claiming and almost obteining the Crown of France The occasion and State of the difference was briefly thus Phillip de Valois the then King of France had with some what too much rigour demanded and with too much Imperiousnesse received the Homage of our Edward for some pieces which he held in that Kingdom But Edwards high Stomach could not digest the indignity as he conceived of this humiliation considering but somewhat of the latest that he had a better right not to fragments only but to the whole than the person to whom he had so lowly abased himself For Edward was the Son of Isabell Daughter of Philip le bell or the fair formerly King of France whereas Philip the present injoyer was Son to Charls of Valois but younger Brother to the foresaid le bell only there is one frivolous impediment in Edwards way to wit the French Law Salique which debars Females their Descendents from the Crown but this entail Edward is resolved to cut off with a good Sword And to this purpose he enters France with a strong Army and gave the French two such famous overthrows at Cressy and Poictiers that they put that State into a dangerous Consumption which without all doubt would have turned to an Hectick Feavour had the War been prosecuted with the same heat where with all it was begun A great allay to these prosperous proceedings was the untimely death of Edwards eldest Son Edward Prince of Wales but better known by the name of the Black Prince to whose prowesse the former Atchievments in France were chiefly owing who having made an inroad into Spain to reinthrone their K. Peter brought thence Victory and a mortal Disease which quickly made an end of him leaving behind him a young Son Richard of Bourdeux to whom Edward the Grand-Father yet living confirmed the succession by Parliament lest his aspiring Son Iohn Duke of Lancaster Richards Uncle should as one observs have supplanted him as King Iohn did his Nephew Arthur in the like case But what Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster failed in his Son Henry of Bullingbrook Duke of Hereford effected By deposing his Cosen German Richard the second who is rather noted to be an unfortunate than vitious a seduced than of himself Tyrannical Prince It will be no deviation from the matter but rather requisire in regard of the light it yields to the clearer and more distinct knowledge of the following confusions to speak somewhat more particularly of the manner of this Henryes compassing the Crown the claim he laid to it and the course he took to settle the succession in his own house this being the Fountain from which flowed the most bloody and most tedious Civil Wars that ever England endured this being the great ball of contention between the White Rose and the Red between the Yorkish and Lancastrian Family Henry the fourth of that name among the English Kings was as hath been noted before the Son of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster fourth Son of King Edward the third His Father was suspected but he is detected of higher thoughts than it became a Subject he being then but Duke of Hereford to entertain For justification of himself Hereford appeals to his Sword and offers combat to Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk his Accuser who couragiously accepts thereof But as they were about to joyn issue King Richard interposes and banished them both out of the Realm Norfolk for ever Hereford for ten years four of which the King struck off as of special favour when he came to take his solemne leave of him But Hereford himself doth much more abbreviate the time and doth long anticipates even the last indulged date of his return For he re-lands the very same day twelve month he departed and found many Abettors of his quarrel which at first he only pretends to be the recovery of his Dukedom especially the Earl of Northumberland whom King Richard at his late going into Ireland where now he is because the Earl demurred to accompany him in the Voyage had caused to be proclaimed Traytor and so made him that which otherwise perhaps he would not have been But Henries Power more and more increasing and Richards dayly decreasing till at length it languished into nothing Henry discovers that it was somwhat more than a bare Dukedom that he aimed at A Parliament is called in which King Richard as is pretended not only voâ—uâ—â—arily surrenders but is also violently degraded and Henry both by his and the peoples appointment installed in his Room who upon the day of his Coronation caused it to be proclaimed that he claimed the Crown of England First by right of Conquest Secondly because King Richard had resigned his Estate and designed him his Successor Lastly because he was of the Blood Royal and next Heir Male to King Richard Heir Male rather Hae es Malus sayes Edmond Mortimer Earl of March to some of his Familiars as knowing the lawful right to be inherent in himself though for the present it must give place to a stronger possessor For this Edmond was the Son of Roger the Son of Edmond Earl of March by Philip Daughter of Lionel Duke of Clarence who was elder Brother to Iohn Duke of Lancaster King Henryes Father Hereof Henry is very apprehensive and having dispatched Richard to Heaven before his time wished Mortimer there also and in order to his hastening thither refused to procure his liberty and enlargement but suffered him to continue in a loath some Dungeon though he had been taken Prisoner in defence of his Country against Owen ap Glendower the famous Revolter of Wales who therefore the more hardly used him that thereby his Kinsman King Henry might be moved to redeem him but therefore King Henry would not redeem him because he well hoped by this hard usage to be rid of him who was like to prove the greatest prejudice to his crazy and counterfeit Title For it was obvious to all however for fear dissembled by most that the issue of Lionel Elder Son of King Edward the third ought to have preceded Iohn of Gaunts the younger Son of the foresaid Edward And hence it was that Henry doth not solely rely upon his Fathers right which he knew to be infirm as long as any of Lionels off spring remained but joyns to it that of his Mother Blanch Daughter and Heir to Henry Duke of Lancaster Son of Edmond nick-named Crook-back eldest Son as was alleged of King Henry the third but by reason of his deformity pur by the succession which was for that cause conferred upon King Edward the first though but the younger Brother But the truth is in this pedigree there is an Error in the very Foundation for though our Henry were so descended as is specified from Edmond yet the said Edmond was neither eldest Son to Henry the third nor yet a deformed person but a proper Gentleman and a great Commander therefore entitled Crook-back or rather Crouch-back because he
more Masculine Spirit than to acquiesce in the forementioned dishonorable Conditions and because it was a Crown that the Duke of York chiefly affected She caused his Head to be cut off set upon a Pole and Crowned with Paper but the death and disgrace of the Father Edward Earl of March his Eldest Son doth speedily revenge to the utter ruine of the Lancastrian party Nor will this Edward as did his Father await anothers leasure and prove expectant of a Crown in reversion but immediately assumes it by the actual deposing of King Henry whom he takes Prisoner and commits to safe custody in the Tower of London But there was an accident which had well-nigh nipped the white Rose in the bud and restored the red Rose to its pristine vigour Edward the fourth late Earl of March now King of England sends his great General the Earl of Warwick to treat a Match between him and the Lady Bona Sister to the Queen of France But our youthful King in the mean time consulting only his own affections takes to Wife the fair Lady Gray Widdow of Sir Iohn Gray of Groby which so inceses warwick that he Rebels against his Master beats him not only out of the Field but also out of the Kingdom delivers King Henry from his Prison and reseats him in his Throne but all this is but as Lightning before Death Edward returns from beyond Seas fights with defeats and kills the Earl of warwick routs also Queen Margaret newly landed and the relicts of her Lancastrian Associates takes her and her Son Edward Prisoners which last is stabbed by Richard Duke of Glocester King Edwards Brother and not long it is but the Father Henry is dispatched by the same hand in the Tower of London whither he was remanded by King Edward after this fortunate and victorious successe The cruelty of Richard Duke of Glocester whose nature was more crooked than his body did not terminate in the blood of the Enemies but begins to practise on his Friends and nearest Relations For perceiving that King Edward by reason of his incontinency whereunto no English Prince was ever more subject was not long liv'd he secretly plots the attaining of the Crown for himself And for the more expedite compassing this ambitious design he first incenses King Edward against their common Brother George Duke of Clarence not only exaggerating the hainousaesse of his former disobedience which had been pardoned but insinuating a blind Prophecy that one whose name began with the letter G. should prove fatal to Edwards posterity Hereupon the Duke of Clarence is committed to the Tower and there by Richard drowned in a Butt of Malmsey however it was given out that he dyed of a discontented passion But the Ominous G. which the King so much dreaded was found in the sequele to appertain to Glocester himself who was the Contriver of this mischief and Butcher of Edwards innocent Sons of whom after the Kings decease he was made Protector The young Prince Edward the fifth was at Ludlow when his Father Edward the fourth dyed from whence his Mother was over desirous to have him forthwith conveyed to London But his Unkle the Duke of Glocester meets him by the way at Stony-Stratford and having secured all his faithful Attendants and Kindred by the Mothers side takes into custody the person of the young King which was the game that this mighty hunter did mainly intend Yet was there one obstacle to his aspiring ends still behind to wit Richard Duke of York the Kings Brother in Sanctuary with his Mother at Westminster whom to allure thence for to do it by Violence was accounted Religion in those days he imploys the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury to perswade the Mother and in case she proves obstinate to interpose his Authority to part with her Son under colour that he might be a companion and great lenitive of the Melancholy disposition of his disconsolate Brother Glocester having thus compassed the Wardship of both his Nephews makes shew as if he would proceed to the Coronation of the Elder but whilst the Lords of the Councel are debaring of the time and manner of it he arrests and on a sudden makes shorter by the Head the Lord Chamberla in Hastings whom though he had used as a forward Coadjuter in depressing of the Queens Relations yet knew him to be altogether averse from yielding any Countenance to the disinheriting of his Masters King Edwards Children Hastings thus removed the Duke of Buckingham who had received several disgusts from his Brother-in-law Edward the fourth is pitched upon as the fittest agent to carry on this Devilish attempt who having prepared the Mayor and Citizens of London comes in their name pretending Bastardy and insufficiency of Edwards race to make a tender of the Crown to Protector Richard and in case of refusal with threats to elect some other worthy and deserving Person Richard in seeming amazednesse makes strange at first of this by himself-devised proposal but after some importunity grants his forfooth unwilling consent not without a dissembled regret of his Nephews condition whose murder in the Tower doth immediately ensue Buckingham supposed not privy to the making away of the harmlesse Princes upon this and other distasts retires from Court to his Castle of Brecknock where with his prisoner Morton Bishop of Ely he contrives the Match between Henry Earl of Richmond and Elizabeth Daughter of Edward the fourth which proves Richards downfall and the union of the Yorkish and Lancastrian line Henry Earl of Rickmond was the Son of Margaret Daughter of Iohn Duke of Somerset Son of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster by Katherine Swineford relict of Sir Ores Swineford and though this Iohn and other Children were born before espousals yet was the issue made legitimate by Act of Parliament and confirmed by a Bull from Rome Of this Henry there goes a tradition for current that in the heat of the Civil Wars between the House of York and Lancaster Henry the sixth having espied him in the presence laid his hand upon his head and in a Prophetick manner said Behold this youth who is to enjoy that for which we now contend Which his Mother observing and treasuring up in her heart sent him into Britany in France as into a safe Harbour to be there educated and preserved till the sury of the tempest were over which then did so terribly rage throughout the Land Richard the third earnestly Solicites the Duke of Britany to deliver up Richmonds person to him which was well-nigh effected by the treachery of Peter Landoys the Dakes especial Favourite But Richmond having timely notice of this Clandestine negotiation flyes to the French Kings Court for at that time the Dukedom of 〈◊〉 was a distinct Principality from whence having sworn to consummate the projected marriage with the Lady Elizabeth he hastens to redeem poor England from the jaws of an usurping Tyrant Richmond Lands at Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire where he was heartily
and entwisted together But we cannot dissemble what few take notice of to wit that the better that is the more Masculine Bloud-Royal of the Saxon Race which in comparison of the Norman though both founded in Conquest was much to be preferred by reason of its much elder prescription did still reside in the House of Scotland For Margaret bare to Malcolm besides that Daughter Maud three Sons Edgar Alexander and David who to pass over the Intrusion of Donald the Brother and Duncan the Bastard of Malcolm because each did soon expire were all Kings in their Order but only David had Issue from whom the Kings of Scotland have ever since however they have alwayes abstained from their claim to the English Crown upon that account derived an undoubted and not to be disputed descent Henry David's only Son departed this life before his Father but left three Sons behind him Malcolm William and David which last was Earl of Huntington in England whereof Malcolm the 4. succeeded his Grandfather him being childless his Brother William him his Son Alexander the second him his Son Alexander the third and him should have his Grandaughter Margaret who was bred in and sent for out of Norway but that she died before her arrival on the Scotish Coasts And now the rest being extinct recourse must be had to the Off-spring of the late mentioned Earl of Huntington when lo two Grand Competitors appear Iohn Baliol who fetches his stock from the eldest Daughter Margaret and Robert Bruse who confessedly came from the younger Isabell but alledges that he is in a nearer degree of Consanguinity to Earl David than the other either did or could pretend himself to be The Controversie in regard of the Potency of both Parties being not capable of a decision at home without the danger of a Civil War it was referred to Edward the first King of England who rather brought Oyl to encrease than Water to quench the flame and was resolved to bestow it on him only who would profess homage and swear fealty unto the English Crown To this Imperious demand Baliol though conceived superior in Title yet proving meaner in Spirit did readily condescend which Bruse whose Plea was thought weaker but Courage found greater did utterly refuse to assent unto Whereupon Edward pronounces sentence on Baliols side who is acknowledged King by many of the Scotish Nobility but rather out of fear of Edward's power than any satisfaction or delight they took in this dishonourable and as they esteemed it unworthy submission Yea Baliol himself doth soon repent of it and bids defiance to Edward who now afresh cajols Bruse urging the performance of promises he returned a scornfull Negative As if saies he we had nothing else to do than to conquer Kingdoms for you to enjoy Baliol at last surrenders himself unto Edward and is by him sent Prisoner into England and there detained until the Pope's Intercession and Engagement that he should create no further trouble in Scotland he is released and retires into France where having resigned his whole right to his Counsin Bruse he spends the remainder of his days in a more quiet and contented estate But Robert Bruse Son of Robert the Author of the Contention which he lived not to see finished was little pleased with Eeglish Edward's fishing in disturbed streams and therefore he sets up trading for himself at first with smal probability of thriving but afterwards he caught the prey where at he aimed which was almost ravished out of the mouth of his Infant-Son David by Edward Baliol Son of that Iohn who had once renounced it but it was again rescued by Robert Stuart the Vice-roy and Baliol with his Issue if he had any failing the Brusians became legal Owners of that Kingdom whereinto at the beginning they seemed to have made but a violent and forcible entry Robert Stuart even now remembred was David's Sister's Son and consequently his Heir he having no Children of his own but David notwithstanding old benefits upon some new displeasure was inclinable to have put him by had he not been over-perswaded by the Nobility who were as well sensible of Robert's worth as that his Grandfather Robert the first had before his Son David was born designed him to the Kingdom Nay the Fates themselves if credit be to be given to some Scotish Chronicles had long ago destined no less for they report that Macbeth the after Tyrant and Banco one of Robert's Progenitors walking in a Wood encountred with three women of more than humane aspect who saluted Macbeth then a private person King of Scotland whereat when Banco shewed himself aggrieved they told him that Macbeth should only the King himself which presently came to pass but that the succession was reserved for his Posterity which though somewhat with the slowest is now at length exactly fulfilled For this Robert was the Son of Walter the Son of Iohn the Son of Alexander the Son of Walter the Son of Alexander the Son of Alan the Son of Walter Stuart the first of that Surname and Office in Scotland the Son of Fleance the Son of Banco whom Macbeth to defeat the Prediction slew and sought to do the like to his Son Fleance who prevented his bloudy intentions by fleeing into Wales and there as it hath already been touched in gross he married Nest by whom he had that first and famous Walter the Daughter of Giffith ap Llewelyn the Son of Angharad the Daughter and Heir of Meredith the Son of Owen the Son of Howel Dha the Son of Cadelh the Son of Rodri Mawr the Son of Esylht the Daughter and Heir of Conan Tyndaithwy the Son of Rodri Moelwynog the Son of Edwall Twrch the Son of Cadwallader last King of Brittany and first of Wales beyond whom in point of pedegree we dare not wander but must here erect our Pillars and fix our Ne plus ultra lest by wading further we should be swallowed up in the vast Abyss of an unbounded and fathomless Ocean And here we might likewise put a period to the whole Tract as having traced this Robert's lineage in the Brettish Story as far as with any confidence we can well proceed and being able with much more ease and assurance to resolve our present Sovereign's into his for Charles the second is the Son of Charles the first the Son of Iames the sixth the Son of Mary the Daughter and Heir of Iames the fourth the Son of Iames the fourth the Son of Iames the third the Son of Iames the second the Son of Iames the first the Son of Iohn whose name upon the Assumption of the Kingdom was converted into Robert the third the Son of the aforesaid Robert the second c. but that it is demurred by some First Whether Nest Walter 's Mother were an Heir or no 2. Admitting that she were whether her Ancestor Cadelh were the eldest Son of Rodri Mawr who being King of all Wales was the first that