the kiÌ„ge Yet vntill suche time as the Kinge be intitled ther vnto by matter of recorde the inheritance remaynethe in the alien by the opinioÌ„ of all men And so ys a verie alien capable of inheritance within this realme And then it muste nedes fall ovvte plainlie that your generall maxime vvhere vpon you haue talked and braged so muche ys novve become no rule of the common lavve of this realme And yf it be so then haue you vttered very many vvordes to small purpose But yet let vs see farther vvhether there be any rule or maxime in the coÌ„mon lavve that maye seame any thinge like to that rule Whervpon any matter maie be gathered against the title of the saide Marie Quene of Scotland There ys one rule of the coÌ„mon lavve in vvordes somevvhat like vnto that vvhiche hathe bene alleaged by the aduersaries Whiche rule ys sett forthe and declared by a statute made An. 25. of Kinge Edwarde the thirde Whiche statute recitinge the dovvbte that then vvas Whether infantes borne ovvte of the allegiance of Englande shoulde be able to demaunde any heritage vvithin the same allegiaÌ„ce or no Yt vvas by the same statute ordained that all Infantes inheritours Whiche after that time shoulde be borne owte of the allegiance of the kinge whose father and mother at the time of theire birthe were of the faithe and allegiance of the kinge of Englande shoulde haue and enioye the same benefittes and aduantages to haue aÌ„d carrie heritage within the saide allegiance as other heires shoulde Where vpon yt ys to be gathered by dewe and iuste construction of the statute and so hathe bene heretofore coÌ„monlie taken that the common lawe alwayes was and yet ys that no person borne owte of the allegiance of the kinge of Englande whose father and mother were not of the same allegiance shoulde be able to haue or demaunde any heritage within the same allegiance as heire to any person Whiche rule I take to be the same supposed maxime whiche the adâ—saries do meane But to stretche yt generallie to all inheritances as the aduersaries wolde seame to do by anie reasonable meanes caÌ„ not be The statute of Edvvard 3. anno 25. touchethe inheritaÌ„ce and not purchasse For as I haue saied before euery straÌ„ger and alien borne maye haue and take inheritance as a purchasâ—er And if an alien do marrie a woman inheritable the inheritance therby ys bothe in the alien and also in his wife And the alien therby a purchasâ—er No man dowbteth but that a denizen maye purchasse landes to his owne vse 11. H. 4. fol. 25. but to inherite landes as heire to any person vvith in the allegiance of Englande he can not by any meanes So that yt seamethe verie plaine that the saide rule bindethe also denizens and dothe onlie extende to discentes of inheritance and not to the hauinge of anie landes by purchasse Nowe will we then consider whether this rule by any reasonable coÌ„struction can extende vnto the ladie Marie the Quene of Scotlande for and concerninge her title to the crowne of EnglaÌ„d Yt hathe bene sayed by the aduersaries that she was borne in Scotlande whiche realme ys owte of the allegiance of Englande her father and mother not beinge of the same allegiance And therefore by the saide rule she ys not inheritable to the crowne of this realme Althowghe I might at the begininge verie vvell and orderlie denie the consequente of your argumente yet for this time we will firste examine the antecedente whether yt be trewe or no And then consider vpon the consequenâ—e That the Quene of Scotlande was borne in Scotlande Scotlande ys within the allegiaÌ„ce of Englande yt must nedes be graunted but that Scotlande ys owte of the allegiaÌ„ce of EnglaÌ„de thowghe the saide Quene of Scotlande and all her subiectes of Scotlande vvill stovvtely affirme the same yet there are a greate nomber of men in Englande both learned and others that be not of that opinion beinge ledd and persvvaded there vnto by diuers histories registers recordes aÌ„d instrumeÌ„tes of homage remaininge in the treasurie of this realme Wherin ys mentioned that the kinges of Scotlande haue acknovvledged the kinge of Englande to be the superiour lorde ouer the realme of Scotlande and haue done homage aÌ„d fealtie for the same Which thinge beinge trevve not vvithe standinge yt be comonlie denied by all Scottes men then by the lavves of this realme Scotlande muste nedes be accompted to be vvith in the allegiance of Englande And altowghe sins the time of kinge Henrie the sixt none of the kinges of ScotlaÌ„de haue done the saide seruice vnto the kinges of Englande Yet that ys no reason in our lavve to saye that therefore the realme of Scotlande at the time of the birthe of the saide Ladye Marie Quene of Scotlande beinge in the thirtie and fovverthe yeare of the reigne of our late Souereigne lorde kinge Henrie the eight vvas ovvte of the allegiance of the kinges of Englande For the lavve of this realme ys verie plaine that thovvghe the tenaunte do not his seruice vnto the lorde yet hathe not the lorde therby lost his seigneurie for the lande still remainethe within his fee and seigneurie that not with standinge The lorde losethe not his sâ—igniâ—rie though the tenaÌ„te dothe not his seruice But paraduenture some vvill obiecte and saye that by that reason FraÌ„ce shoulde likevvise be sayed to be with in the allegiance of Englande for as muche as the possession of the crovvne of France hathe bene vvithin a litle more then the space of one hundred yeares novve laste paste lavvfullie vested in the kinges of EnglaÌ„d Whose right and title still remainethe in the Quenes maiestie that novve ys To that there ys a greate difference betvvene the right and title vvhiche our Souereigne ladie claimethe to the realme of France aÌ„d the right and title vvhiche her highnes claimethe to the realme of ScotlaÌ„d Althowghe yt be trevve that the kinge of Englande hathe bene lavvfullie possessed of the crowne of France vvhose right and title by iuste and lavvfull succession ys deuolued vnto our saide Souereigne ladie Yet duringe suche time as her highnes by vsurpation of other ys dispossessed of the saide realme of France the same realme by no meanes can be saide to be with in her highnes allegeaÌ„ce especiallie coÌ„sideringe howe that sins the time of vsurpation the people of France haue wholie forsaken theire allegeance and subiection whiche they did owe vnto the kinges of EnglaÌ„de And haue geuen and submitted them selues vnder the obedience and allegeance of the vsurpers But as for the realme of Scotlande yt ys oterwise For the title which our Souereigne Ladie and Quene and her ê“genitours haue claimed vnto the realme of ScotlaÌ„de ys not in the possession of the lande and crowne of Scotlande but onlie vnto the seruice of homage and fealtie for the same And althowghe the kinges of Scotlande sithe the time of kinge Henrie the eight haue intermitted to
do the saide homage and fealtie to the kinges of England Yet for all that the kinges of ScotlaÌ„de can not by any reason or lawe be called vsurpers And thus maye ye see gentle Reader by the opinion of all indifferent men and not led by affection that the realme of Scotlande hathe bene and yet ys within the allegeance and dominion of Englande And so your antecedent or firste proposition false And yet that makethe no prouf that the realme of FraÌ„ce likewise shoulde nowe be saide to be with in the allegiaÌ„ce of our Souereigne Ladie the Quene of England by reason of the manifeste and apparente difference before sheued But what yf your antecedent were trewe aÌ„d that we did agree bothe withe the saide Quene of Scottes aÌ„d her subiectes aÌ„d also withe you that Scotlande were owte of the allegiance of Englande Yet yt ys verie plaine that your coÌ„sequente and conclusion can not by anye meanes be trewe The causes vvhy the crowne caÌ„ not be comâ—sed with in the preteÌ„ded maxime And that priÌ„cipallie for three causes Wherof one ys for that neither the kiÌ„ge nor the crowne not beinge especiallie mentioned in the saide rule or preteÌ„ded maxime can be inteÌ„ded to be with in the meaninge of the same maxime as we haue before sufficientlie ê“ued by a greate nomber of other suche like generall rules and maximes of the lawes An other cause ys for that the crwne caÌ„ not be taken to be with in the wordes of the saide supposed maxime And that for two respectes one ys by cawse the rule doth onlye dishable aliens to demaunde any heritage with in the allegiance of Englande which rule can not be stretched to the demaunde of the crowne of Englande which ys not with in the allegiance of Englande but ys the verie allegiance yt self As for a like example Yt ys trevve that all the landes vvith in the kinges dominion are holden of the kinge either mediatlie or immediatelie and yet ys yt not trevve that the crovvne by vvhiche onlie the kinge hathe his dominion can be saide to be holden of the kinge For withoute the crowne there can be neither kinge nor allegiance And so longe as the crovvne restethe onlie in demaunde not beinge vested in any person with ovte the crownethere caÌ„ neither be Kinge nor allegiaÌ„ce there ys no allegiance at all So that the crovvne can not be saide by any meanes to be vvith in the allegiance of EnglaÌ„de And therfore not within the wordes of the saide rule or maxime The title of the crovvne ys also ovvte of the vvordes and meaninge of the same rule in any other respecte And that ys by cause that rule doth onlie dishable an alien to demaunde landes by disceÌ„te as heire for yt dothe not exteÌ„de vnto laÌ„des purchassed by an alien as vve haue before sufficientlie proued 40. E. 3. f. 10. 13. E. 3. titlrÌ„e 264. 16. E. 3. iuraÌ„sde faiâ—e 17. E. 3. tit Scire fac 7 And then can not that rule extende vnto the crovvne beinge a thinge incorporate the right wherof dothe not desceÌ„de accordiÌ„ge to the comoÌ„ course or priuate inheritance but goethe by succession as other corporations do No man dowbtethe but that a prior alien beinge no denizen A Deane a Person a Priour beynge an alien maye demande laÌ„de in the right of his corporatioÌ„ might alvvayes in time of peace demaunde lande in the right of his corporatioÌ„ And so likevvise a deane or a person beinge aliens and no denizens might demaunde landes in respecte of theire corporations not vvith standinge the saide supposed rule or mxime as maye appeare by diuers booke cases as also by the statute made in the time of kinge Richard the seconde An. R. 23c 36. E 3. fo 21. tit droicte 26 lib. Assis. p. 54. 12. lib. Assis tit enf 9 H. 6 fol. 33 3 H. 6. fo 35. 5. E. 4 f. 71. 49 li. Ass. pag. 17 22. H. 6. fo 31 13. H. 8. fo 14 7 E. 4 f. 29 9 E. 4 f. â—0 And altovvghe the crovvne hathe alvvayes gone accordinge to the coÌ„mon covvrse of a discente Yet dothe yt not properlie desceÌ„de but succede And that ys the reason of the lavve that althovvghe the Kinge be more fauoured in all his doinges then any coÌ„mon person shal be Yet can not the Kinge by lavve auoide his grauntes and lettres patentes by reason of his nonage as other Infantes maye do but shall alvvayes be saide to be of full age in respecte of his * The kiÌ„ge ys alvayes at full age in respecte of hys crovvne crowne eauen as a person vicare or deane or any other person incorporate shal be Whiche can not by any meanes be sayed in lawe to be vvith in age in respecte of theire corporations Altowghe the corporation be but one yeare olde Besides that the kinge caÌ„ not by the lawe avoide the lettres patentes made by any vsurper of the crowne vnlesse yt be by acte of parliamente no more then other persons incorporate shall auoide the grauntes made by one that vvas before vvrongfullie in theire places and roumes Whereas in discentes of inheritances the lawe ys otherwise For there the heire maye auoide all estates made by the dissesor or abatour or anye other person vvhose estate ys by lavve defeated Wherby yt dothe plainlie appeare that the kinge ys incorporate vnto the crowne and hathe the same properlie by succession and not by discente only And that ys likewise an other reason to proue that the kinge and the crowne can neither be saide to be with in the wordes nor yet with in the meaniÌ„ge of the saide generall rule or maxime The thirde and moste principall cause of all ys for that the saide statute vvhere vpon the saide supposed rule or maxime ys gathered the children discendants and discended of the bloude royall by the vvordes of EnfaÌ„ts du Roy The Kings childreÌ„ are expresselye excepted froÌ„ the surmised maxime are expresseli excepted owte of the saide supposed rule or maxime Which wordes the aduersaries do muche abuse iÌ„ restrainiÌ„ge coÌ„struinge theÌ„ to extende but to the first degree onlie whereas the same wordes may verye vvell beare a more large and ample interpretation And that for three causes and considerations Firste by the ciuill lavve this vvorde Liberi vvhiche the vvordes Enfants beinge the vsuall and originall vvordes of the statute vvritten in the Frenche tongue counteruaileth dothe comprehende by proper and peculier signification not only the children of the first degree L. liberoruÌ„ de verborum signific ff but other discendants also In the lavve sayenge that he vvho ys manumissed or made free shall not commence any action againste the children of the patrone or manumissor vvithovvte licence L. sed si ff de in Ius vocaÌ„do instit de heredibus ab intest not only the first degree but the other also ys conteined The like ys vvhen the lavve of the twelve tables sayethe The firste place and roume of
Yf the realme had bene set ouer to a furious or a made man or to an ideot or to some forraine aÌ„d Machometicall Prince and to suche a one our stories testifie that kinge IohnÌ„ vvolde haue submitted him self and his realme or to any other notoriouse incapable or vnable person Matheus parisiensis in Ioanne The generaltie of the vvordes seame to beare yt But the good mynde and purpose of the ê‘liamente and mans reason do in no wise beare yt Yf ye graunre that theis wordes muste nedes haue some good and honeste construction and interpretation as reason dothe force you to grauÌ„te it Yet will I aske farther whether as the kinge cutt of in this pretensed will the whole noble race of the eldeste sister aÌ„d the firste issewe of the yongeste sister So yf he had cutt of also all the ofspringe aswell of the sayde yoÌ„geste sister as of the remnante of the royall bloude aÌ„d placed some beiÌ„ge not of the sayde bloude and perchance othervvise vnable this assignation had bene good aÌ„d valable in lavve as coÌ„formable to reason and to the mynde and purpose of the parliamente Yt vvere suerlie to greate an absurditie to graunte yt There muste be therefore in this matter some reasonable moderation and interpretation as vvell towchinge the persons compÌ„hended vvith in this assignatioÌ„ and theire qualities and for the persons also hauinge right aÌ„d yet excluded As for the manner of the doinge of the acte aÌ„d signinge the will For the kinge as kinge coulde not dispose the crowne by his vvill And was in this behalfe but an arbiter and comissioner Wherfore his doinges muste be directed aÌ„d ruled by the lawe aÌ„d accordiÌ„ge to the good miÌ„de aÌ„d meaninge of those that gaue the aucthoritie And vvhat theire mynde vvas yt vvill appeare well inowghe euen in the statute yt self Yt vvas for the auoidinge of all aÌ„biguities dowbtes and diuisions towchinge the successioÌ„ They putt theire whole truste vpoÌ„ the kiÌ„ge as one whome they thovght most earnestlie to mynde the vvealthe of the realme as one that vvolde and coulde beste and moste prudentlie consider and weighe the matter of the succession and prouide for the same accordinglye Yf the doynges of the kinge do not plainlye and euidentlye tende to this ende and scope yf a zelous mynde to the common welthe yf prudence and vvisdome did not rule and measure all theys doinges but contrarye wise parciall affection displeasure yf this arbitremeÌ„te putter he not awaye all contentions and striffes yf the mynde aÌ„d purpose of the honorable parliament be not satisfied yf there be dishonorable devises assignimentes of the crowne in this will and testamente yf there be a nevve succession vnnaturallie deuised Finally yf this be not a testameÌ„te and laste will suche as Modestinus definethe testameÌ„tum est iusta voluntatis nostrae sententia de co quod quis post mortem suam fiert velit Then thovvghe the kinges hande were put to yt l. 1. ff qui testamenta facere The definitioÌ„ of a testament the matter goeth not al together so vvell and so smothe But yet there ys good and greate cause farther to coÌ„sider and debate vpoÌ„ yt Whether yt be so or no lett the indifferente When theye haue well thowght vpon yt iudge accordinglie The adversaries them selues can not altogether denie but that this testameÌ„te ys not correspondente to suche expectation as men worthelie shoulde haue of yt Which thinge they do plainlie confesse for in vrginge theire presumptions wherof we have spoken and myndinge to proue that this will which they saye is coÌ„monlie called kinge Henryes will was no newe will deuised in his sicknes but eaveÌ„ the verie same Where of as they saye vvere dyvers olde copies Theye inferre theis Wordes saienge thus For yf yt be a newe will then devised Who coulde thincke that either hym self wolde or any man durste haue moved him to putt therein so many thinges contrarie to his honour muche lesse durste they them selves devise any newe succession or moue hym to altre yt otherwise then they founde yt when they sawe that naturallie yt coulde not be othervvise disposed Wherein they saie very trevvlie For yt ys certaine that not onlie the coÌ„mon lavve of this realme but nature yt self tellethe vs that the Quene of ScotlaÌ„d yf our gratious Souereigne shoulde happen to dye hauinge no heyres of her dodie ys the next and right full heire of the crovvne Wherefore the kinge yf he had excluded her he had done an vnnaturall acte Ye will saye he had some cause to do this by reason she was a forrainer aÌ„d borne owte of the realme yet this not with staÌ„dinge he did very vnnaturally Yea vnadvisedlie inconsideratelie and wrongfullie and to the greate praeiudice and daunger of his owne title to the crovvne of Fraunce as we haue alredie declared And more over yt ys vvell to be vveighed that reason and aequitie and ius gentium dothe require and crave That as the kinges of this realme wolde thincke them selues to be iniuriouslie haÌ„dled and openlye vvronged yf they marrienge vvith the heires of Spayne Scotlande or any other contrey vvhere the succession of the crovvne deuoluethe to the vvoman vvere shutt ovvte and barred from they re sayde right devve to them by the vviues as vve haue sayde So likevvise they ovvght to thincke of vvomen of theirr Royall bloude that Marrie in Scotlande that they maye vvell iudge and take them selues muche iniured vnnaturallye and vvrongfullye delt vvith all to be thruste from the succession of this crowne beinge therto called by the nexte proximitie of the Royal bloude And suche deuolution of other kingdomes to the crowne of Englande by forraine mariage might by possibilitie oftimes haue chaunced and vvas eauen nowe in this our time verye like to haue chauÌ„ced for Scotlande yf the intended mariage vvith the Quene of Scottes that novve ys and the late kinge Edvvarde the sixte vvith his longer life and some issevve had taken place But novve that she ys no suche forrainer as ys not capable of the crovvne we haue at large alredye discussed Yea I vvill nowe saye farther that supposinge the parliamente mynded to exclude her and migh rightfullye so do and that the kinge by vertue of this statute did exclude her in his supposed vvill Yet ys she not a plaine forrainer and incapable of the crowne For yf the lavvfull heires of the sayde Ladye Frances and of the Ladye Elenour shoulde hapen to fayle vvhich seame nowe to faile at the leaste in the Ladye Katherine aÌ„d her issue for vvhose title to greate sturre hath latelye bene by reason of a sentence diffinitiue lately geauen againste a pretensed matrimonie of the sayde Ladye vvith the Erle of Harforde by my Lorde of Canterburie and other commissionners then ys there no staye or stoppe either by the parliament or by the sayde supposed will But that she the sayde Quene of Scotlande and her heires maye haue and obtayne theire iuste title and
some conveniente order also aswell for the repressinge of them as for the restitution of the sayde Quene Marie into her owne realme And the rather bycause our saide Quene ys learned and therefore not ignorante what greate coÌ„meÌ„dation and immortall fame manie kynges haue purchased to them selves for suche benefitt bestowed vpon other Princes beynge in the like distresse and extremitie The monumeÌ„tes of antiquitie as well prophane as Ecclesiasticall are filled withe the memorie of suche noble factes In holye scripture we reade that Abraham cowragiouselie and manfullie delivered hys brother Lothe Genes 14. whith certaine Kynges taken prisoners by they re enimies Esdrae â–ª 1. Cyrus deliuered the Iewes from captiuitie 4. Reg. c. vlt. Evelmerodache delivered Ioachim the Kynge of Iuda ovvte of prison 1 Machab. 15. The Romans dyd write to divers Kynges in the favour of the Ievves vniustlie oppressed What shall I speake of Alexander the greate that restored Ada the Quene of Caria Or of the foresaide Romans that restored Masinissa the Kynge of Numidia with manie other Kynges Or of our noble Cordell that sett vp agayne in the Royall throne of our Britannie her father driuen from thence by hys two other vnkinde and vnnaturall dowghters Some Princes of this our realme haue in they re greate calamitie amoÌ„ge other kinge Henrie the sixte fownde muche coÌ„forte freÌ„dshippe succour and relief at the kinges handes of Scotlande This Ladie Quene desierethe nowe to taste the like at our Quenes handes Whereby she shall winne greater commendation then did Charles the late Emperour for restoriÌ„ge either of FraÌ„cis Sfortia to the dukedome of Millane or of Muliasses to the kiÌ„gdome of Tunes or of his soÌ„ne kinge Philippe for ê“curinge the restitution of the Duke of Sauoye For this Ladye and Quene ys her most nighe neighbour by place And her nighe cosen and sister by bloude She ys a Quene and therefore this vvere a fitt benefitt for her relief from a Quene Yea she ys as yt were her dawghter bothe by dawghterlye reuereÌ„ce she bearethe her maiestie and by reason she ys of God called to the daughters place in the succession of the crowne yf her maiestie faile of issewe And I dowbte nothinge yf she imploye this motherlye benefitt vpon her but that she shall finde her a myndefull thankfull an obediente dawghter For of all women in this vvorlde she abhorrethe ingratitude She hathe hitherto depended onlye vpon the hope The greate truste that the Quene of Scottes hathe euer had in her deare sister the Quene of EnglaÌ„d to haue helpe and succour of her maiestie geuinge ouer partelye voluntarie partelye at the motion of her maiestie diuers profers of ayde and succour by other mightie and puissante Princes her frendes frelye to her offered reposinge her self vpoÌ„ the fayre and princelye promises that her Maiestie hathe made to her sondrye tymes aswell by lettres as by messengers for her relief when so euer oportunitie shoulde occasion her to craue yt For theys and manye other coÌ„siderations there ys good hope as ys a foresayde that our gratiouse Maistresse will take in hande her restitution Wher vpon I trust shall followe suche farther and entire amitie betwene them bothe and theire realmes that the benefitt fruite and commoditie therof shall plentifullye redowne aswell to all the posteritie of bothe the sayde realmes heare after as to vs presentlie ⧠The printer to the reader I Require aÌ„d hartelie praye the good and louinge reader that yf in this praesent Boke thou finde any alligation not dewlye coted or a poinct out of place a lettre lackiÌ„g or other wise altered as n for u and suche littill light faultes against orthographiae thov wilt neither impute the same to the authour of this worthie Worke nor yet captiouslye controule the errour but rather of thy humanitie and gentilnes amende that which is amisse with thy penne For if thou diddist knowe with what difficulté the imprinting herof was atchiued thou woldest rather curtouslye of frendlye faueur pardon many greate faultes than curiouslye withe rigorouse censure to condemne one litle Christe kepe the in his faithe and feare praesentlie and perpetuallye Amen ⧠A DEFENCE OF THE HONEVR OF THE ryght hyghe ryght myghtye and noble Princesse Marie Quene of Scotlande aâ—d Dowagere of France The fyrste Booke IT WERE to be wisshed that as God and nature hathe moste decentlie ordinatelie and providentlye furnisshed and adorned man with two eyes whie that nature hathe geven co man too eyes and tvvo eares aud but on tongue two eares and butt withe one mowthe and one tongue woÌ„derfulye brydled and kepte in with the lippes the teathe â–ª So men wolde coÌ„sider the cause of yt aÌ„d the greate prouideÌ„ce of God therein And after dewe consideration vse them selues accordingelie Then shoulde we sone learne and practise a good lesson to heare and see manye thynges and yet not to rune headloÌ„ge nor rudelie aÌ„d rashelie to talke of all we here and see But to talke within a coÌ„passe and to referre all our talke to a temperancie and sobrietie and to a knoven tryed trevthe especiallie where the sayde talke maye sownde to the blemishinge and disgracinge of anie mans good name and estimatioÌ„ But nowe a daies the more pittie thereis nothinge almoste but that as sone as yt ys perceaued by the eye or eare must forthwithe be lasshed owte agayne by the mowthe suche a superfluouse and curiouse ytchinge we haue dissolutelie and vnadvysedlie to talke of all matters thowghe they tende to the greate hynderance and infamie of manye of our bretherne And thowghe we be nothinge assured of the certaine trewthe of the matter yea withoute respecte to pryuate or publike persons Of suche vnbrydeled talke no man or woman in our dayes hathe as I suppose more iuste cause to coÌ„plaine then the ryght excellente Princesse ladie Marie Quene of ScotlaÌ„de whose honour manie haue gone abowte to blotte and deface in charginge her most falselie and iniustlie withe deathe of her late husboÌ„de the lorde darley For the defence and mainteynynge of whose innocencye in thys behalf we intende to laye forthe before the gentle reader the moste cheif and principall reasons grounds and arguments where vppon the patrones the inuenters and workers of all theis myscheavouse and develyshe dryfts grownded them selves and all they re owteragyouse doyngs And then consequentlye to infringe and repulse the same For to rehearse answere to and repell all they re assertions and obiections yt woulde require a verie longe tediouse and a superfluouse discourse in as muche as theis iolye gaye oratours measuringe theire doings more by nombre of false obiections then by trewe substanciall and pithie matter to make a goodlie florishe and a trime shewe to face owte and countenance they re craftie iuglings And to cover they re disordered dealings there with all have raked vppe and heaped together onevppoÌ„ an other against they re good maistresse and Sovereyne Quene no small nomber
detestable practizes neyther vvill suffer them selves to be spotted with the favoringe and assistinge of your abominable doinges We can tell you that this good ladie ys vniustlie accused aÌ„d wrongfullie oppressed as good Susanna was We can tell you that ye altogether resemble the tvvo olde vvicked gouernours that vvroÌ„gfullye accused her as an advowtresse beinge the advouterers them selves and brovvght her into daunger of present deathe by theire false testimonie as ye haue done withe your vvell intendinge Quene for that she vvolde not consente and yelde to the olde lustie lecherouse Rebelles We can tell you that yf you do not the soner repeÌ„te ye see by example of them What your revvarde shal be And that in the meane while God hathe as wonderfullie delivered owte of your handes this our innoceÌ„te Susanna as ever he did the other from them For thovvghe she vvere kept straight in a stroÌ„ge fortresse and castle vvith vvatche aÌ„d vvarde in suche sorte that none of her vvell willers and Frendes no not so muche as the Frenche kinges or our maistresse her moste deare sisters ambassadours might be suffred to come at The Quene in a manuer miraculouslie delivered out of lochleven â—rison or to speake with her Thovvgh she vvere daile gvvarded withe greate nomber thovvghe the gates vvere euery eaveninge suerlie and customablie locked and the keies therof vvere continuallie night by night delivered to the lorde of the saide castle Thowghe the botes were contiâ—uallie fastened aÌ„d locked vppe Yet god so vvrowght that the keies of the saide castle were in the saide lords verie presence takeÌ„ avvaye by a poore orphan simple boye beinge not yet eightene yeares olde bredd alwayes browght vppe iÌ„ the same howse Whiche feate by hym Wrovvght aÌ„d a tokeÌ„ or significatioÌ„ geaven therof to the Quene she departed ovvte of her prisoÌ„ hovvse into the courte therof at seaven of the clocke at night vpon the seconde daye of Maye And so passinge vvente to the saide gates vnlocked and opened by the saide orphan boye Who takinge bote also rowed her her waitinge maide vvith all vvith muche a doo over the vvater vvho havinge nowe passed the vvater vvas on the other side receaued by certaine gentlemen aÌ„d by them coÌ„veied coÌ„ducted to HamiltoÌ„ where she before her nobilitie revoked annichilated made voide all that she did iÌ„ prisoÌ„ before with solemne ê“testation vpoÌ„ her othe that she vvas violentlie forced therto aÌ„d putt in iuste feare of the losse of her life After this yt pleased god to putt her in miÌ„de to tacke her iourney into Englande aswell for the speciall and singuler truste she hathe in her deare Sister her coÌ„fortable ê“mises to her before her cominge by messeÌ„gers letres tokens sente from her bothe confortinge and promisinge her oportunitie seruinge all conueniente succour and helpe as that we Englishemen whiche muste neades honour and reuereÌ„ce her Who ys of the nexte Royall bloudd and trevve heire apparente of the crovvne of this realme of Englande shoulde throvvghelie knowe and fullie vnderstande to our greate comforte her purenes integritie and innoceÌ„cie in the matter vnder pretence vvherof her traitours and rebelliouse subiects thereby to accomplishe theire seditiouse aÌ„d ambitiouse minds and purposes haue molested vexed and disquieted her in maÌ„ner a foresaide And nowe at the laste kepethe her not onlie from her crowne aÌ„d realme but from all whatsoeuer either her priuate or other goods as vnwillinge that she shoulde either kepe the state aÌ„d porte of a Prince or any other meaner estate vvhatsoeuer Neither hathe it altogether fallen ovvte coÌ„trarie to her expectatioÌ„ and desire For the nobles of Englande that vvere appointed by the Quene to heare aÌ„d examine all suche matters as the rebelles shoulde laye againste the Quene haue not onelie fownde the saide Quene innocente aÌ„d gvviltlesse of the deathe of her husbaÌ„de but do vvithall fullie vnderstande that her accusers Were the verie coÌ„triuers deuisers practitioners aÌ„d vvorkers of the saide murther aÌ„d haue farther also so muche encreased aÌ„d in suche Wise renued the good estimation and greate hope they alvvayes had of her novve ê‘fectlie knowinge her innocencie and therto moued throvvghe other princelie qualities resplendente in her with many Wherof she ys muche adorned The commissioners appointed in EnglaÌ„d to hear the Quene of Scotts matters vvell liked of her saide innoceÌ„cie and of her title to the successioÌ„ of the crovvne aÌ„d singulerlie endevved that they haue in moste earnest vvise solicited aÌ„d eÌ„treated the Quene of EnglaÌ„d to geue her aide aÌ„d strengthe vvhereby she maye be restored againe to her honour aÌ„d crovvne They haue moued the saide Quene of Scotlande also that yt maye please her to accepte and like of the most noblest man of all EnglaÌ„de betvvene vvhom aÌ„d her there might be a mariage coÌ„cluded to the quietinge and comforte of bothe the realmes of Englande and ScotlaÌ„de Finallie the noble men of this our realme acknovvledge aÌ„d accepte her for the verye true and rigthe heire appareÌ„te of this realme of Englande beinge fullie minded aÌ„d alvvayes readie if God call to his mercie the Quene that novve ys then to receaue and serue her as theire vndovvbted Quene Maistresse aÌ„d Souereigne Wherby yt maye easelie appeare hovve Well they like of her cause that had the hearinge and triall of the same allthovvghe she never as yet came in theire presence Theis thinges novve and manie other whiche for the eschewinge of prolixitie we forebeare to enlarge our treatise vith maie be alleaged for the defeÌ„ce of the Quenes integritie and for the vprightnes of her cause the vvhiche I vvolde vvishe you the Erles Murraye and Morton vvithe your allied confederates before all other most deapelie and by times to vveighe and consider accordingelie as the vveight and greatnes of the cause An exhortatioÌ„ of the Erles MurrayeÌ„ mortoÌ„ others to reconsile theÌ„selves to the Quene as your owne sauftie vvith the wealthe honour of your natiue coÌ„trey do require I am not ignorante that the matter ys gone verie farre vvith you that many impedimeÌ„ts do concurre to with dravve you to seake that remedie for the reformation of things paste vvhiche ys the beste and th' onelie remedie But suerlie vvhen ye have fullie vveied all things on everie side accordingelie ye shall finde no sure and sovvnde remedie but in makinge a true a sincere and an vnfained humble submission to your gratiouse Quene vvhoÌ„ ye haue so greavouselie offended and molested Let not the greatnes or nomber of your treasons wrovvght against bothe your Quene and cuntrey Let not any vaine false imagined opinioÌ„ either of the worlde or of your vtter ouerthrovve by reason of anie suche fonde presumption of your presente highe estate of your greate povver force and strengthe Let no vaine expectatioÌ„ of externall succours staie or stoppe you from so necessarie a devvtie and so comendable before God and the worlde Ye best knovve that amonge all the princelie ornameÌ„tes and
one as for the excelleÌ„te giftes of God and nature in her most princelie appearinge ys vvorthie to inherite either this noble realme or any other be yt of muche more dignitie and worthines But nowe I claime nothinge for the vvorthines of the person whiche God forbidd shoulde be any thinge preiudiciall to the iuste title of others yf moste open and manifeste right Iustice and title do not coÌ„curre with the worthines of the person Then lett the praise and Worthines remaine where yt ys And the right Where God and the lavve hathe placed yt But seinge God nature and the lavve dothe call the person to this expectation whose intereste and claime I do novve prosequute I meane the right excellente Ladie The Quene of Scots is the right heire appareÌ„te to the crovvne of Englande Ladie Marie Quene of Scotlande I hope that when her right and iuste title shall be throwghlie harde and considered by the indifferente Reader yf he be persvvaded alredie for her right he shall be more firmelie setled in his trevve and good opinion and that the other parties beinge of a contrarie minde shall finde good cavvses and grovvndes to remoue them from the same and to geaue ouer and yelde to the trevvthe Her graces title then yf God call our Souereigne ovvte of this transitorie life hauinge no issue of her maiesties bodye as yt ys moste open and euidende so yt ys moste conformable to the lavve of God of nature and of this realme And consequentlie in a manner of all other realmes in the vvorlde as grovvinge by the neareste proximitie of the royall bloude She ys a kinges and a Quenes davvghter her self a Quene Davvghter to the late kinge Iames of Scotlande sonne to ladie Margarett the eldest sister to our late Souereigne kinge Henrie the eight Whose Davvghter also the ladie Lenoux ys but by a later husbande The ladie Frances late vvyfe to Henry Marques dorsett aftervvarde Duke of Suffoocke And the ladie Elenour late vvyfe to the Erle of Cumberlande and theire progenye procedethe from the ladie Marie dowager of France yongest sister of the saide kinge Henrie late vvife to Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke I might here fetche forthe olde farne dayes I might reache backe to the noble and vvorthie kinges longe before the conqueste of vvhose royall bloude she ys discended vvhiche ys no parte of our purpose neither dothe enforce her title more then to proue her no stranger vvithin this realme But the argumentes and proufes which vve meane to alleage and bringe forthe for the confirmation of her right and title in succession as heire apparente to the crovvne of Englande are gathered and grovvnded vpon the lavves of God and nature and not onlie receaued in the ciuill pollicies of other nations but also in the olde lawes and customes of our ovvne contrey by reason approued and by vse and longe concontinevvance of time obserued from the firste constitution of this realme in politicall order vnto this presente daye And yet for all that hathe yt bene aÌ„d yet ys by some men attempted artificiallie to obiecte and caste manie mistie darke clovvdes before meÌ„nes eyes to kepe from them yf yt maye be the cleare light of the saide iuste title the vvhiche they vvolde extingvvishe or at the leaste blemishe withe some obscure shadovve of lavve But in deede against the lavve and vvith the shadovve of parliameÌ„ts But in deede against the trewe meaninge of the pliameÌ„tes And albe it yt were inowghe for vs our cawse beinge so firmelie aÌ„d suerlie established vpoÌ„ all good reason aÌ„d lawe to stande at defence and onlie to auoide as easelie vve maye theire obiections Whiche principallie and cheifelie are grovvnded vpon the common lawes and statutes of this realme yet for the betteringe aÌ„d strengtheninge of the same vve shall laye forthe sondrie greate aÌ„d inuincible reasons coÌ„ioyned vvithe good and sufficieÌ„t aucthoritie of the lawe so approued and coÌ„firmed that the aduersaries shall neuer be able iustlie to impugne them And so that vve truste after the readinge of this our treatise aÌ„d the effectes of the same vvell digested no manner of scruple owght to remaine in any indiferent mans harte concerninge her right and title Whose expectatioÌ„ aÌ„d coÌ„science althovvghe we truste fullie in this discourse to satisfie aÌ„d doubte nothinge in the vvorlde of the rightfulnes of our cause Yet must we nedes coÌ„fesse the maÌ„ner aÌ„d forme to eÌ„treate therof to be full of difficultie aÌ„d ê‘plexitie For suche causes of Princes as they be seldome and rare so ys yt more rare and stange to finde them discoursed discussed and determined by any lawe or statute Albe it nowe and then some statutes tende that vvaye Neither do our lavves not the corps of the Romaine and ciuill lavve lightlie medle With the princely gouernemente but vvith priuate mens causes And yet this not withstandinge for the better iustifiengè of our cavvse albe yt I denye not but that by the coÌ„mon lavve yt muste be knovven vvho ovvght to haue the crovvne And that the coÌ„mon lavve muste discerne the right aswell of the crowne as of subiects Yet I saye that there ys a greate difference betvvene the kinges right aÌ„d the right of others And that the title of the crovvne of this realme ys not subiecte to the rules and principles of the coÌ„mon lavve of this realme as to be ruled and tried after suche order and course as the inheritance of priuate personnes ys by the same The coÌ„moÌ„ lavve of this realme ys rather grouÌ„ded vpon a generall custome then any lawe written For the prouf wherof let vs consider What the comon lavve of this rerealme ys and howe the rules therof be grownded and do take place Yt ys verie manifeste and plaine that the comon lawe of this realme of Englande ys no lawe WritteÌ„ but grovvnded onlie vppoÌ„ a coÌ„mon and generall custome throvvghe ovvte the vvhole realme as apparethe by the treatise of the aunciente and famous vvriter vpon the lavves of the realme named RANVLPHVS DE GLANVILLA In ê“logo suo eâ—sdeÌ„ libri fol. 1. 2. Who wrote in the time of the noble kinge Henrie the secoÌ„de De dicto Ranulpbo Glanuilla vide GeralduÌ„ CaÌ„breÌ„sem in Topogra de vvallia of the lavve and custome of the realme of englande Beinge then and also in the time of the reigne of kinge Richarde the first the cheif counsailler and iustice of the same kinge And also by the famous Iustice Fortescue in his booke which he wrote beinge Chancellour of Englande Fortescue de laud legum Angliae ca. 17 De laudibus legum Angliae And by 33 H. 6 51. and by 8. E. 4. 19. Which custome by vsage and coÌ„tinuall practise heretofore had in the kinges covvrtes vvithin this realme ys onlie knovven and mainteined 8. E. 4 19 33. H. 6 51 piÌ„soÌ„s printe Wherein we seame muche agreable to the olde lacedemoniaÌ„s vvho manie hundred yeares past most politikelie and famouselie gouerned theire common
became I praye you of Harolde that by briberie aÌ„d helpe of his kiÌ„red vsurped the crowne against the foresaide yonge Eadgar as I haue saide aÌ„d as the olde monumeÌ„rs of our historiopraphers do plainlie testifie was the trewe aÌ„d lawful hâ—ire Cui de iure debebatÌ„ regnuÌ„ Anglo ruÌ„ Io. â—od in chronic Angliae Coulde he thincke you enioye his ambitiouse aÌ„d nawghtie vsurpinge one whole aÌ„d eÌ„tier yeare No suerlie eare the first yeare of his vsurped reigne turned aboute he was spoyled aÌ„d turned owt bothe of crovne aÌ„d †Rex Edvvardê° misit c. Vt velâ—pÌ„e Edvvardê° vel filiae eâ—ê° sibi succedereÌ„t c. Rich. Cicest vid vvil Malmesb de regi Ang. l. 2. c. 45. l. 3. cap. 5. his lief with all FadeÌ„ verba sunt in Mat. vvestmo 1Ì„ flor hist Anâ—o 1066. Yea his vsurpatioÌ„ occasioÌ„ed the coÌ„queste of the whole realme by williaÌ„ Duke of NormaÌ„die bastarde Sonne to Roberte the sixte duke of the same And maye we thincke all saufe aÌ„d sownde nowe from like danger yf vve shoulde treade the saide vvroÌ„ge steppes vvithe Harolde forsakinge the right aÌ„d highe vvaye of lavve aÌ„d iustice What shall I nowe speake of the crevvell aÌ„d ciuill vvarres betvvene kinge Stephen and kinge HeÌ„rie the secoÌ„de Which vvarres rose by reasoÌ„ the saide HeÌ„ry vvas vniustlie kepte froÌ„ the crovne devë to his mother mavvde aÌ„d to him aftervvardes The petifull reigne of the saide IohnÌ„ vvho doth not lamente vvith the lamentable losse of Normandie Aquitanie and the possibilitie of the Dukedome of Britanie What cala mities fell to this real me by the vsurpiÌ„g of kinge Harrold K. Stephen and IohnÌ„ aÌ„d vvith the losse of our other goodlie possessions in Fraunce Wherof the crovvne of Englande vvas robbed and spoiled by the vnlavvfull vsurpinge of him againste his nephevve Arthur Well let vs leaue theys greauouse and lothsome remembrances and lett vs yet seake yf vve maye fynde any later interpretation either of the saide statute or rather of the coÌ„mon lavve for our purpose And lôa the greate goodnes and ê“uidence of God vvho hathe yf the foresaide exaÌ„ples wolde not serue prouided a later but so good so sure so apte and mete interpretation for our cause as any reasonable harte maye desier The interpretation directlie tovvchethe our case vvhiche I meane by the mariage of the Ladye Margaret eldest davvghter to kinge HeÌ„rie the seaveÌ„the vnto Iames the fowrthe kinge of Scotlande and by the opinion of the saide most prudente Prince in bestowinge his saide dawghter into Scotlande A matter sufficieÌ„t inoughe to ouerthrowe all those cauellinge inuentions of the aduersarie For what time kinge Iames the fowerth senâ—e his ambassadour to kinge Henrie the seauenthe to obteine his good vvill to espouse the saide Ladie Margaret Polid. 26. there were of his counsaile not ignorante of the lawes and customes of the realme Kinge H. vvith his cownsaile ys a good interpÌ„tour of our present cause that did not vvell like vppon the saide mariage sayenge yt might so fall ovvte that the right aÌ„d title of the crovvne might be deuolued to the Ladie Margaret and her children And the realme thereby might be subiecte to Scotlande To the vvhich the prudente and wise kinge ansvvered that in case any suche deuolution shoulde happen yt vvolde be nothinge preiudiciall to Englande For Englande as the cheif and principall and worthieste parte of the Isle shoulde drawe Scot lande to yt as yt did Normandie from the time of the coÌ„queste vvhiche ansvvere was vvonderfullie vvell liked of all the counsaile And so coÌ„sequentlie the mariage toke effecte as appearethe by Polidor the historiogropher of this realme And suche a one as vvrote the actes of the time by the instructioÌ„ of the kinge him self I saye theÌ„ the vvise worthy SalomoÌ„ foreseinge that suche deuolutioÌ„ might happen was an interpretatour with his prudent and sage consayle for our cause for eles they neaded not to reasoÌ„ of any suche subiection to Scotlande Yf the children of the Ladye Margaret might not lavvfullie inherite the crovvne of Englande For as to her husbande vve coulde not be subiecte hauinge him self no right by this mariage to the title of the crovvne of this realme Where vpon I maye well inferre that the saide nevve maxime of theis men whereby they wolde rule and ouer rule the succession of Princes was not knowen to the saide wise kinge neither to any of his counsaile Or yf yt were yet was yt taken not to reache to hys bloudd royall borne in Scotlande And so on everie side the title of Quene Marye ys assuerid So that nowe by this that we haue saide yt maye easelie be seen by what light and â—klender consideration the adversarie hathe gone abowte to straine the wordes Enfants or childreÌ„ to the first degre onlie Of the like weight ys his other consideration imageninge aÌ„d surmisinge this statute to be made by cawse the kinge had so manye occasions to be so often over the sea vvith his spowse the Quene As thowghe diuers kinges before him vsed not often to passe over the seas As thowghe this were a personall statute made of speciall purpose and not to be taken as a declaration of the coÌ„mon lawe Whiche to saie ys moste directlie repugnaÌ„te and contrarious to the letter of the saide statute Or as thowghe his children also did not verie often repayre to owterwarde contreies as IohnÌ„ of Gawnte Duke of Lancaster Polid Polychr Froserd that Maried Peters the kinge of castilles eldest dawghter by whose right he claimed the crovne of castill as his brother Edmunde The mariages of k. E. 3. sones Erle of camebridge that maried the yongeste dawghter as lionell Duke of clarence that maried at Millain Violane Dawghter and heire to Galiatius Duke of Millan But especiallie Prince Edwarde whiche most victoriouslie toke in battaile IohnÌ„ the Frenche kinge and browght hym into Englande his prisoner to the greate triumphe and reioicinge of the realme whose eldest sonne Edwarde that died in shorte time after was borne beyonde the seas in Gascoigne and his other sonne Richarde that succeded hys grandfather was borne at Burdeauxe As theis noble kinge Edwardes sonnes Married withe forrainers So did theye giue ovvte theire dawghters in Mariage to forraine Princes As the Duke of Lancaster his dawghter Philippe to the kinge of Portingale and his dawghter Katherin to the Kinge of Spaine And his nece IohaÌ„ dawghter to his sonne Erle of Somersett was ioined in mariage to the Kinge of Scottes IohaÌ„ dawghter to his brother Thâ— mas of Wodstocke Duke of GloÌ„cester was Quene of Spaine And his other dawghter Marie Duches of Bretaigne Nowe by thys mans interpretation none of the issewe of all theis noble womeÌ„ coulde have enioyed the crowne of Englande wheÌ„ yt had fallen to them thowghe they had bene of the neareste royall bloudd after the deathe of theire Auncesters Which suerlie had bene against the auncientâ— presidentes and examples that we
regimeÌ„te ys against nature as also touchiÌ„ge a brother to be choseÌ„ kinge Neither the lavve of God nor reason is against the Quene of Scottes right as the aduersaries pretendâ— And therfore I coÌ„clude agaiÌ„st you that neither the lawe of God nor of nature nor yet reason vpon the vvhiche also you grownde your self do reiecte the saide Qu. marie fraÌ„che successioÌ„ of the crowne of Englande Your reason ys that where the people erecte them self an head of theire owne kinred and nation there nature assuerethe the people of naturall gouernemente And vvhere a stranger cariethe opinion of vnnaturall tyranie yt assuerethe the ruler of naturall subiectioÌ„ To a stranger ys murmorre and rebellion threatened But nowe yf this excellente Ladye and Princesse be no stranger and be of our ovvne kinred and of the aunciente and late Royall bloude of this realme as vve haue declared then ys your reason also vvith all auoided which maye and dothe ofteÌ„times take place iÌ„ more streÌ„gers coÌ„minge in by violeÌ„t and forcible meanes But here as naturall a man as ye make your self ye seame to go altogether agaiÌ„st reasoÌ„ and against nature also Yf Princes children vvere to be counted strangers and aliens or to be suspected as enemies and TyraÌ„s succedinge to theire owne progenitours inheritance Yt vvas an vnnaturall parte a greate follye in the noble kinges of this and manye other realmes to geue ovvte theire dawghters to forren Princes in mariage in steade of pÌ„ferringe auancinge them by threire mariage procuringe therby freÌ„dshippe and amitie with other Princes to disable theire saide children from theire auncetours inheritances in those contreyes froÌ„ vvhence they originallye proceded And as it seamethe by your kinde of reasoninge to purchasse and ê“cure beside to them therby an opinion of ennemitie and tyranie This this I saye ys a frovvarde and an vnnaturall interpretatioÌ„ A frovvarde aÌ„d an vnnaturall interpretatioÌ„ of the aduersarie Nature mouethe and driueth vs to thincke othervvise and that bothe a a prince vvill fauour loue and cherishe the people from vvheÌ„ce he fetcheth his royall bloude and by vvhoÌ„ he muste novve mainteine kepe and defende his royall estate that the people likewise will beare singuler loue and affection to suche a one especiallye of suche knovven princelye qualities as this noble Ladye is adorned with all Suerly yt ys no more vnnaturall to suche a Prince descendinge from the aunciente and late Royall bloude of the kinges of EnglaÌ„de The Que. of Scottes no straÌ„ger to EnglaÌ„d to beare rule in Englande and as yt were to retorne to the head and fowntaine from whence originallye she sprange Then yt ys for all flouddes and riuers which as homer sayethe flowe ovvte of the greate OceaÌ„ sea 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 21. Iliad To reuerte Ecclesiastes cap. 1. returne and reflovve againe to the sayde Ocean This coherence coniunctioÌ„ copulation inclination and fauour runinge interchangeablye betwixte suche a Prince and the people ys no more strange to nature then ys the coÌ„iunction of the tree and the rote therof then of the fowntaine and the riuer issuenge from thence then of the sonne and the sonne beames finallie then ys the coniunction betvvixte the olde ancient louinge graÌ„d mother and her yoÌ„ge and tender dawghter Neither do I well knovve howe I maye better call noble England then a louinge grandmother to this good gentle Ladie whom vve I do not dowbte yf euer God call her to the Royall seate therof shall not onlye finde a louinge aÌ„d gratiouse maistresse but a most deare aÌ„d tender good dawghter For theis and other considerations the lawes of the realme do not nor euer did estraÌ„ge suche princes from the succession of the crowne of the realme Which by reason of the saide naturall inclination and beneuolence of the one to the other standethe vvith the lawe of God nature with all good reason And therefore your coÌ„clusioÌ„ ys againste Godes lawe nature and all good reason Whereby you full vngodlye vnnaturallie and vnreasonablie do conclude an exclusioÌ„ of the Quene of Scotlande pretendinge her to be a straÌ„ger to that right that God nature and reason and the trevve hartes of all good naturall Englishemen do call her vnto as the deare sister and heire apparente to our noble Quene Elizabethe The which her saide iuste right title and intereste we truste we haue nowe fullye proued and iustified and sufficientlie repulsed the sondrie obiections of the aduersaries And as theis beinge the principall ovvght to breade no dowbte or scruple in any man so manye other folyshe fonde and fantasticall obiections not worthye of any ansvvere that busie quarrelinge heades do caste forthe to dishable her right or to disgrace and blemishe either her honour or thys happie vnion of bothe realmes yf God shall sende yt in takinge our gratiouse Sovereigne from vs withowte issue vvhich God forbide ovvght muche lesse to move any man Whos 's maiestie God longe preserve and shylde and blesse her yf yt be hys pleasure vvith happie issue But yf yt please hym eyther to bereave vs of hyr maiestie or her maiestie of all suche issue then yet that we maye not be altogether lefte desolate confortlesse thys happye vnion vvill recoÌ„pence and supplie a greate parte of thys our distresse An happie vnion I call yt by cause yt shall not onlie take avvaye the loÌ„ge mortall enemitie The greate coÌ„moditie that shall come to Englandeâ— aÌ„d ScotlaÌ„de by the vnion of theÌ„ in case this successioÌ„ chaÌ„ce the deadlie hatred the most cruell sharpe vvarres that have so manie hundred yeares bene continued betwixt our neighbours the Scottes and vs but shall so entierlie consociate and conioyne and so honorablie sett forthe and aduaÌ„ce vs bothe and the vvhole Ilande of Britanye as neither toÌ„gue can expresse the greatenesse of our felicitie and happines nor harte vvishe any greater The olde enemitie hathe trodeÌ„ downe kepte vs bothe vnder fote and hathe geuen occasion to the coÌ„mon enemie as the Danes aÌ„d other to spoyle vs bothe Yt hathe caused for theis thowsande yeares and more so infinite and so ovvgelie slavvghter as it Will greaue and pittie any mans harte to remember and yet neither to the greater augmeÌ„tation of our possessions at this daye nor to theire muche losse They hauinge loste nothinge of theire olde aunciente inheritaÌ„ce sauinge Barwikle onlie Yf this coniunction on s happen and yf we be on s vnited and knitt together in one kingedome and dominion in one entire brotherlie love and amitie as we are alredie knit by neighbourhode by tongue and almoste by all maÌ„ners fasshioÌ„s and behaviour then will all vnnaturall and butcherlie slawgher so loÌ„ge hyther to practised cease TheÌ„ will reste quietnes welche and prosperitye encrease at home TheÌ„ will all owtewarde Princes our FreÌ„des reioyce and be coÌ„forted our enemyes dreade vs. Then wyll the honour fame and maiestye of the Ilande of Albyon daylye growe more and more and her power and streÌ„gth so greatelie encrease as to the freÌ„de yt wil be a good shilde And to the enemye an horrible terrour The shall the owtevvarde enemye litle endomage vs. Then shall we with our children after vs reape the pleaâ—â—â—te fruites of this noble coniunction wrovvght this to our haÌ„des by Godes good and gratiouse prouidence vvithovvte expeÌ„ce force or slawghter which hitherto a noÌ„ber of our covvragiouse vvise and mightie Princes haue theis thovvsande yeares and vpvvarde sovvght for but in vaine as yet vvith so excessiue charges vvithe so greate paynes vvith so manye and mayne armies and vvith the bloude of so manie of theire subiectes Then shall vve moste fortunatelie see and moste gloriouslie enioye a perfecte and entire monarchie of this I le of Britanie or Albion vnited and incorporated after a moste maruelouse sorte and in the vvorthie and excellente person of a Prince mete and capable of suche a monarchie As in vvhose person beside her vvorthie noble and princelye qualities not onlye the Royall and vnspotted bloude of the aunciente and noble kinges of Scotlande but of the Normans and of the Englishe kinges with all as well longe before as sithens the conqueste yea and of the Britaine 's also the moste aunciente inhabitans and lordes of this Ilande do wonderfullye and as yt were eauen for suche a notable purpose but the greate prouidence of God moste happelye concurre The euidente trewthe wherof the sayde Quenes petigrewe dothe moste plainelie and openlie sett forthe to everie mans sight and eye Then I saye maye this noble realme and Ilande be called not Albion onlye but rather Olbion that ys fortunate happye and blessed Whiche happye and blessed coniunction when yt chauncethe yf we vnthanckefullye refuse We refuse our healthe and welfare and Godes good blessinge vppon vs. We refuse our dewtie to God who sendethe our dewtie to the partie whom he sendethe and our dewtie to our natiue coÌ„trey to whom he sendethe suche a person to be our Maistresse and suche commodities and honour with all coÌ„minge thereby as I haue sayde to whole Albion as greater we can not wishe for And finallye we procure and purchase as muche as in vs liethe suche disturbaÌ„ce of the coÌ„mon wealthe suche vexations trobles and warres as maye teÌ„de to the vtter subuersioÌ„ of this realme From which dangers God of his greate aÌ„d vnspeakeable mercie defeÌ„de preserue vs kepe ê“tecte defeÌ„de this realme with our noble Quene Elizabethe and the saide Ladie Marie Quene of Scotlande with the nobilitie subiectes of bothe the realmes in mutuall frendshyppe and godlie amitye with longe prosperouse estate and all good quietnes Amen FINIS Imprinted at London in Flete strete at the signe of Iustice Royal againste the Blacke bell by Eusebius Dicaeophile anno D. 1569. and are to be solde in Paules churche yearde at the signes of Tyme Truthe by the Brasen SerpeÌ„t in the shoppes of Ptolomé and Nicephore Lycosthenes brethren Germanes â§