and Breadth Page 1 Boadicea 2 Bonds first sealed 10 Becket Tho. 14 Black Prince 21 A Bishop's Chastity 49 Blasphemy 51 London-Bridge 53. and finisht 53 Shower of Blood 53 Barons 63 Barons first executed 64 A Bishop rescued from the King by force ibid Shower of Blood 78 A miraculous Birth 95 Last Banneret in England 99 A Pond of Blood 108 C. CAractecus Page 4 Cadwallader ibid Constantine ibid Cambridge founded 7 Church-Rights sold. 10 Charles the I. 36 Charles the II. 37 Committee of Safety 39 Canutus 48 Scotch Custom 49 Children born with Horse-tails 52 A barbarous Cruelty 57 Common-Councel-men first in London 58 Charters confirm'd 59 A false Christ. 60 Richard Clare his Valour 61 Coronation-Chair brought from Scotland into England 62 The Value of Calice 66 Clergies Tax ibid Chaucer 68 A noble Citizen of London 69 Combat between Katrington and Annesley ib Character of King Henry the V. 75 A wonderful Cock 78 Cap of Maintainance 89 King Henry the VIII supream Head of the Church 90 First Registers in Churches 92 Cranmer Archbishop his Heart not burnt 96 East-India Company 100 First Master of Ceremonies 103 A monstrous Child 105 King Charles murdered 108 D. DAnes first invade England Page 6 Second Invasion of Danes ibid Drake Captain 34 Dangerfield 45 A Dwarf 63 A great Dearth 65 First Dauphin of France 66 Dukes first created 67 An Appearance of the Devil 74 â—â—fender of the Faith Title 90 Dolphins 95 Captain Drake 99 English first Drunkards ibid Dublin-University 100 A great Drought 101 Deer-killers Penalty 104 Duels restrain'd 105 Countess of Derby's Resolution 108 Lady Eleanor Davis 109 E. ENgland's Length and Breadth Page 2 Its first Inhabitants ibid Their Wives ibid England when so call'd and why 6 Divided into Parishes ibid Kings-Evil first cured 7 A dreadful Example ibid Divided into Circuits 14 Edward the I. sirnamed Long-shanks 17 Edward Caernarven ibid Edward the III. Crowned 19 Edward the IV. 26 Edward the V. 27 Edward the VI. 32 Elizabeth Queen ibid Ethelred 48 Strange Earthquake 49 53 Elephant first seen in England 60 Emperor takes Pay of King Henry 88 A prodigious Earthquake 100 Another 101 F. FIre in London Page 39 Great Fire in London 49 A bountiful Feast 59 Vast Expences in France 60 A great Frost 68 4000 French frighted at the Name of Salisbury 76 A Fort taken by one Man 99 A monstrous Fish 100 G. GOspel first preach'd in England Page 3 First publickly professed here ibid Gaviston 18 Garter first instituted 21. 54 Lady Jane Grey 32 Gunpowder Plot. 35 Guns first used 66 Knights of Garter first ibid Guns first invented 72 First Garter King at Arms. 74 Gold paid by Weight 75 King's Guard first ordained 85 Granada won by the Spaniards 86 An uncourteous Guest 94 H. HEptarchy Page 4 5 Henry the I. Crown'd at Westminster 11 His Death and Issue 12 Henry the II. Plantagenet 13 Henry the III. Crowned 16 Henry the IV. 22 Henry the V. 23 Henry the VI. 24 Henry the VII 28 Henry the VIII 29 Hell Kettles 40 First Burning in the Hand 87 Large Hailstones ibid Ceremonies of Cutting off the Hand for Courtstriking 91 John Hopkins 97 Hacket's strange Reconciliation 99 King James presented with 70 Teams of Horses 103 I. IReland conquer'd Page 14 John King Crown'd at Westminster 15 First Justice of Peace 21 Joan de Lorrain 24 James the I. King 35 James the II. King 40 Installation at Windsor 45 First Lord of Ireland 50 Johannes de Temporibus ibid Ireland first entred by the English 51 Submits to King Henry 52 King of Jerusalem's Title whence 54 Laws first in Ireland 58 A devout Jew 60 Man-Island conquered 66 A noble Justing 70 An Image made to speak 72 King Edward the IV. sits as Judge 79 A melancholy Judge 80 A magnificent Interview 89 King Henry his Justing ibid Viscount Lisle dies of Joy 92 St. James's built 93 English Laws in Ireland 95 A wonderful Journey 104 K. THe Kingdom interdicted by the Pope P. 58 Knighthood compell'd 60 Knights-Templers imprisoned 64 Earl of Kent beheaded 65 Manner of Knighting 70 Obligations of Knighthood 91 Knights-Baronets first created 104 L. A Learned Man became an Ideot Page 59 Laws first pleaded in English 67 Legitimacy by Parliament 71 Barons first made by Letters Patents ibid Lions die in the Tower 77 Judge Littleton 82 Wonderful Lightning at Whitecomb 108 M. FIrst Lord Mayor and Sheriffs of London Page 15. 55 Magna Charta 17 Evil May-day 29 Man hang'd for his Master 32 Mary Queen ibid Monmouth lands at Lyme 42 Defeated and beheaded 43 A Lord devoured by Mice 49 Miracles 58 Maid of Leicestershire 61 Montfort's Audacity ibid Sir John Mandevil 65 Judgement on King Edward's Murderers 83 Name of Merchant-Taylors first given 87 Masking first used in England 88 Meat sold by Weight 93 Mass restored 96 A strange Mortality 98 N. NUns of Codington Page 48 French Navy of 1287. 7 Necromantick Art 76 Last Nuncio in England 98 O. Oswald Page 6 Oxford-University founded 7 Oliver Usurper 37 Oates his Plot. 40 Perjury and Punishment 41 Oath of Allegiance 105 P. AN English-man elected Pope Page 15 Peterkin and Symnel 28 Protestancy founded 32 Abolished 33 Old Parr his Age. 37 Plague in London 39 First Parliament in England 49 Two Popes at once 53 A Bondman came to be Pope ibid King John resigns his Crown to the Pope 48 A wonderful Preservation 63 First Coronation-Pardon 65 A wonderful Pestilence 67 Great Plenty 68 A King obliged to attend the Parliament 70 A strange sort of general Pardon 71 Prince Henry made a Prisoner 73 King Henry the 5ths Prophesie 74 Printing first used in England 77 A wonderful Prodigy ibid The Fickleness of Parliaments 80 First suing in forma Pauperis 86 Popes Authority abolished 91 First Gentlemen-Pensioners 93 Priests Children legitimated 95 A Plague 105 R. ROmans first enter England Page 2 Their Departure 3 Rosamond 14 Richard Coeur de Lion 15 Robin Hood and Little John ibid. 55 Richard the II. 22 Richard the III. 28 King Richard's Reply to the Priest 56 A â—â—ot of Sheep 64 A strange Rainbow 96 A vast Rain ibid Rain of Fire from Heaven 110 S. SAxons Invasion Page 4 Stephen Earl of Blois Crown'd at Westminster 12 His Valour Death Issue 13 Salisbury Church built 16 Scotland subjected 17 Spencers 18 Scots invade England 20 Straw and Tyler 22 A wonderful Sorceress 53 William King of Scots does Homage to King John 57 Sterling Money ibid. 58 King of Scots does Fealty to King Edward 62 Title to Scotland surrendred 65 Defrauding Souldiers punished 66 A Subsidy granted without asking 74 Scriptures ordered to be in Latin 75 A wonderful Slaughter 79 King Edward marries his Subject 80 Sheep sent to the King of Arragon ibid Strange Examples of Severity 81 Length of Shoos Noses 82 Inundation of the Severn 84 Sweating Sickness 85 A Carver made Sheriff ibid A Just at Sheens 86 Sanctuaries
part proving the weaker Spencer the elder was taken at the Siege of Bristol and there cut up alive and quartered The younger was taken with The death of the Spencers the King at the Abby of Neath in Wales which Spencer was ignominiously hanged The distressed King being now shut up in Prison at last yielded to resign the Crown The resignation of his Crown to his Son Edward whereupon Sir William Trussel in behalf of the whole Realm renounc'd all Allegiance to him A. D. 1327. His Issue were Edward John Joan and His Issue Eleanor EDWARD the Third was Crowned A. D. 1327. upon Candlemas-day Soon after Tho. de Gourney and John Mattrevers conveyed the old King from Kenelworth to Berkley Castle and there Murdered him by running a Death of Edward the Second burning Spit into his Body as he was easing Nature Sept. 22. 1327. His Body was buried at Gloucester To animate these Regicides Adam de Torleton Bishop of Hereford sent them this ambiguous Phrase by Mortimer Edwardum occidere nolite timere bonum est This King made Edw. Baliol King of Scots who did him Homage In the year 1327. died Charles the Fair King of France by whose death the Crown Edward the Third his Title to France devolved to Edward King of England in right of his Mother Queen Isabel who was Daughter to Philip the Fair and Sister to Charles the Fair. But the French pretending a Fundamental Law by which no Woman was inheritable to France sought to debar King Edward of his right receiving to the Crown Philip of Valois whose Father was younger Brother to Philip the Fair advancing the Brothers Son before the Daughters Son Whereupon King Edward went into France with a puissant Army His Expedition for his Right in France and over-ran all places in his way at last the French Army met him at Cressy in Ponthio lying between the Rivers of Some and Anthy being above 100000 men A bloody Fight ensued where the Black Prince King Edward's Son without the help of the Battel wherein his Father was which stood idle won so great a Victory of the French A great Victory that they slew of their party 11 great Princes and of Barons Knights and men of Arms above 1500. and of the Commons about 30000. Of the English not one man of Note or Honour was slain The Scots taking this Opportunity in Scots invade England favour of the French invaded England but were soon stopt their King David taken Prisoner and their chiefest Nobles slain After the King had taken many great places in France at last there was a Peace concluded though it continued not long ere the French broke the Agreement In revenge whereof King Edward entred His second Journey into France France with an Army and spoiled it where he came and after his return home he bestowed the Dutchy of Aquitain on the Black Prince commanding him to defend his right The Prince furnished with a gallant Army went to the chief City Bourdeaux and John King of France encountred him with a great Army having the odds of six to one notwithstanding the Victorious Prince discomfited the French Another great Victory by the Black Prince took Prisoners the King and his youngest Son and many great Lords and about 2000 Knights Esquires and Gentlemen bearing Armories slew 52 Lords and 1700 Knights and Gentlemen besides common Soldiers 6000. Shortly after he return'd home with his Prisoner King John and a while after these Conditions were agreed The Agreement upon That King John and his Heirs should have the Crown of France and Dutchy of Normandy and King Edward and his Heirs Aquitain and Santain and King John pay for his Ransom 500000 l. Sterling Not long after this the Martial Prince The death of the Black Prince Edward died on Trinity Sunday 1376. about his age 46 and was buried at Canterbury And his Father died soon after at Shene in The Kings Death and Burial His Issue Surrey A. D. 1377. and was buried at Westminster His Issue were Edward the Black Prince William Lionel John of Gaunt Edmund William of Windsor Thomas Isabel Joan Blanch and Margaret He was the founder of the Noble Order The first Order of the Garter of the Garter so entituled from the Garter he took up of the Countess of Salisbury's which slipt off in a Dance Also in his First Justices of the Peace first year was the Original of Justices of the Peace RICHARD the Second the Son of A. D. 1377. the Black Prince was Crowned King in the eleventh year of his Age but ere the Crown was settled on his Head the French braved it on the English Coasts and the Scots set fire on the Tower of Roxborough and through want of care in such who had the charge of State-matters in the Kings behalf things were declined to a shameful change and the glorious Atchievements of the two late Edwards fell under an Eclipse Jack Straw and Wat Tyler caused Straw Tyler great Rebellions but were supprest at last King Richard married the Lady Ann His Marriage Daughter to the Emperour Charles the IV. and a Truce was concluded with France After a great many Troubles by Civil Wars and Dissensions he was caused to His resignation of the Crown resign the Crown to the Duke of Lancaster Queen Ann Wife to King Richard first Womens first riding on sidefaddles taught English Women to ride on side-saddles before they rode astride and long trainâ—â— Gowns for Women HENRY the Fourth the Son of John A. D. 1399. Duke of Lancaster the fourth Son of King Edward the Third was Crowned at Westminster All that the old King said was I look not after such things but my hope is that after all this my Cousin will be my good Lord and Friend Many did strive to re-place Richard but to no purpose Death of King Richard And he at last died at Pontfract Castle by Hunger Cold and great Torments and was buried at Langley in Hartford-shire There was a great many Conspiracies afterwards against King Henry but they all came off with the worst and the Plotters thereby only hastened their own ruin The King died at London A. D. His Death and Issue 1413. His Issue were Henry Thomas John Humphrey Blanch and Philippa HENRY the Fifth of Monmouth whilest A. D. 1413. he was Prince did many things very incongruous to the greatness of his Birth yet when he had attained the Crown to begin a good Government he began at home banishing from Court those unruly Youths that had been his Consorts He began his Reign in all things very advisedly He sent into France to demand his Right and the Dauphin in derision sent him a Ton of Paris Tennis Balls But the King returned for Answer that he would shortly send him London Balls which should shake Paris Walls And soon after went with an His
in his Journey to France spent Vast Expences in France 2700000 l. which was more then than ten times so much now In the 25th year of this King Aldermen Aldermen first in London were first chosen within the City of London who then had the rule of the City and of the Wards of the same and were then yearly changed as now the Sheriffs are The City of London was now allowed to present their Mayor to the Barons of the Exchequer to be sworn which before was to be presented to the King where-ever he were In this King's Time a Proclamation was Who obliged to be Knighted set forth That all such as might dispend 15 l. a year in Land should receive the Order of Knighthood and those that would not or could not should pay their Fines There was a Man now that took upon A false Christ. him to be Christ and had five Wounds made in his Body in resemblance of our Saviour's and continuing obstinate in this humour he was taken and immured between two Walls A certain Jew chancing to fall in a Privy A devout Jew on a Saturday would not that day be taken out because it was the Sabbath the Earl of Gloucester would not suffer him to be taken out the next day because it was the Christian Sabbath and on the third day he was taken out dead In this King's Reign there was sent by An Elephant first in England the King of France the first Elephant that was ever seen in England Matthew Paris relates of a Maid now in A Miracle of Nature Leicestershire that being exactly watched was found in seven years together neither to eat nor drink but only that on Sundays she received the Communion and yet continued fat and in good liking Also in this Time a Child born in the A Dwarf Isle of Wight at 18 years of Age was but three Foot high who being brought to the Queen she kept him for a Monster of Nature Richard de Clare Earl of Gloucester in a A valiant Earl Battel against Baldwin de Gisnes a valiant Flemming employed by King Henry himself alone encountred 12 of his Enemies and having his Horse slain under him he pitched one of them by the Leg out of the Saddle and leapt into it himself and continued the Fight without giving ground till his Army came to rescue him Simon Montford was a Man of so audacious The strange Audacity of Montford a Spirit that he gave King Henry the Lye to his face and in presence of all his Lords the King feared him strangely for being frighted off the Thames by Thunder and meeting Montford who bid the King not fear for the danger was past the King said No Montford I fear not the Thunder so much as thee NOTABLE EVENTS In the Reign of King EDWARD the First IN King Edward the First 's Time Leolin A. D. 1274. Leolin the last Welsh Prince being the last Prince of Welsh Blood for Rebellion was slain and his Head set upon the Tower of London This King by the Statute of Rutland in Wales and England united the 12th year of his Reign united the Government of Wales to England At this time there were ten Competitors Baliol Scots King does Fealty to K. Edward for the Scotch Crown at last King Edward determined the Business and Baliol was chosen who did Homage and swore Fealty and Allegiance to King Edward as his liege Lord. King Edward caused the fatal Chair The Coronation-Chair brought into England wherein the Kings of Scotland used to be inaugurated to be brought into England and put in Westminster-Abbey amongst the Monuments where it still remains All the Scots swore Allegiance to this The Scots swear Allegiance to King Edward King except William Walleys who of a private Gentleman came to be their Guardian Angel In his Time three Men for rescuing of a Prisoner had their right Hands cut off at their Wrists In this King's Time the Title of Baron Barons was confined to such only as were called by Writ to serve in Parliament In this King's Time there was a Rot of A Rot of Sheep Sheep which continued for 25 years together which 't was thought began by a Ship of incredible greatness brought out of Spain In his 16th year it chanced in Gascoin A wonderful Preservation that as the King and Queen sate in their Chamber upon a Bed talking together a Thunderbolt coming in at the Window behind them passed betwixt them and slew two of their Gentlemen that stood before them NOTABLE EVENTS In the Reign of King EDWARD the II. THis King going towards Scotland to A. D. 1307. King Edward beaten by the Scots raise the Siege of Striveling with an 100000 Men was defeated by the Scots who had but 30000 Men. This King being always at dissention First noble Blood shed since the Conquest with his Barons and they rebelling against him there was many of them taken and executed being the first that suffered in this manner in England since William the Conqueror This King was perswaded in his own Edward the II deposed Life-time to surrender his Crown to his Son and all Persons renounced Allegiance to him In this King's Time an Ordinance was Knights-Templers imprisoned made against Knights-Templers accused of Heresie and other Crimes and they were all apprehended and committed to divers Prisons The Bishop of Hereford being by this A Bishop rescued from the King by force King arrested for high-Treason the other Bishops came and rescued him by force In this King 's 8th year was so great a A greatDearth Dearth that Horses and Dogs were eaten and Thieves in Prison pluckt in pieces those that were newly brought in amongst them and eat them half alive which continuing three years brought in the end such a Pestilence that the living scarce sufficed to bury the dead In this King's Time lived John Mandevile Sir John Mandevile the great Traveller a Doctor of Physick and a Knight NOTABLE EVENTS In the Reign of King EDWARD the III. AT the Coronation of Edward the III. A. D. 1327. The first Coronation-Pardon a general Pardon was proclaimed which was the president and foundation of the Custom since used by all Kings that at their first coming to the Crown a general Pardon is always granted This King surrendred all his Title to Title to Scotland surrendred Scotland which his Grandfather had obtained there Edmond Earl of Kent this King's Uncle Edmond Earl of Kent beheaded being condemned for high-Treason was so generally beloved that he stood on the Scaffold from one a Clock till five before any one could be found to execute him In this King's Time the Isle of Man was Man-Island conquered conquered by William Mâ—â—ntacute Earl of Salisbury for which Service King Edward gave him the Title of King of Man 'T is said that this King
first Christian King in the World After 500 years that the Romans had Romans Departure sway'd in Britain they took their final farewel of it A. D. 446. In this year the Saxons were call'd in under 450. the Conduct of Hengist and Horsa they came 9000. with their Wives and Children to assist the Britains against the Scots which succeeded Hengist afterwards inviting Vortigern a British King to a Feast marry'd his fair Daughter Rowenna to him Upon which Hengist aspired to make this Island his Inheritance sending for greater Forces over hither but by the Britains are defeated in three set Battels in the last whereof the Saxons were forced to flee England However by the Practices of Rowenna and relying on his Son Vortigern's Love Hengist once more comes over to England but pretends only to fetch away his Daughter and on pretence of friendly Conference appoints a Meeting on Salisbury-Plain The well-meaning Britains came unarmed according to Agreement but the fraudulent Saxons with Skeans under their Cassocks with which they set upon the Britains at a Watch-word killing 3 or as some say 500 of the Nobility taking the King Prisoner â—â—relius Ambrosius a Roman born but Aurelius Ambrosius well affected to the Britains arrives to their Relief To him succeeded Uter his Brother or Uter as others say a Britain sirnamed Pendragon from his Banner on which was a golden Dragon's Head which to this day in our English Camps is the imperial Standard To him succeeded his valiant Son Arthur King Arthur Amongst other famous Acts he instituted the Order of the Knights of the round Table to prevent Disputes of Precedence To him succeeded Constantine and then Constantine Aurelius Conanus Nephew to Arthur then Caractecus and then Cadwallar in whose Caractecus Cadwallar time the Doctrine of Mahomet was broached in the East a Famine happening that drove Cadwallar over to France to his Cousin Saxon Invasion Alan The Saxons taking advantage thereof came over in great swarms and possessed themselves of the whole Island The first Kingdom of the Saxons begun First by Hengist in the year 455 containing all Kent and continued 372 years during the Reign of 17 Kings The second Kingdom of the Heptarchy Heptarchy Second was of the South-Saxons begun by Ella in the year 488 containing ail Sufsex and continued 435 years under five Kings Reigns successive The third Kingdom of the Heptarchy Third was of the West-Saxons begun by Credric in the year 519. containing Cornwal Devonshire Somersetshire Wiltshire Hampshire Barkshire and continued 561 years during the Reigns of 19 Kings The fourth Kingdom of the Heptarchy Fourth was of the East-Saxons began by Erchenwyn in the year 527. containing Essex and Middlesex and continued 281 years during the Reigns of 14 Kings The fifth Kingdom was of Northumberland Fifth so called because it lay North of the River Humber began by Ella and Ina in the year 547. containing Yorkshire Durham Lancashire Westmorland Cumberland and Northumberland continued 370 years during the Reigns of 23 Kings The sixth Kingdom was of Mercia and Sixth began in Crida in the year 522. containing Huntington Rutland Lincoln Nottingham Warwickshire Leicestershire Northampton Derby Oxfordshire Cheshire Shropshire Gloucestershire Staffordshire Buckinghamshire Bedfordshire Hartfordshire and continued 222 years during the Reigns of 20 Kings The seventh Kingdom was of the East-Angles Seventh and began by Uffa in the year 575. containing Suffolk Norfolk Cambridgshire and the Isle of Ely continued 353 years under the Reigns of 15 Kings The Saxon Kings striving with each other for Soveraignty gained upon each other till at last in the year 818. Ecbert King of the West-Saxons reduced them all under subjection causing all the South of This Isle first call'd England and why the Island to be call'd England according to the Angles from whom himself came after whom they were no longer properly call'd Saxon Kings but Kings of England Then ensued the Race of Saxon Kings who reigned sole Kings of this Island The first Danes first invade England whereof was Egbert the second Ethelwolph the third Ethelbald the fourth Ethelbert in whose time the Danes first invaded England Ethelbald marry'd Judith incestuously the Widow of his Father from this Judith afterwards marry'd to the Earl of Flanders after divers Descents came Maud the Wife of William the Conqueror from whom are descended all our English Kings ever since Oswald's-tree in Shropshire was so called Oswald's-tree whence named from Oswald a very godly Christian King who reigned the fifth over the Deira A. D. 633. and was there slain by Penda King of Mercia who tore his Body piece-meal This Oswald being at Dinner upon Easter-day His Charity to the Poor hearing of a great company of Poor in the Street that asked Alms of him he commanded the Meat prepared for his own Table to be carried to them and brake a silver Platter to pieces and sent it amongst them An. Dom. 636. Honorius Archbishop of England divided into Parishes Canterbury first divided England into Parishes A. D. 866. the Danes made the first great The Danes invade England Invasion of England under the Command of those cruel Captains Inguar and Habba who burnt down the City of York and at last kill'd King Ethelred in a pitcht Battel who was then King of England It is said that King Elfred of England 872. The University of Oxford founded A. D. 872. founded the University of Oxford and therein University-Colledge Baliol Colledge was founded by John Baliol King of the Scots A. D. 1263. Merton Colledge by Walter de Merton Bishop of Rochester 1274. Exeter Colledge by Stapleton Bishop of Exeter 1316. Oriel Colledge by King Edward the II. 1327. Queens Colledge by Eglesfield Chaplain to Queen Philip Wife to Edward the III. 1340. New Colledge by William of Wickam Bishop of Winchester 1379. Lincoln Colledge by Rich. Flemming Bishop of Lincoln 1420. All-souls by H. Chichely Archbishop of Canterbury 1437. Magdalen by W. Winiflet Bishop of Winchester 1459. Brazen-nose Colledge by W. Smith Bishop of Lincoln 1513. but finished by R. Sutton Corpus Christi by R. Fox Bishop of Winchester 1516. Christ-Church begun by Cardinal Wolsey 1546. and by King Henry the Eighth ordained the Cathedral Church of the See of Oxford Trinity by T. Hatfield Bishop of Durham 1518. St. John's by H. Chichely Arch-Bishop of Canterbury 1437. Jesus College by Dr. Hugh Price 1562. Wadham by Nich. Wadham 1613. Some report that Cambridge was built by Cambridge Founded Cantabar a Spaniard 375 years before Christ. But as some contend Cambridge began not to be an University till Hugh Balsham Bishop of Ely founded the College of Peter-House in A. D. 1256. Clare-Hall by Eliz. de Bourgo Countess of Clare 1347. Pembroke-Hall by Mary Widow to the Earl of Pembroke 1347. Corpus Christi College by the Aldermen 1351. Trinity College by Dr W. Bateman 1353. Gonvil
he were removed from Land to Sea and from Sea again to Land yet the Mice still followed him and at last devoured him In William the Conqueror's Time a private A brave Souldier Norwegian Souldier alone upon a Bridge resisted the whole Army of the English slew 40 and maintained the Place for several hours till one getting under the Bridge found means to thrust up a Spear into his Body and killed him Till the Time of Malcolme King of Scots A Scots Custom who was Co-temporary with William the 2d of England it was the custom among the Scots that when any Man married his Lord should lye the first night with his Wife This Law was abrogated by Margaret then Queen and was altered to a payment in Money Westminster-Hall was built by King William Westminster-Hall built the II. being 270 Foot long and 74 broad The High Court of Parliament was first First Parliament instituted by Henry the I. And in his Time the Order of the Templers Order of Templers began In this King's Time the Archbishop of A worthy Bishop York being desperate sick was told that nothing would cure him but to lye with a Woman but he answered That the Remedy was worse than the Disease and so died a Virgin In the Time of Henry the I. the River Thames almost dry Thames was so low that between the Tower and the Bridge men walked over on foot for the space of two days At this time in Lombardy there was an A strange Earthquake Earthquake that continued 40 days and removed Towns and Houses far from their former residence Raynerus a wicked Minister in the Reign of King Stephen going over Sea with his Wife the Ship in the midst of the Sea stood still and could not be moved till he was cast out of it In this King's Time lived Johannes de An old Man Temporibus of whom it is recorded that he lived 361 years Ireland first submitted it self to Henry the First Lord of Ireland II. who was first Lord thereof In this King's days in the Territory of Hell Kettles Derlington in the Bishoprick of Durham the Earth lifted up her self in the manner of a high Tower and so continued all day being Christmas-day and at night fell with a most horrible noise and the Earth swallowed it up that the Holes are to be seen at this day and are called by the Name of Hell Kettles At this time near Orford in Suffolk was taken a Fish that had the shape of a Man in all parts King Henry the II. caused his Son Henry King Henry causes his Son to be Crowned to be Crowned in his Time and carried the first Dish to the Table whereupon the Archbishop Roger said merrily to the new King What a wonderful Honour is this to have so noble a Waiter Why saith he what great Honour is it for him that is but the Son of a Duke to do service to me that am the Son of a King and Queen King Lewis now of France did the like by his Son Henry the II. was so troubled for the loss King Henry's Blasphemy of Mentz that he said He should never hereafter love God any more that had suffered a City so dear unto him to be taken from him It is memorable and worth observing A wonderful Accident of Thunder That when Philip King of France and King Henry had a Meeting between Turwyn and Arras for reconciling of Differences there suddenly hapned a Thunderbolt to light just between them with so terrible a crack that it forced them for that time to break off their Conference And afterward at another Meeting the like Accident of Thunder hapned again which so amazed King Henry that he had fallen off his Horse if he had not been supported by those about him Robert Fitz-Stephen was the first of all Ireland first entred by the English Englishmen after the Conquest that entred Ireland the first day of May in the year 1170 with 390 men and there took Wexford in the behalf of Derâ—â—tius Son of Merclerdach called Mac Murg King of Leymster In September following Richard Earl of Chepstow sirnamed Strongbow sailed into Ireland with 1200 men where he took Waterford and Dublin and married Eve the Daughter of Dernutius as he was promised From these beginnings King Henry being The Irish submit to King Henry then at rest from all hostile Arms both at home and abroad takes into his consideration the Kingdom of Ireland as a Kingdom which oftentimes afforded assistance to France and therefore purposing with himself by all means to subdue it he provides a mighty Army but to little purpose for without any Action the Irish soon submitted to him all but Roderick King of Connaght who then stood out But after some time he also submitted and all the Irish together with the Popes have agreed that King Henry and his Heirs shall be their King This King left behind him in his Coffers Henry the II. his Riches 900000 l. besides Plate and Jewels In his 21st year he divided England into Beginning of the Law Cirâ—â—uits Circuits and appointed Judges three for every Circuit to go twice a year to hear and determine Causes between Man and Man 'T is for certain said That some Persons Children born with Horses Tails cutting off the Horses Tails of Becket Archbishop of Canterbury their Children for several Generations were born with Horses Tails In this King's Time there was contention Superiority in the Archbishopricks for Superiority in the two Archbishopricks and the Pope gave it to Canterbury In this King's Reign there were two Two Popes at once Popes at once who continued for almost 20 years In this Time a Bond-man of Langley in A Bond-man came to be Pope Hertfordshire came to be Pope by the Name of Adrian the IV. This King began the Foundation of the London-Bridg Stone-Bridge over Thames In the 11th year of this King's Reign A greatEarthquake there was so great an Earthquake in Ely and Norfolk and Suffolk that it overthrew those that stood on their feet and made the Bells to ring in the Steeples In the 23d year a showr of Blood reigned A showr of Blood in the Isle of Wight for two hours together Morgan base Son to this King rather An Honour to be a King's Bastard than disown his Father and be a true Son accounted of a Knight refused the Bishoprick of Durham As King Henry was carried to be buried his Son Richard coming near the Corps it fell a bleeding at the Nose afresh There was a Princess in the Family of A wonderful Sorceress Anjou Ancestors to this King who being desired to take the blessed Eucharist she suddenly flew out at the Church-window and was never seen after NOTABLE EVENTS In the Reign of King RICHARD the First 'T IS thought that the Order of the Garter A. D.
An Act was made That Annats forbidden to be paid to Rome Bishops should pay no more Annats or Money for Bulls to the Pope forasmuch as it was proved there had been paid for Bulls of Bishops since the 4th year of Hâ—â—nry the VII an 160000 l. besides what had been paid for Pardons and other Dispensations Another Act was also then made That No more Appeals to Rome no Person should appeal for any Cause out of this Realm to the Court of Rome but from the Commissary to the Bishop and from the Bishop to the Archbishop and from the Archbishop to the King and all Causes of the King to be tryed in the Upper House of the Convocation The Clergy of England being now charged King Henry supream Head of the Church by the King's Council to be in a Praemunire for maintaining the Cardinal Woolsey's Legantine Power in their Convocation concluded an humble Submission in writing and offered the King an 100000 l. to have their Pardon by Parliament Which Offer after some labour was accepted and their Pardon promised in which Submission the Clergy called the King The supream Head of the Church About the Time that this King married Obligations of Knighthood Ann Bullen all men that had 40 l. a year Land were either obliged to be Knighted or to pay a Fine In the 26th year of this King there was The Pope's Authority abolished an Act made which authorized the King to be supream Head of the Church of England and the Pope's Authority to be utterly abolished On the 10th of June 1541. Sir Edmund The Manner and Ceremony of cutting off the Hand of one that strikes in the King 's Court. Knevet of Norfolk Kt. was arraigned before the Officers of the Green-cloth for striking Mr. Cleer of Norfolk within the Tennis-Court of the King's House Being found guilty he had Judgment to lose his right Hand and to forfeit all his Lands and Goods Whereupon there was called to do Execution First The Serjeant-Surgeon with his Instruments pertaining to his Office then the Serjeant of the Wood-yard with a Mallet and a Block to lay the Hand upon then the King's Master-Cook with a Knife to cut off the Hand then the Serjeant of the Larder to set the Knife right on the Joynt then the Serjeant-Farrier with fearing Irons to fear the Veins then the Serjeant of the Poultry with a Cock which Cock should have his Head smitten off on the same Block and with the same Knife then the Yeomen of the Chandry with Searcloths then the Yeomen of the Scullery with a Pan of Fire 〈◊〉 heat the Irons and two Forms for all Officers to set their Stuff on then the Serjeant of the Cellar with Wine Ale and Beer then the Serjeant of the Ewery with Bason Ewer and Towels All things being thus prepared Sir William Pickering Knight-Marshal was commanded to bring in his Prisoner to whom the Chief Justice declared his Offence which the said Knevet confessed and humbly submitted himself to the King's mercy only he desired the King would spare his right Hand and take his left Because said he if my right Hand be spared I may live to do the King good service Of whose Submission and reason of his Suit when the King was informed he granted him to lose neither of his Hands and pardoned him also of his Lands and Goods A. D. 1542. About this Time Arthur Vicount Lisle dieth of excess of Joy Plantagenet Vicount Lisle base Son to King Edward the IV. having been imprisoned upon suspicion of a Practice for betraying of Callice to the French whilst he was the King's Lieutenant there was found to be innocent of the Fact And thereupon the King to make him some reparation for his Disgrace sent him a Ring and a very gracious Message whereat the Vicount took so great Joy that the night following of that very Joy he died In the 30th year of this King it was ordained First Registers in Churches by Cromwel the King's Vicar-General That in all Churches there should be kept a Register of every Wedding Christning and Burial within the same Parish for ever In his 31st year the King first instituted First Gentlemen Pensioners and appointed 50 Gentlemen called Pensioners to wait upon hâ—â—s â—â—erson assigning to each of them 50 l. a year for the maintenance of themselves and two Horses In his 37th year the Brothel-houses Stews put down called the Stews on the Bank-side in Southwark were put down by the King's Commandment and it was done by Proclamation and sound of Trumpet In his 23d year it was enacted That Meat sold by weight Butchers should sell their Meat by weight Beef for a half penny the pound and Mutton for three farthings King Henry in his 24th year built his St. James built Mansion-house of St. James where he made a fair Park In this King's Time one Foxley Pot-maker A great Sleeper to the Tower of London fell asleep and could not be wakened at 14 days In this King's Time also lâ—â—ved Anthony Anthony Fitz-Herbert Fitz-Herbert who has writ 〈◊〉 learnedly of the Law The most NOTABLE EVENTS In the Reign of King EDWARD the Sixth THE Reign of King Edward the VI. A. D. 1547. A miraculous Victory was ushered in with a miraculous Victory over the Scots the Duke of Somerset the Protector of England being General of the English Forces in which Battel there were of the Scots slain above 14000 and on the English Party only 50 Horse-men and one Foot-man After some Rebellions in the West in An uncourteous Guest this King's days Sir William Kingston being Provost-Marshal one Boyer Mayor of Bedwin in Cornwal had been amongst the Rebels but enforced The Provost sent him word he would come and dine with him the Mayor hereupon made great Provision A little before Dinner the Provost took the Mayor aside and required him to put up a pair of Gallows against Dinner was done which the Mayor did Presently after Dinner the Provost taking the Mayor by the Hand entreated him to lead him to the Gallows where being come he asked the Mayor If they were strong enough Yes said the Mayor Well then said the Provost get you up speedily for they were provided for you and the Mayor was hanged accordingly A. D. 1551. In the Reign of King Edward English Laws in Ireland the VI. the charge was given that Ireland should be governed by English Laws In a Parliament in the 4th year of this Priests Children legitimate A Miraculous Birth King Priests Children were legitimate In his 6th year at Middleton-stony 11 miles from Oxford a Woman brought forth a Child which had two perfect Bodies from the Navel upwards the Legs for both the Bodies grew out at the middle where they both were joyned and had but one Issue for the Excrements of them both They lived 18 days and were Women-Children This year also were
Expedition into France Army into France and first of all took Harflew Sept. 22. 1414. Then went to Agencourt on Octob. 24. where the French had pitched with six some say ten times the number of the English whereupon the King offered to part and surrender what he had won but the French would not yield making sure account of Victory had prepared a Chariot for the Captive King and all other things for that purpose The Battel beginning King Henry encouraged his Souldiers and with their small company the English won the day having every man his Prisoner Of the English A wonderful Victory were slain the Duke of York Earl of Suffolk two Knights one Squire and 28 private Souldiers Of the French were slain 4000 Princes Nobles Knights and Esquires and 10000 common Souldiers and more than these taken After which he came home and in a short time returned there with another Army where at last he was Proclaimed Regent of France and had He is Proclaimed Regent of France His Marriage Homage sworn to him and his Marriage with the Lady Catharine was with all Solemnity celebrated at Troyes After which he hastes into England with his Queen and in a short time after he went into France again where he had not been long before His Death Burial and Issue he fell sick of a burning Fever and Flux whereof he died Aug. 31. 1422. and was buried at Westminster His Issue was only Henry of Windsor HENRY the Sixth of Windsor was A. D. 1422. Crowned about the eighth Month of his Age. The Government of England was committed to Humphrey Duke of Glâ—â—ucester and the Regency of France to John Duke of Bedford under whom things succeeded very prosperously In his time was that Famous French Shepherdess Joan of Lorrain Joan de Lorrain who put on Mans Apparel and opposed the English with great success but was at last taken and was burnt for Sorcery A. D. 1435. that Famous Patriot and General John Duke of Bedford died at Paris after which the English began to change their Affairs there for the worse and lost most of their strong Holds At last there was a Peace concluded between the two Kings A. D. 1444. was King Henry married His Marriage with Margaret Daughter to the Duke of Anjou and Lorrain after which the Kings Fortune declined both in England and France The Queen ruling all contrived the death of Duke Humphrey who was the only man that had hitherto kept things in His Troubles order by his Prudence By this time were all the English Fortunes in France lost The Duke of York raising many Rebellions in England and at last in a great Battel at St. Albans the Kings greatest Friends were most slain and himself taken After which York created himself Protector of England and by degrees works out the Kings ancient Counsellors yet many stood up for the King and many great Battels were fought Fortune favouring sometimes one and then another at last the Duke himself was slain by the Queens Forces near Wakefield And now his Son Edward Earl of March maintains his Quarrel The Queens Forces recover the King again howbeit the Lâ—â—ndoners Proclaimed the Earl Earl of March Proclaimed King His Issue of March King of England King Henry's Issue was only Edward He was a Prince free from Pride very devout chaste and modest He built Eaton College and Kings College in Cambridge The Art of Printing was found out in Printing first in England Germany by John Guttenburg and brought into England by Will. Caxton a Mercer of London who first practised the same in the Abby at Westminster A. D. 1471. EDWARD the IV. eldest Son to Richard A. D. 1461. Duke of York began to reign in the 20th year of his Age at which time Henry had many Friends who sought to re-settle him on his Throne On June the 28th was His Coronation Edward crowned and soon after King Henry and his Son Edward dis-inherited of their Claim to the Crown by Act of Parliament He takes to Wife the Lady Elizabeth Marriage Grey the Relict of his mortal Enemy Sir John Grey slain at the Battel of St. Albans who was crowned at Westminster May 26. 1465. But this his Marriage below himself was much to his disadvantage by making the Earl of Warwick formerly his very good Friend a strong Rebel against him who took the King Prisoner but the King made his Escape again But afterwards the Earl of Warwick drove him out of the Land and made Henry again King After which King Edward returns and in a Battel upon Gladmore the Great Warwick fighting couragiously was slain Death of the Earl of Warwick and King Henry again put into the Tower Afterwards Queen Margaret was defeated and King Henry's Son Edward taken and brought before the King where he speaking boldly was knock'd down and murdered Soon after Queen Margaret was taken and not long after the crook-back'd Duke Death of King Henry of Gloucester stabb'd harmless King Henry to the heart whose Body was buried at Chertsey in Surrey A. D. 1483. King Edward fell into a His Death and Burial dangerous and deadly Sickness whereof April the 9th he died and was buried at Windsor in the new-Chappel whose Foundation himself had laid 'T is said of him that he was just and merciful in Peace fierce in War and very familiar with his Subjects His Issue were Edward Richard His Issue George Elizabeth Cicely Ann Briget Mary Margaret and Catharine EDWARD the V. the eldest Son of King A. D. 1483. Edward the IV. being but 12 years of Age when his Father died was committed to the government of his Uncle Sir Anthony Woodville a worthy Person which much troubled Richard Duke of Gloucester his Enemy who sought his Life that thereby he might come to the Crown By evil Suggestions he wrought upon the greatest Men to take his part against the old Queen and as the King was coming to London to be crowned with a small Company he seiz'd those about him and imprisoned Sir Anthony Woodville amongst the rest Then brought the King to London pretending to be his Friend and there was made his Protector after which he got the Duke of York the King's Brother out of Sanctuary from the Queen and caused many of the chief Nobles to be barbarously massacred and instead of King Edward caused himself to be crowned King RICHARD the III. Son of Richard Duke A. D. 1683. of York was born with all his Teeth and Hair to his Shoulders which foreshew'd his monstrous Proceedings July the 6th he was crowned King at Westminster soon after which he caused the young King and Edward the V. and Brother murdered his Brother to be most inhumanely massacred But King Richard lived most miserably ever after being without the least quiet of Conscience and soon after the Duke of Buckingham his greatest Favourite proved his greatest Enemy