Right held but weakly for he made it up by good turns granting a General Pardon of all the wrongs had been done unto him but those that were guilty of the death of the Duke of Glocester he brought to a shamefull end abhorring so great wickednesse But after that the Fame of Richard being deposed was divulged in France King Charls was purposed to revenge his Sonne in Laws wrongs and to re-establish him in the Throne But when it was certainly understood that he was dead all that business came to nothing Also those of Aquitan and other places rising about the rumour of the death of their Duke were pacified by Messengers sent to them in time When he had got the Kingdom by troubles it could not be but that he must hold it with troubles also For John Earl of Exceter with John Montacnte Thomas Earl of Kent his Nephew Hugh Spencer and others conspired to invite Henry to Oxford under pretence of Running a Tilt thinking to kill him treacherously at this exercise But the matter was discovered and became void Thee what by fraud they could not do they attempt to do by open Warre carrying about with them a certain counterfeit Richard for he was not yet slain and they labour to restore him as one that was miserably wronged but their Forces running from them either by fear or distrust the Authours of it were taken and cruelly put to death The Welsh also about that time as their custome was make new Commations but the King came opportunely with his Army and easily dispersed them punishing the chief of them Whilst these things were in motion George Dumbar fled into England to the Earl of Northumberland craving assistance against David the Sonne of the King of Scotland for he had Divorced the Daughter of this George that was betrothed to him and had married another Wife not restoring the Dowry of the former Wherefore both of them making a Sally into Scotland fought first on equal terms with the Adversaries but at last they routed them and came back loaded with great spoil In the mean while Thomas Earl of Worcester knowing that the King was taken up with the Commotions in Wales joyning to himself Henry Earl of Stafford his Cousin by his Brothers side with an Army and the Scotch to boot who naturally hated the English beyond measure makes Warre against the King But the King least by delayes the mischief might encrease leaving Wales came in time to oppose them When both Armies were now ready they fell to it fiercely and fought long on equal terms untill such time as the perfidious Welsh came to assist Thomas and began the Battel afresh Yet Henry Father and Sonne gave wonderfull testimony of their invincible Courages running Thomas of Worcester through with a Lance and killing him whereupon they vanquished the Enemy that was now in such fair hopes and glorying of the Victory Henry Piercy the King took Prisoner and causeth his Head to be cut off Anno 1401. Also the Earl of Northumberland who was one of the partakers to save his Life fled to George of Dumbar Earl of Marsh who was now restored to his Estate in Scotland After this Conquest Prince Henry makes an inrode against the perfidious Welsh and easily put an end to a mutinous Warre subduing the Rebels banishing Owen the Ring-leader a very valiant man but seditious who was so brought to great want and ended his life miserably In the mean while the French came to help the Rebel Welsh with thirty Ships their Leader was James Borbon Earl of Marsh they set Sail but by a Tempest were brought upon some other Coast of England and they got into Cornwall upon which occasion they posfessed themselves of Plymouth Haven and coming on Land they ruine all places they meet with fire and Sword But storms suddenly arising twelve of their Ships were drown'd so they began to think how to return back and hastily giving warning to the rest laden with their prey they came again to France But Thomas the Sonne of King Henry with his Navy brought together depopulated the Frontiers of France and taking many Merchants-men sufficiently requited this Injury But the Kings of France and England being full of troubles at home and so thinking lesse of revenge made a Truce for some Moneths The King untill that time being a Batchelour took to Wife Joan that was formerly married to Duke Montfort and espoused her Daughter Blanch to the Sonne of the Duke of Bavaria At that time William Plunton a valiant warlike Knight conspired against the King with the Friends of Mowbray who as we said lived banished at Venice To these the men of Northumberland and lastly the Scotch united themselves The King being certain of this matter comes presently with an Army and easily defeated them Plunton and some of his Followers with Richard Scroop Archbishop of York who was said to have had a finger in this Rebellion was taken prisoner Plunton by the generall vote lost his Head for his insolence and afterwards the rest were put to death being convicted of this wickedness The King to extinguish Rebellion quite sent his Sonne Henry Prince of Wales against the Scots who were coming on to assist Plunton but they when they had heard that the Conspiracy was detected and the Authours of it executed were not come from their places But Henry that he might not lose his labour enters Scotland and wastes it miserably with fire and Sword and struck a wonderfull terrour upon the Scots so loading himself with the spoil and booty he returns back to his Father to London who was vexed to the purpose with new Commotions daily rising one out of another upon every occasion And now again some body had rais'd a Rumour amongst the People that Richard was yet alive whereupon the common people that alwayes gape after novelties being moved had made dangerous troubles if their faction had not been wisely and timely suppressed Also the Earl of Northumberland making a Covenant with George Earl of Marsh and raising some thousands of Scotch and English he enter'd the Borders of England and prey 's in an hostile manner on the Territories of Yorkshire The King went against them and overthrew all their Forces routing them in a tumultuary battel Some of the principal who fell into the Kings power were brought to York and executed there In the mean while Edmund Earl of Kent to suppress the French Pirats was set to Sea with a gallant Navy but not lighting upon the Pirats being hot with desire to fight he sought for them in the very Haven at the Temple of Brioâ— and when he could not fight at Sea he entred the City by Land but the Earl himself was killed by an unhappy blow with a stone yet his souldiers took the Town rifled it and burnt it and killing most of the inhabitants they returned again for England Also the English at the same time the Earl of Arundel being in chief did do their
had bred him to sufficiently in her Palace he gives him in Marriage Katharine the Daughter of the Earl of Huntley and sent him toward the Borders of England with a great Army to do what he could in hopes to attain some of the Subjects to him either by fear or affection but all proved in vain Henry being wonderfully offended by reason of the Scots invasion musters an Army and marches against the Scots under the Command of Danby but he was called back again to suppress a Rebellion that rose in Cornwall by reason of Tribute to be paid The Cornish the Lord Lieutenant Audley being their Leader march for London but when they came thither they were vanquished and scattered by the Royalists two thousand of them being slain and many taken the greatest part of them were pardon'd except the Ring-leaders for Audley was ignominiously drawn to Execution and lost his head and others that put the people forward as Thomas Flammok Michael Sonne to Joseph a Blacksmith were hanged up The Scot takes occasion hereby during these Tumults to go forward on his enterprise and spoils the Frontiers of England again and then besieged the Castle of Durrham but the Earl of Surrey collecting an Army of 20000 Men and with a great Navy not only raised the siege but pursued the Enemies into Scotland ruin'd many of their Forts and Castles and when they would not stand to fight with him he returned to Barwick By the Mediation of the King of Spain truce was made between England and Scotland for some years but on this condition that Perkin Warbech must leave Scotland He when he was gone from thence hearing that new Tumults were up in Cornwall came thither with a few Souldiers out of Ireland whether he had transported himself and his Family and what by fair words what by pretences he drew some of the Inhabitants to his side and so mustering about three thousand Souldiers he beleaguer'd Exceter but when he heard of the Kings March he forsook his Army and fled to the Altar The King in the mean time being now certain of his flight caused diligent search to be made for him his Wife Katharine a very beautifull woman and of a most noble Family was taken and delivered up to the King who by reason of her Beauty and Descent assigned to her a yearly Revenue Then Henry punished the Rebels but he laid only a small Penance on them and so set them at liberty Peter when he had long staid in Sanctuary and found no place of safety at last yeelded up himself voluntarily and was sent Prisoner to the Tower In the interim Sebastian Gabat a Citizen of Genoa but born at Bristow procuring from Henry one or two Ships sailed to new Countreys in the West and after two years returned again into England Peter who we said was cast into Prison made his escape shortly after and went to Richmond he was taken again and made a publick shame and once more imprisoned in the Tower but when he began a new Conspiracy with the Earl of Warwick whose name Lambert had taken and with some other familiar Friends of the Lieutenant of the Tower he was drawn to Execution and was hanged together with two of the Lieutenants Servants Also Warwick that he might give no more cause for new troubles was beheaded after a short time This was the eldest Sonne of the Duke of Clarence and the last male off-spring of the Family of the Plautaganets who was put in prison from his very childehood a thing beyond the knowledge and memory of man Hence arose a new sedition and of the same kinde For Patrick an Augustin Frier counterfeiting a new Earl of Warwick of one of his Scholars stirred up the people to Rebellion in his Pulpit but he and his Scholar were taken The young man was hanged Patrick was cast into perpetual imprisonment such was the reverence they gave at that time to holy Orders that they would never put to death any of them though they were guilty of high Treason Marriages were made about this time between Katharin the King of Spains Daughter and Arthur Prince of Wales and between Henries Daughter and James King of Scotland From this last Marriage proceeded at length Mary Stuart Mother to King James who was Father to Charles and the Kingdoms were united Arthur five moneths after his Marriage died in Wales But Henry that he might not be defrauded of the Dowry and Friendship of the King of Spain married Katharin by the Popes Indulgence to Henry his second Sonne who was unwilling to it Edmund Pool Earl of Suffolk Sonne to Elizabeth Sister to Edward the fourth being offended with the King at that time for some private injury conspired against him in Flanders The matter being discovered and the Conspiratours taken he only escaped to Philip Arch duke of Austria But Philip by the death of Ferdinand King of Spain having got the Kingdom in the name of his Wife Joan who was the Kings Daughter Sister to Katharine which as was said was married to Arthur Prince of Wales took his journey thither and by a contrary Tempest was brought into England King Henry went to meet him with all honour and obtained from him the Earl of Suffolk upon the Condition that no violence should be offered to his Life Henry cast him into Prison and spared his Life but after he lost his Head in the Raign of Henry the eighth Henry being now in the height of his glory had procured his Subjects fidelity and respect from his Neighbours He was very happy had he not about the end of his Raign and Life been so greedy after the goods and wealth of his Subjects He was long sick of the Gout and afterwards he fell into an Asthma also in the 52 year of his Life and the 23 year of his Raign he died in the year 1508. HENRY the eighth King of England France and Ireland Anno 1508. HENRY the Eighth having got the Kingdom at the beginning he behaved himself with great Obedience Prudence and Justice Marrying Katharine his Brothers Wife which his Father had betrothed He chose the wisest Counsellours and he executed the cursed Ministers of his Fathers exaction He spent then the first year of his Raign in Tilting and other Recreations But at the request of the King of Spain the Queens Father an expedition was undertaken into Spain against the Moors but before the English came there was a Peace made with the Moors and so it was but lost labour and nothing being done only the Captain receiving honours from the King returned again for England Edward Poining a Knight was sent with 1500 Bowmen to Charls Prince of Spain to assist him against the Duke of Gelderland he succeeded prosperously and loaded with rewards he came back again In the mean time a Scotch pirate one Barton who was wonderfull bold and valiant did great mischief about the Coasts of England the Admiral of the Sea was sent out after him after
stood for a Divorce of Queen Katharine The Pope in the mean time gave his Judgement for Katharine But Henry who had now Divorced Katharine by the Authority of many Divines and of those at Paris who were as it is supposed corrupted by money married Anne of Boloyne privately and being thereupon angry with the Pope he abolished all his Power over the English Church making it high Treason for any man to preferre the Popes Authority before the Kings or should pay Tribute to him which he had no right unto and caused them to be denied unto him for the future and made it a penalty for their life if any man should maintain the Pope to be the supream Head Then he made all the Churches of England and Ireland take an Oath to him that they should acknowledge him to be Head of the Church next under Christ The Discipline was thus changed but nothing in the Doctrine which he confirmed by a Synod called at London For he put to death many of those that followed Luther and Swinglius So Henry behaved himself in the rest of his life that had the Popes not been unjust against him he would willingly have submitted himself under their power The Pope being offended that he had lost his Authority sending out his Writings or Bull as they called it he Excommunicated Henry King of England but when it was known that it was procured by Queen Katharine it was the less regarded and she shortly after being deprived of friends lost her life for her contumacy In the mean time Sir Thomas More once Chancellour of England and John Fisher Bishop of Rochester who both refused to take the Oath of the Kings Supremacy lost their Heads Henry now using his own Authority invaded the goods of the Church and expelled the Monks out of their Monasteries Nor was he content with that but he cut off the Heads of his second Wife Anne of Boloyne Daughter to Thomas Bolen Earl of Wilshire accusing her for Incest and Adultery together with the Lord Rochsfort her Brother and others that were of the Kings Bed-Chamber Then he married Jane Semare who died afterwards in Childe-birth of Edward the sixth of that name who succeeded King Then he Divorced from him Anne of Cleve newly married and for her sake he beheaded Thomas Cromwell who made the match who was risen from a mean estate to a vast power by the success of Fortune Also Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk had his Head chopt off being charged of Treason because he had privily married Margaret Daughter to the King of Scots and Henries Neece Margaret was first detained then she was set free after that she was married to Matthew Earl of Leven King James his Grandfather In the mean time seditions arose in the North parts of England here and there by reason of the change made of Church Ceremonies some were punished for it some were sent home and some were subdued by force of Arms the troubles were happily asswaged yet not without some danger for it was a matter of great concernment to keep all quiet under new customs Henry now married his fifth Wife Katharine Howard but her he beheaded shortly after with the Lord of Rochsfort condemning her for Lasciviousness At that time Henry had the Title of King of Ireland when as before he was called only Lord of it In the interim Arthur Plantagenet bastard to Edward the fourth is accused of Treason but when he was proved not guilty he was received into the Kings favour but Arthur took so much joy at it that he died the next night of meer rejoycing The Scotch now entring the Frontiers of England and spoiling them compell Henry to take Arms who sent the Duke of Norfolk with an Army into Scotland who ruined many Villages and Houses and not seeing any enemy he returned to Barwick The Scot would not suffer this violence to be unrevenged but musters an Army suddenly and fals into England but his men being scattered and killed the Scot fell into such grief of minde and then into a Feaver that he quickly died of it leaving Mary Stewart his Daughter but eight daies old Heir of the Kingdom Henry to put an end to so great dissentions by the union of these two Nations dealt with the captive Lords to Espouse this Inheritrix of Scotland to his Son Edward who were set at liberty to press the business But by the mediation of the Cardinal of St Andrews this Treaty was made void the Daughter being married to the Dolphin Henry was enraged at this and sent a valiant Army into Scotland and burnt Leeth which pacified his wrath Then he made peace with Charles the fifth the Emperour and he married his sixth Wife Katharine Latimers Widow who was brought in danger of her life upon suspition of the change of her Religion but by her prudence and humility she escaped Now Henry by his Covenant with the Emperour proclaims Warre against the French King and sent an Army unto Callis under the command of John Wallop which joyning with the Forces of Charles besieged the City Landreice But the French making shew of a Battell called the Emperour off from the siege and when he had brought provision into the City he retreated having deluded Charles Then Henry mustering a mighty force sails himself into France and besieging Bononia won the place In the mean time the English Ships which they had taken from the French are filled with provision at London but the English had bad success in their fight in Scotland and Henries men were vanquished by which Victory and new forces they had recruited themselves with from France the Scots grew insolent and invade England But the English by the good success of the Earl of Hereford destroyed an innumerable company of Villages in Scotland and returned home Conquerours though otherwise they sustained a mighty loss by the Scots The Admirall of England with a Fleet did mischief on the coasts of Normandy and destroyed a multitude of the enemy but shortly after there was a Treaty made between the French and the English and the conditions of agreement were that the French should redeem Bononia with eight hundred thousand Crowns In the mean time Thomas Duke of Norfolk and Henry Earl of Surrey his Son are accused of Treason because they had engraven something in their Coats of Arms that seemed to be peculiar to the King and though they did defend their Titles very abundantly yet the Earl lost his Head But the Duke was kept in prison till the Reign of Queen Mary Henry died about this time in the year 1547 when he had reigned 38 years and was 56 years old He was a Prince adorned with all gifts of Nature and in whom had he not too much loved his pleasure there was no defect He was a great favourer of Learning EDWARD the sixth King of England France and Ireland Anno 1547. HENRY dying left his Sonne Edward born of Seymer by his Will to succeed him
came flocking to him every way and being fortified with new helps he laies siege to Malmesbury but the King coming upon him with more forces overcame the sewer forces of the Enemy Here is a thing to be rightly wonder'd at amongst drawn swords Peace began to shew her self Stephen procured rest by granting which he could not obtain by Victories and Henry obtained that Kingdom peaceably which he sought for by Warre For whilst here and there with equal endeavours they wage Warre Eustachius suddenly died and Stephen being deprived of an Heir to succeed him being overcome with mourning he willingly entred conditions of Peace with Henry and Mathilde whereby he assigned his Enemy to be his Successour and adopted him for his Sonne being he had none nearer of blood unto him so little faith or constancy is there in humane affairs they that but now fought with all their might do now embrace one the other and Stephen recovers his lost Sonne by adopting his Enemy So Henry seeking so great a Kingdom by Warre found both the Kingdom and a Father in Peace The affairs of England were too troublesom for Stephen to exact Tribute from his subjects yet he abundantly recompensed this loss by storing the Exchequer with the goods of the Rebels He made no Laws when as by reason of a continuall Warre he seemed more ready to receive than to give Yet he had no greater Victory than over the Clergy whose obstinacy and pride he regulated and made them good subjects He that had lived in Warre and contention ought not to die without trouble and neglect for he had scarce made Peace with Henry but he was afresh seized on by his old disease of the Emrods and the Cholick having not been free from Warre one year he died at Dover HENRY the second King of England Anno 1155. STephen being now dead Henry Duke of Aniou succeeded him in the Throne as he and King Stephen had agreed He behaved himself wisely when he began to Reign choosing the wisest men for his Counsellours expelling strangers that came in hopes of rapine especially those of Flanders demolishing the Casties that the Nobility had built at the connivance of King Stephen which they had often abused to sedition The Laws also that were faulty during the time of Warre he reduced to their former integrity and he banished some of the Nobility for perjury The Demeans which were bestowed upon those that were unworthy of them by Licence from King Stephen he took to himself and so he spared his subjects from Tributes thinking it safer to offend a few than many He had yet no Competitors and so was safer from Incursions and Rebellions The Welsh made some rude commotion who were no sooner up but he subdued them He made offensive Warre against Malcom King of Scots and drove him out by force from Northumberland the City of Carlile and New-castle which King Stephen had granted him He left him Huntington to do him homage for it for David King of Scots sake who was dead He took by force from his Brother Jeffrey after his Fathers death the Dukedom of Anion which his Father had granted him upon intreaty having the Popes indulgence to break his Oath Then he attempts to take to himself from Raymundus Earl of a place consecrated to Saint Aegidius the Dukedom of Tholouse which of right belonged unto him and when Lewis the King of France would help Raymund he wages Warre with them both Now the Armies were ready for battel but at the mediation of friends peace is at last concluded and the County of Tholouse is granted to Raymund for a time a Marriage being made between Henry King of Englands Son and Margaret Daughter to King Lewis If he managed all things wisely hitherto now he doth order his matters as foolishly taking his Son Henry into the Government with him For Lewis scorning the pusillanimity of his Son in Law that he would permit his Father to be equal with him in the Kingdom and would himself be a titular King only he easily inflamed his youthfull minde that was ready to take fire with unlawfull desires This envy had now broke forth into open hate and the Son began to cavil at all the Father either did or said Nor was the Sonnes ingratitude unknown to the Father wherefore messengers being sent to Lewis he endeavoured to oppress and extinguish those beginnings of discord But Lewis laught at the words of the Embassadours asking scornfully why they call'd him their Master who had freely delivered up his right to his Sonne and so dismissed them without any other answer To this there was joined the malice of Queen Eleoner that she bare him by reason that he loved whores whereby she instigated her other two Sons Richard and Jeffrey that they should assist the Son against the Father They fled to Henry into Normandy and conspire jointly against their Father Also William King of Scotland Hugh Earl of Chester Roger Mowbray Hugh Bigot and others fell from him Henry with this augmentation grew more bold and now provides open Warre against his Father Fortune was changeable in divers Battels both courage and fraud being employed in the Warres But Richard who had fallen off from his Father repenting of his errour came to him and craved pardon which he easily obtain'd at last some of the Rebels being taken and the Scotch vanquished Peace is confirmed between the Father and the Sonne at the Mediation of Richard Adela the Daughter of Lewis being married to Richard And so Henry returned into England with his Sons where Henry his eldest Sonne died and his Relict is sent home again into France to her Father and afterwards she was married to the King of Hungary But Richard taking it ill that his Marriage was so long deferred for the Father by his unlawfull lust was supposed to keep Adela for himself continually putting off the Matrimony fell again into the same Rebellion which he had renounced by Oath And being confederate with his Brother John and with Philip then King of France he makes Warre with his Father and at Ments he besieged the old King who slipt away in the night and thought though in vain to raise the siege at last the Town is delivered into the enemies hands to his greater loss because King Henry was born in that Town Wherefore either by reason of his power broken or by the loss of his native City his Majesty being eclipsed he that had hitherto given Laws was now forced to take Laws from the enemy And these are the Wars that he waged This King subdued Ireland without spilling blood Pope Hadrian an English man commanding it and he built a magnificent Palace at Dublin for the use of his Posterity He augmented his Treasure more by Confiscations and Parsimony than by Tributes and Imposts Because he was too sparing toward his children it is supposed that gave them occasion to revolt but he left an infinite Treasure when he died and recompensed
Part of them got into the Wine-cellar who being half oppressed with the House falling down lived seven dayes after the great downfall imploring no succour to help them After this manner plundering up and down they runne madding to every place At last they hasten to the Kings Court and to the Tower of London and they quickly overcome the Tower the King not daring to make opposition against them where the Queen-mother suffering an affront by a certain insolent fellow that offered her a bone fell down half dead Simon Bishop of Canterbury being haled out of the Tower had his Head cut off at Tower-hill by them Robert Hallius endured the same death and so did many others They neither regarded Churches nor publick places they destroy all in their fury like mad men The King thinking what remedy he should use to suppresse these tumults granting a Pardon for what they had done endeavours to pacific the Rabble The Inhabitants of the County of Essex are obedient and return home But the Kentish men persist in their stubbornnesse Tyler being their Leader To whom in the Kings Name John Newton was sent that he might by intreaty reduce these insolent people to their Duty or else should enquire what they would have He coming riding on Horsback was commanded by Tylor to alight and to deliver his Message on foot so much Authority did he arrogate to himself in this fury the Knight refused to come from his Horse whereupon Tyler comes at him with his Sword The King loath to have the Knight endanger'd intreats him to alight the Knight refusing it and Tyler urging him at last came William Walworth the Maior of the City and with the staff he had in his hand he gave Tyler a grievous wound on the Head and according to his Office bid him submit to the King Whilst he stood reeling with this blow he was killed by the Kings followers with innumerable wounds The Captain being flain the maimed faction seemed to prepare for to be revenged But the King though he were yet under fifteen years of age passed on to them with a ready minde promising that he would be their Commander and bad them follow him and all should be as they desired In the mean while Walworth had gathered together about a thousand Citizens the Captain whereof was Robert Conolus and coming upon them as they were in a Tumult he put them in such a fright that they cast away their Arms and were glad to submit The Citizens had fallen upon the Rebels but the King would not suffer them least they should kill the Innocent with the offendours That the tumult might be wholly ended he gave each man leave to return home to his habitation But elsewhere the same quiet was not procured For in Suffolk they ran madding up and down unmeasurably and pulled down some Judges houses and so at Cambridge and in other places killing cutting off the Heads and otherwayes miserably massacring the Nobility Their Captain was John Littester a Diar who was grown so lofty that he behaved himself like a King But he with all his followers was suppressed by Henry Spencer Bishop of Norwich an industrious and valiant man who took him prisoner and brought him to Execution At London also and elsewhere they proceeded against the guilty where John Straw and others are put to death and so all this Tumult was ended Lancaster in the mean while was sent against the Scotch that he might perpetually observe them if they should attempt any thing upon the occasion of these disorders But he so wisely managed the matter that before they had any rumour of his March thitherward there was a Cessation granted for two or three years In the interim Anna the Sister of Wenceslaus the Emperour came to London to be married to the King where the Marriage was solemnized with a wonderfull pomp Henry Spencer about that time had obtained an Army from the King which he led against the French and chiefly for Pope Vrban against Clement the Anti-pope And first coming into Flanders he besieged Iper but by a greater force marching out of France he was constrained to raise the Siege and when they came beside Graveling he writ to the King that there was now a fit occasion to defeat the Enemy but Lancaster who had the command making delayes it fell to nothing so Spencer having done no business returns home again and shortly after Truce was made between the French and the English In the mean while the Scotch entring the Borders of England consumed many Towns and Castles with fire and sword But Lancaster with Buckingham going against them when they could not force the Scots to fight for revenge of the wrong they had done set fire to some of their Cities and Villages and so retreat for England But Richard to suppress their Insolence to whom also the French had sent aid he with his Army marched into Scotland and finding Edenburgh without a Garison he set that on fire The Scots to divert the English Forces fall into Cumberland and lay siege to Carlile but hearing of Richards approach they giving warning to their fellows return for Scotland Lancaster at that time with a choice number of Souldiers makes a Voyage into Spain King Richard bestowing on him the Title of the King of Spain where he did conquer some Towns and married his Daughter to the King of Portugall but the English being impatient of that Countrey and the heat of the Ayre fell into all kinde of diseases and so made a Truce which a Peace followed shortly after On the Coasts of France the Earls of Arundel and Nottingham being the Leaders an hundred French Vessels laden with wine were overcome and Brest freed from a siege But a grievous Controversie grew at this time in England between the King and the Nobility the Duke of Glocester the Earl of Arundel and others the Duke of Ireland the Earl of Suffolk and many other malicious men setting them on They fell to their Arms but by the milder counsel of others they grew friends again The Duke of Ireland leaving the Court of his own accord fell amongst the Forces of the Earl of Darby and not daring to fight swimming the River with his horse he landed at Bauvais where like a banished man he lived some years at Lovane And the rest who were Authours of the Warre against the King at a famous sitting in Parliament were commanded to forsake the Court and Kingdom and some were put to extream tortures In the 15th year of Richards Government the Londoners fell to Mutiny for a very light cause and the King being wonderfully offended at them for a small summe of Money they had refused him he punished them with the loss of their chief Priviledges and with the payment of a great sum of money This is the effect of offending Kings After this in a solemn meeting of the Kings peace was ratified between England and France Isabella the Daughter of the
from Heaven For hiring a Cellar under the Parliament-House be laid in a vast deal of Gun-pouder which he purposed to set fire to and so to blow up at once all the Parliament-House together with the King the Prince and all the Nobility but the matter was discovered by the importunate care of the Conspirators who gave warning of the danger to the Lord Mounteagle Sonne to the Lord Morlay a Member of the Parliament and one that they loved very well In this Vault there were found terrible Instruments of this damned wickedness that a man would wonder at which were presently taken away Then the Conspirators were executed Catesbey with his companions John and Christopher Wright and Thomas Pierce flying to his Arms was killed with a shot others were taken and executed Amongst whom was Everard Digbey who was unwillingly drawn into this Conspiracy for otherwise he was a man of excellent parts And thus that hainous wickedness that had troubled the devils themselves was purged away In Northampton and Warwickshire new tumults arose first by Fines then by John Reignold that led them but this faction was soon allayed and the Authors were punished In the mean time Frederick Count Elector Palatine came to London to marry Elizabeth King James his Daughter The Marriage was solemnized with wonderfull pomp but all these joyes were over-shadowed with clouds of sorrow for on the sixth day of November 1612 Prince Henry departed this life Various reports were spread abroad by the vulgar as if indirect means had been used but his Physicians gave it under their hands that he died of a violent malignant Feaver Charles the Kings second Son succeeds him in the Principality of Wales About this time that Gallant and Noble Spirit Sr Walter Rawlrigh after fourteen yeares imprisonment made addresses to the King to get leave to visit the New-found-World in America to which he gave him liberty and a Commission under the great Seal to set forth Ships and Men for that Service his Reputation and Merit caused many Gentlemen of quality to venture their Estates and Persons on the Design Many considerable adventures were performed though with great difficulty but more especially that of the taking and burning St Thomes Information being sent to Gendimer who was Embassadour here in England never rested assaulting the King with importunity for reparation Rawleigh no sooner comes a shore at Plimouth but he had secret information and did endeavour to get from thence in a Bark for Rotchell but being apprehended by Sr Lewis Stukly he is brought to London and committed to the Tower Gondimer that looked upon him as a man that had not only high abilities but animosity to do his Master mischief being one of those scourges that Queen Elizabeth had made use of to afflict the Spaniards Having now gotten him in the Trap he laid his Bâ—its about the King In October he was brought to the Kings Bench-barre at Westminster before the Lord Chief-Justice where the Records of his arraignment at Winchester were opened and he demanded why the judgement should not be put in execution Ralwrigh replied that Judgement was void by the Kingâ— Commission for his late expedition The Lord Chief-Justice replied the opinion of the Court was to the contrary He required time to prepare for death but it was answered the appointed time was the next morning Accordingly on the morrow he lost his Head on a Scafford in the Palace-yard The Earl of Buckingham as great in Title as favour was now grown a Marquess and lying in the Kings bosom every man paid tribute to his smile Worcester and Nottingham are taken off for him to be Master of the Horse and Admirall of England Queen Anne about that time fell sick and died She was a Queen to be had in everlasting memory for her Noble Vertues The King also fell sick but by Gods affistance he recovered The Palsegrave in the mean time who had married Elizabeth by the prompting forward of some of the German Princes was chosen King of Bohemia The Emperour was wonderfully enraged at this Election and proclaimed Warre against him driving him first out of Bohemia and afterwards out of all Germany who in Holland the common refuge for all wretched people found a bountifull and safe entertainment But James that he might help his Sonne in Law made a motion for a Marriage of his Son Charles and the Spaniards Daughter Charles is sent into Spain through France by Land where he saw upon his journey Mary Daughter to Henry the fourth He was received in Spain in outward appearance magnificently but a dissention arising between the Duke of Buckingham and Count Olivares the principall Don of the Spanish Court the Treaty for the Marriage was drawn out at langth but Charles being impatient of delays was called home again by his Father and arrived safe in England and afterwards he married Mary whom he had affectionately beheld in France What remains to be spoken of King James is either scarce worth recording or not so consonant to the truth He died at last of a disease of the Spleen though there were false reports spread abroad that he was poysoned when he had reigned twenty two years and was fifty nine years of age in the year 1625. He was a true Platonick Prince a Husband worthy of his Wife an honest Father to his Children a good King to his Subjects because he was a Prince he was the Most Learned and he was the Best Prince by reason of his Learning When this King reigned the English Plantations were setled in the Indies as in Virginy which Country Sr Walter Rawleigh first discovered and in the Barmudoes whither an infinite multitude of inhabitants presently resorted building publick and private houses and made a Commonwealth The same was done by others in new-New-England to the great comfort of such as were distressed and fled thither CHARLES the first King of Great-Brittany France and Ireland Anno 1625. CHARLES the first succeeded his Father being twenty five yeares of age The first design he had was to marry Henrietta Mary Daughter to Henry the fourth King of France as he purposed before who landed in England the 22 day of April and was received magnificently Then a Navy was prepared against the Spaniard for all friendship was grown stale between these two Kings by reason of the breach of the Marriage and the business of the Palatinate he joyned with the Ships of Holland and sent away toward Spain and first assaulting Cades and not prevailing they set up sail to Sea and spoyling all the Spanish Vessels they met they return for England Now a Covenant was made between the English and the United Provinces and they resolved with joynt Forces to tire out the Spaxiard but Charles whose Exchequer was empted by reason of his great Expence of his Spanish Voyage and setting forth of his Navy was forced to call a Parliament but Buckingham the Kings chief Minister of State and most dear unto him had
look into the faults of the Clergy and reserved to himself the punishing of them neglecting the Bishop of Rome Last of all being much given to hunting he was unhappily slain by an arrow that rebounded from the back of a Stag. The foreshewing signs of his unhappy end being foreseen but not regarded HENRY the first King of England Anno 1101. HEnry the first succeeded his Brother born of William in England not a Duke but a King Who in the absence of his elder Brother Robert either invaded the Kingdom or procured it with money or obtained it by the favour of the people for he was more Learned than all his Brothers and was so much the more dear to the people He made good the Kingdom he had got with fraud by good deeds gentleness and just punishments He every where preferred Learned men for places in the Church he removed such as were unlearned and unworthy from their places He mitigated the more severe Laws and abolished hard Customs He granted the Nobility free leave to Hunt and with his bounty he so won the hearts of all And because he knew that the Scotch were his ill-willers he made peace with them and to binde the League the faster he took Maud the sister of King Edgar to be his Wife That which hapned to his Father and to his Brothers hapned to him to have the first success of Warre from his own kindred Namely the Bishop of Durrham being the first mover of it whom he had cast into prison for exacting too great Tributes who had escaped his Keepers by reason of their neglect his Brother Robert Duke of Normandy is stirred up to wage Warre with Henry and to recover his right Robert was now ready in England with an Army and the day for the Battel was appointed when as the Heralds were sent up and down at last peace is agreed upon 20000 Franks being granted yearly to Robert and hopes of succession should he out live his Brother Henry This danger scarce dispelled another fals upon the neck of it For Robert Bellamy Earl of Shrewsbury for no other cause but envy inviting the Welsh to his aid makes Warre against the King But this stopped him not for raising an Army suddenly he put the Welsh to flight he intercepted Robert and confiscating all his Goods sent him into banishment For to punish Traitors with death was not yet the fashion The third tempest arose from William Earl of Mortane and of Cornwall the Kings Uncle he being angry with his Cosen for denying him the County of Kent endeavours by treachery to draw the Shire unto himself but his Treason being discovered for one County that he thought to win he lost two Henry that was hitherto on the defensive part now takes up Arms willingly against his Brother Robert being offended at some scoff of his and levying an Army he entred Normandy and became Master of it all scarce leaving so much as Roan to his Brother and so he retreated for England Robert had made triall of his severity and was resolved to make proof of his levity whereupon he follows after his Brother into England and very submissive desires pardon for his sawciness But Henry either offended with the now fresh injury of his Brother or else affecting the Dukedom of Normandy neglected the praiers of his Brother Robert being impatient of this scorn returns for Normandy and once more raising an Army attempts a Warre against his Brother but he coming successfully upon Robert with a sufficient force providently suppressed the mischief in the birth but not without blood and he carried his Brother Captive into England and putting out his eyes he held him prisoner to the day of his death By this success he grew Magnificent whence arose envy against him For Fulck Duke of Aniou Baldwin Earl of Flanders and Lewis sirnamed the Gross King of France entring a League with joynt forces they endeavour to restore to William the Sonne of Robert the Land of his Grandfather Henry presently transports his Forces into Normandy and encountring the Battel put the French to flight and after that he had diversly made triall of fortune in fine Peace is confirmed between the Duke of Aniou and Henry which is confirmed by Marriage between William the Kings Son and the said Dukes Daughter After this Peace followed between both these Kings the Dukedom of Normandy being granted to William the Son of Henry doing Homage for it And thus by continuance of time all the first-born Sonnes of the Kings of England are styled Dukes of Normandy But Charles Earl of Flanders being wickedly slain at Brussels leaving no other Heir William the Sonne of Robert who was the next right Heir to it for that he was from the blood of Maud Daughter to Baldwin and Wife to William the Conquerour was elevated to this Dignity who growing insolent with this prosperity endeavours to recover Normandy his Patrimony by his Grandfather which he brought to pass with no great difficulty by assistance of the French King but receiving a wound in one of his hands which was very smal and afterwards rankling he lost both his life and Patrimony by it Peace being confirmed abroad yet Henry was tossed at home with civil commotions Wales being entred into a Conspiracy whereupon he pursuing the Rebels erring in his passage he fell into a straight place and redeemed yet not without danger a thousand sheep and oxen from them And these were the Warres he had both at home and abroad He seldom or never Taxed the Land He made none but good Laws He was the first that ordained the convening of the several Orders which is now called a Parliament He punished Theeves and false Coiners with severe justice He diminished the power of the Pope in his Dominions and such suits as were decided in England he forbad to be called back to Rome without his cognizance thereof the Pope not speaking any thing against it But a greater Controversie arose concerning Ecclesiastical Promotions both of them standing stoutly for his own Interest But the King not regarding the Pope held in his own hands the power of disposing and confirming Offices If he were over luxunious yet he was noble in his choice not loving every one in extreams He had no lawfully begotten Sons but he had many bastards whereupon he endeavoured by all means to establish the Government in Maude and her Daughters but all in vain Stephen succeeding who was born from Adela Daughter to William the Conquerour excluding Maude his Wife and Daughter which first married Henry the fourth the Roman Emperour and he being dead she was married to Jeffrey Plantagenet the Sonne of Fulc the Duke of Aniou At last by reason of some quarrel with the Duke of Aniou he fell into grief of mind whence followed a great weakness of his body by over-eating of Eels and thence he fell into a burning Feaver and so died after he had reigned 35 years being the last of the
of the Spring truce being made with the French for three years the King took Margaret the Dukes sister to Wife for Leoner died in the former expedition against the Scot and the Daughter of Philip being betrothed to King Edwards Son he retreated for England Lastly making his incursion into Scotland when he held his Winter Quarters at Carlile where being taken with a dysentery in the way and the disease increasing he died at Burgh upon sands when he had reigned thirty four years He was taller then all the rest of a sorrowfull countenance for chastity like to his Father but in fortitude farre before him he was excellent for Judgement and Continence EDWARD the second King of England Anno 1308. EDward sirnamed Carnarvan by succession came to the Throne when his Father was dead But he at the very beginning shewed what his future Tyranny would be especially in turning upside down what his Father had left in command by his Will and calling Gavestone from banishment a young man of a most base life who for his insolency was exiled by his Fathers order and in his last words forbad him not to recall him who afterwards gave cause of great dissentions for when the King bestowed immoderate gifts upon him he made the Nobility envious against him and himself poor But his Father being yet not interred he endeavoured to conclude the Matrimony with King Philip's Daughter that was contracted when King Edward lived which is performed with great preparation of the Nobles and especially of Gavestone four Kings being present and three Queens except the Bride The Dowry was the Dukedom of Aquitan which the French King had possessed himself of But he being returned into England the Nobles were offended by reason of the too great power of Gavestone they deny the solemnity of the Coronation unless he would banish this insolent odious man from his Court and Kingdom The King seemed to hearken to it and so is inaugurated with his Queen in the Kingdom by the consent of all But whenas he should banish Gavestone he highly promoted him the Nobility not a little murmuring at it In the mean while the chief power was in Gavestone the Nobles had no authority and that he might precede the rest in glory a Tilting was appointed where he obtained the greatest praise His valour was worthy of reward but that the insolent man turned all to the contempt of the Nobility In the mean while a Parliament was called wherein amongst the rest it was Enacted That the Decrees of Magna Charta should be observed Strangers should be put out of their Offices and that all things should be done in a solemn sitting of the Senate nor should the King go out of the Land the Parliament being ignorant of it or against it nor should make Warre against any and that Gavestone should be banished Whereupon he is sent away for Ireland not as a banished man but as President of the Island where also behaving himself well he had deserved commendation and reward But the King by preposterous counsell a contract being made for him with the sister of the Earl of Glocister being impatient of his absence called him back from his banishment and presently settled him in his former grace and favour But he to give the King thanks by cunning flattery sucked the King of all he had that he left him scarce sufficient for his necessity The Nobles in the mean while hating his insolency threaten a generall revolt from the King unless he would send away his proud subject But Gaveston when he had wandred some time in France and Flanders returns privately into England being generally hated being the more confident by reason of the Kings and his Father in Law the Earl of Glecesters favour The King received him most friendly and that his arrivall might be concealed from the Nobles the King takes a journey with him toward York The Nobility that had knowledge of it enter a Conspiracy to which all subscribed but the Earl of Glocester And they make Thomas Earl of Lancaster the head of the faction and so they laid a necessity on the King either to deliver up Gaveston into the hands of the Lords or else to send him out of the Land But Edward being blinde with foolish favour would not hearken to the Lords but shut him up in a strong Castle that so he might escape the envy of the Nobility But they being sworn together besiege the place and compell him to surrender miserably and having taken him they cut off his head Three things were left in charge to Edward by his dying Father and were commanded in his Will namely That he should carry his Fathers bones along with him till he had conquered Scotland That he should expend 30000lb upon the holy Warre And that he should not recall Gaveston He obeyed not the two later for that money decreed for the Holy Warre he bestowed on Gaveston when he was come back for the third we shall see what he did The King of Scots Brusius who had long since intelligence of King Edwards slothfulness would not pass over such an opportunity of well managing his business levying an Army presently reduced all Scotland into his power And not therewith content he enters the borders of England and destroys all by fire and sword Edward to repulse force by force raised an Army of an hundred thousand Souldiers better fitted with furniture than valour which was easily vanquished by the Scotch that were scarce 30000 joyning craft and valour together The chief of the Nobility in this fight were either slain or taken Captives The Earl of Glocester himself when he had given sufficient tokens of his fortitude fighting valiantly in the head of the Army was killed the rest saved themselves by flight This made the hearts of the English to fail and a great part of the Nobles and Commons revolted to the Conquerours by a fearfull example of perjury punished Bruse following his Victories enters upon Ireland with an Army a great part of it he over-runne and depopulated it very farre Also he was saluted King of the same Island the inhabitants falling to him abundantly And he ruled three years untill the Primate of Armath and Berningam the chief Judge in Ireland raising a great Army set upon the Conquerour and take him with a great slaughter of his men and cut off his Head The Scots almost mad with the death of their King waste the Borders of England so farre as York with sword and fire To moderate their Insolence a great Army was raised of the English who marched toward York But discord growing between the Commanders before they saw the Enemy they either slipt away or returned home Then Barwick by the Treason of Peter Spalding was delivered up to the Enemies hands which Edward presently laid siege to But the Earl of Lancaster falling away with his men by reason of a quarrel the Scotch in the mean time making havock of all and
others also Nor did the Queen do lesse at Bristol killing Hugh Father to Spencer who was ninety years old causing him to be dragged to Execution pulling his heart out alive Then she sent part of her Army to finde out the King Henry Earl of Lancaster being the chief and Rice Paulinus a Welshman who because he knew every passage of the Countrey exactly he lead the Earl to the Monastery of Neth where the King hid himself where presently both he with Spencer Robert Baldoch and Simon Redyng is delivered into the hands of his Enemies and is left to the Custody of the Earl of Leicester who entertained him with all respect as it was fit a captive King should be But Edmund Earl of Arundel John Daniel and Thomas Micheldem are beheaded at the request of Mortimer But Spencer who was now Earl of Glocester is now with Simon Redyng drawn to Execution and being first hanged they were afterwards beheaded and quartered and their Heads set up on London Bridge the quarters were sent to the chief Cities but Baldoch was famished to death in prison Then a Parliament is called wherein they consulted to depose the King and to Crown the Prince his Sonne Edward But he being farre more Religious than his Mother would not accept the Crown unlesse his Father would resign it willingly Some are sent to perswade this miserable King and the unhappy man did yeeld easily to it A day is set for the delivering up his Title and Edward cloathed in black comes into the Chamber where they were gathered together that should receive his Abdication but he scarce saw the provision made for his renunciation but he sunk down half dead in a swound and with much ado being refreshed by the Earl of Leicester and the Bishop of Winchester he came to himself But when he heard the cause of the Assembly he answered That as it was displeasing to him that his Subjects were so much offended at him so he was well pleased that they had made his Son Edward King in his stead and so the Solemnities being rightly performed the business was at last accomplished Then an allowance being granted to Edward he remained in the Custody of the Earl of Leicester and was well used Also so great a stipend was granted to the Queen-Mother that there was scarce any thing left for the King and Queen Nor was the furious woman yet pleased but went about to infringe the Liberty her Husband enjoyed with the Earl of Leicester and by the counsel of Adam Torleton Bishop of Hereford power is granted to two Knights Thomas Gorney and John Matrevers to carry the King to some other place They hewed him filthily cutting his hair most ridiculously and his heard also that he might not be known at last they brought him to Barclay-Castle After he had lost his Kingdom they consult concerning his Life First They thought by unwholsome food to destroy him then by filthy stinks of carcases and lastly by poyson but neither prevailed Then the Letters of the Bishop of Hereford the most wicked Counsellour were sent to his Keepers by which he checks them heavily for dealing so well with him that was not fit to be so kindly used adding in the end Doe not fear to kill Edward 't is good which was interpreted by them as they pleased who thereupon fell upon the miserable King in his Bed and strive with the Blankets to strangle him Nor were they content with this but they thrust a hot Iron into his Fundament and so burned his Bowels a most hideous Example of Cruelty and destroyed him in a dolefull manner But these Parricides when they looked for a Reward for their Villany they received a just Reward of it For being called in question for their Lives they were banished Afterwards Gorney lost his Head Matrevers after a long banishment at last died miserably This King was of an excellent Stature of Body wonderfull strong but too much given to drunkenness and so not secret of his Counsels he was immoderate toward those he loved For Love if it be with Moderation is a most noble affection of the soul and if that be wanting it is the worst passion of all the rest He was more unhappy than unfortunate He exceeded all in Chastity for he left no Bastards behinde him In Moderation for he used no unjust wayes to pole his Subjects of their Moneys As his Subjects hated him in his life time so his memory was dear unto them after his Death EDWARD the third King of England and France Anno 1328. HIs Father being deposed Edward was saluted King sirnamed Windsor not yet having passed his fifteenth year and therefore he had Governours that should Rule the Kingdome in his Name But the chief Power remain'd in the Queen and Mortimer either the Nobility winking at it or allowing it The first care was to fall upon the Scotch for Robert Bruise despising the young King entred the Borders of England with his Army whereupon an Army is raised joyning those of the hanse Towns which the Queen brought with her But when divers people hardly could be held together in respect of the diversity of their Manners there grew in a short time a great discord between both Nations so nothing succeeding well they came back again and afterwards the English consented to base Conditions of Peace A Marriage being contracted between David Prince of Scotland and Joan Sister to Edward Also Edward Married his Wife that was promised him Philippa the Earl of Hannonia's Daughter being yet in their Nonage Then the Souldiers of Hannonia who caused the Discord are sent home And Edmund Earl of Kent accused of Treason because he had endeavoured to restore the Kingdom to his Brother Edward was condemned and lost his Head But the great Revenues of the Queen which she had drawn to her self by a Grant of Parliament were restrained to a thousand per annum and she was imprisoned in a Castle and Mortimer being convicted of Adultery with her and being taken in the act was presently hanged In the mean while Philip the Fair King of France died and the Kingdom was devolved to his Sonnes Henry Lewis and Charls the Fair who all reigned in their turns but Charls dying without an Heir-male lawfull Succession failed in him Edward who was of kinne by the Sister of Charles who was the Daughter to Philip the Fair supposing that the Kingdom fell by descent to him found Philip Valesius Brother to Philip the Fair to be his enemy for women by the common rule of France are excluded by the Salique Law Wherefore Philip was prefer'd before Edward and the King of England was forced to do him Homage for the Lands he possessed in France But these things gave cause afterwards for a grievous Warre and a sharp Contention In the mean time Edward Baily Son to John affecting the Kingdom of Scotland descending from his Ancestors Robert Bruse being now dead made Warre upon the Scots and by a
overcame their Forces the most valiant fell in the fight the rest fled to save their lives The King and Queen escaped into Scotland leaving the Kingdom to Edward the fourth of that Name EDWARD the fourth King of England and France Anno 1461. EDWARD having got the Crown at last could not peaceably enjoy it For Henry that had fled into Scotland by the assistance of the Scots makes a new Warre upon him Edward meets him with equal Forces and fought him at Exham putting Henry and his Souldiers to their heels thirty thousand men were slain on both sides Edward giving the Command to spare none The Duke of Sommerset who formerly had fallen from Henry to Edward despairing of the success presently changed his minde at the report of so great an Army and revolted to Henry was taken and beheaded Henry again retires for Scotland waiting for another opportunity for his busines But afterwards returning for England in a disguise he was taken by the English and delivered up to Edward and by him that the state of the Kingdom might be the more quiet he was cast into prison In the mean time Edward took care of his houshold affairs and he married his Sister Margaret to Philip Duke of Burgundies Sonne Charles the Earl of Warwick being not a little mad at it who hated Burgundy worse than the plague whence and from other causes a grievous quarrel rose between them For Warwick hating the King drew to his faction his Brothers the Archbishop of York and the Marquess Montacute by a set speech and after that George Duke of Clarence the Kings Brother marrying his Sister to him and with the Duke he takes his voyage toward Callis for he was yet Governour of the City giving order to his Brothers in his absence to raise Tumults in Yorkshire They carefully observed what they had in charge and quickly causing a Tumult the common people as it usually happens in a blinde rage though they be raised against the innocent march to London armed that there they might seek for remedy of mischiefs they knew not what Edward hearing of this sedition sends William Herbert Earl of Pembroke hoping to subdue the people who was no sooner come but they put him to flight In the mean while Warwick upon this rumour with the Duke of Clarence arrived in England from Callis and so with joynt Forces they provide for another Battel Edward no way dismayed with the first loss sends Pembroke again with a new Army to fight them But when they fought his Army was beaten and he was taken prisoner and he was beheaded at Warwick with the other Nobility that fell into their hands Then there was a Treaty of Peace and Messengers being sent on both parts the King being animated with hopes of Agreement dealt the more securely which Warwick was not ignorant of and therefore falling upon the Kings Tents at night killing the Guard he takes the King prisoner who never dreamt of it and sends him first to Warwick then into Yorkshire to Middleham Castle to be secured But the King flattering the Keepers and bribing them with money by their connivance shortly came to York where the Citizens received him lovingly and so raising an Army by the assistance of Hastings he came safe to London Then there began a Treaty at London for Peace whither Warwick and the Duke of Clarence were come but this had no effect For they being stomackfull and very furious the matter could not come so farre as Peace wherefore all being left undone they depart and Warwick musters new Forces of which he makes Robert Wells sonne to Richard Commander in Chief But the King when he found he must engage again in Battel besides his expectation sent for Roberts Father Richard and his Kinsman Thomas Dimoke Knight to come to him who came upon the Kings promise of free Conduct The King commanded them to call off Robert from taking Arms and mustering Forces suddenly he goes against them with Thomas and Richard and when they were come to the Enemy and found that Robert would not hearken to his Fathers admonitions but held up his Arms still he contrary to his promise a most wicked example causeth both the Father and Kinsman to lose their Heads They fell to fighting and Roberts Forces were discomfited he himself was taken alive and immediately was beheaded Warwick at the news hereof with the Duke not knowing what course to steerâ— presently sailed into France to King Lewis who entertained him magnificently Queen Margaret Wife to Henry came also presently with Prince Edward who took counsel together and made a Covenant between the King the Earl and the Queen Edward in vain dehorting from it and Warwicks Daughter was betrothed to Edward and promise made on both sides that they would never cease untill the Kingdom should be restored either to Henry or to Edward his Sonne A mighty Army is raised and a vast Fleet rode at Anchor in the mouth of the Sienna Warwick invited by Letters from his friends with part of his Army and a Navy prepared with the Earls of Oxford and Pembroke came safe to Dartmouth The Queen who was not yet ready was to follow when she heard good news though the Duke of Burgundy observed his motion So soon as he was landed and it was published that he was arrived 't is wonderfull what multitudes of people ran to him with which being fortified he presently moves toward London But Edward not expecting an Enemy and leaving the care of raising Forces till another time with his Brother Richard Duke of Glocester took shipping at Lyn a Sea Town and sailed into Flanders to Charles of Burgundy to his own great disadvantage Queen Elizaboth being near to her travell fled to Westminster and made that her Asylum where she was deliverd of her Sonne Edward Warwick in the interim without any opposition came to London and marching to the Tower set King Henry at liberty and clothing him in his Kingly Ornaments attending him through the midst of London to St Pauls Church after thanks given to God he sets him in his Throne Then a Parliament was called and all King Henry had Enacted was ratified and the Acts of King Edward were maid void Edward with his followers was banished as an enemy of the Kingdom Edward in the mean time nothing dismay'd at this change raising an Army by the help of Charles of 12000 Men and with 18 Ships landed in Yorkshire His Army was so small that he durst attempt nothing only sent to perswade the people there but all in vain for they either by fear or for respect to Warwick would not falsifie their promise but when he gave out that he was come not for the Kingdom but to recover his Patrimony the Dukedom of York many running to him he grew somewhat stronger and so goes to York But the Towns men being warned by Letters from Warwick would not let Edward come in He spake fairly to the Citizens and desired
them that they would help their Lord not to get the Kingdom but his ancient Inheritance and so taking a solemn Oath that he would attempt nothing against King Henry toward getting the Crown he was admitted to enter within their Wals. But shortly after it appeared more clearly what his intention was for great ones use to pretend Religion to serve their turns which they make light of that with the greatest perjury they may compass what they desire He presently put a Garrison to secure the Town for himself and then hearing that the enemy made no great haste he marches to Nottingham to whom many Noble men came when they saw him fortified with a strong Army The very Duke of Clarence distrusting Henries side under a pretence of a Parley with his Brother came willingly to joyn with him Warwick also was solicited to fall off but he stuck fast to King Henry Then Edward in full confidence of his Army came up to London The Citizens were all frighted hearing that the Duke of Clarence was revolted and the people presently ran to meet Edward and with a great applause saluted him for their King Sommerset and the rest that followed Henry shift for themselves by flight leaving Henry in a Bishops Palace who was presently taken by Edward and committed to his former custody Then giving a generall pardon he won all the peoples hearts Warwick in the mean while mustering a gallant Army leads them to London and finding that Henry was cast into prison he stopt at St Albons Edward presently goes against him with a mighty power of men which augmented daily by the coming of more forces when both Armies came in sight at the break of day the Trumpets sound to Battell They fight stoutly on both sides Edward with more men Henry with more vertue yet Valour is vanquished by Force Warwick when he despaired of the Victory rid into the midst of the enemy and died gallantly with his Brother the Marquess ten thousand are slain Sommerset with Oxford flies into Wales The Earl of Exceter takes asylum at Westminster Edward like a Conquerour with King Henry for he brought him along with him enters London In the mean while the fame was that Queen Margaret was landed in England with a great Army and was corroborated for Warre by the Earl of Sommerset Devonshire Pembroke and others that joyned with her Wherefore Edward being sure to meet the enemy every where removes to Oxford with his Army At length he pursues Margaret whilst she thought to march into Wales and she by the unexpected coming of Pembroke which was very material taking counsel with Sommerset what to do gave him Battell the fight was fought at Teucksbury and the dispute was long and doubtfull at last Edward prevailed and all Margarets men almost were killed The Earl of Devonshire and Sommerset's Brother and many Nobles were slain Margaret Prince Edward the Duke of Sommerset and others about twenty Knights were taken and all of them except the Queen and Prince Edward were beheaded in two daies But Edward when he was brought to confer with the King and he answered more boldly than was convenient he was most cruelly slain by the standers by George Duke of Clarence Richard Duke of Glecester Thomas Gray Marquess of Dorset and William Hastings The Queen afterwards was set free for a Ransom and sailed into France and lived alwaies a sorrowfull and languishing life Edward having thus got the Victory comes in Triumph to London In the interim Faulconbridge Sonne to the Earl of Kent who was made Admiral of the Sea by Warwick when he had long plaid the Pirate coming into Kent raised a great force of Kentish men and entred into Londou But the Maior of the City raising an Army fell suddenly upon him and took all his booty from him chasing him away and killing many of his men Faulconbridge was taken afterwards and his head cut off Pembroke when he saw all was lost shifting away from the snares that were laid for his life and being more at ease by the death of Wagham who lay in wait for him with Henry his Nephew by his Brother Earl of Richmond and some few of his new friends arrived in France Edward that all things for the future might be more calm tamed the audacionsness of the Kentish men who had last taken up Arms against him partly by punishment partly by threats Also King Henry that he might give no occasion to new risings was killed in the Tower by the Duke of Glocester his Body was buried with no pomp but the Parricides and the Authors of his death as it shall be rehearsed were afterwards punished for murdering him He had reigned thirty eight years and six moneths he had an honest minde a comely personage and was more like a Saint than a King Edward to blot out all the footsteps of Rebellion cast George Archbishop of York into prison who was afterwards set at liberty yet died of grief of minde Also he cast the Earl of Oxford into prison where he kept him twelve years Others in other places were either captivated or put to death Then that the Rebels might not fly away to neighbour Nations he made Truce with James King of Scotland for twenty years The Earls of Pembroke and Richmond escaped into France where they were courteously entertained by the Duke of Brittain But afterwards when as Edward required that they should be delivered up to him and could not prevail they were kept more carefully by the Duke Then a Parliament being called Henries Decrees were nulled and Edwards confirmed and those that were banished their Country for his sake as enemies are called home again and the Kings Exchequer being extreamly wasted Subsidies are requested In the interim Warre burning between Lewis the King of France and the Duke of Burgundy to whom many Princes of France joyned themselves abhorring the manners of Lewis that were grievous to them Edward himself that he might not be wanting to assist his friend that he was bound unto for so many courtesies provided an Army and a Fleet and sailed to Callis Charles was presently with him and congratulates his Victory over the Rebels and invites him that was willing to enter upon a new Warre But Lewis being mightily afraid of two such potent enemies sent Embassadours to Edward The two Kings held a large Conference who met at Pictuigny where a League was made for many yeares 70000 Duccats being paid to Edward for his charges and 50000 to be paid yearly and Elizabeth Daughter to Edward was married to Charles Sonne to Lewis And so Peace being agreed upon Charles and Luxenburg that joyned with him in the Warre being not a little vexed at it Edward came first to Callis and from thence to England Luxenburg was afterwards taken in fight and lost his Head at Paris Edward though he had settled Peace at home and abroad yet thinking nothing safe enough for him whilst Henry Earl of Richmond was alive whose
a doubtfull and a notable fight he was conquered and slain but his followers were pardoned A great Example of the Kings Mercy In the mean time Warre grew between the French King and the Pope Henry admonished the French man to desist and when he could not prevail with him he proclaimed Warre against him and made a Confederacy with Maximilian the Emperour and with Ferdinand King of Spain The Spaniard had intreated Henry to send an Army into Biscay and joyning his Forces with his that he should make the French work from that part Whereupon presently Thomas Gray Marquess of Dorset is sent thither with other Nobility and 10000 Souldiers he when he came thither did not long wait for the Spaniards assistance For the Duke of Alba took in the mean time by Force the Kingdom of Navarre from the French endeavouring the profit of his own King But the English that they might not seem to do nothing in Guyan subduing some Towns that were not considerable fell into that necessity of provision the Spaniard affording them none that many of them died miserably for hunger contracting also diseases by such unusual diet and the rest break forth into open Rebellion The Lord Howard who had the disposing of all affairs whilst the Marquess was sick hardly escaped from being slain Wherefore he was forced to provide Ships and to bring these sactious people home again Edward Howard Admiral at Sea did wonderfully depopulate Britanny by fire and sword and vanquished the Forces of the Britans in Battel though they farre exceeded those he had and so with his Ships laden with the spoil he sailed towards the Isle of Wight whilst Henry at London recreated himself with Tiltings and other courtly delights In the mean time in France in the Brittish Sea there was almost an equal fight for loss between the English and the French Ships and the Victory was doubtfull After this the English set upon the French Ships very indiscreetly in the very Haven with a great losse to themselves and their Admiral whereby they were forced to sound a retreat and be gone Whereupon the French began to wax more insolent to do mischief on the Coasts of England and to burn some Cities untill by the vigilancy of Howard who was put into the others place they were kept in Henry was resolved to make a Warre indeed with France and sent George Talbot before with the principal Nobility and 8000 Souldiers only to Callis then he sent Charles Sommerset and other Lords with 6000 Souldiers he himself being to come after them When the Admirals met they fell upon Tarvenne with joynt Forces Henry shortly after came to them with 9000 Souldiers and with a great number of Pioneers Also Maximilian the Emperour which was a rare example took Pay under King Henry Yet though he served under the English he was received as an Emperour should be and for the honour of his Majesty Then the French Horse purposing to relieve the City with provision were repulsed by the English the Duke of Longovil being taken and 240 more whereupon a wonderfull fear and despair fell upon the Townsmen so the English pressing them sore they were forced to surrender The Souldiers had leave to depart with their Arms the Wals were laid level with the ground the City excepting the chief Church and the Palace were consumed with fire Then he marched to Tourney and beleaguer'd the City they refusing to yeeld he quickly became Master of it causing the Citizens to take an Oath of fidelity And when he provoked the French to fight and could not make them accept of it because the Winter was now hard by he made Poyning Governour of it and returned himself for England In the mean while the Scotch at the instigation of the French fell upon the English Frontiers Their General was the Lord Humes who with seven or eight thousand men wasted the Borders But Edward Bulmer suddenly came upon him and took all the booty from him he himself hardly escaped six hundred of his men being slain and four hundred taken But James with an Army of sixty thousand men entred the skirts of England who was met by the Earl of Surrey Henry his Deputy in those parts at Bramston with six and twenty thousand men and joyning Battle the English wan the day by their great valour and the Scots lost it by their great confidence James himself with two Earls three Bishops and eight thousand Souldiers was slain no fewer was taken nor was this Victory wan by the English without losse of bloud it was fought in the year 1513. Henry coming out of France made the Earl of Surrey because he had so well managed his business Duke of Norfolk and other Lords who had done good service received Honours as they deserved He gave also to Thomas Wolsey the Bishoprick of Lincoln This man to be often named by us came from a poor parentage to great Honour and at last was made a Cardinal and governed the Commonwealth of England very wisely Pope Julius the second at this time gave to Hâ—â—ry great Honour sending unto him a Cap of Maintenance a Sword and the Title Of the most Christian King which Grace Henry received with Tiltings and other pompous Shews wherein he himself did alwayes bear the principal part In the interim Mary the Kings Sister was espoused to the Prince of Spain but because the Embassadours of Spain made delayes she was betrothed to the French desiring it and having had their fill of Warre But before the matter was published John the Admiral of the French first ruined one Village in England and John Wallop in revenge of this injury burnt one and twenty in France But at last a League was made and they ceased from Warre The French man lived not above three moneths after his Marriage and the lascivious old man being dead Mary by Henries consent was married to the Duke of Suffolk Wolsey about this time was honoured with a Cardinals-Cap and is created by the King Chancellour of England And Cardinal Campeius was sent to Henry to desire assistance to make Warre against the Turk but he lost his labour for that cheat of raising money was grown stale But Matthias the Cardinal being sent by the Emperour Maximilian for the same purpose prevailed at the request of Wolsey At that time Henry was in great danger of his life For as he went a Hawking the Pole broke that he leaped over the Ditches withall and he was almost smoothered in mire and dirt but his Lâ—ckey drew him out in time and saved his life In the mean while a Sedition grew at London between the Citizens and strangers not without blood-shed which was qualified by the death of the Ring-leaders and pardon to the rest Tourney at this time upon Conditions and under colour of Matrimony between the Dolphin and Mary King Henries Daughter is delivered up to the French and Hostages being given a League is confirmed between them Maximilian being dead
the Empire descended to Charles King of Castile the fifth of that Name Henry in the mean while was idle for lack of Warre spending his time in Tiltings Dancings Pleasures and other Courtly Delights Then that Peace might not be without its Glory a solemn Meeting was appointed between the two Kings of England and France For that purpose a magnificent Palace of Wood was built in France At last they met in wonderfull start they applied themselves to Turnâ—ments running at the Ring and other such Recreations and an Agreement was renewed between the Emperour and the Kings of England and France Wolsey in the interim did what he pleased he found no hinderance in his attempts whatsoever He charged the Duke of Buckingham of high Treason whether it were to or out of envy is uncertain but the Duke lost his Head for it A new cause is given for a Warre between the Emperour and the King of France wherefore Wolsey is sent Umpire between both who did not behave himself so prudently as loftily whereby he incurred the French Kings displeasure Hugh of Moncada besieged Tourney and though the French did his best to relieve it yet he became Master of it Henry in the mean while because he had written a Book against Luther had the Title given him to be Defender of the Faith which hath passed to all his Successours At that time cause was given of a Warre between the French and the Scotch King by occasion of the Duke of Albany and by reason the French had not paid the Money which he promised to Mary Henries Sister so the Covenant being broken they fell to Warre William the sonne of William a Knight the Admiral-Lieutenant with eight and twenty Ships spoiled the Coasts of Scotland burnt their shipping and so returned home Charles the Emperour in the mean time came to London where he was received in great State and Honour and with a solemn Ceremony was graced with the Order of the Garter Then under pretence of conducting the Emperour into Spain by shipping the Earl of Surrey the Kings Admiral sets upon Brittany and conquers Morleys who also was again sent into France with a great Army and he ruined many Towns and Castles and consumed them by fire but he attempted the Fort Heding in vain having left his great Guâ—s at home and so could make no Battery but having behaved himself honourably he retreated to Callis Also the Marquess of Dorset destroyed by fire and Sword an innumerable company of Villages and Forts in Scotland but could not come to joyn Battle with them Sands sallied out of Callis and skirmishing with the Enemy after he had ruined many of their Castles he came back to the City When therefore King Henry understood that the Duke of Albany who commanded all in Scotland had a choice Army in France he sent William Sonne to William with a Navy that he should set upon him in his coming back again but when he had scouted up and down at Sea in vain he at last set his men on Land and with a handfull of his he overthrew a great Army of the French and obtained thereby both the Victory and the Prey and burning the Suburbs of Triport he returned for England Henry now thinks seriously again of a Warre with France and sends Suffolk and many principal Nobility with a great Army into France who at first assault overcame Bell-Castle and made William Scevington the Governour of the Garison In the mean time the Duke of Burbon Constable of France revolted to the English King with ten thousand French who being strengthned by these new Forces enter upon Picardy and conquers many Towns and Castles but Winter coming on and scarcity of provision and the Souldiers murmuring not waiting for the supply that Henry sent he was necessitated to retreat to Callis yet he had done a great mischief to the Enemy The Scotch in the mean while supposing the English to be over-busied with the French Warres lift up their Heads again and assaulting the Borders of England they win divers Towns But the Earl of Surrey entring into Scotland with six thousand Souldiers wan divers Forts and joyning a light Battel with the Scotch he returned Conquerour not without great loss to the Enemy besides the Castle of Judworth and the Town that he burnt up So with uncertain Fortune the business being acted in those parts there was a conclusion for a Cessation of Arms that so they might have time to treat of Peace Francis the first King of France at that time was conquered by the Emperour Charles the fifth at Papion and was taken Prisoner which was no small happiness for the English affairs but a sad loss for the French Then Peace was ratified between the Emperour and the French and the English agreed with them also But the Emperour and the French shortly fell to a new Warre Peace being confirmed abroad England began to be in an uproar with greater Troubles in Civil Dissentions For Henry who had lived twenty years peaceably with his Wife Katharine had a scruple of Conscience put upon him whether he could without Incest live with his Brothers Wife for as we said she was first married to his Brother Arthur Judges were chosen to end this Question But Cardinal Wolsey who had not prudently dealt for Henry had all his Authority taken from him and his Estate was Confiscate But at last other new Dignities being granted to him his great loss was somewhat repaired Then a Parliament was called and he was charged with many faults and amongst the rest that he was wont to write in his Letters I and my King and had caused the Cardinals Hat to be stamped on the Kings Coyn. He was convicted of all these things and deprived of all his Estate which shews a wonderfull example of the inconstancy of all humane affairs for he that but lately ruled all and the King too as he pleased made Laws and swaied Courts of Justice rooted out the Nobles at his pleasure burdned the subjects with great Taxes deprived both Clergy and Laity of their goods he is now cast down from his high Pinnacle of Honour hated by all and made no way like himself Afterwards when he was sent for to the Court to answer his charge he died of grief by the way In the mean time the business for a Divorce was transmitted to Clement the Pope of Rome at the suit of Queen Katharine But the Pope fearing to displease King Henry who had lately the Title of Defender of the Faith given him by Leo the tenth nor did he think it safe to provoke the Emperour who ruled in Italy spun out the business with delays by his Legate Campeius who at length with a great disgust to the English after many hastings and procrastinations departed from England leaving the business uneffected The King in the interim burning with new flames of love and so admitting no delay Warham being dead created Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury who
in the first place and next to him Mary Katharines Daughter and last of all Elizabeth which he begat of Anne of Boloyn Young Edward was Crowned at nine years of age in the year 1547. Because he was young he had sixteen Overseers appointed for him the chief was the Duke of Sommerset Brother to Jane Seymere a man of great integrity The death of Henry being heard of by Francis King of France did exceedingly grieve the old man who being about the same age did presage his own death to be near He kept a Funerall solemnity for him as the manner is for Kings and not long after that he followed him that was gone before him Henry at his death had commanded his Councill before all things that they should press a Marriage for his Sonne Edward with the Queen of Scotland Messengers are therefore sent to treat of conditions and to obtain their consent but when the faction of the Papists prevailed for the Dolphin a great Army was presently raised and sent into Scotland under the conduct of the Viceroy Sommerset The Scots also came to meet him with a powerfull hand they joyned Battell at Muskelburg but they were beaten down and put to flight the chief of their Nobility being slain or taken prisoners After this Victory many Cities yielded and the Nobles fell off from them in greater numbers But that there might be an end made of this Warre and difference they send the Maiden Queen by advice of the Peers to be Educated and Espoused in France In the mean time there was a great change of the old customs in the Churches of England Images were cast out of the Churches by the Authority of Sommerset who was addicted to the Reformed Religion The Sacrament was exhibited under both kindes and the other old Ceremonies were abolished all that made opposition were either cast into prison or lost their places Upon this ground a wonderfull sedition arose in divers Countries of England though the Rebels had several intentions some came to pillage others under pretence of Religion set forward other designes the smallest number made it any matter of conscience There was a Proclamation made whereby all were pardoned if they would lay down their Arms but the more mildly they were dealt withall the more did this mad rabble increase They besieged Exceter but the Citizens did resist them with wonderfull Valour enduring great famine and scarcity At length Gray coming with an Army after some small Bickerings raised the siege The Rebels recollecting their Forces began a new fight but they were put to flight or taken presently and hanged When this sedition was quelled another as great rose in Norfolk for Robert Ket a base fellow had drawn twenty thousand men to his party who guarded him that he might deliver up some complaints to the King The King though he disdained to treat with Rebels answered them that their Petitions should be granted at the next Parliament They were not content with this but they laid siege to the City of Norwich and wan it The Earl of Northampton went against them with a small Army and was worsted by the factious rabble and the Lord Sheffeld and others were killed But being strengthned with new forces he went once more against them and holding forth to them the Kings pardon they threw away their Arms and left their Colours returning every man to his place Ket and the rest of the Ring-leaders suffered for it Another tumult rose about the same time which fell of it self only the Ring-leaders were executed The French in the mean while breaking their League proclaimed Warre with England and providing a Fleet when they had assaulted Garnsey Jersey and Bononia in vain with an Army they left off of their own accord In the mean time the Viceroy of England being deceived beheaded the Admirall his Brother being circumvented by the femine fraud of his Wife and condemned him for nothing that was laid to his charge upon which occasion both he and his Authority committed an egregious fault For they that favoured the Admirall were offended with the Viceroy and they that did honour him would trust him but a little so they all fell from him at once though upon divers ends Also the Viceroy was taken up with building a stately Palace which is to this day called Sommerset House And he had demolished divers Temples Towers and sacred places by which injury he had alienated from him not a little the mindes of all men Warwick who was of his own inclination the Viceroy his greatest enemy made use of this occasion and procured some Lords to stand with him and they conspired together against the Viceroy and sending messengers to the King who sojourned at Windsor to certifie him of the good intention of the Lords they desired his consent to cast the Viceroy into Prison But the Viceroy when he would not or could not answer the crimes objected against him he submitted himself to the Kings will and pleasure by which humility he obtained pardon and was received into grace Also the Dukes Daughter to make the friendship lasting by Marriage was betrothed to Warwicks Sonne and Warwick was made Admirall of the Sea Then Peace being ratified between the English and the French Bononia was delivered up to the French King 400000 Crowns being paid to the English The Emperour in the mean time because the profession of the Romish Religion was not allowed to his sister denounced Warre against England but he was pacified by such an Answer as was seasonable to that time Also there was a Treaty for a Marriage between Elizabeth the Kings sister and the King of Denmarks Sonne but Elizabeth could not be perswaded to be married to any man A speech there was further concerning a Marriage between Edward and the French Kings Daughter which was ratified and the Dowry agreed upon In the mean time the Earl of Northumberland that he might bring to pass what he intended endeavours by all means to root out the Duke of Sommerset But he to prevent his snares came one day into his Chamber armed and found him naked in his Bed and whether he were pacified by his false or friendly shew of Love and Humanity he spared him and departed doing nothing to him But afterwards Sommerset was accused by him for high Treason and lost his Head for it being a forerunner of the Accusers destiny Northumberland when as thus farre all things had succeeded as he desired was resolved to follow the success and perswaded the King at length that if he would have the Reformed Religion that was then generally received in England to be confirmed he should pass over his sister Mary who was so strongly addicted to the Church of Râ—me and should nominate Joan Gray for his successour Wife to his Sonne Gilford Dudley who was next of blood after his Sisters The King who was resolved by all means to preserve the Reformed Religion easily yielded to this some others in vain opposing it
The King died shortly after of a Consumption by whose death the Duke of Northumberland being now made partaker of his desire took to himself the Rule of the Kingdom and commanded his Daughter Joan to be publickly proclaimed Queen by King Edwards Testament MARY Queen of England France and Ireland Anno 1553. MARY so soon as the fame was spread of her Brothers death came with Post-horse from Hovesdon where she than resided into Suffolk to whom presently came divers Lords who had first compacted to preserve the Reformed Religion Then she sent by her Letters to the Senate of London that they should proclaim her for Queen But the Lords in the Name of all the people made Answer that by the Testament of King Edward Joan was to succeed and they asserted that Maries Mother was Divorced whereupon they fly to Arms. The Earl of Northumberland with a small Army went against Mary but as he proceeded but slowly Maries Forces increased mightily Also Edward Hastings who was set with four thousand souldiers and six Ships to prevent that Mary might no waies escape revolted to her by which loss the Londoners and Lords were not a little dismaid and grew at odds one with another The London Counsell when they did not hold fast together was commanded openly to proclaim Mary Queen and the same was done in all other places Northumberland when he was certain that his companions had fallen from him that he might not runne the hazard alone called a Counsell at Cambridge and he for want of a Herauld proclaimed Mary Queen of England casting his Cap up in token of joy But that did not at all help his cause for the Earl of Arundel who a little before did not decline to venture his life for Joan coming to Cambridge in Maries Name takes the Duke who in vain intreated for his life and casts him into prison Joan at the command of her Father Duke of Suffolk when the case was altered laid down the Ensignes of the Kingdom with more cheerfulness than she had taken them up The Queen coming to London met her Sister Elizabeth with a thousand Horse and Thomas of Norfolk Edward Contener Stephen Gardner Bishop of Winchester and Sommersets Wife which she received into grace giving them her hand to kiss Then entring upon the Church affairs she abolished those Bishops and Ceremonies that Edward had confirmed setting up others in their room the people were not a little enraged at it and then she punished severely all those that were enemies to the Church of Rome In the interim the Duke of Northumberland the Earls of Northampton and Warwick are Endited of high Treason she spared Northampton but Northumberland was beheaded abjuring the Religion he professed before in hope of pardon His Body was buried by the Duke of Sommerset his Capitall enemy between Anne of Boloyne and Katharine who all suffered the same death The rest persisted and did not renounce the Faith they had professed Joan afterwards with her Husband Dudley Ambrose and Henry Sonnes to Northumberland was condemned to lose her Head but she was reprieved for a time Then a Marriage was Contracted between the Queen and Philip Sonne to Charles the fifth who was afterwards King of Spain which matter was very ill liked by some who did foresee from hence a dangerous consequence to the Kingdom of England Amongst whom was Thomas Wiat who took up Arms to Rebell by the advice of Suffolk Father to Joan Gray drawing some of the Nobility to side with him Also Bres who was sent against him with five thousand men revolted to him by which success he grew more bold and marched toward London and put the Citizens into great fear so that the Lawyers pleaded in their Armour In the mean while the Earl of Suffolk had an Army raised in the County of Warwick but the Earl of Huntington was sent out against him who terrified the feeble Duke that he was forced to flâ—e in haste and to shelter himself in Woods and by-places At last he was discovered by his Host and sent with a strong guard to London and cast into prison Wiat in the mean time coming to London was shut out of the City but he passed over the Thames at Kingston and provided to offer violence to the Citizens After some light skirmishing with the Queens Forces he was overborn by the power of his Enemy and when he had yielded he was sent to prison his Souldiers being scattered or taken The Queen being enraged with that boldnesse of the Subjects began seriously to consider how to punish the guilty Gilford Husband to Joan was first beheaded then Joan her self within the Walls of the Tower of London with a wonderfull Courage Piety and Constancy had her Head chopâ— off She was a Princesse for her Learning and Wisdome worthy of immortal praise It is reported also that Morgan who had given sentence of Death against Joan fell into madnesse shortly after her Death and died mad alwayes crying out That they should take Joan Gray away from him Then Suffolk was beheaded and the same day Wiat the cause of all these mischiefs for Joan had been pardoned had not he with a furious Tumult enraged the Queen Those that followed him some were punished in other places and at severall times amongst whom was Thomas Grey and some were pardoned Also Elizabeth was cast into Prison by the malice of Gardner Bishop of Winchester Without doubt her Life was at stake had she not wisely answered Questions propounded to her concerning her Faith They did severely at that time punish all those that were Enemies to the Religion of the Church of Rome amongst whom was Cranmer Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Nicholas Ridley Bishop of London and Hugh Latimer Bishop of Worcester these refusing to abjure their Faith were burnt to ashes The Queens Marriage with Philip was now solemnized and Cardinal Pool being sent from the Pope all the Errours of the English are purged as it were and all confessing their sinnes are received under the Popes Tuition The fame was at this time that the Queen was with Childe she was so glad of it that she commanded to let loose many who were prisoners in the Towr Amongst which were the sons of the Duke of Northumberland who were before condemned to lose their Heads But all this hope vanished when the Queens Conception proved to be but a Tympany That there might not lack Examples of Piety the Queen restored to the Church all the Goods she possessed belonging to the Church and when she was told That by so great bounty the Crown-Lands would be much wasted She answered piously and prudently That she preferred her souls health before all the worlds good Philip in the interim went to Brussels to his Father Charles and obtain'd from him the Kingdom of Spain and his other Dominions before his Death then he returned for England Then again he went to Callis to wage Warre with the Frenchman and he staid upon that business above
eighteen Moneths the English murmuring and the Queen lamenting for his absence Thomas Stafford at that time was instigated by the French to make Warre against the Queen and landing in England with an Army he wan the Castle of York but he was soon conquer'd and taken by the Earl of Westmerland he was then beheaded at London and his followers were hanged The Queen though it were against the Articles agreed upon put her finger in to assist her Husband and sent an Army under the Command of Pembroke to assist him to beleaguer St Quintius The French attempting to relieve the place with victuals were forced to fight and they were beaten and the chief of their Nobility were taken amongst whom were the Dukes of Momorancy Mompensier and Longovill John Borbon Duke of Anion was killed whereupon the City yeelded This Victory was imputed chiefly to the English but it was recompensed with a greater loss for Callis having more Forces drawn out of it then could be spared was assaulted by the Duke of Guise who would not let such an opportunity slip and being repulsed he came valiantly on again so long untill it was forced to yeeld after this City had been in the hands of the English two hundred years Guyna followed this though it were gallantly maintain'd by the besieged and so the English were thrust forth of all France The Queen was wonderfull grieved for the loss of Callis she sent a great Fleet and burnt some Villages but had small comfort for her great loss Peace then was confirmed between both Crowns but Mary sought not for it who took such grief of minde for the loss of Callis and was so weak of body by reason of her Dropsie that she ended her dayes in the year of our Lord 1558. the fifth year of her Raign and the three and fourtieth year of her Life ELIZABETH Queen of England France and Ireland Anno 1558. ELIZABETH Daughter to Henry the eight by Anne of Bullen succeeded her Sister Mary being raised to the Throne from the Prison By her Coronation the Papal Authority fell again the second time All the Ceremonies Mary had brought in she abolished and Reformed all according to the Rule of her Brother Edward Being she was of a flourishing age and had a most flourishing Kingdom it could not be but she should be sought unto by many Lovers that were at emulation for her For at once Maximilian the Emperour the Kings of Spain and Sweden the Arch-Duke of Austria and the Duke of Angirrs sent to wooe here but they were all put by First because the Queen would not marry for at her Inauguration the Condition was That she should marry no stranger whereby there was hopes left to the Natives for so great a Match The French and Scotch they hoped to prevail much by reason of her tender years being also she was a woman whereupon they invade and spoil the English Frontiers for Mary Stuart Daughter to James the fifth had married to Francis the second King of France and the French King pleaded his Right thereupon to the Crown of England because his Wife was allied to Henry the seventh and Elizabeth was born by a second venter Henry the eighth his first Wife being alive and so was accounted as a bastard by her Enemies But Elizabeth to win the Love of her Neighbours lent help to the Subjects of Scotland who by the malice of the Guisians were extreamly afflicted and the business was drawn to this head that Peace was ratified between Elizabeth the Scotch and the French and all the Roman Catholicks that nesled in Scotland were commanded to be gone and the English Colours that the Frenchman had taken up wrongfully were wrested from him Mary when Francis was dead returned for Scotland and made a firm Agreement with Elizabeth untill such time as Envy and Ambition growing up the Agreement was violated by the ruine of one of them and their Sister-like Concord was dissolved For Mary her second Husband she was married to was Henry Darley Kinsman to the Stuarts and one that was the most beautifull amongst Princes who being afterwards slain as 't is supposed by Feminine fraud she fell into the hatred of all her Subjects and when after that in spite of the Nobility she made Bothwill partaker of her bed and for his cause made Warre upon her Subjects she fell into all misery and being captivated she was kept so a long time but at length she made her escape and fled into England to Elizabeth who received this miserable woman in her Arms. She was at first liberally entertained but after when she began to move Dissention in England where she was entertained being a most bitter enemy to those of the Reformed Religion she was kept more narrowly For eighteen years she was held in prison sometimes with more sometimes less liberty untill such time as she grew fierce by reason of her Captivity and to riot in hopes of the Kingdom laying snares for the Queens Life for that cause at the request of the several Orders of England she was beheaded Also the Duke of Suffolk who had secretly gone about to obtain Mary for his Wife was put to the same death before her Elizabeth in the mean while sent assistance to those of the reformed Religion in France that were in trouble and for a pledge the strongest City in France Haver de Grace was delivered up to her but when she refused to quit it again the French King laid siege to it and wan it from her At that time a sharp Dissention sprang up between Philip the second and the Low-Countreys which grew to a Warre and Elizabeth led by the affinity of the Religion and the nearness of those Countreys assisted the United Provinces with Men and Money For Leicester was sent with Forces into Holland but when he exceeded his Commission and arrogated too much power to himself and by fraud attempted to make himself Master of the principal Towns he lost the States good-will and returned without honour into England The Queen for this assistance was hated by the Spaniard who had privately before laid snaret for her life but now he breaks forth into open Warre For he raised a mighty Fleet both in Spain and in the Low-Countreys it being the best Navy for provision of men and munition that ever the Ocean bare and carried the presumptuous Title of Invincible it consisted of one hundred and thirty Ships in which were nineteen thousand two hundred and ninety Souldiers eight thousand three and fifty Mariners two thousand and eighty Gally-slaves two thousand six hundred and thirty great Ordnance and the 19th of July 1588. they came within sight of England and was in hopes to devour it But by the valour of the English and the Dutch the Fleet was partly hindred partly worsted but especially by a Tempest that rose against it the Spaniard was disappointed of his hopes From that time they break forth on both sides into a fiery