opposing Pope Innocent the third in Stephen Langtons preferment to the See of Caterbury sleighting the Monks and vexing them 3. Their Combinations forced him after the Interdicting of the Realme for six years three moneths and sixteene dayes to render his Crowne to Pandulphus the Popes Legate and take it againe in Fee-Farme at the Rent of a Thousand Markes yearely which exasperated his Nobles against him howsoever it warped the Pope and Clergy to be for him 4. His Bickering abroad with the French and at home with his Barons made his Raigne very Tragicall which ended at Swansted Abby by Simon the Monkes Poyson as some say and gave way to his sonne 4. A.C. 1216 HENRY the third who Crowned between nine or tenne yeares Old 1. Cleared this Realme of the French who had Invaded it by the Popes interdiction by William Martiall Earle of Pembroke his Protector 2. Hubert De Burgo Earle of Kent did him much good service for which he had small recompence 3. His immoderate and exasperating favours cast on Strangers drew on the Barons Warres in which an Insanum Parliamentum held at Oxford appointed twelve Peeres in prejudice of his Regality The Earles of Leicester and Glocester are the greatest sticklers in it who took Prisoners the King with his brother Richard King of the Romanes and his sonne Prince Edward in the Battle of Lewes in Sussex 4. He confirmes Magna Charta The Earles fall at deadly fend between themselves Prince Edward tels the King of it and joyning with Glocester Rights himselfe by the Ruine of Leicester in the Battle of Eversham in Worcestershire 5. London is threatned to be Burnt by the King for taking the Barons part 6. Glocesters service failing of expected Favours repines to no purpose and undertakes to goe to the Holy Land but shrinking that enterprise is performed by Prince Edward and his Heroick Princesse Elianor who suck'd out there the poyson of an invenomed wound given him with the hazard of her owne life whereby he recovered He did there great service untill he was called back to succeed his Father that dyed after fifty six yeares Raigne by the Title of 5. EDWARD the first commonly called Longshanks A.C. 1273 1. He brought the Welch with their Valiant Prince Lewillin under the English Subjection 2. Conquered Scotland being at Variance who should be King brought thence the Marble Chayre in which the Scottish Kings were wont to be Crowned spoken of before 3. Hesleighted the Popes Inhibition to forbeare Scotland and in the Parliament of Lincolne under the subscription of the Peeres utterly renounced Pope Boniface his Supreame Authority 4. He banished the Jewes for their Exactions and Censured the Judges and Officers for their Corruptions 5. Vpon his Death-bed charged his sonne to continue the Banishment of Pearce of Goveston and to convey his Heart to be buried in the Holy Land 6. Of his sixteene Children which he had by two Wives Elianour of Spaine and Margaret of France 6. A.C. 1307 EDWARD the second surnamed Carnarvan the first English hereditary Prince of Wales succeeds him 2. He against his Oath calls Gaveston twice out of Banishment permits him to convey beyond the Seas his Iewels with a Table and Tressels all of Beaten Gold 3. In place of Gaveston beheaded by the Nobles he takes the Spencers Father and sonne to be his Favourites worse if it might be then Gaveston 4. At Estreveline and twice afterwards he received three notable overthrowes by the Scotts to the losse of all his Interest there and the Devastation of the Northerne parts of his Kingdome 5. Vpon these preposterous events Iohn Poydrus an Exeter man would needs prove the King a Changling and said himselfe was Long-shanks sonne But his claime was quickly strangled with an Halter 6. To right these wrongs the Barons by a Parliament get the Spencers banished The King recalls them the Barons take Armes receive a great overthrow and two and twenty of them are Behoaded The Spencers the more insult 7. The Queene flyes with the Prince into France is deserted by her bribed Brother the French King and commanded to returne by the Pope finds favour with Robert of Artois Earle of Henalt and Sr Iohn his brother returnes by their help into England is assisted by the Barons takes the King and the Spencers at Bristow The Londoners behead Walter Stapleton Bishop of Exeter for withstanding the Queenes proceedings The Spencers are executed the King is Deposed in Parliament sent to Killingworth as Prisoner and thence to Barkly Castle where he was barbarously Spitted to Death leaving his sonne 7. A.C. 1327 EDWARD the third otherwise calied Edward of Windsor to governe better 1. He surprised Mortimer the Minion of his mother and Executed him at Tyburne who had by his pernicious plotting caused King Edward the second to be made away by an Amphibologie Edvardum occidere nolite timere bonum est To shed King Edwards blood Refuse to feare I hold it good And the Scottish Ragman to be redelivered in the Non-age of this King whereby the English laid claime to Scotland together with their Black Crosse so that the People cried out Vae pueris terrae saepissime sunt ubi guerrae Woe to the Land where Rulers age Is not mature to stop mens rage 2. Notwithstanding the King repaired this afterward by the overthrow of the Scotts at Hallidowne Hill which wiped off their contumelious Rime made upon their Victorie over the English in his Fathers dayes being this Long Beards heartlesse Painted Hoods witlesse Gray Coates gracelesse Make England thriftlesse And also in taking their King David the valiant Bruces sonne Prisoner at Nevils Crosse in his absence in France by the Queene and placing in Edward Balioll to be King 3. Against the French by himselfe and this Valiant sonne Edward the Black Prince He obtained eminent Victories at Cressay and Poycters In the last of which their King John was taken and brought into England 4. He Founded the Order of the Garter first quartered his Armes with France In his old age was much abused by a Strumpet Alice Pears 5. After he had seene the death of his Victorious sonne Edward the Black Prince he died peaceably at Sheene in Surry leaving to succeed him his Grandchild the Black Princes sonne 8. RICHARD the second 1. A.C. 1378 He misled by his Favorite Michael De La Poole and other Syeophants incurres the hatred of his People Iohn Wall Priest Watt Tylor lack Sraw and Jack Shepherd raise a Rebellion against him which happily was quieted by the Maior of London's William Walworths mortall blow given Watt Tylor 2. Thirteene Commissioners were appointed to see matters reformed but it came to nothing 3. An Invasion of French with twelve hundred Ships under Sayle against England by Gods providence were utterly scattered Iohn of Gaunt his Vncle Warreth successively in Spaine and himselfe in Scotland 4. He continues his hatred against his Nobles executes diverse of them Banisheth his Cosen Henry of
England Denmarke Norway some adde also part of Sweden together with Scotland were wholy subject unto him 3. His Iealousies of Ironsides Children moved him to send his sonnes Edward and Edmund to Swanus King of Denmarke to be dispatched but he abhorring such Villâ—ny transfer'd them to the King of Hungary where Edmund dying Edward Married Agatha the Emperour Henry the fourths Daughter by whom he had Edgar Etheling the surviving Heire of the Crowne of England which he could never recover 4. To strengthen his Title what he might he takes Emma to wife King Etheldreds Widdow M. Lambard makes good Lawes extant in the Saxon tongue and Latine gave one hundred Talents of Silver and one of Gold for St Augustince Arme which he bestowed on Coventry as a memoriall of his Zeale though not according to knowledge 5. He had Issue by Emma his second Wife the faire Gunhilda and Hardy-Canutus Gunhilda was Married to the Emperour Henry the third where falling into suspition of Incontinency she was vindicated by her English Page overthrowing in her quarrell a great Gyant Hardicanutus was designed to succeed by his Father here in England but was put by in his absence by his Brother 2. A.C. 1038 HAROLD called Harefoot by reason of his swiftnesse Earle Goodwin withstands his entrance but by secret prevailing meanes was soone made his friend 2. A Letter is forged in Queene Emma's name to bring over her sonnes Edward and Alfred which she had by Ethelred to claim their Right to the Crowne Alfred comes and by Earle Goodwin is made away with all those that came with him at Gilford 3. Emma is banished but courteously entertained by Baldwin Earle of Flanders Harold thus secured as he thought from Competitors lives loosly dyes speedily and without Issue leaves the Kingdom to 3. A.C. 1041 HARDICANUTUS who made it his first worke to disintombe his Predecessors Corps and threw it into Thamisis but some Fishermen more courteous recovered it and buryed it againe in St Clements neare Temple-Barre 2. His recalling his Mother Emma and half Brother Edward and entertaining them respectively deserves commendations As also the prosecuting Earle Goodwin and the Bishop of Worcester for Prince Alfreds death but the Earle quitted himselfe by his Oath and a rich Present and the Bishops questioning is said to be for the Murther of the Kings Taxe-Collectors in Worcester by the inraged Citizens for which their City was afterwards consumed with fire 3. His Epicurismo left an ill Custome to all posterity Foure times a day his Table must be covered to invite men to Intemperancy Through which at a Marriage he is thought to have Choaked himselfe at Lambeth most rejoycing to be rid of him in memory whereof Hock-tide a Feast of scorning was a long time continued after In this third Heire expired the Danish Line and the Saxon revived againe in 4. EDWARD the sonne of Ethelred Emma A.C. 1043 commonly called the Confessour 1. To gaine the more love of his Subjects at his first entrance he remitted the Taxe of Danegilts so greivous to the Commonds collected the Lawes of his predecessors into a body for the administrationof Iustice which some say are the ground of our Common-Law though the Pleading be altered since the Norman Conquest 2. He was threatned by the Dane See M. Lambards Archnom and vexed by Griffith the Welch Prince who was quelled by Harold especially who was imployed against them Betweene him and the potent Earle Goodwin were such debates that twice came to the hazard of dangerous Battles if wise mediation of the Nobles had not prevented them the death of which Earle is reported to be his Choaking with a bitt of Bread upon an imprecation laid on himselfe that that might be his last if he had a hand in the death of the Kings Brother Prince Alfred though some say he died of the deadpalsie 3. Grafton In this man's time Coventry purchased its Freedome from Earle Leofrie by the Riding of his Countesse Godina naked through it but such order was taken by the Townesmen that shutting up all Doores and Windowes none beheld it 4. His unnaturall dealing with his good Mother Emma and vertuous faire Wife Editha Earle Goodwins Daughter cannot be excused For upon a poore surmise of Incontinency with Alwin Bishop of Winchester his Mother in his presence was put to the Ordalium to passe Blindfolded between nine glowing Coulters which she did untouched and his spotlesse Queene Editha denied Marriageright perchance for hatred to her Father and with one Waiting-maid to live disrespected in a Nunnery 5. Such actions so opposite to Gods word should Saint no man The first curing the Kings Evill is referred to him and thence to have continued to his Successors More Laudable was his respect to Edgar Etheling Grandchild to to Ironside by his sonne Edward the Out-law that died in banishment whom he intended for his successour and he had the best right to it but he being young and wanting meanes and friends to support him 5. A.C. 1066 HAROLD sonne of Earle Goodwin makes bold to take the place a man of excellent parts and approved valour as the Welch and others which he subdued in his Predecessors time found to their cost 2. He droven by Tempest into Normandy was affianced to young Adeliza Duke William's Daughter with whom he Covenanted upon Oath to make him successour to Edward in the Kingdome of England 2. But this contract he held as a nicity or complement and constrained Oathes no way to bind wherein he soothed himselfe but God is not mocked and usurpations thrive not long 3. Three Enemies at one time assault him Tosto his owne Brother Harold Harefager or Fairelocks of Norway and William Duke of Normandy The two former he manfully quelled but fell under the hand of William in that famous Battle of Hastings in Sussex the setter up of the next Dynasty 2. IN those times whiles Princes sought the ruines one of another Popes grew up to dispose of them and their Kingdoms and those that protested against such deformities and enormities could not be heard INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. Canutus had the largest Dominious of any that ever Ruled in this Kindome 2. St Augustines Arme were worth so much as he gave for it 3. Edward the sonne of Etheldred deserved the Title of Confessour 4. Our Common-Law have its grounds from his Collections 5. Ordalium by hott Coulters be fit to purge suspition of Incontinency 6. Stopping the rights of Marriages without consent for a time of both Parties be not directly against Gods word 7. Harold were bound to keep his Oath to William of Normandy for the Crowne of England in prejudice to Edgar Etheling the apparent right Heire Of the Normans DYNASTY IV. THe Fourth Dynasty is of the Normans to the Plantagenets and hath in it 1. A.C. 1067 WILLIAM the Conquerour the seaventh Duke of Normandy the sonne of Robert begotten on Arlot a poore Skinners daughter whom he affected for her
the Church of Rome by bestowing on it the power of the Exarches and Romandiola to stop as some say Cerberus chapps with such bits least they should worry him as they had his predecessors Notwithstanding he had no mind to travell to Rome for his Coronation Quia me vestigia terrent faith he as the foxe observed concerning repairing to the Lions denne many paths lead thither but few tracts appeare of returners 3. He had many children and matched sixe of his daughters to so many Princes the seaventh remaining a virgin His usuall Motto was MELIVS EST BENE IMPERARE QVAM IMPERIVM AMPLIARE Better it is to governe well that a man hath then to inlarge his Dominions many Cities in Italy purchased their freedome of him before his death he endeavoured to settle the Empire upon his sonne Albert but it was carried against him especially by the Elector of Mentz and 2. A.C. 1291 ADOLPH Earle of Nassau had the place a man of too mean a fortune to uphold the Majesty of it Our Edward of England sent him a round snmme of mony to uphold his rights but he was forced to use it to supply his want 2. His saying was ANIMVS EST QVI DIVITES FACIT It is the mind not the Purse which makes man rich but he found by experience they would doe well togither 3. In a quarrell between him and Albert of Austria who had the better purse he was forsaken of his friends and slaine by his Enimies of whom 3. A.C. 1298 ALBERT the chiefe succeeds him This man was the Sonne and Heire of Radulphus the first surnamed Austriacus in regard of his wife Elizabeth he got Tyrol and Carinthia to be annexed to it 2. Victorious he is said to be in twelve severall Battles the most of which might be rather termed Skirmishes Of 21. children which he fathered eleaven came to age and were honourably disposed of 3. In this mans time seaven things happened very remarkable 1. The removing of the Papall seat from Rome to Avignion in France 2. The subversion of the Knights Templass 3. The setling of the Knights of St Iohns in Rhodes 4. The Scaligers in Verona and the 5. Estei in Ferrara 6. The firsti Iubilee at Rome in the West And 7. the beginnings of the Ottomans in the East 5ly His Motto is said to be QVOD OPTIMVM ILLVD ET IVCVNDISSIMVM That which is best should most take us as in it selfe most pleasant He was treacheroufly slaine by his Nephew and his complices in which place his sonnes afterward built a Monastery His successor was 4. A.C. 1308 HENRY the seaventh of Lutzeâ—burg a pious prudent and valarous Prince 2. Having composed matters in Germany he hastneth to doe the like in Italy where all discipline was out of frame Was Crowned in Rome in the Popes absence by three Cardinalls omitted no opportunity to give all content notwithstanding he was tumultuously droven out of Rome by the faction of the Vrcini and through hatred of the Florentines poysoned in the Eucharist by one Bernard an hired Monke 3. That passeth for his Motto which he uttered upon the first feeling of the operation of the Poyson CALâ—X VITAE CALIX MORTIS The Cup of life is made my death Which made way for the succession of 5. LEWIS of Bavaria an able and resolute man A.C. 1314 Against whom by the Popes faction and some Electors was set up Frederick of Austria Alberts soune and Lewis was twice excommunicated which he little regarded and was told by our Occam who stood up in his defence with this resolute saying Defendas me ô Imperator gladio ego defendam te verbo protect me with the sword and I will justify that thou doest by the word 2. In this siding on all sides Lewis having the better of Frederick they come to an agreement both keep the title of Emperours but Lewis hath the Power and right In his time the Countesse of Holland is said to have had as many Children at a Birth as there be daies in a yeare He deposed Pope Iohn the 22. and put Nicholas the fifth into his place Lyra then flourished whose Comment upon the whole Scripture is Worthily esteemed at this day 3 His Motto was SOLA BONA QVAE HONESTA Those things are only good which may stand with honesty others attribute to him this HVIVSMODI COMPARANDAE SVNT OPES QVAE CVM NAVFRAGIO SIMVL ENATENT Englished by our Queen Mary which we have in a Breviary of hers under her own hand to a certain Lady when she was Princesse to be seen in the Archives of our Oxford Library Get you such goods which may in a Shipwrack be carried away with you Some say he dyed of an Apoplexy others that he was poysoned by the Austrian faction of his competor at a Banquet in a Burgraves house in Norimberg This is agreed upon that 6. A.C. 1346 CHARLES the fourth the Kings sonne of Bohemia succeeded him Against him were set up our Edward the 3d of England Frederick of Misnia and Gunter of Swartzburg but Edward waved the dignity with such trouble Frederick was satisfied with money and Gunter poysoned 1. In his journy into Jtaly to be Crowned all was fish with him that came to nett so that for his capacity he was termed the Stepfather of the Church and this put upon him that he would sell the Empire if he might find a Chapman to gaine by the bargaine 3. But with these enormities he had joyned many excellencies As himself was Leâ—rned so he much favoured Scholers Founded the Vniversity of Prague set forth that Golden Bull called Lex Carolina wherein he requires that Emperours should be good Linguists to conferre themselves with Embassadours and prescribes what solemnity should be used in electing and authorizing Emperours according to the Eminency of their place 4. In this time florished Wicliffe and Richard Armacanus for Divinity Bartholus and Baldus for Law renowned ever since A Rattcatcher led forth with Taber and Pipe most of the Children of the Towne of Hamel in Germany who followed him into the side of a Mountaine opening and were never more after heard of The number also that dyed of the Plague in those dayes is incredible 5. His Motto was OPTIMVM EST ALIENA FRVI INSANIA It is a wise way to make use of other mens Madnesse which his sonne 7. A.C. 1378 WENCESLANUS for whom he purchased the Empire had scarce the witt to doe 1. He granted diverse Priviledges to the Noringbergers for a Load of Wine executed Barthold Swartz for inventing Gunpouder 2. Bajazâ—â—â— the furious Turke this time was like to have overrunne Europe but was recalled and overthrowne by the unresistable Tamberlane and carryed about within a Golden Cage to be trod upon as a foot-stoole when he mounted on Horseback 3. The Motto put upon him was MOROSOPHI MORIONES PESSIMI None are more pernicious Fooles then those that are between Hauke Buzzard sots in serious matters but wise enough to doe
Arch-Bishopricks and Bishopricks The Arch-Bishops were of London Yorke and Gloster the Bishops of other places Idoll Temples were destroyed Westminster built in the Isle of Thorny the place where it now stands being then so called 4. Priviledges and meanes were granted for the honouring such sacred places 5. The King dies without Issue wherefore to continue the line of Government wee are forced to take in the Emperour 2. An. C. 208 SEVERUS for he comes hither in Person to appease the tumults amongst the headlesse and heedlesse multitude orders that the Country should have no more Kings of her own 2. Built a Wall between England and Scotland of 112 miles in length to stop the suddaine incursions of the Scots and Picts at least repaired that wall which Adrian had erected before 3. He dyes here in Yorke and left his sonne the Monster 3. BASSIANUS to succeed him An. C. 213 of whose killing his brother Geta and other villanies mention is made before in his life Of him 4. An. C. 219 CARAUSIUS an obscure Britaine purchaseth the Government of the shattered State Eutropius wherein when he presumed to King it 5. An. C. 226 ALECTUS is sent from Rome by the Senate to out him which he quickly did And was as soon dealt with in the like kind by 6. ASCLEPIODOTUS Duke of Cornewall An. C. 232 This man resolutely bestirres himselfe for the freedome of his Country disgarrisons the Romane holds besieges London carries it kills the Romane Governour thereof Livius and throwes him into a Rivellet thence called Wall-brook But differences falling out between him and Coill Earle of Colchester it grew to a set Battle wherein Asclepiodotus was slaine and 7. COILL takes his place An. C. 2623 Constantius Clhorus is sent by the Romane Senate to subdue the tumultuous but matters were so politiquely contrived between them that in steed of outing Coill Clhorus takes his faire and peerclesse Daughter Helena to wife and with her the Kingdome after her Father He is highly commended for his morall virtues valour moderation and in those sad times for favouring the Christians After an excellent exhortation on his death-bed to those that were about him he quietly breathed his last and lyes buried at Yorke leaving 8. An. C. 310 CONSTANTINE the Heire and Augmenter of his worth whom he had by the British Helen As Lucius had the honour before to be Registred for the first Christian King so this Great Constantine is famous to all ages for the first Christian Emperour of whom more is said in his life amongst the Emperours After him expired the Romane vassalage which had endured 483 years by the intrusion of 9. An. C. 329 OCTAVIUS Duke of Cornewall Against him Constantine sends Traherne his Vnkle by the Mothers side but he was quickly encounterd by Octavius that had great means and friends and overthrowne neere Winchester but Traherne recruting his forces at an other Battle in the North had the better of Octavius who thereupon fled into Norway 2. Thence understanding that Traherne was slaine by an Earle that was his friend he returnes againe to his Estate and governs peaceably 3. And for the strengthning of his Title to make it good to posterity he sends for from Rome 10. An. C. 383 MAXIMIANUS or Maximus a kinsman of the Great Constantines For this mans harsh dealing with the Ghristians he is set forth by most writers as a Tyrant 2. Quarrells fell out between him and Conan Meridoc Duke of Cornewall and some conflicts with various successe but they agreed at last Maximianus bestowing Armorica which he had conquered upon Conan who called it Little Britaine and having made away the ancient Inhabitants sent into Cornewall for Wives to people it with Brittish blood 11000 Virgins were shipped thither by Diothen then Duke whereof Vrsnla his faire daughter was one but they were barbarously slaine in the passage by Guanus Captain of the Hunnes and Melga King of Ficts who afterward were forced into Ireland by Gracian a Leader sent from our Maximinian 3. Who puffed up with wealth and successe Rebelled against his Master Gratian the Emperour whom he slew in France and proclaimed himselfe Emperour but quickly lost that dignity with his life by Theodosius the great In Orat. funeb de exitu Theodofii neere Aquilea concerning whom St Ambrose hath this passage Maximus occisus est nunc in inferno docenâ— exemplo miserabili quam durum sit Arma suis Principibus irrogare Maximus is slaine and now in Hell by his miserable example teacheth what a hard matter it is for Subjects to take up Armes against their Princes 11. A.Ch. 391 GRACIAN then his Generall makes bold to supply the vacant place he was a Britaine by birth and education yet so Tyrannized over his Countrymen that in a short space he was slaine amongst them 2. Whereupon Guanus and Melga finding them destitute of a Leader come upon them out of Ireland The Scots and Picts breake in upon them from the North and Civill dissentions plague them as much in the middest so that nothing but Famine Bloud and desolation was before their eyes 3. In this extremity they repayre to Aetius the Romane Leiftenant in Gallia with this pittyfull complaint The Barbarous people drive us to the Sea and the Sea driveth us back unto them againe Hereof arise two kinds of death for either we are slaine or drowned and against such evils have we no remedy or help at all Therefore in respect of your Clemency succour your owne we most instantly desire you 4. But finding cold comfort either for that the Romane regarded them not or had his hands full otherwise they dispatch Embassadours to Aldroenus then King of little Britaine who consented to ayd them if they would accept his brother to be their King 5. Necessity enforceth them to imbrace the Condition and so 12. CONSTANTINE is made their King A.Ch. 443 He Lands with Forces at Totnesse slayes Guanus the Hunnish King in the Feild and defeateth the rest of the oppressours but soone after was treacherously slaine himselfe by a perfidious Pict 2. He left three sonnes surviving Constantius Aurclius Ambrose and Vter Pendragon Constantius that for his blockishnesse was Cloystered in a Monastery was thence taken to Raigne after him but was wholy guided as a Ward by Vortiger Duke of Cornewall who caused him to be made away that he might enjoy the Place and appeares the foreman of the next and last Classis or Distance in the Brittish Dynasty 3. WIth this Distance falleth in 1. The great Question concerning the first Planter of Christianity in Britany Whether it were 1. St James the sonne of Zebedee or 2 Simon Zelotes or 3 St Peter or 4 St Paul or 5 Joseph of Aramathea or 6 Aristobulus or 7 Timothy or all these or any other at diverse times and on diverse occasions may be said to have put their hand to the worke 2 The damnable Heresie of Pelagius first hence taking his rise with
458 amongst which Ethelbert was most eminent for first receiving the Christian Faith brought from Rome by Austine and for converting Sebert King of the East-Angles to Christianity and assisting him in building Paules in London and St Peters in Westminster as he himselfe built the Cathedrall of St Andrewes in Rochester 6. An. C. 488 SOUTH-SAX from Ella to Adhumus had about tenne Kings Authors agree not in the reckoning of which Adlewolf was the first Christened It quickly fell into the hands of Ina of West-Sax 7. An. C. 527 EAST-SAX from Erchwin to Swithred had thirteene Kings whereof Sigebert the third was the first Baptized by Mellitus Bishop of London 8. Amongst the fourteene Kings of the EAST-ANGLES An. C. 575 from Vffa to Edmund Kadwallus appeared the first Christian but held not so long Etheldreda King Inah's Daughter twice Marryed kept her Virginity and thence gained the Title of St Audrie Edmund the last King for his profession was shott to death by the Danes honoured from Rome with a Sainâ—-ship and at home insteed of a Tombe with the Title of the Towne of St Edmunds Bury 9. An. C. 527 Of the twenty Kings of MERCIA from Crida to Elfird Christianity was first received by Penda that Founded Peterborough as Ethelbald did the Monastery of Crowland and Offa of St Albans 10. An. C. 617 NORTHUMBERLAND had in it two Provinces Diera and Bertitia which in their severall Governments had about 24 Kings from Ida to Ethelbert five Danes thrust in amongst them Raigned successwely for a while till the Government returned to the West-Saxons in the time of Ethelstane and his brother Edmund Here Edwin was the first King Christened Speed whose deliverance from the furious Ethelfride by faithfull Redwall of the East-Angles and the glorious Victory he had over him afterwards his Marriage with Ethelburg the Kentish Princesse a great meanes of his conversion his preservation from a desperate Villaine by the interposition of his servant Lilla who undertook a fatall thrust of a poysoned weapon to save his Masters life and lastly his overthrow and death by Penda are matters of especiall note as also the Acts of Oswall that was Sainted and left the name to Oswalstere in Shropshire The humility of Oswin Beds Speed and the piety of Oswie that miraculously overthrew the Tyrant Penda of Mercia are worth the reading 11. Amongst the 19 Kings of WEST-SAXONS from Cerdicus Kingills is registred to be the first Christian Ive or Ina to have made good Lawes set forth in the Saxon and Latine Tongue by Mr William Lambard and to have granted to Rome Peter-pence Ethelburg King Bithrick's Wife that sled for attempting to poyson her Husband into France where by reason of her exceeding beauty she was put to the choyce to Marry either Charles or his Sonne she pitching on the Sonne missed both and was thrust into a Monastery From the Tyranny of this Bithrick fled 1. An. C. 800 EGBERT first to Offa of Mercia and then into France where he served in the Warres under Charles the great There he became so accomplished a Souldier that returning he vanquished the petty Kings left behind him and turned the Heptarchy into a Monarchy 2. He was Crowned at Winchester King of the whole Kingdome which then of his Angles brought with him and followers in all his Conquests He caused to be called England 3. The Danes then beginning to Invade are repelled His Daughter Editha the Nunne is Sainted his Eldest sonne 2. An. C. 837 ETHELWOLFE succeeds him He took for his first wife Osburga his Butlers daughter Hath good successe in diverse Battles against the intruding Danes 2. For placing the Lady Judith the King of France's Daughter whom he had taken for his second Wife in a Chaire by him at his right hand he was threatned to be Deposed by Adelstane Bishop of Sherburne his owne sonne by his former Wife who in those dayes was a Prelate of great power as was also Swithene Bishop of Winchester by whom the King was much advised to his advantage But this presumption was intolerable and by Royall Prudence soone hushed 3. He ordained that Tithes and Church Lands should be free from all Taxes and Regall services Of the diverse Children that he had by his first Wife his Eldest sonne 3. An. C. 857 ETHELBALD succeeds He blasted all his eminent parts of Valour and Policy by taking Iudith his Stepmother to be his Wife so that she must lye in Bed by his side who might not fit in a Chaire by his Father 2. This prodigious Incest was soone punished from heaven by his untimely death His Wife without Issue returning to the Emperour her Father was intercepted by the way and forced by Baldwin Forrester of Ardenna who at length appeasing her Father was made by him Earle of Flanders from whom this Iudith descended Maud the Wife of our William the Conquerour 3. In this Vacaency the next brother to Ethelbald 4. ETHELBERT takes his place An. C. 860 Much adoe he had to resist the Danes who swarmed continually about him he withstood them manfully for the time and Forces which he had but by his death a greater storme fell upon his Brother 5. ETHELRED that Raigned next In his time Hungar A.Ch. 866 and Hubba men of excessive strength and feirenesse entered this Land with great Forces and harrowed wheresoever they set footing especially being Pagans Levelled all Sucred places with the ground 2. To avoyd their fury and preserve their owne Chastity the Nunnes of Codingham by a rare example cut off their owne Lipps and Noses St Edmund by these Barbarians gained the Crowne of Martyrdome and to make them the more irresistable Streg and Halden two Danish Kings furnish them with fresh supplies whom the Earle of Berkshire ropelled neere Englefield and cut off one of the new-come Leaders 3. This while Ethelred is not Idle but every where so bestirres himselfe that he proves Victorious against them in nine sett Battles fought in one yeare wherein with one of their Kings nine Earles of the Danes were slaine In the end at Merton he received his deaths wound and left his torne Kingdome to the brave 6. ALFRED or Alured his Brother A.Ch. 871 Vpon him three more Danish Kings as though Hell had bin brake loose Guerthren Eskittle and Ammond are poured like haile-shott with their innumerable followers 2. To whom by Wilson Exeter and Abingdon he gave great overthrowes and no lesse then seven times in one yeare Routed and Scattered them 3. Notwithstanding by their obstinate reinforcing he was once brought to that extremity that he was forced to leave his Companies and lurke in Somersetshire Marishes where righting his bow and arrowes by the fire in a poore Cottage he was sharply blamed by the housewife for letting a Cake on the hearth burne for want of turning 4. From thence under the habit of a Fidler he ventures among the Enimies and having noted their loosenesse and many secret intentions returnes to
Math. Paris which in likelyhood might have ended the businesse 3. But the Empresse upon this victory carries her selfe so high and disrespective that she lost the hearts of her party so that Stephen was freed and she forced to shift for her selfe from Oxford Castle in a great Snow and other places 4. Vntill her sonne Henry comes with better provision The Armies confronting one the other an agreement is made especially by the earnest mediation of the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Stephen is to hold the Kingdome for his life and Henry is proclaimed his Heire apparant which took the surer effect in regard of the drowning of Prince Eustace Stephens sonne who might have been a block in the way and a shrewd suspition there was intimated some say by the Empresse her selfe that Stephen had more interest in Henry Holinsh then Jeffry Plantagenet 5. What became afterward of the Empresse may well saith one be made a Quere But the King soon takes his leave of the World wanting nothing to ranke him with the Eminents of his predecessors bvt only a good Title which the Pope was feed to justify but it could not stave off Henry from bringing in the next Dynasty 2. VVIth this Dynasty may be ranked 1. The intollerable Insultations of the Popes now in the Zenith of their Exaltations upon the superstitious and missed devotions of Christian Princes which our Normans stooped not so much to as others 2. The needlesse wranglings of Archbishop Anselme with Rufus and Henry the first his Soveraigues unbeseeming his Learning which receives at this day scandall by it 3. These quarrells between Canterbury and Yorke for priority more befitting Women and Duelists then men of their Places and Profession Notwithstanding St Bernard may be well noted for an eminent Preacher though Abailardus Schollers say it was all the Learning he had Lombard and Gratian must be acknowledged for Witty and painefull men and Avicenna Averroes and other Arabians and Schoolemen for great Philosophers INQVIRIES 3. Whether 1. The Lawes of Edward the Confessor were any way bettered by those of the Conquerour 2. The Kentish Gavelkind be not prejudiciall to elder brothers 3. Harlot be a name of reproach derived from the Conquerors Mother 4. William Rufus in some sort might not be tearmed a Protestant 5. See Holiaesis in his life Parliaments had their first beginning from Henry the first 6. His Dealing with his brother Robert were not unnaturally Tyrannicall 7. King Stephen might not as Lawfully put by his Daughter and Grand-child from the Crowne as he did his Elder brother Robert Plantagenets Vndevided DINASTY V. THE Normans thus expiring give way to the fifth Dynasty of the Plantaginets This represents it selfe 1. Before the division of the Houses of YORKE and LANCASTER 2. After that division 3. Before the division there runne on evenly in an unquestionable Line eight Kings in this manner 1. A.C. 1155 HENRY the second called Fitz-Empresse otherwise Shortmantle who curb'd the Clergy at his first entrance by seting on foot again his Grandfather Henry the first 's Lawes 2. He had great bickering with the Pope and Thomas Becket that Traytor Saint made by him Archbishop of Canterbury but made away by Pickthank Courtiers who flew him some relate as he was at Masse for which the penitent King Footed three miles afterward upon his bloody bare feet to visit this Idoll shrine submitted himself futher to be breeched by the Orbilian Monkes who bestowed eighty Lashes upon him 3. His love to faire Rosamund whom he Mewed up in Woodstock Labyrinth wrought him much forrow through the Jealousie of his Queene who at length there Poysoned her leaving her to be buried at Godstow neere Oxford with this Epitaph Hic jacet in Tumbo Rosa mundi non Rosa munda Non redolet sed olet quae redolere solet Rose Of not To the world here Rosamund lyes Sweet once she was but now 't is otherwise Her Well a faire spring by the Mannour of Woodstock continues there her name at this day The King had two Sonnes by her William Longsword and Ieffery Archbishop of Yorke 4. He subdued Ireland by occasion of Dermott Ningals falling off from his Countrymen appoints Judges of the Circuits in England 5. Crownes his Sonne Henry Copartner with him in the Kingdom who not using his Father well and untimely dying left Brethren too many to break the Old mans heart by their opposition of which 2. RICHARD the first A.C. 1188 called Cuer de Lion succeeds him 1. Borne in Oxford howsoever odious at last to his Father yet dutifull to his Mother whom he freed from 12. yeares Imprisonment when he came to the Crowne 2. Afterward goes to the Holy Land Conquers Cyprus and becomes King of Ierusalem which Title his Father requested by the Patriarch Heraclius had refused In his absence the emulation between William Longshampe Bishop of Elye left Viceroy And Iohn the Kings Brother who deservedly with others stormed at it brought all things into a Combustion so that in these stormes brake out the famous Out-lawes Robin Hood and Little John of whom read Grafton As also on William with the Longbeard a notable Imposter then deluded the credulous people This mans Valour an old Pees of theirs expresses This King Richard I understand Yet he went out of England Let make an Axe for the Nones Therewith to cleave the Sarasens bones The head in footh was wrought full wee le Thereon ware twenty pound of steele And when he came in Cyprus lond This ilkon Axe he took in hond 3. His returne cost him deare by falling in to the hands of Leopold of Austria and Henry the sixth Emperour his exasperated Enemies 4. His Wife Berengaria the King of Navarres Daughter was neglected by him at first yet afterward received never had Issue by him 5. A French Preist one Fulco told him that he had three Daughters Pride Covetuousnesse and Lechery to be bestowed abroad of him to prevent Gods punishments To whom he suddainly replyed that the Templers and Hospitallers should have his Pride the Cistertian Monkes his Covetuousnesse and the rest of the Clergy his Lechery 6. The Motto of DIEV ET MON DROIT is attributed to him ascribing the Victory he had at Gisors against the French not to himselfe but to God and his might He was death-wounded by a poysoned Arrow at the Seige of Chalons by one Bertrand Guerdon in revenge of his Father and Brethren whom the King had slaine which Bertrand resolutely avowing before the King the King pardoned him 7. At his Mothers intercession he was reconciled before to his Younger brother 3. A.C. 1199 IOHN who succeeds him He was termed by his Father Lackland 1. The Faction of the Clergy cast the Crowne upon him by Election whereas Arthur Plantagenet the sonne of his Elder brother Ieffery was the right Heire and stickled for it by the French Kings abetting till he lost his life in the Quarrell 2. The Clergy forsooke him for
Iohn was banished into Pathmos and wrote his Revelation Arrogated to himselfe Divine Honours and would be stiled Dominus Deus noster our Lord and God to which afterward the Canonists entitled the Pope 4. The Months December and October are designed to bear his name as Iuly and August doe of Julius Caesar and Augustus but this change of the Calender took not 5. When men were weary of him a Chough is said to have spoke Greeke from the Tarpeian rock 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 All shall be well 6. Which could not be untill the Tyrant was slaine outright by his own servants which the Divell might informe Apollonius Tyaneus of when he cryed out at Ephesus the same time To him Stephen strike him kill him 7. His word was FALLAX BONVM REGNVM A Kingdome is a deceiptfull good He found it too true and a better successor then himselfe Cocceius 13. An. Ch. 96 NERVA a Father rather then a Prince of the Commonwealth he set things right that his predecessor had disordered revoked St John out of Banishment provided for poore forbad incestuous marriages 2. His Motto summes up his excellencies Seneca in Thyeste MENS BONA REGNVM POSSIDET my mind to me a Kingdome is 3. The shortnesse of his good government was continued by his adopted sonne and successour Vlpius 14. An. Ch. 98 TRAâ—ANUS a Spaniard the first stranger that raigned among the Italians his justice moderation and valour got him the title of Pater Patriae father of his Country 2. Notwithstanding the third persecution against the Christians was raised by him This was so me what mittigated afterward by the Testimony of Plinius Secundus concerning their harmlesse conversation 3. Plutarch was his Instructer and Lucian that scorner of all Religion lived in his time who thought it a disparagement to their great witts to stoop so low as Christianity Notwithstanding Oracles ceased especially at that time amongst the Heathen And frequent miracles were amongst Christians 4. The Iewes not lessoned by the late ruine of Jerusalem raise insurrections against him in which 200000 of them perished 5. His word was QVALIS REX TALIS GREX Subjects prove good by a good Kings example His cousen Aelius 15. ADRIANUS takes his place An. C. 113 much commended for his personall endowments of Memory Wit and other abilities 2. By the Apologies of Aristides and Quadratus the fourth persecution begun in his time was much staied a gainst the Christians who at length had so gained his good opinion that he would have builded a Church for them without Images if some about him had not told him that it would be dishonourable to all the rest of the Gods 3. The Iewes possessed with a fatall frenzy are up in Armes againe under an Impostor Barchocab a sonne of the starre that should rise in Iacob but he proved but Barchosbah a sonne of a lying cheater this drew upon them their grubbing up root and Branch the Plough upon the Citty the erecting of another out of its ruines by the name of Aelia from the Emperour with the statua of a sow set over the Gate in detestation of Judaisme 4. After many Journeys and setling affaires abroad and here in Brittany by building a wall of 80 miles to sever the Romanes from the Natives he returnes to right matters at home 5. His word was NON MIHI SED POPVLO consonant to that of the twelve Tables Salus Populi suprema lex esto the Peoples good must be the chiefe scope of the Ruler to be promoted by him as a Protector and Gardian not as a Servant or Officer to be accountable to his Subjects if he doe not his duty but to God only who is his only Superiour He dyes Poetically desperate with this farewell to the world Animula vagula blandula Hospes comesque corporis Quae nunc abibis in loca Pallidula rigida nudula Nec utsoles dabis jocos having adopted to succeed him A.C. 138 16. ANTONINUS Pius who erected a Temple for clemency he better affected the Christians after he had read the Apologies of Iustine Martyr and others 2. He had learned men in great esteeme as Galen who was his Physitian but detested Jdlelers as the bane of the Common-wealth 3. His Motto shewes his gentle disposition SATIVS EST SERVARE VNVM CIVEM QVAM MVLTOS HOSTES PERDERE one Cittizen is preserved with greater credit then a thousand enemies destroyed A.C. 161 His sonne 17. ANTONINUS Philosophus followes who associates to him his brother Lucius Verus of a contrary disposition The Philosopher furnished with all virtues his brother with vices but Verus continues not long so that the whole government returned to him Euseb Eccles Hist l. 5. c. 5. 2. He raised in a blind zeale the fifth persecution against the Christians wherein Polycarpus and Iustine Martyr suffered But his distressed Army in Germany being miraculously preserved by the prayers of the Christians calmed him into a more favourable conceit of them The Legion that obtained this help from heaven was thereupon termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for not only procuring raine to the thirsty Souldier but Thunder and Lightning to route the Eâ—nemy His word was REGNI CLEMENTIA CVSTOS Clemency is a Kingdomes best preserver His sonne 18. A.C. 180 COMMODUS thought not so A degenerate wresch and shame to his family 2. He kept 300 Curtizans and so many Boyes would needs be accounted Hercules the sonne of Jupiter and so encounter Wild Beasts with his club and Lions skinne had an ambition to have some months beare his name as Iulius Caesar and Augustus had but met at length with a draught of Poyson from his Sweet-heart Martia a strangling upon that to dispatch him quickly 3. This forted not with his Embleme PEDETENTIM though it ranne with all his Subjects desires who in a manner thrust into his place Helvius 19. PERTINAX an experienced souldier An. C. 193 and a worthy man too good to keep it long 2. But indeavouring resolutely to right things amisse he was basely without provocation murthered by the Praetorian bands 3. His motto is said to be MILITEMVS Let us March on His march was soon cut off by 20. DIDIUS Iulianus An. C. 193 who bought the Empire for mony and had his Symbole IN PRETIO PRETIVM Mony gets any thing but he had small incoms by his purchase Niger in Syria and Albinus in Britany lay claime to it and he being slaine in his Pallace by those he traded with 21. SEPTIMIUS Severus fucceeds An. C. 193 commended for a great Souldier and otherwise a worthy man 2. He set on foot the sixt Persecution it being the Divells policy to imploy especially men noted for morall honesty and abilities to massaker Gods Saints that the world might believe that those could not chuse but be most abominable whom such wise pious men were so earnest to extinguish 3. After some Victories in the East and building a wall here between England and Scotland he dyed at
Yorke his word was LABOREMVS Let 's be doing which was ill applied by his sonne that succeeded 22. BASSIANUS Caracalla An. C. 211 so called from a new fashioned cassock that he wore reaching down to his ancles 2. He professed that in all his life he never learned to doe good He slew his brother Geta in his step-mother Julias armes whom afterward he took to wife and slew Papinianâ—u the famous Lawyer because solicited by him to defend his fratricide his answer was that it was a crime sooner committed then defended 3. In a frantick humor he would be accounted Alexander the Great and Achilles conforming the posture of his body to their statues His Motto was OMNIS IN FERRO SALVS All safety lies in the sword but the sword could not protect him for going to untrusse a poynt in his expedition against the Parthians he was slain by one Martiall a Centurion by the setting on of Opilius 23. An. C. 217 Macrinus an unworthy wight who took the government upon him which Audentius an able man waved when it was offered unto him 2. He made a dishonourable peace with the Parthians associates his sonne Diadumenus to be Coemperour with him 3. His word is said to be FERENDVM ET SPERANDVM Beare he might but no good he could hope from such detestable beginnings His Sonne with himselfe were sâ—aine together by their own Souldiers to make way for Antoninus 24. An. C. 218 HELIOGABALUS a monster the bastard of Caracalla by Simiamira a strumpet whom he is said incestuously to have used 2. He erected a Temple to the Sunne whose Priest he was and would constraine the Christians to worship in it Married a Vestall and defended the fact to the Senate that he might doe it being a Priest 3. His setting up a Senate of Women was a new fetch of Policy and their Ordinances were correspondent as what attyre each Woman should use Pezelâ—us ex Aurel. Herod an Capitolin how they should take place when salute c. set down by Authors His word was SVVS SIBI QVISQVE HERAES OPTIMVS Every man should be his own Heire no matter for posterity Those souldiers that chose him exequted him in a Privy and sent him to clense himselfe in Tybur His cousen Alexianus succeeded him by the name of 25 An. C. 222 ALEXANDER Severus He was somewhat harsh to the Christians in the beginning but afterward favoured them so farre that he had the picture of Abraham and Christ in private and would have built a Temple for Christians if Vlpian the Lawyer whose advice he much used and some others had not diverted him from it 2. His Mother Mammea sent for Origen and was instructed by him in grounds of Christianity 3. He was a strict exactor of Discipline an utter enemy to Idlenesse buying and selling of offices cheatings in matter of trust whereupon he adjudged one to be stifled with smoake that had vented smoake in stead of substance His Motto was that of our Saviours QVOD TIBI HOC ALTERI Doe as thou wilt be done unto Yet all these excellencies could not shield him from his barbarous Souldiers who slew him together with his good Mother neare Mentz in Germany Of whom the Cyclopean ringleader was 26. MAXIMINUS Thrax in a hurry made his successor An. C. 235 A man of a vast stature two foot and a halfe higher then any in the Army devouring forty pound of flesh daily with about sixe gallons of wine to digest it 2. Advanced by Severus he furthered the conspiracy against him and persecuted the Christians more spitefully because he favoured them 3. As this seaventh persecution was the shortest so it was most violent not of the common sort so much as of their especiall Leaders who were either cut off from them Chrys in Heb. 13. v. 17. or hireling intruded for them or their flock set up against them 4. His boysterous tyranny so exasperated his Souldiers that they set up one Quercianus against him but he quickly made away the Gordiani with the like successe appear in Africk of whom the younger was slaine by Capellanus Maximinu's friend and the elder strangled himselfe 5. For the Senates favouring those Competitors he hastned with his Army to Rome to be revenged of them but was slaine in besieging Aquileia where the women cut off their haire to make bow-strings to shoot against him 6. At which siege his Souldiers mutiny slay him and his sonne professing that of an ill breed not a Whalpe must be left 7. His word was QVO MAJOR HOC LABORIOSIOR Greatest pains taking should attend the greatest abilities but not to doe mischiefe but good As this mans competitors Balbinus and Puppianus were like to have done but they were cut off before they were setled and therefore not reckoned in the line of Emperours 27. A.C. 239 GORDIANUS succeeds a young Nephew of Gordianus the elder He had good successe against Sapor of Persia 2. The Symbole ascribed unto him is PRINCEPS MISER QVEM LATET VERITAS Vnhappy is that Prince from whom truth is concealed This was this young mans cause who was basely made away by 28. A.C. 244 PHILIPPUS Arabs his Generall 1. It is said that he was Baptized with his Mother and Family but Scaliger denyes it he was never observed to laugh was a deep dissembler according to his Motto MALITIA REGNO JDONEA Pomponiua Latus wickednesse fits to Governe He found the fruit of it being with his sonne slaine by the Souldiers to make way for 29. A.C. 251 DECIUS approved by the Senate and Souldiers a man beyond exception both for Valour and conversation 2. But whether it were for hatred to Philip that seemed to favour Christianity or to get a masse of money which Philip had left in Pope Fabians hands or some other secret ayme He became the author of the 8th terrible Persecution wherein Orignae faultered Niceph. l. 5. c. 27. Apollonia had her teeth beaten out and the seven that slept 129 yeares in a Cave from that time to Theodosius with diverse other are Registred 3. In his time Paul an Aegyptian betaking himselfe into the Wildernesse to avoyd persecution became the first Hermite 4. His word was APEX MAGISTRATVS AVTHORITAS and his sonnes Fugitivo nulla Corona authority he had sufficient but that freed him not from the Treason of 30. A.C. 252 TREBONIANUS Gallus who basely betrayed him to the Gothes by whom he and his sonne young Decius perished 2. But the same Lot quickly befell Gallus with his sonne Volusian from Aemilianus 3. Good Symboles are attributed to these as to Gallus NEMO AMICVS IDEM ET ADVLATOR No Flatterer can be a true friend to Volucian PVBLICA FAMA NON EST VANA That all report is likely to have some truth in it To Aemilian NON GENS SED MENS NON GENVS SED GENIVS Not Race or Place but Grace truely sets forth a man These had only the title of Emperours but soone fell before 31. VALERIAN