the Earl of Salisbury was taken Prisoner and Beheaded and his head with the Dukes fixed upon York Gates upon this the Queen and her Army came to London and released the King by the overthrow of Warwick at St. Albans restoring him to his Power and Majesty but rested not long e're the Earl of March Eldest Son to the Duke of York advanced with a Puissant Army and the Earl of Warwick having escaped the fight joyned with him which news made the King and Queen retire into the North to provide against the threatning storm whereupon Edward Earl of Mâ—rch without any controul advanced and entered London fearful of a Sack and there by threats and perswasions prevailed with the unstable multitude to give their Assents for his being Crowned King which Ceremony ended though against all Law and Right he drew forth his Army and advanced against the King who had gathered great forces which were in chief by the Duke of Somerset Earl of Northumberland and Lord Clifford both Armies consisting of 112000. the greatest Army of English that ever England saw who upon the charge being sounded began the Fight with great fury near Ferry-Bridge which continued ten hours and was lost on the Kings side by the overhastiness of the Northern Archers who spent all their Arrows at a distance as not being able to discern the Enemy by reason the Snow that then fell was driven full in their Eyes The Nobility that died on the Kings side were the Lords Scales Willowby Beaumont Wells Grey Dacres Fitz Hugh Buckingham and Clifford the two Bastards of Exceter of Knights and Esquires a great number and in all on both parts the slain were computed 35091. a slaughter the like not known in England since the Conquest Upon this fatal overthrow King Henry hs Son the Prince and several great Lords escaped into Scotland where they were kindly received and a Marriage proposed between the young Prince and the Lady Margaret the Scotch King's Daughter upon which Queen Margaret passed into France to negotiate her Husbands affairs with the French King for new supplies In the mean while Edward is Crowned at Westminster and a Parliament called wherein King Henry and Prince Edward his Son are disinherited of the Crown and all Regal Authority upon news of which Queen Margaret returns to Scotland having obtained a considerable supply of men from her Father Duke Reynold Duke of Anjoy King of Naples Jerusalem and Sicily having suffered much by storm from Scotland she passed into England together with her Husband and such Scotch forces as that King assisted her with and took several Castles in Northumberland several Loyal English daily resorting to the Royal Standard which proceeding greatly alarumed Edward so that constituting the Lord Montacute his Lieutenant General he furnished him with an Army with which he gave Battel to King Henry's forces near unto Hexham where the Yorkists prevailed and King Henry is obliged again to fly into Scotland from whence some time after coming into England in disguise he was taken Prisoner by Thomas Talbot in Cletherworth in Lancashire and from thence brought to London with his Legs bound under the Horses Belly so little respect had those Varlets into whose hands he fell to afflicted Majesty and upon his arrival committed Prisoner to the Tower Edward having King Henry in safe custody began to give himself over to sports and Daliances and above all to bethink himself of a Wife upon which several were proposed as the Lady Margaret Sister to King James of Scotland the Lady Elizabeth Sister and Heir Apparent to Henry King of Castile the Lady Bona Daughter to the Duke of Savoy and Sister to the French Queen of which the latter being thought the fittest Match the Earl of Warwick was sent over to negotiate the affair and proceeded so well that he procured a free consent of the French King Queen and the Lady her self when in the mean while Edward had cast his Eyes upon Elizabeth Grey Widdow to Sir John Grey slain in the Quarrel of King Henry at St. Albans and notwithstanding all the perswasions of the Dutchess of York his Mother Married her and made her Queen which Warwick taking as a grievous affront put upon him from that moment Alienated his Affections from Edward and consulted how to restore King Henry to his Crown and Dignity in order to which he first consults his two Brothers George Nevil Arch-bishop of York and John Nevil Marquess of Montacute the former of which soon consented but the latter proposed many delays whereupon the politick Earl the better to bring his designs about resolves to bring to his Lurd George Duke of Clarence Edwards Second Brother whom he knew to be discontented with his Brothers Rule and so effectually wrought with Soliciting that he soon found him pliable and ready to espouse his Interest whereupon the more to secure him he proposed to him his Eldest Daughter in Marriage with the one half of his Wives Inheritance which was afterwards consummated at Calais and in the mean while by the countenance of the Earl many Commotions were raised in England to countenance which and to dispossess Edward of his Usurped Crown to say no worse the Duke and Earl prepared for England having first espoused his second Daughter to Prince Edward Son to King Henry and then arriving a great conflux of People hasted to his Banner so well known and dreaded in England being the White Bear and Ragged Staff to oppose which torrent e're it grew greater Edward hastened and at Woolvy four Miles from Warwick where the Duke and the Earls Host lay pitched his Tents and bid the Earl Battel who undaunted Spirit brooked no such Bravado advance and both Armies stood Imbattled expecting the dreadful blast but it so happened that the Fight was delayed and both Armies retire as if a Peace would undoubtedly insue but crafty Warwick had other designs on foot for within a while after he surprized Edward in the midst of his Army and took him Prisoner committing him to the custody of the Archbishop of York from whom he soon after escaped which greatly perplexed the Earl yet he so ordered the matter as not to seem in the least to regard it Edward upon his escape fled to London and the Duke and Earl continuing in their station levied great forces but upon the Mediation of the Nobility it was so ordered that the Duke and Earl came to Edward upon his Letters of safe conduct but Edward taxing them with Disloyalty and they him with ingratitude nothing was done but both departed Edward to Canterbury and the other returned to Warwick and from thence sent their Agents into Lincolnshire where they dealt with the Commons to take up Arms under the Leading of Sir Robert Wells Son to the Lord Wells but he in revenge of his Fathers Death whom Edward had basely Beheaded contrary to his promise rashly ingaged Edwards power before Warwick could come to his Aid and by that means lost
the day and his own Life upon notice of which overthrow the Duke and Earl betook themselves again to Calais of which place the latter was Captain but were denied entrance by Vawclere his Lieutenant and thereupon went to the French Court where they were kindly received and within a while returning into England gathered so huge an Army that Edward was forced to fly the Land and his Queen to take Sanctuary whereupon King Henry was again restored to his Regal Dignity and Edward with all his adherents Proclaimed Traitors and in Parliament disinabled from Inheriting the Crown and it again Intailed on King Henry upon which Heart-breaking news Edward procures forces from the Duke of Burgundia who had Married his Sister and under pretence of Friendship enters England pretending to no more than his Dutchy of York framing Letters for his safe conduct under the Seal of the Earl of Northumberland but he no sooner entered but surprized that City whereupon Warwick and Clarence prepare to drive him thence but the latter was so wrought with under hand that he revolted to Edward and endeavored to perswade Warwick to do the like who generously answered to the Messenger go tell your Duke that I had rather be an Earl and always like my self than a false and perjured Duke and that e're my Oath shall be falsified as his apparently is I will lay down my Life at my Enemies Foot which I doubt not but shall be bought very dear and thereupon Marched towards London when at St. Albans he considered what was best to be done and finding that the Sword must decide it he advanced and at Barnet both Armies approached each other where in the spacious Field the Battle joyn'd on Easter day with such fury that the like had not been known and continued doubtful for a long time when as the day being overcast with mist hindering the Soldiers sight Warwicks Battalian took the Stars Imbroidered upon the Earl of Oxford's Mens Coats for his Son Edwards Body whereupon they let fly upon their friends which mistake caused the Earl to leave the fight his Men crying Treason Treason we are all betrayed which Warwick perceiving charged with fury upon the Enemy but entering too far was beaten down and slain though not without performing wonders sutable to his great Soul who had been Englands Make-King for many years before with him perished his Brother the Marquess of Montacute and a great number of smaller note as likewise the loss of the Battle on the side of the Lancastrians Son after this overthrow Queen Margaret and Prince Edward arrive at Weymouth and understanding the loss of the Battle of Barnet Field she went to Ceerue Abby whither the Lancastrian Nobility that escaped the slaughter came to her and with comfortable words put her in hopes of better success and immediately raised such forces as they could and joyned them to those they Queen had brought over from France but loth she was that the Prince her Son should hazard himself in the Battle and urged sundry persons but was over perswaded by the Lords whose preparations alarumed Edward so that gathering an Army he advanced towards them resolving to hinder the increase of the Queens power having first committed King Henry and the Archbishop of York to the Tower and at Teuxbury both Armies met where after a hot Encounter by the Treachery of the Lord Wenlock the Battle went with Edward which Treachery was rewarded with death the Duke of Somerset the Queens General beating his Brains out with his Battle-Ax In this Battle of the Lancastrian Nobility were slain John Lord Summert John Coventry Earl of Devonshire the Lord Wenlock in manner aforesaid several Knights and three thousand common Soldiers and on the other side not fewer Upon this defeat Proclamation was made for the Apprehending Prince Edward who was soon taken by that unworthy Knight Sir Robert Crofts and delivered to his most Capital Enemy the Duke of Somerset and others of Quality having taken Sanctuary were haled thence and beheaded Prince Edward not passing fourteen years of Age being brought before Edward had assumed the Soveraignty he beheld him with a stern Countenance and demanded how he durst with Banners displayed enter his Realm to which the young Prince with an undaunted Courage replied to recover my Fathers Kingdoms and most Rightful Inheritance possessed by his Father and Grandfather and immediately from him descending to me how darest thou then that art but his Subject take up Arms against thy King This Brave and Generous Answer so touched King Edward to the quick that he unmanly with his Gauntlet smote him on the Mouth when at the same instant the more villanous Duke of Glocester afterwards Usurper of the Crown by the name of Richard the Third together with his wicked Accomplices stabbed the Prince to death in Edwards presence Monsters unworthy of the name of Men but Heavens vengeance for this and other black crimes overtook the Actors The Prince after his being murthered was Buried in the Grey-Fryars at Tewksbury without any Ceremony and now Queen Margaret having taken Sanctuary was discovered and brought Prisoner to the Tower where she continued till her Father with a great Ransome to raise which he was forced to sell most of his Signeouries to the French King he redeemed her and now King Henry being Prisoner likewise and the Thorne that made Edwards Crown sit uneasie he resolves to be rid of him and therefore sent his Brother that Crook-backed Monster in the shape of a Man to dispatch him who pretending to discourse about his releasment stabbed the pious King to the Heart and eased him of this troublesome Life though perpetual horrour haunted the Actor of this black deed to his Grave After this cruel murther committed on the pious King his Body was for many days exposed to the view of the People ever bleeding afresh which raised at once pitty and detestation in the Spectators and then carried by Water to Chersie in Surry And thus fell this good King though not unrevenged for he lived to see the miserable ends of all such as had first broached the mutual War against him viz. Richard Duke of York the Earls of Salisbury and Warwick and afterward God was not slow to revenge his Royal Blood for within a while the Duke of Clarence King Edwards Brother was attainted of Treason and privately put to death in the Tower as some say drowned in a Butt of Malmsey King Edward himself continually infested with troubles through his unquiet Reign and People every where suffering through storms pestilence and Losses by Sea and Land after his Decease his two Sons murthered by their unnatural Uncle the Duke of Glocester and that Monster himself after a short Usurpation slain in Bosworth Field as in the sequel shall more at large be shown and thus I shall end with the death of this pious though unfortunate King who left no Issue his only Son being murthered as is before recited CHAP. V.
foreign Army Yet the Queen and her Confederates put to Sea her whole Power not exceeding 3000 of all Nations and two days before St. Michaels day landed at Orwel in Suffolk the force being commanded by the Lord John Brother to the Earl of Hanault The news of their arrival coming to the Kings Ear he seemed like one amazed and at first would not credit the report but upon his being further certified he sent to the Citizens of London for Aid who answered that they would honour with all submission the King Queen and Prince but resolved to shut their Gates against strangers and to withstand them to their power this answer bearing no favourable Construction to the King he committed the charge of the Tower and in it his other Son commonly called John of Eltham in the Custody of Sir John D' Weston and retired with his favorites the Spencers Baldock and others into the West to gather forces against the Queen and her Accomplices having first Proclaimed them Traitours and offered the reward of 1000 pounds to any that could take the young Lord Mortimer dead or alive And by this his unadvised abandoning his chief strengths he gave the Queens party opportunity to strengthen themselves several Lords and others daily coming to their assistance and the better to terrify the Kings partakers and to colour the Treason it was rumour'd that the French King had sent with his Sister so many Dukes Earls and Lords that England would not suffice to feed them and that the Pope had sent to Excommunicate all the Kings partakers for which purpose two Cardinals had been sent over and credibly reported to have been seen in the Queens Camp though all was but fictitious and further to ingratiate with the People she caused it to be Proclaimed that her coming was only to remove evil Councillors from the King the same pretences that were used by our late forty one Parliament though Roger Lord Mortimer was the man that chiefly Councilled all the mischief then were the Kings favorites branded with the names of Traitors and Enemies to the Nation and 1000 pounds bid to any that could bring the younger Spencers Head And thereupon the Londoners rise in a tumultuous manner and commit many outrages cutting off the Bishop of Exceters Head as likewise the Head of John Le Marchel whom the King had appointed to Govern the City They likewise broke open the Prisons and set all Prisoners at liberty got into their possession the Tower and taking thence the Lord John of Eltham proclaimed him Custos or chief Governour of the City and the Queen likewise to strengthen her Faction caused most of the Prisons in England to be set open and repealed such as had been banished so that thereby her power greatly increasing She or rather the Lord Mortimer followed the King who destitute of friends still fled before his pursuers who besieged Bristol and therein took the Elder Spencer whom without any form of Trial they cut up alive having first exposed him to the fury of the People upon notice of which the King entered on Ship-board and intended to fly for Ireland but upon further consideration came ashore in Wales and there for the love the Welshmen bore him was concealed for many days in the Abby of Neath but the Queen and her Accomplices coming to Hereford after Prince Edward was Proclaimed High Keeper of England Henry Earl of Lancaster Brother to the late Earl of Lancaster Sir William Delazouch and others who had Lands in those parts where the King absconded were sent in quest of him with sums of Money to facilitate the discovery who in the end surprised him together with the young Lord Spencer Robert Baldock Lord Chancellor and Simon de Reading whom without any respect to the Person of the King they conveyed to Monmouth and from thence was the King carried to Kenelworth Castle and there committed to the keeping of the Earl of Leicester but the rest to Hereford where without any form of Trial was put to death the Lord Spencer being hanged on a Gallows fifty foot high and Robert Baldock committed to the keeping of the Bishop of Hereford who sent him up to London and exposed him to the fury of the Rabble who though a Bishop was used by them in such a barbarous manner only for being true to his Soveraign that within a short time after he died the Earl of Arundel and two other Gentlemen of note were put to death to pleasure Mortimer and now the mournful King divested of all his friends being at Kenelworth there repaired to him the Bishops of Winchester Hereford and Lincoln two Earls two Abbots four Barons and three Knights from every County with two of the Judges as from the Parliament which the Queen had called at London to perswade him to a Resignation of his Crown to his Son Edward and so many devices they had heaped together that in the end having first given private notice to the King of their approach and the cause they came to Kenelworth and presented themselves before the King who clad in black sutable to his mournful condition came out of an inward Chamber when in the head of the company set in order according to their qualities the Earl of Leicester and Bishop of Hereford began to declare the Message with which they were charged by the Body of the Kingdom as they termed the then sitting Parliament alledging that the Common-wealth of England was weary of his Government and conceived such irreconcileable dislike of his management of Kingly affairs that they would by no means permit him longer to Reign over them but were contented that his Eldest Son Prince Edward should succeed him in his Throne if he would make a voluntary Resignation if not they would proceed to Elect another not of his Blood c. The sound of this mournful Message struck so to the Kings Heart that e're any could prevent it he fell to the ground and lay stretched in a swoon a considerable time e're life could be perceived or he recovered to his Senses But in the end recovering he with many heavy Sighs bewailed his Infortunate condition and began to parly with his Vassals but found them inflexible persisting in threatning sort to tell him that unless he would freely resign his Diadem to his Son and disclaim all Right-to the Crown they would return his Answer and that immediately thereupon the Parliament would proceed to the Election of another not of his Race These Menaces made the distressed King who now was fallen low in the Opinion of his Subjects through the false insinuation of the factious Lords to consent to their hard proposals confessing that for his many sins God had permitted these Calamities to fall upon him but seeing they had not rejected his Race he was content to submit Whereupon they proceeded to the new invented and never before practised Ceremony of dekinging their Sovereign which in this manner was performed by Sir William
standing in the Severn adjoyning unto the City of Glocester where both being strong of body they fought like Lions one to secure his Kingdom the other to gain it But in the end the Dane being wounded he intreated a parly which Edmund granted and then with a loud voice thus proceeded What necessity should thus move us most Heroick King that for the obtaining of a Title we should thus indanger our Lives Is it not better to lay malice aside and condescend to an amicable agreement Let us now therefore become sworn friends and divide the Kingdom between us and in such a League of friendship that each may use the others part as his own so shall this Land be peaceably Governed and we mutually assist each others necessity This Speech ended both the Kings cast down their Swords and imbraced each other upon which great shouts arose in either Army who before stood doubtful of the success and this accord being ratified the Kingdom was divided by Lot and that part bordering on the Coast of France fell to King Edmund who howsoever enjoyed it not long for in this Treaty the offence of Duke Edrick was included and upon his submission he taken into favour by the good King and so continued as it were glutted with the favour and princely bounty of two Kings till at last resolving to perfect his many Treasons begun he watched his opportunity as King Edmund was alone in the Draught-house evacuating and having placed himself beneath with a sharp Spear he run it up into the Kings Belly that he there died then coming up he traiterously and inhumanely cut off his Head and escaping with it undiscovered to Canute the Danish King and presenting it to him with these fawning Salutations All Hail thou now sole Monarch of England for here behold the Head of thy Co-partner which for thy sake I have adventured to cut off Canute though ambitious enough of the Soveraignty yet of Princely disposition abashed and sore grieved at so unworthy and disloyal an attempt replied with an Oath that in reward of that Service the bringers Head should be advanced above all the Peers of his Kingdom which high honour whilst the traiterous wretch greedily expected and indeed for a time found some favour his Head by the Kings command was smitten off and fixed upon a Pole on the highest Gate of the City of London as he most justly deserved His Wife and Children were banished and great was the rejoycing throughout England at the Death of this prodigious Regicide and betrayer of his Country King Edmunds Body was buried at Glasten-bury near to his Father King Edgar he was of person tall for Courage hardy strong of Limbs and well could indure the inconveniencies of War for which some think he had his additional name of Ironside with him at that time fell the Glory of the English he leaving but one Son viz. Edward who was Sir-named the Out-law by reason all the Reign of Canute he lived in Hungary and there Married the Queens Sister not returning into England till the Reign of his Uncle King Edward the Confessor Thus fell this good King and thus Heavens vengeance overtook the Traitour whose miserable end in some sort made an atonement for the innocent Blood shed by wicked hands as likewise for the Death of Sigefreth and Morcar King Edmunds Queens former Husband and Brother who were murthered at Oxford by the contrivance of Edrick CHAP. II. The Historical relation of the deposing and barbarous Murther of Edward the Second commonly called Edward of Carnarvan King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitaine and the Forty eighth Monarch of England with the manner of Gods vengeance upon those that were guilty of shedding his Blood EDward the Second of that Name since the Conquest was Son to Edward the First the terror of Syria and dread of Scotland and his Wife Queen Elenor Born on the 25 of April 1284. at Carnarvan in North-Wales and after the Death of Lewellin ap Griffith in regard of the place of his Nativity he was with the general consent of the Welch created Prince of Wales which Title has ever since devolved upon the Heir apparent to the Crown of England This Edward being the first who had that Dignity conferred on him and his Father dying he was Crowned with great applause in the 23. Year of his Age Then having setled the Affairs of Scotland he passed over to Bulloin and there in great state was Married to Isabel Daughter to Philip the fair King of France and returned with his Bride not passing twelve years of Age in great Triumph when as taking into his Favour one Pierre Gaviston whom his Father had banished but himself intirely loved many of the Nobility were displeased though the King made no great account of such their displeasure This Gaviston was a stranger by Birth Born in Gascoigne but a Gentleman in all respects being in his younger years brought up with the King during his being Prince of Wales and now made Earl of Cornwel yet so prevailed the Enviers of his rise that they procured a Decree for his perpetual Banishment out of England But the Kings love still following him he was made Governour of Ireland and within a while revoaked and in his return met by the King at Flint-Castle in North-Wales and there had bestowed on him to Wife Joan of Acres Countess of Glocester the Kings Sisters Daughter Yet so far prevailed the discontented Lords that a third time they procured his banishment but beyond the Seas his life being often put in hazard by the procurement of his Enemies as some suppose by the Kings secret sending for he returned within six Months to the great trouble of the Queen and her party who by this time began to disaffect her Husband and joyn with the Lords against Gaviston Whereupon first seeming to Petition for a redress of grievances they after took up Arms of which the Earls Lancaster Warwick and Hereford were chief and within a while the Earl of Warwick at a place called Blacklow afterwards Gavenshead having surprized Gavinston cut off his Head to the high displeasure of the King who at that time was not capable of hindering it yet excessive was the grief and displeasure he conceived so that the Lords thought it not safe to lay down their Arms till they had reconciled themselves to the King which was done by the mediation of Gilbert Earl of Glocester and several Prelates who travel'd therein Yet not so firm but the King continued a secret displeasure against the chief Actors but his melancholy was diverted by the Queens being delivered of her first Son at Windsor who succeeded him by the name of Edward the third as shall hereafter be related The Scots upon notice of this Intestine broil grew haughty and under the Command of Robert their King not only put many affronts upon the English who so long before had Lorded it over that Nation but made several
Lords that raised these stirs were Thomas Duke of Glocester the Earls of Warwick Derby Nottingham and Arundel yet upon the mediation of some Prelates the matter was so ordered that the Lords were content to present themselves to the King sitting in State at Westminster but so far from trusting his Royal word that they came strongly guarded and coming into his presence fell on their Knees yet after the former strain repeated their former demands throwing down their Gloves protesting to prove them Traitours by Combate whom they had so named yet the King in a sharp reply made them sensible how little he feared their Braves but in the end referred the further determination of matters to the next Parliament which shortly after held at Westminster And in the mean while bid them be content and mindful of their Allegiance yet they refused to separate themselves but withdrawing into the West near Burford set upon a party of Cheshire and Welshmen Commanded by Sir Thomas Molenaux and others and by the Kings special Order raised to conduct safe to Court the Duke of Ireland whom the King had secretly recalled from Banishment and after a hot dispute slew Sir Thomas and most of his Men the Duke hardly escaping then increasing their number they marched towards London whose approach caused the King to betake himself to the Tower and the Citizens through fear to open their Gates so that the Lords and the greatest part of their Host entered as it were in triumph and after some Messengers had passed between the King and them they found means to come to his presence and there boldly taxed him of secretly practising to fly with the Duke of Ireland into France and to deliver up Calais and other places in Normandy to the French King with many other unbeseeming expressions which either through real grief or a Noble disdain to be so used by his Subjects caused the King to shed Tears even in their sight and at last it was agreed that the King should the next day come to Westminster but the next day the King deferring his repair longer than the time appointed the Lords contrary to their Allegiance sent him word that if he came not speedily according to appointment they would chuse them another King who both would and should obey the Council of his Peers they having him present whom they intended to have Invested with the Diadem viz. Henry Earl of Derby Son to the Duke of Lancaster who afterward Dethroned him as shall be related The King having received this threatning message though much against his Inclination went to Westminster where the Lords were Assembled where they forced him not only to disclaim the Duke of Ireland divest the Lord Chancellour but likewise turn out of favour Alexander Nevil Arch-bishop of York the Bishops of Durham and Chichester the Lord Souches and Beaumont with many more of smaller account so that having stripped him of his friends they thought the easier to rule him and afterward committed as many of them as they could lay hands on Prisoners to the Tower to answer such Accusations as should be objected against them in the next Parliament which beginning the Candlemas following The first day of the Sessions most of the Judges were Arrested as they were sitting upon the Bench and committed to the Tower the Crime alleadged against them was that at Nottingham they having given Council to the Lords which they assured them was according to Law had afterwards assured the King that it was not according to Law but only they had been obliged to give such Opinions for their own security But Trisillian escaped for a while by flight being taken in the Morning was brought before the Parliament and having no longer respite than till the afternoon was carried to Tyburn and there according to Sentence had his Throat cut an unmanly death to be inflicted on a Lord Chief Justice There were likewise Executed almost all the Judges and about five Knights and Esquires most of the Kings especial favorites nor could the King stay this Execution but e're this mischief spread further 't was allayed by the arrival of the Duke of Lancaster who had obtained a great Sum of Money and a yearly Revenue of the King of Spain to quit his claim to the Crown of Castile and Leon and that the Lord Henry his Son Marrying the Lady Catharine that Kings Daughter should have the Title of Prince of Austria with several other advantageous matters and upon his arrival King Richard whether again to buy his absence is uncertain bestowed upon him the Dutchy of Aquitain confirming it in Parliament and putting into his Possession the Cap of Maintenance and Ducal Rod at which time his Son Henry Earl of Derby went for Prussia and there ingaged himself in the War against the Lithuanian where he Atchieved many noble deeds in Chivalry but soon after died the Dutchess of Lancaster Dutchess of York Dutchess of Derby and what was more grievous to the King his Queen whom he intirely loved all dying almost in a years space whereupon the Duke of Lancaster went over to take possession of his Dutchy and then upon complaint of the Out-cries committed by the Wild Irish passed into Ireland with an Army to suppress them and upon his return into France he was Married to the Lady Isabel that Kings Daughter and thereupon a peace concluded between the two Nations for the space of thirty years And now the Duke of Ireland being dead the discontents of the Lords seemed somewhat abated yet not long for the restless Duke of Glocester still contriving to secure his steerage at Helme by over-awing the King put so many affronts upon him that he often complained thereof to his Uncles the Dukes of Lancaster and York who perswaded the King of his good intent though his words might seem harsh but within a while after a Combination of the said Duke with the Earls of Arundel and Warwick the Lords Cobham and Chevy being discovered by Thomas Mobray Earl of Nottingham wherein they had conspired to Imprison the King and his Uncles Lancaster and York as likewise to put to death many of his Councellours upon which they were Arrested and the Duke sent Prisoner to Calais where afterward he was smothered with a Pillow and here only the Earl of Arundel Beheaded These Executions wrought some alteration in the minds of the People whose Darling the Duke of Glocester was so that they greatly maligned his Prosecutors and some vowed secretly to revenge but to salve up these discontents especially amongst the great ones the King in the next Parliament took upon himself the Title of Prince of Chester created his Cousin Henry Earl of Derby Duke of Hereford the Earl of Nottingham Duke of Norfolk the Earl of Rutland Duke of Amaurle the Earl of Kent Duke of Surry the Earl of Huntington Duke of Exceter the Earl of Sommerset Marquess of Dorset the Lord Spencer Duke of Glocester c. and added to his
Escutcheons the Armories of St. Edward the Confessor sometime King of England These proceedings for a time made fair weather but not long for a Feud arising between Henry Duke of Hereford and Thomas Duke of Glocester the latter accused the former of speaking several words to the dishonour of the King that King Richard held the Peers of England in no esteem but as much as in him lay sought to destroy them by banishing some and putting others to death That he never troubled his mind with considering how his Dominions were diminished through his carelesness and lastly that all things went to wrack as well in Peace as War Upon this it was ordered that the Accuser and the Accused should try the matter by Combate the latter stoutly denying he ever said any such words as were objected against him so that gages being delivered on both sides they entered the Lists but e're they encountered the King threw down his Warder and upon further consideration banished Norfolk for his Life and Hereford at first for ten years which after he reduced to six which some alleadged was a just Judgment on the former for being instrumental in putting the Duke of Glocester to death he being then Captain of Calais But now ruin and desolation being at hand Portents forerun it all the Bay-trees in England suddenly withered and within a while sprung out again fresh near Bedford the River between the Villages of Harleswood and Swelston where it is deepest drove back on either hand and for three Miles left its Channel dry with sundry other remarkable presages of what after happened To give way to which the King upon notice of his Cousin the Lord Mortimer's being slain by the Irish of Leinster who were up in Arms under their Leader Obrian he resolved to pass over in person to revenge his death and therefore to furnish his expedition he raised many of all hands and at the same time his Uncle the Duke of Lancaster dying he seized on his Inheritance without regard to his Son the Duke of Hereford who remained in Exile which the said Duke hearing was so throughly netled that not resolving to wait the expiration of his Banishment he taking the advantage of King Richard's absence resolves for England having upon notice of his Fathers decease taken upon him the Title of Duke of Lancaster and only accompanied with the banished Bishop of Canterbury and about twenty others when having taken Ship he for some time lay hovering on the Coast to understand how the People stood affected to him and the better to give his agents on shore time to work them to his purpose but upon notice that his Faction was strong he Landed only under pretence of recovering his Rightful Inheritance when as there repaired to him the Earl of Northumberland and his Son the Lord Henry his Son the Lord Nevil Earl of Westmorland and others as likewise a great number of the Country People offering him their Service so that within a short time he had formed a Puissant Army the news of which soon alarumed Edmund Duke of York the Kings Uncle who calling to his assistance Edmund Stafford Bishop of Chichester Lord Chancellour Lord Treasurer Earl of Wiltshire Bushy Bagot Green Russel and other Knights of the Kings Council to consult about raising forces to impeach the Dukes passage but their consultation came to nothing the Dukes Faction having so dealt with the common people that they every where refused to take up Arms against him Whereupon Sir John Bushy Lord Treasurer and Sir Henry Green betake themselves to Bristol Castle but it being stormed by the Lancastrians their Heads became a Sacrifice to popular fury but Bagot taking ship Sailed over to Ireland to acquaint the King with what had happened who thereupon making such peace as he could with the Irish he hastens over but before his arrival the Dukes Faction was swelled to such a torrent that there was no opposing it Whereupon the King having Cashiered his Army or they for the most part deserting him he retired to the Castle of Conway in North-Wales whither upon notice of his being there resorted to him the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Earl of Northumberland where after a long Parly the King perceiving no other conditions could be gained required that he and eight more whom he would name might have honourable allowance with the assurance of a quiet private Life that he in consideration thereof would make a resignation of his Crown which demand Northumberland swore should be observed and thereupon the King accompanied them to the Castle of Flint whither the Duke was come with a part of his Army and from thence after a short conference they removed to Chester where the King in consideration of many fair promises never performed put himself into the Dukes hands who conveyed him to London and there made sure of him in the Tower whither several of the Lancastrian Faction daily resorted to him to parly about the surrender of his Crown which at last he consented to do seeing no other Remedy to his Cousin the Duke of Lancaster and at the same time taking off his Signet he put it on the Dukes Finger and at the same time there being a Parliament called in King Richard's name the Arch-bishop of York and Bishop of Hereford were appointed his Procurators to declare what he had done nor was this sufficient for to make him odious to the People they exhibited thirty two Articles against him very scandalous and reproachful Whereupon Commissioners were nominated by the consent of the Houses to pronounce the Sentence of Deposition who were the Bishop of Asaph the Abbot of Glastenbury the Duke of Glocester the Lord Berkly and William Thyrring Chief Justice of the Common-Pleas the Form thus In the Name of God We John Bishop of St. Asaph John Abbot of Glastenbury c. Commissioners specially chosen by the Lords Spiritual of the Realm of England and Commons of the said Realm representing all the states of the said Realm sitting in place of Judgment do renounce all fealty to Richard of Burdeaux and him Depose from all Kingly Dignity c. Upon which the Duke of Lancaster rising from his Seat Crossed himself and then layed claim to the Crown in these words In the Name of God Amen I Henry of Lancaster claim the Realm of England and Crown with all the appurtenances as coming by the Blood Royal from King Henry and by that Justice which God of his Grace hath sent me by the help of my Kinsfolks and Friends for the Recovery of the said Realm which was in point of perdition through default of Government and breach of Laws This said he was conducted by the Arch-bishops of Canterbury and York to the Royal Throne and there Seated and from thenceforth all Writs and Process Issued out in his Name Richard In the mean space remaining a Prisoner in the Tower and every day in danger of his Life which was often aimed at the more
course is that of pious King Henry the Sixth CHAP. IV. The Barbarous Murther of Henry the Sixth King of England France and Lord of Ireland the three and fiftieth Monarch of England with the particular Marks of Gods vengeance upon the shedders of Innocent Royal Blood together with the Policies and Contrivances that were used to bring about the Barbarous Regicide HEnry the Sixth was Son to Henry the Fifth and Grand-child to Henry the Fourth his Mother was Katharine Daughter to King Charles the Sixth of France upon him the Crown devolved in his Infancy his Father dying when he was about Seven Months old and he Crowned at Eight yet his Warlike Father having time in his sickness made his last Will and Testament constituting his Brother the Duke of Glocester Protector of England during his Sons Minority and his other Brother the Earl of Bedford Regent and to the Duke of Exceter committed he the care of young Henry though to be nurtured and brought up by the Queen Matters being thus settled the King dies of a burning Feaver at Bois D' Vincenois in France and for a time all things were calm especially in England though they continued not long so for although no diligence was wanting in the Dukes Regents yet the Kings Minority gave way to many Exorbitancies as well amongst the Vulgar as the Nobility and France desirous of gaining her former liberty continually struggled with the Conquerour the active Dauphin still assailing the strengths of the English as he found advantage offer so that many places were lost by being taken or by revolt yet the couragious Duke of Bedford the Kings Uncle having received a supply of fresh forces out of England recovered many of them but he in the heat of those troubles dying at Roan the English but weakly maintained their footing in France and within a while after the Faction amongst the Nobles increasing the Duke of Glocester Protector of England and the Kings other Uncle through the procurement of Queen Margaret Wife to King Henry was Arrested in Parliament by John Lord Beaumont High Constable of England and committed to the custody of the Dukes of Buckingham Somerset and others when within a while after he was found dead as they pretended of an Apoplexy though those who enquired more diligently into the matter found by apparent Symptoms that he was made away yet the death of so great a Prince was hushed though it proved fatal to the King and Kingdom For in the death of these two Brothers the two strongest twisted Cords in the Cable of Government were snapped in sunder whereupon it proved too weak to Anchor the Ship riding in so fierce a torrent for now the ambitious Duke of York Cousin to the King having made strong his Faction began to shew himself openly laying claim to the Crown whilst the King was yet alive drawing to his part a number of the discontented Nobility who envied the Duke of Somerset a man true and just to his Country and one whom the King highly favoured but that not being like to bring his designs to perfection taking example by King Henry the Fourth he resolves to make himself popular and within a while so dealt by his Agents with the Mobile that they rose in many Counties in great numbers threatning like a Deluge all before them with ruin and desolation and from the Counties adjacent under the Leading of Jack Cade that audacious Rebel they Mustered about London and Quartered in the Suburbs ruining and plundering many stately Houses nor did Churches scape their Sacrilegious hands The chief of these Rebels were drawn out of Kent and their Petition or rather Peremptory demand after they had made incredible spoil was 1. That Richard Duke of York then in Ireland as likewise several others of his Faction whom they named should be called home and be admitted chief Councillours and have power to manage the principal Affairs of the Kingdom 2. That the Duke of Glocester was falsly Proclaimed a Traitour and therefore they demanded that the Authors might be punished By this we may see who incouraged them to those unnatural Insurrections they had likewise a third Article but it only contained scandalous reflections on the Duke of Suffolk but these Traiterous demands being denied and their Articles rejected they raged worse than before Whereupon Sir Humfry Stafford drawing together such forces as he could get Incountered them at Seven-Oaks whither they were retired but was unfortunately slain and his party routed by Cade the principal Rebel who disarmed him and put on his Armour which ill became such a Villain After this they again advanced towards London and some of the factious Citizens though contrary to the Will of the Magistrates favoring them they enter the City and make great spoil on the Houses of such as they imagined to favour the Duke of Suffolk or indeed the King which caused the Lord Mayor to Assemble the Loyal Citizens and consult what was best to be done who agreed that when Cade was withdrawn as soon after happened they should shut the Gates against him and defend the City for the King which they effected and kept him out though not without the effusion of Blood on either side but he being put to the foil his Companions grew faint hearted so that upon the coming forth of the Kings Proclamation to assure them of pardon upon condition they would deposite their Arms they deserted him and then a thousand Marks being offered to any that could take Cade dead or alive he within a short time was killed at Hothfield by one Alexander Eden a Kentish Gentleman and his Head being brought up to London was set upon London Bridge as likewise twenty six more of his Accomplices who had been excluded the Charter of pardon being taken received the reward of their Treason The news of these intestine tumults flying into Ireland and coming to the Dukes Ear who meant nothing less than the deposing of innocent Henry lest his Faction should be weakned by his absence he posts over leaving the Affairs of the Kingdom with which he had been intrusted in a tottering condition and upon his arrival without the Kings leave or liking committed Prisoners to the Castle of Ludlow John Sutton Lord Dudly Reynold Abbot of St. Peters at Glastenbury all of them the Kings friends and afterwards having resolved upon deposing the King he takes up Arms under pretence of removing evil Councillors from about the Kings person almost the original pretence of every Rebellion though the undertakers aim at nothing less then the King himself and the chief person he objects against the only man that kept him from his wicked purposes was Edmund Duke of Somerset and many grievous Accusations the better to colour the business are made against him but the chief insisted on was the loss of Normandy during his Regency though it evidently appeared that the Duke of York himself by fomenting a division amongst the great ones had given the French
opportunity to recover it The King seeing himself in danger resolves to oppose the torrent and therefore Arms and with a strong power marcheth towards Wales in whose Marches the Duke resided with his forces of which the Duke having notice and understanding the Kings power was such that he was no ways able to oppose them upon his feigned submission he so wrought upon the good nature of this pious and peaceful King that a peace was concluded and after some heats and accusations had passed between the Dukes of York and Somerset the former was swore to be true to the King and never more take up Arms but regarded his Oath no longer than it served for his purpose for joyning with the Earls of Warwick Salisbury and others of the Faction he again takes Arms and marches towards London and to oppose him the King does the like both Armies meeting at St. Albans a dreadful fight began which for a long time lasted doubtful but at last the Earl of Warwick with his Battalian breaking through a Garden fell in so furiously that the Kings party were put to the rout six hundred slain and amongst them the Duke of Somerset Earl of Northumberland Stafford Lord Clifford and others of Note Here the King received a slight wound in the Neck with an Arrow and was taken Prisoner though at the same time the Lords of the Faction pretended abundance of respect leading him to London and there procured a Parliament to be called in his name where they caused an Act of Indemnity to be passed and all things to be so ordered that they render their Faction pleasing to the multitude and now nothing remained but to depose the King and deprive him of Life but this they feared to do till their insinuations had spread wider and that they had got Prince Edward his Son into their hands for the King notwithstanding this adversity was extreamly beloved for his singular Piety and meekness nor did this suffice for in this Parliament the Duke of York got himself made Protector of England and its appurtenances a thing never heard of before unless in the Nonage of a King but his insolencies were such by Imprisoning and deposing the Kings best friends that he was soon divested of that power at the instance of the Queen and several Noble Lords well-wishers to the King These Intestine broils Incited the French and Scots to molest the Sea-port Towns and ways the remote parts of England upon news of which the King the better to revenge those injuries called an Assembly of the Peers at London whither the Duke of York Earls of Warwick and Salisbury were Summoned under the Kings Privy Seal and accordingly came but finding things not for their purpose they feigned a Plot against their Lives and so retired to their several Castles and places of strength without leave taken and there gathering forces upon a second Summons came in Hostile manner yet the good natured King so labored that a reconciliation or at least a seeming one on the part of the Yorkists was the result of that meeting but it continued not so long for upon a Quarrel between one of the Kings Servants and one of the Earl of Warwicks all was again in a combustion for the Earl of Warwick upon that occasion being Assaulted flies to Calais and there maintains himself by Piracy utterly disowning the King Supream Lord of that Place but being not long satisfied there he Sails over to the Assistance of the Duke of York and Earl of Salisbury who again had taken up Arms and Encamped near Ludlow bringing with him one Captain Andrew Trolop and a stout Band of Calesians whom all along he had perswaded that they were to fight in the Kings Quarrel but they finding it otherwise upon the Kings approach expressed their Loyalty by forsaking the Yorkists and coming over to the King who good natured Prince received them with all convenient expressions of kindness and Royal favour and Trolop their Captain being privy to all the Plots and Designs of the Yorkists Faction the Kings Enemies disperse the Duke of York with the Earl of Rutland his youngest Son into Ireland the Earl of March his Eldest Son and Heir together with the Earls of Warwick and Salisbury with much difficulty escape to Calais which place had King Henry timely fortified he had driven them all to great extremity yet the Parliament proceeded to Proclaim them and their Abetters Traitours and to attaint them of high Treason disabling them or their Heirs of ever inheriting their Titles or Possessions which made them again prepare to Invade England by stealth in their wonted Hypocrisy the better to win the multitude to side with them with deepest Oaths protesting they only sought the good and welfare of King Henry and the removal of evil Councillors sending many Writings abroad fraight with dissimulations to that purpose which wrought them much favour so that Landing in Kent and swearing to be true to King Henry especially the Earl of Warwick who swore it upon the Cross of the Cathedral of Canterbury they came forward to London still increasing in number which caused the King and Queen being no ways confident of the Citizens to remove to Northampton whither the Earls of March and Warwick hasted and notwithstanding their many fair pretences gave the King Battel overthrew his Army and taking him Prisoner brought him as it were in Triumph to London and although they held him Prisoner yet continued their dissembled kindness towards him with many feigned expressions of Obedience and Loyalty Upon news of this success the Duke of York hasts from Dublin in Ireland and pulling off the Mask he had so long vailed his design with layed claim in the Parliament then sitting to the Crown breaking open the Kings Lodgings and possessing himself thereof but the Parliament not approving his rashness he drew up his Pedigree in which he proposed himself to be the rightful Heir which was likewise opposed with many forcible Arguments yet so powerful was his Faction that he prevailed to be Proclaimed Heir apparent and again to enjoy the Title of Protector of England with a grant that Henry the Sixth should Reign only during his natural Life and that then the Crown should devolve on him and his Heirs as descended of the Masculine Line from Edward the Third but at this time the Queen being in the North gathering forces to release her Husband would by no means consent to this agreement which caused York to advance in order to oppose her but her forces consisting of near 18000 and his a far less number he contrary to the advice of his Council resolving to give Battel before his Son the Earl of March could joyn him the Battel was fought at Wakefield and therein himself the Lord Harington Sir Thomas Nevil Son to the Earl of Salisbury and almost all his Soldiers were slain so severe is the Almighty in punishing perjury and disloyalty to him and his Vice-gerents Kings Anointed
in a great Rage gave notice to his men in Harness that he had planted in the next Room who rushing in in great number one struck at the Lord Stanley with a Battle-Axe that had he not swiftly stooped under the Table had split his Scull but as it was it grievously wounded him then was the Lord Hastings Arrested and within an hour after Beheaded on a Logg in the Tower and all the other Lords disposed of in safe Custody for a time and to excuse the Fact a Proclamation was put forth intimating that the Lord Stanley and Lord Hastings intended to have Murthered the Protector and Duke of Buckingham in Counsel but few or none believed it and the better to colour his pretence of being bewitched by Jane Shore he caused her house to be rifled and her to do open Pennance and the same day the Lord Chamberlaine was beheaded the Lords of the Queens Blood were Beheaded at Pomfret not without his Counsel and advice little suspecting his Life was of equal date with theirs The Protector having thus far proceeded and resolving to go through stitch procures Edmund Shore Knight Lord Mayor of London to be of the Counsel that being privy to his design he might work the City to his purpose as likewise procured the said Shores Brother a Doctor in Divinity and one Fryer Pinker to Preach his Title and insinuate him in their Sermons into the hearts of the People in which the former by such prodigious Flattery and Dissimulation proceeded that being reviled and hated of all men for very shame and anguish he shortly after died the latter in the midst of his Sermon so lost his Voice that he was forc'd to break off in the middle but this way not prevailing though Gloucester had ordered them to Proclaim his Mother an Adulteress and that his Brother Edward was unlawfully begotten Buckingham together with tho Mayor Recorder and some of the Aldermen repaired to Guild-Hall where the Duke made a long harangue in praise of the Protector to all the Citizens assembled laying open the Cruelties Lusts and Tyranny of King Edward vilifying his off-spring and alleadging them unlawful by arguing him lawfully Married to the Lady Elizabeth Lucy though upon Tryal no such thing appeared the Lady denying and disowning any such Marriage His tedious Speech ended he expected the loud applause of the people that they should have cryed King Richard King Richard but they rather stood amazed in deep silence not so much as the murmur of a voice being heard at which the Duke was much perplexed and signified as much to the Mayor who told him he believed the people did not understand him aright whereupon he again began to repeat what he had before declared with additions more plain than what he had before delivered which ended some of his own men and of Gloucesters retinue as likewise several Apprentices and loose Fellows who had thrust in amongst the Citizens cryed King Richard King Richard and threw up their Caps whilst the Citizens looked back as amazed at what they meant but the Duke taking hold of this opportunity said It was a joyful Acclamation and he rejoyced to see that all as one man had consented that the Protector should be King and therefore desired them that the next day they would accompany him to wait upon the Protector to see if his Grace would accept of the Regal Diadem and in the mean while he would acquaint him with their good will towards him In the Morning the Mayor some of the Aldermen and several Citizens but more Apprentices and Serving-men accompanied the Duke to Baynards Castle where the Protector resided and being entred the outward Court they sent in a Message to the Protector to acquaint him that there were many Eminent persons as well Nobility as Citizens had an Important Suit to his Grace and could impart it to no other upon which he dissembles fear and unwillingness to speak with them but after many earnest Intreaties he came into a Gallery where they might behold him and from whence he might speak to them and then the Duke of Buckingham in the name of the rest addressed himself in a speech intimating that it was the desire of all the Nobility and Commons of England that he should take upon him the Soveraignty of the Kingdom of England and its Apurtenances which he made strange at as if he had never known of any such design and vehemently though with much dissimulation argued against it till the Duke of Buckingham told him that the Nation was resolved to reject the Line of Edward and therefore offered the Crown first to him as Right Heir and should be sorry his Grace should refuse it but if he did they were resolutely bent to Elect some Nobleman King without his consent To this the Protector after some recollecting himself as if he had been to study what to answer said He was sorry they should reject his Brothers Children and not suffer them to Rule but since it was their pleasure it was not in his power to oppose it and therefore as next Rightful Heir he accepted of their kind offer and would study to deserve their kindness c. After he had spoken what he thought convenient the people shouted King Richard King Richard that is the Rabble but the Graver Citizens stood Mute and had various discourses amongst themselves what might be the sequel yet we may well say here ended the young King Edwards Reign which was rather an Inter Regnum which from his Fathers Death continued only two Months and 16 days and in that space he not Crowned Richard by Tyranny and Usurpation having snatched the Diadem was Crowned with all Splendor and caused a Parliament to be called in his name such was the partial flattery of that Age many Acts were made which confirm'd him rightful Heir and to justifie his proceedings but he siting uneasy in his Usurped Throne whilst his Nephews were alive soon plotted the destruction of the Royal Infants which Heaven past doubt suffered for the many unjust blood-sheads committed by their Father nor was he long in finding a fit Instrument for his Hellish purpose for having in vain tempted Sir Robert Brakenbury to Murther the Innocents he in his Progress to Gloucester complained to one of his Pages saying Ah whom shall a Man Trust those whom I have brought up my self those that I had thought most surely to serve me even those fail me at my commandment and will do nothing to which his Page well understanding his meaning replyed that there was one without that he durst Ingage his Life would perform his commands meaning one Sir James Terril which much rejoyced the Usurper who going into the Pallace Chamber found Sir James and Sir Thomas Terril both Brothers though unlike in conditions in bed together when calling up Sir James a Varlet unworthy of Knighthood he Imparted the matter to him who never bogled at the horrid Villany but in hopes of Favour and