his son were 〈…〉 hurt who answering no but that he was like to be over-laid Well then 〈◊〉 â—he King returne and tell them who sent you that so long as my sonne is a 〈…〉 they send no more to me what ever happen for I will that the honour of this 〈…〉 his And so being left to try for themselves they wrought it out with the 〈◊〉 â— the rather by reason the French King having his horse slaine under him and 〈◊〉 danger to be trodden to death had he not been recovered by the Lord Beau 〈…〉 â—â—â—s to the great discouragement of his people withdrawne out of the field 〈◊〉 noâ—â—ce being once taken by the English the day was soone after theirs and 〈…〉 victory they ever had yet against the French and so bloudy as there is 〈…〉 made of any one prisoner taken in the battell but all â—laine out-right â—nely â—ome few troopes that held together saved themselves by retiring to places neare adjoyning The French King himselfe with â— small company got to Bray in the night and approaching the walls and the Guâ—rd asking him who goes there he answered the Fortune of Frâ—â—câ— By â—iâ— voyce â—e was knowne and thereupon received into the Towne with the teares and lamentaâ—ions of his people The number of the slaine are certified to be thirty thousand the chiefe whereof were Charles de Alâ—nsâ—n Iohn Duke of 〈◊〉 â—alph Earle of Lorraine Lâ—wis Earle of Flâ—â—â—ers Iâ—ques Daâ—lphin de 〈◊〉 Soâ—â—e to Iâ—bâ—rt who after gave Daulphin to the Crowne of France the Earlâ—â— of Sâ—â—câ—rre Hâ—râ—court and many other Earles Barons and Gentlemen to the number of fifteeâ—â— hundred This memorable Victory happened upon the Sâ—turday after Bartâ—â—lâ—â—â—â— day in the yeare 1346. The next day earely in the morning being Sunday he sâ—nâ— out 300. Lances and 2000. Archersâ— to discover what was becomâ— of tâ—◠〈◊〉 who found great Troopes comming from Abbeâ—â—lâ— Saint 〈…〉 aâ—d Bâ—â—uvoyes ignorant of what had happened 〈◊〉 by the Arch-Bishop of Râ—â—â— and the Priour of France whom they likewise defeated and slew sâ—ven thousand But this was not all thâ— Victories that fell to King Edward that yeare there was another of no lesse importance gotten in Englâ—â—d by the Queene and hiâ— peoplâ— at home against the Scots who being set on by the French to divert the waâ—â—â— thereâ— entred upon this kingdome witâ—â—hreescoâ—e thousand men as our Writers report assuring himselfe of successe in regard as he supposed â— the maâ—â—e streâ—gth thereof was now gone into France but â—e found it otherwiseâ— For the Lords of the North as Gylbert de Umfrevile the Earlâ— of Angâ—â—â— Henry Percâ— Ralph Nevile William Dâ—yâ—coâ—â—t with the Arch-bishop of Yorke the Bishop of Durâ—am and others of the Clergy gathered so great Forces and so well ordered them by the animation of the Queene who was there in person as fighting a great Battaile at Nevils Crosse in the Bishopricke of Durhaâ— they utterly defeaâ—ed this great Army tooke David their King Prisoner with the Earles of Fifâ— Menteth Murry Sutherland the Lord Dowglas the Arch-bishop of Saint Andrewes and others and put to the sword fifteene thousand Scâ—ts This Victory also fell upon a Saturday sixe weekes after that of Cressy He that tooke King David Prisoner waâ— one Iohn Câ—plâ—nd an Esquire of Northumberland whom King Edward rewarded with five hundred pounds land a yeare and made him a Bannerâ—t And as if all concurred to make this yeare Triumphant the Aides sent to the Countesse of Montford in Britaine led by Thomas Dagworth a Valiant knight overthrew and tooke Prisoner Charles de Blois Pretender to that Dutchy and with him Mounsiâ—ur la Vall the Lords Rochford Beaâ—â—anoyre Loiâ—câ—ue with many other Barons Knights and Esquires Where were slaine the Lord De la Vall Father to him that was taken Viscount Rohan Mounsieur de Chasteaâ— Bryan de â—alestroit de Quintin de Dyrevâ—ll besides many other knights and Esquires to the number of seven hundred And now King Edward without medling with the great Cities of Amiens and Abbevile marcheth on directly and sits downe before Callice a Town of more importance for England and the Gate to all the rest Wherein Iohn dâ— Vienne Marshall of France and the Lord de Andreghâ—n a great man in his time commanded All that Winter King Edward lay without any molestation by the French King who was busied at home in his owne State about raising of money wherewith supplyed at last he raiseth an Army and approacheth Callice but findes no way open to come to relieve it The King of England was both Master of the Haven and possest all other wayes that were passable and the Flemings his friends had besieged Aire to oppose whom Iohn Duke of Normandy is sent for out of Guyenne who departing leaves Henry of Lancaster Earle of Derby Master of the Field and â—e having an Army consisting of twelve hundred men at Armes two thousand Archers and three thousand other Foot takes in most of the Townes of Xaintoigne and Poictâ—â— and in the end besieged and sacked Pâ—ityerâ— and then returnes to Bâ—rdeaâ—x with more â—illage then his people could well beare Thus the 〈◊〉 prosper every â—â—here and the French suffer During this siege of Calliâ—e â—n 〈◊〉 some tâ—inâ—â— King Edwâ—â—â— first used Gunnes the Flemingâ— send to King 〈◊〉 to make a marriage betweene his Daughter Isabell and their Lord the 〈…〉 to which the King consented but the Duke of Brâ—â—â—nt gets 〈…〉 of 〈◊〉 â—o make the match for a Daughter of hisâ— The Flemings presse 〈◊〉 Lord with tâ—e match of England but he absolutely refuseâ—h it sayingâ— h◠〈◊〉 never marry a Daughter of him that had killed his Father though he would 〈…〉 â—â—lfâ— his kingdome This answer so incensed the Flemiâ—gs that they 〈…〉 Lord in Prison till with long durance he at last consented and
thousand men at Arms and foure and twenty thousand Archers whom about the middle of May he followeth himselfe and safâ—ly aâ—riving at Câ—lliâ— hasted to relieve Charters which the Dolphin with seven thousand men had besieged but hearing of the kings comming was retired to Tours The king of Scots with the Duke of Glocester about the eighth of Iuly besieged Dreux which agreed if it were not relieved by the twentieth of that moneth then to surrender it no reliefe comming it was surrendred The king pursuâ—d the Dolphin from place to place but could not overtake him but in the way surprized the Towne of Bâ—wgâ—â—cy where all that craved it he â—ooke to mercy as likewise he did at Roâ—gemoâ—t from thence he went to Orleance and from thence to Vigneâ— St. Toâ— and from thence to Paris where having fitted himselfe with supplies he went and sate downe before Menixe in Brye which after some opposition he also tooke and thereby had possession of all the Fortresses in the Isle of France in 〈◊〉 in â—rye and in Champaigne Upon St. Nicholas day in the yeare 1422 Queen Katherine was brought to bed of a Son at Windsor who was by the Duke of Bedford and Henry Bishop of Winchester and the Countesse of Holland Christned by the name of Henry whereof when the king had notice out of a Propheticke rapture he sayd Good Lord I Henry of Monmouth shall small time Reigne and much get and Henry borne at Windsor shall long time Reigne and lose all but Gods will be done About this time the Dolphin layd siege to Cosney which the king was intentive to relieve as being a Town of the Duke of Burgoignes and therefore tendredit more than if it had beene hiâ— owne and making over-hasty journeys he over-heat himselfe with travell and comming to Sâ—â—lys found himselfe so ill at ease that he was forced to remaine there and to send his brother the Duke of Bedford to prosecute his designe which the Duke performed and the Dolphin upon his approach retired into Berry whereof in mockage he was after called the king of Berry But the kings Feaver and flâ—â— increasing he was removed to Boys de Vincens where growing worse and worse within a few dayes he dyed But somewhat before his departure he had made his Brother the Duke of Bedford Lievetenant Generall of Norâ—â—â—dy and Regent of the kingdome of France and his Brother the Duke of Glocester he had made Protector of England and of his Sons Person Exhorting all to be true and faithfull to the Duke of â—urgoâ—gâ—e to be at unitie amongst themselves to be loyall to their young Prince to be serviceable to his dearly beloved Queene to hold aâ—d preserve what he by his valour and Gods assistance had wonne and never to conclude contract of amitie with the Dolphin or Duke of Alanson untill they had submitted themselves to the kings Gracâ— And so giving God thanks for all his favors and blessings bestowed upon him in the midst of saying a Psalme of David he departed this life who might justly have prayed God with David Take me â—ot away in the midst of my dayes for he dyed about the age of five or six and thirty years which in Davids account is the midst of the number of the dayes of mans life but though he dyed in the midst of his dayes yet he dyed in the fulnesse of his Glory and of whom it may he said Iamque arce potitus Ridet anhelâ—â—tes durâ— ad fastigâ—â— montis When he had Reigned nine yeares and five moneths Of his Taxations IN his first yeere an incredible sum of money was given him by the Clergy to diâ—ert him from a motion propounded to take away their Temporalties And in the same yeere a Subsidie was granted him both by the Clergy and the Laity In his fourth yeere was granted him towards his warres in France two whole Tenths of the Clergy and a fifteenth of the Laity which being farre too short to defray his great charge he was forced to pawne his Crowne to the Bishop of Beauford his Uncle for a great sum of money as also certain Jewels to the Lord Major of London for ten thousand markes In his ninth yeere in a Parliament at Weâ—â—minster for revenge of the Duke of Clarence death two tenths of the Clergy and one fifteenth by the Laity which because the haste of the businesse could not stay the usuall course of collection the Bishop of Winchester brought in presently twenty thousand pounds to receive it againe when the Subsidie should be gathered The same yeere also the Duke of Bedford in the kings absence called a Parliament wherein was granted towards his warres one fifteenth to be paid in such money as was at that time current These are all the Subsidies that were given him notwithstanding his many and great atchievements by which it appeares what great matters a moderate Prince may doe and yet not grieve his subjects with Taxations Of Lawes and Ordinances made by him or in his â—ime HE ordained the king of Heralds over the English which is called Gâ—rter In his ninth yeare in a Parliament holden at Westminster It was ordained that no man should offer Gold in payment unlesse it were weight and thereupon were appointed ballances and weights An act made in the thirteenth yeare of king Richard the Second which disabled the Alien Religious to enjoy any Bâ—nefices within England was in the beginning of this kings Reigne put in execution and further this king excluded also the French from all preferments Ecclesiasticall and those Priors Aliens Conventuall who had institution and induction were bound to put in security not to disclose or cause to be disclosed the Counsell and secreâ—s of the Realme Affaires of the Church in his tiâ—e IN the beginning of his Reigne the Wickliffs increased greatly of whom Sir Iohn Oldcastle was a Chiefe who by mariage of a kinswoman of the Lord Cobhamâ— of Câ—â—ling in Kent obtained that Title This knight being very valorous and in great favour with the king was in a Synod at London accused for maintaining of Wickliffâ— doctrine whereof the king being informed sent for him and instantly dealt with him to submit himselfe to the censure of the Church But Sir Iohn Oldcastle told the King that he owed his subjection onely to his Majestie and as for others he would stand for the truth against them to the uttermost of his life Upon this he was served by Processe to appeare in the Archbishops Court and not appeaâ—ing was condemned of Contumacy and afterwards in a Synod at Rochester was by the Archbishop pronounced to be an Heretick who then enacted that Decree That the Holy Scriptures ought not to be translated into the English tongue But marke the judgement that fell upon his owne tongue whoâ—e rootes and blade shortly after as is recorded grew so bigge in his mouth and throat that he could neither speake nor swallow downe meat but in horrour lay languishing till at last
deceased Duke of Somerset and Cosen Germane to the King with a large Dowry and married them at St. Mary-Overys in Southwarke yet all this curtesie could not keep him afterward from being unfaithfull and unthankfull And now the Protector sent over to the Regent ten thousand wel furnished Souldiers with which fresh succour he wonne many Townes and places of strength which the French seeing and finding themselves too weak by plaine force to withstand the English they sought by subtilty to compasse their ends and first they worke upon the inconstancie of the Duke of Brittaine and his brother Arthur by King Henry the fifth created Earle of Yewry whom by gifts and promises they suborned perfidiously to deliver over into their possession the Castles of Crotoye and Yerney but the English before the French Garrisons were setled fell upon Crotoye and recovered it and that done the Regent besieged Yerney and by secret mining and violent Batteries so shooke the Walls that they agreed to yeild it up if not relieved by a certaine time whereupon the Duke of Alaâ—son with sixteene thousand French came to the rescue but perceiving the English to be prepared to receive them he wheeled about to Verâ—oyle and swore to the Townsmen that hee had put the Regent to flight and rescued Yerney which they believing rendrâ—d up Vernoyle to him but the Regent followed him thither when by the encouragement of some fresh Companies of Scots come to his succour he came to a battell in the field where the English with the losse of two thousand one hundred common Souldiers and two of the Nobility the Lord Dudley and the Lord Charleton got the honor of the day and slew of their enemies five Earles two Viscounts twenty Barons and above seven thousand other of the French besides two thousand seven hundred Scots lately arrived and tooke Prisoners the Duke of Alanson himselfe the Lord of Herâ—ys and divers other French and Sir Iohn Tourâ—â—ull and two hundred Gentlemen besides common Souldiers This battell was fought the eight and twentieth day of August in the yeare 14â—4 and thereupon Vernoyle was presently redelivered After this the Earle of Salisbury with ten thousand men taketh in the strong Towne of Mâ—â—â—ts the Towne of St. Susan the Fort Sâ— Bernard and others from thence he went to Aâ—jou where he performed such heroicke Acts that his very name grew terrible in all France as for instance the new High-Constable perfidious Richmond with forty thousand men layd Siege to the good Town of St. Iames in Benyoâ— the Garrison whereof consisted but of six hundred English who being driven to some extremity sallied forth crying Saâ—nt George a Salisbury which word of Salisbury so frighted the French thinking hee had been come to rescue them that casting away their weapons they ran all away saving some few that yielded themselves prisoners leaving all their Tents fourteen Peeces of Ordnance forty Barrels of Powder three hundred Pipes of Wine much Armour and some treasure behinde them After which other Castles as that of Beamâ—â—t of Vicount Tenney Gilly Osce Rusey Vasicke and many more were taken in by Sir Iohn Monâ—gomery and Sir Iohn Falstaffe so as once againe the French are glad to betake themselves to their old course of fraud they compounded with a Gascoigne Captaine for delivery of Alâ—â—son to them whereof the Regent having notice he sent the Lord Willoughby and Sir Iohn Falstaffe to prevent it who encountering with Charles de Villiers that with two hundred horse and three hundred foot was come to the place appointed for entry tooke and slew them all except some few horse which saved themselves by flying After which the Earle of Salisbury tooke in and demolished above forty Castles and strong Piles for which there was publique thanksgiving to God in London Whil'st these things were done in France an unkinde variance fell out betweene the Protector and his brother the Bishop of Winchester Lord Chancellor for appeasing whereof the Regent having substituted the Earle of Warwick Lievtenant Generall in his absence came into England where in a Parliament he compounded all differences between them in honour whereof king Henry kept a solemne feast at which time the Regent dubbed the King knight not yet above foure yeares old and then the King presently invested with that dignity many of his servants and Edmund Mortimer the last Earle of March at this time dying his Inheritance descended to Richard Plantagenet sonne and heire to Richard Earle of Cambridge beheaded at Southampton who was now created Duke of York was afterward father to king Edward the fouâ—h and at this time also Iohn Mowbray sonne and heire to Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk banished before by king Richard the second was restored to the Title of Duke of Norfolk And now all things peaceably setled in England the Regent with the Bishop of Winchester returned into France where at the intercession of the Duke of Burgoigne the Duke of Alanson was ransomed for two hundred thousand Crownes and the Bishop of Winchester returned to Callice where he was invested with the dignity and Hat of a Cardinall which his brother the Regent put upon his head About this time the Duke of Glocester Protector tooke some blemish in his honour by marying another mans wife Iâ—queline Countesse of Haynoult Holland and Zealand who was maried before to Iohn Duke of Brabant yet living and had lived with him ten moneths as his lawfull wife but at that time upon some discontent gone from him intending to be divorced at which injury offered to the Duke of Brabaâ—t the Duke of Burgoigne being his Cosin tooke so great offence that first by friendly letters he admonished the Duke of Glocester of it and that not prevailing they grew to termes of challenge and a Combat between them was appointed but in the meane time the Lady betrayed was caried to the Duke of Burgoigne who conveyed her to Gaunt from whence by friendship of a Burgonian knight in mans apparell she escaped into Holland and there made a defensive warre against her husband the Duke of Brabant and the Duke of Burgoigne To her ayd the Duke of Glocester sent the Lord Fitzwater with a Power of a thousand men but she being discomfited by the Duke of Brabant and the Pope also pronouncing the first mariage legall the Duke of Glocester deserted her and then tooke for a second wife Eleanor daughter of the Lord Cobham of Sterborough his old mistresse and the Lady Iaqueline after the death of Iohn Duke of Brabant maried a meane Gentleman whom the Duke of Burgoigne imprisoned and brought herselfe to live in much trouble And now in France the Constable with forty thousand men besieged the Town of S. Iames de Benuron and having made a breach fit for assault whilst his Captaines stood streining of courtesie which of them should first enter Sir Nicolas Burdet with all his forces sallied forth crying aloud A Salisbury a Suffolk whose names struck such
multitudes as opposed them for he marching with the rest of the Army towards Baugeux was encountred by the Earle of Clermont with seven thousand French and Scots whom yet at first he made to recoyle till the Constable of France with foure hundred men at Armes and eight hundred Archers came to the rescue and then fresh men comming upon them that were already tyred the English lost three thousand and above seven hundred besides divers that were taken prisoners After this losse of men followes presently a losse of Towns Harflew is assaulted and though valiantly for a while defended by Sir Robert Curson yet surrendred at last upon composition Then the French King with an Army royall besiegeth Caen in Normandy a Towne belonging to the Duke of Yorke defended in his absence by his Lievtenant Sir David Hall but the Duke of Somerset being Regent in commiseration of his Dutchesse being in the Towne notwithstanding the sâ—out opposition of Sir David Hall surrenders it upon composition to the French whereof Sir David giving notice to the Duke of Yorke it bred such a deadly quarrell between the two Dukes that they were never after throughly reconciled And thus is all Normandy recovered from the English after it had been in their possession a hundred years and finally all France is reduced to the obedience of Charles the French King And now hereafter there will be little to do abroad but there will be the more to do at home and more bloud will be shed in England by civill dissentions then was shed before in all the Wars of France This losse of Normandy and other parts in France is imputed much to the Duke of Somerset at that time Regent but the Duke of Suffolke must beare a great part of the blame partly for having beene the cause of the surrender of Anjou and Mayne and the chiefe procurer of the Duke of Glocesters death and partly for having wilfully wasted the Kings treasure and been a meanes to remove the ablest men from the Councell Boord of all which aspersions the Queen takes notice and knowing how far they trenched upon the Dukes destruction and her own She so wrought that the Parliament assembled at the Black-Friers is adjourned to Leicester and from thence to Westminster but though all means were used to stop these accusations against the Duke yet the lower House would not be taken off but exhibited their Bill of Grievances against him That he had traiterously incited the Bastard of Orleance the Lord Presigny and others to levy warre against the King to the end that thereby the King might be destroyed and his Son Iohn who had married Margaret Daughter and sole Heire of Ioâ—n Duke of Soâ—â—â—set whose title to the Crowne the sayd Duke had often declared in case king Henry should dye without issue might come to be King That through his treachery the French King had gotten possession of the Dutchie of Normandy and had taken prisoners the valiant Earle of Shrewsbury the Lord Fawcâ—â—bridge and others but to these accusâ—tions he peremptorily affirmed himselfe not guilty so much as in thought Then were further allegations made against him that being with others sent Ambassador into France he had transcended his Commission and without privity of his fellow Commissioners had presumed to promise the surrender of Anjou and the delivery of the County of Mauâ—ts to Duke Rayner which accordingly was â—erformed to the great dishonour of the King and detriment of the Crowne That he had traiterously acquainted the French King with all the affaires of State and passages of secrecie by which the enemy was throughly instructed in all the designes of the King and Councell That he had received rewards from the French king to divert and disappoint all succours sent to the kings friends in France Upon these and divers other accusations brought against him to bleare the peopâ—es eyes he is committed to the Tower but the Parliament was no sooner dissolved but he was set at liberty which so incensed the common people that they made an Insurrection and under the leading of a desperate fellow styling himselfe Blewbeard they committed many outrages but by the diligence of the Gentlemen of the Country the Captain was apprehended and the Rebellion ceased And now another Parlâ—ament is called where great care is taken in chusing of Burgesses presuming thereby to stop any further proceeding against the Duke of Suffolke but his personall appearance at the Parliament gave such a generall distaste to the House though he came in the company of the king and Queene that they forbore not to begin the Assembly with Petitioning the king for punishment to be inflicted upon such as had plotted or consented to the resignation of Aâ—joâ— and Mayne whereof by name they instanced in the Duke of Suffolke Iohn Bishop of Salisbury Sir Iameâ— Fynes Lord Say and others This Petition was seconded by the Lords of the upper House whereupon to give some satisfaction to the Houses the Lord Say Lord Treasurer is sequestred from his place the Dukes Officers are all discarded and himselfe formally banished for five yeares but with an intent after the multitude had put out of minde their hatred against him to have revoked him but God did otherwise dispose of him for when he was shipped in Suffolke with intent to have passed over into France he was met by an Englishman of War taken and carried to Dover sands and there had his head chopt off on the side of the long-boate which together with the body was left there on the sands as a pledge of some satisfaction for the death of Duke Hâ—â—phry Whilâ—st these things are done in England the Duke of Yorke in Ireland began to make his way to the Crowne as descended from Philippe daughter and heire of George Duke of Clarence elder brother to Iohn of Gaunt great Grandfather to the present king Henry the sixth And for a beginning it is privately whispered that king Hâ—nry was of a weake capacity and easily abused the Queene of a malignant spirit and bloudily ambitious the Privie Councell if wise enough yet not honest enough regarding more their private profit then the publique good that through their delinquencies all Frâ—â—ce was lost and that God would not blesse the usurped possession of king Heâ—ry with these suggestions the Kentishmen seemed to be taken which being observed by an instrument of the Duke of Yorke called Mortimer he takes his time and tells the multitude that if they will be ruled by him he will put them in a course to worke a generall Reformation and free them for ever from those insupportable burthens of taxations so often upon every slight occasion obtruded upon them These promises of Reformation and freedome from impositions so wrought with the people that they drew to a head and make Mortimer otherwise Iacke Cade their leader who stiling himselfe Captaine Mend-all marcheth with no great number but those well ordered to Blâ—ck-heath where betweene Elthaâ— and Greenwich he
lay by the space of a moneth exercising his men and sending for whom he pleased and for what he pleased Then he presents to the Parliament the complaints of the Commonâ— That the Queenes favorites share amongst them the Revenews of the Crowne whereby the king is enforced for the supportation of his present estate to taxe and burthen the Commons to their utter undoing and to the generall impoverishment of the kingdome That the Commons have their commodities daily taken from them for the purveyance of the kings Houshold for which they are not payd nor any assurance for payment thereof given but onely Court promises That upon the apprehension of any man for treason or felony the kings meniall servants before conviction bâ—gge the goods and lands of the impeached whereupon indirect and unlawfull proceedings are used by subornation of witnesses embracery of jurors and great mens letters to the Judges whereby Justice is perverted and the innocent after attainted if not executed yet at least imprisoned to their undoing That the Commons have no legall proceedings in their Law-suits so as the rightfull owners of Inheritance dare not if opposed by any Courtier maintaine their Titles or attempt the recovery of their interest how just so ever That the kings Collectors and other Accomptants are much troubled in passing their Accompts by new extorted Fees and by being enforced to procure a late invented Writ of Quorum nomina for allowance of the Barons of the Cinque-Ports and their suing out their Quietuâ— at their own charge without allowance from the King That the Bayliffs of Sheriffes under colour of the green waxe out of the Exchequer doe levy greater summes than are by the Record justifiable yet maintained That they cannot have the freedome of electing knights and Burgesses for the Parliament but by letters from the Favorites of the Court to their friends and Retainers the Knights and Burgesses are commonly chosen That they are too much troubled with too often comming to attend the generall Sessions being enforced in many places to make five dayes journey to the place where they are kept These and some other were the complaints of the Commons but the Captaine for his owne particular after protestation made to live and dye in the quarrell of the King required that his Majesty would be pleased to receive again into favor the truly noble Prince the Duke of Yorke and with him the Right Honorable the Dukes of Exeter Buckingham and Norfolke and the ancient Noblemen of the Realm by the undue practises of Suffolke and his complices commanded from his presence and that all their opposites might be banished the Court and put from their Offices That there might be a generall amotion of corrupt Officers an abolition of the Greene waxe and other instruments of Extortion out of the Exchequer a qualification of the rigour of proceeding in the Kings-Bench an inhibition of unequall purveyance of provision for the Kings houshold and a present execution of the Promoters Slegge Crâ—mer Isell and East whom he pretended by wrongfull information to have abused the king and wronged his Subjects These Petitions are sent from the Lower-House to the Upper and from thence committed to the Lords of the Kings Privy Councell who having examined the particulars explode them as frivilous and the Authors thereof to be presumptuous Rebels Whereupon the king is solicited by his Privy Councell to prosecute them by force rather than intreary which advise is seconded by the Queene as conceiving they secretly aymed at her and hereupon the king drawes his Forces to Greenwich and appointeth divers Lords to assaile the Rebels but the Lords could get no followers to fight against them who sought only for reformation of abuses and for punishment of such Traitors as the Lord Say the kings Chamberlane was whereupon the Lord Say is presently committed to the Tower the king and Queene retire to London from whence within two dayes the king being now fifteen thousand strong marcheâ—h in Person towards Captain Mend-all who politickly withdraweth his forces into Sevenâ—ake wood upon notice wherof the king retireth again to London but the Queen longing for dispatch sendâ— the two Staffords Sir Humphrey and William with many hot-spurs of the Court to follow the Rebels who were soone cooled for they found Captain Mend-all in good order ready to receive them and in the first encounter slew Sir Humphry and afterwards his brother and put all the rest to flight the k. Forces being at Blackâ—eath could neither by threats nor intreaties be gotten to go to the rescue but rather wished the Queen and her favorites in the Staffords case or that the Duke of Yorke were in England to ayd his Cosen Mortimer now first acknowledged to be of his kindred and many of them stole away to the Rebels whose number from Sussex and Surrey daily encreased whom yet their Captain restraineth from forraging or taking away any thing by force and so returneth againe to Blackâ—eath where the kings Army lay the night before but was now fallen down to Greenwich And now the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Duke of Buckingham are sent to expostulate with the Rebels about their demands to whom Iacke Cade gave very good language but directly affirming no cessation from Arms unlesse the king in Person would heare the grievances of the Subject and passe his Princely word for reformation of their wrongs This resolution of his made known to the king who was not sure of his own Souldiers faith made him march presently away to Killingworth Castle in Warwickeshire where he fortified himselfe as expecting a siege having left the Lord Scales onely to Guard the Tower Iacke Cade taking advantage of the kings departure commeth to Southâ—â—rke where hee quarters his men streightly charging them to commit no outrage nor do wrong â—o any which was duly obâ—erved The next morning â—e marcheth to London-bridge where he caused his men to cut the ropes of the Drawbridge no resistance being made against him and so in good order marcheth up by London-stone upon which he strooke his sword saying Now is Mortimer Lord of London The Major of London Sir Thomas Chalton standing upon the threshold of his doore bade him take heed he attempted nothing against the quiet of the City To whom â—e made answer Let the world take notice of our honest intention by our actions And indeed this orderly cariage of himselfe and his company wonne him a good opinion amongst the common sort of people And now assâ—ming to himselfe the place of Chiefe he sendeth oâ—â— his letters of safeâ—conduct to such whom he pleased to make use of amongst other he wrote this letter to Thomas Coâ—k Draper of London By this our writing ensealed we grant that Thomas Cock of London Draper shall safely come into our presence and avoyd from us againe at his pleasure with all other persons comming in his company Subscribed thus His Majesties loyall Subject Iohn Mortimer Captaine Mend-all Upon Cocks admission
at Hampton Court created Earl of Essex Sir William Parre knight unckle to them both was made Lord Parre of Horton and Lord Chamberlin to the Queen and on New-yeers-day Sir Thomas Wriothsley the Kings Secretary was made Lord Wriothsley of Tichfield In Iune this yeer Matthew Earl of Lenox fled out of Scotland and came into England whom King Henry received kindly and gave him in marriage the Lady Margaret his Sisters daughter by whom he had Henry Father of our late King Iames of blessed memory Thomas Audley Lord Chancellour being lately dead Thomas Lord Wriothsley succeeded him in the place and now was an Army levied to goe for France the Duke of Norfolke and the Lord Privie Seal accompanied with the Earl of Surrey the Dukes Son the Lord Gray of Wilton the Lord Ferrers of Câ—artley and his Son Sir Robert Devereux Sir Thomas Chainey Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports the Lord Montjoy Sir Francis Byran Sir Thomas Poynings Captaine of Guysnes with many other Knights and Gentlemen about Whitsontide passed over to Callice and marching toward Muttrel joyned with the Emperours forces under the leading of the Count de Buren which two Armies laid siedge to Muttrel wherof Monsseur de Bies one of the Martials of France was Captaine but being then at Bulloign and hearing of the siedg of Muttrel he left Bulloigne and with his forces came thither which was the thing that was desired to draw him from Bnlloign and thereupon was the Duke of Suffolke appointed to passe over with the Kings army accompanied with the Earl of Arundell Marshall of the Field the Lord St. Iohn the Bishop of Winchester Sir Iohn Gage Controlor of the Kings house Sir Anthony Browne Master of the Kings horse with divers others who the ninteenth of Iuly came and incamped before Bulloigne the four and twentieth of Iuly the King in person accompanied with divers of the Nobility came to Callice and the six and twentieth incamped before Bulloign on the north side many batteries and assaults were made so long till at last the Town upon composition yeelded and the Duke of Suffolke entred and tooke possession suffring six thousand French as was agreed with bag and baggage to depart The eight of September King Henry entred the town himselfe and then leaving the Lord Lisle Lord Admirall his Deputy there he returned into England landing at Dover the first of Oâ—tober Many enterprises after this were made by the Dolphin of France and by Monsieur de Bies for recovery of Bulloigne but they were still repulsed and the English kept the towne in spight of all they could doe although at one time there came an Army of eighteene thousand foot at another time an Army wherein were reckoned twelve thousand Lance-knights twelve thousand French foot-men sixe thousand Italians foure thousand of Legionarie souldiers of France a thousand men of Armes besides eight thousand light Horse great Forces certainly to come and doe nothing Whilst these things were doing about Bulloign the ships of the west Country and other places waâ—ted abroad on the Seas and took above three hundred French ships so that the Gray-friers Church in London was laid full of wine the Austin-friers and Black-friers full of herrings and other fish which should have bin convayed in France About this time the King demanded a Benevolence of his Subjects towards his wars in France and Scotland to which purpose the Lord Chancelour the Duke of Suffolke and other of the Kings Counsaile sate at Baynards Castle where they first caled before them the Major and Aldermen and because Richard Read Alderman would not agree to pay as they set him he was commanded to serve the King in his wars in Scotland which the obstinate man rather choose to doe then he would pay the rate he was required but being there he was taken prisoner by the Scots to his far greater damage then if he had agreed to the Benevolence required For at this time Sir Ralph Evers Lord Warden of the Marches after many fortunate Roades into Scotland assembled four thousand men and entring Scotland now againe was encountred by the Earl of Arraigne by whom he and the Lord Oagle and many other Gentlemen were slaine and diverse were taken prisoners of whom Alderman Read was one It was now the seaven and thirtieth yeer of King Henries Reigne when on Saint Georges day Sir Thâ—mas Wriothsley Lord-Chancelour was made Knight of the Garter also Trinity Tearme was adjourned by reason of the warres but the Exchequer and the Court of the Teâ—thes were open At this time the English fleet went before New-haven but being there encountred by a farre greater fleet of French they retâ—rned with whose retreate the French Admirall emboldned came upon the Coast of Sussex where hee landed Souldiers but upon firing of the Beacons was driven back after which he landed two thousand men in the Isle of Wight but was there repelled though reported to have in his ships threescore thousand men In Angust this yeer died the valiant Captaine the Lord Poynings the Kings Lievtenant of his Towne of Bulloigne and the same month also died at Guildford the noble Duke of Suffolke Charles Brandon Lord great Master of the Kings House whose Body was honourably buried at Windsore at the Kings cost About this time the Scots having received aide out of France approached the English Borders but durst attempt nothing whereupon the Earle of Hertford Lievtenant of the North parts raising an army of twelve thovsand men English and strangers entred Scotland and burnt a great part of Mers and Tividale as Kelsay Abbey and the Towne the Abbeys of Medrosse Driborne and Yedworth with a hundred Townes and Villages more when on the sixteenth of September an Army of Scots and French attempted to enter into England on the East borders but in a streight were set upon by the English who slew and tooke of them to the number of seven score amongst whom was the Lord Humes sonne and a principall French Captaine in another roade which they made into the West Borders the Lord Maxwels sonne and diverse other were taken but then at another time such is the chance of war five hundred English entring the West Borders of Scotland were discomfited and the greatest part of them either taken or slaine And now to revenge the presumptious attempts of the French upon the Isle of Wight the Lord Admiral with his fleet approached the Coasts of Normandy landed six thousand men at Treport burnt the Suburbs of that Towne with the Abbey destoryed thirty ships there in the Haven and then returned not having lost above fourteen persons in the whole voyage At this time the Earle of Hartford lying at Bulloigne had in his Army above fourscore thousand men and many skirmishes passed between him and the French till at last by mediation of the Emperour and diverse other Princes a meeting was appointed to treat of a peace between the two Kings of England and France hereupon there
to the Counsailors a Moderator a protectour to the King and in his minority to the Kingdome To this place by common consent of the King and Counsaile Edward Seymour Earl of Hartford the Kings Unckle was chosen to hold the place untill the King should accomplish the age of eighteene yeeres In which Office the first thing he did was to make the young King Knight who presently thereupon made Henry Hobblethorne Major of London Knight and then King Henries Obsequies being solemnly performed on the seaventeenth of February were raised in Honour the Earl of Hartford Protectour to be Duke of Somerset William Par Earle of Essex to be Marquis of Northampton Dudly Viscount Lisle to be Earle of Warwick Wriothsley Lord Chancelour to be Earle of Southampton Sir Thomas Seymour the Protectours brother was made Lord of Sudeley and Admirall of England Sir Richard Rich was made Lord Rich Sir VVilliam Willoughby was made Lord Willoughby and Sir Edmund Sheffield was made Lord Sheffield of Butterwick on the nineteenth of February the King in great state rode from the Tower to the Pallace of Westminster where the day following he was Crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury with all rites accustomed in great solemnity At which time a generall pardon was Proclaimed for all offenders six onely excepted namely the Duke of Norfolke Cardinall Poole Edward Courtney eldest sonne to the Marquis of Excetur Master Fortescue Master Throgmorton and Doctor Paâ—es Bishop of VVorcester who was fled to Rome to avoid taking the oath of Supremâ—cy all which six continued unpardoâ—ed till the first yeere of Queene Mary and then were restored A few dayes after the Earle of Southampton Lord Chancelour for beâ—ng contumacious to the rest of the Lords in matters of Counsaile was removed both from his Office of being Chancelour and from his place in Counsaile and the great Seale was delivered to Sir William Pawlet Lord Saint-Iohn and Lord great Master of the Kings Huoshold Within two months after the death of King Henry died Francis King of France also for whom solemne Obsequies were kept in Pauls Church as hee likewise had kept before at Paris for King Henry these two Kings were of so consenting natures that they had certainly been great friends while they lived if they had not been Kings and that jelousie of state had not made them oftentimes not to be themselves King Henry before his death had left in charge with the Lords of his Counsaile by all meanes possible to procure a proceeding in the mariage with the young Queen of Scots and now in discharge therof the Lord Protectour himselfe with an Army of twelve thousand foot and six thousand horse besides Labourers and Pioners thirteen hundred entred Scotland the third of September at which time also Edward Lord Clinton with a fleet of threescore saile assisted by sea but before he would doe any hostile Act he caused Proclamation to be made that his comming was onely to have performance of the Articles heretofore agreed on foâ— the mariage tending to the good of both Kingdomes if they would yeeld unto he would then returne in peaceable manner and the more to draw them on wâ—ere before it was demanded to have the Queen brought into England and there to be brought up the Protectour was content she should remaine in Scotland till yeers of consentâ— this demand the more moderate sort of the Scots accouâ—ted very reasonable but those of the French and Papal faction who were the greatest persons and the greatest number strongly opposed wherupon the Lord Protectour presently put his Army into Array the Lord Gray and Sir Francis Brian with eight hundred Light-horse were sent before to provide lodging for the Army and to give advertisement of the enemies approaches then followed the Avant-guard in number between three and foure thousand foot one hundred men at Armes and six hundred Light-horse led by the Earle of VVarwick then followed the maine Battaile consisting of above six thousand foot six hundred men at Armes and one thousand Light-horse led by the Protecter himself lastly followed the Arrear wherein were between three and foure thousand foot one hundred men at Armes and six hundred Light-horse uâ—der the conduct of the Lord Dacres upon one wing the Artillery was drawne being sixteen pieces of great Ordinance the other wing was made by men at Armes and Demilances for the Avant-guard and halfe the battaile ridiâ—g about two flight shoot from their side the other halfe of the battaile and thâ— whole flanke of the Arrear was closed by the carraiges being nine hundred â—arts besides Waggons â—he rest of the men at Armes and the Demilances marched behinde In this order they marched two dayes taking in three Castles â—s they went with little resistance where it is memorable what a suddaine device the Defendants of one of them used to save themselves for finding they wâ—re no longer able to defend themselves and that their obstinacy had excluded aâ—â— hope of pardon they made suite they might not presently be slain but have some time to commend their soules to God and afterwards be hanged which respite being obtained theiâ— pardon afterward did more easily ensue so much doth the winning of time oftentimes prevaile more then any other policy Tâ—e Governour of Scotland hearing of the Protectours approch and having no sufficient Army ready to resist him sent his Heralds abroad into all parts of the Râ—alm and commanded the fire-crosse to be carried an antient custome in cases of importance which was two firebrands set in fashion of a crosse and pitched upon the point of a speare and therewith Proclamation to be made that all above sixteen yeers of age and under sixty should resort forthwith to Musselborough bring convenient provision of victuals with them By this meanes having gotten a sufficient Army he set forward towards the English who were now come to a River called Linne and here the Earle of Warwick being too â—enterous was like to have bin entrapped but by his valour came off bravely and now the Scottish Horse-men began to hover about the English Army and to come pricking towards them sometimes within length of their staves using provoking words to draw the English from their strength but the Protector not moved with their provocations maintained a close march till he came to Salt-presion by the Frith where he incamped within two miles of the Scottish Army and here the Scots having gotten the advantage of a Hill came upon the English with the number of twelve hundred Horse besides five hundred foot that lay in ambush behind the Hill at which time the Lord Gray and Sir Francis Brian impatient of such bravaries obtained leave of the Geneâ— to encounter them and so as they came scattered upon the spurre within a stones cast of the English and were beginning to wheele about the Lord Gray with some troops of Light hors-men charged them home and was forthwith seconded by certaine numbers of Demilances and both
mercy and gave them their Pardon of which number were Master Rudston of Kent Sir Iames a Crofts the Lord Iohn Gray brother to the Duke of Sufâ—olke and some others About this time a little before and after were advancements in honour the Lord William Howard Lord Admirall of England was created Baron Hoâ—ard of Eâ—â—ingham Sir Iohn VVilliams was created Baron of Tames Sir Edward North was created Baâ—on of Chartleigh Sir Iohn Bridges was created Baron Chandowes of Sudeley Gerrard Fitz Garret was created Earl of Kildare and Bâ—ron of Ophelley and not long after Sir Anthony Browne Master of the Horse was created Viscount Mountagâ—â— It is scarce worth remembring that in the end of this firâ—â— yeer of â—he Queens reignâ— one Elizabeth Croâ—t a wench of eighteen yeeres old was by prâ—ctice put into a Wall and thereupon called the Spirit in the Wall who with a whistle made for the purpose whistled out many seditious words against the Queene the Prince of Spaine the Masse Confession and such other Points for which she did Penance standing upon a skaffold at Pauls Croâ—â—e all the Sermon time where she made open confession of her fault There had beene good store of Laymens blood shed already and now the times is comming to have Clergie mens shed and for a preparative to it on the tenth of Aprill Cranmâ—r Archbishop of Canterbury Nicholas Ridley laâ—e Bishop of London and Hugh Latimer late Bishop of Worcester are conveyed from the Tower to Oxford there to dispure with Oxford and Cambridge men in points of Religion but specially of the Eucharist the Oxford men were Cole Chaâ—scy Pye Harpsefield Smith and Doctor Weston Prolocurour the Cambridge men Young Seaton Watson Atkinson Fecknham and Sedgewicke the Disputation ended which we may well thinke as the matter was carried went against the prisoners on the twentieth of Aprill they were brought again on the Stage and then demanded whether they would persist in their opinion or else recant and affirming they would persist they were all three adjudged Hereticks and condemned to the fire but their execution we must not looke for till a yeere or two hence but in the meane time we have Iohn Rogers the first Martyr of these time burnt at London the fourth of February after whom the ninth of February Iohn Hooper late Bishop of VVorcester burnt at Glocester after him Robert Ferrar Bishop of Man burnt at Carmarden after him Iohn Bradford with many others and then the two famous men Ridley and Latimer no lesse famous for their constant deaths then their religious lives both burnt at Oxford the sixteenth of October This rising of VVyat had beene a Remora to the Queenes marriage and now to avoid all such obstacles hereafter the Queen in Aprill called a Parliament wherein were pâ—opounded two things one for confirmation of the Marriage the other for restoration of the Popes Primacie This latter was not assented to but with great difficulty for the six yeers reigne of King Edward had spred a plantation of the Protestâ—nt Religion in the hearts of many but the Proposition for the marriage was assented to readily but yet with the adding of some conditions which had noâ— beene thought of in the former Articles First that King Phillip should admit of no Stranger in any Office but onely Nativesâ— secondly that he should innovate nothing in the Lawes and Customes of the Kingdome Thirdly that he should not carry the Queen out of the Realme without her consent nor any of her children without consent of the Councell Fourthly that surviving the Queeâ— he should challenge no right in the Kingdome but suffâ—r it to descend to the next heire Fiftly that he should carry none of the Jewels of the Realme out of the Kingdome nor suffer any Ships or Ordnance to be removed out of the Realme and lastly that neither directly nor indirectly he should cause the Realme of England to be intangled with the warre betweene Spaine and France All things being thus agreed on the Earle of Bedford Lord Privie Seale the Lord Fitzwaters and divers other Lordâ— and Gentlemen are sent into Spaine to fetch over Prince Phillippe who arrived at Southampton the twentieth of Iuly in the yeere 1554. and the three and twentieth came to VVinchester where the Queene met him and the five and twentieth the marriage betweene them there was openly solemnized the desparity of yeeres as in Princes not much regarded though he were then but seven and twenty yeeres of age shee eight and thirty at which time the Emperours Embassadour being present openly declared that in consideration of that mariage the Emperour had given to Prince Phillippe his sonne the Kingdomes of Naples and Hierusalem and thereupon the solemnity of marriage being ended Garter King of Heraulds openly in the Church in the presence of the King the Queene and the Lords both of England and Spaine solemnly proclaimed the title and stile of these two Princes as followeth Phillip and Mary by the grace of God King and Queen of England France Naples Hierusalem and Ireland Defenders of the Faith Princes of Spaine and Scicily Archdukes of Austria Dukes of Millany Burgandy and Brabant Counts of Habspurge Flanders and Tyroll After this the King and Queene by easie journeys came to Winsor Castle where the King was instal'd Knight of the Garter and the Earle of Sussex with him The eleventh of August they removed to Richmond the seven and twentieth to Suffolk-place in Southwark and the next day to London where the stately shews that were made may well enough be conceived without relaring from hence after foure dayes they removed againe to Richmond where all the Lords had leave to depart into their Countries and indeede so many departed that there remained not an English Lord at the Court but the Bishop of Winchester from Richmond they removed to Hampton-court where the Hall door within the Court was continually kept shut so as no man might enter unlesse his errand were first known which might perhaps be the fashion of Spain but to Englishmen seemed very strange About this time Cardinall Poole sent for by the King and Queene came over into England and had come sooner but that the Emperour fearing he might prove a corrivall with his sonne Phillip had used meanes to stop his passage but now that his Sonnes marriage was past he was content to let him passe who though he came from Rome with the great authority of a Legat â— Latere yet he would not but come privately into London because his Attaindour was yet upon Record an Act therefore was presently passed to take it off and to restore him in blood for passing of which Act the King and Queene in person came to the Parliament house whither a few dayes after the Cardinall came himselfe which was then kept in the great Chamber of Whitehall because the Queen by reason of sicknesse was not well able to goe abroad and here the King and Queene sitting under the cloath of Estate
the Commissioners made unto her certain Propositions of Agreement First That the Treaty of Edinborough should be confirmed then That she should renounce her Right and Title to England during Queen Elizabeths life or any children of her body lawfully begotten then That she should send her sonne for a Hostage into England with other six Hostages such as the Queen should nominate then That the Castles of Humes and Fast-castle should be held by the English for three yeers with some other To which Propositions the Queen of Scots for the present gave a provident answer but referred the fuller Answer to the Biship of Rosse her Ambassadour in ENGLAND and some other Delegates who afterwards allowing some of the Propositions and not allowing others the Treaty came to nothing but the matter rested in the state it was before Aâ— this time Philip King of Spain had contracted Marriage with Anne of Austria Daughter to the Emperour Maximilian his own Neece by his Sister who was now setting Sayl from Zealand towards Spain when Queen Elizabeth to testifie her love and respect to the House of Austria sent Sir Charls Howard with the Navy Royall to conduct her thorow the Briâ—ish Sea And now was the twelfth yeer of Queen Elizabeths Raign finished which certain Wizards had made Papists believe should be her last but contrary as if it were but her first a new Custome began of celebrating the seventeenth day of November the Anniversary day of her Raign with ringing of Bells Tiltings and Bon-fires which Custome as it now began so it was never given over as long as she lived and is not yet forborn so long after her death At this time in Ireland Connagher ô Brien Earl of Towmond noâ— brooking the severe Government of Edward Fitton President of Connaght entred into Consultation with some few to raise a new Rebellion which being at the point ready to break forth was strangely discovered for the day before they meant to â—ake up Arms Fitton knowing not at all of the matter sent â—hâ— Earl word in friendly manner That the next day he and a few friends with him would be his Guests The Earl convinced by his own conscience imagined that his Intendments were revealed that Fitton would come as an enemy rather then a Guest Out of which feareâ— he presently set Sayle into FRANCE where repenting himselfe seriously of his fault he confessed the whole businesse to Norris the Queenes Embassadour in France and by his intercession was afterward pardoned and restored In Ianuary the thirteenth yeer of her Raigne Queen Elizabeth in royall pompe entring the City of London went to see the Burse which Sir Thomas Gresham had lately built for the use of the Marchants and with sound of trumpets and the voice of a Herald solemnly named it the Royall Exchange A few dayes after for his many great services she made Sir William Cecill Baron Burgley There were now about the Scottish affaires in the name of the King of of Scots the Earle Morton Peruare Abbot of Dumformelin and Iames Mac-Gray whom when Queen Elizabeth required to shew more clearely for what causes they had deposed the Queen they exhibited a long and tedious Commentary wherein with a certain insolent liberty they endeavoured to prove by the ancient Right of the Kingdom of Scotland that the people of Scotland were above the King and urged Calvins Authority also That Popular Magistrates are constituted for the moderation of the Licentiousnes of Princes and that it is lawfull for them both to imprison Kings and upon just causes to depose them This writing the Queen could not reade without indignation but to the Delegates she gave this Answer She saw no just cause yet why they should handle the Queen in such manner and therefore willed them to think upon some course out of hand how to allay the dissentions in Scotland Hereupon in Sir Nich. Bacons house Keeper of the Great Seal a Proposition was made to the Bishop of Rosse the Bishop of Galloway and Baron Levingston delegates for the Queen of Scots that for the security of the Kingdom and the Qu. of England it were requisite that before the Queen of Scots should be let at libertie The Duke of Castle-Herald the Earle of Huntley and Argyle the Lord Humes Heris and another of the Barons should be delivered for Hostages and the castle of Dumbriton and Hâ—â—eâ— yeelded up into the hands of the English for three yeers But they made Answer that to yeeld up great personages and such fortifications as were demanded were nothing else but to leave the miserable Queen utterly destitute of faithfull friends and naked of all places fit for guard and defence yet they offered to give two Earls and two Barons for Hostages till two yeers were expired which not being accepted they straightway gathered and spoke it openly That now they plainly perceived the English meant to keepe the Queen of Scots perpetually prisoner and likewise to break off the Treaâ—y seeing they rigorously demanded such securitie as Scotland was not able to make good And now Queen Elizabeth seeing that nothing could be done for her owne the King and Queen of Scots safety unlesse Both Factions in Scotland consented she held it fit that the Lords of Scotland should themselves appoint some chosen persons to compound the matter While matters in England proceeded in this sort the Queenes partie in Scotland was hardly used Frythâ— the strongest castle in Scotland was taken and I. Hamilton Archbishop of Saint Andrewes the Duke of Castle-Heralds brother as an accessary to the murder of Dâ—â—lye was hanged without being arraigned according to Law In England the Queen of Scots had all her servants taken from her except Tenne only and a Priest to say masse with which indignities the Queen of Scots provoked causeth a large Commentary of her Counsels with certain love-letters to the Duke of Norfolk to be carried to the Pope and the King of Spain by Ridolphuâ— which being brought first to the Duke Higford one that waited on the Duke in his bed chamber had copyed out but being commanded to burne them he hid them under a Matt in the Duke Bed-chamber and that it should seeme purposely Ridolphus to daw on the Duke to be Head of the discontented Partie in England aggravated to him the wrongs he had sufferedâ— how against all law he had been kept a long time in prison and now to his great disgrace was not Summoned to the Parliament he exhibited to him a Catalogue of such of the Nobilitie who had vowed to Assist him he shewed how the Pope so the Catholick Religion might be promoted would himself undergo all the charge of the Warre and had already layd down an hundred thousand Crownes whereof himself had distributed twelve thousand amongst the English that were fled he promised that the King of Spain would send four thousand horse and six thousand foot to his Assistance to these reasons the Bishop of Rosse added That it was an
preserving the Liberty of themselves and their Country But such is the violence of conceit till it be mastered by time or rather so very a Changeling is Humane Reason that what they then cut downe great Woods to defend they have since beene content to see abolished without cutting downe so much as a twigge But one Law especially he made extreamely distastefull to all the Gentry of the Land for where before they might at their pleasure hunt and take Deere which they found abroad in the Woods Now it was Ordained under a great penalty no lesse then putting out their eyes that none should presume to kill or take any of them as reserving them onely for his owne delight And indeed so great delight he tooke in that kinde of sport that he depopulated a great part of Hamshire the space of thirty miles where there had beene saith Carâ—on six and twenty Townes and fourescore Religious Houses and made it a Habitation for such kind of Beasts which was then and to this day is called the New-Forest But the lamentable dysasters that have happened to this Kings Issue doe plainely shew that there is a power that observes all our Actions and which we may know to be Memorem Fandi atque Nefandi But in the first yeare of this Kings Raignâ— he granted to the City of London their first Charter and Liberties in as large forme as they enjoyed them in the time of King Edward the Confessor which he granted at the suite of William a Norman Bishop of London in gratefull remembrance whereof the Lord Major and Aldermen upon the solemne dayes of their resort to Pauls doe still use to walke to the Gravestone where this Bishop lies interred Also this King was the first that brought the Jewes to inhabite here in England as likewise he made a Law that whosoever forced a woman should lose his genitals and in his time long Bowes came first into use in England which as they were the weapons with which France under this King Conquered England so they were the weapons with which England under after-Kings Conquered Fraâ—ce as if it were not enough for us to beate them if we did not beate them with their owne weapons This King also appointed a Constable of Dover Castle and a Lord Warden of the Cinque-Ports with Immunities as they are at this day Affaires of the Church in his Raigne IN the twelfth yeare of his Raigne Lanfranke Arch-bishop of Canterbury held a Synod at London where amongst other things he removed Bishops Sees from small Townes to great Cities as from Silliway to Chichester from Kyrton to Exceter from Wells to Bathe from Shirborne to Salisbury from Dorchester to Lincolne and from Lichfield to Chester and from thence againe to Coventry and not long before the Bishopricke of Lindafferne otherwise called Holy Land upon the river Tweede had beene translated to Durham In the sixth yeare of his Raigne a controversie arising betweene the two Arch-bishops of Canterbury and Yorke they appealed to Rome and the Pope remitted it to the King and Bishops of England Hereupon a Synod is holden at Windsor where sentence was given on Lanfranks then Arch-bishop of Canterburies side that in matters of Religion the Arch-bishop of Yoâ—ke should ever be subject to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury Onely at Rome it was decreed for matter of Title that the See of Yorke should be stiled Primas Angliae and the See of Canterbury Primas totius Angliae as it is at this day And as the Arch-bishop of Yorke oweth obedience to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury So all the Bishops of Scotland owe obedience to the Arch-bishop of Yorke as to the Primate of Scotland But as this King tooke downe the Prelates in Temporalties for he ordained they should exercise no Temporall Authority at all So in Spiritualties he rather raised them as may be seene by a passage betweene Aldred Arch-bishop of York and the King for at a time upon the repulse of a certaine suite the Arch-bishop in great discontentment offered to depart when the King in awe of his displeasure stayed him fell downe at his feet desired pardon and promised to grant his suite The King all this while being downe at the Arch-bishops feetâ— the Noblemen that were present put him in mind that he should cause the King to arise Nay saith the Arch-bishop let him alone let him find what it is to anger Saint Peter And as by this story we see the insulting pride of a Prelate in those dayes So by another we may see the equivocating false-hood of a Prelate at that time For Stâ—gand Arch-bishop of Canterbury would often sweare he had not one penny upon the Earth when under the Earth it was afterward found he had hidden great Treasure Also it is memorable but scarce credible of another Bishop who being accused of Simony and denying iâ— the Cardinall before whom he was to Answer told him that a Bishopricke was the gift of the Holy Ghost and therefore to buy a Bishopricke was against the Holy Ghost and thereupon bid him say Glory be to the Father and to the Sonne and to the Holy Ghast which the Bishop beginning and oft essaying could never say and to the Holy Ghost but said it plainely when he was put out of his Bishopricke And yet was not the Church in that Age so barren of Vertue but that it afforded some good Bishops as William Bishop of Durham Founder of University Colledge in Oxford but specially Bishop Woolstan whom upon Lanfrankes reporting to be insufficient for the place for want of Learning the King commanded to put off his Pontificall Robes and to leave his Bishopricke when suddenly out of a divine Inspiration Woolstan answered A better then you O King bestowed these Robes upon me and to him I will restore them And therewithall going to Saint Edwards Shrine who had made him a Bishop and putting off his Robes he strucke his Staffe upon Saint Edwards Monument which stucke so fast in the stone of it that by no strength it could be drawne forth till he drew it forth himselfe which so terrifyed both Lanfranke and the King that they intreated him to take his Robes againe and keepe his Bishopricke Also Oswald Bishop of Salisbury who devised a Forme of Prayers to be daily used in his Church and was used afterwards in other Churches from whence proceeded the common saying of Secundum usum Sarum In this Kings time was Berengarius who denyed the true body of Christ to be in the Sacrament Also in his time Pope Gregory the seventh removed marryed Priests from executing Divine Service whereof great troubles arose in England Workes of Piety by him and others in his time THis King Founded the Abbey of Baltell in Sussex where he overcame Harold the Abbey of Selby in Yorkeshire and a third neere London called Saint Saviours He founded also the Priory of Saint Nicholas at Exceter and gave great priviledges to Saint Martins le Grand in London which
Holecraft Sir Edward Dorrell Sir Francis Hothome and otherâ— to the number of at least threescore in Lieth Haven they seized upon all the Scottish Ships whereof two were of notable fairnesse the one called the Salamander given by the French King at the mariage of his daughter into Scotland the other called the Unicorne made by the late Scottish King the ballast of which two ships was Cannon-shot whereof they found in the Towne to the number of fourscore thousand On the fifteeâ—th of May their Army and their Fleeâ— departed from Lieth both in one houre having first set the Towne on fire and burned it to the ground from Lieth the English Army marched to Seaton from thence to Haddington from thence to Dunbar from thence to Ranton all which Towns and Castles with diverse others they burnt and utterly defaced and on the eighteenth of May came to Barwick not having lost in all the journey above fourteen menâ— In the meane time in King Henries five and thirtieth yeer on Trinity sunday a new league was entred into and sworne between the King and the Emperour at Hampton-court to be both offensive and defensive In this yeer Proclamation was made whereby the people were licensed to eate white meats in Leâ—t but streightly forbidden the eating of flesh whereupon shortly after the Earle of Surrey with diverse other Lords and Knights were imprisoned for eating of flesh contrary to the proclamation The third of Iune this yeer there came ouâ— of Ireland three Lordâ— of whom Obrine was here created Earle of Thonmoâ—d which hoâ—our his posterity injoyeth to this day Mack William a Bary was created Eaâ—le of Clanrinckford and Mack Gilparick was made Barron of Ebranky King Henry had already had five wives all of them Maides and no good luck with any of them he will now therefore try his fortune with a Widdow aâ—d therupon the twelveth of Iune in the five and thirtieth yeere of his Reigne hee took to wife the Lady Katherine Par widdow of the Lord Latimer late deceased who was then proclaimed Queen but how lucky would this maâ—ch have proved if the King had longer lived God knowes seeing in the short time of three yeers they lived together it was no smal danger she escaped which though it hapenned not till a yeer or â—wo after this time yet will not unfitly be spoken of in this place that so her story may come together this Queen as being an â—arnest Protestant had many great adversaries by whom she was accused to the King to have Hereticall books found in her closet and this was so agravated against her that they prevailed with the King to signe a warrant to commit her to the Tower with a purpose to have her burnt for Heresie this warrant was delivered to Wriothsley Lord Chancelour and he by chance or rather indeed by Gods providence letting it fal from him it was taken up and caried to the Queen who having read it went soone after to visit the King at that time keeping his chamber by reason of a sore leg being come to the King he presently fel into talk with her â—bout some points of Religion demanding her resolution therin but she knowing that his nature was not to be crost specially considering the case she was in made him answer that she was a woman accompanied with many imperfections but his Majesty was wise and judicious of whom she must learne as of her Lord and Head not so by Saint Mary said the King for you are a Doctor Kate to instruct us and not to be instructed by us as often we have seen heretofore indeed Sir said she if your Majesty have so conceived I have been mistaken for if heretofore I have held talke with you touching Religion it hath bin to learn of your Majesty some point whereof I stood in doubt and sometimes that with my talke I might make you forget your present infirmity aâ—d is it even so Sweet heart quoth the King why then we are friends and so kissing her gave her leave to depart But soon after the day was appointed by the Kings warrant for apprehending her on which day the King being disposed to walk iâ— the Garden had the Queen with him when suddenly the Lord Chancelour with forty of the Guardâ— câ—me into the Garden with a purpose to apprehend her when as soon as the King saw he stept to him and calling him knave and foole bid him avaunt out of his presence the Queen seeing the King so angry with him began to intreat for him to whom the King said ah poore soule thou little knowest what it is he came about of my word sweet heart he hath bin to thee a very knave and thus by Godâ— providenâ—â— was this Queen preserved who else had tasted of as bitter a câ—p as any of his former wives had done About this time King Henry and the Emperour sent Garter and Toyson dâ—or kings at Armes to demand performance of certain Articles of the French King which if he denied they were then comanded to defie him but the French King would not suffer them to come within his land and so they returned wherupon King Henry caused the sâ—id demandâ— to be declared to the French Embassadour at Westminster aud in Iuly sent over six thousand men under the leading of Sir Iohn Walloppe accompanied with divers Knights Gentlemen Sir Thomas Seymour was Marshal of the Army Sir Robert Bowes Treasuror Sir Richard Cronwal Captain of the horse and Sir George Carew his Lieutenant There were likewise Sir Thomas Palmer Sir Iohn Rainsford Sir Iohn St. Iohn and Sir Iohn Gascoigne Knights that were Captains of the foot Their Comission was to joyn with the Emperor and together to mâ—ke war upon France The third of August open waâ— was proclaimed in London between the Emperor the King of England on the one part and the Fâ—eâ—ch King on the other as mortal enemy to them both and to all other christian Princes besides as he that had confederated himselfe with the Turk Sir Iohn Wallop marching forth of Callice with his Army joyned with â—â—e Emperors Forces who together went and besieged Landersey a Town lately fortified by the French lying within the borders of the Emperors dominions to raise this siege the French King had raised a mighty army with which he came on as if he ment to give the Emperor battaile and thereupon the Emperor raising his siedge with a purpose to encounter him the French King tooke the opportunity to put men and victuals into the town which was the thing he intended and having done this the night following departed with his army and then the Emperour seeing him gone and finding the winter coming on and no hope of sudden geâ—ting the Town being now newly supplied he also broke up his Army and returned home This yeer the sunday before Christmas the Lord William Parre brother to the Queen who had maried the daughter and heire of Henry Bourchier Earle of Essex was