of vertue in her countenance but yet a cruell and vniust woe chaunced vnto her young dayes to become the nuptiall Spouse of a voluptuous vnchast King who more esteemed the false desembling face of a Harlot then the chast beautie of this vertuous Queene and yeelded more credite to the vniust accusation of a flattering Peere then to the pittifull teares of this honourable Person whose lyfe from her infancie hath hitherto continued without blemish Therefore now we hope that mercy waighteth in the gates of the righteous euer to relieue the distressed trauellers This being sayd the Knight hauing a good lyking to the bright honour which vertuously appeared in their faces vouchsafed to giue them a fauorable entertainement and according to the worthines of honourable strangers he reteiued them with great kindnes who not refusing his willing offer with great humilitie thanked his curtesie esteeming themselues in aduersitie as pilgrimes throwne vppon strange rocks of hard fortune were exceeding glad of friends and friendship This bountifull Knight more to honour their estates commanded the best and wealthiest subiectes within the Iland to attend their persons and to prouide all necessaries for their needfull want besides which the most plesantest buildings within the Iland were appointed for their lodgings who after long recreation refreshing their wearie miseries with good ease they craued libertie to depart But at the time of their abode in the Iland the Knight was grieued with a most strange disease the which most cruelly tormented him through all the parts of his body but Queene Katherine taking a view of the same saide vnto him in these words Your disease good Sir is euidentlie knowne vnto me being already partly acquainted with the nature therof I am no professed Phisition nor Chirurgion but yet if it stand with your good pleasure to aduenture your selfe vppon my simple skill although a stranger yet will I shewe my vttermost experience in the recouery of your health Most renowned Queene replied the Knight I can but thanke you for your curteous offered friendship but if my health may bee recouered by your knowledge I shall obtaine a greater benefit from your good grace then euer yet could bee ministred by any mortall creature I haue to my great cost and charge intertained many good and learned phisitions and chirurgions from sundry famous places of the world yea men of renowned credit haue trauailed vnto me yet hitherto I neuer could neither by wisdome cunning learning policy nor practise be remedied or eased But nowe such was the vertue and grace of this noble Queene that although she was of royall bloud yet the fulsomnesse of the disease neither was lothsome vnto hir neither the daintinesse which her degree might require did cause her to refuse any paines for accomplishment of his health but so she applied her medicines within and without of such vertue effect that in short time the knight recouered not onely his health but liued long after a very perfect and sound man The knight hauing thus made a triall of the incomparable vertue wisedome learning and modest chastertie of this noble Queene caused hir renowne to bee published in many forraigne nations and rewarded her with great treasures likewise appointing a sure ship trusty Marriners with great store of prouision for hir passage into Normandy likewise hee writ a letter to Duke Robert touching hir rare and excellent orniaments of nature yea what a renowned woman his country was like to inioy wishing that his fortune had beene worthy of so blessed and good a creature to haue dwelled amongst his people Thus this good Queene hir deare brother with the residue of her honorable company passed foorth their iourney towards Normandy where and into which countrey she was royally enterteined of Duke Robert his Dutches and principal estates of that nation and receiued fauour of all other sortes of people for hir curteous behauiour In this country her orniaments of skill wortinesse of vertue and studious learning so increased flowed and abounded whereby she was able to dispute talke and reason with the learnedst physicion in the world for she was so much guided by wisdomes lore that many forraine princes came to reuerence her besides common people full of sundry diseases homaged to her person for remedy and ease some for one grife some for another and to conclude there is no disease which this gratious Queene tooke in hand but hir excellent knowledge gaue health and soundnesse Oh how many Princes and great Monarks of the world were content to stoope for health of body to this worthy woman What wonderfull treasures and rich iewels were daily laide before hir sent from all the parts of the earth in respect of hir magnificence renowned same and admirable credite beeing vniuersallie spread through all the dominions of the world CHAP. 8. ¶ How King Edward grew in misliking with his faire minion and her secret friend the wickked Barron and howe by their meanes he was deposed and constrained to forsake his natiue countrey THE fame of Queene Katherines glory obtained in the Dukedome of Normandy did more depresse and martyr her enemies in England then if she had made a conquest of them with forty thousande men of warre the which her good successe abroad being fauored in a forraine nation did not a little fret the cankered stomackes of her foes at home as King Edward her husband Casiope and the Barren of Buckinggam which greatly repented themselues that better forecast had not setled in their heades in the preuention of such mischiefes by the Queenes prosperous euent like to ensue Casiope inioying the lour pleasure and faithful seruice of hir deare friende the Barron beginneth nowe to fadome the deepest waters and to blind the kinges eyes with the foggy mistes of her deceitfull smiles who as an instrument of folly was drawn to what purpose his Minion pleased first framed by the Barrons fraudulent deuises ceassed not more and more to vse their wits in the best manner they could to maintaine their vniust loues and being in a feare least their leude lecherie should come to the kings eares the which not a little tormented their thoughts aduised themselues by priuy consultation togither howe they might best procure their owne safety So by subtile science of wit they inueigled the King to deliuer vp the title of his gouernement and dominion to yong Valentinus his bastard sonne all which being brought to vnhappy passe Casiope and the Barren her louer for recreation sake might the more safer vse their pleasant delights in the Kinges presence without suspition as though no blemish were in beautie nor lewdnesse in loue The King being thus deposed many times sitting like a dizard desolately left to himselfe putting a by receauing onely by the yeare sixe thousand crownes and the wicked Barron appointed the lord Protector of young Valentinus who was brought vp according to his wished desire King Edward now being discharged from the heauy burthen of a crowne early in
of cunning Artificers but he commaunded the Barron and his mother Casiope dispightfully to be brought foorth as scornes of the world to iest vpon where casting his eyes to the Tower he sayd You thinke time sleepeth or that siouthfulnesse wantonly walloweth in me no no although to my great cost yet haue I setled vp a surer stay to this my Realme Countrey then euer did my predecessours before me For I haue here established a Tower to hange trayterous Knaues Curtizans vpon The worlde shall not adiudge me partiall in my Lawes for subiectes shall drinke alike of one cuppe and licour This being sayd he caused the Barron and Casiope to be againe carryed to prison and there to remayne tyll his further pleasure euery hower expecting the deadly stroke that should seperate their bodyes from their soules All this while Sir Perce was not vnbusied omitting no time that might further his intent but continually fillyng Vallentines eares with strong perswasions that their liues and spirits might be speedely depriued a sunder which bloudy stratagem was not long a finishyng for the young Prince or rather vnnaturall viper in this maner powred downe the tempestious showers of truell murther for early in the mornyng he caused his Mother Casiope to be brought foorth who the night before hauing intelligence by her keepers that her dayes were at an ende cloathed her selfe in vestments of white silke and comming before her bastard sonne she very humbly prostrated her selfe and craued pittie mercie and forgiuenesse at his handes and with a blushing countenance as beautifull as the new bloomed Rose she spake in this maner Oh sonne Valentinus said she remember that I am the Mother thy selfe fashioned of my wombe and body and by nature springing from the tree of my life yet thou like a most vnnatural Homicide seckest to shorten my daies and to stop my breath whereas thou oughtest in duety and obedience to vpholde my honour and prolong my life I do confesse my vile offences haue deserued punishment but shall mine owne child be the reuenger thereof The banishment of good Queene Katherine and the confusion of all her friends through my vniust meanes was accomplished with many other miseries which I haue ouerburthened this lande withall onely to aduance an vngratefull dissembler which like the Viper seeketh to finish the life of his dearest pareuts Many more were the speeches which Casiope spake in hope to attract remorse from hir Iron harted sonne who nothing regarded her words but rather the more imboldened and stirred vp into a greater fury by a present commandement he caused her bodie to be cast vpon a Table and hir hands and legs to be houlden by the strength of men the which being done he with a sharpe knife cut his Mothers throate and with the same butcherly instrument deseuered her lisly necke from hir shoulders which ad wont to be adorned with a glittering chaine of pure gold After this he caused the place which first conceaued him to be ript vp and sild full of corny salt where after hir belly being thus closed vp he gaue commandement to haue her dead carcasse transported to the top of the Tower there hung vpon a Iibbet Her deare friende the Barron was vsed in the same order for he had his mouth stuft ful of burning Pepper and hung likewise vpon the same Iibbet aliue as a iust view of such vngeateful flatterers and adulterous traitours to behold This bloudy action being finished Valentinus spake to the people many reprochfull wordes in the disgrace of the wicked Barron and Casiope his mother calling her the She-deuouring Beare of England hir deare friend the first causer of King Edwards dishonour in which tyrannicall course of life our story bids vs now leaue the bastard Valentinus with his new friend Sir Perce and speake of the accidents that happened in the Normaine court CHAP. 10. ¶ How Prince Edmond returned againe into England and was crowned King and how the bastarde King was put to death after a strange maner QVEENE Katherine as you heard before after her wrongfull banishment from England was graciously entertained of the Normane Duke where she dayly had intelligence of the wofull estate of England by many of hir distressed countrymen which continually fled thither for succour in the redresse of whose miseries shee made suite vnto Duke Robert of Normandie that hir young sonne Prince Edmund might returne into Enland not onely to possesse himselfe into the rightfull inheritance of his owne dominions but to represse the pride of the miscreant bastard whose tyrannize had made England the perfect merror of calamity and the wofullest nation vnder the cope of heauen In this maner euery day Queene Katherine solicited Duke Robert with fauourable petitions for the furnishing of her sonne into his owne Countrey with a band of warlike Souldiers vnto whom the Normane Duke answered in this maner Loth I am faire Queene that your princely sonne should forsake my dukedome and dominion being the only staffe of my old age and after my death the hope of my subiectes although not naturally borne amongst them yet comming of a royall blood the sonne of a maiestical Prince they will rather submit to his obedience then to the gouernment of one of a simpler birth No no sayd Queene Katherine there is no reason why a stranger should be Prince of forraigne subiectes through whom they should be either too much burthened or mooued to disdaine and therefore most noble Duke I humbly craue that permission may be graunted for his departure and in regarde of your princely liberality hauing brought him vp to such abilitie prowesse and warlike perfection he shal be bound to confesse homage and loyaltie to your kingdome whilst he liueth The Normane Duke being possest with a milde nature and ready in all actions to satisfie Queene Katherines expectation presently mustered a great multitude as well of Normane souldiers as exiled Englishmen which zelously protested all duetifull indeuours in the young Princes behalfe and in the accomplishment of that honorable exployte Queene Katherine hauing gathered great masses of golde and siluer attayned through her learned skill and practise in Phisicke furnished her sonne Prince Edmond with such abundance that nothing wanted either to his aduenture or contentment and so beeing furnished with Munition Ships and Souldiers he hoysted vp sayle and with a merrie winde safely arriued vpon the confines of England where presently he aduanced his Culloures and planted his forces to the best aduantage But now the bastard Prince Valentinus being amazed at the sight hereof with a fearefull troubled minde greatly misdoubted that his kingly gouernment was at an ende yet hauing mustered vp a slender armie of English Souldiers nothing auayleable for his defence he committed them vnder the leading of Sir Perce of Winchester who tendering his owne safety went to the enemy where both him selfe and his souldiers sware true obedience to Prince Edmond This vnexpected accident so daunted the
bastard King that he grew desperate of good happe and being left as a naked man he secretly conueyed himselfe to the Tower and hid himselfe in an obscure den Thus Prince Edmond without any further disturbance quietly entred the Kingdome where he tooke vpon him the possession of the English crowne placing the banished English men in honorable dignities most richly aduanced the Normane souldiers the which being so luckely accomplyshed he caused the bastard to be searched foorth his mouth likewise to be stuffed closed vp with burning Pepper and hanged aliue in chaynes of Iron by the Barron Casiope vpon the top of the Tower as you heard before so vsed Euery thing brought thus to so good a passe England in short time became well unpeopled againe the Realme multiplied in gold siluer noble Famelies adorned with honorable possessions Lords Knights Esquires Gentlemen in semblable degree endowed Marchantes and Artificers well placed for traffique from forraigne regions great vent and tillage and breede of cattle increased learning and liberall artes maintained Marshall prowesse exercised and all things els in most decent maner placed the which we will passe ouer and speake of King Edward lyuing in the King of Denmarks Court. CHAP. 11. ¶ Of the Warres betweene King Edward and his owne Sonne and the successe thereof with other thinges that hapned THese affaires could not be so priuatly handled in England but that King Edward had intelligence thereof in Denmarke who with a resolute determination desired to returne into his natiue Countrey not onely that his olde age might be there comforted but that his daughter Siluia might be ioyned in marriage with Essricke the Prince of Denmarke whose father in the redresse of King Edwards long offlictions caused the second part of all his able men at armes to be mustred vp and prouided rich treasures for Souldiers pay with warlike weapons armour and store of shyppes necessary for such a dangerous exployte and published by Proclamation through all the Prouinces of Denmarke that king Edward was to reclaime his lawfull right in England vniustly vsurped by his owne Sonne with many other incouragements giuen out to animate his Subiectes to proceede with resolution This busie preparation in Denmarke so pierced Sir Perce of Winchesters eares in England that he mistrusted his estate to be dangerous and that his doble dealing would be shortly espied in the preuention whereof the better to protect and defend him selfe he writ this priuie Letter to King Edward as followeth Sir Perce of Winchesters Letter sent to king Edward NOTHING shall intice my hart most Soueraigne Lord to prooue disloyall to your Matestie nor nothing restraine the seruiceable duetie which I owe vnto your Excellence And although I was in my cradle when first you left your naturall Countrey of England but yet now being growne vp to sufficient reason do assemble all my powers of nature what pollecie chiefly may preuayle or practise procure your recouerie For there is nothing that my drouping soule wisheth for more then your happy returne to your former possessions I loue Prince Edmond if he reuerence your Maiestie and I wish him good successe if he shew the duetie of a sonne vnto his father against whom if he lift but his hand in wrath the Gods will wreake iust vengeance and destruction vpon Therefore most noble Lord thinke it not danger to returne for I will counsell him to submission shewing what execrable vengeance is pottended to them which draw the sworde of tyrranie against their owne Fathers I will admonish him to conuerse least his owne wilfull conceite bring him to perdition Thus may I both defend and counsell him without suspition of the world and also therevpon shew fauour and reuerence to your worthy Maiestie Thus fare you well THIS Letter being transported to King Edward into Denmarke was receined as sweete flowers with promised requitall the which refreshed his drouping senses and changed dispaire into perfect assurance and thinking now to recouer his former right by the meanes of Sir Perce vpon whose backe the common wealth of England depended but fearing least his proffered affections should alter he sent this answere to his letters as followeth King Edwards answere to Sir Perce of Winchesters Letter I Neuer dispaired but the Gods which hitherto hath gouerned all my attemptes would at last send some comfort to my miseries and bring me againe to the full perfection of my felicitie which through your wisedome and pollecie must be attained Therefore in most humble sort I do accept your kind proffer and this your loyall enterprise shall in the highest degree be blazed amongst my best friendes and vntill my soule be diuorsed from my body I shall neuer forget the loue of so faythfull a Subiect hencefoorth vowing to put off all feminine affection and vaine delightes which haunt Princes Pallaces and the Courtes of mightie Kinges Haue not I iust cause to render thankes to the immortall Gods that in the middest of my miseries I haue found so prudent and worthy a friend as is your noble selfe whose loyall hart is wholly consecrated to my good fortunes Euery day do I wash my face with teares for the tragicall ruine of my Countrey and euery day do I breath out sorrowfull sighes from the closure of my soule to thinke how the light beames of my princely honours hath been darkened by the falsehood of Casiope and the Barrons cunning craft whereby my poore Subiectes haue bin in â—angâ—râ—â— and my selfe plundged in carefull calamities all which greeueth not my soule so much as that mine owne childe now contrary to the duetifull obedience of a Soune doth vsurpe my Crowne and holdeth vp the sword of sedition against his owne Father But yet I see the Gods will still preserue both my lyfe and honour in that you are appoyuted to remedy my distresse and correct the trâ—yterous trespasse of a wicked Sonne Thus I end assuring my selfe that my fortune shall amount to the loftie turrets of my desire and likwise tread â—owne disgrace and quench the scorching flames of noysome enemies thus wishing you as my selfe I bid you farewell YET for all this King Edward regarded this person but as a prodigall and climbing traytor pâ—ouâ—ly aspyring after princely dignities and therefore entertained and placed in the ranke of false friends vsing him as a shaddow and image of a dead man without either respecting his valloure or trusting to his faigned flatteries But now in the meaue space whilst these things were a working Prince Edmond vnderstood by a priuate friend of Winchesters pestiferous treasons to the reformation whereof he sent foorth a trustie band of Souldiers for his apprehention which newes by Sir Perce was first vnderstood and therefore he fled secretly into Denmarke and disclosed to King Edward all the pollecies practised in England for which he was richly recompenced and rewarded with sumptuous entertainement After whose departure Prince Edmond felt the toundation of his Kingdome to begin to shake and thinking now to be cloaked vnder his Mothers wing he writeth to her of the starting away of Winchester his chiefe Counseller who hath not only stayned the true duetie of a subiect but impayred the safeguard of his regiment and disclosed the priuities of his counsell Prince Edmonds letters to Queene Katherine sent to her into Normandie DEARE
slayne as a Caulfe in the shambles his skinne fleade of his head set up as a signe of a murtherer a rauisher of holy chastety and his corpes throwne to the kinges Houndes to be deuoured Infinite examples might be remembred amongst the radiant florishing Ladyes that haue been inspired with excellent guiftes of vertue I could discourse manifolde warnings but chiefly I will prefixe before your eyes the misery teares and vnmeasurable forrowes of Lady Aelana a paragon and mirrour of true continency whose portion was vexation and vnrestfulnesse cruelly bereft from chast integrety and renowned honour but such was the proofe of her rare and exquesite vertue by the fauorable Gods that greedy Beares as Lieftenants of Iustice deuowred her enemies Thus if right were not mayntayned by immortall meanes violence dissimulation and deceitfull flatterers would florish amongst mortall men to the subuertion of Kingdomes inquiatations of Kings houses tirrable cryes in iudgement seates distruction of Citties and ouerturning of common wealthes wherefore most honorable Princesse if the righteous honesty of your cause be buylded vpon a sure rocke mercy shal be gayned mallice vanquished by modesty and thraldome depriued by libertie thus resting our selues with this resolution till King Edwards minde and pleasure be further knowne herein After this kind promise pronounced by the good Earle of Sommerset the Queene pulled from her golden locks certaine sumptious pearles rich iewels hanging in most beautifull brightnes and gaue them to the Earle of Sommerset saying I doe not right honortable Lord impart these guyftes as a bribe couertly to ballance my cause but as a proofe of my good will and a requital of your paines in visiting me thus in my miseries which if they be gratiously accepted I shal thinke my selfe most highly honored No sooner were these speaches finished and thankes giuen for the Queenes gentle Rewardes but the Nobles departed the Prison and conueiged them selues into a secret Chamber where euery one deliuered his opinion measuring out a direct meanes for her enlargment all which proceeded of true loue and firme beliefe of her chastetie But after many consultations with a generall consent they concluded to write vnto the King not onely to alter his discontented minde but to discouer the falsehood and flatterie of the wicked Barron The Counsels Supplication to King Edward IF vnfaigned affections which loyall Subiectes beare to the Common-wealth of England or the true chastetie of your Queene vniustly wronged by flatterie may mooue you most excellent Prince to remember the holy vow of Wedlocke where your inseperable loues were ioyned together and of two persons made but one body we assure our selues then that your vertue and wisedome will lenefie the honourable cause of your nuptiall Spouse and gather these vnioynied members into right course againe For why should your Grace be dismembred hauing all the partes of naturall proportion redefied in your person Why should you make your felfe a poynting stocke of infamie to forraigne enemies and a domesticall contempt to your owne Subiectes Let naturall regard perswade you to driue out these pernitious poysons which flattering Subiectes haue lodged in your breast inchaunting you with vncurable Ielosie which except you speedely reforme your Royall estate may fall into present ruine These dangers considered lyeth you vpon speedelie to frequent the companie of your chast Queene whose honourable vndefiled foote-steppes we haue made good tryall of to the hope of your fauour her speedie deliuerie and a iust discharge of our dueties This Supplication receiued by the King could nothing at all preuaile to enlarge her seruitude for a litle before the wicked Barron had presented to King Edward a Gold-smithes daughter of London named Casiope a Damsell of a lewde behauiour yet beautifull and passing amorous who with her flattering smiles so intangled his eyes and bewitcht his fancie in such sort that he delighted onely in her companie wholly changing his auntient loue from his loyall Queene thinking all times too long till the tender thred of her lyfe were cut off which Vertue before time had so honourably spunne King Edwards minde being thus obscured with thicke fogges of flatterie and ouerwhelmed into a pernitious gulfe of darknesse his disease of Ielosie prooued more incurable which could neither be holpen through the earnest loue of his Queene nor perswaded through the long seruice of learned Counsellers Oh it is a worlde to beholde how flattering deceiuers can temper deslicate drinkes for euery mans appetite stoppe wisedomes eares by false inchauntments and subuert true conscience by wrongfull insinuation The King on the other side mistrusted not vulgar reports of populer men neither the ouerthrow of his Kingdome by such a deâ—ision nor regarded the patient minde of his vertuous Queene called for certaine of his priuie Counsell who being comde before him he gaue them this sharpe ediet for the arraignement and sentence against Queene Katherine and the Duke of Suffolke the tenure of the Kings words were as followeth If wilde Iuie my noble Lordes ruinate the walles of my House reaching within the windowes of my secret Chamber were it not necessarie to be plucked vp If in pleasant Gardens one spreading Weede disorder all the other odoriferous Flowers is it not requisite to haue it destroyed And although the rare beautie and excellent orniamentes of my Queene might easely inflame simple minde to beleeue her faigned holynesse yet one filthie stayne blemisheth all the rest One wrintle in Apelles tinsell blurred the costly Tables of Bacchus Doth not one vnsauery corner pester a whole House One lothfome odoure ouercome many pretious Oyntmentes Why are you then my Lordes so blinded with her deceitfull practises plagued with her desembling wordes and alured with her pestilent poysons What do you repute her a demie God Doe you thinke her an Angell of heauen Is she twise blest my selfe a thousand times accurst I sweare by the honoure of my Scepter to punish her lewd lyfe in such a maner that neuer after the blacke cloudes of her shame may obscure the glory of my Kingdome Let it not therefore most noble Lordes be imagined that I can be ouercome by any mans flatterie or my wits so lightly carryed away to be deceyued without good and due proofe all which great iniuries to my person impeachment to my Kingdome and wrong to my Subiects shall be followes with seueere iudgement therefore I charge you vpon your dueties as you hope to winne the garland of my fauour to prosecute my determination which is the desertfull fall of my vntrusty Queene and the confusion of her proude minnion the Duke of Suffolke And in saying this lyke one wholly bent to a resolute will not staying for any answere he departed from his Lordes and left them euery one sodaynely surprysed with griefe ready to cast them selues headlong into the desartes of dispaire yet durst they not by any meanes seeke to contradict his will but presently to perseuecre in this sinister iudgement CHAP. 3. ¶ How the
in comely apparell iewels money and other prouision to his daughter Siluia brought vp as then in the Denmarke Court vpon whose arriuall there newes was sent vnto the King that a stranger being an English-man by birth was desirous to speake with his Maiestie who being full of friendly entertainement receiued him in a most royall maner and being come before his presence King Edward spake as followeth The tempestâ—s of aduersitie right excellent King hath brought me vnto your presence not in any euill pretence against your countrey but as one trayterously deceiued by ambitious Subiectes For know most noble Prince that I am the vnhappie King of England banished from my countreys and dominions and bereft from Princely tytles honour and renowne And now sith my deare Daughter and childe faire Siluia here at your cost charge is brought vp nature and affection haue drawne me hither to see her This being sayd the Denmarke King with right good grace reioyced and both courteously receiued and reuerenced him profering him friendshyp power and assistance as well to maintaine his present estate as to restore him againe vnto his Kingdome Faire Siluia with great obedience presented her selfe before King Edward her father who greatly commended her beautie and diuine gyftes of nature condemning his owne hard hart in banyshing her so vnnaturally from her natiue Countrey for I wish sayd he my graue had swallowed me aliue when first my malitious minde committed her to banishment Therefore in requitall of that iniurie faire Siluia yf euer I recouer agayne my right refuse not to be crowned the royall Queene of England These and many more lyke speaches past berwixt King Edward and his daughter duering the tyme of his aboade in the Denmarke Court the which King gaue him such honorable mayntenance as belonged to his princely estate the rather because he esteemed faire Siluia a meete wife for his sonne and heire young Essricke both being of an equall age and nursed vp together Thus the Denmarke King reuiued with a gladsome hope of climbing the highest top of these famous dignities did make no spare of cost for the accomplishing of his haughtie expectation Also King Edward made a determined purpose with more deliberation riper iudgement to reobtaine his dominion and gouernment CHAP. 9. ¶ How Vallentinus the bastard was crowned King and how he through the perswasions of Perce of Winchester caused his owne Mother with her paramour the wicked Barron to be most strangely put to death NOW must we speake againe of the troubles that happened in England after the Kinges banishment where the wicked Barron and his minion Casiope many a day practised their wits not onely for euer to bar king Edward from his kingdome but vsed diligent watch and examined the bottome of euery attempt that might practise his returne but at last they concluded vpon the coronation of young Vallentinus and resigned the Crowne and Scepter into his handes which before time they had reserued to his vse for declaration of true obedience Many of the best Subiectes did sweare disloyaltie to King Edward and subiection to the Bastard who had no sooner falsely vsurpt the Crowne but by vnkind behauiour he altered the minds of the welthiest Subiectes who in securitie of their lyues forsooke their natiue Countries whereby the Realme was left vnpeopled without tillage destitute of bread bereft of money treasures and trafficke of marchandize from other dominions for their necessary trades decayed and all things grew out of frame and good order But now Vallentinus the Bastard beginning to grow proud ryetous and wanton disdayned the wonted checkes of the Barron and his Mother who many times sought to controwle his wretchles lyfe through which a great misâ—iking and dissention grew amongst them and to make enuie the more riper there was one Sir Perce of Winchester a notable cunning youth brought vp with Vallentinus and wholly of his counsell who knowing him to be no lawfull Prince but a vsurper also viewing the wofull calamitie and ruine the Countrey was brought into stirred sinders more hotter amongst them for he so flattered the young King feeding his humors and aduised him to reiect the Barron and Casiope his Mother to make denyall of their checkes contemne their controulments and to beare sway of his owne absolute authority Thus being incensed by Sir Perce he began to rouse vp his peacocks fethers and to beare a malitious hatred against the Barron and his mother his best friendes and chiefe aduauncers Sir Perce nothing fayling in all maner of deceites playde likewise on the other side and vnder the colour of loue that he bore to the young Prince he wished and exhorted them sharpely to reproue the vnbridled lyfe of Vallentinus Thus ambodexter like this young flatterer Sir Perce of Winchester vnder a cloake of true loue still feeding the stubborne and vnciuill natures of both parties planted vp most waightie cannons and battered the strongest walles of the Kingdome Casiope and the Barron thinking themselues without hope of reclayming Vallentinus secretly departed his Court and raysed vp an armie of well approued Souldiers and attempted as well to ransacke his Pallace as the apprehention of his person Vallentinus through the cunning of Sir Perce was admonished of this deuice and practise and mustred into his seruice the most couragious and valient Captaines and best approued Souldiers that could be found But now the Barron with his Armie seeking to preuent them fought such an vnlucky Battayle that two thousand of his brauest followers came to foyle and slaughter and him selfe and Casiope taken prisoners who by the furious crueltie of the young Prince was clapt vp in prison to abide a hard and mercilesse captiuitie Hauing thus taken an occasion of the time and fortune he consulted with Sir Perce what was best to be done in such a businesse who hauing a wylie wit and a craftie capasetie whispered priuely in the Princes eares and aduised him to iudge them to a speedy execution for doubt you not quoth he but there is iust causes to be layd agaynst them as chiefly your mothers filthy adulterous lyfe with that bace and wicked Barron whose trayterous minde hath not onely mooued this rebellion but hath been the cause of your deare fathers banishment And beeing now in safe custodie let no good fortune be neglected till you haue expressed the duetie of a louing childe by their dispatchance out of this transitorie worlde Vallentinus now wholly fastning his minde more vppon prodigalitie ambition and vaine glory then publike profite to his Crowne and Countrey and was ignorant what danger would ensue in cutting off the Barron and his Mother beeing his best friendes and surest proppes in all extremeties therefore without any further consideration he erected furnished and sumptuously builded a strong Tower very splendant and admirable to behold of wonderfull largenesse deapth and hight He also caused a Gibbet to be festened vpon the toppe thereof the which being no sooner finished by the handy worke
and welbeloued Mother I haue seene and knowne and now at length found the force of a flatterer for the vnconstant knight of Winchester with false colours hath bleared my eyes He hath sucked honey in England and now spitteth poyson in Denmarke he hath drawne out a vennomed sword to hacke a sunder my rule gouernment He that was wont to comfort me with counsels now killeth me with deadly destruction Therefore my beloued Mother as you did safely conduct me hither so leaue me not now in danger of confusion for I am as one wrapped in sundry extremeties sould into the handes of enemies eyther to yeeld with repulse and shame or haue my young vnexperienced age conquered with death wherefore sweete Mother ayde me with your strong hand that these dangers layde against me may be escaped Rule me with reason and with your honourable wisedome counsell me that I may euer hereafter gouerne my actions with discretion and neuer more be troubled with treasons of a flatterer whose villanies hencefoorth I will disdaine and no more regard them then the chaffe blowne away with the wind Deare Mother speedely answere my distressed desires that my soule may not euer languish in distresse Thus ending at this time wishing the heauens to blesse you with honourable and long life fare you well From our English Court. WHen Queene Katherine had receiued Prince Edmonds Letters she in tendernesse of hart wept bitter teares but yet being perfectly instructed in wisedomes preceptes thought it against the lawes of nature to striue against her husband therefore she poured foorth these sage sentenses the which in maner of a Letter she returned backe into England to Prince Edmond her sonne Queene Katherines Letters of confolation sent to her sonne in England IT is wel remembred my princely Sonne that flatterers vndermining Kingdomes are Timber-wormes which lurke in the secret celles of Princes consciences that counterfeites the complexions of all creatures and filles their boosoms vp with the noble blood of honorable Houses Why had not you then read and turnd ouer the auncient Chronicles of England and seene into the fall of Princes practised by the pride of flattering startups The Lacedimonian Kinges although preserued in walles of Iron and in towers and castles of brasse yet by the deceite of flattering traytors were their princely gloryes subuerted to miserable infamie The Grecian Princes continually placed in Chariots and close Litters of golde guarded with great armies and hoastes of puissant Souldiers yet through the sufferance of false flatterers were they dayly diuerted to sodaine confusion I say my deare and honorable Sonne looke into the gouernement of our auncient Kings of England who retaind none into their counsels but the sonnes of Noble families borne to honorable giftes of nature wise vertuous and of a ciuill gouernement If any of a bace birth were entertained into Princes fauours first were they tried and then trusted deserued then honored well approued and then credited I say if either learning wisdome or experience had in any poynt ruled thee sweete flattery had not thus ouerreacht thee nor subtill dissembling so deceiued thee and to conclud King Edward my husband and thy father in loue equall vnto vs both may not be vndermined by me nor resisted by thee I may well councel but not defend thee nor any way minister comfort to thy sorrowfull afflictions especially against mine owne deere husband and thy father and as I admonish thee to reuerence his person so I charge thee to restraine thy stubborne wil for although he hath heaped manifold miseries vpon my backe yet with all honour to his person wil I discarge my selfe Thus fare you well from the Court of Normandy Your sorrowfull Mother vnhappy Katherine Queene Katherine although shee fauoured her sonne yet would she not seeke to resist King Edward hir husband but with wisdome obedience and humilitie gaue the world to vnderstand what glory and magnificence adorned her patience and although motherly nature willed her to seek the aduancement of hir sonne yet discretion did medigate the meanes that might scandolize the honour of hir husbande Whereas Queene Katherine rested in equall loue indifferently betweene them both so the Earle of London being hir brother and Prince Edmonds Vncle matched in mariage with the Dutches of Brittaine which honorable preferment happened through his sisters credite who vnderstanding of his Cousins distresse as well by King Edwards prepared â—â—â—aâ—â—on as Winchesters false trecheries in denouncing his subiection raised a great Armie of souldiers to the number of thirtie thousand able warriours the which he conueyed into England to be imployed in Prince Edmonds seruice On the other side the good Duke of Suffolke after his banishment froÌ„ England was highly graced with so tunes felicitie where through his Knighthood and manly behauiour he got such good lyking of the Queene of Portingale into which cruntrey he trauelled that she receiued him into her fauour and changed his wandring life into princely estimation betrothing her loue and kingdome to his gouernement whilst she liued and after her death this noble Duke by the generall voyce of the Portingals was elected King and ruler in her stead The Duke of Suffolke being thus crowned King of Portingale not of compulsion but in curtesie requested ten thousand able men to be prest in his friend Edmonds behalf the which multitude being leuied and accepted into seruice were conducted into England there by Prince Edmond most courteously entertained who being now strengthened with the Duke of Suffolkes souldiers from Portingale with the Earle of Londons souldiers from Brittaine and with his owne souldiers in England being all conueyed into one mayne Battaile he waighed in the ballance of discretion eyther an honourable winning of renowne or a loosing of all his kingly dignities So vpon a time assembling all the whole Armie of souldiers togither as well Brittaines Portingales as Englishmen who to inflame their vndoubted mindes to honorable resolution vpon an open Theator he spake this Oration following Prince Edmonds Oration to his Souldiers ALthough this our dominion of England most noble Souldiers and worthy Subiectes hath of late been made a common spoyle by sundry bace flatterers and impudent traytors deepely digging and vndermining our royall estate The freshe memorie of which English miseries through Casiopes filthy lyfe the wicked Barrons cruell extortion and the Bastards false vsurpation might easely from your eyes constraine a fountaine of teares which greeuous calamities at length through my Mothers care was taken away and my selfe being young and without experience setled among you am now in hazard to be bereaued not onely of lyfe but of
rule and gouernement the which if it bee vnfortunately brought to passe what other hopes may you then expect but to bee ransacked and dispoyled of all your possessions and wealth your young men put to violent sworde your wiues rauished and your daughters euerie one defloured surely then let troth bee in your hearts stirre vp your valours manifest your noble minds and stretch forth the power and strength of men whereby that they which seeke to winne our ioyes may first bee drowned in a sea of sorrowes and those that will bee honoured with crownes must first in marshal fields obtaine a victorie therefore my louing souldiours if you stedfastly stand I wil sprinkle my heart bloud vpon our English ground before that cowardize shall inforce me to flie or loose one iotte or little portion of my kingdome Be not amazed my friends and country-men either let vs liue to maintaine our states together at liberty or else loose our liues with fame renowne Thus much I trust sufficeth to witnesse the vnfeigned affection the which I beare towards you from whose loue I wil neuer depart till death THis Knightly Oration so reioyced the soldiours harts that they almost willingly offered their liues a sacrifice in Prince Edmonds seruice and made choise rather to fight in defence of their Countrey then to be captiuated with tyrannicall slauery for whereas the English forces were before separated in their seuerall opinions so nowe were they with inseparable heartes knit fast together valiantly resolued to trie the last euent of this dangerous warre Thus whilst Prince Edmond incouraged his followers in this Knightly maner the Denmarke King with King Edward ariued on the coastes of Englande with a mightie band of armed souldiours intermingled with the ayde of many forraine Princes who marched succesfully to a conuenient place in Rent whereas they pitched their forces at the bottome of a high hill in which place the Danish King being a perfect good souldiour a man of a prudent iudgement practised many excellent pollicyes for in the night time he caused a thousand wild horses with hollow rattls of yron fastened to their neckes to be sent forth vpon the English tents without returne this in-rode being so confusedly entered he ordained also an hoast of foure thousand souldiours to pursue them with wilde fire burning brimstone in their handes In this maner entred they vpon the English souldiers as naked men and dispoiled the whole multitude of their liues in which conflict Prince Edmond was taken prisoner who had his head by his owne fathers commandement stroken from his shoulders and pitched vpon the top of a Pikes ende The battle thus ceasing newes by a publike reporte was spread throughout the land of Prince Edmonds death at which report the cities and principall houlds in the countrey were yeelded vp and the forraine souldiours being inforced to shift for themselues escaped away in the night after whose departure King Edward although in vtter hatred of the people yet once againe gloriouslie entered into his kingdome and became their gouernour where after he had setled himselfe and the Denmarke King taken leaue and departed backe into his Eountrey but King Edwarde reposses sing his former estate larde sharpe punishments harde lawes vppon the English-mens backes the which brought him againe into cankered contempt for the people being vnruly with vnbrideled will placed their former malice against him vpon which the King for his better fecuritie resigned his crowne and gouernement to his daughter Silina and vnto Lord Essricke hir husband and so betooke himselfe to priuate pleasure and rest Lorde Essricke and faire Silura with renowned honour thus tooke vpon them the gouernment of the land and because they were vnacquainted with the manners conditions of the people they retained Sir Perce of Winchester to be esperially of their councel and their only Secretarie who cunningly dehaued himselfe that he obtained the faudr and friendship of the common fort winding himselfe more and more into their priuities in such sort that he perswaded the people that Lord Essticke and Lady Siluia were vnnaturall Princes and vnfit to gouerne so souing a people Sir Perce of Winchester thus got into the loue of the common sort winked vppon all transgressions faâ—â—â—â—ed traytors theeues harlots and such dissolute persons and many times hauing a company of simple then in his presents he would speake to them in this maner saying Oh if I were your gouernour the awful sword of Iustice in my hands what liberty theÌ„ should ouershadow your attions for without controusment or punishment then should you freely liue and haue both honour wealth pleasure at your will This practise fecretly came to king Edwards eares who being well acquainted with the driftes of flatterers trembling at the memorie of his former miseries led Winchester by faire wordes vp to the top of a high Tower whereas ouerlooking the same King Edward with other confederates appoynted for that purpose cast him hedlong ouer the wall dashing his bones against the hard ground so brake his necke euen as he craftely crept into the fauour of the common sort so wretchedly with shame and dishonour ended he his life Now King Edward thinking the estate of his kingdome freed from all traitrous complotters gaue him selfe wholly to voluptuous desires and hauing vnchast lust harboring in his â—â—est against all nature he desired incestious concupisence with faire Siluia his owne daughter and being in a secret chamber ready to inforce her to that filthy fact she spake to him in this maner Deare Father remember the honour of your house my alcadance and duetie to my husband and the violating of my nuptiall chastetie all which if you commit your pretended sinne will bring a heauy iudgement and greeuous scourge from God to punish our wicked deed and euermore in this worlde we shal be made a disdaine and open contempt to be gaped at All which perswasions nothing preuayled for the King being drowned in forgetfulnesse of former miseries inforced vehemently the rauishment and deflowring of his daughter Siluiaes honorable chastety the which being no soner obtained and shamefully committed but by the iust iudgement of God he was sodainly stroken with death for in his daughters presence a fearefull flambe of burning fire descended from the celestiall throne of heauen and bereaued him both of speach and lyfe in a moment in the twinckling of an eye Which strange vengeance was no litle vexation to the sorrowfull hart of Lady Siluia yet remembring the duety of a daughter to her father she caused a costly Monument of pure wrought gold to be framed wherein with her husbands consent he was with great honour intombed as though he had left this transitorie world naturally without any such violent end After king Edwards death thus strangely happened Lord Essrick vpon his owne absolute authority bore sway among the people who was not able to gouerne the countrey except it were with mercilesse tyrannie for the
THE Famous Historie of Albions Queene VVherein is discoursed King Edwards Ielosie Queene Katherines chastetie the Duke of Suffolkes loyaltie and the Barron of Buckinghams treacherie Imprinted at London by VV. VVhite for T. PAVIER and are to be sold at his shop in Corne-hill neare to the Exchange at the signe of the Catte and Parrettes 1600. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL EDMVND MVILINEVX ESQVIER health happinesse and prosperitie THE generall report right Worshipfull of your gallant minde and noble disposition hath imboldned me to presâ—â—â— this my worthlesse labour to the view of your ingenious iudgement and the long desiers of my willing minde being now set on fier with the fame of your bright renowne presageth my mâ—ses good fortune which although it be but barren yet watered with the deaw of your gratious acceptance will hereafter be more fruitfull What the Storie is let your wisedome conceite my Subiect is The Vertues of a chast Queene and the loyaltie of a faythfull Subiect the triumphes of an honorable minde shrowded vnder the habite of a ielous King Accept it sweete Mâ—â—â—tialist with a fauourable countenance and my hopes are aduanced After the thundering alarums of dreadfull Warre Souldiers will sometime recreate themselues with pleasant discourses be you then I beseech you right Worshipfull a kind Patron to an vnworthy witt that I may say vnto my muse Happy is thy chaunce and fortunate thy proceedinges By your diuoted and humble welwiller till death R. G. THE Famous Historie of ALBIONS QVEENE CHAPTER 1. ⧠How King Edward grew ielous of Queene Katherine through the flatterie of the Barron of Buckingham ABout three hundred yeeres before the royall name of great Plantaginet possessed the imperial Diadem of this Mayden Land in which golden age there raigned as then one Edward surnamed the Senior a Prince of most excellent wisedome but yet in the first entraunce of his gouernment crost with many strange calamities through disloyall actions of false subiectes This Edward was not any of those royall Edwardes which liued since the Normayne Conquerour made England happy by his lawful clayme but one linially descended from the Romane Emperors who in the spring time of his blooming youth tooke to wife a most wise and vertuous Queene beautified with many singular good guiftes of nature and princely qualeties beseeming so worthy a Lady which Queene Katherine for so was she called altogeather imployed a dutifull care to adorne and set foorth her husbands Princely house and Scepter with surpassing glorie and rich renowne of vertue and besides that she so worthely defended her owne honour against a number of loose Loueres which dayly practised the conquest of her chastetie But now her betrothed husband King Edward being troubled diuers wayes with the hurly burlies of his Kingdome nothing at all solaced his minde in the company of his vertuous Queene by which he grew in mistrust of her chastety greatly fearing least others should loue that which himselfe liked or that she fauoured that which he falsely suspected his telous minde neuer rested satisfied partly of himselfe led with fond beliefe but chiefly incensed through the faythles falsehood of one George de Combria surnamed the Barron of Buckingam being aduaunced from low and poore parentage to the kings Court and not onely made one of his priuie counsell but placed in all digneties next vnto his person This proude Barron enuying the honour of Queene Katherine closely stuffed the Kings conseated head with false reportes and as it were coniured the sperit of I closie into his minde against the good and gratious Princesse which vniust occations of griefe being setled vnkindnes so deepely graued in his hart that neuer after it could be raced out by any meanes whatsoeuer King Edward being thus suncke into the bottome of dispayre fetched many greeuous sighes and often in great sorrow of hart would breath foorth this or such like lamentations Oh my vntrusty Wife and Lady wherefore hast thou wounded thus my hidden loue and inforced me to complayne of thy trecherous infidelitie Thou hast ingaged my honour discharged my person from renowne and possessed dishonour to my Scepter Oh! I launce foorth into the gulfe of dolorous distresse My marshall staffe of prowesse is broken in peeces and I am ledde into voluntarie seruitude deceitfully bereft from the freedome of my nuptiall life and sacrefized a slaue into the handes of trayterous varlets In this manner many a day King Edward fed his ielous minde with vaine immaginations casting him selfe from the lofty mountaine of passed ioyes into the bottomelesse pit of present woe So on the other side the Barron of Buckingam being hardoned in shamelesse audacities incountred him with a new onset to dyet his smell with a quicker scent and so espying a time to play with the sword of sedition he in presence of many of King Edwardes Lords vomited out this wrongfull accusation that followeth If protesting of loyall duetie to your worthy Maiestie or floods of incessant teares distilling from the cundets of my sorrowfull eyes may make perfect shew of a Subiectes honest minde as yet neuer blemished with the breach of dishonestie or euer touched or found guyltie of trayterous crime in regard of which true obedience most mightie Prince accompt my speaches for a veritie and nearely looke into the wronges of your Marriage bedde which ignorance hath heretofore coutched vp in secresie For beit knowne that the mighty Duke of Suffolke an auntient enemie vnto your Crowne and dignitie is familiarly crept into secret fauour with Queene Katherne your honourable Spouse who vnder shadow of seruiceable dutie bereaueth your Maiestie from the fruite of true continencie and couereth your nuptiall bed with a strayned mantle of blacke infamie Oh what a griefe is this vnto the soules of vs which intirely loue your Maiestie whose liues be wholely consecrated to your good fortunes It is not spight that inforceth me to defame the reputation of your royal Queene vnto whom I stand bound in all humble seruice nor any hate nor proffered miuryes doth inflame my minde to blemish the good Duke of Suffolkes fame with immortall ignobilletie but loue and dutie to my Prince and countrey wherefore most noble King cleare your vnderstanding and weede from your Court such treacherous deceauers that your life be not sodainely intrapped and we vnfortunatly depriued of a wise and puisant Prince And to conclude if I George de Cambria Barron of Buckingam be disproued or polluted with the breach of dishonesty an vtterer of false speaches or be found a flatterer or one that hunteth after Princely fauour proudly aspiring after dignetyes and promotions then let me perish and like a traytor be throwne out as an open shame vnto the world otherwise knit and binde me to your Maiestie in the fast bond of loyallty and haue the reward of a faythfull subiect When the Barron had thus inchaunted King Edwards eares his head burned more hotter with the heate of ielosie then before a dissease so incurable that
one that had lost his speach but yet after a great pause and long stay he spake in this maner I will not refuse sayd he the accomplishment of any thing commaunded by your Maiestie although your will and pleasure herein seemeth strange and vniust in that a true Subiecte should hazard his lyfe with a false Traytor The Barron sometimes silent sometimes ouer talcatiue sometimes lusty sometimes a coward so that standing betweene fraude and feare he fayntly represented an offer Vpon this the King procured a day of Combat and publyshed throughout the whole land this proclamation that followeth I EDWARD by long sufferance of diuine fortune King Prince and chiefe Ruler of all the partes of England c. Whereas the determined purpose of the noble and hardy Gentleman the Lord Barron of Buckingam is to defende himselfe against the miserable and condemned catiue the Duke of Suffolke a fable for the worlde to gaze vpon an infamous wretch of notable dishonour harbouring in his hart long Treasons against our Person Subiectes and dominion in excuse of his leawde lyfe for his best aduantage challengeth open warre against my good Subiect the Lord Barron vnto whose request in fauour of auntient prowesse I haue yeelded But as touching the trespasse of my Queene no Combat shall preuaile to acquite her disgrace nor no mortall benefites pardone her offences Thus fare you well Edward of England Thus did the King thinke no paynes ill bestowed that might bring her in hatred of the common people and also very much thirsted after her blood through the perswasion of his vnchast Curtizan faire Casiope that euery day sealed his lippes with so many kisses as her sute could neither-be frustrated nor at no time forgotten The Barron and he likewise roued in a vnetie of mischiefes and did priuely hyer a kitchen drudge named Trustie Thomas a slaue full of pouertie yet a lusty tall fellow glad to obtaine the Kinges fauour by accomplyshyng of any exployt for gayue who in receipt of a thousand Crownes tooke vpon him the name and person of the Barron of Buckingam to fight the combat with the Duke of Suffolke being of equall proportion and stature This Trustie Thomas had free libertie to make choyce in the Kinges Armorie fitting him selfe best for his defence in the surest coate of Steele and the like passage into the Kinges Stable for the choyce of the most couragious Courser Thus furnished in most seemely order for the gayne of money was content to commit himselfe to the mallice of fortunes hate The Duke of Suffolke on the other side as well furnished in all respectes nothing doubted the good successe of his aduenture being borne of a Noble famelie valiant and well exercised in the feates of Armes reputed for the goodlyest Gentleman in the vniuersall countrey of England so laying aside his courtly delightes vsed in the blooming time of his youth and putting on inuincible firme and approued magnanimitie of body he came the nyght before the Combat should be tryed to Queene Katherines chamber window being both prisoners in one Tower nothing but a wall betweene their seberall lodginges where as the Duke of Suffolke sung thefe verses folowing Reuenge ring out thy knell let trueth appeare To change my bitter Springes to Waters cleare Goe packe Dispaire thy sight I doe disdaine My Knightly deedes bright Honour shall obtaine Faint Feare dislodge thee from my noble brest Thou art no friende of mine nor wished guest For coward Captaines wins no stately Fortes Nor rotten Barke arriues in pleasant Portes Assurance tels the secrets of my hart That Falsehood shall receaue his due desart Proud Enuie then shall not obscure the light Of Honours brightnesse with his hatefull spight Oh sacred Heauens accomplish my desier That I may quench the heate of enuies fier Whereby my sad and discontented minde May gentle solace and sweete comfort finde This sorrowfull Songue stroke such a passion to the Queenes hart like one despising this vaine lyfe that she desired dolefull death hastely to finish her callamities but yet bearing a Princely minde in some measure to requite the Dukes curtesie she answered hun with these Verses following Queene Katherines Song to the Duke of Suffolke Good lucke conduckt thy minde vnto content To conquer him that is so lewdly bent To set deuision betwixt my Lord and me In spoyling of my blooming chastetie Stay stately Pride climbe vp thy steps no higer But soone disgorge thy hot ambitious fier For if Queene Katherine euer lyued so Let grauelled Graue be cradle for her woe Suspition leaue to vexe such worthy wightes Which spendes their dayes in vertues sweete delightes Nor let the crucltie of spightfull foes Plant vp a Docke vnroote a smelling Rose Victorious pome will shortly seeke to crowne Thy princely browes with garlandes of renowne Which euermore shall spring and florish greene For thus defending of a wronged Queene In this or such lyke maner spent they the night away to the exceeding comfort of each other vntyll the radient beautie of the next morning began to glifter in the easterne worlde which caused them then to take leaue of each other for at that same instant the Lord high Marshall in soueraigne iustice called foorth the Duke of Suffolke to auow his prize of Combat hauing ten olde sage Fathers going before him in mourning Gownes and white Wandes in their handes lyke one that went to fetch away the golden Garland of renowne and comming to the place appoynted he met Trustie Thomas as defendant in stead of the proude Barron vnto whom with a boulde courage he spake as followeth Ah thou false Traytor spoyler of true honour thou vnshamefast butcher of innocent blood Can nothing quench thy insatiate thirst of flatterie but the guyltlesse blood of Queene Katherine and my lyfe I doubt not but thou hast purchased a iust reuenge for thy infamous wickednesse thou at this present seekest after honorable fame but the Gods I hope will cast thy corpes vnto the most vnworthyest vermine of the earth to pray vpon Thou feedest thy selfe with false honour but perpetuall shame shal be thy best reward Doth not thy hart throbbe at this enterprize And doth not thy conscience declare thy impietie It would be a most seemely thing before any blow passe betwixt vs that thou with sharpe penaunce reconcile thy selfe vnto the Gods to haue a comfortable ioy after this lyfe for there is such inumcible manhood sealed in my hart that the reuenge of thy blood shall acquite thy villanie The simple slaue in hearing this knightly resolution was so amazed that with more willingnesse he was ready to deliuer vp his Marshals staffe then defend the enterprise taken in hand But the Duke with valtant magnanimitie hastely bucklde on his enemie blessing him with sound blowes as if he should say now is the time eyther of winning or loosing honour now eyther the spot of dishonour shall blurre me or the shyning light of renowne cleare me for euer Within sixe blowes