over-commer to take all But there proving equality in the fitght there was likewise made equality in the command between them yet did not Edmona long enjoy his share being circumvented by the practice of Edric Earl of Stratton the Arch-Traytor of those times whose falshood had ruined the Father and now his ambirion destroys the Son for which Cnute invents a suitable reward causing his head to be set upon the highest place of the Tower of London therein performing his promise of advancing him above any Lord of the Land which was the mark that this faithlesse wretch aimed at and now attained but in a far different sence from that which he had vainly proposed to himself Cnute being thus rid of a Rival denied copartnership to the Sons of Edmond as pretending the whole to appertain to the Survivor and for fear they might prove thorns in his side he sent them far enough out of the way into Swedeland say some there to be murthered but they were mercifully preserved and conveyed to the Court of Hungary where Edmond dyed without issue but Edward had by Agatha Daughter to Henry the fourth Emperour of Germany a Son named Edgar and a Daughter called Margaret who was the cause as hereafter shall be shewed that the Saxon stem which now seemed withered doth once more reflourish though inocculated we confesse upon another stock Notwithstanding this transportation of Edmonds Sons yet did not Cnute hold himself sufficiently assured of his new accquired Kingdom till he had married Emma widdow of Ethelred whereby he gained the love of the English but the promise he made in marriage that the Children begotten on her should succeed was for some time frustrated by the preoccupation of Harold sirr named Harefoot the eldest son of Cnute by a Concubine but his reign was brief as likewise was that of his Brother Hardi Canute the lawfull Son of Cnute and Emma with whom expired the Danish Dominion here which had been but of a short duration though their incursions and molestations had continued for a longer space Edward styled the Confessor to distinguish him from Edward the Elder and Edward the Saint was next King being the Son of Emma also but by her first Husband Ethelred the Unready and did in some sort restore the Saxon blood For in truth there was a nearer relation to the Crown extant though not so near at hand for the present to wit Edward surnamed by reason of his Forein education the Outlaw the Son of Edmond Ironside the eldest Son by his first Wife of the above mentioned Ethelred the Unready who ought by the Law of Nature and Nations to have preceded Yet did the Confessor wanting Issue himself do his Nephew the Outlaw so much right as to recall him with his Children out of their Banishment in Hungary and designed him his Successor but the Outlaws death before the Confessors prevented that determination Neverthelesse the Confessor without delay pronounced Edgar the Outlaws Son and his own Grand Nephew Heir apparent and gave him the surname of Etheling which in those dayes were only peculiar to such as were inhopes and possibility of a Kingdome And more than so this poor Etheling never was For first he was debarred by his own Guardian Harold the Son of Goodwin Earl of Kent who disdaining the title of Regent which he was only constituted assumed that of King Afterwards by William Duke of Normandy who though he pulled down Harold yet did he not set up Edgar laying claim himself to the Crown by virtue of a pretended Donation from his Cosen Edward the Confessor which had been too weak a plea had it not been justified by a long sword which hath ever since given him the appellation of William the Conquerour Robert the eldest Son of the Conquerour should by right of primogeniture have succeeded his Father in all his Dominions but having proved a Rebel at the French Kings instigation he had only the Dukedom of Normandy assigned to him and the Crown of England was bequeathed to his Brother William surnamed Rufus who dying without any legitimate off-spring and Robert being absent in the Holy-land Henry the youngest Son of the Conquerour as Duke of Normandy but eldest as King of England seized upon it and to ingratiate himself with the Natives and to corroborate his Title he Married Maud Daughter of Margaret by Malcolme King of Scots Sister to Edgar Etheling Son of Edward the Outlaw Son of Edmond Ironside Son of Ethelred the Unready Son of Edgar the peaceable Son of Edmond Son of Edward Senior Son of Alfred and by which means the Royal seed of the Saxons became to be replanted in the English Soil For this Henry the first had not to mention his Son William who perished by water whilst he was young by the foresaid Maud a Daughter of the same name whom he first espoused to Henry the fifth Emperour of Germany afterwards to Ieffrey Plantagenet Earl of Aniou by whom she had a Son called Henry in whom did fully concur the Norman and Saxon Race But the true hereditary succession was some what intercepted by Stephen Earl of Bologne Son of Adela the Conquerours Daughter from whom he could derive but a slender title For had the Conquerours line Masculine failed then ought Theobald Earl of Bloys Stephens Eldest Brother by the same Adela to have been prelated And therefore his surest Tenure proceeded from his Election by the Nobility who notwithstanding their natural Allegiance and twice repeated Oath and among them Stephen himself is reckoned to be one that had sworn Fealty to Maud and her Heirs in the Reign of her Father Henry admitted this stranger and that for no other reason though other were alleged as that Maud was a woman and consequently uncapable of anointing that she was married out of the Realm without the consent thereof which if of any moment should before their solemn engagement have been taken into consideration than that he being a Creature of their own erecting was more obliged to them and would upon all occasions be more ready to gratifie their aspiring humour Yet wanted not the Empresse and her Son adherents both within and without the Kingdom to assert their right who raised such a cloud of trouble to Stephen that he could not dispel it during his whole reign so that at length he came to a composition and his own Son Eustace whom he had designed his Successour being already dead he adopts Henry fitz-Empresse and proclaims him heir apparent with this Proviso That he himself should enjoy the Crown as long as he lived which was not a full year after this peaceable agreement Henry the second of that name is now possessed of the Throne in processe of time adding the Lordship of Ireland to it and that upon a treble account First by vertue of the late Treaty with King Stephen Secondly by title of conquest as being great Grand-Child to William the Norman but Thirdly and chiefly by the equity of
Monarchiae Britannicae singularis Protectio OR A BRIEF Historicall Essay Tending to prove GOD's especial PROVIDENCE Over the BRITTISH MONARCHY AND More particularly over the Family that now enjoys the same By HAMLETT PVLESTON A. M. and Fellow of Jesus Colledge Oxon. LONDON Printed by R. D. for the Author 1661. Reader AMong the manifold Discouragements which have so long prorogued and had well nigh altogether stopped the Publication of this Treatise one is the multitude of Errata's too many for so small a Pamphlet it is accompanied withall most of which thou shalt find here amended and for the remainder as mis-placing or omitting of Comma's and some other few literal mistakes I leave them to thy Candid and favourable correction Pag. 2. line 30. for Normandy read Norway p. 6. l. 2. for Prince r. King p. 10. l. 27. dele and. p. 12. l. 23. dele too l. 24. for nad r. and. p. 13. l. 14. for my r. our p 22. l. 14. dele his p. 33. l 15. r. though not l. 19. dele Sister p. 35. l. 25. r. beginner p. 36. l. 11. for as yet r. as if p. 43. l. 23. for yet r. if p. 44. l. 21. dele been p. 46. l. 1. for by r. buy p. 48. l. 29. r. unto for Practisers r. Practises p. 51. l. 12. r. But Bruse urging l. 18. r. upon the Popes p. 53. l. 26. add Mary the Daughter and Heir of Iames the fifth p. 55. l. 10. for divert r. direct IT is observed by Edmond Howe 's a diligent Compiler of our Countries Annals That in this Island there hath happened five remarkable alterations and each of them alwayes about the period or revolution of five hundred years whereof in his Historical Preface he gives this insuing account 1. The first alteration sayes he was presently upon the death of Gorboduc seventeenth in descent from Brute Founder according to him of the British Monarchy This Gorboduc had caused his youngest Son Porrex to be joyntly crowned with his eldest Son Ferrex These two fall at difference among themselves the younger kills the elder him the Mother her the Multitude hence Civil Wars at length Malmutius Dunwallo Duke of Cornwall having subdued all Competitors translates the Kingdom to another line which continues without any memorable interruption untill 2. The second grand alteration in the Reign of Cassibeline forty fourth Successor of Malmutius begun by the invasion of Iulius Caesar General of the Romans in Gaule but not perfected before Claudius the Emperors time from which date the Aera or computation of the Romans absolute Dominion here is to commence whose departure recalled by their Domestick dissentions and Fore in inundations carrying with them also the ablest of the Britains was the occasion of 3. The third famous alteration for the Britains bereaved of their own proper strength and destitute of the accustomed aid of their Champions the Romans were necessitated to implore the asistance of the Saxons a people of Germany against the Picts and Scots who grie vously infested the Northern borders To these Saxons Vortigern the late elected King an Author of these Strangers imployment in contemplation of their service most improvidently allots first the Isle of Thannet then all Kent afterwards more to inhabit besides his marriage with Rowena the Daughter of Hengist one of their principal leaders gave them so firm a footing that they not only could not be removed but even forced their Landlords the Britains into the least most desart and most mountanous parts whilst these new intruding guests injoy the greatest the best and richest share which they portioned into an Heptarchy or seven petty Principalities who contending among themselves for superiority and wearying out one another with mutual discord administred opportunity unto 4. The fourth and indeed a twofold alteration but in regard of its immediate connexion is reckoned but as one first by the Danes a people likewise of Germany who after many conflicts obteined the Soveraignty but did not long retain the same But the second which took its original almost where the other determined and chiefest mutation both for its continnance and universality was that by the Normans a Nation primarily issued out of Normandy but then possessing the South of France who introdnced a general innovation in all things but Religion which also suffered its vicissitude or turn in 5. The fifth and last alteration under Henry the eighth who gave the first blow unto it by his with-drawing his obedience from the Romish Sea in whose communion England had persevered since its first conversion and by suppressing Monasteries who were the main Pillars and Supporters thereof But his Son Edward the sixth proceeds further to the abolition of the Rites and Doctrine of that Church which were yet again restored by his Sister Mary and again excluded by her Sister Elizabeth who was therein imitated by her Successour Iames conjoyner of the two separated Kingdoms England and Scotland which our Author makes a parcel of this last alteration and where he concludes his general History of the several revolutions of this Island from the first foundation of a Monarchy here untill the time wherein he wrote But since there hath happened another alteration no lesse if not in some respect more considerable than any of the former when not only the Person but the Office not only a King and that in an unparalleld manner but even Kingship it self was destroyed a design that was never so much as attempted by our Ancestors and instead thereof an unheard-of kind of Common-wealth erected which was soon suppressed by an insolent Usurper who thought under a different title to have established the whole power to him and his But by Gods providence and the perfidiousnesse of his own Relations his purpose was defeated his Son dethroned a shadow of a Common-wealth retrived once more dismissed again revived and finally dissolved the old Government renewed and lawfull Heir recalled and all this came to passe within the space of twelve years yea most of it within the circuit of one year whereof we can only say with the Psalmist This is the Lords doings it is marvelous in our eys And truly if we consider things impartially there is great cause of admiration that God should not only preserve among us for so many ages a Monarchy the best of Regiments in general and in particular most agreeble to the situation of this Country and constitution of the people but even continue it maugre all the Plots and policies of men to the contrary in that very blood and Family which as far as creditable Genealogy will extend hath been first known to have been invested there-withall For we may safely affirm that our present King Charles the second in whose posterity we trust it will remain as long as the Sun and Moon endures deduces his pedegree in an indisputable line from all that ever did or could pretend a title or interest to the Crown which we think can hardly be verified of
and entwisted together But we cannot dissemble what few take notice of to wit that the better that is the more Masculine Bloud-Royal of the Saxon Race which in comparison of the Norman though both founded in Conquest was much to be preferred by reason of its much elder prescription did still reside in the House of Scotland For Margaret bare to Malcolm besides that Daughter Maud three Sons Edgar Alexander and David who to pass over the Intrusion of Donald the Brother and Duncan the Bastard of Malcolm because each did soon expire were all Kings in their Order but only David had Issue from whom the Kings of Scotland have ever since however they have alwayes abstained from their claim to the English Crown upon that account derived an undoubted and not to be disputed descent Henry David's only Son departed this life before his Father but left three Sons behind him Malcolm William and David which last was Earl of Huntington in England whereof Malcolm the 4. succeeded his Grandfather him being childless his Brother William him his Son Alexander the second him his Son Alexander the third and him should have his Grandaughter Margaret who was bred in and sent for out of Norway but that she died before her arrival on the Scotish Coasts And now the rest being extinct recourse must be had to the Off-spring of the late mentioned Earl of Huntington when lo two Grand Competitors appear Iohn Baliol who fetches his stock from the eldest Daughter Margaret and Robert Bruse who confessedly came from the younger Isabell but alledges that he is in a nearer degree of Consanguinity to Earl David than the other either did or could pretend himself to be The Controversie in regard of the Potency of both Parties being not capable of a decision at home without the danger of a Civil War it was referred to Edward the first King of England who rather brought Oyl to encrease than Water to quench the flame and was resolved to bestow it on him only who would profess homage and swear fealty unto the English Crown To this Imperious demand Baliol though conceived superior in Title yet proving meaner in Spirit did readily condescend which Bruse whose Plea was thought weaker but Courage found greater did utterly refuse to assent unto Whereupon Edward pronounces sentence on Baliols side who is acknowledged King by many of the Scotish Nobility but rather out of fear of Edward's power than any satisfaction or delight they took in this dishonourable and as they esteemed it unworthy submission Yea Baliol himself doth soon repent of it and bids defiance to Edward who now afresh cajols Bruse urging the performance of promises he returned a scornfull Negative As if saies he we had nothing else to do than to conquer Kingdoms for you to enjoy Baliol at last surrenders himself unto Edward and is by him sent Prisoner into England and there detained until the Pope's Intercession and Engagement that he should create no further trouble in Scotland he is released and retires into France where having resigned his whole right to his Counsin Bruse he spends the remainder of his days in a more quiet and contented estate But Robert Bruse Son of Robert the Author of the Contention which he lived not to see finished was little pleased with Eeglish Edward's fishing in disturbed streams and therefore he sets up trading for himself at first with smal probability of thriving but afterwards he caught the prey where at he aimed which was almost ravished out of the mouth of his Infant-Son David by Edward Baliol Son of that Iohn who had once renounced it but it was again rescued by Robert Stuart the Vice-roy and Baliol with his Issue if he had any failing the Brusians became legal Owners of that Kingdom whereinto at the beginning they seemed to have made but a violent and forcible entry Robert Stuart even now remembred was David's Sister's Son and consequently his Heir he having no Children of his own but David notwithstanding old benefits upon some new displeasure was inclinable to have put him by had he not been over-perswaded by the Nobility who were as well sensible of Robert's worth as that his Grandfather Robert the first had before his Son David was born designed him to the Kingdom Nay the Fates themselves if credit be to be given to some Scotish Chronicles had long ago destined no less for they report that Macbeth the after Tyrant and Banco one of Robert's Progenitors walking in a Wood encountred with three women of more than humane aspect who saluted Macbeth then a private person King of Scotland whereat when Banco shewed himself aggrieved they told him that Macbeth should only the King himself which presently came to pass but that the succession was reserved for his Posterity which though somewhat with the slowest is now at length exactly fulfilled For this Robert was the Son of Walter the Son of Iohn the Son of Alexander the Son of Walter the Son of Alexander the Son of Alan the Son of Walter Stuart the first of that Surname and Office in Scotland the Son of Fleance the Son of Banco whom Macbeth to defeat the Prediction slew and sought to do the like to his Son Fleance who prevented his bloudy intentions by fleeing into Wales and there as it hath already been touched in gross he married Nest by whom he had that first and famous Walter the Daughter of Giffith ap Llewelyn the Son of Angharad the Daughter and Heir of Meredith the Son of Owen the Son of Howel Dha the Son of Cadelh the Son of Rodri Mawr the Son of Esylht the Daughter and Heir of Conan Tyndaithwy the Son of Rodri Moelwynog the Son of Edwall Twrch the Son of Cadwallader last King of Brittany and first of Wales beyond whom in point of pedegree we dare not wander but must here erect our Pillars and fix our Ne plus ultra lest by wading further we should be swallowed up in the vast Abyss of an unbounded and fathomless Ocean And here we might likewise put a period to the whole Tract as having traced this Robert's lineage in the Brettish Story as far as with any confidence we can well proceed and being able with much more ease and assurance to resolve our present Sovereign's into his for Charles the second is the Son of Charles the first the Son of Iames the sixth the Son of Mary the Daughter and Heir of Iames the fourth the Son of Iames the fourth the Son of Iames the third the Son of Iames the second the Son of Iames the first the Son of Iohn whose name upon the Assumption of the Kingdom was converted into Robert the third the Son of the aforesaid Robert the second c. but that it is demurred by some First Whether Nest Walter 's Mother were an Heir or no 2. Admitting that she were whether her Ancestor Cadelh were the eldest Son of Rodri Mawr who being King of all Wales was the first that