King should take the revenews of his land untill he was satisfied of such sommes of money as hee had received out of the Kings coffers for the payment of the garrison of Calice And he further sayd That the King commanded upon paine of his high displeasure that no man from thenceforth should presume to petition the King in behalfe of either of those Dukes to alter this Decree The sentence thus read the King called the exiles before him and tooke of them a solemne oath that they should never converse together nor willingly come into each others company lest common discontent should draw first reconcilement and after desire of revenge But this pollicie is ever weake to prevent such purposes for oathes are often spurnd aside when they lye like rubbeâ—… to stoppe the way to honour or revenge Therefore the Princes of the Realme have with more safetie for the most part abolished the use of abjuration and either by death extinguish the power or by pardon alter the will of great offendors from entring into desperate and dangerous attempts which men in miserie and disgrace with more vehemency begin and with more obstinacy continue When the Samnites had so enclosed the Roman Legions that they had neither space to fight nor meanes to flye and without fight had enforced them to yeeld they sent for advise to one Pontius an antient Ruler of their State what to doe with them His answer was that the Romans should bee permitted to depart without losse or derision But this not pleasing those that were either cruell or covetous Pontius was the second time consulted with whose answer then was That the Romans should bee generally slaughtered and not one spared This contrarietie of advise brought Pontius into suspition of dotage which he suspecting came in person and maintained both to be advantageous The first by an unexpected favour might provoke the Romans to a perpetuall friendship the second would deferre the warres for many yeares The third Counsell quoth he there cannot be given that may be fafely followed yes say the Samnites to grant them their lives but to take away their armes and bootie This is a way replies old Pontius which can neither win friends nor weaken enemies but may increase fury but not diminish force So that that course of punishment is out of course which doth neither reclaime the minde of man nor restraine the might from mischievous endevours The Duke of Norfolke with great griefe and perturbation of minde now â—…ving it to bee true that greatnesse abused by whispering untruthes draweth if discovered certaintie of destruction departed into Almaine and from thence travailed to Venice where shortly after hee ended his dayes It is observed that this Duke was banished the same day of the yeare wherein the Duke of Yorke by his contriving was strangled at Calice The Duke of Hereford tooke his leave of the King at Eltham where foure yeares of his exilement were strooke off The Dukes deportment was with that moderation that in his countenance he made shew neither of sorrow or stupiditie and at his departure let not fall any either intemperate or unseemely sillable The Commons much lamented his departure not sparing to exclaime that it was against the Law of armes the custome of the Realme and all Iustice that hee should bee exiled who had honourably endevoured to maintaine his appeale according to the law of the field Their affection was the more excessive by reason the ground of his speech was against those that the people hated and he was the only survivor of the popular faction The Duke of Hereford sayleth to Callice and from thence to Paris where hee was honourably received by the King of France and in short time found that favour with him that hee was offered for wife the only Daughter of Iohn Duke of Berry Vncle to the French King But the King of England upon notice thereof made such meanes that the Mariage was stopt Many things hapned this yeare which were interpreted to presage the revolt of the people which hapned the yeare following observation likewise was taken that when King Richard brought his first wife with him out of Beanne shee was no sooner on shore but such a tempest arose as the like thereof had not beene seene in many yeares before wherein many shippes and amongst them the ship the Queene came in was cast away The like storme and the like losse did betide when the King brought his second wife out of France Many prodigies are likewise storied to appeare about these times both strange and fearefull I dare not avouch them all to be true neither will I detract all truth from such things so antiently reported Many are perswaded that these things which are fatally allotted though they are unavoidable yet are they some times foreshowne not so much that we may prevent them as that we should prepare our selves against them About this time died Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster who was buried on the North side of the high Altar of the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul in London he was a man advised and wary liking better safe courses with reason then happy by hazzard neither unrespective nor ambitiously carefull of his owne glory Hee carried himselfe towards the King in termes honourable enough for a moderate Prince and yet not so plausible as an uncollected man might desire whereby nothing hapned unto him extraordinary either in prejudice or preferment This Iohn of Gaunt so named of the place where hee was borne fourth sonne of Edward the third did write in his stile Iohn sonne to the King of England Duke of Aquitaine and Lancaster Earle of Richmond of Darby Lincolne Leicester and high Constable of England hee married three Wives Blanch Daughter and coheire of Henry first Duke of Lancaster by whome hee had issue Henry afterwards King of England Philip married to Iohn King of Portugal Elizabeth married to Iohn Holland Duke of Exceter His second wife was Constance daughter and one of the Coheires of Peter King of Castile by whom he had issue Katherinâ—… married to Henry son of Iohn King of Spaine His third Wife was Katherine daughter of Payne Rurt King of armes and Widow of Sir Otes Swinford Knight by whom hee had issue Iohn Bewford Earle of Somerset and Marquesse Somerset Henry Bewford Bishop of Winchester Thomas Bewford Earle of Dorset and Duke of Exceter Ioane married to Ralph Nevill Earle of Chester and afterwards to Robert Ferrers Lord of Ousley all these Children though borne before espousall by a Bull from Rome were made legitimate hee lyeth buryed in Pauls After his death the Dutchy of Lancaster did lineally descend to his eldest sonne the Duke of Hereford But as the nature of man is prone to hate those whom hee hath injured the King seized all the lands and goods of the deceased Duke and endevoured to perpetuate the banishment of the young Duke revoked the Letters patents granted and consented unto
doings only the King was utterly undone Then was demanded of the Nobilitie and Commons of the Realme what they judged of the substance and truth of these Articles who all agreed that the crimes were notorious And that the King was worthy for the same to bee deposed from his Princely dignitie The Noble men partly corrupted by favour part awed by feare gave their voices And the Commons who commonly are like a flocke of Cranes as the first flye all followers did the like Commissioners are appointed by both houses who pronounced sentence of Deposition against King Richard in manner and forme as followeth In the name of God Amen Wee Iohn Bishop of Asaph Iohn Abbot of Glassenbury Thomas Earle of Glocester Thomas Lord Barkley Sir Thomas Erpingham and Sir Thomas Gray Knights and William Thirning Iustice Commissioners for the causes hereafter specified By the Lords Spirituall and temporall and the Commons of the Realme of England representing all the States of our Kingdome specially deputed sitting in place of judgement considering the manifold perjuries and cruelties and many other the crimes and offences by Richard late King of this Realme committed and done contrarie to good government in the Realmes and dominions aforesaid during the time of his raigne Also considering the Articles which were openly exhibited and read before the said States which were so publike notorious manifest and famous that they could nor can by any shift or cover be concealed or avoyded considering also the Confession of the sayd King acknowledging and reputing and truly upon his certaine knowledge judging himselfe to have beene and to bee altogether insufficient and unskilfull for the rule and government of the Realme and Dominions aforesaid and not unworthy to bee Deposed for the notorious demerits by the said Richard first acknowledged and after by his will and mandate before the said States published and to them opened and declared in the English tongue upon these and other matters which were done concerning the same businesse before the said States and us by the delegation place name and Authoritie to us in this part committed in pursuance whereof Wee pronounce decree and declare the said Richard to have beene and bee unprofitable unable and altogether unsufficient and unworthy for the rule and government of the said Realmes and in regard and respect of the premisses worthy to bee deposed from all kingly dignitie and honor if any such dignitie and honor remaineth in him And for the like cautele We do depose him by our sentence definitive in this Writing inhibiting from henceforth expresly all and singular Lords Archbishops Bishops Prelats Dukes Marquesses Earles Barons Knights Vassales and all other persons whatsoever of the said Realmes heretofore the subjects of the same and every of them that from henceforth none obey or intend to obey the said Richard as King or Lord of the Dominions aforesaid And afterwards the same Commissioners by the conseâ—…t and suffrage of both houses were constituted Procurators joyntly and severally for all the States of the Realme to resigne and surrender unto King Richard for them and all other homagers of the Realme all the homages and fealties which were both due and done unto him as King and Soveraigne And also to declare unto him all the premisses concerning his Deposition Now Henry Duke of Lancaster that hee might bee reputed or reported at the least not to attaine the kingdome by intrusion and wrong was counselled by his friends to pretend some lawfull challenge or claime thereunto And being in power it was no sooner advised what was to bee done but it was presently devised how to doe it So a Title was drawne from Edmond sonne to King Henry the third whom they nicknamed Crookbacke affirming that he was the eldest sonne of King Henry and that hee for his deformitie was put from his right of succession which was for that cause given to King Edward the first To this Edmond the Duke was next of blood by his mother Blanch sole Daugter and heire to Henry Duke of Lancaster and Sonne to the same Edmond This cunning conveyance was perceived by most but seeming not to perceive it was a point of friendship in some and of obedience in the rest Therefore the Crowne of England being supposed unpossessed both by the resignation and also by the deposition of King Richard Duke Henry arose from off his seate and standing in the most view of the assembly making the signe of the Crosse on his forehead and brest said as followeth In the name of God Amen I Henry of Lancaster claime as my right the Crowne and Realme of England with all the Dominions and appendices to the same as being lineally descended by the right of lyne from the blood Royall comming from that good Lord King Henry the third and through the right that God of his grace hath sent mee by his assistance and the helpe of my ready kindred and noble friends have adventured to recover the same which was in point of destruction for want of good government and orderly distribution of justice therein and therewith reseated himselfe Then was it demanded in both Houses upper and lower whether they did consent that the Duke should raigne over them who all with one voice accepted of him for their King Then the Archbishop of Canterbury tooke him by the hand and placed him in the Throne of estate the Archbishop of Yorke assisting him and all the Parliament testifying their owne joy and wishing his Then the Archbishop of Canterbury upon this place of Scripture 1 Reg. 9. 17. See this is the man whom I spake to thee of this same shall raigne over my people did make a paraphrasticall exposition which ended the Duke was generally proclaimed King by the name of Henry the Fourth King of England and France Lord of Ireland The Common people voide of cares not searching into sequels but without difference of right or wrong inclinable to follow the mightie with showtes and clâ—…mours gave their applause not all upon judgement or faithfull meaning but only upon received custome at first to flatter the Prince whatsoever hee bee But lest the humour thereof should allay by delay it was forthwith Proclaimed that upon the thirteenth of September next ensuing the Coronation of the King should be celebrated at Westminster These matters being thus dispatched the proclaimed King rose from his Seate and went to Whitehall where hee feasted the Assembly royally yet hee made no show of statelinesse or pride or change of deportment in this so great change of fortune Vpon Wednesday following the before-remembred Procurators went to the deposed King to the Tower and declared to him the admission of his resignation and the manner of his Deposition and in the name of the States of the Realme did surrender backe the Homage and Fealtie formerly due unto him with this attestation that no man from thenceforth would beare unto him faith and allegeance as due to a King The
his teeth with haire on his head and nayles on his fingers and toes with a viperous strength enforcing as it were his passage through his mothers wombe whom afterwards he shamed not to accuse of adultery but as one that then wrought journy-worke with the Divell his manners and qualities seconded the feature and lineaments of his body and members which were much deformed being hooke shouldred splay footed and goggle eyd his countenance sower the composure of his face little and round his complexion swarfie his left arme from his birth drye and and withered Nature supplied these deformities of the body with a strong brayne a quicke apprehension a good memory and a most fluent tongue which he seldome exercised but to the abuse of credulitie And with the sweetnesse of his delivery hee could so prevaile with such whom he ment to worke upon that he would ofentimes as it were infatuate them and enforce their beliefe of his oathes and protestations which were by Saint Paul and wishing God to damne him if hee did not performe his word which at the time of the speaking was no part of his thought sometimes against the hearers knowledge and conscience hee was neither morally honest nor religiously good He usd to make authority the stawking horse to his will and his will the sole commander of his conscience the largenesse whereof could without any scruple swallow murther of brother Nephewes wife and neerest friends nay attempt rape and incest with his owne brothers daughter yet did with artificiall dissimulation so cover his dishonest and abhominable intentions that not many could discover them Who or whatsoever opposed his aspiring pride or profitable pleasure was by his plotting cunningly and covertly taken away or removed Hee was so throughly perfect in the Hypocriticall art of simulation and dissimulation that hee would use most complement and shew greatest signes of love and courtesie to him in the morning whose throat he had taken order to be cut that evening He held it for a maxime in policy that halfe doing in any thing was worse then no doing And therefore whatsoever he once attempted hee went through with it howsoever it seemed to others unnaturall and unchristian He used the instruments of his bloudy plottes as men doe their Candles burne the first out to a snuffe and then having lighted another tread that under foote yet howsoever his birth were proaigious and life monstrous yet his death was not dishonorable For though his cause were bad he fought bravely and dyed fighting leaving behind an ample testimony of his great valour and little grace with the end of his raigne by the sword which he had used for the moving of civill dissention betwixt the two houses of Yorke and Lancaster which had beene so long drawne and so often bathed in the blood of Christians was happily sheathed And the passage to concord prepared whilst this poore Island that had beene imbroyled with warre and her companions had leasure to call to minde the many murthers stratagemes slaughters overthrowes and calamities which through their unnaturall division of the two Roses she had sustained and thereby she found that from the time that Richard Duke of Yorke who was slaine in the battaile at Wakefield seeking to anticipate the time allotted unto him by authoritie of the Parliament whereby the Crowne was entayled to him and his issue to gaine the possession thereof and from whence all those praerecited miseries did proceed untill the death of the usurper there were slaine fourescore Princes of the blood royall and twice as many natives of England as were lost in the two conquests of France The dissension that fell was betwixt the house of Yorke descended from Lionel borne at Antwerpe Duke of Clarence second sonne of Edward the third and the house of Lancaster issued from Iohn of Gaunt the third surviving but otherwise fourth sonne of the same King the first giving for his cognizance the white Rose the other the Red. Lionell Duke of Clarence married to his first wife Elizabeth daughter heire of William Burgh Earle of Vlster and to his second wife Violenta of Galens Viscount of Mislaine by his first wife he had issue Philip sole only childe which Philip was married to Edmond Mortimer Earle of March and Vlster who had issue by her 1 Roger March the fourth Earle of March 2 Sir Edmond Mortymer that married the daughter of Owen Glendore 3 Sir Iohn Mortymer beheaded 3. H. 6. 1 Elizabeth married to the Lord Percy stiled Hotspur Philip first married to Iohn Hastings Earle of Pembrook and afterward to Richard Earle of Arundel and lastly to Iohn Lord Saint-Iohn dyed without issue Roger the fourth Earle of March 1387. nominated by King Richard the second successor to the Kingdome of England who married Elianor daughter of Thomas Holland Earle of Kent by whom he had issue two sonnes and two daughters 1 Edmond his eldest sonne who succeeded him in the Earldome 2 Roger died leaving his father 1 Anne who was married to Richard Earle of Cambridge sonne of Edmond of Langley Duke of Yorke 2 Elianor married to Edward Courtney Earle of Devonshire Richard of Conisborough married Anne sister and heire of Edmond Mortymer and had issue Richard Duke of Yorke This Richard was the first mover of the faction against the the house of Lancaster the bearer of the red rose He married Ciceley the daughter of Ralph Nevill first Earle of Westmerland and had issue 1 Henry that dyed before his Father 2 Edward of that name the fourth King of England 3 Edmond Earle of Rutland slaine at Wakefield by the Lord Clifford 4 Iohn that all dyed young 5 William and 6 Thomas 7 George Duke of Clarence murdered as afore 1 Anne the eldest daughter was first married to Henry Holland Duke of Exceter and after to Sir Thomas Sayntleoger 2 Elizabeth married to Iohn de la poole Duke of Suffolke 3 Margaret married to Charles Duke of Burgundy 4 Vrsula never married and thus was the title of Yorke derived Iohn of Gaunt so named of the place where he was borne fourth sonne of King Edward the third married three wives the first 1 Blaunch daughter and coheire of Henry first Duke of Lancaster by whom he had issue 1 Henry Plantagenet borne at Bullingbrooke 1 Philip married to Iohn King of Portingall and 2 Elizabeth married to Iohn Duke of Exceter 2 The second wife was Constance daughter and one of the Coheires of Peter king of Castile by whom he had issue Katherine afterward married to Henry sonne of Iohn the King of Spaine 3 His third wife was Katherine daughter of Payne Ruet aliàs Guyen King of armes and the relict of Sir Otes Swinford knight by whom hee had issue but before marriage 1 Iohn surnamed Beauford Earle of Somerset 2 Henry Bishop of Winchester 3 Thomas Branford Earle of Dorset 1 Iohan Branford first married to Ralph Nevill first Earle of Westmerland and then to Robert Ferrers Lord of Ousley This
five thousand men William Harbert Earle of Penbrooke Sir Richard Herbert and eight Knights more are taken and beheaded at Banbury The Earle Rivers and Sir John his Sonne are beheaded at Northamton The Earle of Worcester John Tiptoft at London The Lord Willoughby at Doncaster The Lord Stafford at Bridgewater The Lord Wells and Sir Robert Dymocke were beheaded in the march but uncertaine where Neere Stamfort in Lincolnshire was a Batraile fought the first of October wherein were slaine ten thousand men but no men of note but Sir Robert Wells and Sir Thomas de land those that were put to flight for their more ease to escape cast away their coates whereupon it was called Losecoate field Vpon the fourteenth day of Aprill being Easter day upon a Plaine talled Gladmore Heath betweene Barnet and Saint Albones The Earles of Warwicke Oxford and the Marquesse Mountacute Commanders in chiefe on behalfe of Henry the sixt against Edward the fourth there was a terrible battell fought wherein were slaine ten thousand three hundred men amongst whom were the Earle of Warwicke the Marquesse Mountacute the Lord Cromwell the Lord Say the Lord Mountjoy Sir Henry Bourchier Sir William Terrill Vpon the fourth of May being Saterday Prince Edward with his Mother Queene Margaret to redeeme Henry the sixt gave battaile to King Edward wherein Queene Margaret was taken Prisoner and Prince Edward was slaine in cold blood There were slaine at this incounter John Somerset Marquesse Dorset Thomas Courtney Earle of Devon Thomas Lord Wenlake Sir Joâ—… Delves Sir Edward Hampden Sir Robert Whittingham Sir John Lewkner and three thousand others Edmond Duke of Somerset John Lonstrother Lord Prior of Saint Johns Sir Thomas Tresham Sir Jervoys Clifton Sir Richard Vaux Sir William Harvye Sir Thomas Fielding Sir Robert Lewknor Sir Thomas Lirmoth Sir William Vrman Sir John Seymor Sir Thomas Roose Sir Thomas Fitzhony Sir Robet Flamden were taken and executed in Tewkesbury the one day and Sir Humphry Audley Sir William Crymby Sir William Cary. Sir William Newbourgh were likewise with Henry Tresham VValter Courtney Iohn Flory Lewis Miles Robert Iackson Jame's Gower Iames Delves heire of Sir Iohn Delves beheaded there the next day This was the last battell that was fought in the dayes of King Edward the fourth but not all the bloodshed about this quarrell For at London by the treason of Bastard Fauconbridge there were seven hundred and eighty of his partakers and three hundred and twelve Citizens Londoners slaine Vpon Redmore Downe neere Bosworth in Leicestershire on the twentie two of August was the twelfth set Battaile in this unkind quarrell fought wherein King Richard the Vsurper was slaine and with him on his part John Duke of Norfolke Walter Lord Ferrers Sir Richard Radcliffe and Sir Robert Brackenbury with foure thousand and eight And on Richmonds side Sir William Brandon and 180. with him After this Battell there was a conjunction of the so long severed Rose branches Neverthelesse the enemy to Englands quiet would not suffer the gate of concord to stand quite open but raised up Impostors and counterfeits to interrupt the same But since the cause of the dissention by the Vnion of the Red and White in Henry the seventh and the Lady Elizabeth their so happy enter-marriage was taken away what occasion of expence of blood did after fall out within the Realme ought under favour bee it delivered rather to bee imputed to the effect of treasonable machinations then to any just occasion of the Roses Title And therefore I purposely omit to intermix the number of those that were slaine since Bosworth field amongst those that are to bee reckoned up in the generall slaughter in the twelve Battells and the occasions of expence of blood intervening by skirmishes and accidentall meanes and content my selfe with the only recapitulation of the severall numbers of Kings Princes Dukes Marquesses Earles Barons Vicounts Bishops Mitred Prelates Knights Esquires Gentlemen and private souldiers That during the rage of these civill warres which followed that breach of the due course of succession attempted by the intrusion of Henry the fourth fell under the alternate fortunes of the Victors sword untill that ever to bee blessed reuniting the two houses of Lancaster and Yorke whereby righteousnesse and Peace did kisse each other and Mercy and Truth which I pray God ever to continue established the Crowne of England in an hopefull and happy descending Line And as Henry the seventh conjoyned the Roses so hath King James of ever-blessed memory united the predivided kingdomes of England and Scotland espousing their Vnion to our Soveraine Lord King Charles to Gods glory the Churches good and his Subjects great comfort HENRY the Roses IAMES the Kingdomes knit And CHARLES of both partakes the benefit Oh! thou of Iesse flower of Iudah Lyon In his dominion plant the peace of Syon And never let hearts quiet follow those That shall the holding of this Knot oppose But let thy best of blessings wait on them That zealously shall guard his Diadem The totall of private souldiers that perished in the time of these civill warres and suffered the punishment of immature death for taking part on the one side or the other is Fourscore foure thousand nine hundred and ninetie eight persons besides Kings two Prince one Dukes tenne Marquesses two Earles one and twentie Lords twentie seven Vicounts two Lord Pryor one Iudge one Knights one hundred thirty nine Esquires foure hundred forty one The number of the Gentrie is every way so uncertainly reported that if I should endevour to set downe a generall of what is particularly related I should but give occasion of further question then I am willing should bee moved for a thing of so little moment and therefore willingly omit it And the rather for that they are for the most part included in the number of the private souldiers as aforesaid set downe to bee slaine to which but adde the number of six hundred thirty and eight the totall of all the persons of eminencie not therein accounted and then there appeareth in all to have beene slaine Fourescore five thousand six hundred twenty and eight Christians and most of them of this Nation not to bee repeated without griefe nor remembred without deprecation that the like may never happen more Pax una triumphis innumeris potior FINIS An. 1377. R. 1. Ann. 1378 R. 3. Anno. Dom. 1376. R. 2. An. 1380. R. 2. Anno 1381. R. 3. The Earle of Warwicke made sole Tutour to the King Scroop Lord Chancellor removed Ann. 1381 R. 3. Ann. D. 1382 R. 4. An. 1382. R. 4. In 〈◊〉 celebratione deprâ—…ersum Digito â—…abijs admoto c. Ann. 1382 R. 5. The Maior slayeth Wat Tyler Perditus pernitiosus praesbyter The Lord chiefe Iustice slaine by rebells The Bishop of Norwich suppresseth the rebells in Norfolke Cambridge spoyled by the rebells Ann D. 1382 R. 5. Anno. Dom. 1384. R. 6. An.
hold of the opportunitie the Kings absence presents unto us For in enterprizes which never are commended before atchieved delayes are dangerous And safer it is to bee found in open action then private Counsell For they that deliberate only to rebell have rebelled already Hereupon the Confederates returne for England to provide armes and prepare necessaries against the Dukes arrivall who presently acquaints the King of France that hee intended to goe to visit his kinsman Iohn Duke of Britaine and obtained from him Letters of safe conduct there hee waged some souldiers with whom from Callice he made for England giving forth at his comming aborde that hee only endevoured to regaine the Dutchy of Lancaster and the rest of his lawfull inheritance which King Richard wrongfully detained from him with him came Arundel Archbishop of Canterbury and Thomas heire to Richard late Earle of Arundel the residue of his retinue exceeded not twenty launces so that it is hard to judge whether was the greater marvaile either that hee durst attempt or that hee did prevaile with so small a company But his confidence was in the favour and assistance of the people in the Realme Hee for a time did beare up for England but not in a straight course but hulling about the shore making show to land sometimes on one coast sometimes on another thereby to discover what forces were in readinesse either to receive or resist him In the meane time Edmond Duke of Yorke the Kings Vncle and Vicegerent having intelligence of the Duke of Herefords designe Convoked Stafford Bishop of Chichester Lord Chancelor William Scroope Earle of Wiltshire the Lord Treasurer Sir Iohn Bushy Sir Henry Greene Sir William Bagot Sir Iohn Russell and others of the Kings privy Councell and entred into Counsell what was best to be done Where it was concluded deceitfully by some unskilfully by others and by all pernitiously for King Richard to quit the Sea coasts to leave London and to make the randevow at Saint Albones to gather forces to oppose the Duke who was lately landed about the Feast of Saint Martine without any resistance or rub at Ravenspur in Holdernesse whose side was by nothing more advantaged then by that dissembling and deceitfull deliberation of the Kings Councell upon his arrivall Henry Piercy Earle of Northumberland and Henry surnamed Hotspur his sonne the Earle of Westmerland the Lords Nevill Rosse and Willoughby and many other personages of honour came unto him whose accession both increased reputation to their cause and was a great countenance and strength to the Dukes further purposes But first they tooke an oath of him that hee should neither procure nor permit any bodily harme to bee done to King Richard and thereupon they pawnd to the Duke of Hereford their honours to joyne with him in all extremitie to prosecute the Kings mischievous Councellors The Common-people desperate upon new desires head and headlong flocked to these Noblemen The better sort for love to the Common-wealth some upon lenitie and itching desire of change others to repayre their distressed and decayed estates who all setting up their rests upon a generall disturbance were in conceit then most safe when the common state was most unsure So betweene the one and the other the number in short time increased to thirty thousand able souldiers The Duke finding successe to favour him not only beyond expectation but even above his wish Hee followed the chanell whilst the current went strong and cutting off unnecessary delayes with all celeritie he hasted to London that possessing himselfe thereof being the chiefe place within the kingdome for strength and store hee might best there make the seat of Warre and be easiest accommodated with provision and amunition In this expedition no opposition was seene nor hostilitie showne but in his passage the Gentlemen of best ranke and qualitie joyned themselves unto him som for affection others for feare but most in hope of reward after victorie every one though upon causes dislike yet with like ardent desire contending lest any should seeme more forward then they In every place also where hee made stay rich gifts and pleasant devises were presented unto him with large supply of necessaries farre above his necessitie The common people with showtes and acclamations gave their applause extolling the Duke as the only man of courage saluting him King with contumelious termes depraving Richard as a simple and sluggish man a dastard a niddie and altogether unworthy to beare rule without rule rayling at the one and without reason flattering the other The Duke was no niggard of his complement nor negligent of popular behaviour knowing the common people are much delighted with affable gestures accounting that for courtesie which the severer sort reckon abasement At London hee was richly and royally entertained with Processions and Pageants and many triumphant devises and showes and the unable multitude who otherwise could not by their words wishes and wills did testifie their loving affection towards him At which time there appeared not any memory of faith or allegiance to King Richard But as in sedition it alwayes appeareth as the most swayd all went The Duke of Yorke was mustering at Saint Albones for the King But as the people out of divers Countries were drawne thither many of them protested that they would doe nothing to the prejudice of the Duke of Lancaster who they affirmed was unjustly expelled his Country and unlawfully kept from his inheritance Then the Earle of Wiltshire Sir Iohn Bushy Sir William Bagot and Sir Henry Greene forsooke the Duke of Yorke and fled to Bristol intending to passe the Seas iâ—…o Ireland to the King These foure were they that were supposed to have taken of the King his kingdome to farme and therefore were so odious to the people that their presence turned away many of the Subjects hearts Nay it is probable that more for displeasure taken against them then against the King the revolt was enterprised For they being the only men of credit and authoritie with the King under false cover of obedience they wholly governed both the Realme and him abusing his name either against his will or without his knowledge insomuch that hee was cleerely innocent of many things which passed under his Commandement But the people could not indure that two or three should rule all not because they were not sufficient but because they were in favour and they distasted the King in that hee permitted them whom hee might have bridled or to runne without respect at least for that hee was ignorant of that hee should have knowne and by conniving at their faults made them his owne and opened thereby the gappe to his destruction For it is as dangerous to a Prince to have hurtfull hatefull Officers in eminent places as to bee hurtfull and hatefull to himselfe The Duke of Yorke either amazed at the sudden change or fearing his adventure if hee should proceed to resistance gave over the cause and
King answered that hee little regarded titular circumstances but contented himselfe with hope that his Cousin would bee a gratious Lord and good friend unto him and accordingly upon the day appointed which was upon the day of the translation of King Edward the Confessour the Duke of Hereford with all accustomed Ceremonies was by the Archbishop of Canterbury sacred and annointed and Crowned upon the very same day that the yeare before hee had beene banished the Realme Hee was annointed with an oyle which a religious man had given to Henry the first Duke of Lancaster grandfather to the King by the Mothers side when hee served in the warres of King Edward the third in France together with this Prophesie that those Kings which should bee annointed therewith at their Coronation should bee the Champions of the Church Duke Henry delivered this Oyle in a golden Violl to Prince Edward eldest Sonne of King Edward the third who locked up the same in a barred Chest in the Tower with a ticket of the prediction with intent to bee therewith at his Coronation annoynted But hee dying before his Father it remained there either not remembred or not regarded untill this present yeare wherein the King being on his voyage into Ireland and making diligent search for the Iewells and Relickes of his Progenitors found this Violl and Prophesie And understanding the mistery thereof was desirous to bee annoynted againe with that oyle But the Archbishop of Canterbury perswaded him that both the fact was unlawfull and the president never seene that a King should be annointed twice Whereupon the King tooke the Violl with him into Ireland and when he yeelded himselfe at Flint The Archbishop of Canterbury demanded it of him and receiving it reserved the same untill the Coronation of Henry the fourth who was the first King that ever was annoynted therewith To discourse either of the authoritie or certaintie of these Prophesies I presume not but this is observed many of them faile or are fulfilled in another sense then as they are ordinarily conceived and taken During the time of this Kings raigne execution by fire was first put in practise within this Realme for Controversies in point of religion in any other matter hee did make the Church as much Champane as show himselfe Champion of the Church But afterwards his successors were entituled Defenders of the Faith And how in action the first receiver of that Title did verifie the same I referre to the report of those times Vpon mature consideration it was found that the title derived from Edmond surnamed Crouchbacke to Henry would upon examination appeare but a jeere for that the said Edmond was neither eldest Sonne to Henry the third nor yet a deformed person but a proper Gentleman and a brave Commander in the field and so respected of his Father that hee gave him both the heritage and honours of Simon Mumford Earle of Leicester of Ferrare Earle of Darby and of Iohn Baron of Monmoth who to their owne ruine had displayed seditious ensignes against the King under which Leicester was slaine at the battaile of Euesham and to engratiate him to Blaunch the Queene of Navarre hee first Created him Earle of Lancaster and gave unto him the Countie Castle and towne of Lancaster with the Forrests of Wiresdale Lonsdale Newcastle beneath the Linne the Mannor Castle and Forrests of Pickering the Mannor of Scalby the Towne of Glocester of Huntingdon c. and made him high Steward of England with many priviledges and other titles of Honour Therefore King Henry upon the day of his Coronation caused to bee Proclaimed that hee claimed the Crowne of England first by right of Conquest Secondly because King Richard had resigned his estate and designed him for his Successor Lastly because he was of the blood royall and next heire male to King Richard Haeres malus indeed cryed Edmond Mortimer Earle of March to some of his familiars and so is a Pirat to a Merchant when hee dispoyleth him of all that ever hee hath This Edmond Earle of March was Sonne to Roger not long before slaine in Ireland and had beene publickly declared heire to the Crowne in case King Richard should have died without issue as descended by his Mother Philip from Lionel Duke of Clarence who was elder Brother to Iohn Duke of Lancaster King Henryes Father and therefore the said Edmond thought himselfe as in truth he was neerer heire Male to succession of the Crowne Then hee that by colour of right clayming it carried it by dint of force But the condition of the time was such that hee supposed it was in vaine for him to stirre where King Richard could not stand whereupon he dissembled either that hee saw his wrong or that hee regarded it and chose rather to suppresse his Title for a time then by untimely opposing himselfe to have it oppressed and depressed for ever he withdrew himselfe therefore from London to his Lordship of Wigmore in the West parts of this Realme and there settled himselfe to a quiet and retired life hee counted it a point of wisdome to meddle with nothing whereof any man was chargeable to render account in revenewes he was not great in apparell moderate in company and traine not excessive yet in all these honourable and according to his degree so that they that esteemed men by the outward apparance only could see in him no great show of witte or courage to be feared or of wealth or honour in his estate to bee envied And thus whilst that a greater enemie was feared hee passed unregarded making himselfe safe by contempt where nothing was so dangerous as popular opinion and raked up those coles in securitie for a time which afterward set all the Realme on fire King Richard being now deposed was sent after his resignation to Leeds in Kent but afterwards to Pomfret Castle where wee leave him THE LIFE AND RAIGNE OF KING HENRY THE FOVRTH HENRY surnamed Bullingbrooke Duke of Hereford and Sonne of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster fourth Sonne of King Edward the third beginning his Raigne the 29. of September 1399. presently after his Coronation Created his eldest Sonne Lord Henry being about thirteene yeares of age Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester and soone after Duke of Aquitaine hee made also many new officers his second Sonne Thomas he made Lord high Steward of England appointing the Earle of Worcester his Assistant during the minoritie of the said Thomas the Earle of Northumberland Lord high Constable the Earle of Westmerland Marshall of England He was Crowned at Westminster the thirteenth of October following being Munday the day kept in cōmemoration of St. Edward the Confessor The Dukes of Yorke Surrey Albemarle with the Earle of Glocester bare the Canopie over him which office the Barons of the Cinqueports doe at this day execute Sir Thomas Dymock was Champion and armed cap-a-pe road about the Hall challenging any that should gainsay the Kings
inflicted on any only the Earle of Sarum and the Lord Morley who had beene in especiall grace with King Richard These two were committed but at the intercession of their friends they were quickly released the rest but especially the Duke of Aumerle and the Duke of Exceter the Governour of Callice hee received freely to favour Aumerle was Cousin german to both Kings Exceter halfe Brother to King Richard and Brother-in-law to King Henry as having espoused his Sister the Lady Elizabeth The greatest crime they could enforce against them was their being firme to King Richard because they did not only stomacke his dejection but stirre more then others and assay to raise forces on his behalfe The Dukes confessed the first accusation affirming they were unfortunately faithfull to King Richard but as they that are once false prove seldome after firmely sound so they that have approved themselves true to one Prince may bee the better trusted by another The King did rather admit this as a defence then remit it as a fault affirming that such examples were not to bee misliked of Princes and did afterwards by curtesie and liberalitie endevour to make them firme and faithfull unto him This fact was diversly interpreted according to mens severall dispositions some admiring the Kings moderation others disallowing his confidence And though these meanes have to that purpose prevailed with some yet the common course may move us to conjecture that there is small assurance to bee had in reconciled enemies whose affections for the most part are like to glasse which being once crackt will never bee otherwise then crazed and ever unsound During this time of Parliament held at Westminster the Archbishop had convoked a Synod which was held in Pauls Church to whom the King sent the Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland who declared to the Clergie that they were not sent to them from the King to require any moneys from them but to acquaint them with the Kings resolution which was to confirme all their priviledges and immunities unto them and to joyne with them as they should desire him in the punishment of all hereticks and opposites to their religion received for which so doing hee craved but their supplications to God for the safetie of him and his posteritie and prosperitie of the kingdome which was by all there present religiously promised Now to palliate all prejudice and hard opinion which other Princes might happily conceive of these his proceedings Hee dispatched Embassadours to divers his bordering neighbours intimating to them respectively both by what Title and whose favour hee had obtained the Kingdome To Rome he sent the Bishop of Hereford Sir Iohn Cheney Knight and Iohn Cheney Esquire to France the Bishop of Durham and the Earle of Worcester into Spaine the Bishop of Saint Asaphs and Sir William Par into Almaine the Bishop of Bangor and others most of these Princes as in a matter which little concerned them either in point of honour or hatred seemed to take no notice of what was done or were easily perswaded that all was done well But Charles of France was so disquieted with this dishonourable dealing with his Son-in-law that his passion upon the first relation thereof put him into his old fit of phrenzie but recovered thereof hee provided for to revenge the injury Many of the Nobilitie of France were forward to set a foot this enterprise but especially the Earle of Saint Paul who had married King Richards halfe Sister so that defiance is sent and on both sides preparation for warre is made These novelties much animated the Aquitains being under the English command some were grieved at the infamous blemish of disloyaltie which was cast upon the Nation others feared their being made a prey to the tyrannie of the French against whom they had cause to suspect that England being distracted by civill factions either would not attend or could not bee able to beare them out But the Burdisians were principally perplexed with King Richards wrongs because hee was borne and bred in their Citie The Frenchmen generally were nothing displeased at this discontentment of the Aquitanes supposing that opportunitie was now offered to regaine the possession of the Dutchy of Guian if either power or pollicie were seasonably applied Hereupon Lewis Duke of Burbon came downe to Angiers who from thence solicited the chiefe Townes of Guyan by faire speeches and large promises to change their allegiance but the Lieutenant there Sir Robert Knowles withall diligence industry laboured to suppresse the mutinous to stay the doubtfull to confirme the good and to retaine all in due obedience and order But hee prevailed very little his armie being but weake and the people stiffenecked Neither did Burbon much prevaile due consideration being had how heavy the yoke of France was above the subjection of the English having beene well acquainted with the tributes and taxes wherewith the Frenchmen were usually taxed who had in every Country assigned Lieutenants and Treasurers the one to draw the blood the other the substance of the slavish-made subjects whose cruelty and covetousnesse laid hold without exceptions of all the one tormenting by force the other by law Thus like a ship that the tyde driveth one way and the wind another betwixt obedience and revolt stood the Aquitanes they were willing enough to displease the English but most unwilling to indanger or undoe themselves by adhering to the French upon advertisement whereof the Earle of Worcester with a Company of able and willing souldiers is sent into Guyan who not by unseasonable exprobrating their fault but by reason convincing it partly by his wisdome and credit and partly by his authoritie and power so terrified the wavering multitude that he won them to his opinion and kept their allegeance The graver sort with respect of dutie and faith the rest with regard of feare and danger Then hee tooke their oathes for obedience unto King Henry and planted garrisons in places of import without molestation if they remained dutifull and yet of force sufficient to keepe them under if they should attempt to rebell and then returned to England there showing a faire example of moderation in seeming rather to have found then made the Aquitanes dutifull Subjects This stirre no sooner stinted when another more desperately dangerous did arise For divers who had dissembled or did repent the furtherance they had used to the advancement of King Henry conspired to compasse his destruction whether for favour to King Richard as the nature of man is to behold sudden miseries with the eyes of pitie or for envie to King Henry as commonly wee can endure excessive fortune no where so little as in those that have beene in equall degree with our selves or whether upon distaste received in the late Parliament or in disdaine to see others goe before them in the Princes favour it is uncertaine many sought to revenge their unjust anger with revolting There was in those times an Abbot
Saint Albones and Waltham without presence of the Nobilitie or confluence of the Commons and without the expence of a dinner after the celebrating of the Funerall But Henrie the fift caused his body to bee taken up and removed to Westminster and there interred amongst the Ancestors with Queene Anne his first wife in expiation of his Fathers violent and unfaithfull dealing it was not amisse in regard of the Common-wealth that hee was dead yet they who were actors in his death had small reason to reckon it among their good deeds These accidents attend such Princes as being absolute in power will bee too resolute in will and dissolute in life Humphry the Sonne and heire of the Duke of Glocester in his returne out of Ireland where King Richard had left him prisoner dyed of the plague at Chester the newes whereof kild the Dutchesse his Mother about this time dyed Thomas Mowbray the exiled Duke of Norfolke who had outlived his honour hee married two wives both named Elizabeth the first the Daughter of the Lord Strange who dyed without issue the second Sister and coheire of Thomas Fitzâ—…llayne Earle of Arundel by whom hee had issue Thomas and Iohn Margaret and Isabell. In this yeare also deceased Iohn Duke of Britaine who had taken a Wife Mary Daughter to King Edward the third but by her hee had no issue Also this yeare dyed Edmond Duke of Yorke surnamed of Langley the first sonne of Edward the third his reputation hee kept unblemished and honour untainted hee was not carelesse of good fame nor greedy of greatnesse wary and circumspect in his behaviour not desirous of other mens wealth nor too parcimonious of his owne hee did not by obstinate opposing himselfe against the torrâ—… of the time rashly hazard his fame or fall but by moderation attained safely that degree of praise which others aspiring unto by desperate courses wonne an ambitious death without further profit Hee married two Wives the first was Isabell second Daughter and coheire of Peter King of Castile by whom hee had issue Edward Duke of Albemarle Richard Earle of Cambridge and Constance first married to Thomas Spencer Earle of Glocester and afterwards to Thomas Holland Earle of Kent his second Wife was Ioane Daughter of Thomas Holland Earle of Kent and Sister and coheire of Edmond Earle of Kent but by her had no issue King Charles though Lucidus per intervalla yet sensible of dishonour moved with his Daughters disgrace made preparation to invade England and brought downe his Army into Piccardy but upon the certaine relation of King Richards death hee gave over the enterprise and sent over Embassadours into England to treate or rather intreate that his Daughter with her Dowry might bee restored to him againe King Henry gave them audience and answer that hee would speed Commissioners to Callice to commune and conclude with them both of this and other waighty affaires concerning both the Realmes whither hee sent Edward Duke of Yorke and Henry Earle of Northumberland The French King sent the Duke of Burbon and certaine others to Bulloigne These Commissioners often met sometimes at one place some-times at the other The Frenchmen instantly required their Kings Daughter to bee restored without the doing whereof they had no order to treat of any thing The Englishmen made a proffer to have a match betwixt Prince Henry and the Lady alleaging that there was no disparagement of birth nor disparitie of yeares betwixt them but thereto they would give no consent neither would they agree to the proposition of a perpetuall amitie But in the end it was concluded that Queene Isabell should bee redelivered to her Father but sauns Dowry because the marriage betwixt her and King Richard was never consummate by reason whereof she was not Dowable upon the Treatie of the marriage the surcease from Armes was agreed upon in King Richards dayes for thirtie yeares which was now mutually confirmed for the terme of these yeares unexpected Shortly after King Henry sent the Lady Isabella under the conduct of Thomas Lord Piercy Earle of Worcester in royall estate to Callice being accompanied with a brave troope of honourable Personages of both sexes shee carried with her all the Iewells and Plate which she brought into England with a great surplusage of rich gifts bestowed upon her by the King At Callice shee was received by Valerian Earle of Saint Paul Lieutenant in Picardy and by him conducted to her Father who afterwards gave her in marriage to Charles sonne to Lewis Duke of Orleans and so was rest or rather respite of warre in France procured But the fire and fury of the late sedition was hardly quenched when the Welchmen upon advantage of the doubtfull and unsettled estate of King Henry brake forth into a defection before the King could either lay the groundworke of his Authority or the people frame themselves to a new obedience and having beene taught that common causes must bee maintained by concord they sought by assemblies to establish an association and to set up their owne principalitie againe They Created for their Prince Owen Glendor a fellow of a turbulent spirit and factious disposition and apt to stirre up sedition and strife and though hee was of no great estate by birth he was stout in stomacke of an aspiring spirit and wit somewhat above the ordinary ranke of those untrained people bold crafty agile and as hee liâ—…t to bend his minde mischievous or industrious in equall degree in desires immoderate and rashly adventurous more desirous to doe then circumspect what to doe in his younger yeares hee was a student at the Innes of Court at London and being incensed by a verdict given against him for tithe of land betwixt him and the Lord Gray of Ruthin and by nature being a man not of the mildest disposition by this provocation hee was made savage and rough and determined either to repaire or revenge his losse by setting the whole State on fire Also his expences had beene too excessive for a great man to continue which brought him to barenesse too base for a meane man to endure and therefore hee was necessitated to doe or dare something more then ordinary And more danger hee thought there was in orderly dealing then in hazarding rashly and now opportunitie is presented for troublesome times are most fit for such attempts And some likelihood there was whilst the King and his Nobles were at variance that harme might bee easily wrought to them both upon these causes his desires were founded and upon these troubles his hopes But that his ambitious humour might beare some pretext of honest meaning hee pretended to his Countrymen the recovery of their freedome the desire whereof is so naturally pleasing That birds will rather live hardly abroad in the cold fields then bee daintily dieted in a warme cage and that now occasion was fitly offered or else never to bee expected to ridde them of their servilitie falsly entituled peace whilst the Kings
to Dowglasse Earle George not being used to bee confronted or sit downe with disgrace could hardly enforce his patience to endure this scorne And first hee demanded restitution of his money not so much for desire to have it as to picke an occasion to breake his Allegeance The King refused to make payment or give promise but deluded him with frivolous delayes whereupon with his family hee fled to the Earle of Northumberland intending by disloyaltie to revenge the indignitie and to repaire his losses by his enemies ruine if possible the English with wide and open armes imbrace the opportunitie with whose helpe and assistance the Earle made divers incursions into Scotland where hee burnt many Townes and slew much people enriching himselfe with booty and spoyle King Robert depriveth the Earle of his honour seizeth all his lands and possessions and writes to King Henry that as hee would have the truce betwixt them longer to continue either to deliver unto him the Earle of March and his adherents or else to banish them the Realme King Henry perceiving that these warres arising had almost put the peace out of joynt was determined not to lose the benefit of the discontented subjects of his adversarie whereupon he returned answer to the Herald of Scotland that hee was neither weary of peace nor fearefull of warre and ready as occasion should change either to hold the one or hazard the other But the word of a Prince was or ought to bee of great waight And therefore sith he had granted unto the Earle of March his safe conduct it were a great impeachment to his honour without just cause to violate the same Hereupon the King of Scots did presently proclaime open warre against the King of England who thought it pollicie rather to begin the war in the enemies countrey then to expect it in his own because that land which is the seat of warre doth commonly furnish both sides with necessary supplies the friend by contribution the enemy by spoyle sending certaine troopes of horsemen before him both to espie and to induce an uncertaine terror upon the enemy hee entred into Scotland with a puissant army and with fire and sword proceeded sparing nor Castle Towne or Citie but burned Churches and religious houses so that in all places that hee passed the spectacle was ugly and grisly which hee left behinde him being such as commonly accompany the Chariot of warre They that fled before the army filled all places with feare and terror extolling above truth the English forces to diminish thereby their shame in running from them About the end of September hee besieged the Castle of Maydens in Edenbrough where Prince David and Earle Douglasse were the inconstancie of the one and the ambition of the other being the principall movers of all this losse of blood During this siege Robert Duke of Albany the Governour during the King of Scots inabilitie through sicknesse to manage the businesse sent an Harold to King Henry protesting upon his honour that if hee would abide but five dayes at the most hee would either remove the siege or lose his life The King bountifully rewarded the Harold and promised in the word of a Prince to abide there during the time by him prefixed But six times sixe dayes were past but neither Governour nor other appeared Winter came on victuall in the Campe fayled the Countrie was cold and comfortlesse it rained every day in great abundance which distemperature of weather and want of befitting sustenance caused the death of many a tall souldier it may bee these discommodities arising stayed the Governour from performing his promise for policie was against it to hazard his men to fight when Winter and want two forcible foes had given the charge upon his enemy sure it is that they moved the King to remove his siege and depart out of Scotland unfought with Both the Wardens of the Marches were all this time in Scotland with the King upon which advantage the Scots did breake into Northumberland and did some spoyle in Banborough shire the English quickly tooke the Alarum but the Scots with as much speed retired But when King Henry had discharged his Army the Scots not so desirous of life as revenge made a speedy road into England under the conduct of Sir Thomas Hahbarton of Dirleton and Sir Patricke Heborne of Hales but all the hurt they did did rather waken then weaken the English and they themselves were somewhat encouraged but nothing enriched by what they had got But Sir Patrick puft up with desire hope resolved upon a greater exployt The people which are easily led by prosperitie in great numbers resorted unto him but he was loath to have more fellowes in the spoyles then he thought should need in the danger therefore with a competent Army of the men of Loughdeane he invaded Northumberland where he made great spoyle and loded his souldiers with prisoners and prey They thought of no perill that might bee in the retrayt so they marched loosly and licentiously neither keeping themselves to their colours or rankes But the Earle of Northumberlands Vicewarden and other Borderers in good array set upon them at a Towne called Nesbyt The Scots valiantly received the charge and the battell was sharpe in the end the Scots rankes grew thin as being rather confusedly shouffled together then orderly composed which when the Vice warden felt with a company which he purposely retained about him for sudden dispatches hee charged them home and rowted them Sir Patricke bereaved of counsell and comfort ranne up and downe from place to place commanding many things and presently forbidding them And the lesse of force his directions were the oftner did hee change them at last as it hapneth in lost and desperate cases every man became a Commander but none a putter in execution so the rankes loosed and brake and could not bee reunited the Victor closely pursuing the advantage Sir Patricke thinking of nothing lesse then either flying or yeelding but thrusting himselfe amongst the thickest of the enemies honourably lost his life many of his Linage and the flower of Loughdeane were likewise slaine there were taken Sir Iohn and William Cockborne Sir William Basse Iohn and Thomas Hablington Esquires and a multitude of common souldiers on the English part no great number were slaine and none of ranke or qualitie About this time King Henry sent his eldest Daughter Blaunch accompanied with the Earle of Somerset the Bishop of Worcester the Lord Clifford and others into Almaine who brought her to Colleyne where with great triumph shee was married to William Duke of Bavier Sonne and heire to Lewis the Emperour About the midst of August the King with a great power went into Wales to pursue Owen Glendour but lost his labour for Glendour had conveyed himselfe into his lurking holes amongst the Mountaines The King through the extremitie of foule weather was enforced to retire having spoyled and burnt a great part of the Country
a meane descent and but a poore scholler in the now but new founded Colledge of Saint Maryes in Oxford at length came to bee Chaplaine there and stepping on by degrees attained to the Deanry of Yorke and finding the ginge of the Court made such use thereof that hee thereby got to bee Lord Treasurer of England And after that Richard the second had banished Thomas Arundel Archbishop of Canterbury the Realme who in Parliament before but minùs justè was attaint of Treason VValden was Consecrate and authorized Archbishop of Canterbury and so for the space of two yeares continued but after a deposall of King Richard Arundell by King Henry was restored and by Pope Boniface Roger was pronounced an intruder who now being Archbishop but without a Bishopricke as afflictions seldome come uncoupled hee was called to account for the Treasurership and though hee produced his quietus est yet were all his temporalties seized and hee imprisoned yet from thence being delivered by the charitable condition of the now Archbishop hee led a private life but then was made Treasurer of Callice and then with great hope of rerising hee was promoted to bee Bishop of London The Duke of Orleans besieged the Townes of Burgh and Bloy in Gascoygne with a great power but after eight weekes siege and the losse of six thousand of his souldiers hee raised his siege and departed The Lord Camoyes being arraigned before the Earle of Kent for that day Lord high Steward upon supposition without ground which some forgetfull persons had accused to have plotted the Kings surprisall by Pirats upon the Thames in a ship whereof he had the charge was by his Peeres acquit and restored to his goods lands offices and the Kings fauour Northumberland and Bardolfe after they had beene in Wales France and Flaunders to raise a power against King Henry returned backe to Scotland where after they had continued a yeare with a great power of Scots and strangers they returned into England recovered divers Castles formerly belonging to the Earle to whom great multitudes of people resorted wherewith they came into Yorkeshire making great spoyle by the way making proclamation That they were come for the comfort of the English and the reliefe of the Common-wealth therefore willed all that desired to retaine their libertie to repaire unto them Sir Thomas Rokesby high Sheriffe of Yorke having leavied the power of the Countie with that only upon Bramham More gave the Rebells battell wherein Northumberland was slaine Bardolfe taken but wounded to death and the rest put to flight This Henry Earle of Northumberland had two Wives the first was Margaret daughter of Ralph Lord Nevill of Raby by whom hee had issue Henry Hotspur slaine as afore Sir Thomas Piercy Sir Ralph Alane that dyed young His second Wife was Maud daughter of Thomas Lord Lucy by whom hee had no issue This yeare a Parliament began in which the Commons preferred a Petition to the King and the upper house therein expressing their desire that the King might have the temporall possessions which the Bishops and Clergie consumed in unnecessary courses the value thereof they pretended would bee sufficient maintenance for one hundred and fiftie Earles one thousand five hundred Knights sixe thousand two hundred Esquires and one hundred Hospitalls for maymed souldiers besides them already erected They craved likewise that the Clerkes convict should not bee delivered to the Bishops prison and that the Statute made in the second yeare of the King against Lollards might bee repealed which â—…avoured of too much curiositie and too little charitie The King upon advised consideration justly distasting their distempered zeale denied their Petitions and in person commanded them upon paine of his indignation from thenceforth not to presume to trouble their braine about any such businesse In this Parliament the King moved in every yeare wherein there was no Parliament kept to have allowed him a tenth of the Clergie and a fifteenth of the Laytie the Bishops assented but the Commons would not agree thereto Sir Robert Vmfrevill the Vice-Admirall of England with tenne men of warre entred the Forts in Scotland lying there fourteene dayes together landing every day on one side or other taking great preyes and doing greater hurt hee burnt the great Gallyot of Scotland and many ships over against Lyeth and carried away with him fourteene tall ships laden with Corne and other Staple commodities which at his returne hee sent to the Markets round about which brought downe the prises of all things and purchased to him the name of Mend-market Hee likewise made a road by land into Scotland and burnt Iedworth and most part of Tiuidale The King Created his sonne Thomas Duke of Clarence his brother Thomas Beufort third sonne of Iohn of Gaunt hee Created Earle of Dorset upon some distaste taken not given against the young Prince whose youthfull carriage was well-neere censured by the graver sort to bee wilde and uncivill the King removed him from the place of President of the Councell and gave it to his third sonne Iohn and giving too much eare to his severer Councellours against the said Prince hee made at least-wise was said to make a misconstruction of all his actions seasoning the same with jealousie that hee ambitiously affected the Crowne and that he would not stay the leisure of time to have it after the Kings death but would use some stratagem though with the losse of his Fathers life to take present possession thereof To feed this suspition all the youthfull actions of the Prince are set on the tentours and exemplified beyond the degree of wildnesse his merriments are termed ryots his company are stiled Swaggerers his behaviour branded with dissolutenesse and his words and gesture dangerous Whereupon a vigilant eye is carried over him and a note taken of all his followers and Fashions The Prince all this while innocent would not seeme though hee had intelligence of thus much to take notice of these passages but continued his sporting merriments with his old companions amongst whom as in all ages some such have beene there were those that would dare and doe many forgetfull prankes the blame whereof still was laid on the Prince his shoulders whose greatnesse was able to countenance their great follyes which hee many times and not unwillingly did undergoe At length being informed that two things were necessary for a Christian to observe Credit and Conscience the one for his acquaintance sake the other for his owne and that hee would bee censured to bee cruell to himselfe if that hee neglected the opinion of others as relying only on the assurance of his owne Conscience hee resolved to give this satisfaction to the world that such as had given his Father intimation of any sinister intention on his part were in an error undeniable hee first by severall Letters of his owne both inditing and writing expostulated with such as hee knew to bee guiltie of doing ill offices
and love of thy Subjects who whilst they have wealth so long shalt thou have obedience but being made poore by oppression will be ever ready to stirre and make insurrections And so turning about said God blesse thee and have mercy on mee and so hee gave up the ghost in a Chamber of the Abbot of Westminster which the servants there called Ierusalem the twentieth of March 1412. in the fortieth sixe yeare of his age when hee had raigned thirteene yeares sixe moneths lacking ten dayes His body with all Funerall pomp was conveyed to Canterbury and there solemnly buried Hee had beene twice married his first wife was Mary Daughter and coheire of Humphry de Bohan Earle of Hereford Essex and Northampton and Constable of England shee died anno 1394. and was buryed at Canterbury hee had issue by her Henry his eldest Sonne who succeeded him Thomas Plantagenet his second sonne who was Created Duke of Clarence in the eleventh yeare of his Fathers raigne hee was slaine at Bongy bridge in France by the Duke of Orleance this Thomas tooke to Wife Margaret Daughter of Thomas Holland Earle of Kent and Widow of Iohn Beuford Earle of Pomfret who dyed without issue Iohn Plantagenet his third Sonne was made Duke of Bedford the eleventh yeare of his Fathers raigne and Earle of Richmond and Lord of Kendall hee married to his first Wife Anne Daughter of Iohn Duke of Burgondy who dyed without issue his second Wife was Ioquellyne Daughter of Peter Earle of Saint Paul and by her had no issue shee was after married to Richard Woodvile Earle Rivers and had issue Elizabeth Wife to King Edward the fourth This Iohn as Constable of England determined the Controversie betwixt Reignold Lord Gray of Ruthen and Sir Edward Hastings for the bearing of the armes of Hastings and at Vernoyle together with the same Towne tooke the Duke of Alanson prisoner and with the losse of two thousand one hundred private souldiers slew of the advers part five Earles two Vicounts one and twenty Barons seven thousand French and two thousand five hundred Scots and dyed at Paris and the fourteenth of September 1435. was buried at Roan under a sumptuous Monument which when Lewis the eleventh King of France being advised by some of his Nobles to deface Hee said What honour will it bee to us or you to demolish the Monument aâ—…d pull out thereof the bones of him whom in his life-time neither my Father nor your Progenitors were of abilitie to make budge one foote backward wherefore let his body now rest in quiet which if hee were alive would have disquieted the proudest of us all such respect to well-got honour hee obtained in the mindes of his enemies Humphry Plantagenet fourth Sonne who was stiled Humphry by the grace of God Sonne Brother and Vncle to Kings hee was Duke of Glocester Hennalt Holland Zealand and Earle of Penbrocke Lord of Freezland great Chamberlaine of England Protector of the Realme and Defender of the Church of England Hee had two Wives the first was Iaquet Daughter and heire of William Duke of Bavaria who being before betrothed to Iohn Duke of Brabant was divorced from this Humphry before issue His second Wife was Elianor Daughter of Reignold Lord Cobham of Sterburghe in Surry who for Sorcery and poysoning was much defamed hee was found murthered in hss bed at Bury in Suffolke and was buried at Saint Albones in Hartfordshire Blaunch King Henryes eldest Daughter was married as afore at Collen to William Duke of Bavaria after his death shee was married to the King of Arragon and afterwards to the Duke of Barre but dyed without issue Philip second Daughter of King Henry was married to Iohn King of Denmarke but dyed without issue King Henry was of a middle stature well proportioned and formally compact of a quicke conceit and active spirit of great resolution and courage In his later dayes with courtesie and affable cariage hee purchased a great deale more love and respect amongst the Nobilitie then hee had in all the beginning of his raigne with his austeritie and rigorous courses and redeemed from the common people a great portion of good opinion which he by his impositions and taxes had formerly lost among them But if their payments had beene more and his exactions greater in my opinion they were not undeserved that were so ready to alter the due course of succession to joyne hands with him in the deposing of the rightfull and naturall Leige-Lord whose only fault that could bee truly objected was this that hee had beene too bountifull to his friend too mercifull to his foes but most unrespective of himselfe THE LIFE AND RAIGNE OF KING HENRY THE FIFT HENRY the Fift surnamed of the place of his birth which was a Towne in Wales upon the River of Wye Monmouth tooke upon him the Regality over England the twentieth day of March and the next day was proclaimed King and the ninth day of Aprill hee was Crowned King at Westminster by Thomas of Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury with all usuall rites and Ceremonies After the solemnitie past the next day hee caused all his wonted Companions to come into his presence to whom hee used these words It is sufficient that for many yeares together I have fashioned my selfe to your unruly dispositions and have not without some reluctation in the very action followed you in your debosht and swaggering courses I have to my sorrow and shame I may say to thinke of it irregularly wandered in all rude and unseemely manner in the vast wildernesse of ryot and unthriftinesse whereby I was made almost an alian to the hearts of my Father and Allyes and in their opinions violently carried away by your meanes from grace by keeping you company therein I have so vilified my selfe that in the eyes of men my presence was vulgar and stale and like the Cuckow in Iune heard but not regarded One of you being convented before the Lord chiefe Iustice for misusing a sober-minded Citizen I went to the publike Sessions house and stroke him on the face and being by him deservedly committed to the Fleet for which act of justice I shall ever hold him worthy the place and my favour and wish all my Iudges to have the like undaunted courage to punish offendors of what ranke soever it occasioned my Father to put mee from my place in Councell appointing it to bee supplyed by my younger Brother how often have I by your animation committed thefts even on my Fathers and my owne Receivers and robd them of the mony provided for publicke appointments to maintaine your midnight revellings and noone beselings But it is time now to give a period to these exorbitant and unbefitting courses and to salve the wounds my intemperance hath made in my reputation and to turne over a new leafe and not only to decline the company of such misleaders of yours but desert their conditions of all
all which judgement was accordingly executed upon Sir Roger Acton and eight and twenty of the Rebells in Smithfield most of the Prisons in and about London were filled with these lob-lords The cause of this nickname came In this time the Parliament continuing the King as his Father was before was much importuned by some somewhat infected with Oldcastles opinion and therefore not well pleased with the greatnesse of the Clergie to suppresse the religious houses of this kingdome because as they affirmed they were made the nurses of idlenesse and cages of uncleane birds To divert this storme into another quarter it was advised that Chicheley Archbishop of Canterbury should set on foot the Kings title to France which thus he sets forth Philip the fourth called Philip the faire eldest brother of Charles Earle of Valoys was the fourty sixt King of France hee married Ioane Queene of Navarre and by her had issue three sonnes Lewis surnamed Hutyn or Mutyneere Philip the Long and Charles the Faire and only Daughter Christned Isabel which was married to your Majesties Predecessor Edward the second who survived her three Brothers who successively one after the other had enjoyed the Crowne of France But after the death of Charles upon a pretended fundamentall Law of that kingdome Philip of Valoys sonne of Charles the younger Brother of Philip the Faire endevouring to exclude all females from Soveraigne inheritance layed hold of the Imperiall Diadem against whom in right of his Mother Edward the third opposed and quartering the armes which was semi de luces proclaimeth his Title to bee King of France and England and in Hostile manner entred France with Banners displayed where hee performed those honourable exployts that whilst any Records last can never bee forgotten there hee continued victorious during the time of Valoys and left his Sonne the blacke Prince to prosecute his Claime who to his eternall commendations so that hee tooke not only Iohn the French King prisoner but braved Charles the fift at his great Citie of Paris to his teeth and unanswered the wise King thinking it no good pollicie to meet a roring Lyon in the field And had not God on whose will depends all things stopt this ever to bee renowned Prince in his course by stopping of his breath the question had long since beene decided and England had totally brought France to subjection but hee being dead and his Father but a short time surviving left his grand-sonne an infant to finish what his Father and grand-father had so happily commenced and so gloriously had continued But unlesse the Lord build the house the workemen labour but in vaine so the Lord displeased with the disorder of those times gave France a time to breathe and gather strength and opportunitie to Charles the sixt to change the armes of France from the Semi de luces to three Flower-de-luces yet is the Title to France the same that it was before and though your royall Father otherwise imployed did not prosecute the claime yet hee did not disclaime the right but hath to you for whom I rest assured God hath reserved victory both left that and the meanes to obtaine it Then went hee on learnedly and pathetically refelled that unjust surmise of the Salick-law both by reason and example and first whereas in terram Salicam mulieres ne succedant was the text whereon they build their position hee proved that that was made in Germany in disdaine of the dishonest manners of the German women and had no relation to France for that Pharamond whom they affirme to bee maker of that Law deceased above three hundred and fifty yeares before the Frenchmen were placed beyond the river Sala the one dying at 426. and the other being seated there Anno 805. And for example hee cited Pepyn Hugh Capet and others who neither had right nor colour-like right to the Crowne of France but as heires generall as their owne storyes manifest hee fortified likewise his assertions with Scripture out of the booke of Numbers When a man dieth without a Sonne let his inheritance descend unto the Daughter to this hee added that if the King would bee pleased to advance his Banner in France to challenge his rightfull inheritance the warre being just the cause good and his clayme undeniable his Clergie would furnish him of their owne free gift with such a masse of mony as never subjects at one time presented King with the like This motion tooke on all sides and the offer of money wherewith to pay the souldiers so pleased the King that nothing was now thought of but the conquest of France Hee begins therefore to alter the bearing of his Semy-de-luces and quarters what the then French King bare and then sendeth the Duke of Exceter the Archbishop of Dublyn the Lord Gray the Lord high Admirall and the Bishop of Norwich with five hundred horse Embassadours to Charles the sixt to require in peaceable manner for the avoyding the effusion of Christian blood the surrender of the Crowne of France with the members thereof which if the King would yeeld unto then King Henry would bee pleased to take to Wife Katherine the Daughter of Charles and endow her with all the Dutchies belonging to the Crowne of France But if Charles refused so to doe that then Henry would with fire and sword enforce it from him or lose his life The strangenesse of this message amazed the King and amazed his Councell They craved time to answer And the King of France promised to speed Embassadours with his answer unto the King of England The Dolphyn like one that cuts another man meat and his owne fingers having wit but wanting discretion deriding as it were the King of Englands youth as deeming him fitter for play then to attempt matters of such consequence sent him a tonne of Tennis balls which King Henry distasting promised with an oath before many moneths were past to tosse such iron Balls among them that the best armes in France should bee unable to hold a Racket to returne them And forthwith due provision being made and all things prepared hee drawes together his forces and in his absence to secure the Scots and Welch from attempting his prejudice hee appointeth an Army to attend the Marches and upon all alarums to bee ready hee ordaines his Mother-in-law Ioane Daughter of Charles King of Arragon Governour in his absence and whilst hee is dispatching Richard Earle of Warwicke the Bishops of Salisbury Bath and Hereford with the Abbot of Westminster to the generall Councell appointed at Constance The Dolphyn sent as Embassadours the King of France being weake and sickly The Earle of Vandome with others who having audience the Archbishop of Burges made a long Oration in praise of peace and disswaded warre concluding with a tender of the Lady Katherine with a summe of money and some Townes of no great wealth or importance the King of England feasts them at his owne Table and
the phrase of them is â—…ade bootie of a silver Pix out of the Church hee not only caused the same to bec restored but the souldier also to bee hanged which due justice at that time done kept the rest from offending in that kind and provoked the people under hand to relieve his men with necessaries The French King hearing that King Henry had past the River Soame assembled his Councell whereof thirtie five appearing to the point in question thirtie of them advised that the English should not depart without being fought with but five whereof the Dolphin was none were of a contrary opinion and though they assented not yet by the major voyces enforced to consent Montjoy the French King at Armes was sent to defie the King of England as an enemy to France and to tell him hee should bee fought with King Henryes answer was hee was unwilling to provoke battaile yet too confident in God to feare it by whose good leave hee would proceed in his journey and if the French or any other would oppose him if hee could not finde his way hee would make it or his Sword should faile him and so suffered the Herald being well rewarded to depart King Henry having notice that hee must of force passe another River in his way over which there was but one passable Bridge hee commanded certaine troopes of horse to goe thither on the spurre and some foot Companies to speed thither to second them and to make good the same untill the Army should come When the horse came thither they found the French very busie in breaking downe the bridge but perceiving the approach of the English they left their worke and fled the passage being cleered upon the two twentieth of Octob. the King of England passed over with his Army The Duke of Yorke that lead the reareward sent word to the King that his skowtes had discovered the enemy to come on apace whereupon hee made a stand and gave direction to the Officers what course to take to acquaint their souldiers that to flye would but cause a lingring death for their flight would bee out of the pan into the fire there being no place of refuge neere and the way thither if any were was altogether unknowne And so mounting on horsebacke hee road from place to place assuring them of his resolution to live and die with them and so with his word and countenance hee so encouraged his men that they were generally resolved to conquer and dye and accordingly prepared themselves reconciling themselves to God by confession and receiving the Sacrament and lastly embracing each other with constant protestations to bee firme and faithfull one to the other so upon Friday the five and twentieth of October being derayned in order of battell they attended the signall to begin The Constable of France divided his Companyes into three battailes In the first were placed eight thousand men at armes foure thousand Archers and fifteene hundred Crossebowes the wings consisting of two thousand two hundred men at armes this battaile was led by himselfe the Dukes of Orleance and Burbon the Earles of Ewe Richmond and Vandosme the Lord Dampier the Admirall of France the Marshall Bouciqualle others 2. The middle battaile wherein were more men at armes was commanded by the Dukes of Barre and Alanson and by the Earles of Vawmont Salings Blamont Grantpee and Rusey 3. In the rereward were all the remainder of the French forces and guided by the Earles of Marle Dampmortyne Fauconbridge and the Lord Lonray Captaine of Ards. The Frenchmen thus ordered consisting of sixfold the number of the English thought of nothing but the booty they should get In the meane time King Henry having made choice of a peece of ground halfe fenced on his backe with the Village wherein they had encamped the night before on both sides having strong hedges and ditches began there to order his Battailes But first hee appointed an ambush of two hundred bold Archers which should upon a watch-word given make a whole flight upon the flancke of the enemyes horse The Vantgard consisting of Archers only was conducted by the Duke of Yorke who out of a brave and heroick courage had made entreatie for that place with him were the Lords Beamont Willoughby and Fanhop The maine battaile was led by the King in person which consisted of Bill-men and some Bowmen With him were the Duke of Glocester his brother the Earle Marshall Oxford and Suffolke The reareward was led by Thomas Duke of Exceter the Kings Vncle consisting of all sorts of weapons the Horsemen as wings guarded the Companies on both sides The King to prevent the fury of the French Cavalery by the direction of the Duke of Yorke appointed divers Stakes shod with iron at both ends of six foot long to bee pitched behind the Archers and appointed the Pioners to attend to remove them as occasion and direction gave order These things thus ordered publike prayers were humbly made and the onset was expected which was presently performed by the French horsmen who gave on with a furious bravado but Sir Walter Orpington who was thereunto appointed giving the signall the English gave a great showte whereupon according to direction the Bowmen behind the hedges sent forth such a showre of Arrowes that the French horse thereby galled were so unruly that their riders could not force them to give against the ditch to come at those that were beyond the ditch Whereupon the Vantguard of the English taking advantage of their disorder made forward and powred another volly of arrowes among them by meanes whereof the horse thorowly gald either cast their riders or through their unrulinesse so opened their ranckes that the right Wing of the English horse gave in so manly that the French horse disorderly retiring broke the aray of their foot who were miserably trod downe and disrancked with their owne Company by this the two hundred Bowmen having emptied their quivers flung away their Bowes and with their swords fell upon the enemy and wresting from them their owne weapons made a great slaughter among them and putting the voward to flight they adventured upon the middle battaile which the French horsmen taking in scorne to be charged with so small a company bravely gave on Whereupon the English made show of retiring but when they came where the Bowmen were Impaled with the armed stakes they made a stand and as the horsmen were thereby gored they were ready to helpe them forward with a pat on the pate with a browne Bill to their last home whereby their maine battaile was broken and disordered when presently the King with his maine battell gave on with that resolution that himselfe in person charged the Duke of Alanson by whom hee was in his carere wel-nie unhorsed but afterward hee having slaine two of the Dukes men that were neerer to him then the Duke hee charged the Duke againe and with his sword
and the like was granted to the Queene of Ierusalem and her sonne Lewis for Anjou and Mayne the Duke of Britaine being their Proxie for the obtaining the same From Alanson the Earle of Salisbury was sent to Falays to view the strength thereof and to keepe the inhabitants from comming forth the King with his Army followed and entrenched themselves to avoide excursions and incursions The King made his approaches to his best advantage and though it was in the hard of Winter made provision sufficient for his men both against cold and hunger whereupon the besieged concluded if succour came not before the second of Ianuary next following to yeeld the Towne the succour not comming the Towne was yeelded but the Castle held out into which the Governour and most of the best able men were gotten but being fiercely followed and kept in continuall action by assaults and myning they were driven to make composition of surrender if not reskued before the sixt of February the souldiers to depart with their lives only and the Captaine to bee ransomed The prefixed time come the Castle was surrendred and the Captaine detained prisoner untill the Castle was sufficiently repaired his name was Oliver de Many The King leaving for Captaine there Sir Henry Fitzhugh returned to Cane to put in execution a Proclamation formerly made that if the inhabitants of Normandy that were fled returned not by a day to them prefixed to grant their lands to his souldiers thereupon hee gave to the Duke of Clarence during life the Vicounties of Ange Orber and Pontinz Oe Mere with all the lands of those that were not returned according to Proclamation All the whole Lent the King lay at Bayeux with part of his Army but the residue were volant upon exploits abroad The Kings Navy still kept the seas scowring the Coasts daily taking the French Bottomes they met but upon the sixteenth of Iuly such a storme took them that had they not by Gods good favor falne in with Southampton the whole Navy had beene in great danger yet in that Haven two Ballingers and two great Carrickes laden with Merchandize were drowned and the Mast of one of the great shippes was with the storme blowne over the Towne wall when the fury of the tempest was past the Earles of March and Huntington waâ—…ted over to Normandy and landing there marched up the country to the King The Earle of Warwicke and the Lord Talbot besieged the strong Castle of Dampfront The Duke of Clarence at that time tooke Courton and Burny and in the first placed Captaine Aubyn and Captaine William Houghton in the other hee likewise appointed in Chombis Captaine Iames Nevill in Bechelovin for Captaine the Earle Marshall in Harcourt Captaine Richard Woodvile in Fantgernon for Captaine Iohn Saint Albon in Crevener Sir Iohn Kirby to whom the same was after given for ever in Anvillyers Captaine Robert Hornby in Bagles Sir Iohn Arthure was made Captaine and also of Fresny Sir Robert Brent lately made Vicount was Captaine The Duke of Glocester with the Earle of March and the Lord Codnor march into the Isle of Constantine wherein hee likewise placed Captaines of such places as hee tooke in as at Corentine the Lord Botreux at Saint Lowe Captaine Reignold West at Valoignes Captaine Thomas Burgh at Pont done Captaine David Howell at Hay de paps Sir Iohn Aston at Saint Savior Sir Iohn Robsert lately made Vicount at Pantarson Sir Robert Gargraus at Hambery the Earle of Suffolke to whom afterwards the King gave that and Brokevill at Auranchos Sir Philip Hall at Vire the Lord Matreius who was likewise Captaine of Saint Iames de Bumeron And so having taken in the whole Iland except Chereburg hee returned to the King but was sent backe to the siege thereof which held out about the space of five moneths though in the meane time all warlike stratagems and meanes were used to take it at last they made composition that if not rescued within threescore and two dayes to surrender and stand to the mercy of the King In the meane time the Duke caused his Campe to bee strongly fenced with Rampiers and Bulwarkes leaving nothing for the safeguard thereof either unforeseene or unprepared And whilst hee was providing thus the Dolphin and the Duke of Burgoigne by the mediation of the Pope and his Cardinalls were fully reconciled and began to consult about the relieving their besieged Friend The King to prevent any danger that might betide his brother had taken order with the Lieutenant in the West-country of England to send over two thousand men out of those parts whom when the besieged at Chierburgh perceiued at Sea to approach they presumed of succour but their hope failing they surrendred both the Towne and Castle whereof the Lord Gray of Codnor mas made the Kings Lieutenant for the time but afterwards the King made Captaine thereof Iohn Bromley Esquire and for his hardy valour and commendable forwardnesse both at this siege and other places hee gave him the order of Knighthood gave him faire possessions in the Iland and made him Constable of Bossevile de Rosse This was the same partie that at Corby by his valour recovered the Lord Staffords Colours from the French and for the remembrance of that service had an honourable adjunct to his armes The King intending to prosecute his intendments to the full being of equall spirit to dare and power to doe had sent for his Vncle the Duke of Exceter who with fifteene thousand men within few dayes of Trinity Sunday came to the King by whom hee was commanded to besiege the Citie of Eureux which hee tooke in and appointed Captaine thereof Sir Gilbert Halsall The Earle of Ryme then also tooke in the strong Castle of Milley le Vesko The siege of Roan was the next thing attempted which place was now fully fortified and furnished for defence both with men and amunition Thither for the more safetie had all the neighbours conveyed all their riches as being their sole place of refuge now The King to have his passage cleere layed siege to the Citie of Loveirs which upon these conditions that if they were not relieved within seven dayes then the souldiers to serve King Henry the inhabitants to remaine there as subjects to England only all such Gunners as had discharged any piece of Ordnance to bee hanged no succour appearing at the day the Covenants were performed accordingly The King marched to Pont de Larch where hee arrived the seven and twentieth of Iune There was a stone-bridge which hindered the approach to Roane being exceeding strongly guarded King Henry devised therefore floates of wicker covered with beasts hides by which the Duke of Clarence with his quarter passed the River and then layd siege to the Towne on that side but to prevent the inconvenience that might come by the River dividing the Army there were more such Floates made and other devises with
betweene whom an accord was made in case the King of France and his Peeres with the Commons would approve thereof They being to that purpose by the Duke of Burgoyne solicited willingly gave their consent and appointed the Duke of Burgoyne to send his Embassadours sufficiently authorized to meete with King HENRYES Embassadours at Troyes in Campaygne and to that end the King of England was earnestly entreated so to doe who thereupon sent his Vncle the Duke of Exceter the Earle of Salisburie with others to the number of five hundred Horse to the Duke of Burgoyne who from thence came together with them to Troyes upon the eleventh of March were in that manner received as where affection and loving desire are the entertainers There it was quickly concluded that the King of England should speed himselfe to Troyes there to bee espoused to the faire Lady Katherine and to have assurance of the Crowne of France after the decease of the diseased Charles Whereupon with a guard of fifteene thousand choice souldiers accompanied with the Dukes of Clarence and Glocester with the Earles of Warwicke Salisbury Huntington Longevile Tanckervile and Ewe the King of England came to Troyes upon the eighteenth day of May where hee was met by the Duke of Burgoine and divers of the French Nobility who attended him to the Pallace where the Queene with her Daughters the Dutches of Burgoine and the Lady Katherine gave him Princely entertainment where after some little pause whilst the intercourse of complement was passing betwixt the French and the English the King addressed himselfe to the Dutchesse of Burgoine demanding of her in befitting termes if shee thought her Sister Katherines affection was free and not in bondage to any to whom the Dutchesse with a gracefull smile made answer that shee durst pawne her soule her Sister till that houre shee first saw his highnesse was as free as any Virgin might bee but how shee stood affected now shee referred him to her owne answer opportunitie giving way as when mindes are willing it may bee easily apprehended the Lady Katherine was by the King interrogated how shee stood affected to marriage shee answered shee was to bee disposed of by the King otherwise if shee might have the libertie of her owne will shee would give him a more full answer and so making offer to depart King Henry with an amiable voice said Give but your consent and I will by Gods leave make all the rest agree or leave them landlesse or livelesse and thereof rest assured by this pledge of my faith and so tendered unto her a Ring of great price which she not without some blushing received and making a Courtly conge unto him left him and hee the company being come to his lodging hee gave order to his Commissioners to make speed in their consultations and not to give the least way to any procrastinations Whereupon that speed was used in their conferences that upon the twentieth day of May the Lady Katherine was affianced unto him in Saint Peters Church after this the two Kings with their Privie Councellours divers times met and all points of accord were reduced to a certaintie and concluded to which agreement the Kings and all present made faith for the performance and the Duke of Burgogny for his particular made oath as followeth I Philip Duke of Burgoignie for my selfe and my heires upon the holy Evangelists of God sweare to Henry King of England and Regent of France under King Charles that wee shall humbly and faithfully obey King Henry in all things which concerne the Crowne of France and the Common-wealth thereof and after the decease of our now Soveraigne Charles shall remaine faithfull leigemen to the said King Henry and his Successours for ever neither shall we admit or allow of any other Lord or supreme King of France but Henry of England and his heires neither shall wee counsell or consent to any thing that may bee prejudiciall to the said King Henry or his Successours or may bee damagefull to his life or limme but shall with all speed give notice thereof and endevour to prevent it The morrow after Trinitie Sunday being the third of Iune the Marriage with all befâ—…ting Ceremonies was solemnized and the King of England named and proclaymed heire and Regent of the Realme of France of this accord and the Articles subsequent the French King sent Copies all over France and King Henry the like to England in these words Henry by the grace of God King of England heire and Regent of France and Lord of Ireland to bee perpetually remembred of all Christians under our obeysance doe notifie and declare that whereas there hath bin divers Treaties betwixt our royall Father King Charles for peace and quiet to bee established betwixt the Realmes of France and England which have proved fruitlesse considering the many detriments thereby fallen not only to those Realmes but the disturbance of holy Church we have now concluded with our said royall Father for removing all distractions and accorded that our said royall Father and his ever to bee honoured Queene Isabell shall be entituled the Father and Mother of us and reverenced and respected in all things as such alliance shall require That the said King Charles shall during life hold and enjoy in peace and tranquillitie his royall Dignitie Crowne and Revenewes of all France And that all Writs Processe and Commissions and such like proceedings shall passe under his Name and Seale as King And that his Queene Isabell in case shee survive him shall keepe her estate and Title and all such rights and revenewes as were formerly enjoyed by Blaunch Queen Dowager to Philip Grandfather to King Charles That Queene Katherine should with all convenient speed bee sufficiently endowed in England with twenty thousand Markes per annum That during the life of Charles King Henry should not assume the Title of King of France and that the French King should write and entitle him our thrice noble Sonne Henry King of England and heire of France That after the death of Charles the Crowne of France would really and entirely remaine to King Henry and his heires for ever That in regard of the inabilitie of King Charles by himselfe to rule and manage the affaires of the kingdome King Henry should bee Regent and governe the â—…ame as to him should seeme expedient for the Kings honour and the commoditie of the Realme and Common-wealth That the estate of Parliament in France should retaine all accustomed priviledges power and authoritie That King Henry should to his power faithfully assist both Peeres and people to regaine all such things as did of right belong unto them and should protect all the preheminences priviledges and possessions of the Crowne of France That King Henry should support the Subjects of France against all forraine enemies and labour the suppression of all intestine debates and civill warres and endevour the increase of the prosperitie and peace of
France by impartially administring justice to all That King Henry in places of Iustice and charge should place persons generally taken for wise faithfull and fit to administer and manage those things unto them committed That King Henry should speedily endevour to reduce the Dolphin and the Earle of Arminacke and all their confederates to their due obedience to the Crowne of France That King Henry should cause all persons of what degree condition or qualitie soever to take a corporall oath for their true obedience to K. Charles during life and after his death to King Henry and his heires and to admit no other King or Regent nor conspire any thing against his or their Persons or estates but disclose all mischiefes plotted or intended for his or their hurt or losse That all possessions King Henry should gaine from any Rebell to King Charles except in Normandy should bee to the use and benefit of the French King But upon voluntary taking the before-mentioned oathes to be tendred and taken then to retaine their possessions freely That after the death of King Charles the Dutchie of Normandy and what else had beene conquered by King Henry should returne to the obeysance of the Crowne of France That King Henry should not overburden his Subjects of France with impositions but in cases of urgent necessitie and then the same to bee assessed and levied according to the Custome and manner of France and not otherwise That after the death of King Charles the two Realmes of France and England should Soveraignely be ruled but by one man and not to admit two Kings and that neither Crowne should bee subject to other but each of them to retaine and enjoy their particular customes priviledges liberties immunities lawes and preheminencies That diligent observation be used to retaine both Nations in fraternall concord and mutuall friendship as brethren and friends That neither King should conclude any peace or make any truce with the Dolphin except they and the Duke of Burgoyne all three consented thereto That none shall bee placed about the French Kings person but French-men such as hee by his Councell should make choice of and should reside wheresoever in the kingdome at his pleasure And lastly that both the Kings under their great Seales and all their Peeres Prelates Cominalties Gentry and Corporations under their usuall seales shall ratifie and confirme the Articles of agreement and shall all sweare to observe them to their uttermost abilities and power These thus concluded were proclaimed publikely both in England and France the Kings with their Nobilitie present solemnly sworne to the observation of them This caused a solemne Procession upon the fourteenth of Iune following in London and a Sermon at Pauls Crosse being Friday wherein the Preacher amongst other things affirmed that for perpetuall manifestation of this so honourable an accord that the old Seale was to bee broken and a new great Seale to bee made wherein the Kings Title as Regent of France and heires apparant to the Crowne thereof and three Flowre-de-luces instead of sixe formerly borne in the Scutcheon of armes was to be engraved There was likewise a private League contracted betweene king Henry and the Duke of Burgoyne to this effect That the Duke to the uttermost of his best abilities should endevour the continuation of the former agreements That one of the Dukes Sisters should bee matched to one of the Kings Brothers that after the death of Charles hee should doe fealtie to the King of England That King Henry should prosecute the murtherers of the Dukes Father with all extremitie And that if any of them or the Dolphin should in any place be taken that they should not bee delivered without condigne punishment without the consent of the two Kings and the three estates of both kingdomes That the Duke should have assurance of lands for the annuall payment of the fee of twenty thousand pounds Paris to him and his Wife and the heires males betwixt them to be begotten And that King Henry upon the receiving his homage should confirme the same This thus finished King Henry invites the King and Queene of France with the Duke and Dutchesse of Burgoyne with all the Nobles of France there to a stately banquet the Ceremonies whereof ended hee made unto them so pithy and patheticall Oration declaring therein the utilitie of the union of the two kingdomes his right to them on the surer side with protestation of as true love and affection to France as if a native thereof and promises of tender regard to bee alwayes by him extended towards them with all filiall respect and dutifull observance to his Father and Mother-in-law and the true performance of all and every part of the Agreement And so perswading them to mutuall love and friendship amongst themselves and truth and loyalty to their Soveraigne And so with an expression of detestation of the late murther of the Duke of Burgoyne and giving assurance of his desire to procure the revengement thereof he concluded The next day following Iames the young King of Scots arrived And upon the fourth day of Iune King Henry with the French King the King of Scots the Duke of Burgoyne the Prince of Orange one and twenty Earles five and fouâ—…y Barons with many Knights and Gentlemen with an Army consisting of French English Scottish Irish and Dutch to the number of sixe hundred thousand marched towards the Dolphin and upon the seventh day layd siege to the Towne of Seins that sided with the Dolphin which after foure daies siege yeelded and thereof the Lord Benvile was made Captaine From thence they removed having the Duke of Bedford in their company who had brought out of England large supplies of men and money to Monstreau en falte Yon which was taken by Escalado here the murthered Duke of Burgoyne being buried and from thence his Sonne caused his boues to be taken up and carried to Digeon in high Burgoyne and there enterred by his Father Philip The Castle held out and during the siege thereof King Henry Created an Officer of armes to bee king of Herolds over the English men and entituled him Garter whom hee had formerly sent with offers of mercy to the Castle but was by the Captaine thereof reproachfully upbrayded for punishment of which his presumption a gibbet was erected and in view of Mounsieur Guitry the Castle Captaine twelve of his friends were executed Whereupon the Castilians treated for peace but the King in eight dayes together would not vouchsafe a parle so that after they had borne the brunt of six weekes siege they were enforced with saving of lives simply to yeeld The Earle of Warwicke was appointed to examine by poll all the prisoners and others that yeelded to find out any that had bin privy or parties to the murther of the Duke of Burgoine and was afterward made Governour both of Castle and Towne From thence the King marched to Melun upon Seine which was besieged the
thirteenth of Iuly the Captaine whereof was Barbason a Gascoyne a skilfull souldier and of approved valiancy And as Hanniball in warre was not more ready to invent stratagems then Quintus Fabius to prevent them so King Henryes counsell could not bee more wily to winne then Barbason was warie to defend The King by land and water stopped all passages making use of his before-mentioned floates to passe his souldiers over the River yet Barbason sallied out and fell upon the Earle of Warwickes quarter where if hee had not beene the more valiantly resisted The Duke of Burgoynes men had tasted of their fury The Duke of Bavier another of King Charles Sonin-lawe but his Dutchesse was dead with seven hundred well-appointed Horse-men came to the Campe which were presently listed under the Kings pay Barbason countermined some and stopt other mines made by the English and fought hand to hand in the Barryers with King Henry yet notwithstanding all his circumspect care and praise-worthy diligence when hee found hee was to fight against the two bitter arrowes of Gods wrath Famine and Pestilence hee humbled himselfe to the King who pardoned all that were not guilty of the forenamed murther whereof Barbason being suspected and others that were found faultie were sent to Paris under the conduct of the Duke of Clarence whom King Charles made Captaine of Delea that Citie and was accordingly admitted into the possession of all the strength thereof And presently thereupon both the Kings with their Queenes the Duke of Burgoyne and his Dutchesse with a royall traine came thither where they were most magnificencly entertained the French King was lodged in the house of Saint Paul and the King of England in the Castle of Louer Here the three States of France anew under their hands and seales in most authenticke manner ratified the former agreement the instruments whereof were delivered to the King of England who sent them to bee kept in his Treasurie at Westminster Now King Henry began to exercise his Regency and as a badge of his authoritie hee caused a new coyne which was called a Salute to bee made whereon the armes of France and England were quarterly stamped Hee there heard the Appeale of the Dowager of Burgoine against the Dolphin whose Advocates in his behalfe made large offers for satisfaction but they were adjourned to another day Hee placed and displaced divers officers and appointed the Duke of Exceter with five hundred men to the guard of Paris Sir Gilbert Vmfrevile was made Captaine of Melun and the Earle of Huntington of Bloyes de Vinces King Henry awarded out Processe against the Dolphin to appeare at the Marble table at Paris which hee not obeying sentence was denounced against him as guilty of the murther of the Duke of Burgoyne and by the sentence of the Parliament the Dolphin was banished the Realme The King with his beloved Queene Katherine the sixt of Ianuary left Paris and came to Roane where hee received homage of all the Nobilitie aswell such as were enobled by descent of the French as such as were dignified by desert of the English And making Thomas Duke of Clarence Lieutenant generall of France and Normandy and his Deputie in Normandy the Earle of Salisbury Having finished his Christmas he with his Queene went to Amiens and from thence to Callice and thence landing at Dover came to Canterbury and afterward thorow London to Westminster where the Queene upon Saint Mathewes day the fourth of February with all ceremonies rites and accustomed solemnities was Crowned The King of Scots sitting at dinner in his Estate but on the left hand of the Queene the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Kings Vncle the Bishop of Winchester being on the right hand all were serued with covered messes of silver but all the Feast was fish in observation of the Lent season King Henry by his ghostly father being instructed that the surest stone that can bee layd for the foundation of future felicitie must bee digged out of the quarry of Pietie first visited many places for devotion by way of Pilgrimage and then tooke his Progresse thorow the Land and knowing that great evills may grow out of the smallest causes if neglected hee by the way reformed all misdemeanours whereof he received notice hearing with a diligent eare the complaints of his poore subjects taking order for the administring of Iustice to high and poore neither sparing the great for might nor the meane for misery And shewing that Examples are the best Lectures and Vertue the best example after hee had set his ministers a copy thereof Hee gave meeting to the Queene at Leicester where they kept their Easter In the meane time the Duke of Clarence making a road into Aniou with the garrisons of Normandy came to the City of Ampers where hee knighted Sir William Rosse Sir Henry Goddard Sir Rowland Vider Sir Thomas Bewford his naturall Sonne And retutning home laden with prey was advertised that the Duke of Alanson intended to intercept his passage hee therefore sent the skowt-Master Andrew Fogosa to discover the face of the enemy who being a trecherous Lombard and having beene corrupted by the enemy at his returne reporteth their number to bee but small meanly armed and worse ordered so that if presently charged there could bee no resistance The Dukes credulitie caused him to draw all his horses together leaving the strength of the field his Bowes and Bills behind with them hee makes towards the enemy the traitour leading to a straight where by his appointment an ambush was layed that the Duke could neither retreat nor flee which perceiving the Duke with a valiant courage told the Earle of Tanckervile that their chance was very hard when no meanes was left but to sell their lives at the dearest rate to their enemies and so setting spurres to his horse charged upon the enemy but over-layed with multitude and over-wearied with fight The Duke of Clarence the Earle of Tanckervile the Lord Rosse the Earle of Angus Kyme Sir Iohn Lumley and Sir Iohn Verend with above two thousand English slaine The Earles of Somerset Suffolke and Pearch Sir Iohn Berckley Sir Ralph Nevile Sir William Bowes and threescore Gentlemen were taken prisoners The Bastard Clarence having an inckling of the Lombards treachery brought on his Archers whom the French perceiving to approach fled with their Prisoners leaving the dead undispoyled by which meanes the Lord Fitzwater and some others were found wounded and almost stifled amongst the carkasses The bodyes of the dead were by the foot-men buried except the Duke of Clarence who by Sir Iohn Beauford his base sonne the Duke dying without other issue wac conveyed to England and buried at Canterbury besider his father This happened upon Easter Eeve The King was at Beverly when he had notice of his brothers death and presently thereupon hee dispatced away Edmond Earle of Mortaigne into Normandy making him Lieutenant thereof Then calls hee his
high Court of Parliament to Westminster wherein hee enforced the necessity of speedy pursuance of the Dolphin and his Adherents and easinesse of revenging the losse of his brother and their friends and allyes in case they would furnish him with money men and amunition being in readinesse provided Whereupon the Clergie cheerefully granted two tenths and the temporalty readily one fifteene and for that the Kings hast could not well stay the wonted course of collection thereof The Bishop of Winchester layed forth to bee received againe of the Designes of the spiritualty twenty thousand pounds so willing was the rich Cardinall to have his brother Clarence death revenged The King thus provided with money sent his brother the Duke of Bedford with the Army to Callice consisting of foure thousand men at armes and foure and twenty thousand Archers himselfe about the middle of May followeth and safely arriving at Callice hee hasted to relieve Charters whom the Dolphin with seven thousand men had besieged and comming to Maunt heard that the Dolphin was retired to Tours The Duke of Burgoyne who had received and feasted the King with his Father and Mother-in-law at Monstruell and from thence came with the King to Maunt went backe to Piccardy to resist the insolencies of Sir Iaques de Harcourt The King of Scots with the Duke of Glocester about the eight of Iuly besieged Dreux which upon the eight of August compounded That if they were not reskued before the twentieth of that moneth to deliver up the Towne the souldiers with their goods to march whither they would upon which day no reskue came they had all leave to depart except one Searle an Englishman fled thither for Treason out of Roane whom they presently executed and the Towne was delivered to the King of Scots whereof the Earle of Worcester was made Captaine and Sir Henry Mortimer Bayliffe The King pursued the Dolphin from place to place but hee was too flit of foot to bee easily overtaken In the way King Henry surprized the Towne of Baugency but tooke them all to mercy that craved it the like he did at Rugemounte from thence victuall failing hee went to Orleans and from thence to Vignei Sainct Yon where hee stayed awhile to refresh his men and from thence to Paris and having there fitted himselfe with supplies hee went and fate downe before Meuix in Brye a Towne no lesse well victualed then manned and no better furnished then fortified neverthelesse after many assaults the besieged forsooke the Walls and drew into the Market place where they began workes for their defence from whence being likewise beaten the King had possession of that and all the Fortresses in the Isle of France in Lonvaus in Brye and in Champayne The Duke of Bedford in the Kings absence called a Parliament in England in which was granted to the King towards the maintenance of his warres one Fifteene to bee payed in such moneyes as at the time of the graunt were current Vpon Saint Nicholas day Queene Katherine was brought to bed of a Sonne at Windsor who was by the Duke of Bedford and Henry Bishop of Winchester and the Countesse of Holland Christened by the name of Henry whereof when the King had notice out of a propheticke disposition hee sayd Good Lord I Henry borne at Monmouth shall small time raigne and much get and Henry borne at Windsor shall long Raigne and lose all but Gods will be done Divers Frenchmen under the leading of Oliver de Many who had given faith never to beare armes against the King of England entred Normandy and did rob and spoyle the countrey But being by the Earle of Suffolke encountred hee was after a long and desperate fight taken and all his Confederates rowted the King notwithstanding his breach of faith put him not to death but sent him prisoner to England where he dyed The Dolphin layed siege to Cosney who made composition that if they were not reskued by the King of England within tenne dayes to surrender The King was so intentive to the reskue that hee over-heat himselfe with travell and comming to Senlis found himselfe so distempered that hee was enforced to remaine there and send his brother Duke of Bedford to prosecute the dissigne who effected the same the Dolphin upon his approach raised the siege and dishonourably retired into Berry whereof in mockage hee was after called King of Berry the Queenes untimely visit who not long before having taken shipping at Southampton with a gallant Company of freshmen raysed and furnished at her owne charge under the conduct of the Duke of Bedford was come into France and had met the King at Paris where hee left her but shee having notice of his sicknesse was come unto him did much increase the Kings Fever insomuch that by the perswasion of the Doctors and direction of the Kings Councell against her owne will and the Kings desire whose ardent affection unto her could hardly brooke her absence shee left the King who after her departure growing worse and worse was removed to Bloys where within few dayes hee yeelded up his conquests to the all-Conquerour who sent him Crowned with never-dying victory to place of ever-living glory Somewhat before his departure out of this world hee made the Duke of Bedford Lieutenant generall of Normandy and Regent of the kingdome of France And the Duke of Glocester Protector of England and his sonnes person exhorting all to bee true and friendly to the Duke of Burgoyne to bee at unitie amongst themselves to bee loyall to their young Prince to bee seruiceable to his dearely beloved Queene to hold and preserve what he by his valour and Gods assistance had wonne never to conclude contract of amitie with the Dolphin or the Duke of Alanson untill they had submitted themselves to the Kings grace and so giving God thankes for all his former favours and blessings bestowed upon him hee dyed the last of August 1422. in the eight and thirtieth yeere of his age when hee had raigned nine yeares five moneths and foure and twenty dayes his body was carried to Westminster and there buried amongst his Ancestours his character appeareth best when it is referred to his recollection of himselfe for as hee was in youth the most untowardly so in his riper yeares hee approved himselfe of great noblenesse and vertue his stature was tall his personage slender but very strong active he was saith Walsingham modestus vultu actu magnanimus of courage invincible and fortunately victorious in all his battells never receiving checke in any of nature liberall of disposition affable of a generous spirit of infatigable constancy hee was wise and provident in Councell in judgement upright and just in his speech sober in countenance majesticke in comportment magnanimous borne and bred for conquest of life unreprovable and in his death generally greatly lamented in briefe his deeds gave cause of admiration to contemporaries and imitation
and to others as having spirit to dare and a power to doe bravely hee was married to Katherine Daughter of Charles the sixt King of france whose company shee enjoyed but two yeares and three moneths by whom hee had issue only Henry that succeeded him in the Crowne her affections after tyed her to Owen Theodor a Gentleman of no extraordinary linage but absolute for the lineaments of his body by whom shee had issue three sonnes Edmond Iasper and Owen Edmond was after Earle of Richmond and maried Margaret daughter and sole heire of Iohn Duke of Somerset who had issue King Henry the seuenth Iasper was Earle of Penbrocke and after Duke of Bedford shee dyed in Southwarcke and was buried at Westminster THE LIFE AND RAIGNE OF KING HENRY THE SIXT HENRY the sixt borne at Windsor an infant of nine moneths old began his Raigne the last of August Anno Dom. 1422. The government of the Realmes preappointed by the Father on his death-bed and after confirmed by the Nobilitie was committed to Humphrey Duke of Glocester The guard of his person to Thomas Duke of Exceter and Henry Bewford Bishop of Winchester and to Iohn Duke of Bedford was appointed the Regency of France This triple twyne untill the time unhappily untwisted kept the wheeles in orderly motion that guided the Clocke of good government in this Realme so that there was in the beginning of their proceeding no disproportion or disagreement betwixt them but all things were continued advisedly and well The Protectors knowing that it is trechery to wisdome in managing great affayres not to bee directed by the clew of advise made choice of grave and discreet Councellours by whose approvement he made provision of all things necessary aswell for quiet governing the English as for retayning the conquered parts of France in obedience and further conquest of such as yet were refractary leauing nothing undone that might conduce to the honour and happinesse of the estate of the young King and the Realme The Regent of France was not backward on his part but endevoured all that was possible to second the Protectours care But the death of Charles the sixt and the proclaiming the Dolphin King of France by the name of Charles the seventh gave the Regent just cause to suspect the tergiversation of the French Whereupon hee encreaseth the Garrisons and sufficiently furnisheth all places of import with men and amunition exhorting the Normans to continue constant according to their fealtie made to the King of England On the other side the new King of France makes provision in all places to draw his forces together And in the meane time sends the Lord Granvile to Pont Melan who surprised the same putting all the English souldiers to the sword for revenge whereof and the recovery of the Towne the Regent sent the ever to be commended Commander Thomas Montacute Earle of Salisbury with convenient forces thither who for the space of two moneths so straightly beleagred the same that the Lord Gravile surrendred the same and sware but fleshly to bee true man to the King of England Hereof was Sir Henry Mortimer made Captaine and Sir Richard Vernon of the Castle From thence hee marched to Seyne which hee tooke by assault and put all the souldiers except the Captaine Sir William Maryn to the sword and thereof made Captaines Sir Hugh Godding and Sir Richard Aubemond the first of the Towne the other of the Castle The Regent the Duke of Burgoyne and Iohn Duke of Britaine meet at Amiens and renewed the old league and further inlarged it to bee defensive and offensive respectively And knowing that affinitie for the most part is the truest entertainer of friendship and an unquestionable obligation of amity the Regent afterward marrieth Anne the Sister of Burgoyne at Troys In the meane time the Parisian conspired to have let in the new King into Paris but the day before the night appointed for his admission the Duke with his power entred apprehended the Conspiratours and put them to publike execution which done hee furnished all the Forts and places of strength with Englishmen sent Sir Iohn Falstaffe who tooke in Pacy and Coursay two strong Castles whilst hee with his forces tooke in Traynells and Bray upon Seyne The Constable the while with all the new Kings forces layed siege to Cravant in Burgoyne But the Regent and the Duke of Burgoyne sent their forces under the conduct of the never-sufficiently to bee praysed Earle of Salisbury who having with great difficultie and small losse passed the river of Yone seconded by the Burgonians set upon the French and after a long and doubtfull fight put the French to flight slaying about eighteene hundred Knights and Gentlemen of note and three thousand common souldiers Scottish and French there were taken Prisoners The Constable of France who had lost an eye the Earle of Ventadour Sir Alexander Merdyn Sir Lewis Ferignye and two and twentie hundred Gentlemen of the English part were slaine Sir Iohn Gray Sir William Hall Sir Gilbert Halsall one of the Marshalls of the field Richard ap Maddocke and one and twentie hundred souldiers one with another From hence the Earle led his forces to Montaguillon and sate downe before it and after five moneths siege tooke it whilst the Duke of Suffolke tooke in the two strong Castles of Coucy and le Roche The Protector in the meane time ransomed and enlarged the young King of Scots who for many yeares had beene prisoner taking Homage and Fealtie of him from the Crowne of Scotland the tenour whereof is thus recorded I IAMES STEVVARD King of SCOTS shall bee true and faithfull unto you Lord HENRY by the grace of GOD King of ENGLAND and FRANCE the Noble and superiour Lord of SCOTLAND and to you I make my fidelitie for the said kingdome which I hold and claime of you And I shall beare you my faith and fidelitie of life and limme and worldly honour against all men and faithfully I shall acknowledge and shall doe you service due for the Kingdome of SCOTLAND afore-sayd so GOD mee helpe and these holy Evangelists And with consent of all the Nobilitie gave him to wife the Lady Iane Daughter to the deceased Duke of Somerset and Cousin german to the King with a large Dowrie besides many great and rich gifts bestowed by the Mother Vncles and other her kinred but no courtesie or bounty could keepe him from proving unfaithfull and unthankfull The Protectour with his accustomed provident circumspection to prevent dangers that want of supplies might bring to the Army sent over to the Regent tenne thousand well-furnished souldiers with all things whereof hee might stand in need with which fresh succours hee wonne and valiantly conquered many Townes Castles and places of strength whose power the French-men not able to withstand began to fasten the foxes tayle to the lyons skin and what they could not by courage compasse they attempted
more dishonour leaving his slaine and maimed souldiers behind him all save the Pusil impostor who being hurt in the leg and almost stifled with mire in the ditch was by Guisio Thierborne a servant to the Duke of Alanson drawne up and conveyed after the King to Berry who in the way received the submission of the Inhabitants of Laigny The Regent returning to Paris so effectually with words and gesture expressed his true acknowledgement of thankfulnesse for their good service generally and every ones faith in the particular that the Parisians publikely professed Friends to King Henry Friends to Paris enemies to England enemies to the Parisians Philip Duke of Burgoine commeth to Paris where it is concluded in Councell that hee shall remaine for the safeguard of the Citie whilst the Regent infinitely desirous to affront King Charles in the field makes head against the usurper but no certaine newes could be brought where he was in prison the Regent in his March regained Saint Dennis with divers other Fortlets adjoyning The Bastard of Clarence layd siege to the Castle of Sorsy which after sixe moneths siege was yeelded unto him Sir Thomas Kiryel with foure hundred English-men issued out of Gourney in Normandy and wasted the Country to the suburbes of Clerimont all along The Earle of Britaine with his forces meet them neere Beavoys who not liking to charge them with his horse observing some disadvantage in the place or fearing their stakes caused his men to dismount and to charge them on foot but their entertainment was such that the English made shift with their owne horses to follow them flying taking two hundred prisoners and slaying six hundred and so victoriously returned The Duke of Suffolke having payed his ransome and set at libertie besieged the place whereof the Lord Rambures was chiefe which after foure and twenty assaults hee caused to be rendred simply unto him Sir Stephen le Hire with Captaine Franquet with three hundred men marching toward Champayne which was beleagred by the Duke of Burgoyne the Earles of Arundell and Suffolke were encountred by Pusil Ioane and foure hundred with her who fiercely charged them but being by the close order of the English debard from breaking in shee like a Masty curre not daring come too neere stood baying untill shee had drawne out the garrisons of Laigny and other Forts which all fell upon the English and made a great slaughter amongst them and tooke the Captaine prisoner who being presented unto her for shee was reverenced as a Commander in chiefe because hee would not humble himselfe unto her upon the knee like her selfe against law of armes and rule of reason shee caused his head to bee cut off and all his souldiers taken prisoners cruelly to bee slaine From thence shee sped her to Campayne into which with her company shee entred the same as yet not being besieged round Vpon Ascention day at night this Amazonian Virago sallyed out upon the Lord Bawdoe de Noyels quarter where shee did but little hurt and was repulsed though her plot was to have fired his lodgings two nights after by the same place the Bridge towards Montdrider with five hundred men at armes shee sallyed out againe but being discovered by Sir Iohn of Lutzenborough her company was defeated and shee taken and presented to the Duke of Burgoyne who sent her to the Regent who sent her to the Bishop of the Diocesse who after judiciall proceeding against her as a Sorceresse and deceiver of the King and his subjects by her seeming show of sanctitie and her inhumane cruelty against the King of England and his subjects was after her many delayes of promise of discoverie of secret practises and lastly of her fained pregnancie burned at Roane The siege still continued before Campaigne whither the Regent sent the Earle of Huntington and Sir Iohn Robsert who brought fresh supplies of all things But Philip the Duke of Brabant being dead and the Duke of Burgoyne going thither to take possession of the Dutchie as undoubted heire Sir Iohn of Luxborough was left in his stead to prosecute the siege who contrary to the wills of the English and against the opinion of the major part of the Councell raised the same and departed whereby hee left the besieged meanes how to have therewith famine relieved but the Pestilence raged very hot in the Towne The game at Chesse amongst the souldiers playd gave checke sometime to the French and sometime to the English the one in one place prevailing the other doing in another place the like and so it continued wavering in doubtfull ballance a long time The young King of England was by his Councell advised for it was by them resolved that his presence would be a good motive to retain his friends in their former fidelity and reduce the backsliders to their sworne allegiance to goe with armed power in person into France To this end upon St. Georges eve he took shipping at Dover and landed on Sunday being St. Georges day at Callice with a wel-appointed Army from thence by easie marches went to Roan and from thence to Paris where he was by his Vncle the Bishop of Winchester and Cardinall of Eusebius with all wel-beseeming Ceremonies and observances Crowned King of France receiving the oathes of homage and Fealty of all the Nobilitie of France present and all the Citizens and inhabitants of that Citie and of the places adjacent It was very observable amongst strangers and not without some admiration that so small an Iland as England under the governance of so tender an infant should so long and upon so good termes contend with so large potent and populous a kingdome as France But such at that time was the vertue martiall valour of the English Nation That they knew no meane betwixt death and victory alwayes preferring an honorable death before a lingring servitude This moved Eugenius the Pope and all the Christian Princes so often to make Overtures of reconcilement betwixt these two kingdomes but could effect nothing but an imperfect truce for six years which agreed upon King Henry returnes for England and landeth at Dover the 11. of February The six yeares truce was scarce openly proclaimed when an unexpected accident gave occasion of breach thereof and which was worse of the amitie betwixt the Regent the Duke of Burgoyne For his Sister the Lady Anne being dead without issue he too suddenly married the young Lady Iaqueline Daughter to Peter Earle of St. Paul at Terwyâ—… from whence before the solemnitie of the Feast were fully finished he posted to Callice to punish the insolency of some of the garrison there who pretending want of pay had restrained the Merchants from venting their Woolls foure of the faulty souldiers he executed 110. he banished the Towne and many more hee punished by imprisonment from whence with his new Bride on Midsommer eve hee departed for London where he stayed untill the
Gravelin wherefore the King came the Bishop of Winchester Iohn Duke of Norfolke with Humphry Earle of Stafford and others For the Duke appeared his Dutchesse the Bishop of Arras and the Lord of Croys where truce for a very small time is concluded on and for lesse kept This yeare was memorable for the death of three great Princesses Katherine Queene of England and Sister to the King of France The old Dowager of Henry the fourth King of England Daughter of the King of Navar and Mother to the Princes of Britaine And the old Countesse of Armanacke Daughter to the Duke of Berry and Mother to the Duke of Savoy which all dyed within eight and fourty houres the one of the other The fury of fighting growing cold Traffick for townes was againe set on foot and Harflew sold For the recovery whereof the Duke of Somerset with the Lord Talbot and a brave company of souldiers beset it both by land and water there being within to defend it Sir Iohn Estontvile and his brother with six hundred men and upward the Earles of Ewe with the Bastards of Orleance and Burbon with foure thousand men came to the reskue but so well were the English entrencht that the French could neither succor their friends nor annoy their enemies and so as they came they returned Whereupon the towne was surrendred upon composition About this time the Dutchesse of Bedford followed Queen Katherines example making election for an Husband of a gallant young Gentleman but of small meanes yet fortunate only enough by being affected one Sir Richard Woodvile whom she took to Husband to the great discontent of her French friends but especially her Vncle the Bishop of Terwine but she cared not who was vext so her selfe was pleased and God not offended who blest her and made her Mother of many children and amongst the rest of the Lady Elizabeth afterwards married to King Edward the fourth Iames King of Scots which before had bin fifteen yeares prisoner in England and from thence released with a Wife a great dower and many honourable presents yet proved ingratefull was murthered by certaine his traiterous subjects in his bed-chamber by night who being found out were cruelly tortured The Duke of Burgoine having attempted the unworthy traffick of bartering for Callice with mony but not able to compasse it being infinitely desirous to bee Master of it when neither force nor fraud could prevaile attempts it by a strange pollicy but of like successe to the former for hee was perswaded by a rediculous practise so to cut a ditch that hee might at his pleasure drowne both the Towne and Countrey about this hee imployed much labour and more cost but this fantasticall fancy of a flood vanished away like his Flemmish army at the siege there of like a vapour The Lord Talbot besieged Tanckervile and hath it after foure moneths lying before it simply rendred unto him In leiw whereof the French King in his owne person layes siege to Monstrew fault Yonne Whilst the Duke of Yorke was providing for the reskue of this Towne hee was discharged of his office by which meanes Sir Thomas Gerrard had the more colour to sell not lose the Towne which the King of France making his owne contract with him bought of him for rewards and preferment both promised but how performed I know not only having sold his honour with his charge hee lived disgraced and discarded in much discontent an exile in France where hee died This yeare is a Parliament holden at Westminster in which were made many good and profitable acts aswell for the preservation of peace at home as for provision to maintaine the warres abroad Arthur Constable of France and Iohn Duke of Alanson besieged the Towne of Auranches whither the Lord Talbot came and offered them battell which they refusing hee marched in despight of them none daring to make resistance into the Towne from whence next morning he sallyed out and having made a greatslaughter amongst them tooke divers prisoners and retreated at pleasure the French being well contented so to bee rid of him The French the next morning were called from the siege pretended for Pautou de Santrelis for the Hire had sent Letters unto them that they had the promise of divers Bourgers of Roan when their watch-night came to let them in they wisht therefore the Constable to meet them at Rize a place within foure leagues of Roane here of the Lord Talbot having notice covertly marcht to Roan and from thence though wearied with a bad journey marcheth before day to Rize where he surprizeth the French taketh the Lord Fontaines Sir Allaine Geron and many other the Hire by the helpe of his horse though not unwounded by him that pursued him escaped and so Talbot returneth to Roan with a faire bootie and full instructions to discover the Traitours who convicted had the reward of their treason The sixtday of November the Earle of Warwicke who seven times having beene abourd and still beat backe by tempestuous and contrary winds landed at Hoinflew with a thousand fresh souldiers came to Roan whither the Duke of Yorke was come downe and from thence returned for England The Duke of Burgoine taking advantage as hee thought of a still water with tenne thousand men besiegeth the Towne of Crotoy to relieve whom the new Regent sent the Lord Talbot with five thousand men whereof the Duke having notice upon their approach retyreth with his power except foure hundred with whom hee had manned a Bastileo by him there erected to Abvile but the Bastilio is soone gained and all the souldiers either taken or slaine The valiant Talbot sent the Duke word that if hee would save his Countrie of Piccardy from vastation that hee should come into the field where hee attended him and would give him if he dared to come battell But the Duke of Burgoine was not in the fighting humour neither loved to bee too neere so cholericke an enemy that would strike if hee might come at him and therefore from Abvile secretly conveyes himselfe to Amiens Twenty dayes together did the Lord Talbot with fire and sword passe thorow Piccardy and Arthoys destroying all that stood in his way and so returneth unencountred Sir Thomas Kiryel seized upon the Dukes Carriages and Ordnance and having left in Crotoy victual enough for six hundred men for a whole yeare hee brought the rest to the Earle of Warwicke who thankfully received them Henry Earle of Mortaine sonne to Edmond Duke of Somerset arrived with three hundred Archers and three hundred Speares and past thorow Normandy to Mayne and tooke in his March by assault the Cattle of Saint Anian wherein were three hundred Scots and French-men the Scots hee slew all and hanged the French-men for that they had sworne fealty to England and broke it hee tooke likewise the Castle of Algarche and by meanes of an Ambush taketh the Lord of Camerois comming
succeeded in the Earledome 2. Iohn the second was Created Marquesse Mountague 3. Thomas married the Widow of the Lord Willoughby 4. George was Archbishop of Yorke and Lord Chancellor 1. Ioane the eldest Daughter was married to William Fisz-Allen Earle of Arundell 2. Cecily was married to Henry Beuchamp Duke of Warwicke 3. Alice was married to Henry Lord Fitz-Hugh 4. Elianor to Thomas Stanley Earle of Darby 5. Katherine to William Bonvile Lord Harrington and 6. Margaret to Iohn Vere Earle of Oxford Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke tooke to wife Cecily Daughter of Ralph Nevill first Earle of Westmerland and had issue eight Sonnes and foure Daughters 1. His eldest Sonne Henry dyed young 2. Edward afterwards King of England 3. Edmond Earle of Rutland slaine with his Father 4. Iohn dyed young 5. William 6. Thomas 7. George after Duke of Clarence 8. Richard surnamed Croutchbacke after King of England 1. Anne his eldest Daughter was married to Henry Holland Duke of Exceter 2. Elizabeth married to Iohn de la Poole Earle of Suffolke 3. Margaret married to Charles Duke of Burgundie 4. And Vrsula The Earle of March having tidings of his Fathers death encreaseth his Army and borne up with two wings desire of revenge and expectation to raigne hee tooke his leaue at Shrowsbury of the Inhabitants intimating to them at his departure the murther of his Father and Brother the destruction intended of himselfe and Familie and downfall of all that wisht well to his part if not heedfully prevented hee craved therefore their utmost assistance and their neighbours which they accordingly performed and then with some good strength presently tooke the field and having advertisement that Iasper Earle of Penbrooke with the Earles of Ormond and Wiltshire with a great power of Welch and Irish did follow after him hee suddenly marcheth backe againe and in a plaine neere Mortimers Crosse on Candlemasse day in the morning hee gave them battaile and with the slaughter of three thousand and eight hundred put the Earles to flight Owen Teuther who had married Queene Katherine Mother to Henry the sixt and divers Welch Gentlemen were taken and at Hereford beheaded The Queene encouraged by the death of the Duke of Yorke with a power of Northerne people with an intent to undoe what was done in the last Parliament marcheth towards London but when her souldiers were once South of Trent as if that River had beene the utmost limits of their good behaviour they did most licentiously forrage the Country harrowing burning and spoyling the same as if they had beene in the most barbarous land of heathens Approaching Saint Albones they were advertised that the Duke of Norfolke and the Earle of VVarwicke were ready to give them battaile The Queenes Voward hasteth to passe thorow Saint Albones but were saluted from the Market place with such a showre of arrowes that they were for safeguard glad to retire and sought to passe by another way which but not without some blowes they did and encountred with their enemies in the field who perceiving the maine battaile to stand and not to move by the trechery of Lonelace who with the Kentish men led the Van. the Southerne men turned afide and fled and by the Northerne prickers were slaughtered untill night saved their backes When night was come the residue despairing of each others well-meaning shifted away The Nobles about the King perceiving how the game went withdrew themselves The Lord Bonvile comming in a complementall manner to the King saying It grieved him to leave his Majestie but necessitie for safeguard of his life enforced it was importuned and Sir Thomas Kiryell like wise by the King to stay hee passing his royall word that their stay should not endanger their bodyes upon which promise they stayed but to their cost for such was the inplacable fury of the Queen that hearing Baron Thorpe was by the Commons beheaded at Highgate she the day after the battell being Ashwednesday caused both their heads to bee smitten off at Saint Albones whose death reckoned with the rest maketh up of the slaughtered the number of three and twentie hundred The King was advised to send one Thomas Hoe that had beene a Barrester to the Victors to thanke them for their paines and to tell them that hee would gladly come to them if with convenience it might be done The Earle of Northumberland appointed divers Lords to attend him to the Lord Cliffords Tent where the Queene and young Prince met to their great joy it was now observed that victory alwayes fled from where the King was present At the Queenes request he honored with the order of Knighthood thirty that the day before fought against the part where hee was the Prince likewise was by him dubbed Knight Then they went to the Abby where they were entertained with Anthems and withall an humble Petition to be taken into the Kings protection thereby to bee freed from the tiranny of the loose souldiers which was promised and Proclamation accordingly made but to small purpose for the Northerne men said it was made in their bargaine to haveall the spoyle in every place after they had passed the River of Trent and so they robbed and spoyled all they could come at which gave just cause of dislike to the indifferent-minded which only wisht the quiet and peace of the Country not respecting which Rose the red or white prevailed for now began that distinction by those Badges for the factions of Yorke and Lancaster to bee worne The Londoners hearing of this disorder were warned to looke to themselves and they were resolved since there was no more assurance in the Kings promise to keepe the Northerne men out of their gates The gentlenesse and tendernesse of a King not accompanied with courage and severitie is both hurtfull to himselfe and his estate In the Kings name the Londoners are sent to to send over to the Campe certaine Cart-loades of Lenton provision The Maior accordingly provides and makes all things ready but the Commons rose about Cripplegate and by strong hand say or doe what the Maior or his officers can they kept the Carts from going forth of the Citie The Maior sends the Recorder to the Kings Councell and knowing the predominancy of the Queenes passion if never so little troubled they entreat the Dutchesse of Bedford and the Lady Scales with all the Fathers of the Church resiant about London to intercede for him and excuse his not using force considering how apt the multitude was to take fire upon the least flash and how dangerous it might bee in these doubtfull times to raise their fury that would not easily bee allayed it was well advised to send women to entreat women for they so prevailed That some of the Lords of the Councell with a guard of foure hundred good souldiers were appointed to goe for London to enquire and certifie the truth of these things But before they set forth divers
they fled which ever since hath beene called Loose Coate field in this place were slaine of the Earles part ten thousand and odde of the Kings side thirteen hundred but no man of marke Sir Robert Wells with all the prisoners then taken were there presently executed Sir Robert beheaded the other hanged which were threescore seven The report of this disaster turnes Clarence and his father in Law to Exceter from whence having dismist their army they fled to Dartmouth from thence they shipped to Callis having their Ladyes and divers Gentlewomen in their Company intending there to goe on shore but their expectation was frustrated for whilst he was about to land he was saluted with a great shot from the platforme which assured them there was no going on shoare there without apparant danger whereupon the Earle by messenger entreated Mounseir Vocleer the Earles Deputie leiftenant there But to give way to the Ladyes to land the Dutchesse of Clarence being then in travaile which Vocleer uncourteously refused and like the hedghog kept his Captaine out of his owne lodging not doing or permitting to be done any the least office of humanitie but denying the sicke and tender Ladies all courtesie and comfort wherefore the Earle was enforced to put againe to Sea Whilst King Edward for this so discourteous usage of the Earle sent the ungratefull Gascoyne a patent of the Captaines place of Callice under the great Seale of England And the Duke of Burgoyne gave him an annuitie of one hundred pounds per annum during life Notwithstanding Warwick being at Sea received intelligence from Vocleer whom it seemes did love the Earle in the second place but himselfe in the first That the Duke of Burgoine plotted his destruction whereupon the Earle kept the Seas and tooke all the Burgonians he cold meet making prize of their ladings wherewith he landed in France and from Deepe by the French Kings solemn invitation he went to the Castle of Amboyes where the King then kept his Court. And there the Ladies wants are supplied and honorable welcome and liberall entertainment given to the Earle and all his company The newes of the Earle of Warwickes being at the French Kings Court drew thither Queene Margaret and her sonne Edward with Iasper late Earle of Pembrock for this Iasper having beene attainted of treason William Lord Harbert was created Earle of Pembrook but being slaine William his sonne succeeded in the Earledome This Iasper and others with him who were lately broke out of prison in England and fled thither joyne in confederation with the Earle of Warwick and a solemn oath passeth betwixt the Duke of Clarence the Earles of Warwicke Oxford and Iasper of Pembrook never to deserte one the other during life nor desist to the uttermost of their best abilities to procure the releasment of King Henry and his restoration to the Crowne of England and to give the better Countenance to this confederation Prince Edward is married to the Earle of Warwicks daughter But therein the Earle of Warwick sitting in his ownlight overshot himselfe and by overdoing in policy to strengthen his part both himselfe and partakers are undon The water intended to drive the Mill being drawne to drowne the same for the Duke of Clarence after he had taken into his owne more serious consideration the purposed end of this match he easily perceived that that being seconded with the intended prosecution of the warres against King Edward would if succesfull prove the utter overthrow of his Brothers and the finall extirpation of the house of Yorke From hence arose and not without just ground the Dukes distrust of his owne fortunes For the prevention of which mischiefe hee inwardly became lesse forward to the businesse and began to cast about how to come fairely off from his Father-in-law propinquitie of blood proving a stronger incentive to affection then contracted affinitie though never so much combined with solemne promises and overt protestations From henceforth underhand he gives perfect intelligence to King Edward of all proceedings against him and withall assures him that he was resolved upon his comming into England to play the part of a loving Brother and as hee did now in heart decline the confederation so he would then cleane desert their cause herewith when King Edward acquainted his Brother the Duke of Yorke hee said hee alwayes thought as much for hee that at one time had turned Traitour to his Soveraigne would at another prove trecherous to his friend but wee may saith he presume better hereafter of our Brother The French King having furnished the new Confederates with men money and amunition and with necessary shipping They all went aborde and falling downe to the mouth of the river of Seyne they descried the Burgonians with a strong fleet prepared to interrupt their sayling forth Whereupon the Lords strike sayle and call to Councell But during their time of such consultation a strong Southwest wind comes from land with a terrible tempest of raine by fury whereof the Burgonian Fleet was driven to Sea and severed many of them being driven on ground in Scotland The storme being ceased having set the Queene and Prince with his Wife on shore Warwicke with his Complices hoise sayle and with a merry gale arrive safely at Dartmouth from whence hee gave notice to his partakers of his arrivall King Edward presuming of the strength of the Burgonian Fleet and their watchfulnesse had omitted preparation either to impeach his Adversaries landing or to affront them being landed by meanes whereof the Lords land at ease and having a cleere passage march forward in good array making Proclamation in every place where they come in King Henryes name to command all his loving subjects to bee ready both with purse and person to give him assistance against the Duke of Yorke who like a tyrant and an usurper withheld from him his Crowne and Patrimony by this meanes in few dayes his Army greatly encreased wherewith in good order and by easie marches keeping his men alwayes in action by exercising them and fitting them to their weapons hee made towards London upon notice of whose approach on the Sunday next after Michaelmasse day one Doctor Goddard a Chaplaine of the Earle of Warwicke appointed to preach at Pauls Crosse did so set forth the pious intention of the Earle his Master that endevoured the restoring of a wronged King to his liberty and Dominion and to free the kingdome from an Vsurper that his pithy perswasions prevailed so farre with his Auditory that none reproved him for his boldnesse but so approved of his Sermon that divers put their ghostly Fathers advice in practice insomuch that the Marquesse Mountacute who had as was pretended on King Edwards behalfe levied sixe thousand men about London found them all enclinable to goe with him to the Earle of Warwicke and accordingly went and joyned with him so suddenly and easily will the vulgar bee seduced This
That hee would rather die like himselfe then live and have to doe with such usurping disloyall and ill-conditioned base Turne-coates The King taking notice of his head-strong resolution with his two Brothers and all their forces Vnited marcheth towards London where after some little show of resistance the Weathercocke Citizens moving like the eares of standing corne altogether which way soever the wind blew received him with great applause and lowd acclamations of welcome delivering up unto him the miserable King Henry like a ball to bee bandied with the racket of his pleasure into what hazard he pleased The Earle of Warwicke with all his forces warily followed them at the heeles but could never find opportunitie as hee expected either upon advantage to cut off their rere or hinder their approach to London And having certaine intelligence that King Edward was entred London and King Henry reimprisoned hee encamped at Saint Albones aswell to refresh his souldiers as to take counsell what course to take and how to dispose of their journey King Edward being advertised of the Earle of VVarwicks approach thinking it not fit to have him to advance too neere London drew out his forces and with them marcheth to meet his Adversary The resolution was equall on both parts to set up their rests upon the hazard of that encounter upon Easter eve the King with his power lodged in Barnet towne the Earle of VVarwicke encamped upon the hill betweene Saint Albones and Barnet the Campes each in sight of other Early on Easter day in the morning an unfit day chosen for so unpleasing a service to God The souldiers on both sides are put in array The Earle of Warwicke appointed the command of the right wing which consisted of horse to his Brother the Marquesse Mountacute and the Earle of Oxford The least wing likewise consisting of horse was led by the Duke of Exceter and the battell consisting of Bills and Bowes was conducted by the Duke of Somerset The Voward on the Kings part was commanded by the Duke of Glocester The battell in which was King Henry was led by King Edward himselfe and the Lord Hastings brought on the rere There wanted on neither side befitting encouragement to incite the souldiers to show themselves valiant and each one to doe his endevour to conquer the exhortations ended the fight began and with great valour and resolution on both sides maintained by the space of six houres without any disadvantage on either part appearing untill King Edward gave order to certaine fresh troopes of Rutters for that purpose reserved to charge the now wearied battell of the enemy which the Earle of Warwicke observing alighted from his horse with a desperate courage hee entred amongst his Adversaries whom his brother the Marquesse Mountacute in hope to reskue followed and so were both enclosed and slaine And with their fall fell the victory to King Edwards part who being assured thereof leaving his Brothers to Marshall the field and to take order for the quartering the souldiers he with King Henry in his company went on the spurre to London and there at Evening-song in Saint Pauls Church offered his Banner and the Earle of Warwicks Standard On King Edwards part was slaine no man of extraordinary note but the Lord Cromwell Sonne and heire of the Earle of Essex and the Lord Barnes Sonne and heire of the Lord Say On the other part were slaine the Earle of Warwicke the Marquesse Mountacute and three and twenty Knights on both sides fell foure thousand six hundred and odde The bodyes of the Earle of Warwicke and his brother were stripped starke naked and put in one coffin and the next day brought to London where in the body of Saint Pauls Church they lay by the space of two dayes bare visaged This Earle of Warwick commonly stiled the Great Earle of Warwick whose usuall phrase was That hee had rather bee able to set up or pull downe a King then bee a King was Richard Nevill Sonne and heire of Richard nevill Earle of Salisbury who married the Daughter of Richard Beauchampe the sixt Earle of Warwicke in whose right hee was Earle of Warwicke and in his owne Earle of Salisbury and Lord Mounthermer hee was great Chamberlaine and Lord high Admirall of ENGLAND Lord Warden of the North-Marches towards SCOTLAND and of the Cinque-ports Captaine of Callice and high Steward of the Dutchy of Lancaster hee had issue two Daughters ISABELL married to GEORGE PLANTAGGNET Duke of Clarence and ANNE first married to EDVVARD titulary Prince of Wales and after to Richard the Vsurper Iohn Nevill Brother to the said Earle was first Created Lord Mountague after that Earle of Northumberland upon the attainder and banishment of Henry Piercy Earle thereof But upon his returne into England and restoring in blood Nevill surrendred his graunt of the Earledome of Northumberland and was Created Marquesse Mountacute hee married Isabell Daughter and heire of Sir Edmond Inglesthorpe Knight and had issue George Nevill Created Duke of Bedford but aftere degraded by Act of Parliamhnt and five Daughters who after their Brothers decease which dyed without issue were Coheires of his estate Anne married to Sir William Stonhurst Knight Elizabeth married to Thomas Lord Scroope of Risdale Margaret married to Sir John Mortimer Knight Lucy married to Sir Thomas Fitz-Williams Knight Isabell married to Sir William Huddleston Knight and all these Daughters had issue After these Brothers had beene made a spectacle of mortalitie and the subject of their spectators spight scorne or pitie three dayes in that manner they were permitted to be carried to the Monastery of Bissam and there in one grave buried amongst their Ancestors Queene Margaret when it was too late with some French forces landed at Waymouth where having unwelcome tidings of this disastes znd that the Duke of Excester supposed slaine was strangely recovered and had taken Sanctuary at Westminster shee with her Sonne conveyed her selse to Bewly in Hampshire where shee tooke Sanctuary having sent her souldiers into Wales to Jasper Earle of Penbrooke who with the Duke of Somerset Thomas Courtney Earle of Devon Iohn Lord Wenlocke and some others repaired thither unto her Amongst these it is resolved once more to bring their forces together into the field and hazard one stroke more From Bewley the Queene and the Earle of Somerset speed towards Bristoll intending with what powers they could raise in Glocestershire to march to VVales to joyne with Penbrooke who was gone thither to make preparation accordingly The King made acquainted with these overtures resolves if possible to crosse the conjunction and followes Queene Margaret with a great power so close that neere Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire hee overtakes her forces who resolutely turne and make head against the Kings power where Somerset on the Queenes part leading on the Van did performe the part of a good Commander and a stout souldier maintaining the fight for a long time resolutely and bravely But
upon the Bridge somewhat slaked Alderman Iosselyne with a Companie of Citizens drawne from Leaden-hall where the Corps deâ—…guard was kept valiantly the great Ordnance being first from the Bridge-foot discharged fell upon the Bastards troopes and so plyed them with his shotte that they turned backe and fledde whom the Alderman followed to â—…tcliffe slaughtering all he overtooke in their flight and kept them from going on borde their shippes Fauconbridge commanded his shippes to fall downe to the Downes whilst hee with much labour drew together his scattered troopes and entrenched himselfe at Blacke-heath comforting his company of the assurance of accession of the Welch whom hee affirmed to bee upon march to come to their assistance with whose ayde hee promised them to worke wonders But having expected their comming three dayes victualls growing scarce and hearing of the Kings approach hee dismist his souldiers taking as many with him as would adventure to Sea hee left the rest to trie their fortunes on shore King Edward upon the one and twentieth of May with a great power came to London where hee was Triumphantly received which hee as thankfully required giving the Order of Knighthood to the Maior Recorder and two Aldermen Basset and Josceline giving them respective commendations both for their loyaltie and valours promising upon the Word of a King to requite the meanest of his good Citizens loves with ample satisfaction as soone as the Common-wealth had recovered her quiet which hee was confident now would be shortly The clowdes that had so long covered it being almost cleane dispersed In the meane time the Duke of Gloucester tooke an occasion to visit King Henry in the Tower where observing his unmoved behaviour either out of pittie of his unbounded injury or envy at his so settled patience That though hee had lost his Crowne his only Sonne and all his assured friends and was hopelesse ever after to see his Wife the least of which was a losse unvaluable and now had nothing left him but a little breath yet hee seemed as though hee had lost nothing or out of piety which may bee doubted to send him thither where hee might repaire all his losses with a much overplus of happinesse Glocester with his Ponyard made a passage for the soule to goe out of the prison of the body and the body to bee layed to sleepe amongst his fore-fathers and as it were to give the world a taste of that blood-thirsty inclination and Canniball condition whereof his ensuing Tragicall murthers should give a more ample Testimonie and to guild his Dagger with Royall blood having there with first stabd the Sonne a hopefull young Prince now hee kill'd the Father performing to him a mercifull act of an unmercifull actor The three and twentieth day of May being Ascension day the Corpes were conveyed by direction from the Councell with some little show of solemnitie of Funerall rites to Pauls Church where hee lay all that day with his face vncovered But that in sight of all the people there or at the Blacke-Fryers whither the body was that night conveyed or in any other place it bled in that quantitie or in that manner which the report of many gave out it did I will not affirme only say that true it is the day following hee was from Black-Fryers conveyed in a Boate to Chertseu Abbey without Priest or Clerke Torch or Taper saying or singing and there buried But afterwards at the appointment of King EDVVARD was removed to Windsor anâ—… there interred and a faire Monument made over him Thus was hee freed from this thraldome after hee had groned under the burden of a Crowne thirty eight yeares sixe moneths and odde dayes hee married as afore Margaret Daughter of Rayner Duke of Anion by Proxie in Lorayne at the Citie of Tours in Saint Martins Church in the presence of the French King and Queene The King was Vncle to the Brides Father and the Queene Aunt to her Mother King Henry by her had issue only Edward butchered as afore This Margaret remained Prisoner in London untill shee was ransomed by Duke Rayner her Father and then departed into France where shee lived and dyed King Henryes true Widow that had beene his trustfull Wife This King Henry in his life-time had beene so truly a participant of both prosperitie and adversitie That few can goe beyond him in both if any his Predecessours could paralell him in either being nine moneths old hee began his raigne over England being wisely warily and watchfully guided guarded reguarded by his three wise valiant and respective Vncles the Dukes of Gloucester Exceter and Bedford as long as their triple twisted triumvirate authority subsisted In the eighth yeare of his Raigne hee was Crowned at Westminster And in the eleventh yeare of his Raigne hee was Crowned King of France in our Lady Church at Paris Thirtie yeares hee enjoyed all the benefits of peace within England without any manifest interruption And what content a bucksome and debonaire Queene could enrich him with But in the three and thirtieth yeare of his Raigne hee was enforced to fight after a great defeat given him at Saint Albones And in the eight and thirtieth yeare of his Raigne his Armie was defeated at Northampton by great Warwicke and there by him taken Prisoner The yeare following hee is by Queen Margaret his Wife set at libertie but in the same yeare after the overthrow given him at Mortimers Crosse both hee and his Queene were compelled to flye out of the Realme the one to Scotland the other into France Hee is afterwards taken Prisoner at Selby in Lancashire and brought Prisoner to the Tower from whence hee shortly delivered and restored by him that first tooke him Prisoner and last left him there great Warwicke for his sake Edward the fourth is compelled to fly for ayde into Holland and is Proclaimed Traytour whilst Henry againe is Vested in royaltie But the yeare following hee is againe taken Prisoner in the Bishops Pallace at London and sent Prisoner to the Tower for whose releasement whilst Warwicke strives both himselfe and Brother lose their lives at the field fought at Barnet and young Prince Edward upon the same occasion is murdered after the overthrowe given to his Mother at Tewksbury besides many of the royall blood and his Noble friends massacred and butchered in other places yet hee in both estates so demeaned himselfe that hee modestly carried the one and moderately underwent the other Passion at no time drowning his judgement nor will at any time domineering over his Reason yea such was his deportment that the inconstancie of his state could not alter the constancy of his minde Insomuch that one of his Successours King Henry the Seventh laboured for that only vertue to have Canonized to be a Saint and had obtained to have had it done had not the charges thereof so farre exceeded mediocrity for the fees or expences to make a King a Saint are much more then the expences to
it so home that the adverse part not able or at lest not willing to endure the shock for the cause of quarrell in a Souldier encreaseth the courage or abateth the edge of resolution gave grownd which moved King Richard to bring on the maine battaile And with a desperat resolution entred so farre into the enemies battaile that with his own hands hee slew Sir William Brandon Richmonds chiefe standard bearer and unhorst Sir Iohn Cheney a strong and stout man at armes And at length encountring with the Earle of Richmond enterchanged some buffets But Henry ayded by the divine helpe and favoured with the uprightnesse of his cause with stood Richards forceable assault But whilst the armies on both sides stood striving in a doubtfull hazard who should win the price Sir William Stanley with three thousand fresh men crying S. George a Richmond joyned with his brothers Souldiers brake into King Richards battayle who thereupon fled incontinently leaving their King behind to make a bloody catastrophe of his slaughterly raigne who throughly enraged furiously fighting without discretion or ability to prevaile he fell under the sword of his enemies The rumor of his death and the rowting of the battaile gave occasion to the reregard Commanded by Henry Earle of Northumberland who rather wished then expected what did befall to submit without striking stroke whereby the victory fell to the Earle Richmonds part who upon certainty thereof instantly in most religious divotion gave order for publicke thanks giving to God for their happy preservation and he himselfe that gave the precept made himselfe the patterne therein alighting from his horse and kneeling upon his knees first privatly to himselfe and then publickly with the rest gave glory to his maker There were not above one thousand slaine on both sides the cheife of whom was Iohn Duke of Norfolke who was often warned and much laboured that day to forbeare the field in regard there was found written upon his tent-dore Iack of Norfolke be not to boold For Dickon thy Master is bought and sold. But what God had before appointed could not be prevented This Iohn Howard was the sonne of Sir Robert Howard knight and Margaret eldest daughter and coheire of Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk in whose right he was created Duke of Norfolk the five and twentieth day of Iune in the yeare of our Lord 1483. He married two wives the first was Katherine daughter of William Lord Mullyns by whom he had issue one sonne and foure daughters Thomas that succeeded him and was created Earle of Surry in the first yeare of King Richard the third and was restored to grace and made Lord Treasurer in the sixteenth yeare of Henry the seventh and 1 Anne married to Sir Edmond Gorge knight 2 Isabell married to Robert Mortymer of Essex knight 3 Iane married to Thomas Tymperley Esquire and Margaret married to Iohn Windham of Cowtherck in Norfolk knight This Dukes second wife was Margaret daughter of Sir Iohn Chadworth knight by whom he had issue Katherine married to Iohn Bourcheir Lord Berners and no more Walter Lord Ferrers Sir Richard Ratcliff and Sir Robert Brackenbury knights with William Catesby an utterbarrister with some others were taken flying And shortly after executed at Leicester Francis Vicount Lovell and the two Staffords escaped and tooke Sanctuary in S. Iohns at Glocester Henry Earle of Northumberland submitting himselfe was not onely pardoned but received into favour whilst Thomas Howard Earle of Surry eldest sonne of Iohn Duke of Norfolk that then and there rendred himselfe as the other did to the conquerors mercy was committed close prisoner in Leicester and from thence sent to the Tower of London There were not on the Earle of Richmonds part above one hundred slaine the principall whereof was William Brandon This battaile was fought at Rodner neere Bosworth the two and twentieth day of August in the yeare of our Lord God 1486. After publicke thanks giving was as before prescribed orderly and religiously performed Earle Henry gave order to search amongst the slaine for such as were but wounded commanding those carefully to be drest and the other to be with decency on both sides buried The body of King Richard being amongst the slaughtered carkases found the whole armie gave a generall shoute and with loud acclamations of long live King Henry made the field ecchoe againe The Lord Stanly having in his custody King Richard the usurpers Crowne which amongst the spoyles his souldiers had found and brought to him placed the same on Earle Henryes head wherewith the souldiers reiterated their joyfull acclamations making the fields resound with long live King Henry of that name the seventh as if by their onely suffrages he had bin elected and confirmed King of England Here with the tent-keepers of the usurper came and submitted themselves to the Lord Stanly and brought with them young George Strange whom the usurper upon the Lord Stanlyes refusall presently to draw downe his forces to joyne with him had sworne before he went to dinner by the life of S. Paul to have had beheaded But was perswaded by his councell to forbeare the execution untill the battaile should be determined now being brought to the presence of his father The young Gentleman being thereto by his keepers instructed before craved the help of his mediation to the king for their pardon which was willingly undertaken and as easily procured From thence the camp presently removed and King Henry marched to the Towne of Leicester where for the more refreshing of his men and the better accommodation of himselfe for his journey towards the City of London he remained two dayes In the meane time the body of the usurper starke naked all mangled and besmeared with blood and dust without so much as the lest ragge to cover his privities was trussed behind Blanch Senigleer his owne Pursevant of armes like butchers ware his heads and his armes hanging on the one side of the horse his legs on the other and so was brought to Leicester where for a spectacle of hate and scorne by the space of two dayes he lay bare and uninterred At last by the Charitie of the Gray Fryers there without solemne funerall pompe scarce with ordinary solemnitie he was inhumed in their Monastery there he reigned two yeares two moneths and one day This Richard married Anne second daughter of Richard Nevill commonly stiled great Earle of Warwicke by whom he had issue Edward whom at twelue moneths old he created Prince of Wales but happily dyed before his father This Richard was borne at Fodringhay Castle in Northamptonshire the third sonne of Richard Duke of Yorke younger brother of George Duke of Clarence by him murdred in the Tower After the death of his brother King Edward the fourth he procured himselfe to be made Protector and guardian of his two Nephewes of whom he made himselfe the execrable murtherer For a fuller expression of his Character he was borne a monster in nature with all
besieged 1422. A Parliament in the Kings absence called The birth of Henry the sixt The Dolphin besieged Cosney An. 1422. R. 9. King Henry dieth The Duke of Bedford made Generall of Normandy The Duke of Glocester Protector Ann. 1422 R. 1. The Dolphin proclaimed King Pont Melon surprized by the French An. 1422. R. 3. Reduced by the Earle of Salisbury The league renewed with Burgoine A conspiracy at Paris Preventtd and punished The French defeated Ann. 1422 R. 2. The King of Scots marieth the Duke of Somersets Daughter Crotoy lost and recovered The English are victorious at Vernoyle 1424. The reduction of Vernoyle An. 14. 24. R. 3. The French frighted with the name of Salisbury A jarre betwixt the brothers in England drawes the Regent into Ergland The young King knighted The Regent returnes to France Burgoyne by letter disswades Glocester from his new wife The name of Salisbury a bugbeare to the French 1426. Ponterson taken by the English Mounts retaken 1427. An. 1427. R. 6. The pollicy of the French The death of Salisbury the downfall of the English good fortune Both wind Sun against the English The French every where revolt The Regent defies the French King The Armies on both sides in array An. 1428. R. 7. 1429. Henry the sixt Crowned The constancy of the Lord Barbason Ann. 1429 Reg. 8. Charles attempts Paris But disappointed retreats The Regent desirous to cope with King Charles An. 1430. R. 9. The Earle of Britaine defeated 1430. The Pusil Ioane taken Proceeded against Burned King Henry in person goeth into France King Henry returnes for England after a Truce concluded The Regent having buried the sister of Burgoyne marrieth a second wife An. 1432. R. 11. The Peasants in Normandy rebell The Duke of Burbon receiveth liberty of body out of prison and losse of life all in one day At St. Omers the Dukes of Bedford and Burgoyne meet and depart without conference 1435. The death of the Regent Emulation betwixt the Vncle and Nephew thwart the businesse in France Ann. 1435 R. 12. Callice besieged by the Duke of Burgoyne The Duke of Burgoyne retreats from Callice An. 1437. R. 13. 1437. The death of three great Ladyes The King of Scots murthered Ann. 1439 R. 14. A Parliament at Westminster Roan attempted but with losse to the French An. 1437. R. 16. Ann. 1437 Reg. 15. The Lord Talbot harroweth Piccardy 1438. Famine in England Pestilence in Paris 1439. An. 1439. R. 18. Ponthoys taken by the English Ponthoys succoured The French King braved by the Regent but is patient Treaty for a peace Ann. 1441 Reg. 20. The Duke of Orleance released The Earle of Saint Paul forsaketh the English An. 1442. R. 20. The Castle of Cornhill surprized by a stratagem Vnnaturall dissention betwixt brothers An. 1442. R. 21. Ann. 1442 Reg. 21. King Henry betrothed to the Earle of Arminacks Daughter An. R. 22. A truce agreed upon The Earle of Suffolk transends his Commission An. 1444. R. 22. 23. King Henry marrieth Duke Rayners Daughter 1444. The Regent comes for England An. 1416. R. 24. Glocesiers destruction plotted 1448. The Cardinal of Winchester dies William Wanfleet consecrated Bishop of Winchester An. 1430. R. 26. The truce broken by the English Ardes surprised An. 1449. R. 27. The Duke of Yorke sent into Ireland The English overthrowne An overbold but true language An. 1450. R. 27. Suffolke traduced The Parliament adjourned from Black-fryers to Lecester and then to Westminster Suffolke committed to the Tower A Parliament summoned Mortymer incites the many to insurrection The grievances of the Commons tendred to the Parliament Captaine Mend-all his private petition The two Staffords defeated and slaine The forme of Iacke Cades Warrant The captaine of the rebells slaine The Bishop of Salisbury murthered An. 1452. R. 29. A Parliament The Duke of Yorkes policy to cloake his intention Yorke raiseth forces in Wales The King sends to the Duke of Yorke Yorks answer Yorke dismisseth his army Yorke takes the oath of allegiance Burdeux is reduced Shrowsbury with his fourth sonne and his naturall brother slain at Chattillon 1453. Ann. 1453 R. 30. The Queene delivered of a Sonne Norman the first Lord Maior that went by water to Westminster to take his oath The Queenes Attourney with others slaine in a fray The Duke of Yorke writeth to the King Ann. 1454 R. 33. First battell at St. Albones The Duke of Somerset slaine 1455. Ann. 1455 Reg. 33. The Duke of Yorke conveyeth the K. to London Yorke made Protector of the King The Merchant strangers rifled An invasion attempted by the French Sandwich plundered The Scots make an inroad The Sheriffs of London in trouble for the escape of the Lord Egrimond Ann. 1455 Reg. 33. The Duke of Yorke with the Earles of Salisbury and Warwick betake themselves to their severall strengths The General agreement amongst the Nobilitie by the mediation of the King An. 1449 Strange apparitions An. 1459. R. 34. Sonne against father 1459. Subjects against Soveraigns Father against Sonne A fray An. 1458. R. 34. Three great Carricks taken worth 10000. 2. Battailes fought The Lord Audley slaine The Duke of Yorke flyeth An. 1428. R. 38. A Parliament The Earle of Warwicke with 25000. men taketh the field 3. Battell at Northampton Warwicke possest of the Tower An. 1459. R. 39. The Duke of Yorke puts in claime The Duke of Yorke to be proclaimed heire to the Crowne and Protector 4. Battell at Wakefield Young Rutland butchered The Earle of Salisbury beheaded Ann. 1458 R. 34. 1461. Fift battell at Mortimers crosse Sixt battel second at Saint Albones The Lord Bonvile and Thomas Kiryell beheaded by the Queene contrary to the Kings promise 30. Knights made Prince Edward dubbed Knight The Families of Yorke and Lancaster distinguished by the red Rose and white The Archbishop of Canterbury animated the Duke of Yorke to take upon him the Crowne Ann. 1460 Reg. 1. The Dukes title to the Crowne double An. 1460. R. 2. Edward leaveth London Lord Fitzwalter slaine at Ferry-brig 1461. The Lord Clifford slaine Ann. 1461 Reg. 2. The Earle of Northumberland with 36776. English slaine at Caxton field Edward the 4. Crowned An. 1461. R. 24. An. 1462 R. 2. An. 1642. R. 2. Conquet and Ree taken and pillaged by the Earles of Essex and Kent Sir Ralph Piercy slaine The Earle of Somerset taken prisoner An. 1464 R. 3. King Henry brought prisoner to the Tower The Earle of Warwick sent into France An. 1466 R. 6. Of Thomas Lord Scales of Nucells An. 1466 R. 9. The Lord Stafford forsakes Pembrooke Sir Hen Nevil slaine Ann. 1469 R. 9. King Edward taken prisoner King Edward escapes An. 1470 R. 10. The Lord Wells and Sir Thomas Dymock beheaded Ann. 1470 R. 10. Loose Coatefield Warwick entertained by the French King Visited by Queene Margaret Ioyne inconfederacy against King Edward Prince Edward married to his daughter The Burgonian Fleet dispersed Doctor Goddards Sermon at Pauls crosse King Edward enforced to forsake the land King Edward in danger of Pirates King Edward craveth succour of the Duke of Burgoyne Queene Elizabeth taketh Sanctuary at Westminster Rebells of Kent suppressed by Warwicke King Henry set at libertie A Parliament The Crowne entayled upon Clarence The Queene delivered of a Sonne An. 1471. R. 11. King Edward is admitted into Yorke An. 1471. R. 11. Warwicke entrencheth at Coventry King Edward entreth London An. 1471. R. 10. Warwicke slaine An. 1472 R. 11. Marquesse Mountacute Queene Margaret taken prisoner Prince Edw. slaughtered King Henry murdered Ann. 1472 R. 12. An. 1473. R. 13. A Kings kys to a rich widdow procured 40. where but 20. was expected An. 1474. R. 14. The Duke of Exceter found dead Ann. 1474 R. 4. King Edward writes to the French King * 300. crowns in gold and 30. yards of red velvet The duke of Burgoyn excuseth his breach of promise The Constable repromiseth ayd An. 1474 R. 14. Burgoyne departeth promising speedy returne The policy of the French King King Edward sends an Herald of armes to Lewis * S. Leoger Burgoyne retornes displeased The French Kingliberally rewardeth the good carriage of the English The manner of the internew of the 2 Kings King Edward could not be drawne from ayding the Duke of Brittayne A. 1475. R. 15. King Edward attempteth by a colourable pretence to procure Richmands person to be delivered to him Delivered to the Embassadors Escapeth into Sanctuary An. 1477. R. 17. Clarence drowned An. 1480. R. 22. An. 1483. R. 23. An. 1483. An. 1483. R. 1. An. 1484. R. 1. An. 1484. R. 2. Humphry Duke of Buckirgham slain at St. Albones 1455. Humphry slain at Northampton 38. H. 6. 1460. An. 1484 An. 1484 R. 1. An. 1484. Reg. 2. Richmonds ex hertation Battaile 1. Anno 1455. Dukes 1. Earles 3. Lords 1. Knights 11. Esquires 18. 5641. Battaile 2. Anno 1459. Lord 1. Knights 7. 2411. Knight 1. Battaile 3. Anno 1459. Duke 1. Earle 1. Lord 1. Viscount 1. Knight 1. Lord 1. Battaile 4. Anno 1469. Duke 1. Earles 2. Knights 8. Battaile 5. Anno 1491. Knight 1. Battaile 6. Lord 1. Knights 3. Battaile 7. Anno 1491. Earles 4. Lords 9. Knights 22. 37046. Battaile 7. Anno 1463. Knight 1. 107. Anno 1464. Duke 1. Lords 3. Knights 20. 2024. Battaile 8. Anno 1469. 5009. Earles 3. Lords 3. Knights 11. Battaile 9. Anno 1470. Knights 〈◊〉 10000. Battaile 10. Anno 1471. Earle 1. Marquesse 1. Lords 3. Knights 2. 10000. Battaile 11. Anno praedict A Prince Dukes 2. A Marquesse A Lord Prior An Earle A Baron Knights 20. Esquires 37. 1092. Battaile 12. Anno 1485. King 100. Duke 1. Lord 1. Knights 3. * Knights eldest Sonnes * Of coat-armour and Ancestry
A CONTINVATION OF THE COLLECTION OF THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND BEGINNING WHERE SAMVEL DANIELL Esquire ended WITH THE RAIGNE OF EDVVARD the third and ending where the honourable Vicount Saint ALBONES began With the life of Henry the seventh being a compleat History of the beginning and end of the dissention betwixt the two houses of Yorke and Lancaster With the Matches and issue of all the Kings Princes Dukes Marquesses Earles and Vicounts of this Nation deceased during those times By I. T. Sequitur non passibus aequis Ascanius Virgil. LONDON Printed by M. D. for Ephraim Dawson and are to bee sold in Fleet-street at the signe of the Rainebowe neere the inner Temple-gate 1636. TO THE HONORABLE REVEREND AND RIGHT Worshipfull Sir IOHN BRAMSTON Knight Lord chiefe Iustice of his Maiesties Bench Sir WILLIAM IONES Sir GEORGE CROOKE Sir ROBERT BARCKLEY Knights the Learned Iudges of that Court. LIcence mee I humbly beseech your Reverend fatherhoods with the contrite penitent Ingeniously to acknowledge my Errour which is over-much presumption in undertaking more in publishing but most in thus presenting this my Collection But withall to appeale from the barre of Rigor to the borde of favour and thereat to obtaine this extenuation of censure That being it was begun with a good intent prosecuted to a seeming good end and is now in all befitting humblenesse presented to procure protection that I may passe without publicke reprehension And sithence words and writing are not reall according as they are spoke or writ but as they are appoved by others Let your noble dispositions but make a favourable exposition of what is done And then I am confident I shall untoucht passe the pikes of scorne and reproofe In earnest expectation whereof humble and hearty prayers to God the giver of all good gifts for our long lives in health and hearts ease here and sempiternall happinesse hereafter shall not want daily to bee powred out by him that hourely rests Your Lordships reallest in all service and duty IOHN TRVSSELL To the Courteous Reader MY naturall propension to the reading of History was the occasion that I left no Chronicle of this land that purse or prayer could purchase or procure unperused whereby I found that verified that Prince Henry now with God complained of which was that of all Nations the English were most blame-worthy That being inferiour to none for praise-worthy atchievements yet were surpassed by all and leaving the memory of those their praise worthy actions to posteritie This I tooke to heart but every way unable to remedy it I rested silent untill of late it came into my mind That that part of the History of great Britaine which was most intricate and troublesome which was the beginning of that Story was happily begun and as ingeniously followed by that every way well deserving Gentleman Samuel Daniel And therby all those rubbes and blancks which the deluge of time had raised and left on the plat-forme were made smooth or taken away and that Vicount Saint Albones had so sufficiently perfected that of all other the most doubtfull if not dangerous peece of Pater times to bee undertaken the happy Conjunction of the so long severed Houses of Yorke and Lancaster and that many others reverend and judicious men had by way of Annuals pursued the History unto the blessed Vniting of the two neighbour but long before divided Kingdomes of England and Scotland so that now there wanted nothing to make the History compleat for so much as was requisite untill that time but only the passages from Richard the second to the period of Richard the third a great part whereof was-likewise accurately done by Sir Iohn Heywood and Sir Thomas More so that now with little labour that gap might easily be filled up and the History made Whereupon I have adventured to adde my peece of ordinary valure to those rich remnants of three pild Velvet by enterviewing the times of Richard the second Henry the fourth Henry the fift Henry the sixt Edward the fourth Edward the fift and the Vsurper Richard the third Wherein though I prove but a botcher yet as the old saying is better a course clout then a hole out And to cleere my selfe though not à toto yet à tanto from that aspersion that happily might bee cast upon my endevours that howsoever not ignorant of my owne manifold imperfections yet like blind bayard I should over-boldly venture to tread in that Maze which ought not to have beene undertaken but by a more able body and a more active braine and thereby have forgetfully brought my selfe within the number of those over-forward Writers which Doctor Heywood in his Epistle Dedicatorie to his first three Norman Kings affirmeth hath sullied the beautie of the English History Give mee leave gentle Reader I beseech thee as before I have yeelded the reason that incited mee to the undertaking of this worke so to give thee an account of my proceeding therein First I have forborne to assume unto my selfe the libertie of an Historian to obtrude upon thee any thing of my owne invention quia malui aliena imprudenter dicere quà m propria impudenter ingerere And for that History is or ought to bee a perfect register of things formerly done truely ot at least warrantable by probabilitie I have pro posse meo examined though not all yet without touch of Arrogance I may speake it the most and best that have written of those times and culling out the truth as neere as I could gather it like an Eccho Voces quas accepi fidelissimè reddidi Secondly I have pared off these superfluous exuberances which like Wennes upon a beautifull face disgrace the otherwise gracefull comlinesse of the countenance I meane 1. Matters of Ceremony as Coronations Christenings Marriages Funeralls solemne Feasts and such like 2. Matters of Triumph as Tiltings Maskings Barriers Pageants Gallefoists and the like 3. Matters of Noveltie as great inundations sudden rising and falling of prizes of Corne strange Monsters Iustice done on petty offenders and such like executions with which the Cacoethes of the Writers of those times have mingled matters of state And lastly I have inserted the matches and issue of all above the degree of a Baron that have ended their dayes during those times with the number of slaine during the division of the two Roses which how farre it may conduce to the better understanding of the History I leave to thy capacitie and my selfe to thy courtesie and expecting a favourable censure rest thine IOHN TRVSSELL April 24. 1635. Perlegi hoc Opus Hystoricum duobus voluminibus comprehensum cui titulus A Continuation of the Collection of the History of England c. quod quidem in toto continet folia 418. aut circiter in quibus nihil reperio sanae doctrinae aut bonis moribus contrarium quo minùs cum utilitate publica imprimi possit Sub ea tamen conditione ut si non intra triennium typis mandetur
haec licentia sit omninò irrita Gulielmus Haywood Capell dom RR. P. Archiep. Cant. A CONTINVATION OF THE HISTORY of ENGLAND Liber tertius RICHARD the Second RIchard the second borne at Burdeaux sonne of Edward the blacke Prince and Ioane the daughter of Edmond Earle of Kent and grandchild to Edward the third being eleven yeares olde was crowned King at Westminster the 21. day of Iune 1377. by Simon Sudbury Archbishop of Canterbury at the time of whose Coronation the Duke of Lancaster per nomen Iohannis Regis Castiliae Legionis Dux Lancasteur put his clayme as Earle of Lecester to have the place of Earle Marshall of England as Duke of Lancaster to carry the Sword at the Coronation called Curtana as Earle of Lincolne to be Carver that day all which to be executed by himselfe or his sufficient Deputie which with the fees thereunto belonging were confirmed unto him and hee accordingly did them and there in person execute the place of high Marshall at such years As this King was then of the minde of man is like unto the potters earth apt to be wrought into any fashion and then which way soever it hardeneth by custome it seldome swerves from the same The gouernance of the King at the first was committed to certaine Bishops Earles Barons and Iustices but either by nicenesse and feare of discontenting the King or negligence to discharge their duty or both every one was more ready to please him with delightfull conceits then with profitable counsell to doe him good for smoothe and pleasing speeches need small endevour and alwayes finde favour whereas to advise that which is most meet is a point of some paines and many if not most times but a thanklesse office Hereupon two dangerous evills did ensue Flattery brake in and private respects as eversince it hath done did passe vnder publike pretences At his Coronation he Created foure Earles Thomas Woodstocke King Edward the thirds youngest sonne Earle of Buckingham and Northampton Thomas Mowbray younger brother of Iohn Lord Mowbray was created Earle of Nottingham Gifford Angolisme a Gascoigne Earle of Huntington and Henry Piercie sonne of Henry Lord Piercy was Created Earle of Northumberland In the beginning of this Kings raigne the French on the one side and the Scots on the other did cruelly infest this Land the one making depredations in the Isle of Wight harying the same and attempting the Castle from whence they were manfully repulsed by a Captaine whose name I will forbeare because in some Authors I finde him stiled by another appellation The other forraged the Country round about and burnt the Towne of Rocksborough This course of each side spoyling the English they both French and Scots combining continued by sea untill Iohn Philpot Citizen and Alderman of London lamenting the misery of the times occasioned by common neglect of scouring the Coasts and scouring the seas whereby the Merchant durst not traffique abroad for feare of Pyrats which hovered in every corner but especially of one Mercer a Scottish Rover who had drawne together a great flect of French Scottes and Spaniards and with them did robbe and spoyle all they met and did great mischiefe complayned hereof to the Kings Councell and demonstrated to them the daily wrongs sustained by the sayd Mercer imploring their ayd but receiving from them no reliefe he at his owne proper costs victualed and manned forth a company of tall shippes himselfe in person going with them to sea and in short time tooke the sayd Mercer and recovered all the prises formerly taken with fifteene Spanish Bottoms well fraught with riches besides many French and Scottish ships For which action hee encurred the hard censure of most of the Noble men from whom hee seemed to have snatcht by this his fortunate attempt the native cognisance of true nobilitie Amongst whom Hugh Earle of Stafford nettled with the generall commendations given to Philpot for this designe publikely at the Councell table objected against him the vnlawfulnesse of the act without authoritie being but a private man to attempt to levy armes But Philpot with a kinde of vndaunted resolution not only justified the act as though not altogether lawfull yet very expedient being done for the honour of God and the King and the security of the republicke but retorted the objection of improvidence and slothfull neglect upon the Earle and the rest of the Councell so that they were much to seeke for a reply and hee returned with the generall applause of the Citizens and most of the Courtiers The King of France presuming of the Kings minoritie with some Spanish ayde landed in the Southwest part of England and ransackt and burnt the townes of Plymmoth Dartmoth Portsmoth Rye and diverse other Coast townes and marched further into the mayne untill by the Earle of Cambridge the Kings vncle and the Earles of Salisbury and Buckingham and their forces they were encountred and beat backe unto their shippes About that time also by the King of France his instigation Alexander Ramsey a brave Scot with forty of his country-men in the night surprised the Castle of Barwicke and intended to have falne upon the Towne But the inhabitants suspecting some treason by the noyse they have endevoured to prevent mischiefe hewed downe the stayes of the draw-bridge on the towne side so that when the Scots let fall the Bridge the chaynes breaking the Bridge fell into the ditch by meanes whereof the Scots were imprisoned by their owne conquest yet as well as they were able they fortified them in the Castle which presently was besieged and assaulted and though valiantly defended was with some losse at length surprised upon the taking whereof not one man but the Captaine Ramsey was spared In the third yeare of this Kings raigne it was concluded that to avoide unnecessary charge the tutelage of the King should bee committed but to one man and by the whole consent of the Parliament dissembled this office was deputed to Lord Thomas Beuchampe Earle of Warwicke and a competent pension was assigned him out of the Kings Exchequer for his paines and care thereabouts to be taken But the King being plunged in the gulfe of pleasure did immoderately bend himselfe to advance and favour such persons as were reprovable for life and generally condemned for deboshment and this was the cause of two great inconveniences for many of the younglings of Nobilitie observing the secret favours and distastes of the King gave over themselves to a dissolute and dishonest course which findeth some followers when it hath no furtherancers much more when it doth flourish and thrive by countenance and abetement The King also by favouring these was himselfe little favoured and lesse loved by many For it is as dangerous to a Prince to have evill and despised adherents as to be evill and despicable himselfe The chiefe actors in this scene were Nevill Archbishop of Yorke Robert Uear Earle of Oxford Michael Delapoole Robert
King Henries armes and plucked away his Cognizance from those that as his servants attended upon her and having there with somewhat eased her swolne heart shee with the Lords departed to Wallingford and from thence to Abington stirring up by the way the people to take armes in ayde of King Richard At length they came to Cicester and there tooke up their lodgings The Duke of Surry the Earle of Salisbury in one Inne the Duke of Exceter and the Earle of Glocester in another Inne the Army encamped in the fields The Bayliffe of the Towne suspecting what was true that these guests were no good subjects besets the house where the Duke of Surry lay who with his retinue growne desperately bold made strong defence against the assaylants The Duke of Exceter and his Company had not force enough to rescue their Companions Whereupon a Priest of their consort supposing thereby to divert the Townsmen from the assault set divers houses on fire but the fire more inflamed the townsmens furie and made them insist more obstinately in the attempt swearing not to rescue their losses but revenge them and quench the flames with the Traytors blood The Earle of Exceter and they that were with him perceiving the force of the assaylants to increase and that it was impossible for a few so to sustaine the fury of so many obstinately bent they fled out of the backside towards the Campe intending to bring the Army to the reskue But the souldiers having heard the alarum and seeing the fire within the Towne supposing the King was entred with his forces were strucke with a sudden and causlesse feare and wanting Commanders of courage to confirme them they disbanded and fled and whilst every one sought to save one they brought themselves all to confusion The Duke of Surry and his company manfully maintained the fight with great bloodshed on all sides from midnight untill three of the clocke the next after-noone and then being inferiour in number and fortune the Duke and the Earle of Salisbury were both wounded to death and taken and that evening dying their heads were strooke off and sent to the King to London There were then taken prisoners Sir Bennet Sherley Sir Bernard Brockas Sir Thomas Blount and twenty eight Lords and men of note who were afterwards upon King Henryes comming to Oxford sent thither unto him and there executed The Duke of Exceter with Sir Iohn Sherley fled into Essex from whence many times they attempted to have escaped to France but by contrary windes were driven backe againe and then lurking in secret places the Duke was taken and lead to Plashey and there beheaded There wanted not some in those times that made conjectures that now the Duke of Glocesters death was brought to bee reckoned for who by Exceters counsell and contrivance in the same place had beene wrongfully apprehended An example for those which square out their actions by the crooked line of their pleasure or power to other mens disprofit or disparagement but punishment of such impietie though it bee prolonged doth never faile but commeth at length and then surely though perhaps slowly This Duke of Exceter was a man of high Parentage great power and honourable Alliance Created Earle of Huntington in the eleventh yeare of King Richard now deposed in the one and twentieth hee was Created Duke of Exceter and upon the resignation of the place and release of the right thereto by Aubery de Vere Earle of Oxford was made that yeare Lord Chamberlaine of England and married Elizabeth the Daughter of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and Blaunch his wife by whom hee had issue Richard that dyed young Iohn afterwards Duke of Exceter Earle of Huntington Edward that dyed without issue and a Daughter named Constance first married to Thomas Mowbray sonne and heire of Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolke and after to Iohn Lord Gray of Ruthyn hee was popular and openly praise-worthy but his secret actions were hardly censured hee was partaker of all his brothers vices and of counsell to many of them yet somewhat more circumspect and close and not so much partaker of his prosperitie as violently carried with the torrent of his misery Thomas Spencer Earle of Glocester fled toward Wales but in the way was taken and beheaded at Bristoll hee married Constance Daughter of Edmond of Langly Duke of Yorke and had issue Richard that dyed young Elizabeth dyed young and Isabell who was borne seven moneths after her Fathers death and was first married to Richard Beauchamp Earle of Worcester by whom shee had issue Elizabeth her second husband was Richard Beauchamp Earle of Warwicke cosin german to her first husband by whom she had issue Henry afterwards Earle of Warwicke The counterfeit of King Richard flying into Scotland was apprehended committed to the Tower and from thence drawne and hanged and quartered and one Ferby and an other of K. Rich. Chaplaines with him divers others of all sorts Lords and Gentlemen with a great number of common souldiers were in other places put to death insomuch that the King though otherwise of a moderate and peaceable disposition seemed in this too too vindicative of his owne injurie or rather in maintaining the injury that hee had done The heads of the chiefe Conspirators were pitched upon poles and set over London bridge lamentable spectacles of heads and quarters of unfortunate dismembred wretches were visible in many parts of this Realme putrifying above ground not all for desert but many to satisfie either the malice or want of King Henryes friends Insomuch that some of those of deepest apprehension openly gave forth That in short time there would be just cause to wish King Richard againe as being more tolerable to indure the crueltie of one then of many and to live where nothing then where any thing might bee permitted was most safe The Abbot of Westminster in whose house and head this Conspiracy tooke life and light hearing of these disasters going from his Monastery Grange neere Westminster was taken with a dead Palsie and suddenly dyed speechlesse And although in this enterprise accident gave policie the checke and by a strange fortune which wisdome could not prevent overturned the project yet it is apparant that this Abbot first moved the stone that rowling along was likely toturne King Henry out of his Chaire The Bishop of Carlile was condemned for his treason but the extremity of his passion closed up his dayes and prevented the violence and shame of publicke execution King Richard as afore having abdicated his Regalitie did but a short time injoy that sweet securitie wherewith hee so flattered himselfe For first his goods which hee had given in satisfaction of the wrongs by him done were shared amongst his enemies and hee removed first to the Tower of London and then from thence to the Castle of Leeds in Kent and from thence to Pomfret where being kept in straight Prison innocent and ignorant of this offence
France to peruent the groweth of so rancke a mischiefe sendeth the Dolphine with a puissaunt army who tooke the Earle with his youngest sonne and both his daughters and gained the Countries of Arminack Louergne Rouergue Moulessenoys with the Cities of Seuerac and Cadeack chasing the bastard of Arminack out of the Country by meanes whereof the marriage was then deferd and afterward disanuld The Christian Princes casting their contemplatiue lookes upon the misery of France for the present groning under the three arrowes of Gods vengeance Fire Sword Famine and the danger of England to be embroyled hereafter in the like wherof there were already discerned to many sumeptomes like themselues did by their severall Embassadors labour a peace betweene these two powerfull Kings and prevaile so farre That at a dyet at Tours in Touraine there appeared for the King of England William de-la-poole Earle of Suffolke Doctor Adam Milyes Keeper of the privy seale Sir Robert Rose and others for the King of France Charles Duke of Orleance Lewes Earle of Vendosme Perce de Bresse stuard of Poyton and Bartram Beavar Lord president of Presignry there came Embassadors likewise from the Emperor the Kings of Spaine Denmarke and Hungary to be mediators The assemblies was great and the expences greater every day then other each one striving to exceed the other in entertainment for the honor of their Masters many meetings were had many motions made but as one waue brings on another one quere encreased many doubs no full conclusion is made onely a truce for eighteene moneths is agreed vpon In the meane time the Earle of Suffolk stretching a point of his Commission beyond his direction withoutthe knowledge of his fellow Commissioners plotted a marriage with thekins woman of the French King the King of England in which businesse the Earle of Suffolke was so intentive and made such large vnnecessary proffers that he did not escape the aspertion of being bribed by the King of France to that businesse an enteruiew betwixt the two Kings of England and France is agreed upon without warant of King Heneryes part to be betweene Charters and Roane The Commissioners returne where nothing is forgotten by Suffolke that might illustrate the beauty and lovelinesse of the proposed Bride or the great vtilitie that might redound to both Kingdomes by the consummation of this marriage the King was easily induced to give credence to the relations but diuerse of the Kings Councels especially the Duke of Gloucestor opposed and give reasons against the proceeding first that her discent was not royall not her dignities but barely titular and all her fathers titles but disputable alleaging that Duke Rayner Father of Margarite the much commended Lady was but by himselfe stiled King of Scisill Naples and Ierusalem without any penny profit or foot of possession of any those places Next that his Pouerty was such that he could not subsist without continuall reliefe from his friends wherof his sonne in law must be euer a furtherer then the Duke obtruded the dishonor that would redound to the King if he should forsake the Duke of Arminacks daughter to whom he had in that ceremonious manner beene publirkly affiranced and the dangerous consequence of breach of faith and neglect of the friendship of so potent a neighbour and lastly the vnsufferable losse by the surendring and releasing his Title to the Dutchy of Anions so unadvisedly proffered by the capitulation of the Duke of Suffolke but all this while hee but laboured against prejudice for though it could not bee denyed but that his reasons were undeniable and better then could bee given to the contrary yet they must not have place of beliefe because Suffolkes affirmation and negotiation must not bee undervalued Iohn Holland Earle of Huntington is Created Duke of Exceter Humphry Earle of Stafford Duke of Buchkingham Henry Earle of Warwicke Duke of Warwicke and the Earle of Suffolke Marquesse of Suffolke The new Marquesse honourably accompanied fetcheth the Lady Margaret from FRANCE and shortly afterward she is Married at Southwicke in Hampshire and Crowned Queene of England at Westminster on the thirtieth day of May How advantagious this match was for the Crowne of England may bee gathered when shee brought not a penny portion the charge of comming being defrayd by the Marquesse who had towards the discharge thereof the full Fifteene granted to the King in the late Parliament and in exchange of her Person the Dutchie of Anion the City of Mauns with the whole Countie Mayne and so the best Props of the Dutchy of Normandy are surrendred into the hands of the French but affection is blind and what shall- be shall-bee youth rides in post to be married but in the end findes the Inne of repentance to bee lodged in The Duke of Arminiack in requitall of the King of Englands kind usage of his Daughter is a meanes to expell the English out of the whole Dutchy of Aquitan And it is to bee feared that God was displeased with the match for after the consummation thereof there was a quotidian consumption of the Kings Friends both in his owne Land and Forraine parts intestine warres are kindled at home and rebellion is rise in all parts abroad and which is most grievous of all after the slaughter of many thousands of his Christian subjects the confusion of his Vncles and their Posteritie almost the Deposition of himselfe the inhumane butchery of his Son the Queene must be sent home againe in as much misery and contempt as shee was now received with pompe and acclamations During the time of the truce as well to bee partakers of the jollitie of the Court at this time as to visit their familiars and friends the Regent and chiefe Commanders resort to England and there put the King and Councell in mind to provide a cloake ready though Sunne shone bright lest it should raine Whereupon a Parliament is assembled wherein is especiall provision made for the furnishing of all the Frontier townes but principally the places of Normandy To which end levies of men and money are made and all things usefully-necessary are prepared But a sparcke of fire is fallen amongst the flaxe which though little and unseene at first grew to an unquenchable flame for the Duke of Yorke being at first chosen Regent for five yeares and at the expiration thereof returning was received nec merito with great love and commendation After the death of the Earle of Warwicke who succeeded him in the Regency hee againe as a man well-deserving the place is sent over with the like Authority and instructions for other five yeares but Somerset which envied the Duke of Yorkes first advancement and still was full of peccant humours against his continuance of that place so undermined Yorke that by the meanes of the new Marquesse whose favour from the King and Queene now was beyond mediocrity and into whose more inward familiaritie Somerset was now
in Sussex Surry and Wilshire but were soone appeased without much hurt done only the Wilshire men upon the nine and twenteth day of Iune drew William Askots Bishop of Salisbury from the high altar celebrating Masse in Edington Church in his albe with his stole about his necke to the top of the hill and their inhumanly murdered him Their rage having blinded their reason banisht humanitie and drowned all pitty they stripped him naked every one of his tenants striving to have a peece of his bloody shirt not as others to have the relikes of the Martyr to celebrate his memory but as glorying in their owne villany they having the day before robbed his carriage and taken the sum of ten thousand marks The French King taking hold of these disorders in England winneth out of their hands all whatsoever was in their possession in France no succour though often and earnestly by writing and Messengers required being sent unto them so that England at this time suffred a totall eclipse of glory in France They every day loosing more or lesse untill they had nothing left in France to loose but the Towne of Callice and the Castles of Hames and Gnynes so that King Henry the Fifts propheticke declaration that what Henry of Monmouth got in France Henry of Windsor should lose was now verified The Duke of Somerset having so well discharged his place of Regency that hee had lost but few men but consumed much Treasure and kept never a Towne commeth into England and at a Parliament which began at Westminster the sixt of November was put under arrest upon notice whereof the commons of London despoiled his house at Black-fryers and ransacked the same making havocke of all things untill Proclamation was made on pain of death that no man should meddle with any the Dukes houses or stuffe and one for disobeying the Proclamation was beheaded at the Standard in Cheape The Duke of Yorke under pretence of comming to this Parliament came out of Ireland and at London had private conference with Iohn Duke of Norfolke Richard Earle of Salisbury the Earle of Devon and other his assured Friends where it was resolved to keepe the chiefe purpose the pretence to the Crowne secret and only make shew of his endevours to bee bent to remove those from the Councell of the King that had so dishonoured the Realme and wasted the revenewes of the Crowne in losing so many good Townes in France and doing nothing worthy their place or credit they held about the King whereof the Duke of Somerset must bee the chiefe man to bee instanced and the rather for that hee was in great contempt of the Commons and was the only hee that opposed the Duke of Yorke in all things The Duke having layed the foundation of this his so long intended enterprise sent divers Letters unto the King wherein hee intimated the many unworthy proceedings plotted against him by his enemies whereby they had well-nie if hot altogether withdrawne his Majesties affection from him and though hee were and was ready to lay downe his life at the Kings command as a testimony of his ever to continue loyalty yet by their secret and dishonourable practises they had besmeared his honour with suspition of his integrity which was a griefe unutterable and an injury unsupportable That his patience abused might turne to furie neverthelesse his only request was to know his accuser and either to have libertie to defie him and make good his challenge by the law of Armes or bee permitted to take that course for the reparation of his Honour as was appertaining to his condition and birth To this the King maketh answer that hee would take his complaint of wrongs into consideration and endevour to give him faire satisfaction but withall somewhat blames him for the death of the Bishop of Chester by his meanes suspected to bee slaughtered and of dangerous speeches uttered by his servants tending to rebellion concluding that notwithstanding any thing said or done to the contrary he did take and esteeme him as a faithfull subject and a loving kinsman The Duke of Yorke not herewith satisfied intending at once both to promulgate his protestation and display his colours departeth into Wales and there levieth men making his colour for the good of the Common-wealth and the removing the bad Councellers that sought the ruine of his subjects from the Kings Councell Newes hereof being brought the King with the Duke of Somerset now enlarged with an Army marched towards Wales whereof the Duke of Yorke having notice by his Scoutes which way the King came by a contrarie way marched towards LONDON but having from thence received advertisements that hee would bee prohibited entrance hee past the River Thames at Kingstone bridge and marched into Kent expecting there to find many friends at least partakers and encamped upon Burnt heath The King in his pursuit came to Blackheath and there pitcht his Tents From whence the King sent the Bishops of Winchester and Ely the Lord Rivers and Richard Andrews the keeper of the Privie Seale to know the cause of this Commotion and to make offer of reconcilement if the Dukes Demaunds were consonant to reason The Duke made answer that there was nothing intended that might bee prejudiciall to the Kings person his Crowne or Dignitie nor to the hinderance of any good man but to remove certaine blood-suckers evill disposed persons oppressours of the poore and infamous impostors from about the King but especially Edmond Duke of Somerset whom if the King would bee but pleased to commit to Ward untill by a legall tryall in Parliament hee might receive judgement of such treasonable crimes as should then and there bee proved against him that then he would not only dismisse his Army but come unto his presence as a true and loyall subject in dutie was bound so to doe and to tender him all befitting service Hereupon the Duke of Somerset is committed to prison the Duke of Yorke dismisseth his Army and commeth in person to the King where finding the Duke of Somerset in the Presence hee chargeth him with Treason The Duke of Somerset denieth the accusation and recriminates the Duke of Yorke to have conspired the death of the King and the usurpation of the Crowne The King removeth to London and the Duke of Yorke as a prisoner rode before the King but the Duke of Somerset at liberty which ministred much occasion of heart-burning amongst the friends of Yorke The King calleth a Councell at Westminster where the Dukes are earnest in accusing each other Somerset instantly craved of the Councell that the Duke of Yorke might by compulsion or otherwise bee made to confesse his Conspiracy and to doome him to condigne punishment and his children taken as enemies to their country as the only meanes to represse the so much to bee feared civill dissention This hee with great show of vehemency urged but not how true soever to
Queen with the Duke of Somerset some few others taking with them the young Prince fled to the Bishoprick of Durham The King was taken and as a prisoner conveyed to London At their comming thither the Tower of London is yeelded unto the Earle of Warwicke by his souldiers the Lord Scales in disguised apparell endevoured to escape is taken by the Watermen and by them without due course of Law or orderly proceeding beheaded and his corps carelesly left upon the sands Tho Thorpe one of the Barons of the Exchequer upon whose advise the Lancastrians much relyed in the habit of a Monke his or owne shorne purposely to fly to the Queen is taken and committed prisoner to the Tower The Duke of York at this time being neither idle nor asleepe being advertised of this good successe leaveth Ireland and posts to London where by the advise and consent of the York faction he thought fit to discover the head of that ambitious serpent that hitherto had bin covered in the grasse of reformation and so that in the Kings name he summoneth a Parliament which being assembled in the presence of the Lords in the upper House he placeth himselfe in the Imperiall seate and with great courage and a confident brow hee layeth open his rightfull claime and Title to the Crowne of England as being the Sonne and heire of Anne Daughter and heire of Roger Mortimer Earle of March Son and heire of Philip the sole Daughter and heire of Lionell Duke of Clarence the third Son of Edward the third and elder Brother of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Father of the usurper Henry the fourth grand Father to Henry the fift who was Father to him that untruly stileth himselfe King Henry the sixt He further related that God had not blessed this unlawfull usurpation for by meanes thereof the Common-wealth had suffered so many and so grievous calamities that had not God been the more mercifull the same had bin overwhelmed by the multitude and grievousnesse thereof that though Henry the fift had made many conquests in France and Normandy yet as of ill-gotten possessions his heire could not take any benefit by them And how much heaven is at this time offended with his government wee may well feare if wee but call to mind the cruell butchering of so many honourable great Lords in defence of his title abroad the slaughter of so many thousand of his loyall subjects in maintenance of his quarrell the inutterable exhaust of the treasure unnecessarily consumed in France Normandy and else-where The civil broiles at home the losse of all formerly got in France and those parts the losse occasioned by the excursion and depredations of the Scots and French And lastly the oppressions extortions and violence daily unsufferably practised by the tiranny of an insolently ambitious woman upon the meaner sort of people And then concluded that he craved no favour from them except that justice did warrant his claime nor would expect or desire the possession of the Crowne except his descent were undisputable and his Title without just exception and for his owne particular he presumed that since vertue might be as bold to challenge its due as vice is apt to borrow of insinuation he might without offence put in his claime and demand allowance thereof This being a businesse of import required deliberation and mature consideration but in conclusion the Duke having before hand by his agents prepared the Lords Spirituall and few of the Nobilitie present that were not on his part the Burgesses were easily perswaded and that was generally resolved and enacted accordingly That King Henry during his life should retaine the name and honour of a King That the Duke of Yorke should be proclaimed Heire apparant to the Crowne and the Protector of the Kings person his Land Dominions and Country That at any time any King Henryes Friends Allies or Favourites in his behalfe should attempt the disanulling of this act that then the Duke should have present possession of the Crowne No sooner was the Parliament dissolved when the Duke dispatcheth Letters into Scotland requiring in the Kings name the Queene the Dukes of Somerset and Exceter and all other of the Nobilitie that remained in that kingdome with all speed to repaire to his Presence to London But they were otherwise resolved And having gotten together of English and Scots to the number of eighteene thousand men they marched into England The Duke of Yorke with his younger Sonne the Earle of Rutland with the Earle of Salisbury leaving the King in the custodie of the Duke of Norfolk and the Earle of Warwicke marched towards the Queene and approaching neere her Army at Wakefield the Dukes Scowâ—…s being returned certified him that the enemy farre exceeded their power in number and all warlike preparation Whereupon the Earle of Salisbury advised the Duke to retire and attend the comming of the Earle of March who was gone into Wales to raise the Marchmen But it being appointed that here his ambitious desires should come to a period The pride of his former victory and overweening of his souldiers valours made him deafe to all counsell of forbearing the field and hastened on by his destiny from Sandall Castle hee marched to Wakefield greene where the Lord Clifford on the one side and the Earle of Wilts on the other were placed in ambuscado The Duke of Yorke supposing that the Duke of Somerset who had the battell had no more forces but what were with him valianly and in good order marcheth towards him but being entred within their danger the Ambushes on both sides broke out upon him and slew him and three thousand of his side the rest with number and confusion overborne fled the Earle of Salisbury is taken prisoner and harmelesse Rutland that came thither but to see fashions is made a sacrifice for his Fathers transgression and kneeling upon his knees instructed by his infant feares with teares begging life is unmercifully stabbed to the heart by the Lord Clifford in part of revenge as he sware of his Fathers death The Queene unwilling to bee behind hand in crueltie as unlike a mercifull woman as he an honourable gentleman in cold blood without due forme of tryall causeth the Earle of Salisbury and as many as were taken prisoners to bee beheaded at Pomfret Castle and to have their heads as it were in scorne to be placed on poles about the walls of the Citie of Yorke an incitement as it were to make all interessed in the shame to adde spurres to the speedy course of vindicative desires and to draw on revenge to the uttermost This Richard Nevill Earle of Salisbury was third Sonne of Ralph Nevill first Earle of Westmerland by Ioane his second wife Daughter of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster hee married Elianor Daughter and heire of Tho Montague Earle of Salisbury had issue foure Sons six daughters 1. Richard the eldest was restored and
newes of these proceedings set wide open the gates of the rebellion gave courage to the Northamptonshire men who prepared before to that purpose tooke this opportunity to make a commotion under the conduct of one Robert Hiliard by them stiled Robert of Risdate came to Grafton and there tooke the Queenes father Earle Rivers and his Son Sir Iohn VVoodvile and at Northampton without trial or judgement courses out of use amongst unruly rebells caused them to be beheaded Richard Woddevile Baron of Wymington married Iaquiet daughter of the Earle S. Pauls the widdow of Iohn Duke of Bedford for which not having the kings license he was fined to K. Henry the sixt in one thousand pounds he was installed knight of the Garter 30. Octob. Anno. H. 6. 28. And 4. of K. Ed. 4. he was created Earle Rivers made high Constable of England he had issue by the said Iaquet 7. sons and 6. daughters 1 Anthony that succeeded his father 2. Lewis dyed young 3 Iames dyed young 4 Iohn with his father taken at Edgcote and with him beheaded at Northampton as afore 5 Lionell Bishop of Salisbury that begat upon his Concubine Stephen Gardner afterwards Bishop of VVinton 6 Edward who died without issue 7. Richard that succeeded his brother Anthony in the Earldome but dying without issue left it to his sisters all living 1 Elizabeth at first married to Sir Iohn Gray of Groby and afterward to Edward the fourth 2 Margaret married to Thomas Fitzallan Earle of Arundel 3 Anne married to William Burcher sonne of Henry Earle of Essex first and after to George Gray Earle of Kent then to Sir Edw. Wingfield knight 4 Iaquet was married to Iohn Lord Strange of Knocking 5 Mary was married to William Harbert Earle of Huntington and 6 Katherine first married to Henry Stafford second Duke of Buckingham and then to Iasper of Hatfield Duke of Bedford The Lord Stafford having long lurked without discouery about Devonshire is apprehended for his base departure from the Earle of Pembrook beheaded at Bridgwater The Northerne men haue opportunitie to joyne with the Earle of Warwicke The whole body of the common-wealth thus fearefully groning under the fearefull expectation of unchristian cruelty The effects whereof divers of the nobility Clergy endevored by all means possible to prevent to that end on both sides mediated for some pacification But whilst it is in agitation both parts having drawne their forces together a generall preparation is made for an unauoydable banquet for death whilst King Edward the lesse circumspect by reason of some overtures of submission Cautelously tendred gave advantage to the Earle of Warwick who had secret intelligence of the order in the Kings camp in the dead of the night to fall upon it where with some small slaughter having slaine the sentinells they tooke the king prisoner in his bedwho was presently conveied to Midleham Castle in Yorkeshire to be kept safely by the Archbishop of Yorke The Earle of Warwicke relying vpon his brothers care of his charge considering that he was the Key of their worke And being perswaded that the brunt of the warres was past dismist most of his army but as one that reckoned without his host must make a new account so to that exigent he was driven For whilst he made search and diligent enquiry after King Henry whose place of imprisonment was not knowne King Edward escaped but whether by over-great promises seduced or through guilt of Conscience induced thereunto it is questionable But howsoever The Archbishop permitted him to have so much liberty by way of recreation on hunting that by the contrivement and assistance of Sir William Stanly and Sir Thomas Burgh he was both rescued from his keepers and in safty conducted to Yorke such is the instabilitie of occurrences in this world That therein is certaintie of nothing but incertaintie the secrets of Gods providence being inscrutable King Edward that in the morning was a prisoner at the Earle of VVarwicks devotion is now at liberty to provide how to question his mitred keeper and his late triumphant committer for their undutifull presumption From Yorke he posteth to Lancaster where his Chamberlaine the Lord Hastings had raised some forces with those he marcheth to London the love of whose Citizens he mainly relied upon and thereof found himselfe not deceived for they with willing readinesse receive him The Earle of VVarwick having information of what was past makes a vertue of necessitie and dispatches letters and Messengers to all his friends and confederates to draw to an head which they accordingly did But by the earnest solicitation and industry of those good patriots which before had laboured to have the sword of civill dissention sheathed Now an interview Vpon interchange of oathes for safety and faire returne on both sides is had betwixt the king the Duke of Clarence and the Earle of VVarwicke in VVestminster-Hall But the Earle like one endevoring to infect the ayre takes poyson into his mouth and spits it into the wind makes repetition of former courtesies done to Edward and for requitall thereof indignities returned which with such peremptory phrase he urged that they savoured so much of exprobration that the King unable to endure such harsh ill-becomming language from a subject in a scornefull fury departed the Hall and went to Canterbury And the Duke and Earle to Lincolne whither they had preappointed their powers to repayre under the conduct of Sir Robert VVells sonne and heire of the Lord VVells a valiant Gentleman and of approved sufficiency The King with intent to take off Sir Robert from VVarwicks part sends for Richard Lord VVells who with his brother in Law Sir Thomas Dymock comming to attend the kings pleasure received information from some of their friends in Court that the King was much incensed against them whereupon they take Sanctuary at VVestminster From whence upon the kings promise of generall pardon they came to his presence who gave command to the Lord VVells effectually by letter to solicite his son Sir Robert VVells to leave the Earle of VVarwick come to the kings service which was accordingly done but because it procured not desired effect the king not without blemish to his Honor in his rage caused both their heads to be strooke off The report wherof so enraged the young knight that no perswasion could prevaile with him to abide the Earle of VVarwicks cōming which was every day expected but passion having blinded his judgement led on by fury the inevitablenes of his fate he with his forces charged the kings army And whilest he laboured to go beyond man in doing his valour not checkt by discretion he proves lesse then a sucking child and for sinking under an oppressing multitude he was taken prisoner which so discouraged his men that they fled and the lighter to runne away they cast of their coates And thereby gave a name unto the place from whence
all places provide such as had Castles or Piles of strength furnish them with men and amunition And others use their best meanes that money and men may bee got in readinesse against the Earles arrivall Bishop Morton who had gained opportunitie against the Duke of Buckinghams will to convey himselfe into the Lowe-Countryes is not slacke by Letters and private messages to conjure all such as hee knew either to hate or envy King Richard or to have loved King Edward to lay to their helping hands with all their might in this conjuration Now whether amongst so many through some false brothers treachery or out of his watchfull jelousie over Buckingham it is uncertaine But King Richard hath intelligence of the designe and politickly dissembleth it but secretly giveth order as it were but to take a muster to draw his forces together amongst whom hee suddenly comes and having appointed his carriages to follow him hee marcheth away without acquainting any of the Commanders with any particular place whither hee lead these forces In the meane time first by proffer of friendship by faire termes the King did solicite the Dukes presence at London where the King kept his standing house But receiving from him but delatory put offs The King then sent a peremptory message by the tye of his alleageance to come away which was returned with this resolute answer That hee would not if hee could avoid it have any conversation with an ungratefull per jured inhumane butcher of his owne flesh and blood so that now preparation to offend and defend by the sword is made on both parts The King holds on his march whereupon all the conjurators in every quarter are in overt commotion Thomas Marquesse Dorset preserved from slaughter by the only favour of Sir Thomas Lovell against the Kings will forsaketh Sanctuarie and in York-shire laboureth to raise forces The two Courtneys in Devon and Cornwall take the same course and they are seconded in Kent by Guilford and Rame so that civill combustion is in every quarter of the Realme King Richard notwithstanding severs not his forces but keepes on his march towards Buckingham who having notice thereof both readily and willingly setteth forward bending his course thorow the Forrest of Deane intending at Glocester to have passed Severne and so to have joyned forces with the two Courtneys and the Westerne Confederates but by the long continuance of wet weather the waters thereabouts were risen so high that Severne was broken out and had overflowne all the Countries so that it was a thing impossible for the Dukes forces to bee transported which the Welch-men drawne thither more for feare then love tooke advantage of saying it was a prodigious token of their ill successe in the enterprise and secretly by night slipt away from him whose example the residue followed so that the Duke upon this disbanding was left to shift by himselfe whereupon hee dismist all his followers and without or Page or Foot-man repayred to the house of one Humphry Bannister who dwelt neere Shrowsbury presuming there he might safely lodge in obscurity untill better fortune should smile the rather for that the many extraordinary favours formerly done to the said Bannister and his father before him might justly challenge willing entertainment during his secret stay there if not more The newes of this disaster added wings to the other conjurators to disperse their powers and flye some to Sanctuary others to unknowne places all of them making the best shift they could to escape but they sped best which conveyed themselves into Britanny Amongst whom the Marquesse Dorset John Lord Wells the Bishop of Exceter and his brother Sir John Bourchier Sir Edward Woodvile brother to Queene Elizabeth Sir Robert Willoughby Sir Giles Daubeney Sir Thomas Arundell Sir John Cheney and his two brethren Sir William Barckley Sir William Brandon and his Brother Thomas Sir Richard Egmond Hollowell and Poynings Captaines were chiefe King Richard having intelligence that the enemy was fled sent order presently to lay all the Ports with strict charge that none should goe on borde or come on shore without especiall warrant Hee likewise made publick Proclamation that if any one could bring tydings of the Duke of Buckingham who was now proclaimed Traitour and all his lands and goods seized into the Kings hands so that the Duke might bee apprehended if the person were a bondman hee should bee manumitted if a freeman hee should have a generall pardon and a thousand pound currant English coyne Whilst these things are thus in agitation King Richard hath information from Hutton his Leiger Embassadour in Britaine That the Duke thereof not only refused to keepe the Earle of Richmond in restraint of libertie Bu was seeming forward to give him his assistance to prosecute his intendmentt which was to worke some exploit in England Wherefore the King tooke especiall order for the present rigging and preparing his Navy to stop if possible the Earles landing in any Port of England In the interim whether feare to offend the law or greedy Covetousnesse to gaine the thousand pounds it is yet disputable but Bannister like an ungratefull servant perfidiously discovered his Master the Duke of Buckingham to Iohn Mitton then high Sheriffe of Shropshire who thereupon apprehended him in a little Grove neere Bannisters dwelling house and conveyed him to Shrowsbury where King Richard lay from whence upon All-Soules day hee was conveyed to Salisbury and then and there without arraignment or legall proceedings in the Market-place beheaded Whether Bannister received his proclaimed reward is uncertaine but that Gods judgements appeared afterwards against him and his is very remarkable for hee was afterwards hanged for man-slaughter his eldest daughter is debauncht by one of his Carters and his sonne and heire in a desperate lunacy became his owne butcher and was so found by the Coruors inquest This Henry Duke of Buckingham was Earle of Stafford Hereford Northampton Lord of Brecknocke Kimbolton and Tunbridge and high Constable of England Hee married Katherine Daughter of Richard Woodvile Earle Rivers by whom he had issue three Sons and two Daughters 1. Edward who by Henry the seventh was restored to blood and succeeded in his Fathers honours 2. Henry the said King Created Earle of Wilts 3. And Humphry that dyed young 1. Elizabeth married to Robert Radcliffe Lord Fitz-Waters 2. Anna married first to Sir Walter Harbert and afterwards George Lord Hastings Earle of Huntington Vpon the twelfth day of October the Earle of Richmond with fourtie ships and five thousand waged Britons tooke the Seas But that evening by the rage of an impetuous tempest the whole Navy was dispersed The ship wherein the Earle was with one only little Barke after they had endured the rage of the tempest eight and fourty houres was driven upon the coast of Cornwall where hee giveth expresse commandement that none should dare to take land untill the fleet were drawne together But after hee had huld up and downe the shore
marriage betwixt Iohn of Gaunt and Katheryne Swinford was approved of and the issue borne before the espousalls made legitimate by act of Parliament and confirmed by a Bull from Rome This is the Catalogue of the pedegree of the two houses of Lancaster and Yorke betwixt whom the competition for the Crowne of England was the occasion of expence of so much blood Although the Crowne of England upon the decease or deposition of Richard the second without issue was jure haereditario to descend to Edmond Mortimer the younger the Sonne of Philip Daughter and heire of Lionel Duke of Clarence the third Sonne of Edward the third yet his cosin Henry of Bullingbrooke Duke of Hertford and Sonne and heire of John of Gaunt the younger Brother of Lionell of Clarence taking advantage of the peoples forwardnesse and his kinsmans being generally distasted was Created and Crowned King From the yeare of our Lord 1399. untill the fourth of March 1460. In three Descents the slips of the red Rose in the line of Lancaster did beare sway but not without some interruptions and hazard For though Edmond Plantagenet Duke of Aumerle Sonne and heire of Edmond of Langley set not the White Rose claime on foot yet as maligning the prosperitie of Henry the fourth hee was a maine stickler in the conspiracie against him intended to have beene executed at Oxford But the eruption of Yorke never was manifest untill Richard Plantagenet Sonne of Richard of Bonysborough Anno 1455. drew his Sword to make good his claime to the Crowne of England And from his time I shall endevour to drawe a Compendiary of the times and places of the severall battells betweene these two houses strooke and the slaughter on both sides made The three and twentieth day of May at Saint Albones in Hertfordshire Richard Duke of Yorke gave battell to King Henry the sixt on whose side was slaine Edmond Duke of Somerset Henry Earle of Northumberland Humphry Earle of Stafford Thomas Lord Clifford say some others John with divers Knights and Esquires to the number of 37. with five thousand common souldiers and Henry himselfe was taken Prisoner on the Dukes part only sixe hundred in the totall 5641. A Battell was fought at Bloarheath in Shropshire the thirteenth day of September betweene the Lord Audly Lieutenant to Henry the sixt and the Earle of Salisbury in which Audly was slaine and his Army overthrowne at this battell was slaine in all two thousand foure hundred men with Sir Thomas Dutton beside six other Cheshire Knights and two Esquires thereof in all 2411. Sir Osbert Mountfort with twelve Gentlemen of his company was taken at Sandwich and carried to Ricebanke and there beheaded by the Lord Fauconbridge The Earle of Wiltes at Newbery causeth twenty Yorkists to bee hanged and quartered The tenth of Iune in the thirty eight yeare of the King at Northampton was a battell fought wherein was slaine Humphry Duke of Buckingham John Talbot Earle of Shrowsbury Thomas Lord Egremond John Viscount Beamond and Sir William Lucy with tenne thousand and thirty men slaine The Lord Skales is slaine upon the Thames seeking to escape by the Earle of Warwicks men The thirtieth of December at Wakefield was a battell strooke wherein the Queene prevailed with the slaughter of two thousand eight hundred persons not numbring Richard Duke of Yorke Edmond Earle of Rutland a child and the Earle of Shrowsbury taken prisoner but afterwards beheaded Sir John Mortimer and Sir Hugh Mortimer the Dukes base Vncles Sir Davy Hall Sir Hugh Hastings Sir Thomas Nevill Sir William Parry Sir Thomas Parry Sir Richard Limbricke Knights then likewise slaine on Candlemasse day vpon the plaine neere Mortimers crosse in Hereford-shire a field was fought betwixt the new Duke of Yorke and the Earles of Penbrooke and Wiltes wherein the Duke prevailed with the slaughter of 3800. men but no man of qualitie but Sir Owen Tyther that had married Queene Katherine Vpon Shrovetuesday the seventeenth of February at Saint Albones the second Battaile was fought betweene Queene Margaret and the Duke of Norfolke and others wherein were slaine two thousand three hundred men besides the Lord Bonvile Sir Thomas Keryell Sir John Gray and Baron Thorpe The most cruell and deadly Battaile of all others during the rage of this unnaturall division was fought at Towton or betweene Towton and Saxton within foure miles of Yorke the nineteenth day of March being Palme Sunday wherein were slaine of English-men Thirty five thousand ninetie and one and of strangers one thousand seven hundred fourty five besides two hundred and thirty slaine the day before at Ferry Brigge with the Lord Fitzwater and the base brother of the Earle of Warwicke The most remarkable men that fell in this bloody fight were Henry Piercy Earle of Northumberland The Earle of Shrowsbury The Earle of Devon John Lord Clifford The Lord Beamond The Lord Nevill The Lord Willoughby The Lord Wells The Lord Rosse The Lord Gray The Lord Dacres The Lord Fitz-Hugh The two base Sonnes of Henry Holland Duke of Exceter Sir Thomas Mollineux Sir Otes Beckingham Sir Aubrey Trussell Sir Richard Piercy Sir William Heyton Sir Jervoys Clifton Sir Foulke Hamys Sir Thomas Crackenthorpe Sir James Crackenthorpe Sir William Throllop Sir Andrew Throllop Sir Walter Harle Sir John Ormond Sir William Mollyns Sir Thomas Pigot Sir William Norborough and William Burton Knights The Earle of Devonshire there taken Prisoner with three other Knights were beheaded at Yorke and so may be reckoned amongst the slaine so that the account of the whole number besides those that died after of hurts then received thirty seven thousand fourty and six At Hegley More the Lord Mountacute charged and put to flight two thousand Lancastrians who were on foot to march to Henry the sixt at which time Sir Ralph Piercy with one hundred and seven were slaine the residue flying gave alarum to the Kings Army and upon the 15. of May in a plaine called Livels neere the water of Dowill in Hexam shire the battaile was fought against Henry the sixt by the Lord Mountague Generall for Edward the fourth wherein were taken Prisoners Henry Duke of Somerset The Lord Rosse The Lord Mollins and The Lord Hungerford Sir Thomas Wentworth Sir Thomas Hussey Sir John Finderne and sixteene Knights more executed at Hexam and Yorke Sir William Talboys titulary Earle of Kime or Angus and not Kent as Master Martin relateth Sir Ralph Nevill Sir Ralph Gray and Sir Richard Tunstall were taken afterwards but beheaded The number slaine is uncertainly set downe the most of our common Writers not naming any only faabian saith about two thousand so that I make that my skale to reckon by At a place called Danes more neere the Towne of Edgcot within foure miles of Banbury was a great Battaile fought upon Saint Iames his day the five and twentieth of Iuly wherein were slaine
newes and the generall acclamations that went through all places of King Henry and a Warwicke caused King Edward to distrust his owne souldiers and fearing the tyde would turne his heart failing him in the dead of the night only with eight hundred of whose constancy hee was assured most of them the Lords Rivers Hastings and Sayes retinue hee posted from besides Nottingham toward Lincolnshire but having notice that Warwicke to impeach his retreate had sent his light horsemen before and followed himselfe with the body of the Army with great hazard and losse of his carriages which were sunke in the sands he past the Washes and came to Lynne from whence with the Duke of Glocester the Lord Scales and about seven hundred men without any change of rayment or other necessaries or other victuals but what they brought on horsebacke with them or what they had left their horses for in the Towne they set sayle bending their course for Holland The Lord Chamberlaine stayed behind aswell to make what provision hee could for the better accommodation of the King to carry with him as to take order with such of their followers as were to stay behind whom hee entreated to temporize things standing as they did till the wind came about againe which hee affirmed would bee very shortly but upon the first faire gale that blew with King Edward to open their sayles on his behalfe whilst hee was upon this negotiation fortune that makes a tennis ball of the greatest thus playd her part with King Edward No sooner was hee past ken of shore but certaine Easterlings enemies both to England and France were descried to have them in chase so that the Mariners were driven to clap on all their canvasse to beare up for the next shore of Holland The Easterlings plyed after them so close that the English durst not take land but where their landing might bee favoured by some Fort or Towne so that they were forced to fall lower then the first Coast and came to anchor before a Towne in the Netherlands called Alquemare as neere it as with conveniencie they might the ebbe being falne too low to enter the Haven The Easterlings whose ships were of greater burden came as neere them as they durst for feare of running on ground intending at the next flood to lay them aborde But in the interim the Lord Hastings being landed in Holland making enquiry after King Edward but receiving no tydings of his being come on shore presently dispatcheth Curryers to all the Maritine Townes thereabouts to give notice that Edward King of England was upon the Coasts to visit his Brother-in-law and Sister the Duke and Dutchesse of Burgoyne The Lord Gronteer Governour of Alquemare being hereof informed suspecting what was true that the King of England was aborde those shippes that the Easterlings had chased in Hee presently mand out a Boate unto them with these messages that the King of England was in league with that Country and his subjects and shipping should ride safe in that harbour without impeachment of any man and therefore commanded them in the Dukes name not to disturbe the English in their landing as they would run the hazard of the Cannon from the Towne by which meanes the King was permitted quietly to come on shore and was honourably entertained by the Governour who conducted him to the Hage where they stayed the comming of the Duke King Edward having now almost in a miraculous manner past the pikes in his owne Kingdome and the perills both of Seas and Pirates presuming that Gods providence had protected him for some good purpose Hee by the advise of his Sister who in all things exprest her selfe a dutifull Wife to her Husband but a deere friend to her Brother did intimate unto the Duke that hee had now under God none to relie upon in this lâ—…s extremity but himselfe and therefore hee earnestly doth sollcite him for present succours which hee obtaineth but whilst forces are raising to secure King Edwards returne out of Holland his Queene Elizabeth forsaketh the Tower and secretly taketh Sanctuary at Westminster upon report of Warwicks approach who made the more hasty march for London for that hee was informed That some seditious persons about Kent such that only awaited opportunitie to fish in troubled waters more out of greedy desire to gaine bootie then get glory had plotted the pillaging of London from which they were hardly restrained notwithstanding the carefull resolute and industrious courses of the Maior and his Compeeres These Scatter-goods played reaks about Limehouse places adjoyning untill the Earle of Warwick suppressed them and made exemplary punishment to bee inflicted upon many of them to the great content of the more sober-minded people And much commendation from the Citizens for his care of the Cities safety Execution of these pillages done VVarwicke commeth to the Tower which two dayes before the Maior by a bloodlesse stratagem had entred and did now make good on the the behalfe of King Henry who was by him removed out of his hold of durance into his owne lodging and there served according to his state which the Earle of VVarwicke as the more sensible of the two did more congratulate then the King himselfe King Henry upon the sixt day of October accompanied with the Archbishop of Yorke the Prior of Saint Iohns the Bishop of London the Duke of Clarence the Earle of Warwicke and other Nobles with great solemnitie was conducted through London to the Bishops Pallace where hee rested untill the thirteenth of that moneth on which day hee went in solemne procession about Pauls Church wearing his imperiall Crowne the Earle of Warwicke bearing up his traine and the Earle of Oxford the Sword before him in whom it appeared that mortality was but the stage of mutabilitie The next day as the usuall adjunct of like proceedings in all usuall places about London King Edward was proclaimed an Vsurper and all his partakers and abettors Traitors to God and the King whereof Iohn Lord Tiptoft Earle of VVorcester as a partaker with King Edward was made the first example and on that day beheaded at Tower-hill Hee had to wife Elizabeth sister and heire of Sir VValter Hopton Knight by whom hee had issue Edward who after did succeed him in the Earledome The high Court of Parliament as a cloake to cover all bracks of eruption in the State is assembled at Westminster wherein King Edward and all his knowne friends and followers are attainted of high Treason and all their lands and goods seized on to King Henryes use And like a Well with two buckets whereof one came up full to be empticd the other goes downe empty to bee fill'd one Parliament set up an Edward and puts downe Henry and the next acknowledgeth Henry and explodeth Edward George Plantaget Duke of Clarence is by the authoritie of this Parliament adjudged to bee heire to Richard Duke of Yorke his father and that
Dutchy was likewise settled upon him notwithstanding the primogeniture of Edward and his heires The Crowne of England was likewise entayled for want of heires males of the body of King Henry upon Duke George and his heires for ever so proclive was the Parliament to give consent to whatsoever by the Earle of Warwicke on the behalfe of King Henry in which Well hee alwayes interwove some threds that might seeme for the strengthening of his Sonne-in-lawes good respect towards him was proposed By which meanes Clarence was kept within the Verge hitherto of the Earle of Warwickes devotion Iasper Earle of Penbrooke and Iohn Earle of Oxford are fully restored to Honour and lands Clarence and Warwicke are made Governours of the King and kingdome and all things both in Parliament Court and Councell consented unto and concluded on as they would propose and appoint The Queene is sent for into France but shee as if appointed not to tast any of the cup of her Husbands fairer fortunes is kept backe by contrary windes so that during the Winter season against the Kings will and her owne desires shee is kept on the other side the Sea Elizabeth Queene to King Edward is in the meane time in the Sanctuary at Westminster delivered of a Sonne christened by the name of Edward Warwicke that nothing might seeme to bee left undone that might conduce to the good of the Common-wealth and advantagious to their proceeding sent divers Companies over to Callice from thence to infest the Duke of Burgoines Dominions And it is not unworthy the observation the peoples levitie that whom as yesterday they had proclaimed Traitour and despightfully traduced That the bruite of his returne into England was no sooner spread but the Earle of Warwickes Cognizance the Beare and the ragged Staffe was worne in every mans cap yea Monsieur Vocleere was contented to surrender his new Patent and accepted of his former deputation now confirmed and weare the Earles Livery which he was pleased to vouchsafe him notwithstanding his former uncivill and unrespective demeanour both towards him and the Ladyes in his company The Duke of Burgoyne being sensible of this storme which was likely to fall upon him both from the French King and the Calliceans if not warily prevented wisely so wrought with the Duke of Clarence That the truce formerly concluded betwixt him and King Edward should in all things bee ratified and confirmed the Kings name only altered to Henry But with this cautionary restriction that no ayde should bee given to his Brother-in-law King Edward And hereof assurance by oath is given Neverthelesse within short time after whither by the Duke or Dutchesses meanes it is doubtfull but by one of theirs Edward was furnished with eighteene tall ships and two thousand Dutchmen and with fifteene thousand Florens of gold Thus furnished hee tooke land at a place called Ravenspur in Yorkshire in which place hee found but cold entertainment Neverthelesse as one that had no other hope left but that little stay hee had taken hold of hee made a wary march to Yorke where likewise hee found no great expression of welcome so that he was enforced most unlike himselfe to make use of the Divels sophistry and by most execrable oathes to winne beliefe the sooner amongst the Inhabitants of Yorke hee seriously vowed according as hee had prepublished in his passage thither That hee only challenged the benefit of his birth-right which was the Inheritance of the Dutchy of Yorke unlawfully with strong hand with-held against him utterly disclaiming any intention hee had to lay any claime to the Crowne of England which hee seemed ingeniously to acknowledge to bee King Henryes indubitable right The Citizens credulitie was such that they upon these protestations and upon taking the Sacrament to use the Citizens fairely and to bee true liegeman to King Henry permitted him entrance which before they utterly denyed him But hee was no sooner entred but that hee gave them a sufficient taste of his intendment which was not to want any thing whereof in that place hee might bee by any meanes furnished And having well refreshed his men and furnished himselfe with what men money and victuals the Citie could affourd him having left a sufficient garrison to keepe the Citie to his owne use Hee marched towards London waging by the way all the souldiers that either threats promises or money could winne or procure The Marquesse Mountacute whose actions and carriage were alwayes reserved and obscure from the vulgar yea so disputable and doubtfull amongst his owne Brothers and Allyes That none but himselfe could expatiate them Hee now when hee had power sufficient to doe it did not impeach King Edwards passage about Pomfret but suffered him to passe by him not fought with for which hee was much condemned by his Brother and deservedly for had Edward beene then but a little shaken hee had dyed at roote Being come to Nottingham divers of the Nobilitie came to him making tender of their service but with this proviso that hee would resolutely take upon him the stile and Title of King and accordingly take his State which hee without much contradiction was contented his former oath to the contrary being no scruple to his conscience to consent unto And as a river running farre from its first rising is still augmented by the accesse of other brookes and waters falling into it so King Enwards Army encreased by marching onward to a great number The Earle of Warwicke upon notice of these proceedings leaving King Henry at London hasted towards his Towne of Warwicke from whence he sent to the Duke of Clarence to advertise him of these occurrences desiring his speedy accesse thither where hee would abide his comming But the Duke lingring out the time and made not that speed that was expected and the businesse in hand required which gave cause of suspition of his tergiversation whereupon Warwicke with his forces withdrew toward Coventry where hee strongly entrencheth and fortifies himselfe whither King Edward followeth him and often provoked him to issue forth But hee wisely not being very confident of his souldiers fidelitie or courage as yet untried refused keeping himselfe close within his Trenches Whereupon King Edward marcheth to VVarwicke perswading himselfe that that course if any thing could would draw the Earle to fight But when that prevailed not hee bent his course towards the Duke of Clarence who with his forces made show to give him battell But when both their Armies were in sight the Duke of Glocester so wrought betweene them that they were both overtly reconciled as they privately were before and their forces were conjoyned The three brothers now by faire promises and liberall offers assayed to win the Earle of VVarwicke to embrace faire offers of favour and reconcilement but hee readier to bee broken then bent in stead of embracing these proffered courtesies upbraided the Duke of Clarence with perjurie and degenerate cowardlinesse returning them answer