waxe hot in the minority of Charles the Ninth the Princes which enuied one another pretending on both sides the specious name the defence of Religion and those of the reformed Religion beeing grieuously oppressed And herevpon the Papists of England by I knowe not what hope which they had conceiued thereby to oppresse the Protestants many discourses of importance were whispered very secretly in priuate assemblies and all full of suspicion Margaret Countesse of Lenox who had a secret intelligence with the Queen of Scotland and the Earle of Lenox her husband were for a time put and detayned vnder the custodie of the Master of the Rolles Arthur Pole and his Brother Nephews sonnes to George Duke of Clarence King Edwards Brother Anthony Fortescue who had married their Sister and others were brought into examination for hauing conspired to withdraw themselues into France to the Guizes and from thence to returne with an Armie into Wales and declare the Queene of Scotland Queene of England and Arthur Pole Duke of Clarence as they at their Tryall ingenuously confessed neuerthelesse protesting that they intended not to doe it while Queene ELIZABETH liued and that they had been seduced by diuiners to beleeue that shee should dye that yeere for which they were condemned to dye notwithstanding for the respect which was had vnto their bloud they were suffered to liue But as many haue thought they vsed Katherine Gray very seuerely though she was much neerer of kinne to the Queene being Daughter to the Duke of Suffolke For hauing beene married to Henry eldest Sonne to the Earle of Pembrooke by him lawfully repudiated and left long time in great contempt finding her selfe with child neere her lying down was put in the Tower of London although shee protested that she was married to Edward Seimor Earle of Hertford and great by him Hee himselfe being returned from France whither he went for his pleasure by the Queenes permission hauing made the like acknowledgement was also imprisoned in the same Towre the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and others were appointed to examine and decide the Cause without appeale and when hee could not produce witnesse of his marriage within the time prescribed him the Arch-bishop by a definitiue Sentence pronounced That the Carnall company which he had had with her was illegitimate and vnlawfull and that for this offence they ought both to be punished This Sentence was impugned as wicked and vniust by Iohn Hales a man very opinatiue but otherwise very learned who maintained that their sole consent did legitimate their coniunction for which reason he himselfe was committed She was deliuered in prison of her first-borne and afterwards her Keepers being corrupted by the Earle of Hertfords deuice Edward Warner Lieutenant of the Towre was punished as conscious of the fact and displaced Hertford is accused in the Starre-Chamber of three crimes that he had deflowred a Virgine of the Bloud-Royall broken the Prison and had accompanied with her since Whereupon after hauing protested that hee was lawfully married to her he confessed that hauing found the doores of the Prison open hee had visited her in the affliction which was caused by the sentence pronounced against them and had payed her the duty of wedlocke For which cause hee was fined fiue thousand pound for euery offence and kept Prisoner nine yeeres Yet neuerthelesse by perswasion of Lawyers hee insisted against the Arch-bishops sentence by interiecting an appeale and continued to visit her priuily But in this time hee voluntarily and publiquely left it off and she after some yeeres to the end I may in the time of their separation speake ioyntly of them fell into a grieuous sicknesse after hauing in the presence of Hopton Lieutenant of the Towre demanded pardon of the Queene in regard shee had married without her aduice and with Prayers re-commended her Children to her trust and Hertford his libertie She dyed in Christ piously and peaceably Warre renewing then in France betweene the Princes of the Bloud and the Guizes vnder a feigned pretence of Religion as I haue said one sought for to strengthen both parties Queene ELIZABETH began to feare lest neighbour-warres should intangle England therein For she had learned that the Guizes to draw Anthonie of Burbone to their partie had boasted to put him in possession of Nauarre to marry him to the Queene of Scotland and to giue him in dowry the Kingdome of England at the expence of the Spaniard and by the authority of the Pope who would breake the marriage because his Wife was an Heretique and by the same meanes depose Qu. ELIZABETH of her Kingdome as being so Vpon that she sent H. Sidney a man of great renowne that he might informe himself more surely of these things to exhort vnto peace the Conductors of these seuerall parties But the businesse was come to such a passe that the eares of both parties were shut against peace Sidney being returned from France is forthwith sent to the Queene of Scotland that the Colloque which shee desired to be holden in England with Queene ELIZABETH might be prorogued vntill the yeere following or vntill the Warres in France were abated Now it is consulted on whether it were expedient or not that these two Princesses should speake together in that the Queene of Scotland desired it the first it was not without suspition she did it to serue her owne ends and sought out stratagems in their season or to affirme the right which shee pretended to haue in England or to giue hope and increase of courage to the Papists of England and to the Guizes in France Some thought the contrary that this would be a meanes to vnite them with a firme friendship to decay by little and little the alliance with France and to draw the Queene of Scotland to the Protestants Religion Others obserued that such communications might rather sow seedes of emulation than of loue and that the shew of riches and power of the one would euer excite the enuy of the other and that the presence not answering to the opinion and reputation of the body of the grace in speaking and of the gifts of the spirit would leaue both to the one and the other some thing of reprehension The Queene of Scotland did likewise iudge that it were not safe for her to expose her selfe into the power of Queene ELIZABETH with whom shee had contended for the right of the Kingdome and as shee had learned that shee had openly declared her selfe for the Protestants of France shee was likewise in doubt on what side to ranke her selfe considering how shee her selfe had written that of the Father side she had drawne her extraction from England and of her Mother side from France that shee had beene crowned Queene of France and was Dowager of it that shee was the most certaine Heire of England and looked for the succession that if shee were obliged to her Vnkles of France who
priuiledges belonging to the place were gathered together a certaine impunitie imboldening them For EDVVARD the third had granted to the Earle of Desmond all Regall Liberties that the Kings of England had in that Countie except for Burnings Rapes Forestallings and Treasure found Notwithstanding the President iudging that these Liberties were granted rather for the exercise of Iustice then for the protecting of Mischiefe valiantly defeated the most selected troopes of the forlorne Rebels which the Earle of Desmond had layd in Ambuscado and made search through all Kerria and punished many of them seuerely The Earle of Desmond vexing at this and grieuously complaining to the Lord Deputie of Drury as well of this as of the Taxe which they call Ceass This Taxe is an exaction of Victuals at a certaine price as the Glebe among the Ancients for Prouision of the Deputies Family and the Garrison Souldiers Of this Taxe he complained not alone but in Lemster the most ciuill part of the Isle the Viscount Bultinglas Deluin Hoth and Trimleston Barons and also other of the Nobler sort complaining denied to pay it as not to be exacted but by authoritie of Parliament And thereupon sent Deputies into England who being heard before the Councell were committed and in like manner in Ireland were those that sent them vntill they submitted to pay it It appearing by the Records of the Kingdomes Exchequer to be instituted long agoe and is a certaine right of Maiestie called Royall Prerogatiue which is not subiect to the Lawes nor yet repugnant as the Lawyers haue iudged it But the Queene commanded the Lord Deputie to vse a moderation in such like exactions and vsed the old saying While they may sheare her subiects doe not shaue them and said moreouer AH how greatly I feare lest that which Bato in time past to Tiberius vpon the reuolting of Dalmatia be obiected against vs by the Irish You you are in fault who commit not your flockes to Shepheards but to Wolues THE TVVENTIETH YEERE OF Her Reigne Anno Dom. 1577. DOn Iohn of Austria perceiuing himselfe too weake for the States of Holland strengthened by the amitie of neighbour Princes sent Gastel to Queene ELIZABETH to thanke her for the ayd which she had offered him against the French to declare his desire of Peace She by Edw. Horsey now sent the second time to him commends his disposition to Peace and withall treates that the goods of the English detained in Antwerpe might be restored Answer was made verie slowly he being much distracted as he pretended with other affaires wholly intending The perpetuall Edict for Peace as they call it which scarce lasted a yeere Queene ELIZABETH seriously desiring Peace sends Sir Thomas Leighton to the Prince of Orange to perswade him not to labour or attempt any thing against Peace vntill Iohn Smith who was sent into Spaine to procure a Peace should returne The Prince of Orange who from his heart condemned this perpetuall Edict hauing opportunely learned that Don Iohn of Austria did endeuour to marrie the Queene of Scots which occasion he willingly catch't and by Famier forthwith aduertiseth Queene ELIZABETH to auert her from Peace She neuerthelesse as seeming to know nothing by Daniel Rogers congratulates with Don Iohn for the perpetuall Edict of Peace although she had discouered for certaine that by the perswasion of the Earle of Westmerland and the English Fugitiues and the inclination of the Pope and the fauour of the Guizes he had an assured hope to attaine to this mariage and together with it to swallow England and Scotland and had alreadie resolued to possesse himselfe of the Isle of Man situate in the Irish Sea as a fit place for the inuading of England on Ireland side and from the West-side of Scotland where the Queene of Scots had many people at her deuotion and in the opposite part of England to make vse of north-North-Wales and the Counties of Cumberland Lancaster and Chester where the most part of the Inhabitants are most addicted to Poperie And certainly as we haue learned by Perez the King of Spaines Secretarie Austria caried away with ambition seeing himselfe falne from all hope of the Kingdome of Tunis had dealt secretly with the Pope to pull downe ELIZABETH from her Throne to marrie the Queene of Scotland and to subdue England and vnknowne to Philip wrought with the Pope to excite Philip for the publike good to the English Warre Don Iohn himselfe is readie to goe for Flanders this was prosecuted in Spaine and anon after Escouedo is sent from Flanders to desire that a Port in Biskye might be granted him from whence with a Nauie he might inuade England But Philip not likeing these designes begun to neglect him as a man too ambitious Neither did Queene ELIZABETH vnderstand of these things till as I haue said the Prince of Orange did informe her Notwithstanding it wanted not suspition that Thomas Copley a prime man among the English Fugitiues being commended to the French King by Vaulx Secretarie to Don Iohn had beene made Knight and Baron But Copley endeuouring to auoide suspition protested obedience to his Prince and that he had accepted this Title out of no other reason but for the greater accesse of honour to his wife his companion in exile and that his Pension from Spaine would be the greater because a Gentleman of Title is of more esteeme among Spaniards and he thought he was capable of the Title of a Baron his Grandmother being the eldest Daughter to the Baron of Hoo and his great Grandmother the eldest Daughter of the heires of the Baron of Welles In the meane time Don Iohn vnderhand prosecutes this match and withall the better to cloke the matter sends the Viscount of Gaunt Embassadour to ELIZABETH who shewed her the Articles of Peace and to demand a longer terme for the paiment of the Money which the States borrowed of her This she willingly grants and after treates with him by Wilson that the dammages which the English Merchants receiued at the sacking of Antwerpe may be repared He deludes her and while he pretended to be busie about this perpetuall Edict of Peace breakes out into Warre and by craft surprises Castles and Townes and writes to the King of Spaine that the wisest course is to take the Islands of Zeland before they lay siege to the interiour Prouinces and being thus transported with hope striues to perswade him by Escouede his Secretarie that it were easier for him to take England than Zeland At length when all things tended to warres in the Low-Countries the States send to Queene ELIZABETH the Marquis of Maure and Adoulfe Medkerke to borrow of her a hundred thousand pound sterling for eight moneths Shee made them this answer That if they could borrow it else-where Shee with the Citie of London would willingly giue caution for it prouided that such Townes of the Low-Countries as She shall
meanes she adorned her tongue with pure words and instructed her mind with the best documents and good learning not for pompe or ostentation but to recreate her life and frame her selfe to vertue that among the learned Princes of her time shee was held Miraculous But the death of EDVVARD interrupted the studies of the Liberall Arts For scarce was he expired but Dudley Duke of Northumberland who earnestly coueted the Kingdome for Iane Gray to whom he had affianced his Sonne vsed some persons to perswade her to quit the right which shee had to the Kingdome for a certaine summe of money and great possessions in Land She modestly answered that they ought first doe well to agree with Mary her elder Sister because that during her life she could pretend no right to it Anon after by the publike voice of a Cryer Iane Gray HENRY the Eighth's Neece by his second Sisters Daughter was proclaimed Queene of England the cause thereof being sought out was found to bee that in regard of a Lawe by Act of Parliament which had neuer been duely abrogated MARIE and ELIZABETH had beene declared illegitimate although that by the same Lawe the King their Father had declared that after EDVVARD the Sixth if Issue fayled that they should succeede him in order and that by the Ciuill-Law of England such Sisters could not hereditarily succeede EDVVARD because they were not Cousin Germanes but as our learned in the Law say of the halfe Blood They adde likewise that HENRY the Eighth had by his last will nominated Iane Gray Moreouer it was shewed what danger there were if MARIE and ELIZABETH should marrie stranger Princes which would re-establish the Popes authority which was reiected out of the Kingdome And to that purpose they produce Letters Patents that EDVVARD the Sixth a little before his death had perfected and many of the Peeres Bishops Iudges and others by their signes in writing had fortified neuerthelesse the good-will that the Lords and the Commons bore to the Daughters of HENRIE the Eighth within twentie dayes had driuen away this storme and MARY proclaimed Queene through all parts of England who comming toward the Citie of London with an Armie ELIZABETH not to bee wanting her Sisters cause and hers being yet disquieted went accompanied with fiue hundred Horse to meet her vpon the way In the first Assembly of the Parliament that MARY caused to bee holden what things soeuer had beene decreed against the marriage betweene Qu. Katharine and HENRY the Eighth were abrogated and it was iudged lawfull by the Diuine Law and at all times and at all places auaileable for these reasons Because it had bin contracted by the consent of both their Parents of most Illustrious Princes of most graue Personages as well of England as Spaine and with a graue and constant deliberation of the learnedest men of Christendome and consummated by the procreation of Children The same religious Seruice and administration of the Sacraments which were in vse at the decease of HENRY the Eighth are re-established notwithstanding without any mention of acknowledging the Popes authority which thing put the Queene and Cardinall Pole into great trouble and vnquietnesse who thinke that for matter of the marriage consent of Parents and the iudgement of the wise did but onely depend vpon the Dispensation of Pope Iulius the second and were very angry that the vse of the Sacraments were permitted to those who were not as yet well and duely receiued into the Church without the authoritie of the Pope But the States of the Kingdome and MARY bethought her selfe of it feared to receiue and acknowledge the Popes authority which they had already shaken off neither could they suffer that the Queene should quit the Title of Soueraigne head of the Church of England to which the most part of them Prelates Peeres and Common-people had sworne to HENRY the Eighth his heires and successors and there were many of them that had got their riches from those of the Church But tooke it greatly to heart to forsake him perswading herselfe that all the right that she had to the Kingdome of England was vpholden by no other meanes then by the power of the Pope who gaue sentence of her side after her Father had declared her illegitimate Verily many at that time had the Popes power in such hatred and a strangers yoke that within tenne dayes after that MARY was married to Phillip King of Spaine Tho. Wyat and many others of Kent brake out into rebellion perswading themselues that this marriage was made to no other end but the more rigorously to presse them downe vnder the Romane yoke by the strength of Spaine and dispatch ELIZABETH out of the way who was next heire to the Kingdome of England Charles the fifth Emperour knowing what spirits were in England and that Cardinall Pole was going with power of Legate from the Pope cast a blocke in the way not without the Queenes counsell lest he should trouble businesse not as yet established that he should not come into England till fifteene moneths were expired when the third Parliament was ended and the marriage of MARY and Philip should be celebrated by the Dispensation of Pope Iulius the third because they were allied in the third degree and that the Emperour Charles himselfe had heretofore contracted to marry her being then vnder age for time to come At last being dismissed from the Emperour he came into England by demands and obtestations propounded orders that the lawes against Heretikes might be re-established all Lawes published against the Sea of Rome since the twentieth yeere of Henrie the eighth abolished and the whole body of the Kingdome reconciled to the Church of Rome The which with great difficulty he obtained yet not before the goods taken from the Monasteries Colledges Bishops c. by Henry the eighth and Edward the sixth were confirmed vpon like Couenant to the Queene and the possessors lest the Kingdome should be disquieted Foorthwith hereupon he absolued both the Clergie and people of the crime of Schisme and Pope Iulius the third himselfe with great ioy celebrated a solemne Masse at Rome ordained Prayers published a Iubile and granted a plenarie Indulgence to all who had giuen God thankes for the revnion of the Kingdome of England Then is sent vnto him Anthony Viscount Montaigue Thomas Thurlbe Bishop of Ely and Edward Carne to giue thankes for the pardon which he had granted for the Schismes and in the name of the King the Queene and the Kingdome and that due submission and obedience should be performed to the Pope and See of Rome Iulius then being deceased Paulus 4. gaue them audience and publike conference in the Apostolike Palace and in the Hall of Kings receiued their obedience approued the pardon and absolution granted by Cardinall Pole And for the well deseruing of Mary and Philip he out of the fulnesse of his power erected for euer Ireland to be a Kingdome and adorned
infamous by the incredible crueltie of Prelates who polluted England through all parts with a most sad dreadfull spectacle in burning the Protestants aliue For as some haue obserued there were more consumed of all rankes Bishops Ministers and common people by this vengible and direfull way of death these fiue yeeres than England saw in all the seuen and thirtie yeeres of HENRY the Eighth In the reigne of Iohn Christians against Christians with vs began to tyrannize with flames The same day that MARY dyed within a few houres after Cardinall Pole Arch-bishop of Canterbury tormented with a quartane Feuer expired A man whom pietie learning and integritie had made much more famous than the splendor of his Royall Race though hee was Nephew to George Duke of Clarence Brother to Edward the Fourth King of England A TABLE OF THE CONTENTS of this matchlesse and famous HISTORIE The first Booke Anno M.D.LVIII QVeene ELIZABETH is proclaymed Queene of England Fol. 2. Choyce of her Priuy Councell Fol. 3. Her care to re-establish the Catholike Christian Religion Fol. 4. Philip King of Spaine Queene MARY's Widdower is a Sutor to her Sister Fol. 5. Queene ELIZABETH refused him and wherefore Fol. 7. Consultations about the safe re-establishment of true Religion Fol. 9. Diuine Seruice allowed by the Queene in English Fol. 11. Anno M.D.LIX. CReation and restoration of diuers Noble-men Fol. 12. A Parliament summoned and held at Westminster Fol. 14. Proposition to reforme Religion Fol. 15. Dispute established betweene Protestants and Papists Fol. 17. Sir Edward Crane Ambassadour for England is detayned at Rome Fol. 18. Disputes and strifes for Callais Fol. 19. A Treatie of peace with the French King in Cambresis Castle Fol. 22. The Articles of the said peace Fol. 23. Peace concluded betweene the Queenes of England and Scotland Fol. 24. The Baron of Wentworth and others questioned about Calais Fol. 25. The Parliament exhort the Queene to marry Fol. 26. Her Maiesties answer Fol. 27. Lawes and Ordinances established by the Parliament Fol. 29. The Nobles of the Land re-established and Papists deposed Fol. 30. By what degrees Religion was altered in England Fol. 33. The profit proceeding by Religions alteration Fol. 34. Queene ELIZABETH's Poesie or Motto Fol. 35. Her Maiesties answer to forreine Princes interceding for the Papists ibid. The Emperour seekes Queene ELIZABETH for his sonne Fol. 36. The French King challenged the Kingdome of England for the Queene of Scots Fol. 37. The King of France his sodaine death being kill'd at a tilting ibid. Francis the Second King of France and Mary Queene of Scots his Wife take vpon them the Title of King Queene of England and Ireland Fol. 38. The originall of the hidden hatred which hath beene betweene the Queenes of England and Scotland Fol. 39. The Scots refuse to obey the Queene-Regent but seeke helpe of Queene ELIZABETH Fol. 40. They resolue to driue the French out of Scotland Fol. 42. The English are sent into Scotland both by Land and Sea Fol. 43. The death of Francis Talbot the first Earle of Shrewsbury Fol. 44. Anno M.D.LX. A Treatie of peace in Barwicke Fol. 45. Martigues brings French-men into Scotland and the Marquesse of Debeux is driuen by a tempest Fol. 47. Spaines counsell to peace Fol. 48. Spaniards detaine from the English munition ibid. The French call the English from Scotland and doe protest they are meerely the cause that peace is broken Fol. 49. The Guizes are sworne and profest enemies to Queene ELIZABETH ibid. The French offer to render vp Calais Fol. 50. Queene ELIZABETH answered them and sends Viscount Montague into Spaine ibid. Arthur Gray sonne to the Lord Gray wounded and lyeth besieged Fol. 51. The English repulsed Crofts is accused Fol. 52. The Queene-Regent of Scotlands death Fol. 53. The Treatie of Edenborough ibid. A peace is published Fol. 54. Queene ELIZABETH is sought in marriage by diuers potent Princes ibid. Spaine fauoured England against the French Fol. 58. The King of Spaine deliuered backe the Order of the Garter ibid. Hee is disdained to be refused in things of small importance and the Count of Feria whets his indignation Fol. 59. The Pope is incensed against Queene ELIZABETH Fol. 60. Yet the Pope writes and sends his Nuncio ouer Fol. 61. The King and Queene of France and Scotland refuse to confirme the Treatie of Edenborough with their reasons Fol. 63. Francis the Second King of France dyed ibid. An Edict set forth by Queene ELIZABETH against Anabaptists and sacrilegious persons Fol. 64. The Colledge of Westminster founded ibid. The Coyne brought to full valew ibid. Good Coyne stampt for Ireland which wee call Sterling Fol. 65. The death of the Earle of Huntingdon the second of that Race Fol. 66. Anno M.D.LXI THe Queene Dowager of France Queene of Scotland deferred the confirmation of Edenboroughs Treaty Fol. 68. The Queene of England refused passage to the Queene of Scotland from France ouer Fol. 69. Shee complayned to Throckmorton Ambassadour for England Fol. 71. Throckmortons answer to the said Queeene Fol. 72. Contestation betweene them two Fol. 73. The Queene of Scotland laboured to content Queene ELIZABETH Fol. 74. But in vaine ibid. The Queene of Scotland takes her iourney out of France into Scotland where she well and safely arriued Fol. 75. She sends to Queene ELIZABETH who answered her Fol. 76. Queene ELIZABETH presseth the confirmation of the treatie Fol. 77. The Guizes and other French Noble-men who had conueyed the Queene of Scots into Scotland returning home thorow England are magnificently entertained with all royall courtesies by Queene ELIZABETH Fol. 77. That the right to assemble a Councel belongeth not to the Pope Fol. 78. How farre an Ambassadour ought to beare an offence Fol. 79. Queene ELIZABETH prepares things necessary for the warre ibid. She findes the Calamite stone Fol. 80. And prepares a Fleet. ibid. The English in emulation of their Queene striue who can build the best Ships ibid. Tillage more vsed than euer Fol. 81. An Edict in fauour of the King of Poland ibid. S. Pauls famous Steeple in London is burnt Fol. 82. The Earle of Bathe dyed ibid. Anno M.D.LXII ARthur Pole his Brother and others are examined Fol. 84. The Lady Katherine Gray is imprisoned ibid. The Guizes practize against Queene ELIZABETH Fol. 85. Henry Sidney is sent into France and presently after into Scotland Fol. 86. They deliberate the inter-uiew of the Queene of Scotland Fol. 87. The Cardinall of Lorraine propoundeth a marriage to the Queene of Scotland and Queene ELIZABETH endeuours to diuert her from it Fol. 88. Shee excuses the French Fugitiues Fol. 89. The death of Iohn de Vere Earle of Oxford Fol. 90. Shan O-Neale comes into England to defend his cause ibid. Anno M.D.LXIII LAw established by Parliament Fol. 92. Fifteenes and Subsidies granted Fol. 93. The Prince of Condé is taken in the Battel of DREVX Fol. 94. The King of Spaines answer ibid. Hostages giuen
Prayse of those who were of the English Nauy ibid. Publike ioy encreased by good newes out of Scotland ibid. Leicesters goods are sold 289 Bergen ap Zone besieged by the Duke of Parma ibid. Who rayseth the siege ibid. Innouâ—tions in England ibid. Martin Mar-Prelate and other scandalous bookes 290 FINIS THE HISTORIE OF THE MOST High Mighty and Inuincible Princesse Queene ELIZABETH of most happy and neuer-dying memory OR ANNALLS Of all the most remarkable things that happened during her blessed Raigne ouer the Kingdomes of England and Ireland c. The first yeere of her Raigne Anno 1558. AFter that for certaine houres the decease of Queene MARY had beene concealed the Peeres Prelates and Commons of England being at that time assembled together in Parliament First notice was giuen to them of the vpper house which were in a manner strucke silent with griefe and astonishment for a while But they presently after rowzed vp their spirits and amazed senses moderating their mournings with ioy either not to seeme altogether sad or sorrowfull that Queene ELIZABETH succeeded the Crowne or else ioyfull that by the death of Queene MARY the succession thereof fell to her Maiesty so they bent their cares to publike affaires and with a common accord and firme resolution concluded and agreed that by the law of succession in the 35. yeere of King HENRY the eighth ELIZABETH was ought to be declared true and legitimate Heire of the Kingdome Therefore at that instant Nicholas Heath Lord Archbishop of Yorke and Lord Chancellour of England carried the first newes to those of the Lower-house giuing them to vnderstand with much sorrow and sighs that death preuenting the course of nature had depriued them of a Queene no lesse fauourable to the Roman Religion then kinde and louing to the Common wealth and that each member of the Vpper-house had receiued such extreme griefe thereby that they seemed to be comfortlesse without hope of consolation if God through his speciall grace fauour towards the English Nation had not reserued for them ELIZABETH another Daughter to King HENRY the â— to succeed her Sister and that her right to the Crowne was so euident and true that no man could nor ought to make any doubt or question thereof and that the Peeres and Prelates of this Realme had all with one accord and voice determined that she should be forthwith publisht Queene and proclaimed Soueraigne if they were so pleased to condescend thereunto Which words being scarce vttered the whole Assembly immediatly with a common acclamation cryed aloud GOD SAVE QVEENE ELIZABETH that her Raigne may be long and happy And immediatly the whole Parliament rising she was openly proclaimed Queen by sound of Trumpets first in Westminster-Hall and then soone after thorow the whole City of London by the title of Queene of England France and Ireland and Defendresse of the faith with the happy applause and ioyfull shouting of all the people vndoubted presages truly most happy for indeed no Prince was euer cherisht of his people and Subiects with more ardent and constant loue and zealous affection then this Queene was nor none receiued and welcommed with more respect and ioy then she hath beene nor blessed and prayed for with more vowes and prayers so often iterated as this happy Princesse hath beene all her life time chiefly when shee shewed her selfe in publike or openly abroad Queene ELIZABETH was about fiue and twenty yeeres of age when her Sister died But she was so rarely qualified by aduersity and so well accomplisht and accommodated by experience which are most effectuall Tutors that she had purchased Prudence and Iudgement farre aboue the capacity of her age and of her pregnant wit and admirable wisdome she gaue sufficient proofe and worthy testimony in the election and choice that shee made of her Priuie Councellors for she tooke into her Priuie Councell the aforesaid Nicholas Heath Archbishop of Yorke a Prelate no lesse prudent then modest and discreet William Poulet Marquesse of Winchester Lord high Treasurer of England Henry Fitz-Allen Earle of Arundel Francis Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury Edward Stanley Earle of Darby William Herbert Earle of Pembrooke Edward Baron of Clynton Lord high Admirall The Lord Howard Baron of Effingham Lord Chamberlaine Sir Thomas Cheney Sir William Peter Sir Iohn Mason Sir Richard Sackuile Knights and Nicholas Wotton Deane of Canterbury All which had beene Priuie Councellors to Queene MARY and professing her owne Religion Shee adioyned to them by temporizing according to the time these vndernamed who were all Protestants and had had no office at all nor charge of gouernment in Queene MARIES Raigne William Parr Marquesse of Northampton Francis Lord Russell Earle of Bedford Thomas Parr Edward Rogers Ambrose Caue Francis Knollys and William Cicill who before had beene Secretary to King EDVVARD the sixth a noble Gentleman most wise vnderstanding and iudicious whose learning and worth exceeded many others and a little after she brought in Sir Nicholas Bacon whom she made Lord Keeper of the great Seale of England She so ordered and tempered them in place with all those which succeeded since in such sort that they were true faithfull and affectionate to her Maiesty and she alwaies free and not subiect to any At these happy beginnings her first and chiefest care was to re-establish the Protestant Religion the which as much by the instruction and knowledge that shee had receiued thereof from her infancy as also by her owne particular iudgement she firmely held and maintained to be very true and most conformable to the holy Scripture and to the sincerity of the primitiue Church so effectually resoluing in her heart to settle and re-establish the same that she imployed to that purpose some of her Councellors being the most intimate with the rest of the other Lords of her most honorable Priuy-Councel she tooke order that the Ports Hauen-Townes should be fast shut secured and fortified The Tower of London she committed to the care of one whose fidelity and loyalty had been fully approued a new Commission she sent to Thomas Earle of Sussex Lord Deputie of Ireland who with a Garrison of three hundred and twenty Horse and one thousand three hundred and sixty foot yeelded in submission the whole Countrey which otherwise had not bin quiet nor peaceable Also the like Commission shee sent with a clause or restraint not to conferre any office to Iudges and Magistrates for to hinder the Conuocation of the Assembly of the iurisdiction by the authority there appointed New Iustices and Sheriffes shee likewise established in each County and tooke order that no money nor coine should be transported by exchange out of the Realme to forraine Nations beyond Sea and that the Preachers should desist and abstaine from treating of questions or disputing about Controuersies in Religion and withall concerning State-affaires out of the Kingdom she gaue order that Ambassadors should be sent to all
newes I cannot well say whether the Papists more lamented or the Protestants reioyced Queene ELIZABETH now perceiuing her selfe more secure then euer before to the end that the Church might subsist and encrease in her partie and that the Common-wealth might more more flourish in honour and riches proclaimed two most wholsome Edicts by the first wherof she commanded all Anabaptists and such other like Heretiques who vnder pretence of shunning persecution were come from Countries beyond the Seas to certaine Port Townes vpon the Coast of England to depart the Kingdome within twentie dayes whether they were natiue or strangers vpon paine of imprisonment and forfeiture of their goods And by the second Edict her Maiesty supprest a Sect of sacrilegious men who vnder colour of extirpating superstitions had begun to demolish ancient Sepulchers Epitaphs and Ensignes of Noble Families and other Monuments of reuerend Antiquity which had escaped the furie of the prophane vnder King HENRIE the Eighth and King EDVVARD the Sixth and to pull off the Lead that couered the Churches And moreouer cōuerted the Monastery of Westminster a most famous place for the sacring of the Kings of England and the place where the Armes and Royall Ensignes were alwaies kept into a Colledgiall Church or as I may better terme it into a Seminary of the Church And there instituted one Deane twelue Prebends one Master one Vsher fortie Schollers whom they call the Kings Nurseries out of which there be sixe euery yeere or more chosen for the Academies of Ministers and Singers twelue poore c. to the glory of God and the increase of true Religion and good Learning And certainly there comes out from thence happily for Church and Cōmon-wealth a number of Learned men Tooke away by little and little whereby shee gained great Honour and no lesse Glory the course of money mingled with Copper and brought in vse that which was pure fine siluer to restore the honour of the Kingdome to preuent the deceit of those which both within and without this had corrupted the kinds and chang'd things much auaileable for the good of the Common-wealth into coynes of false money and transported the good siluer into forraigne Nations and to abate the prices of vendible commodities which were extremely inhaunc't to the great preiudice of the Common-wealth and aboue all for Stipendiars Soldiers Seruants and all such as are payde for their labours by hyer and brought it most happily to passe in a few moneths without making any stirre first in forbidding all persons to melt or transport out of the Kingdome as well the good and pure money as that which was mingled with Copper Moreouer in bringing that which is so mingled to his value that is to say the Penny to a halfe-penny the two-penny piece to three-halfe-pence the sixe-pence to a groat and the rest to two and a farthing because there was no more money and finally buying them for good siluer of all such as had any of it prouided that they brought it within the time prefixt in the Table of money which could not be done without losse to her insomuch that wee ought to acknowledge it to proceede from Queene ELIZABETH that the siluer was better and more pure in England during her Raigne then in full two hundred yeeres before and that it was not vsed in any other part of Europe She afterward caused good Coyne to bee stamped for Ireland which we call sterling of which the shilling is worth twelue-pence in Ireland and in England nine A matter indeed waighty great and most memorable which neither King EDVVARD the Sixth could nor Queene MARY durst enterprize sithence King HENRY the Eighth was the first King that euer caused Copper to be mingled with Siluer to the great shame of the Kingdome damage of his Successors and people and notable token of his excessiue expence sithence his Father had left him more wealth then euer any other King left his Successor and likewise he had drawne abundance of money by the meanes of Tributes and Imposts without grounding our selues vpon that which Cardinall Poole had left in writing That he had drawne more then all the other Kings which had raigned since the Victory of the Normanes and heapt vp an infinite deale when by the power of a Parliament hee tooke vnto himselfe all the Lordships which the English beeing absent had held in Ireland all the first Fruites of Ecclesiasticall Liuings and the Tenths which were in England and Ireland all the reuennews gifts and goods belonging to Monasteries This yeere dyed Francis Lord Hastings Earle of Huntington the second of that Race who had by Katharine the Daughter of Henry Lord Montaigue Brother to Reinald Cardinall Poole Issue Henry who succeeded him and diuers other Children who agreed well in brotherly loue but not in Religion In Ireland Shan otherwise called O-Neale a great and potent man in the Countrey of Vlster and lawfull Heire to Coni O-Neale who surnamed himselfe Baco which is as much to say as Claude and was created Earle of Tyr-Oene by HENRY the Eighth after he had put to death Mathew Baron of Dungannon his bastard Brother who was taken for legitimate spoyled his Father of his rule and domination for which hee quickly dyed with sorrow tooke vpon himselfe the Title of O-Neale couering his head after a barbarous manner with that hee wore vpon his legges and feete cast himselfe into Rebellion for feare of beeing pursued by the Lawe so as fiue-hundred Foote were sent out of England to ioyne with two Companies of Horse leuied in Ireland against him But after hauing made some light Skirmishes perceiuing himselfe vnable to resist the English and to bee hated of his owne men and that Surly-Boy Iacob Mac-Connell and Odonnell were risen against him hee layde downe Armes at the perswasion of the Earle of Kildare his Kinsman and promised to come into England to aske pardon as wee shall describe it in a more ample manner in its proper place THE FOVRTH YEERE OF HER RAIGNE Anno Domini 1561. AT the beginning of the yeere Fr. Earle of Bedford hauing beene sent into France to end the mourning for the death of Francis the second to congratulate with King Charles for succeeding him summoned often the Queene of Scotland sometimes himselfe alone and sometimes accompanyed with Throgmorton to confirme the Treaty of Edenborrough but all in vaine For he could drawe no other Answer of it but That it behoued and was requisite not to resolue vpon so great a thing without mature deliberations and that shee neither would nor could confirme it without the Peeres of Scotland Throgmorton neuerthelesse ceased not to presse her instantly by all the meanes hee could deuise In like manner the Cardinall of Lorraine and all the other Guizes her Vnkles and Iames her bastard-brother who was newly arriued in France But whiles they thus did nothing but deferd it from day to day by
security she should in her life-time set her winding-sheete before her eyes yea she should likewise make her own funerall liuing and seeing it Hauing made this answere she sweetly admonisheth her againe by Letters which were deliuered her by Peter Meutis to confirme the Treatie which she refused not directly but gaue him to vnderstand that she could not commodiously doe it vntill the Affaires of Scotland were well established In the meane time Queen ELIZABETH with all maner of courtesie entertaines Monsieur le Duc D' Aumale the Grand Prior and Monsieur le Duc D'elbeuf her Vnkles and other French Noble-men which had conducted her into Scotland And yet notwithstanding Monsieur de Guize behaued himselfe in that sort that the English Ships are taken vpon the Coasts of Brittanie and the Marchants vnworthily handled and labours againe closely at Rome to procure Queene ELIZABETH to bee excommunicated Howbeit the Pope Pius the fourth aduised that it behoued to deale more gently with her Maiesty and as he had already sought by courteous Letters as I haue said vpon the last yeere hauing then also to appease the discords which were for matter of Religion assigned a day to the Councell of Trent long sinnce begunne and broken off by continuall Warres and drawing gently thither all the Princes which had forsaken the Romish religion hee deputed into England the Abbot of Martinegues with Letters full of assurance of loue But because that by an ancient Law it is most expressely forbidden the Popes Nuncio's to goe thither before he had obtained leaue from thence and taken Oath not to worke any thing by subtilty there tending to the preiudice of the King and Kingdome The Abbot being vpon the way stayed in Flanders and demanded leaue to come hither But Englands Councell of State iudg'd that it was not safe to admit him hither in regard that so many people from all parts nourished in the Romish religion laboured carefully both within and without the Realme to trouble the affaires thereof The Abbot not being permitted to come into England the Bishop of Wittenberg the Popes Nuncio with the King of France labours that Queene ELIZABETH should send Ambassadours to the Councell and many Princes of Christendome viz. the Kings of France of Spaine and of Portingall Henry Cardinall of Portingall and aboue all the Duke of Albe who yet bore good will to her Maiestie counselled her that in matters of Religion which is the onely Anker of Christians and stay of Kingdomes she would rather asscent to the Oecumenique Councell of Trent than to the particular opinions of a few men although they be learned She answers them That shee desired with all her heart an Oecumenique Councell but that shee would not send to that of the Popes with whom she had nothing to doe his authority being vtterly beaten downe and reiected in England with the consent of the States of the Kingdome That it is not for him but for the Emperour to assigne a Councell and that he hath no greater authority then any other Bishop At the same time that this Abbot was denyed accesse into England beeing the last Nuncio that the Popes of Rome haue sent hither Sir Edward Carne aforementioned being a most iudicious and wise man very well vnderstood in the right of Emperours by the Emperour Charles the fifth honoured with the dignitie of Knight-hood he dyed at Rome and was the last Ambassadour sent from the Kings of England to the Pope Chamberlaine Ambassadour for England in Spaine perceiuing that this answere did more and more alienate the affection of Spaine who iudged it to bee iniurious to the Pope and fearing no more that England Scotland and Ireland should fall into the hands of the Kings of France since that King Francis was dead began to make no more account of the English tooke leaue of him and returned into England Thomas Chaloner is sent in his place who as he was impatient of iniuries and had beene many times Ambassadour in Germany where he had receiued all manner of courtesies as soone as he was arriued in Spaine instantly besought by Letters to be reuoked complaining that according to the custome of the Countrey they had searched his Trunkes But Queene ELIZABETH admonished him that an Ambassadour must support all that which is of equity prouided that the honour of his Prince were not wronged Queen ELIZABETH being then capable of good counsell and very prudent and prouident and Religion somewhat wel established to strengthen her selfe with remedies against forces prouides for the safety of her selfe and of her Subiects and to enioy Peace more sweetly although she found the Coffers empty at her comming began to establish a Magazin of all sorts of Instruments of War and to that end employed great summes of money in Germany The Spaniard retained those Furnitures which shee had agreed for at a price at Antwerpe causeth many Cannons of Brasse and Iron to be cast discouers in the Country of Cumberland neere Keswicke by a speciall fauour from God on what occasion how farre and at what time shee should vse her liberality and indeed was prouidently bountifull to those that deserued it For notwithstanding that King HENRY her Father howsoeuer charged with three Children and EDVVARD and MARIE who had none had beene bountifull of the Crowne Land shee neuerthelesse hauing none neither gaue very little of it and yet what she gaue was vpon condition that for default of issue it should returne to the Crowne for which both the Realme and their successors ought to remember her and thanke her as a carefull fore-seer Whilest this good correspondencie was betweene the Queene and her people the Common-wealth seeming to take life and strength to the common ioy of all fell out a sad accident A most rare Piramide of the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul in London which was frō the ground to the top of the square Tower 525. foote from thence 260. and was couered with wood ouer-laid with Lead was strucken at the top with fire from heauē which was so deuouring and burnt downeward with such violence to the great terrour of all the Inhabitants that in the space of fiue houres it reduced it to ashes with the whole couering of the Church which was most ample and spacious but the vaults which were of solid stone remained entire Notwithstanding all this couering was new made by the Queenes liberality and to the effecting of the same gaue great quantity of money and materials beside the collection of Ecclesiasticicall persons and others So all was repaired saue the Piramide This yeere dyed Iohn Bourchier a man of ancient Nobility Earle of Bath second of that name and Baron of Fitzwarin who by Elenor daughter of George Baron of Rosse had a great Progenie and left his Sonne William yet liuing his Successor THE FIFTH YEERE OF HER RAIGNE Anno Domini 1562. THe troubles of France begunne then to
worth Moreouer that her Maiestie could finde no reason wâ—y Spaine should hinder her Subiects and those of other Princes from sayling to the Indies that shee could not be perswaded that they were his owne although the Pope had ne'r so much giuen them to him that shee acknowledged no such Prerogatiue in the Pope much lesse the least authority as to oblige Princes who owe him no obedience at all vnder his to power inuest put the Spaniard as in fee and possession of that New-World also that shee could not see how he could deriue the least right but by those desconts and landing here and there of his Subiects who built there small cottages to inhabit and named the Promontorie Things neuerthelesse that can purchase no propriety So that by vertue of such donation of other mens goods which in equitie is nothing worth and of this proprietie that is meerly imaginary hee cannot iustly hinder other Princes to negotiate in those Regions but they without infringing any waies the Lawes of Nations may lawfully bring in Colonies in those parts that are not yet inhabited by the King of Spaines Subiects sith Prescription without possession is of no validity euen as to sayle vpon the mayne Ocean that the vse of the Sea as of the Ayre is common to all and that publique necessitie permits not it should be possessed that there is nor people no particular that can challenge or pretend any other right therein Neuerthelesse since this great summes of money were pay'd backe to Piedro Sâ—bâ—re a Spaniard who styled himselfe Attourney for the recouery of the Gold and Siluer though hee could shew no such Letter of procuration or receits And it was discouered but too late that he made no retribution at all to particulars but spent it against Queene ELIZABETH vpon the Spaniards who maintained the warre of Flanders While Sir Francis Drake circuited so prosperously the World Iacman and Pet renowned Pylots sent by the Merchants of London with two Ships did seeke with lesse happy successe a short way or passage to sayle into the East Indies by the Sea of Cronie but hauing past some miles beyond the Iles Vaigats they found ebbing and flowing so vncertaine so many shelues and so great store of Ice that they could not possible goe any further hauing much adoe to returne At the beginning of this yeere died Henry Fitz-Allen Earle of Arundell and with him the name of that most noble House which had flourished in honour aboue three hundred yeeres sonne to Richard Fitz-Allen sprung from the Albaines ancient Earles of Arundel and Sussex in the reigne of EDVVARD the First which title they had without creation in regard of the possession which they had of the Castle and Lordship of Arundell This man being heaped with honour had beene a Priuy-Councellor to all the Kings vnder whom he liued and performed great offices vnto his end Vnder HENRY the Eighth he was Gouernour of Calice Marshall of the Army at Bullen and Lord Chamberlaine At the inauguration of EDWARD the Sixth hee was Lord Marshall of England in which charge he continued at the Coronation of Queene MARIE and was after made Lord High-Constable Lord Steward of her house and President of her Councell Vnder Queene ELIZABETH hee was made the second time Lord Steward And when he began to grow old he sought to marry her for which he lost much of her fauour afterwards he intermeddled in the Duke of Norfolkes matters and openly withstood the marriage of the Duke of Aniou He professed himselfe an open-hearted man and made it appeare that he loued not the French and would often say that his father dwelling in Sussex neighbour vnto France would teach him not to beleeue them He had three Children by Katherine his Wife daughter to Thomas Gray Marquis of Dorset which children hee suruiued Henry being young and of great hope dyed at Bâ—axels Iane who was Wife to the Lord Lumley and Marie who married Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke and bare vnto him Philip Earle of Arundel of whom wee will speake in his owne place Arthur Lord Gray Deputie of Ireland being gone against the O-Conores who were stirring vp new troubles in Ophalia by Law executes Hugh O-Moloy a seditious man and pacifies this Countrey and that of Magohiganores and Ocaroles and in the very bud crushed a great conspiracie that was a growing and beginning to spread For some of the chiefest Families in Lemster and many others that were originally English driuen partly by the affection they bore to the Romish Religion and partly for their hatred to the new-come English who since their comming had excluded them contrary to the Law from all gouernments and Magistracy as if they had beene naturall Irish had conspired to kill the Lord Deputie and his Family to surprize the Castle of Dublin wherein was all the prouision of war and to kill all the English that were in Ireland and this conspiracy was so closely carried that it was neuer conferred vpon with more than two in a company Neuerthelesse among so many complices it came to light and was extinct with the death of a few men and amongst them of chiefest note was I. Nogent Baron of Fiske a man singular in fame and life who was as the Irish report seduced by the craft of those that enuyed him and his conscience assuring himselfe of his innocency chose rather though the Deputie promised to giue him his life if hee would confesse himselfe guiltie to dye an innocent by an infamous death than to liue in infamy for betraying his innocency And verily howsoeuer the truth of this businesse was in it selfe the Queene was much offended with the Lord Gray for the death of those men whom the Earle of Sussex being more offended therewith for rarely is true loue betweene great Ones the more stirred vp by reason of the cruelty which before hee had vsed toward the Spaniards which yeelded and now against Subiects that he had diminished the glory of his Princesse and augmented the number of her enemies Howbeit hee forbare not to terrifie Turlough-Leinich who began to raise tumults in Vlster and driue him to conditions of peace Whereby hee likewise brought the O-Brins the O-Mores and the Cauanaghies Rebels in Lemster humbly to desire peace and to offer Hostages These matters of Ireland though time doth much disioyne them for the helpe of memory I haue thought to put them together In Scotland some Ministers and some of the great Ones considering the Earle of Lenox of whom I haue spoken to be strong in the Kings fauour stirred vp Iames Stuart of Ochiltrie Captaine of the Guard who carried the title of Earle of Arran I know not by what grant from Iames Hamilton Earle of Arran a man of an vnable spirit for which cause he was ordained his Tutor to be his Emulator But the King quickly reconciled them When this would not succeed they brought him as much as
silent concluded the Tragedy For Babingtons brother being guilty of the same had strangled himselfe in prison After this execution M. Nauue a Frenchman and Curle both Secretaries to the Q. of Scots being examined of the Letters copies of Letters Notes and Characters found in the Queenes Closet presently confest and subscribed that they vvere their hand-writings dictated from her to them in French taken by Nauue and translated by Curle into English and vvritten out in secret Characters Neither denyed they that they had receiued Letters from Babington and that they by her bidding had written backe to him againe I will not say that they were hyred to say what they did yet this was plainely to be seene by their Letters and what Curle challenged at that time by Walsinghams promise but he reproued him as vnmindfull of the gracious fauours hee had receiued saying that hee had confessed nothing but what his fellow Nauue vrging him to hee could not deny Presently after Sir Edward Wotton is sent into France vvho was to certifie the King of all the Conspiracy and to shew the Copies of the Letters of the Queene of Scots and of others of the Nobility of England to testifie the truth of the cause that the King might perceiue in what perill the Queen was by the practices of Morgan Charles Paget and others then resident in France The Councell could not determine what should be done vvith the Queene of Scots Some aduised not to deale with her too rigorously but to haue her kept 〈◊〉 in Prison for that shee was not the Author of the conspiracie but conscious and because she was sickly and not likely to liue long Others were of opinion to haue her put to death by course of Law for feare of endangering Religion But the Earle of Leicester thought it better to dispatch her with poison and sent a Diuine to Sir Francis Walsingham to tel him that he thought it might lawfully be done But Sir Fr. Walsingham protested that he was so farre from consenting to haue any violence offered her as that he had diuerted Mortons purpose which was to haue had her sent into Scotland and to haue slaine her on the Borders It was argued againe amongst them by what Law she should be iudged Whether by that of An. 25 of Edward the 3 by which such were held guilty of Treason as conspired the death of the King or the Queene which should bring warre vpon their Kingdom or take part with their Enemies or by that of Anno 27 of ELIZABETH which I spoke of But the aduice of those which thought better of the latter preuailed for it vvas made in the case which vvas now to be handled and therefore proper There vvas chosen by Commission many of the Priuy Councell and of the Peeres of the Realme to proceed by vertue of the Law aboue-mentioned and to passe iudgement against such as had raised rebellion inuaded the Land or offered violence to the Queene c. And behold the words of the Statute as they are in the originall ELIZABETH by the Grace of God Queene of England France and Ireland c. To the most Reuerend Father in Christ Iohn Archbishop of Canterbury Primate and Metropolitane of England and one of our Priuy Councell and to our beloued and faithfull Tho Bromley knight Chancellor of England and of our priuy Councell as also to our welbeloued and faithfull William CECILL Baron of Burghley Lo high Treasurer of England our Priuy Counsellor c. Greeting c. The rest of the Lords Cōmissioners names for breuities sake are thus inserted Then after the rehearsing of the Law or Act as wee tearme it these words follow FOrasmuch as since the last Session of Parliament to wit since the first of Iune in the xxvij yeare of our raigne diuers things haue beene attempted and conceiued tending to the hurt of our royall Person aswell by Mary daughter heyre to Iames the fift late King of Scotland and Dowager of France pretending a title to the crowne of the Kingdome of England as also by diuers other persons with the priuitie of the said Mary according as it hath beene giuen vs to vnderstand And whereas we intend and determine that the said Act should in all and by all be well duely and effectually executed according to the forme and tenour of the said Act. And that all the offences in the aforesaid Act and the circumstances of the same aboue mentioned be duely examined and sentence or iudgement accordingly be giuen agreeable to the tenour and effect of that Act We giue to you or the maior part of you full and absolute power licence and authority according to the purport and meaning of the aboue recyted Act to examine all euery thing and things tending to the impeachment of our royall person which haue beene practised or conceiued aswell by the aforesaid Mary as by any other persons whatsoeuer with the knowledge and priuity of her all circumstances of the same and other forenamed offences whatsoeuer specified as hath beene abouesaid and all circumstances of the said offences and euery of them And moreouer according to the forenamed Act to pronounce sentence or iudgement according as the matter shall appeare to you vpon sufficient proofe And therefore We command you that yee proceed diligently vpon the foresaid matters in maner abouesaid vpon certaine dayes and in certaine places as you or the maior part of you shall thinke good Most part of these Commissioners met together the 11. of October at Fotheringham in the countie of Northampton vpon the riuer Nen where the Queene of Scotts was then kept The next day after the Commissioners sent to her Mildmay Sir Ayme Poulet and Barker publick Notary who deliuered vnto her the Queenes Letters which when she had read with a bold spirit and maiestick countenance she thus answered IT grieueth me that my dearest sister the Queene hath beene so badly informed against me and that after so many yeares as my body hath beene shut vp and kept with watch and ward the many iust conditions which I haue offered for my liberty haue been neglected and my selfe abandoned I haue sufficiently aduertised her of many dangers yet neuerthelesse she hath not giuen credite vnto me but alwayes reiected them though I be the next of her bloud When a combination was begunne and an Act of Parliament thereupon made I foresaw that what dangers soeuer might happen eyther from forraigne Princes abroad discontented persons at home or for Religion would redound vpon me hauing so great enemies in Court I might take it ill to haue my sonne contracted without my knowledge but I omit that Now as touching this Commission it seemeth strange to me to be arraigned in iudgement like a subiect being an absolute Queene not committing any thing preiudiciall to the Queenes royall Maiesty to any Princes of mine owne ranke and dignitie or against my sonne Mine
likewise his children to returne into Scotland The Ministers are against the King of Scotlands Authoritie Q. Elizabeth obtaineth of the Musconian Emperor a peace for the King of Sweden That Emperor requires an absolute alliance with England being a suter to her Maiesty to grant him an English Lady for his wife Sir Hierome Bowes is sent Ambassador to him from England The Emperor died A certaine kind of Deere called Maclis Theodore the New Emperor of Muscouia disallow'd the company or Monopolie of Englands Merchants Alberto Alasco a Polonian Nobleman came then to England to see Queen Elizabeth A wonderfull and fearfull Earthquake in Dorsetshire The death of Thomas Ratcliffe Earle of Sussex Likewise the decease of Henry Wriothesly Earle of South-hampton Sir Humphrey Gilbert Knight drowned vpon the Sea by shipwracke It is a most difficult matter and a very hard thing to bring the Colonies in farre countries The death of Edmund Grindal Lord Archbishop of Canterbury A wood called Tamarin first brought into England Iohn Whitgift is preferred to the Archbishopricke of Canterbury He endeuored to vnite the English Church Brownist Schismatiques One Someruille strangled himselfe in prison and Ardern is hanged The English betray Alost and doe deliuer it into the hands of the cruell Spaniard A miserable end of Traitors The Earle of Desmond is killed Nicholas Sanders an English Seminarie Priest affamisht himselfe Vicount of Balting glasse fled away out of Ireland Sir Iohn Perot is made Lord Deputy of Ireland Labouring men are sent into Ireland The gesture and behauiours of Iohn Perot Vice-Roy of Ireland Booke 3. Troubles in Scotland The Earle of Gowry is taken The conspirors are dispersed Queene Elizabeth succoureth some of them The King demandeth them by the League but in vaine Walsingham fauoureth the fugitiues Hunsdon against theÌ„ Controuersie or the power of a Secretary argued The arraignment of Gowry He defendeth his own cause He is beheaded The treason of Francis Throckmorton The Lord Paget retyreth into France The complaints of the Catholikes Spies are suborned Many suspected The malice of the Papists against the Queene The clemency of the Queene towards the Papists Priests are banished Fugitiues demanded of the King of France The answer of the King of France The Spanish Ambassador sent out of England Waade is sent into Spaine Is not receiued· Throckmortons confession He denieth all He seeketh an evasion Being condemned he inlargeth his confession About to dâ—e he denyeth all A new treaty with the Queene of Scots Propositions made to her She answereth She demandeth to be associated in the Kingdome with her sonne The treaty dissolued by surmises An association begun in England The Queen of Scots maketh new propositions The Scots of the English faction oppose them The insolencie of the Scotch Ministers Against the Lawes Ecclesiasticall Lawes of Scotland Buchanans writings reproued A fained conference The Scots and English make incursions one vpon another The Ambassie of Patrick Gray Hee is suspected of bad dealing The patience of the Queene of Scots offended She is committed to new guardians She earnestly seeketh for liberty Things plotted against her Counsell holden amongst the Papists The death of the Earle of Westmer land NEVILL a most nobleâ— most ancient and illustrious name The death of Plowden Alancon dyeth The Prince of Orange is slaine The power of Spaine growne terrible Booke 3. The French King inuested with the order of the Garter Is accused of treason He perceiueth not the euasion His confession He consulteth with Iesuits about the murthering of the Queene With the Popes Nuncio With Morgan With Priests With the Pope himselfe He discloseth the matter to the Queene He wauereth in his minde Alans book addeth fresh courage to him Neuil offereth him his helpe He discloseth the matter Parry is arraigned Punished with death Lawes demanded in the Parliament against Bishops Against Non-residents The association established Lawes against Iesuits and Priests Felony Praemunire The Earle of Arundel resolueth with himselfe to fly out of England He writeth to the Queene Is apprehended The Earle of Northumberland is found dead The Coroners Enquest The causes of his imprisonment manifested The Earle of Northumberland is lamented of diuers Queene Elizabeth laboureth to contract a league with the Prince of Germany The like with the King of Scots A relation of the death of Russell The manner of his death The proofes amongst the borderers The death of Thomas Carre of Fernihurst The fugitiue Scots are sent out of England backe into Scotland They haue intelligence of others remaining in the Kings Court. They enter into Scotland Sterlin is taken by them They are reconciled to the King Amnistie Maxwell establisheth the Masse The rebellion of the Bourgs in Ireland Mac-William * or Sheriffe The Scots of Hebrides called into Ireland The Gouernor laboreth for a peace but in vaine He pursueth the rebels And he brings them to submission Next the Scots of Hebride Whom he doth assault and defeats them The title of Mac-William abolished The Estates of the Netherlands consult of a Protector Reasons of the French side For the English They are refused by the French The English consult about the protection The Dutch offer themselues to the Queene Antwerpe is yeelded vp The Queen deliberateth with her selfe She takes vpon her the protection Vnder what conditions The Queen publisheth the causes She sends forth a Nauy to the West Indies to diuert the Spaniard The towne of S. Iames taken by the English froÌ„ the Spaniard A disease called Calentura whereby many perish The surprize of Hispaniola or Saint Dominick by the English The proud and audacious Motto of the Spaniards Auarice and Couetousnesse The English doe assault the City of Cartagena They set fire vpon the townes of S. Anthony and S. Helena They come to Virginia They bring the Colony thence Tobacco The booty of the English voyage and expedition Their pillage A search made for the discouerie of a way to the East India * Or Straits An Edict against Woad The company of the Barbary Merchants The death of the Earle of Lincolne Of the Earle of Bedford The Earle of Leicester sent into Holland His instructions Booke 3. Absolute Authoritie is giuen to Leicester by the Estates The Queen offended thereat She expostulateth with him With the Estates also They excuse themselues Leicester sendeth succours to releeue the City of Graue besieged But it is yeelded vp The Spaniards expelled out of the Betow An aduentrous enterprize Venlo is lost Axele is taken Graueline attempted Duisbourgh beleagerd Which yeelds Sir Philip Sidney is slaine The valour of Edward Stanley of the house of Elford The Estates complaine to Leicester against himselfe He returneth into England The Earle of Arundell is accused of many things He answered them well and is but fyned The King of Denmarke intercedeth for Peace with the Queene of England Queene Elizabeth answereth She furnisheth Henry King of Navarre with money She desireth a league with Scotland By what counsell The fugitiues
Annals and then by my last Will to bequeath them to my honorable friend IAMES AVGVSTVS THVANVS who hath begun a Historie of his owne Times with great truth and modestie lest that as strangers are wont he a man most deare vnto me should like a traueller in a forraine Countrie be ignorant of our affaires But this resolution I was forced I know not by what fate to alter for a great part being sent vnto him some few years past wheÌ„ they were like rough-drawn pictures scarcely begun deformed with blots imperfect places swarming with errors patches thrust in as they fell from a hasty pen ill vsed by Transcribers Out of these he took as it were inter-weaued some things into the eleuenth and twelfth Tomes of his Historie hauing first polished them by adding altering substracting but all with good iudgement according to that order of the worke which he proposed to himselfe for he intended a vniuersall Historie of his owne Time selecting some few things concerning ENGLAND and IRELAND ommitting many things not only fit but peraduenture necessary for vs to know and I had heard that beyond the Seas the Historie of English affaires was much and not without reproach desired I therefore betook me to my intermitted study read all ouer againe corrected added diuers things refined the eloquution yet without affectation for it sufficeth me if I may place this Booke like a picture in water colours vnskilfully done in a commodious light But when all was done I was much perplext irresolute whether I should publish it or not But CENSVRES PREIVDICE HATRED OBTRECTATION which I foresaw to display their colors and bid battell against me haue not so much deterred me as the desire of TRVTH the loue of MY COVNTRY and the memory of that PRINCESSE which deserues to be deare and sacred amongst English men did excite me against those who shaking off their allegeance towards their Prince and Country did not cease beyond the Seas to wound aswel the Honor of the one as the glory of the other by scandalous libels conceiued by the malice of their own hearts now which they sticke not to confesse are about to publish a Book to remain to posteritie as a monument of their wickednesse As for me I desire nothing more than to be like my self they like themselues Succeeding ages will giue to euery one their deserued Honor. I confesse with sorrow that I haue not done so wel as the height of the argumeÌ„t requires but what I could I haue done willingly To my selfe as in other writings so neither in these haue I giuen satisfaction But I shall hold it more than sufficient if out of an earnest desire to conserue the memorie of things of truth in relating them instructing mens minds with that which is wise and honest I shall be ranked only amongst the lowest writers of great things WHATSOEVER IT IS AT THE ALTAR OF TRVTH I Dedicate and Consecrate it TO GOD MY COVNTRIE AND POSTERITIE ⧠TO THE TRVE MIRROR AND PATTERNE OF PRINCES THE MOST HIGH AND MIGHTY CHARLES PRINCE OF GREAT BRITAINNE c. SIR I COVLD not but shelter this Historie vnder your most renowned Name for to whom can I commit the Story of Her who whilst shee liued was the ioy of England the terror and admiration of the VVorld but to your HIGHNESSE who is the Fame and Honour of this spacious hemisphere Great Britaines both hope solace by your princely valour constant vertues no lesse dreaded and admired abroad than feared beloued at home A true admirer humble Obseruer of your diuine worth A. Darcie To the Highly Borne Princesse Frances Duchesse Dowager of Richmond Lenox This Noble Princesse's Father was Thomas Lord Howard created Viscount Bindon by Queen Elizabeth the first yeare of her raigne second son to Thomas Duke of Norfolke AND To the noble Prince her Cosin Thomas Earle of Arundell Surrey Earle Marshall of England This Duke of Norfolke the Duchesse of Richmond and Lenox's Grandfather had two wiues the first was the noble Princesse Anne Daughter to King Edward the fourth by which he had issue a young Prince who died young The other was the Lady Elizabeth daughter to Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham by whom he had issue the Lord Henry Hâ—ward whose son succeeded to the Dukedome of Norfolk which Dukes eldest son Philip Howard was by Queen ELizabeth alâ—o created and summoned in Parliament where he sate as Earl of Arundel being the primary Earledome of England in the right of his Mother sole daughter and heire to Henry Fitz-Allen Earle of Arundell He was this Noble Earles Father Thomas Viscont Bindon and a Daughter who was Duchesse of Richmond and Somerset Countesse of Nottingham Aunt to the now Duchesse of Richmond and Lenox This said Duke of Norfolke after a long sicknesse tooke his iourney peaceably to Heauen at his Palace in Kinninghall in Norfolke the first yeare of Queene Mary AND To the Illustrious fauourers of Vertue true mirrors of Honour and exact patternes of Nobilitie William Earle of Hartford c AND To the Noble Lady Frances his Princely Countesse This Earles grandfather Lord Edward Seimor son to Edw. Duke of Somerset was restored to his honours patrimonie by Queene Elizabeth who created him Earle of Hartford and Baron of Beauchamp in the Tower of London the second yeare of her raigne This noble Countesse's grandfather also was created Earle of Essex c. by Qu. Elizabeth the 14. of her raigne he died in Ireland 1575. and was magnificently buried at Carmarden in Wales where he was borne Edward Earle of Dorset Baron of Buckhurst AND To his noble sisters the lady Anne Beauchamp And the Lady Cecilia Compton This illustrious Earle and honourable Ladies grandfather was a most prudent and learned man for his heroick deserts and Princely descent from an ancient and true noble blood was created by Q. Elizabeth Baron of Buckhurst next by her Maiestie enstalled in the royall order of the Garter one of her intimate priuy Counsellors Lord High Treasurer of England c. Chancellor of the Vniuersity of Oxford Hee died in White-hall 1608. Theophilus Lord CLINTON Earle of LINCOLN Anno 1572. Edward Lord Clinton Lord high Treasurer of England was created Earle of Lincolne by Queene Elizabeth for his Noble merits and faithfull seruice to his Soueraigne Lady The same day her Maiesty created Sir Walter Deureux Earle of Essex He died the eighth day of Ianuary Anno 1585. and was with great solemnitie buried at Windsor To this right Honorable Lord Theophilus Earle of Lincolne he was great Grand-father Thomas Earle of Suffolke knight of the most honorable Order of the Garter This worthy Earle second sonne to Thomas Howard the last Duke of Norfolke by his martiall valour was Princely vertue and by Queene Elizabeth created Lord Howard of Walden and tooke place in the high Court of Parliament among the Peeres as Baron of Walden And Q.
Elizabeth partly to requite his warlike exploits for shee imployd him in sundry Sea-seruices to his immortall honour and commendation made him Knight of the Garter Charles Earle of Notingham Baron of Effingham Anno 1597 The 23. of Octob. the Lord Charles Howard for his Princely desert and illustrious birth was created by Q. Elizabeth Earle of Nothingham Likewise for his worthy seruices done to his Prince and Countrie in generously repelling Spaines inuincible Nauy of 88 being Lord High Admirall As also for his Martiall valiancy in the sacking of Cadiz with the Earle of Essex her Maiestie honour'd him with the Gartet the noblest order of Knighthood Iohn Baron of Elsemere Viscont Brackley Earle of Bridge-water This Noble Earles Father Sir Thomas Egerton Viscont Brackley Baron of Elsemere Lord high Chancellour of England was a Noble man of admirable parts excellency well seene in the Lawes of England industrious in State affaires which mou'd Q. Elizabeth to choose him her Maiestie Solicitor Anno 1583. And for his other deserts Anno 1593 she Knighted him Next she made him Master of the Rolls and finally Lord Keeper of the great Seale of England Anno 1594. William Earle of Salisbury c. And William Earle of Excester c. Sir William Cecil for his graue wisedome and excellent vertues was by Q. Elizabeth created Baron of Burghley he was also one of her Maiesties Priuy Councell Lord High Treasurer and Chancellor of Cambridge's Vniuersitie He was these two Noble Earles graâ—â— father both issued of two of his Sonnes William Baron of Compton Earle of Northampton This noble Earles grandfather Sir William Compton waâ— for his worthinesse created Baron Compton by Queene Elizabeth To the no lesse Illustrious than Noble Henry Lord Cary Baron of Hunsdon Viscont Rochford AND The Noble Lady Elizabeth Barkeley now married to Sir Thomas Chamberlaine HENRY CARY Lord Chamberlain to Queen Elizabeth His cousin for he was the sonne of William Carie Esquire to the body of King Henry the eight by the Lady Mary Bullen his wife sister to Queene Anne Bullen the mother of Qâ—eene Elizabeth this Henry was by Queene Elizabeth created Lord Carie Baron of Hunsdon Also by her Maiestie made Knight of the Garter one of the Lords of her Priuie Councell and gouernour of Barwicke To this Noble Lord Henry Viscont Rochford hee was Grandfather and this Illustrious Lady Barkley was his only daughter and heire Rob. Lord Willoughby of Eresby Baron of Perke AND Henry West Baron de la Warre Peregrinâ— the Father to this generous Lo Willoughby was restored in his ancestors Honors by Qu. Elizabeth who created him Baron Willoughby of Eresâ—y the 14. of her raâ—gn 1582. before thee sent him with the Garter to the King of Denmarke being the son of the Duchesse of Suffolke sole daughter and heire to the Lo Willoughby of Eresby Also Sir William West This Lord de la Warr's grand Sire was created Baron de la Warre by Queene Elizabeth being Nephew to Thomas West Lord de la Warre and knight of the Garter in King Henry the eight's daies who died without issue Anno 1570. IOHN POVLET Lord Saint Iohn Baron of Basing heire apparant to the Lord Marquesse of Winchester c. Anno 1594. WILLIAM POVLET this Noble Lord's Grandfather was in the time of his Father IOHN Lord Marquesse of Winchester by Queene ELIZABETH made a Petre of England and sate in that High Court of Parliament among the Barons and Peeres of the Realme as Baron Saint Iohn of Basing He died the first day of Ianuary 1598. and was sumptuously buried by his predecessours at Basing The truly Pious Lady Frances Wray Countesse dowager of Warwicke AND The Lady Elizabeth daughter and sole heire to Francis Lord Norice late Earle of Barkshire Viscount Thame and Baron of Ricot wife to the right Noble worthy Edward Wray Esqu Sir Christopher Wray for his great deserts the noble family from whence hee was deriued was by Qu Elizabeth Knighted and for his rare wisedome being expert in the Law was aduanced to his great Praise and immortall fame to diuers Honourable dignities in this Kingdome First he was made Lord Chiefe Iustice of England and then Lord Keeper of the Priuy Seale He was one of her Maiesties most prudent Counsellours and Father to this Religious Countesse Dowager of Warwick Also Grandfather to these Noble Brothers Sir Iohn Wray Knight Edward Wray and Nathanaell Wray Esquires Anno 1572. Sir Henry Norrice was for his Noble worth created by Queene Elizabeth Baron Norrice of Ricot He was this Noble Ladie ELIZABETH WRAY her Grandfather DVDLEY Lord North Baron of Kirtling AND To the vertuous Lady his only Sister the Lady Mary Conningsby Anno 1594. Roger Lord North Baron of the ancient Baronry of Kirtling for his Vertues and Prudency was in gracious fauour neare Q. Elizabeth who respecting him much made vse of his faithfull seruices in diuers honourable affaires of importance Anno 1574. he was by her Maiestie sent Ambassadour Extraordinary into France to giue King Henry the third good Counsell and to condole with his Maiestie after the death of K. Charles the ninth And although this Noble-man was not created Baron by Q. Elizabeth yet I haue erected these lines to his noble and immortall memory for his Vertues sake and for the duty and humble seruice which I must euer owe to his illustrious Grand-Children The Lord North Sir Iohn North Captaine Roger North Gilbert North and the noble Lady Conningsby To the Honour of the right Worshipfull Sir Arthur Capell his noble Sons AND The Nobly desceÌ„ded Ralph Sadleir Esquire of Standen in Hertfordshire This worthy Knight was the last which her Maiesty Knighted Also this noble Esquires Father Sir Thomas Sadleir son to Sir Ralph Sadleir was the last knight banneret of England Chancellour of the Duchy of Lancaster and Priuy Counsellor to King Henry the eight Edward the sixt Queen Mary and Queene Elizabeth A PREPARATION AND INTRODVCTION TO THE HISTORY THE All-glorious All-vertuous incomparable inuict and matchlesse Patterne of Princes the Glory Honour and mirror of Woman kind the Admiration of our Age ELIZABETH Queene of England was by the Fathers side truely Royall being Daughter to HENRY the Eighth Grand-child to HENRY the Seuenth and great Grand child to EDVVARD the Fourth of the Mothers side indeed vnequall yet nobly descended and had many great Alliances spred through England and Ireland Her great-Grandfather was Iefferay of Bolene descended from the famous House of Norfolke who in the yeere 1457. was Maior of London and was then graced with the Dignitie of Knighthood a man of much integrity and of such reputation that Thomas Baron of Hoo and Hastings Knight of the Order of S. George gaue him his daughter and heire to wife he was of so great meanes that he married his Daughters into the famous houses of the Chenies Heidons and Fortescues he left a great Patrimonie to his sonnes and by Will gaue a thousand pounds sterling
them to be burned aliue By which acts he made himselfe terrible in his owne Kingdome and to be holden a Tyrant abroad and first being reiected by Marie of Lorraine daughter to the Duke of Guise whom hee desired as riuall to Iames King of Scotland his Nephew afterwards of Christian of Denmarke Dutchesse of Milan Grandchild to Charles the Fifth In the end seeking the friendship of the Protestants of Germanie with much adoe he obtained Anne of Cleue for his wife But beeing as readie to distaste Women as to loue them turning his heart away from her as soone as he had marryed her put her away as not beautifull enough for a Prince grounding himselfe vpon this that shee had beene betrothed before to the Duke of Lorraine's Sonne and that shee had some womanish weaknesse that made her vnfit for marriage But it was to take in her stead Katharine Howard daughter to Edmond Howard and Neece to Thomas of Norfolke whom he beheaded the yeere following accusing her to haue violated her chastity before shee was married and opens the Royall-Bed to Katharine Parre a Knights daughter and the second time Widdow Now when through intemperancy of his youth he perceiued the vigor of his body to decay being angry with the French King for hauing ayded the Scots against the English hee reconciles himselfe and makes alliance with the Emperour Charles against the French who hauing quite forgot the diuorce of Katharine his Aunt secretly giues him hope to reconcile him to the Church of Rome After hauing resolued to set vpon France thereby so much the more to worke himselfe into the Emperours friendship and quickly to cure the vlcers of his conscience propounded to the Parliament which was then assembled that when hee should happen to dye and his Sonne EDVVARD without issue MARIE should first succeed to the Crowne and afterwards shee leauing none ELIZABETH That if neither left any the Crowne of England should deuolue vpon such as he would designe eyther by Letters Patents or by Will Which passed for a Law with the good liking and consent of all and that the penaltie of Laesae Maiestatis should be inflicted vpon any that should goe against it Being returned from France after he had taken Bologne and consumed much treasure and beeing sad and heauy to see England deuided by new opinions which daily sprang vp and England groaned for sorrow to see her selfe so exhausted of her riches her Money corrupted with Brasse her Monasteries with the Monuments of great antiquity ruined the bloud of Nobles Prelates Papists and Protestants promiscuously spilt and entangled in a Scottish warre hee died with a perpetuall fluxe of Grease flowing from him caused by a poysonous inflammation in the thigh An. 1547. he breathed his last A magnanimous Prince but I know not what confused temper of spirit he had great vertues he had and no lesse vices EDVVARD his sonne hauing scarce attained to the age of tenne yeeres succeeded him and had for his Protector Edw. Seymor Duke of Sommerset his Vnkle vnder whom the English hauing taken vp armes for to reuenge the violated faith of the match agreed vpon betweene Edward and Marie Queene of Scotland the English obtained a notable victory ouer the Scots neere Musselborough this pernicious Law of Six Articles and others which had beene established by King HENRY the Eighth against the Protestants are suppressed and those which tended to the abolishing of the Popes authoritie confirmed the Masse abrogated the Images taken out of the Temples the Bookes of the Old and New Testament imprinted the Diuine Seruice celebrated in the vulgar Tongue the Eucharist distributed vnder both kindes But neuerthelesse the auaritious sacriledge fell rauenously vpon pillaging the goods of the Church Colledges Quiers Hospitals as things iudged to bee for superstitious vses ambition and enuy among the great ones audacitie and disobedience among the Commons so insolently exulted that England seemed to be raging madde with rebellious tumults taking sides deprauation of money and withall the euils that are accustomed to be during the minority of a King these wasted and consumed within the Land Also dammage was receiued abroad as the losse of Forts which the English had made in Scotland and in France and the Towne of Bologne which had cost so much which to the shame of the name of English was deliuered vp into the French Kings hands for money with all the Fortresses of the Countrey of Bologne which the English had built the Cannons and Munitions of warre when England was so disioynted by diuision that it was not able to keepe them and Charles the Emperour hauing no will to ayde it although he was intreated in consideration of the alliance with him excusing himselfe for that it had beene conquered since no not to accept of it being offered vnto him gratis And to adde an ouer-plus of infelicity the Protector not being wary enough of the subtilty and deceits of Dudley Duke of Northumberland is by vertue of a new law condemned of Felony for entring into counsell how to take away the liues of some of the Kings Councellors to wit of Dudley and some others hee lost his head and his Sonne by a priuate Law bereaued of the greatest part of his patrimony and of his Fathers honours The King being vnprouided of his faithfull Guard is snatched away vncertaine whether by sicknesse or poyson before hee was ripe leauing an incredible griefe with his people for the great and excellent vertues which hee had farre surpassing his age At the same dolefull and heauy time Dudley hauing broken the fraternall amity that was between the Protector and Tho. Seimor his brother vpon occasion of an emulation of Women which was betweene the Queene Dowager wife to Thomas and the Dutches of Somerset the Protectors wife amongst other things to conuict Thomas of Crimen laesae Maiestatis that he intended to reduce the King into his owne power and to marry ELIZABETH the Kings Sister shee indeed ignorant of the matter grew vp in yeeres and was in singular fauour with EDWARD her brother who neuer saluted her but called her his sweet Sister as also with the Peeres and the Common-people For she was full of grace and beauty and worthy of Soueraigne Authority of modest grauity cleere and quick-witted of a happy memory and indefatigable in the studies of best letters insomuch that before she attained to the Age of 17. yeeres she very well vnderstood the Latine tongue the French the Italian and the Greeke indifferently Neither wanted shee skill in Musicke that was beseeming a Prince and she sung and plaid cunningly and sweetly With Roger Ascham who was to guide her in her Studies she read the Common places of Melancthon all Cicero a great part of the History of Titus Liuius the choice Orations of Isocrates wherof she translated two into Latine Sophocles Tragedies and she read the New-Testament in Greeke By which
in its owne place Now the reasons why shee receiued the Scottish Rebels into England were these Because the the Queene of Scotland had receiued into her protection Yaxley Standon and Walsh English Fugitiues and the Irish Oneale and that she had held Councels with the Pope against the English and had not done iustice vpon Theeues and Pirates This marriage being accomplished those which laboured most for Religion and Englands safetie thought that Queene ELIZABETH could not doe better for that purpose than to take away all hope of the Succession to England from the Queene of Scotland And it fell very commodiously for at the same time Maximilian the Second Emperour sent word by Adam Smicorit his Ambassadour of very honourable conditions for her to marry with his Brother Charles But there arose instantly a most vehement hatred in the Court betweene Sussex and Leicester I know not whereupon vnlesse about this marriage which Sussex sought very eagerly to bring to passe and Leicester vnder-hand hindered hoping to haue her for himselfe verily great and vnsatiable hopes doe those conceiue who haue obtained things beyond their hope Indeede Sussex iniuriously despised him as an vpstart and to detract him would say that hee could cite onely two of his pedigree that is to wit his Father and Grand-father both being enemies to their Countrey and attempters against the State that put the Court in diuision Insomuch as when the Earles went abroade they drew great troupes after them armed with Swords and piked Targets which were then in vse as if it were come to the extremitie But within few dayes the Queene reconciled them and rather smothered than tooke away their malice but endeuoured what shee could to extinguish it quite For shee condemned dissention among Peeres and that old prouerbe vsed by many Diuide Impera and some who were of opinion that the force of command is by the obeyers consent And she delighted her selfe at the emulation and grudging of inferiour women yet not without making speciall good vse thereof Among these things shee is not vnmindfull of the affaires of Scotland A moneth after the solemnization of the marriage there she sent one Tamworth a Gentleman of her Priuy-Chamber to the Qu. of Scotland to exhort her not to breake the peace to expostulate about the marriage which shee had so rashly contracted without her consent and withall to send backe Lenox and Darley his Sonne according to the trans-action and to receiue Murray into grace She perceiuing whereunto this tended admitted not Tamworth but by Articles in writing Promiseth by the word of a Princesse that neither shee nor her Husband would enterprise any thing to the preiudice of the Queene of England or to her Children lawfully begotten of her bodie or to the tranquillity of the Kingdome by admitting of Fugitiues or making alliance with strangers or by any other means but to the contrary they would most freely contract such an alliance with the Queene and Kingdome of England as should be commodious and honourable for both the Kingdomes and innouate nothing in Religion contrary to the Lawes and liberties of England if they should happen to enioy the same Notwithstanding vpon condition that Queene ELIZABETH on her part should fully performe the same to her and her Husband and by authoritie of the Parliament should confirme the Crowne of England vpon her and her issue lawfully begotten and for fault of such issue vpon Margaret Countesse of Lenox her Husbands Mother and of her Children lawfully begotten Moreouer as soone as shee had resolued to marry shee had assured the Queene that it should be with Darley and had no answere from the Queene vpon it That shee had satisfied her demands seeing shee had married an English man and no stranger whom shee knew to be more nobly descended and more worthy of her than any in Great-Brittaine But it seemed strange that shee might not retaine Darley by her to whom she was bound in the sacred bond of marriage or Lenox who was naturally Earle of Scotland As for Murray whom shee had proued to be her sworne enemy shee graciously intreated her to giue her freedome ouer her Subiects seeing she meddled not with the affaires of England Tamworth returned with this answere not hauing been intertained according to his worth And indeed being an impudent man hee had wronged the reputation of the Queene of Scotland and disdained to giue her Husband title of King At the same time Queene ELIZABETH had this augmentation of honour that at the report of her vertue which was equally spred in all places Cecillia Henry the Second King of Suedens Sister and Wife to Christopher Marquis of Baden being then great with Childe came from the furthest part of the North and a great iourney through Germanie to visit her She intertained her and her Husband very magnificently gaue him a yeerely pension christened his Sonne and named him Edward the Fortunate And Donald Mac Cartymore one of the greatest Peeres of Ireland humbly submitted himselfe and his large Territories to the Queene to hold them from her hereafter in fee for him and his heires males lawfully begotten and for default of such issue to the Crowne of England This Princesse who was borne to draw the affections of men according to her humanity most graciously receiued him installed him solemnely and like himselfe Earle of Glencar and Tegue his Sonne Baron of Valance gaue them gifts payed the charge of their voyage and all this to get a party against the Earle of Desmond who was suspected to renouate new things The same yeere Nicholas Arnold of the Country of Glocester Knight was sent to gouerne Ireland with the title of Iusticiary and had for his Garrison onely one thousand fiue hundred ninety sixe Souldiers But within a while after being called backe hee gaue vp his place to Henry Sidney who in the reigne of Queene MARY was Iudge and Treasurer of Ireland and presently after President of Wales Now to note this by the way the chiefe Gouernours of Ireland which now in Latine are termed Proreges since the first entrance of the English vntill the time of Edward the Third were called Iustices of Ireland and their Lieutenants Deputies Since according to the pleasure of the Prince they are called one while Iustices and another while Lieutenants which is a most honourable title but for the most part of like authority And without doubt these chiefe Iustices of Ireland as the Iustices of England which were called at that time simply Iustices were ordained to keepe the peace and to doe Iustice to all and to euery particular as in times past the Romanes had their Pro-Pretors and Pro-Consuls which were sent into Prouinces with Soueraigne authority Sidney being Gouernour of this Prouince found the Countrey of Mounster which lyes toward the South in great confusion in regard of great and sharpe troubles which were betweene Girauld Earle
to consider amongst your selues whether hee is to be holden guilty or no and to giue vp your verdicts according to conscience and honour They likewise withdrawing themselues at his command consulted together after a while they returned to their places Then the Lord High Steward beginning at the lowest said Lord De la Ware Is Thomas Duke of Norfolke guiltie of the crimes of Laesae Maiestatis for which he is heere arraigned at the Iudgement-Seate De-la-Ware rising vp and laying his hand on his brest hee answered Guilty the like did euery one in order being demanded Then was the Duke againe brought before the Tribunall to whom the Lord High-Steward in this manner spake THomas Duke of Norfolke you are heere arraigned for diuers crimes of Laesae Maiestatis and haue submitted your selfe to God and these Peeres by euery one of whom you are pronounced guiltie Is there now any cause why Iudgement should not be pronounced The Duke answered The will of GOD be done that will be iudge betweene mee and my false accusers Then euery man being silent the edge of the Axe was turned towards the Duke and Barham in the Queenes name required the Lord High-Steward to pronounce his Iudgement which hee with teares in his eyes according to the forme pronounced in these words FOrasmuch as you Thomas Duke of Norfolke beeing accused of the crimes of Laesae Maiestatis haue pleaded Not guiltie and submitted your selfe to the Iudgement of these Peeres who declared you guiltie The whole Assembly adiudged you to be committed back to the Tower from thence to be drawne vpon a Sledde thorow the Citie to the place of execution there to be hanged and cut downe halfe dead then to haue your Bowels taken out your Head cut off and your Body quartered into foure parts whose Head shall be at her Maiesties disposing and at the Queenes pleasure But GOD bee mercifull vnto your Soule The Duke hauing heard this Sentence with a minde full of courage he said THis Sentence is pronounced against mee as a Traytor my confidence is in GOD and the Queene hoping that if I bee depriued of your company I shall reioyce with them in Heauen and so will prepare my selfe for my death I desire no other thing but that the Queene would shew her selfe propitious to my Children and Seruants and bee carefull for the payment of my debts These were the particulars that passed in these affaires which I haue here declared because it is expedient for our posterity that in great matters the lesse occurrences should be remembred A few dayes after Barney and Marter were put to death for hauing conspired against the death of certaine of her Maiesties Councell and plotted the freedome and libertie of the Duke One Herle was priuy thereunto and of the same company but hee soone reuealed the same and as hee was brought face to face before Barney Truely said Barney thou hast preuented mee but of an houre for if thou hadst not so soone discouered it I purposed to haue done it and so now should I be in thy place to accuse thee and thou in mine to be hanged This conspiration and other plots which were practised to set the prisoners at liberty was the cause that a Parliament was forthwith summoned At which time the Queene created Walter d' Eureux Earle of Essex for that by his great Grand-mother hee was descended from the Bourchiers sometimes Earles of Essex And Edward Lord Clinton who had large possessions in Lincolneshire Earle of Lincolne Her Maiestie likewise made Iohn Pawlet of Basing Sonne to the Lord Marquis of Winchester Henrie Compton Henrie Cheyney and Henrie Norrice Peeres of England summoned them into the Vpper-House there to haue their voyces and after to beare the Title of Barons Amongst other Acts it was made Felony to intercept ruinate or burne any of her Maiesties Ships Fortresses or Harbours Item It was enacted that whosoeuer should attempt to set at liberty any person or persons committed by her Maiesties expresse command or which had trespassed against her Maiestie or was held suspected to haue offended if the partie were not indicted he was to be punished with onely losse of goods in stead of life and imprisonment during her Maiesties pleasure if indicted with death if condemned to be held guilty of treason But as necessitie brought in Decrees for the time so the States thought good they should be temporary or during the Queenes life But as new practices were daily discouered so they serued to hasten on the Dukes punishment which notwithstanding was yet deferred some fiue moneths more or lesse nor before could either the Lower-House of Parliament the Lords of the Priuy-Councell or the importunacy of Preachers aggrauating how great and eminent danger there was ouercome her Maiesties mercifull clemency The fourth day of Iune by eight a clocke in the forenoone the Duke was brought to a Scaffold built vpon the Tower-Hill whereupon being mounted and Alexander Nowell Deane of Saint Pauls who was appointed his Comforter had requested the confused People to be silent he said among many other words that I heard these IT is not strange to see some suffer death in this place although that since her Royall Maiestie began to reigne I am the first and I pray God I may be the last with that the People cried all aloud Amen Then continuing his Speech he said I know well said hee the Peeres of the Realme haue iustly iudged mee worthy to dye nor haue I purpose to excuse my selfe I haue treated I freely confesse in matters of great importance with the Queene of Scots without the priuity of my Soueraigne which I ought not to haue done and for that I was first committed and hauing had my libertie vpon my humble submission I past my faithfull promise that I would neuer more conferre with her yet I did I confesse which torments my Conscience but I neither promised nor swore as they say at the Lords Table I went and but once to Ridolfe but with no intent of conspiracie against her Maiestie For it is well knowne that I had great dealings with him vpon my accounts and reckonings I found he enuied the present peace of the Land and was very subtill in plotting proiects of mischiefe Twice there came Letters to my hands from the Bishop of Rome to which I neuer gaue consent nor to the Rebellion in the North. I renounced Papistrie after I tasted the sweete of Religion and reiecting the Popes doctrine I embraced the true Religion of Iesus Christ beleeuing wholy and soly in his precious bloud my Sauiour and Redeemer yet I cannot deny but many of my Family and familiars were addicted to the Romish Religion wherein if I haue offended GOD the Church and Protestants I beseech him and them to forgiue mee Then after they had sung a Psalme or two he said with a lowd voyce Into thy hands O Lord I commend my spirit Then imbracing Henry
course so as he returned for England where he arriued the eighth of the Kalends of October with the losse onely of fiue Mariners which were taken by the Barbarians Notwithstanding to performe what he had begun hee sayled the next two yeeres about the same Shore but was hindered from entring into the Gulfe by the Ice which was euery-where heaped vp like Mountaines Being then beaten with Tempests Snow and Windes that were euer and anon changing hauing gathered a great number of Stones which he tooke to haue beene Minerals he turnes sailes from which stones when neither Gold Siluer nor any other metall could be drawne we saw them throwne away to repayre the high-wayes But these things are publiquely extant described at large About the same time Maximilian the Emperour dyed a prudent and iust Prince profitable to the Empire well-deseruing both of Queene ELIZABETH and the English whereof as soone as shee was certainely informed being afflicted with an exceeding griefe shee sent Sir Philip Sidney Ambassadour to Rodulphus King of the Romans diligently to declare her sorrow for the death of his father and to congratulate his Succession And also in passing by to condole with the Sonnes of Frederick the Third Elector Palatine for the death of their Father and by the way to put Casimere in minde of the Money which shee spent in the French warre for by that warre peace being restored to France the Prouinces of Aniou of Touraine and of Berie assigned in Apennage as they call it to the Duke of Alanzon eleuen millions of Franc's promised to Casimere to pay the Germaine Horse-men and three hundred thousand Crownes for which the French Queene had engaged her Iewels But Queene ELIZABETH had none at all paid againe and yet thought her selfe sufficiently recompenced in hauing it so well spent in so good a cause Casimere ingenuously and with a Germaine sincerity made answer That the French had broke promise with him and that it was not his fault that the Money was not re-payd As in Germany the Emperour Maximilian and the Prince Elector Palatine for their Christian vertues and singular moderation had left a great affection and much griefe So no lesse did Walter Deureux Earle of Essex leaue in England and Ireland though farre inferiour in place verily a most excellent man in whom sweetnesse of manners contended with his Noblenesse of Birth all which notwithstanding could not preuaile against Enuie for indeed he was compelled afterwards to leaue that which he had laudably begun in Ireland with much diminishing his Patrimonie and being returned into England he openly threatned Leicester whom he suspected had iniured him by the Court subtletie of Leicester who was afraid of him and by the peculiar mysteries of the Court by striking and ouerthrowing men with Honour he was sent away againe into Ireland vvith a vaine Title of Earle Marshall of Ireland vvhere pining away vvith griefe and being grieuously tormented vvith a Dyssenterie verie godlily rendred vp his Soule to God after he had vvilled those that vvere vvith him to admonish his Sonne then scarce ten yeeres old that he should alvvaies set before his Eyes the sixe and thirtieth yeere of his age as the longest measure of his life vvhich neither he nor his Father ouer-liued and truly he attained not vnto it as in his place vve shall declare Thus vvas the death of this most Noble person by the Vulgar vvho alwaies suspect those they hold deare to be made avvay by poison suspected to be poisoned though Sydney Lord Deputie of Ireland hauing made diligent inquisition about it writ to the Councell of England that the Earle often said at his first falling sicke that as often as he was troubled in mind hee was pained with this flux and that he neuer suspected poyson that he had the same colour of bodie in his sicknesse as he had in perfect health no spot no consumption no blemish no losing of nailes no shedding of haire nor inward putrifactiō or appearance of poyson when he was dissected That the Phisicons did not agree in the cause of his sicknes neither ministred they any thing to him against poyson but that he that waited of his cup was falsly accused of ..... dipt in water and mingled with wine neuerthelesse wee haue seene the man pointed at publickly for a poysoner This suspition increased because Leicester so quickly after abandoned Douglas Sheffield by whom he had had a sonne whether she was his wife or paramour I will not say after hee had giuen her a summe of money and made her great promises and openly professed loue to the Lady Lettice Essex his widdow and married her twice For though it was said that he had maried her priuately yet Henrie Knollis her father knowing his extrauagant affections and fearing lest he should deceiue his daughter would not beleeue it vnlesse he saw a contract himselfe expressely in the presence of a publike Notarie and witnesses But that was performed two yeeres after At that time dyed in England Sir Anthony Coke at seuentie yeeres of age a Knight that kept the ancient Seuerity and very learned Tutor to EDVVARD the Sixth in his Child-hood happie in his Daughters who being skilfull in the Greeke and Latine tongues aboue the expectation of their Sexe he had married to these famous men William Cecill Lord Treasurer of England Nicholas Bacon Lord Keeper of the great Seale to Thomas Hoby who dyed Embassador in France Raph Roulet and Henry Killigrew That I may goe backe a little Before Essex dyed the Sonnes of the Earle of Clan-Rickard whom the Deputie of Ireland had pardoned for rebellion scarce two yeeres before had gathered together a Companie of Scummes Rogues and Rebels who rob'd and barbarously sack't Connach burnt Athenrie which the Inhabitants were about to re-edifie and with a barbarous hatred which they bore vnto them who began to fauour Lawes and Humanity killed the workmen The Deputie makes haste thither dissipates these Troopes of Robbers and made them flye into their Dennes according to their custome and imprisoned the Earle of Clan-Rickard their Father as culpable of his Sons crimes in the Castle of Dublin But as soone as the Deputie was returned they came out againe and besieged the Castle Balla-reogh being their Fathers chiefe Seate where there was a Garrison commanded by T. Strange but in vaine and with losse of their men Afterwards being assisted by the Ilander Scots ransack't and spoil'd whatsoeuer was vpon the Lands of Mac-Williams Eughter the younger but the Deputie comming againe they fled and hid themselues as they did before William Drury late Gouernour of Barwicke now newly made President of Mounster by his wisedome and valour brought all the Prouince vnder command and in obedience to the Lawes except Kerria and the Countie Palatine whither like to a Sincke a great number of Malefactors Theeues men in debt and such as were suspected for Treason by reason of the Immunity
from Rome was cast abroad that serenitie by little and little turned into clouds and tempests and brought vp that Law which was made in the yeere 1571. against them which brought into the Kingdome such Bulls Agnos Dei and Grana Benedicta being tokens of Papall obedience or as we haue said did reconcile any to the Church of Rome Neuerthelesse this Law was not put in execution against any one in sixe yeeres after although it was knowne to haue beene violated by many The first against whom this Law was put in practice was Cuthbert Maine Priest a stubborne defender of the Popes authority against the Queene hee was executed at Saint Stephens commonly called Launston in Cornewall and Trugion a Gentleman that intertained him into his house had all his lands and goods confiscated and he condemned to perpetuall imprisonment Of these and such like things concerning the Church I will but giue a touch in regard of others that vndertake to write the Ecclesiasticall History of those times who I hope although it be scarcely to be hoped for by reason of exasperated mindes in this deuision of Religion will faithfully performe it This yeere the title of Baron of Latimer after it had flourished in honour and riches from the time of Henry the Sixth is now extinct in Iohn Neuill who hauing no Issue male left an ample inheritance to foure Daughters the eldest of which Henrie Earle of Northumberland married the second Thomas Cecill who was afterwards Earle of Exceter the third Sir William Cornwallis and the fourth Sir Iohn Dauers of which came a plentifull ofspring Sir Th. Smith one of the Secretaries of State likewise died of a consumption this being his clymactericall yeere a man memorable for much learning and wisdome approued in many Ambassies He was descended of noble Parents at Saffron Walden in Essex brought vp at Queen Margarets Colledge in Cambridge and beeing come to riper yeeres was chosen to bee sent into Italy vpon the Kings charge vntill our time many of the most hopefull youths were chosen out of both the Vniuersities and trayned vp in strange Countries for the better adorning and inabling of their mindes From thence he returned Doctor of the Ciuill Law he was in fauour with the Duke of Sommerset Protector of EDVVARD the Sixth and made the other Secretary with Cecill and Lord Warden of the Stanneries Deane of Carlile and Prouost of Eaton Queene MARIE comming to the Crowne tooke all these dignities from him assigned him a hundred pound a yeere to liue on with condition not to goe out of the Kingdome As soone as Queene ELIZABETH inioyed the Scepter he was called againe to the seruice of the Common-wealth to be an assistant with the Diuines in correcting the English Liturgy and afterwards as I haue said before hauing with great applause performed his Ambassies hee dyed In the yeere 1571 being made second Secretary to the Queene hauing but one onely Sonne sent him to leade a Colony into the barbarous Pen-insale Ardes in Ireland where hee was vnfortunately slaine Hee tooke speciall care and was the first that procured an order for the dyets of Students in Colledges and by that meanes aduanced learning more than he did by his writings although hee left a worke imperfect de Reipublica Anglorum a singular booke de Linguae Anglicae Orthographia another de Graecae pronunciatione and an exact Commentary de re nummaria most worthy to come to light In his stead to the place of Secretary came Thomas Wilson Doctor of the Ciuill Law Master of Saint Katherines neere London who dyed within foure yeeres after In Ireland the O-Mores O-Conores and others whose ancestors the Earle of Sussex Lord Deputie in the reigne of Queene MARY had for wrongs and offences done by them depriued of their inheritance Leisa and Ophalia neither had hee assigned them any other place to liue in broke out into Rebellion vnder the conduct of Rorio Oge that is to say Rodorick the Younger burnt a little Towne called Naasse they assaulted Lachliny and were repulsed by Sir George Crew Gouernour but they tooke Henry Harrington and Alexander Cosbie in a deceitfull parley which they sought of purpose to surprize them whoÌ„ when Captaine Harpole went about to recouer set vpon a little Cottage by night where Rorio was and they two tyed to a post Rorio being awaked with the noyse gaue Harrington and Cosbie many wounds in the darke and with a desperate boldnesse rusheth into the middest of the Souldiers which compassed him round and by the benefit of the night escaped Afterwards hauing layde an Ambuscado for the Baron of Osser was taken and being slaine his neighbours were deliuered from much feare THE ONE AND TVVENTIETH YEERE OF Her Reigne Anno Dom. 1578. ALthough Spaine approued not of the propositions that Wilkes had made and as I lately saide had dissembled Queene ELIZABETH notwithstanding seriously pittying the Flemmings whose Prouinces were so commodiously and with a mutuall necessity situated to England had for many ages adhered like Husband and Wife and therefore impatient to see the French vnder colour of taking them into protection should become Masters of them sends Wilkes at his returne from Spaine to Don Iohn to aduertize him that the States had called the Duke of Aniou now so but before Duke of Alanzon with an Armie of French and that it would be more safe for him to make a Truce lest he should expose the Prouinces to the present danger But he being of a firie and warlike Spirit and puffed vp with the Battell against the States at Gemblacke answered in a word that he neither thought of any Truce nor feared the French She neuerthelesse for her own behoofe and the Flemmings sends Sir Edward Stafford into France to watch if they should attempt any thing vpon the Frontiers of the Low-Countries and how many Souldiers they had leuied Out of England are past ouer I. North eldest Sonne of Baron North Iohn Norris second Sonne of Baron Norris Henry Cauendish and Thomas Morgan with many voluntaries there to plant their first rudiments of Warre Casimire also Sonne to the Prince Elector Palatine drew a great Armie of Horse and Foot out of Germanie which cost the Queene verie much Don Iohn burning to assault the Armie of the States at Rimenant before all the auxiliarie Forces of the French and Germanes should ioyne with it flyes vpon them sooner then they were aware of and forthwith made the Cauallerie which were set to guard retreate runnes in vpon the Enemie as if he had been sure of the victorie but they resuming their spirits beat backe the Austrians who being turned towards the Hedges and Bushes where the English and Scottish voluntaries were placed stroue to breake through them but by no meanes could they were valiantly entertained by the English and Scots who for the feruent heat had cast off their Cloathes and with their Shirts â—yed betweene their
put these words into her eares Mortua non mordet Being dead she will byte no more And notwithstanding as she was naturally slow to anger she had this custome that she neuer would enter vnaduisedly or without premeditation into any action so she began to weigh in her minde whether it were better to put her to death or to let her liue From putting her to death she was disswaded By her owne naturall clemency not to vse cruelty to her who was a Princesse and her next kinswoman from the feare that she had Histories should make her infamous to posterities and from the dangers which might fall vpon her as from the part of the King of Scotland who then was the next in succession to the Crowne of England so also from the Catholick Princes and from desperate people who would attempt any thing From pardoning of her likewise she foresaw no lesse danger to ensuâ— That the Nobility which had giuen the sentence against her would couertly seeke to regaine the fauour of her and her sonne and that could not be done without danger to her selfe That her other subiects would take it ill when they perceiue their labour to be lost and though then they were carefull for her welfare yet hereafter they might grow carelesse and that many would change their religion and become Popish vpon a supposition of greater hopes seeing her preserued as it were by fatall prouidence to inherite the Kingdome of England That the Iesuites and Seminaries whose eyes were all cast vpon her seeing her sickly and not like to liue long would be so much the more busie to procure the death of Q. Elizabeth to set vp their religion Her Courtiers also ceased not to suggest these and the like things vnto her Wherefore should you pardon so monstrous a malefactor being already iustly condemned who after shee had subscribed to the combination made for the preseruation of your health and safety notwithstanding presently after attempted the taking away of your life and thereby to procure the vtter ruine of Religion the Nobilitie and commons Clemency indeed is a Princely vertue but not to be shewed to such as are mercilesse Let the vaine shew of mercy yeeld to life-preseruing seueritie and haue regard that your mercy bring you not to misery It is enough to haue the commendation of clemency in that you haue once giuen pardon to pardon her againe were nothing else but to pronounce her innocent to condemne the States of the Kingdome of iniustice to animate her agents to attempt new mischiefes and to discourage your faithfull subiects from hauing any care for the preseruation of the weale publick Religion the Common-wealth your own welfare the loue of your countrey the oath of association the care of posteritie to come doe all together begge and beseech you that she which desireth the destruction of all these may speedily be brought to destruction her selfe If these be not heard there is no safety left for this State and Historians will leaue it recorded to the ages to come that the fayre sunne-shine dayes of all prosperity which were in England vnder Q. Elizabeth ended in a darke and dreadful euening nay turned into a dismall night of eternall obscurity Our posterity shall find that we wanted wisedom hauing power to foresee our miseries but not to preuent them the which will thereby become the greater the grossenesse whereof will be imputed not so much to the malice of our enemies as the improuident stupidity of these times That the life of a titulary Queene of Scotland was not so much worth as the safety of this whole kingdome nor is there any place left for lingring for delayes are dangerous We should not giue malefactors of that monstrous nature leaue to breathe which from their insolency will take their last support and from the impunity of their crime expect some recompence He which keepeth not himselfe out of danger when he may seemeth rather to tempt God than to trust in him All the danger that can be from strangers will cease with the cause and cannot harme England vnlesse it be by her What will or power soeuer the Pope can haue to hurt will cease with her death The Spaniard can haue no cause to finde fault who for his own security put his onely sonne Charles to death and doth what he can at this present also to make away Don Antonio King of Portugale the more to extend his ambition The king of France entertayneth an inuiolable league of loue with England and is aboue all things so interested herein that by the present dispatch of the Q. of Scotland the hope of the Guises shall be layd flat vnder foot since it is so that out of the desperate hope they haue in the long looked-for ayde from their kinswoman their insolency is growne so great at this time against him That the King of Scotland euen in nature and out of a true respect of his royalty cannot but be moued to displeasure at his mothers death yet he will rather out of better deliberation wayt wisely till time shall ripen his hopes with security than to attempt out of season the things which can affoord him nothing but disturbance and danger And the neerer he shall growe to his great hopes the farther off will forraigne Princes who of customary course are alwayes opposite to the growing greatnesse of others estrange themselues from him They propounded also to her domesticall examples because that that which is warranted by president is the more tolerable As What comportment the Kings of England for their securities haue had with their competitors namely Henry the first with Robert his elder brother Edw. the third or rather his mother with Edward the second Henry the fourth with Richard the second Edward the fourth with Hen. the sixt with his sonne the Prince of Wales and George of Clarence his owne naturall brother Henry the seuenth with the Earle of Warwick the yonger sonne of the Duke of Clarence and HENRY the eightth with De-la-Poole Earle of Suffolk with Margaret of Salisbury and Courtney Marquesse of Exeter all which in comparison of their offences dyed for very sleight matters Neyther did the Courtiers only suggest these and the like to the Queene but diuerse fiery-tongued Preachers also tooke occasion to exercise with all asperity of spirit the heate of their desires in hastning on her death Sundry also of the vulgar sort were of the same temper according as their affections or humours carried them away with hope or feare Amidst these sad-afflicting thoughts of minde which so troubled the Queene of England's perplexed heart as that she delighted to be all alone and to sit solitary by her selfe neyther looking vp nor vttering any speech yet would suddenly many times breake out into these words and sighing say AVT PETERE AVT PERCVTE and withall also a kinde of Emblem PREVENT THE STROKE BY STRIKING shee deliuered Secretarie Dauison letters vnder her
forced to yeeld And indeed the States hauing truely reserued that Soueraigne degree and power which they at first had giuen him by words would not furnish him with a great and sufficient Army and hee dained not to subiect himselfe to particulars of small ranke and note who vnder the name of States striued to domineere ouer him notwithstanding that their Gouernour had the same authority that Charles the Fifth had ouer his Commanders of the Low-Countries From thence deriued open hatred on both sides the which discouered themselues yet apparantly after that he had mentioned to agree vpon with Spaine for their eares abhorr'd and their hearts detested the very name of peace as preiudiciall and obnoctious to their affaires Euen as then he perceiued his authority to diminish hee had recourse to fraudulous deceit and resolued to breede factions with the people there and to make himselfe Master of the City of Leyden with other Townes But being frustrated of his hope of the losse of some with his men to the great discontentment that this action prouoked Queene ELIZABETH sending for him he gaue ouer the gouernement and free administration of the States of the Vnited Prouinces and was derided and laughed at of many but most by those who enuied him hauing forsaken the Title of his Excellencie which neuer any English-man had taken vpon him before him Leicester vpon his departure for England distributed for a perpectuall memory of his person to such as were of his faction a Medaille or pieces of Gold which he had caused to be coyned on the one side there was his picture on the other a Flocke with some lost Sheepe a Dogge who going from them turned backe his head to looke on them as if it were for pitty with this Inscription Ie quite malgre moy J forsake to my griefe And neere it this Non point le troupeau mais les ingras Not the Flocke but the vngratefull And questionlesse hee intended to inuade the Netherland Dominions for himselfe but those Nations haue not only kept by their care and diligence the liberty which they hold by their Ancestors wholly to themselues against the Spaniards might who warre as well with their art and deceits as with their goods as likewise against the French and English by craftinesse policy yea against the Prince of Orange himselfe who acted the Foxes part but also they haue it maruellously increased by the fauour of their neighbouring friend and which is more worthy admiration is that whereas other countries are ruinated by the war these vnited Prouinces are inriched thereby The States established in his roome for Gouernour of the vnited and confederate Prouinces Prince Maurice of Nassau then about twenty yeeres of age son to the Prince of Orange by his Wife the Lady Anne de Saxe Daughter to that Heroick Elector Maurice and Queene ELIZABETH established in Leicesters stead Peregrine Bartue Lord Willoughby of Eresby Generall of the English auxiliary Forces which then were in the Low-Countries whom those of Leicesters faction much troubled for the Garrisons of Geertruiden-Berg Worcom Nerden Heusden aboue all that of Middlebourgh being at the English deuotion excited troubles vnder pretext that they had sworne loyalty and obedience to the Queene And Sir William Russell Gouernour of Flushing hauing drawne to his side the inhabitants of the Townes of Emuid and of Campe were mistrusted by the Estates to haue a determination to reduce the whole Iland of Zeland vnder the English and this suspition was increased the more by the comming of Englands Lord High Admirall out of England who though hee much laboured to pacifie these troubles the States neuerthelesse possest with feare dissembled not their mistrustings but witnessed it both openly to the World by certaine pieces of Siluer which ingeniously they caused to be coyned and stamped with the figure of two earthen Pots swimming vpon the Sea according to the ancient Apologue with this Inscription Si nous nous hurtons nous nous casserons Jf wee knocke one at another wee shall be broken And priuately by Letters which they wrote to the Queene who being most carefull of them and yet in nothing forgetfull of her selfe could prudently fore-see those infinite dangers then apparant the Spanish Fleete being then imminent commanded the Lord Willoughby to bring into submission such English as excited or stirred vp troubles to be punished by the States which hee most happily performed with the Prince Maurice of Nassau Leicester being then back and quickly finding out that the Baron of Buckhurst and others prepared themselues to accuse him to haue ill administrated the affaires of Holland and that therefore he ought to come into iudgement before the Councell Table wisely with-drew himselfe priuately to the Queen and prostrating himselfe humbly at her feet beseeched her Maiestie to testifie and speake for him coniuring her not to receiue ignominiously him whom she had sent magnificently neither to bury liuing and seeing him whom shee had raised from the dust He by these sweet and eloquent speeches calmed so her discontents that moderating the anger of her wrath shee receiued him into her fauour as before Therefore being called in question and brought before the Councell Table he whereas he should haue appeared in an humble manner according to the custome of others tooke his place among the Lords of her Maiesties Priuy-Councell and as the Clerke had begun to reade the chiefe Articles of his accusation interrupted him complayning they had done him wrong to haue restrained those publike instructions granted vnto him to priuate ones and in appealing to the Queenes iudgement auoyded and annihilated all accusations whereby his aduersaries were much indignated but they broke their anger in silence In this yeere in the moneth of February died Henry Lord Neuill Baron of Abergauenny grand-child of Edward Neuill who in King HENRY the Sixth's Reigne enioyed the title of Baron of Abergauenny by his wife who was onely Daughter Heire to R. Lord Beauchamp Earle of Wigorn and Baron of Abergauenny by whose right the Daughter and Heire of this Henry Lord Neuill challenging the title and honour of this ancient Barony had a memorable suit in Law about it with Edward Neuill the next Heire-male to the said Lordship to whom the Castell of Abergauenny was legacied by Testament and since the honour and title of the same Barony was conferred and confirmed vnto him by Act of Parliament where hee tooke place among the Peeres of that High Court as the first Baron of England There died also in the same yeere and moneth foure Noble persons both illustrious and famous the first was the Lady Anne Stanhop Duchesse of Somerset about ninetie yeeres of age wife to Edward Seymor late Duke of Somerset and Protector of England This Duchesse by meere enuy and hate she bore to the Lady Katherine Parr Queene of England and Dowager of King HENRY the Eighth excited diuers tragedies in
and Scottish Iesuits do suggest diuers things to the Queene of Scots The French labour to hinder the League The King of Scots propoundeth conditions He is not deterred by the French King Iames's answer to them The League of fast friendship A conspiracie against Queene Elizabeth How discouered Ballard returneth into France Ballard sent backe into England Meeteth with Babington He instructs him in the stratagem Babington receiueth Letters from the Queene of Scots He writeth back to her She answereth him His associates in the conspiracie Babington giueth to euery one his taske They confer together Their vanity Babington in care to bring in the forraigne aides sends Ballard to worke for him Insinuateth with Walsingham Deceit by deceit deceiued Giffard discouereth all the conspiracy Sendeth the Letters he receiued to Walsingham Ballard vpon his departure is taken Babington soliciteth for Ballards libertie Falleth into the same net Getteth himselfe out Lyeth in a wood Harrow-Hill They are found And all the rest of the conspirators All discouered The Q. of Scots kept with a guard and separated from her seruants Her Cofers with Letters sent to the Queene Giffard sent into France dyeth miserably The Traytors come to Iudgement Are punished The Queen of Scots her Secretaries examined The King of France is aduertised Sundry opinions how to dispose of the Scottish Queene By what Law shee should be iudged Commissioners appointed to heare the cause A Commission granted to that end Booke 6. * William Poulet Marquesse of Winchester Edward de Vere Earle of Oxford Lo high Chamberlâ—ine of England George Talbot Earle of Shrewâ—bury Earl Marshall Henry Grâ—y Earle of Kent Henry Stâ—â—â—â—y Earle of Derby William Somerset Earle of Worcester Edward Manners E. of Rutland Ambrose Duâ—ley E. of Warwick Master of our Ordnance Henry Herbert Earle of Pembroke Robert Dudley E. of Leicester Master of our horse Henry E. of Lincoln Charles L. Howard high Admiral of England Anthony Viscount Montagu Henry Cary BaroÌ„ of Hunsdon Lo. Chamberlaine of our houshold Henry Neuill Baron of Abergaueny Edward Lord Zouch Edward Parker L. Morley Will. L. Cobham Lord Warden of the cinque Ports Edward L. Stafford Arthur Lord Gray of Wâ—lton Iohn L. Lumley Iohn L. Stuâ—ton William L. Sands Henry L. Wâ—ntworth Lodowick L. Mordant Iohn L. Saint Iohn of Bletso Tâ—â—mas Sackvill Baron of Buckhurst Henry L. Compten Henry Lo. Cheney Sir Francis Knolls knight Treasurer Sir Iacob Crofts knight CoÌ„troller Sir Christ Hatton Vice-Chamberlaine Sir Francis Walsingham our Secretary of State William Dauâ—son Esq our second Secretary Sir Ralph Sadler knight Chancellor of our Dutchy of Lancaster Sir Walter Mildmay knight 〈◊〉 Aymâ— Poulet knight gouernor of our Island of sarsey all our trâ—sty beloued priuy Counsellor and Sir Christopher Wâ—ay knight L. chiefe Iustice of the Common plees Iohn Wâ—â—sey esq our Secretary for the Latin Sir Edmund Anderson knight L. chiefe Iust of our Bench Sir Roger Manwood chiefe Baron of our Exchequer Sir Thomas Gawdy and Sir William Pickering Commissioners come to her She answereth the letters vpon the sudden Booke 3. Addeth the next day to her answer She refuseth her tryall Exception against the new-made Law Sir Christopher Hatton perswadeth her to appeare Her tergiuersation Shee yeeldeth at last to appeare and answer The maner of the sitting The Lord Chancellor speaketh to her Her protestation Recorded Proceeding She denieth the former allegation Copies of letters shewed Extracts out of Babbingtons confession She denieth them They vrge her with the confessions of Sauage and Ballard She blames Walsingham Walsingham maketh his Apologie Charles Pagets letters are produced and Babingtons and the testimonies of her Secretaries She obiecteth against their credites Arguing about transferring the kingdome She excuseth her selfe for hauing giuen Morgan an annuall pension by pensions giuen to the Scottishmen She offereth the Duke of Guise and her sonne pledges for her libertie The Lord Burghley answereth She interrupteth him He proceedeth Letters shewed again She interrupteth their reading Affirmeth her Secretaries were not to be credited She is accused againe for transporting the Kingdome She condemnes her Secretaries as periured Sir Thomas Egertons the Q Sollicitors demonstratioÌ„ She crauest a hearing iâ— open Parliament Sentence pronounced against her Some suspect the credite of the Secretaries Or duety Declaration that the sentence against the Q. of Scotts did nothing preiudice her sonne A Parliament held The banishing of traytors confirmed The States approue confirme the sentence and desire the publication therof The Queen answereth She desireth them to find out some other remedie Their Answer to her Her reply to them The Q. of Scotland is certified of her iudgment The Ambassador of France slayeth the publishing of the Sentence Notwithstanding it is published The Queen of Scotland carrieth herself with a resolute courage She moues a request to Queen Elizabeth Opinions of the Q. of Scotl. cause In her behalfe Against her The Q. of Scotland's sonne intercedeth for her Some Scots against her The K. by letters and messages And propoundeth some things considerable As the K. of France did by his Ambassadors Bellieures reasons for the Qu. of Scotland Answers to his Reasons The Ambassadour of France attempteth Queene Elizabeths life Stafford discouereth the enterprise to the CouÌ„cell The Ambassadour denieth it The Ambassadour mildly rebuked Whether an Ambassador be to discouer the attempts if he know any to be committed against the Prince to whom he is sent But Gray the Scot more She weigheth these businesses The Courtiers perswade her By reasons And by examples She is notwithstanding suspensiue perplexed with doubtfull feares She commandeth a Warrant to be drawne for the execution Her Councell send secretly The Q. of Scotl. prepares herself for death Shee is brought to the scaffold Her speeches to Meluine her Steward To the Earles Her last words The Epitaph The prouidence of God plainly seen in her death Elizabeth is sorry therefore and grieueth thereat Is angry with her Councell They vrge him vpon his owne confession The Queen Sergeants reproue him The Iudges opinion vpon his fact The L. Gray defendeth him Sentence giuen against him He maketh request to the Commissioners Dauison his particular Apologie The indignation of the Nation of Scotland Suggestions vsed to the King Qu. Elizabeth indeuoureth to appease them By what reasons Sir Francis Drake is sent into Spaine to preuent the comming of the Jnuincible Nauy for the inuasion of England His expeditions The great Carraque Saint Philip is taken The profit which the English receiued thereby The East Indies Companie Thomas Cauendish circuits the Earth Stanley and Yorke Traitors New kinde of Duels brought into England With what successe The States of the vnited Prouinces doe blame the Earle of Leicester The States send for Leicester again to raise the siege before Sluce Leicester is molested Leicester goes about to make himselfe Lord ouer their Cities He is called home againe The Title of his Excellency Leicester distributes Medailles coyned en memory of his person to those of his faction The Estates doe put in Leicester place Prince Maurice of Nassau Leicesters faction in the Low-Countries Russell suspected Leicester auoids his aduersaries accusation The death of the Lord Neuill Baron of Abergauenny And the Duchesse of Somerset being very aged And Sir Ralph Sadler Also Sir Thomas Bromley The Earle of Rutland dyes And Sir Christopher Hatton is made Lord High Chancellor William Fitz-Williams Lord Deputie of Ireland for the same time The reason why it is a difficult thing to war against Jreland Booke 3. 1588. A wonderfull and admirable Yeere Great preparations are in hand in Spaine to assault and inuade England By what counsell The reason why They consult about the meanes how to assault and subdue England Preparation in Flanders Traytors hated The Popes assistance Preparation in England By Sea And Land Consultation for defence And concerning the Papists at home The King of Scotlands alacrity against the Spaniards Booke 3· Conference of peace in the meane time Commissioners sent to that end into Flanders Propositions of the English answered Complaint made vnto the Duke of Parma The conference breakes vp The Spanish Armada 28. Maij. Sets forth and is dispersed Sets out againe The English Nauy sets out The first fight The ability of the English Flees * Cantabrica Peter Valdes taken The Ship of Oquenda taken The English Admirals prouidence The third fight Knights created for their valours by the Right Honourable Charles Howard Earle of Notingham Lord High-Admirall Diuers Noble-men and Knights of England ioyne themselues with the English Fleet before Calais The Spanish Fleet lyes at anchor and rests betwixt Calais and Douer The Duke of Parma is sent for againe by the Spaniards He is vnprepared The good seruice of the Hollanders who hindred Parma from ioyning his Forces with the Spanish Nauy The Spaniards amazed fly confusedly Hugh Moncada slaine The fourth combate The Spaniards resolue to returne home by the North-Sea The Queene visits her Campe. Conditions offered vnto the King of Scots Money coyned in memory of this famous victory Tout ainsi coÌ„me l'on dit de Caesar IL EST VENV IL A VEV IL A VINCY on peu dire de mesme de L'espagnol auss que IL EST VENV IL A VEV mais qui pis est IL â—'EN EST ENFVY aulieu que Caesar estoit victorieux Misery of the Spaniards in Jreland Causes of the defeat The Spaniard takes patiently this ouerthrow Queene Elizabeth caused a generall thankes-giuing to God for it and publique reioycing in England Praysed those who were of the English Nauy The publike ioy is increased by the good newes which came out of Scotland The death of Robert Dudley Earle of Leicester His dignities and titles His disposition and manners Leicesters goods are sold Berghen ap Zoom besieged by the Duke of Parma Who raiseth the siege Innouations in England Martin Mar-Prelate and other scandalous Bookes Beginning of a great Rebellion in Jreland Ambassadour in Denmarke The Emperour of Russia most fauourable to the English