severe Laws and abolishes hard Customes He grants the Nobility free leave to hunt and to enclose Parks for Deer and free Warrens for their Conyes and such like Game and as Traytors to his vertues state and Kingly government he banished from his Court all Flatterers and all nicenesse in behaviour Luxuriousness and gorgeousness in apparel and superfluity in dyet He ordained punishments by death for such as rob by the high way and with wonderfull travel and industry he reformed the monstrous pride avarice and secure sloth and negligence of the Clergy He recalled from banishment Anselm the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury giving him full power to assemble Synods and Convocations at his pleasure for the rectifying of such things that were amisse in the Church He piously and freely bestowed on godly sober grave Divines all such livings and Ecclesiasticall promotions as his Brother unjustly detained by the lewd advice of Reynulph Bishop of Durham whom he sent prisoner to the Tower of London from whence not long after the said wicked Bishop escaped and fled into Normandy to Duke Robert whom he eagerly perswaded to claim his Crown with his Sword who thereupon levies a great Army which he intended with all expedition to transport into this Realme but as King Henry by his former clemencies had rooted himself in the peoples love so to assure himself the better of the Scots he takes Maud the Sister of King Edgar to be his Wife who was daughter to Malcom by his Wife Margaret who was Sister to Edgar Adeling who dyed without issue and Daughter to King Edward the Son of Edmund Ironside the victorious and valiant King of the Saxons Robert was now arrived in England with a puissant Army and the day for Battel appointed and the Heraulds were sent up and down but at last as a thick lowring cloud is somtimes dispersed by a fair shining Sun so by the discreet mediation of worthy friends there was a friendly peace concluded between the two brothers on the same terms agreed on in King Rufus days whereupon the Norman Lords were much discontented and returned home with the Duke This danger dispelled Beliamy Earl of Shrewsbury with the Earl of Mortain and Cornwall rebell but are soon subdued But now Henry who was hitherto on the defensive part takes up Armes of his own accord against his Brother whether out of some distast for some scoffe his Brother gave him or which is more like stirred up with ambition and avarice to inlarge his Dominions and joyning with the Norman male-contented Nobles with little adoe chased the forsaken Duke from place to place and won from him the Cities of Roan Cane Valoyes indeed all Normandy presently in great honour and triumph he returns for England Robert having thus made tryall of his brothers severity he resolvs now to make tryall of his lenity whereupon he follows after his Brother into England and very submissively deprecates his error and begs his pardon But Henry either offended with the now fresh injury of his brother Or affecting the Dukedome of Normandy departs unkindly from the perplexed and distressed Duke his Brother Coily refusing to accept of his submission which in all humility by him was prosfered But Robert being impatient of that scorn his distress had begot him returns in all speed into Normandy and once more levies an Army resolving rather to dye manfully fighting in the Field then to follow the funeralls of his own Honour but his brother was prevalent and prevents him with a greater force suppressing the mischief in the Birth but not without bloud bringing his Brother Captive into England where for that he at Natures enticement practised his escape at his brothers Commandement both his eyes were pluckt out after which he lived as a miserable and wretched Captive the space of more then twenty years at length he dyed and was buryed at Gloucester This success made Henry magnificent but envied whence arose a foraigne War which by power and pollicy he quieted granting to William the Dukedome of Normandy upon condition of Homage But Charls Earl of Flanders being wickedly slain at Brussels leaving no other Heir William the Son of Robert who was the next right Heir to it for that he was of the Bloud 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 passe with no great difficulty by the assistance of the French King but receiving a slight wound in his hand and suffering it to rankle he lost his life and his Patrimony Next the Welch Rebell but the end of that War was a prey of Oxen and Sheep taken by Henry He seldome taxed the Land or never but once for a portion for his Daughter Maud. He was the first that called a Parliament In the Year 1020 William his Son with his Wife the Duke of Anjou's Daughter his Sister Maud the Lady Lucy a Neece of the Kings the Earl of Chester with divers ' other Noblemen and Ladies and others to the number 160 crossing the Seas from France to England were all most miserably drowned not any one saved but a poor Butcher who like Iob's servant was spared to bring the sad News the King having no children left but his Daughter Maud the Empress who after the Emperors death marryed Ieffery Plantaginet With these and other griefs the King languished at last eating Lampreys he surfeited and dyed and was buryed in Reading Abby after he had reigned 35 years In this King ended all the issues Male of the Conquerour and the Crowne of this Realme devolved on his generall Heirs HENRY the first surnamed Beau-clark King of England and Duke of Normandie He raigned 35 yeares and 4 monthes died the 2 of December 1185. at the age of 67 yeares and lieth buried at Reading 1135. R E. sculpsit Robert's abroad still roving for renowne And now a second time forfeits his Crowne Which Henry his Brother means to weare At the old rate three thousand Marks a year Whose Eyes he now puts out incontinent Lest he should see his bargain and repent He that allows his Brother none now dyes Surfeiting of a Fish abounds with Eyes Crowns no Relation know they oft have stood Close cemented to Caesar's Head with bloud Thus to the Crown the third Descent does fail The Conquerour and all his Issue Male. STEPHEN King of England MOnday December the 26 1135. being St. Stephen's Day Stephen Earl of Mortaign and Bulloyne Son of Stephen Earl of Bloys and Champaine and of Adela Daughter to William the Conquerour notwithstanding all his Vowes and publick Protestations to Henry the First to further the Right and Succession of Maud the Empress being his Daughter and of her Children yet when the King was dead he finding that the Nobility though sworn as deep and solemnly as himself was applyed themselves totally to his devotion he presently shook
the age of 65 yeares after he had raigned 56 yeares and lieth intombed at Westminster 1272. The groaning Kingdome being rid of John Has found his very Image in his Son King Henry the Third nine years of Age Enters a troubled and a doubtfull Stage The Realme he found Rebecca like become With divers Nations strugling in her Womb All which he clear'd at last with promise fair With Oaths Vowes which prov'd nothing but Aiâ— He pill'd his subjects so that at his need Give him they nothing would nor could indeed He marries then with a mean Family And spoyles his Realme to lard their Poverty EDVVARD the First King of England WHen King Henry died Edward his son and heir was in Palestine very intent about the holy war where he underwent a grievous danger having received 3 desperate wounds from his adversary with a poysoned weapon But he was cured by the wonderfull Piety of his Wife who with her mouth in time sucked out the venome from his wounds In his way being made more certain of his fathers death he made great journeyes and travelled in all hast into England where with the generall applause both of his Nobles and Common-people he was crowned King when he was of the age of 35 years At the beginning of his Reigne he used the Nobility well but to abate the insolence of the Clergy he commanded their wealth to be brought into his Exchequer and he afflicted them otherwise and so drew upon himself their envy The Welch rise against him but he luckily intercepts Monfort's daughter espoused to Lluellen their Prince upon surrender of whom that storm blew over and obedience was promised by the Welch to King Edward But within few years three or four at most Lluellen puts an end to his Oath and obedience for his wife Eleoner being dead he breaks forth into new Rebellions also David forgetting the great love of King Edward to him falls off to his brother and so with joynt forces they enter England and does some mischief to Edward both of them wonderfully inflamed by a false prophesie of Merlin whereby the Crowne of Brutus was promised to Lluellen but the battle being set Lluellen was killed by a private Soldier and his Head brought to King Edward his Brother David also was taken and had his Head struck off and with his Brothers it was set upon the Tower of London where it remained a long time after but his four Quarters were sent to four Principall Cities in England to be set up for a terrour to all Traitors hereafter so Edward revenged the Rebellion of the Welch and the death of Alphonsus his first Borne who was slain in the same battle In the eighteenth year of King Edward's Reigne Alexander the King of Scots not having any Issue of his body fell with his horse and unfortunately brake his neck He had three sisters the eldest of which was married to Iohn Balioll Lord of Galloway the second to Robert le Bruse Lord of Valley-Andrew and the third was married into England to Iohn Hastings Lord of Abergavenny amongst these three each of them backed with his best friends sharp bickerings and civill wars arose to the destruction of many worthy persons on all sides Whilst the matter thus was handled King Edward promises the Kingdome of Scotland to Bruse for ever so he would do him homage for it but Bruse refuseth it preferring his Countries Liberty before his own honour Yet Balioll yields to those conditions and so got the Kingdome of Scotland but the ill will of all his Country-men Envy against him increased for refusing Justice upon the death of the Earl of Fife who was slaine for Baylioll exempted Albermeâ—h from punishment that slew him whereupon Baylioll cited before Edward's Tribunall is forced to plead his cause he was angry at this disgrace and denies Homage to Edward and proclaims warre making a Covenant with the French King Hence arose the cause of a most bloudy warre between the two Nations which lasted for three hundred years only some feigned cessations passed between No lesse than four times did this victorious King Edward subdue the false and fraudulent Scots compelling them with extraordinary tokens of subjection and humility to submit themselves to his mercy In the mean time a new warre breaks forth between King Edward and the French King Philip the fair by a controversie between the subjects of either King for Kings that envy one another easily break forth into open Hatred but Edward had other grudges against the French for conniving at the death of his Cousen Henry the Emperors Son Edward therefore when a day was appointed him hath a stipendary to plead his cause before King Philip he refused to appeare whereupon a great Army being raised Philip enters upon the Territories of King Edward in France by force of Armes the King of England by the assistance of neighbour Princes the Earl of Flanders the Duke of Brabant with Adolphus of Nassaw the Roman Emperour presently marches against the King of France but finding the French divided in two parts and defrauded with the Emperours delayes when he had held his winters quarters at Gaunt not without the murmuring of the Citizens and great want of his souldiers At the beginning of the spring truce being made with the French for three years the King tooke Margaret the Dukes sister to wife for Eleoner died in the former Expedition against the Scots And the daughter of Philip being betrothed to King Edwards sonne he retreated for England About the same time Doctor Langton then Bishop of Chester complained grievously to the King upon Edward the young Prince who by the lewd advice of Pierce Gaveston his loose and gracelesse Companion brake forcibly into his Park and made havock of his Game for which the Prince was committed to Prison and Gaveston banished for ever Lastly making an incursion into Scotland he is taken with a Disentery and dies of it and lies buried at Westminster He was very tall of Countenance somwhat sorrowfull of Chastitie like his Father but in fortitude farre before him Religious he was and wise The noble and Victorious Prince EDWARD the first surnamed Long-shanks King of England Duke of Aquitaine Earle of Poictices and Anjou Lo of Ireland c He Conquered Scotland and brought from thence the Marble Chaire He subdued and overcame llewelyn Prince of Wales and made his sonne Edward Prince Hereof he died at the age of 68 yeares 1307. after he had raigned 34 yeares 8 monthes buried at Westminster King Edward Saraceus Head Sholder sunders Where Christ wrought miracles this Prince did wonders His wife with such so pious love abounds She sucks the venome from his poysoned wounds 'T were Treason to their merits to conceal So great a Valour and so sweet a zeal The haughty Welch he soon did over-run And left them Vassalls to his Princely Son And by his sword so weighed down Fortunes scales That Englands heir succeeds stil Prince of
off the memory of his former plighted Vowes and Engagements whatsoever and forthwith usurps the Kingdome and was Crowned at Westminster by William Corbel Arch-Bishop of Canterbury for the which his whole Reigne was continually infested with forraigne and domestick troubles But he was not to learn the pollicy of his Progenitors who having attained soveraignty by unjust and foul attempts have endeavoured by all fair means to settle their tottering Diadems upon their doubtfull Heads so did this King by wisdome and pollicy endeavour to lay a sure foundation to his estate And because riches are the strength of Kings and sinews of War He therefore to enrich himself seized upon the great and vast Treasure of his Uncle the late deceased King which he closed not up in Chests or in Bags as idle Archers doe their Arrows in Quivers but with a munificent hand he bountifully disposed of them among such as by Armes or by Counsell he judged most like to stand him instead at his need Then advancing the Nobility and remitting Dane-gelt to the Vulgar and honouring the Clergy he won the hearts of all granting liberty to hunt to the Nobility and Clergy Moreover to win the good Will of strangers he obtained for his Son Eustace Constance the Daughter of Lewis King of France yet did he not more by this marriage than by treasures strengthen himself in the Kingdome of which he spent not luxuriously but to levy Soldiers with and wage war which he too soon had occasion for Scarce was he Crowned before he was forced to fall to his Armes for David King of Scotland striving to assert the interest of Maud the Empresse proclaimed War against him and possessed himself of the Towns of Carlile and New-Castle but Stephen presently marched against him with a great Army and granting Cumberland to David and the County of Huntington to his son he put by a great storm without any bloud-shed at all Yet notwithstanding not long after in pursuance of Maud his Neeces Quarrell he again enters and resists the Northern Parts of this Kingdome with fire and sword but in the end he was encountered by Thurston Arch-Bishop of York who compelled him being pursued with unspeakable dangers to fly into Scotland and leave behind him dead upon the ground more then ten thousand of his Army Scarce had he composed domestick Commotions but he is saluted with an Alarum from abroad from Maud the Empresse who accompanied with Robert Earl of Gloucester her base brother landed with an Army in England and was quickly strengthened and emboldened in her enterprise by the wonderfull access of many of the English and of Raynulph Earl of Chester with a lusty Crew of bold and foâ—ward Welch-men Hereupon the King thinking it neither safe nor for his credit to make any demurre or delay forthwith levied a strong Army and marches resolutely against the Empress and her Forces who greeted him with such Musick as Warlike Troops are wont so that a cruell and a bloudy battel for many hours was fought between them Victory hovering with doubtfull wings not knowing where to light But at length the Kings Common Soldiers wearied with battel begun to cast about for their own escape and plainly run away and left their King who with his Nobles and Gentry scorning to run away fought Gallantry expressing wonderfull tokens of their high spirits and puissant valour till in the end the King was taken The Victory thus falling to Maud Stephen is brought before her and committed to Bristoll Castle and she in the mean while possesseth the Kingdome and as Conqueresse the enters London in Triumph But Mathilde the Wife of Stephen humbly beseeches the Empress to let her live a private life with her husband for she was weary of the Government The Londoners also require their ancient Lawes they enjoyed under the Confessor but the Empresse would grant neither Whereupon Mathilde not enduring the high â—tomach of the Empresse and detesting ignoble servitude calls Eustace her Son with a choyce Company of Souldiers out of Kent to London who joyning with the Londoners that were wonderfully offended that their suit was denyed also fortifying himself with the Bishop of Winchester they fall upon the Army of the Empresse which fled privately to Oxford and asked not in vain help of David King of Scotland by whose assistance she besieged Winchester but the Queen with her Son Eustace falling on her fortress overcame the Queen in a pitcht Battel and took Robert Son to the Empress but she her self eâ—caped A Treatie for Peace followed this Fortune whereby Robert on the one hand and Stephen on the other are set at Liberty There was another condition agreed upon whereupon Stephen now being free besieges the Empress in Oxford who escapes through his Army by night aparrelled in White by reason of much Snow newly fallen In the mean while Ieffery Husband to the Empresse dyes and leaves to his Son Henry the Dukedome of Anjou and Aquitane who befoâ—e had with his Wife Eleanor the County of Poictiers This Henry besieged Malmsbury but in vaine Not long after Henry is again invited over by some of his friends and comes with a gallant Army bravely conducted by noble Captains King Stephen and his Son had an Army in readiness to encounter them Great was the confidence on both sides somwhat they did but little But now happens a thing much to be wondered at amongst drawn Swords peace began to shew her self for in this expedition Eustace the only Heir of King Stephen is unfortunately drowned which overcame the King with infinite sorrow but it made a quiet end of this quarell For now the King wanting an heir to succeed him was pleased to accept the proffer of a friendly peace thereupon he adopted Prince Henry for his son and heir of his Crown gave him many Kingly gifts and assured him of his unchangeable love The Princes and all his followers return into Normandy with all imaginable Joy and next year King Stephen dyed when he had reigned nineteen years lacking one Month He dyed at Dover and was buried at Feversham in Kent Stephen a Valiant Prince sonne to Stephen Earle of Blois Charters and Champaigne and of Adela daughter to William ⧠Conquerour Vsurped the Kingdome of England which caused him to bâ— vexed with continuall warres He raigned 18 yeares 11 months died at the age of 49 yeares and lieth buried at Feversham 1154 Stephen next usurps the throne for when he drew His Sword he cut the Gordeon in two Valiant he was but vitiously inclin'd He is too strong a man Oaths cannot binde Maud had the Right Stephen Power Princes take Any advantage when a Crowns at stake He made no Laws he so in Wars did live He seemed rather to receive then give At last his Son dies now all storms blow fair Whilst Stephen adopts his enemy his heir What War could not a happy peace hath done This has a Kingdome got and that a Son HENRY the Second King of
and lieth buried at Fonteverard in Normandy Richard the First no Lion ever fought But was call'd Lion's heart cause he was stout From Prison he his Mother did release And setled his Dominions in peace Then levying men and money did prepare All that was needfull to the holy Warre He forc'd King Tuncred buy his peace with Gold And twice won Cyprus for Jerusalem sold. The Turks and Saracens he overthrowes Whilst prostrate Palestine to his Prowess bowes Philip and Leopald their envy bend Against that valour even the Foes commend JOHN King of England NExt Iohn by blowes and bribes usurps his Brothers Crown and Treasury to maintain his unjust Title which was the cause the whole Course of this Kings government was accompanyed with continuall troubles and his two persecutors were Pope Innocent the Third and Philip the Second King of France But the first Tempest was depending from his Cousen Arthur whose Kingdome he had not only taken from him but also had drawne the Dukedome of Normandy to himself leaving to Arthur only the Dukedome of Anjou But his Mother Constance finding her self too weak for the English flyes to the French King and craves aid of him who promised not only to restore all Normandy but all England to Arthur and forthwith received the young man into his Protection Wherefore Phllip listing an Army first made good the Dutchy of Anjou to Arthur and then invaded Normandy But Iohn sailing into Normandy upbraids Philip for perfidiousness because he had very foully broken the peace he had made with his Brother Richard yet for all this they goe not to Armes For while they discourse and each defends his Right they agree on fifty dayes cessation of Armes Baldwin Earle of Flaunders being utterly against it who therefore forsaking Philip makes his peace with the English and takes Counsell by what means when the truce was ended they should wage war with Philip but when Iohn was free from care of war he strikes hands with the French King upon unjust tearms Baldwin hating his sluggishness once more joyned with the French and restored the War of Ierusalem The English are glad and returne home but are very ill received by the Nobility who hated those base Conditions they had made with the French But Iohn now free from War turns all his study to Pole his Subjects and to follow his pleasure Also he deprived the Arch-Bishop of York his brother of all his Fortunes for nothing but because he dehorted him from such injury Then going into Normandy he divorced his Wife Avis and marryed Isabell daughter and heir to the Earl of Engelestne she was Crowned at Canterbury Bâ—t the dayly oppression of King Iohn prevailed so farre also his base Luxury not without murther and Man-slaughter for he destroyed Matilda a beautifull Maid making her to drink Poyson because she would not yield to his entreaty to be corrupted by him And William Bruce with his Wife for speaking somewhat too freely he killed with Famine taking all their estate from them He demanded Subsidies but his Nobles altogether denyed him nor would they follow him in his Wars untill those heavy Imposts laid upon them were taken away Yet he wenâ— afterward into Normandy and thence to Paris where he and his Wife to outward appearance were friendly received by King Philip. But Hugh Earle of Marsh to whom Isabella the Kings Wife was first betrothed being angry with the King for taking his Wife from him joynes with Arthur and begin a new War Philip takes part with them so joyntly those of Tours first then they of Anjou invade they take the Towns of Mirabellum King Iohn reproves Philip for his falseness and begins â—eriously to think upon revenge and coming upon the Forces of the enemy suddenly and unlooked for destroyed them with a great slaughter taking those prisoners that could not escape among whom was Arthur who shortly after dyed of hunger in prison but some say that endeavouring his escape he was drowned in the River but as it is Vulgarly thought he dyed of meer sorâ—ow His Sister Eleanor followed him shortly after the same sad way And thus ended Arthurs Life Title and those Wars Next Year the French King takes all Normandy by Force And now began the Kings other enemy Pope Innocent the Third to vex him more then Philip had done the occasion is this Hubert Arch-Bishop of Canterbury died and the Monks of St. Augustines in that City without the Kings License or knowledge and about midnight elected Reynold a brother of their own to succeed him and took of him an oath forthwith to travell to Rome there to procure his investiture and to receive his Pall from the Pope Tidings hereof coming to the Kings ears he presently made known his inward dislike of their rash and unadvised doings so that upon his motion and to appease his wrath they elect Iohn Gray then Bishop of Norwich Incontinently the King upon his own charges dispatches Letters and Embassadors to the Pope entreating him to ratifie the last choyce But the Pope neglects the Kings Entreaty and confirms him that was first Elected at which the King fretted and stormed much to see himself so slenderly regarded The Monks also to please the King refuse to receive their own first election because it was made in the night At last the Pope would whether the King would or no make choyce of one Stephen Langton one of his Creatures to succeed in the Arch-Bishoprick The King stoutly keeps him off and confiscates all the Lands and Goods of such as partake in the election with Rome and forbids all appeals thither The Pope after a proud letter or two interdicts him and all his Kingdome which he very frankly gives to Philip the French King who coming to invade and possesse himself of the Popes gift lost three hundred of his Ships and returned home as he came Nevertheless Iohn basely on his knees tenders his Crown for the Popes use which his Legate keeps four dayes but the Nobility hating his poor spirit revolt to the French whom Iohn not able to resist flyes and is poysoned by a Monk in Swinstead Abbey who drank to him in these words Wassall my Liege He was buryed at Worcester having Reigned seventeen years and odd months He left behind him four sons viz. Henry who succeeded him Richard who was elected King of the Romans William of Valentia and Guido Disnay And three Daughters viz. one marryed to Frederick the Emperour the second to William Marshall Earl of Worcester and the third to the Earl of Leicester The right Valiant Prince RICHARD surnamed Coeur-de-â—ion King of England and Hierusalem Duke of Normandy and Acuitanè Earle of Poeters and Annou Lo of Ireland c. He died at the age of 43 yeares Ano. 1199. after he had raigned 9 yeares 9 months and 22 dayes and lieth buried at Fonteveraâ—d in Normandy O what a lushie morsell is a Crowne That right or wrong Princes will gusle't downe John to the
the 31 of August 1422. and crowned King of England at Westminster the 6. of Nouember 1429. and of Fraunce the 7 of December 1432. he reigned 38 yeres 6 monthes he died by violence May 21. aged 52. AnoÌ„ 1471. first buried at Chertsey Abbey thence remoued to Windsore wher he was solemhley interd R E. 〈◊〉 Mars begets Clineas Henry a Son That has lost more then all his Father won For he lost Normandy and France put to 't England and Ireland and his Life to boot Twice crown'd and twice depos'd at last he took Deaths fatall Errand from Yorks desperate Duke He was a Prince do Rebels what ye will Like Archimedes drawing Figures still Who not unlike some Gamesters I have seen Winning and losing still the same has been He was not Politick in the Worlds controle But he is wise enough that saves his Soul EDVVARD the Fourth King of England EDward Duke of York having overthrown the King and Queen and having overthrown and executed many of his greatest enemies at Towton field returned triumphantly to the City of London and was proclaimed King of this Realme the 4 of March 1461. and was crowned the 19. day of Iune then next following In the beginning of his Reigne he removed from all Offices all such as oppressed the people and to strengthen his part with powerfull and faithfull friends he creates his two brothers George Duke of Clarence and Richard Duke of Gloucester and Sr. Iohn Nevell brother to the Earl of Warwick he created Lord Montacute and Henry Bourchier who had married the Lady Elizabeth Aunt unto the King and was brother unto Thomas Bourchier Arch-bishop of Canterbury was created Earl of Essex and William Lord Fawcâ—nbridge was made Earl of Kent The Duke of Sommerset and Sr. Ralph Percy with divers others the Kings professed enemies finding no further hope for the house of Lancaster came voluntarily in and submitted to the King and were received to pardon and favour but hearing that the Queen by the assistance of the Scots had raised an Army they slank away and revolted to her and afterwards taken at the battel of Exham were executed The Lord Montacute to whose valour the fortune of that day was ascribed is created Marquess Montacute to whom and others Edward gave great gifts After this Henry is taken in a disguise and sent to the Tower Then Warwick is sent to the Duke of Savoy and prevails for a Match between Edward and Bona the Dukes daughter but Edward in the mean time marries Elizabeth the widow of Sr. Iohn Grey at which Warwick vexed calls to his part his two Brothers and Clarence the Kings Brother and the King at Banbury The King notwithstanding these evill tidings marched confidently against Warwick and his northern Rebels but to prevent mischief many of the Nobillity endeavoured to conclude a peace so that Letters and Heraulds of Armes passed from one Army to the other for both were glad of peace by means of this Parlee King Edward became more carelesse of himself then was fitting whereof when the Earl of Warwick was informed he with some other well appointed rushed into the Kings Army slew his watches and surprised the King in his bed and secretly sent him to Midleham Castle in York-shire there to be safely kept by the Arch-bishop of York his brother who either repenting him of what he had done against the King or being won by large promises of great favour and good rewards suffered him with his Guarders to hunt and hawk by means whereof he made his escape and got to London where between the King and the Rebels another Parlee was had in Westminster Hall in which nothing was done but objections of good deserts and unthankfull requitals were proudly and insultingly urged by the Earl of Warwick in conclusion they departed each from other in great fury the King went to Canterbury and the confederated Lords to Lincolne Armies are raised on both sides they fight and the King wins the field The Lords Clarence and Warwick fly to the King of France who honourably entertains them and aids them with all necessaries for the levying of another Army with which they fight and drive King Edward out of the Kingdome who by the help of the Duke of Burgoyne returns with a small Army into the City of York where he is received upon solemn Oath that he claimed nothing but the Dukedome of York and that he would work no Treason against King Henry now again re-established in his Throne but he presently forfeits his faith and raising another great Army beats Warwick recovers the Crown and re-imprisons King Henry who soon after was murdered by the bloody hands of Richard Duke of Gloucester The King having through much trouble obtained peace betakes himself to dalliance with Iane Shore in the mean while his brother Duke of Clarence is drowned in a Butt of Malmsey The Scots threaten Warre and Richard Duke of Gloucester is sent against them a Peace was procured and King Edward dyed having reigned two and twenty years and is buried at Windsor He was doubtlesse a brave Prince however the clearest day is not without some clouds his perjury at York when he swore to the Citizens he would claim nothing but that Dukedome which was his right by inheritance and that he would in no sort interrupt King Henry's peace all which he falsified which afterward his innocent Sonnes sadly suffered for His lustfull Embraces with Shores wife got him the envy of his owne who was a chast and vertuous Lady in whom he got a good Wife though many enemies and though unfortunate in her Sons yet in her Daughter is composed all the fewd of York and Lancaster The right noble Prince EDWARD the 4th King of England and Fraunce Lord of Ireland He raigned 22. yeares and 5 weekes Died at the age of 52 yeares buried at Windsor 1483. R. Elstracke sculpsit Now sixty years out York obtains the Crowne And Lancaster with all his friends puts down Betwixt which Houses while the difference stood Fell more then fourscore of the Noble Bloud For which but think how many thousands bled And you will Iudge the Roses both were Red. Warwick advances Edward to the Crown And in distast againe he pulls him down But Edward to the Duke of Burgoine flyes And with his aid and his own perjuries Reerowns himself for Kingdomes men will dare A thousand Oaths and count them solemne Aire EDVVARD the Fifth King of England EDward the Fourth being dead his Eldest Son Edward succeeded him but he in his Reign was under Governors Anthony Lord Rivers Thomas Wagham Chamberlain and Richard Grey Knights who being sent for by the Queens Letters came in hast to London with the Prince Then also Richard Duke of Gloucester being at York and hearing of the Kings Death came to London with a small Army and being mindfull to usurp the Kingdome he overtook the young King Edward on his way to London and takes him into his own charge
the taking and burning of St. Thomes information being sent to Gondimer who was Embassador here in England he never rested assaulting the King with importunity for Reparation Raleigh no sooner came a shoare at Plymouth but he had secret information and did endeavour to get from thence in a Bark for Rochel but being apprehended by Sir Lewis Stackly 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 and having gotten him in the Trap he laid his baits 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 Raleigh that judgement was void by the Kings Commission for his late expedition the Lord chief Justice replyed The opinion of the Court was to the contrary he then required time to prepare for death but it was answered The appointed time was the next morning accordingly on that morrow he was beheaded Buckingham the great favourite is slain by Felton for which he was executed Queen Anne about this time fell sick and dyed she was a Queen to be had in everlasting Memory for her Noble Vertues The King also fell sick but by Gods assistance he recovered The Paâ—sgrave in the interim who had marryed the Lady Elizabeth by the prompting on of some of the German Princes was chosen King of Bohemia The Emperour was wonderfully enraged at this Election and proclaimed war against him driving him first out of Bohemia and afterwards out of all Germany who in Holland the common refuge of all wretchâ—d people found a bountifull and safe entertainment But Iames that he might help his son in law made a motion for a marriage betwixt his son Charls and the Infanta of Spain Charls is sent into Spaine through France by Land where he saw upon his journey Mary daughter to Henry the fourth he was received in Spain magnificently to outward appearance but a difference falling out betwixt the Duke of Buckingham and Count Olivares the principall Don of the Spanish Court the Treaty was drawn out at length but Charls impatient of delay returns home and arrives safe in England and was afterward married to Mary whom he had affectionately beheld in France What remains to be spoken of King Iames is either scarce worth recording or dubious in the truth thereof He dyed at last of a disease of the Spleen though there was false reports spread abroad That he was poysoned when he had reigned twenty and two years 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 In this Kings reigne English Plantations were â—etled in the Indies Virginia Bermudaes and New-England in which are Common-wealths The right high and most mightie Monarch IAMES by the Grace of God King of great Britaine Fraunce and Ireland c. â—efendor of the Faith D Sculp They look for peace and behold war But we Did look for war and have met peace in thee The North wind brings no good it is untrue Never brought wind England more good than you Whose Mothers death may all the world convince Revenge could never conquer such a Prince What could Great Britain wish but such an heir Vnites two Realms scarce ever out of war Your wisdome plenty peace who descants on Conclude you even a second Solomon Herein Great Sir you Solomon surpass'd That to your God were constant to the last CHARLS I st King of Great Britain France Ireland CHARLS the first succeeded his Father being 25 years of Age. The first design he had was to marry Henrietta Maria Daughter to Henry the fourth of France as he had purposed before who landed in England the 22. of Aprill 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 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 Spaniard But Charls whose Exchequer was emptied by reason of his Spanish voyage and setting forth his Navy was forced to call a Parliament but they would do nothing till Buckingham had answered to his charge they are dissolved and the King raises money otherwise provides a mighty Fleet and surprizes all the Spanish Ships he lights on But the French not being spared a stop and Confiscation is made of English Vessels in France The Ministers of the Church of Rome and those that came over with the Queen privately disturb the English affairs they are commanded to depart the Land not without gifts the French King takes it ill and some are recalled The French not satisfied forbid all commerce Charls the like envy encreases Lewis oppresseth the Rochellers Charls sends relief to the besieged but prevails little heavy complaints are made against Buckingham Charls to stop all farther proceedings against Buckingham again dissolves the Parliament He raiseth new forces to assist the Rochellers under the command of Buckingham but being ready to embark himself he was stabbed by Felton an English man who was taken and hanged for his pains A new Parliament is summoned they deny Tunnage and Poundage The King reprints the Common-prayer-book at which the Scots rebell he goes against them with an Army but returns without any good condition made Now the Scots made a neerer agreement among themselves against the King which they called their Covenant The King therefore distressed for want calls a Parliament and asks Subsidies of them all in vain The Queen indeavours what she can with the Pope but nothing is to be done unlesse the King would abjure the reformed Religion but the King hates the motion and had rather lose his Crowns than accept such hard conditions Nor was it long ere these Demagogues brought down a tumultuous rabble of Apprentices and other base people to the Parliament door crying out Away with the Lieutenant of the Tower down with Popish Bishops out of the house with them And to weaken his Majesty the more or rather to satisfie the insolent tumult they cast 12 Bishops into prison the Earl of Bristoll and his son were sore threatned and the year before that never enough honoured Thomas Earle of Strafford lost his head to satisfie this unreasonable rout