advancing of their Catholike cause Now the Scots-Queen led on by her blind guides dealt most importunely with the Pope and Spaniard by Sir Francis Englefield that by all meanes they would with speed undertake their intended businesse namely the invasion of our Realme For the advancing wherof the Pope and Spaniard had resolved on these points 1. That Qu. Elizabeth should be deprived of her Kingdom 2. That the King of Scots a manifest favourer of heresie should utterly be dis-inherited of the Kingdom of England 3. That the Scots-Queen should marry some noble man of England that was a Catholike 4. That this man must be chosen King of England by the Catholikes of England 5. That this choice so made must be confirmed by the Pope 6. That the children of him so chosen begotten of the Scots-Queen must be declared Successours in the Kingdom All these things were confirmed to be true by the testimony of one Hart a Priest Who was that noble English-man that should marry the Scots-Queen was much enquired after by Sir Francis Walsingham with all diligence but not certainly found out yet there was strong suspition of Henry Howard brother to the Duke of Norfolke who was noble by birth unmarried and a fast favourer of that Religion and in great grace and favour with them All these things were discovered by this Creighton the Jesuites torn Papers as afore-said And all this their plotting and contriving of France Spaine and the Pope against Queene Elizabeth and King James for no other cause but for their Religion which they had now fairely begun to establish among their people Parry executed for Treason IN the yeare 1585. William Parry a Welch-man and Doctor of Law spake against that Law which in the Parliament then held was exhibited and called it a bloudy Law Presently after he was accused of practising the Queens death He confessed voluntarily in the Tower that having obtained the Queens pardon for breaking into the chamber and wounding one Hare for which he was condemned he being a sworne fervant to the Queen From England he went into France and was reconciled Afterward at Venice in consultation with Benedict Palmeus he told him that he had found out a way to help the afflicted Catholikes in England if the Pope or some learned Divines would approve it as lawfull The Jesuite Palmius approved it Next in France one Morgan drew him to consent to murder the Queen if it should prove lawfull This act the Popes Nuntio Ragazonius commended Parry afterward having accesse to the Queen shewed her all and not long after Cardinall Come his letter approving the enterprise Now he taketh a new resolution to perform it encouraged specially by D. Alins Book teaching that Princes excommunicate are to be spoiled of their Kingdoms and lives These with many other things Parry confessed before the Lord Hunsdon Sr. Christopher Hatton and Sr. Francis Walsingham In Westminster Hall the heads of his accusation being read he confessed himself guilty He died in the Palace-yard before Westminster Hall not once calling on the name of God At this time also Henry Earle of Northumb for entring into traiterous counsels with Paget and the Guises to invade England was cast into the Tower where he was found dead being shot with 3. bullets under his left pap the chamber door bolted in the inside A pistoll was found in his chamber and himself the author of his own death Thus from time to time the most noble Families of England have bin seduced and ruined by the false and bewitching counsels of Jesuits and Seminaries Savages attempt to kill the Queen NOw againe there was a most abominable treason conspired and voluntarily confessed by the conspirators One Gifford a Doctor in Divinity Gilbert Gifford and Hodgeson Priests perswaded one John Savage a bloody fellow to undertake to kill Queen Elizabeth To hide their mischievous intents more cunningly from the Queens Counsell who were very carefull to fore-see all danger they wrote a Book in which they advise the Papists in England not to goe about to hurt the Queen For they were to use no other weapons against their Prince then the Christian weapons of Teares Fasting Prayers and the like and most cunningly also these Foxes spread a rumour that George Gifford one of the Queens Pensioners had sworne to kill the Queen and for that cause had gotten from the Guises a very great summe of Mony The Easter following John Ballard an English Priest of the Colledge of Rhemes was come into England who had bin trying the minds of Papists in England and Scotland He had dealt with Mendoza the Spanish Ambassador in France Charles Paget and others for the invasion of England And although it seemed to be a very hard work yet he had sworne to use his utmost endeavour in it and also for the liberty of the Queen of Scots At Whitsuntide in a Souldiers habit and under the name of Captain Fortescue he had a conference in London with Anthony Babington a young Gentleman of Darby-shiere Romishly affected who not long before in France had conference with Thomas Morgan and the Bishop of Glasco the Scotch Queens Ambassadour He was drawn by them shewing him most assured hopes of honour from her to addict himselfe to them and by their meanes had favourable letters from her Ballard and Babington conferred together concerning the invasion of England but it was not deemed a thing could be done Queen Elizabeth being alive Then Ballard informed Babington that Savage had undertooke to kill her Babingtons advice was that it should not be committed to Savage alone least perhaps he might be hindered but to six resolute men of which number Savage should be one Vpon this Babington took into his consideration the Ports in which the invaders should land the confederates that should joyne in the act of murdering Q. Elizabeth and delivering the Scots-Queen In the mean time a letter was brought from the imprisoned Queen to Babington in a secret character blaming Babingtons long silence but he excused it because she was under the custody of Sr. Amice Paulet a severe keeper declared unto her that which Ballard and he had resolved before and that himself with one hundred more would deliver her The purpose by her letters unto Babington was commended and it was advised that it should be undertaken considerately and nothing should be moved before they were sure of externall forces that they should make an association as if they feared the Puritans that some tumults might be raised in Ireland while the thing should be done here That Arundell and his brethren and Northumb should be drawn to the side Westmerland Paget and others called home The way to deliver the Scots-Queen was appointed to overthrow a Coach in the gate or set the Stables on fire or intercept her as she rode to take the aire betwixt Chartly and Stafford Babington undertook for rewards to all that should give their help He had gotten unto him Edward Windsor
A DISCOVERY OF THE POPES PRIDE AMBITION and CRUELTY In a Tyrannicall Barbarous and Bloudy manner exercised on Emperours Kings and Kingdomes The Miseries Ruine and Desolations by them brought on the Christian world WITH Their vitious and unchaste lives their wicked practices for obtaining the Popedome by Murthers Poysonings c. By J. V. LONDON Printed for William Raybould at the Sign of the Unicorn in Pauls-Church-yard 1651. The Contents PHilip the second King of Spain his offer of Marriage with Q. Elizabeth rejected The practice of the Guises with the Q. of Scots against the Crowne of England The Rebellion of the Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland the Pope sends Letters to the King of Spaine and K. of Portugall to send an Army to invade England Leo Dacres joyning with the Rebells indevoureth to deliver the Q. of Scots after a sharp conflict with the Lo. of Hunsdon is put to flight Iames FitZ-Morris of the House of Desmond raiseth Rebellion in Ireland Thomas and Edward Stanley with others conspire against the Queene Don Iohn of Austria his perpetuall but treacherous Edict for Peace Stucley his designe against Ireland turned another way by the K. of Portugall Iames Fitz-Morris his second attempt to reduce Ireland to Popery San Iosephus an Italian sent by the Pope and K. of Spaine with 700. Spaniards and Italians into Ireland Campian Sherewin and others comming into England taken and condemned for Treason Somervile his desperate attempt against the Queenes Person Mendoza the Spanish Embassador thrust out of England for practising with Throgmorton and others to invade the Land D. Parry for practising the Queenes death executed Savage and others their attempt to kill the Queene The French Ambassador his plot to kill the Queene The Spanish Armado in Anno 1588. D. LopeZ his attempt to poyson the Queene Squires practise to poyson the Queenes Saddle Tyrone his Rebellion in Ireland Garnet Catesby and others their attempt for Invasion of England The Hellish Gun-powder Treason Sir Griffin Markham and others their conspiracy against King Iames. The present bloudy Rebellion in Ireland The cruell Massacre at Paris The Murther of Henry the 3d. The Murther of Henry the 4th Gentle Reader THou mayest evidently see by this ensuing discourse what are the fruits and effects of Popery how the Popes have kindled the fier amongst all the Princes and States of Europe and like Balaam the false Prophet troubled us with their wiles cursed the Church and State of England and by their Incendiaries the Priests and Iesuites for effecting their owne pernicious and divellish designes have stirred up one Nation against an other and all Christendome against the English tainted many a great House and endangered their Lives and Estates to the ruine of great and Noble Families in this Kingdome Plots Conspiracies and Attempts of Domestick and Forraigne Enemies of the Romish Religion against the Princes and Kingdomes of England Scotland and IRELAND c. THose which make descriptions of large Countries in small Tables offend not against truth though somewhat against quantity so Pliny telleth us Notwithstanding with much convenience ease to the beholder and truth of observation things are presented to our eyes in those little draughts that the very places themselves being viewed with great trouble and losse of time cannot yeeld more benefit to the most diligent oftentimes not so much Wherfore especially because the Argument cannot be now unseasonable for the abridgement of the Commentaries of large Histories is not unlike Maps of Kingdomes I have here collected out of divers Authours which have severally handled parts of this subject into one The chief conspiracies and attempts against the Kingdomes alone and immediately of great Brittany and Ireland or els mediately through the sides of the Princes of these Countries by Traytors at home or abroad of the Romish Religion or forraigne Enemies by treacherous courses of those of the same bloody superstition The beginning I make the first time of Reformation of Religion here in England under Queen Elizabeth and the extent unto this present yeere I begin no higher then Queene Elizabeth because the Reformation of Henry the eight was but in part and the other of King Edward was an interrupted one by the sudden succession of his sister Qu. Mary the rather because for ought we know there was no great matter plotted against this hopefull young Prince that was not rather from ambition if there was any such then from a desire of subverting Religion Not but thaa the Enemies of our Religion and Kingdome had us then in their minds but other wayes there were before bloody and desperate practises were to be taken in hand to be first entred into of lesse difficulty and more hopefull successe And these are the steps the adversaries of our Religion use to tread who thirsting after England labour first to bring us back to Rome by striving to make our selves hate our own Religion and leave that God which brought us out of the Land of Aegypt bewitching us with glorious Idolatry of the golden Calvs of Rome introducing ignorance and blindnes that we may when our eyes are out patiently grind in the Mill of slavery If this course fail the next is by poyson murder and force of Arms to draw us to Sodom and Aegypt The Reformation of England and Ireland fall under one time and because that of Scotland also differeth not many years in age they may all be brought in one account With the Plots are joyntly handled the Deliverances which in some respect or other may very well be called great either in regard of the misery we had fallen into if God had not prevented them of the slavery of soule and body and this agreeth with all Or else for the strangenesse of the discoveries of their mischiefes sometime almost miraculous before they have come to their birth or disappointing them of their purposes when the Authours have put them in practise and these two respects the one or the other which may well denominate Gods goodnesse to us in disappointing them to be great may be found in all likewise So that for these mercies received we ought to ascribe to our Deliverer that which is due unto him the praise of his own work and continuall thankes for his mercies which even to this day is from those Deliverances of the dayes of old extended we should have bin then betrayed but we had now bin slaves both we our selves and ours one Plot had it succeeded had bin the betraying of England at once to them who love themselves too well to have lost it easily and are so wise that they endure no Traitors but for themselves nor can indure any that loves his Country but a Spaniard We may learne also to trust in him even now particularly who is the same yesterday and to day and for ever nor is his hand shortened that he cannot save nor his eare heavy that he cannot heare those that call upon him lifting up pure hands in
Now was the Queen of Scots in France and although the Regency of Scotland was put into the hands of the Marquesse of Hamilion yet the power of the Qu. Dowager with her French faction did so increase and on the other side the authority of the Marquesse Regent so abate that after the promise from the French King of 12000. crowns by the yeare and Duchy of Castle Herald to which was added the preferment of all the Marquesses chiefe kindred the Marquesse resigned his place into the hands of Mary of Loraigne Qu. Dowager a thing for a woman to be Regent in Scotland but once before known She had made many promises unto the Scots of the freedome of exercising the Protestant Religion but being now setled in the Regency she discovered her mind wholly bent to alter Religion She told her friends in plain tearmes that though the Ministers whom she named should preach more honestly or as she called it more sincerely then they had done yet they should all be banished She expressed at the death of a young-man whom she seemed to bewaile being slain for that his father had not rather excused him being a stout defender of the reformed Religion that she was cruelly minded toward the Professours thereof Easter also was commanded to be celebrated after the Romish custome For these and divers other overtures of her Messengers were sent unto her to desire her to be good to the Protestants and to remember the many promises she had made unto them to that end But all in vaine She told the Earle of Glencarne and Sir John Cambell who were sent unto her that performance of promises was to be expected from Princes no farther then stood with their profit Upon this they told one another that they then renounced all obedience and duty toward her Violence now with art was to be used for effecting her purpose touching Religion Hereupon advice was given by Labrosse a French Commander in Scotland to put to death all the Nobility of Scotland for that the people being bereaved of their heads would after be easily brought to undergo any yoake but that things might appeare with a more pleasing colour there was a shew as if the Queen had laboured and would endeavour to convince her adversaries in Religion by no other way but by arguments Into Scotland were sent 3. Sorbon Doctours with the Bishop of Amiens But with what safety might any man dispute with them when he that did so was in the midst of his armed enemies and there was greatest feare of violence from the disputers themselves For the Bishop of Amiens counselled the Queen Regent that if any there were which should be found to dispute against these Romish Decrees he should be put to death yea even those who but seemed to be of another mind only We are not informed that the Qu. Regent put in practice the fore-going counsels perhaps the time was not altogether seasonable nor doe we take every single action which might conduce to the subverting of Religion to be a conspiracy but we may well esteem by the Queens words the Counsellours and Commanders intents and purposes the placing of such a Regent all this to be a continued conspiracy to strangle in the birth the Church of Scotland having yet scarcely taken breath in the world Not long after the Qu. Regent dyeth and although it will perhaps be said there was no discovery of any conspiracy which was in acting as to put to death all the Nobility or all that would dare dispute against the Bishop or Doctors could be no easie taske to goe about the latter because the death of their last Martyr Walter Mille did seem so grievous unto them and if any more should suffer how would such a thing be taken by French-men people of another Nation It may be objected from the above named arguments that there wanted no endeavour After the death of the Mother the Daughter returning into Scotland was married unto Henry Lord Darnley who being of the same Religion with the Queen and they both a brothers and sisters children did strongly maintain Popery against the Protestant Religion We cannot imagine here that any thing should be contrived against the lives of those Princes by a Popish party to overthrow Religion For to subvert Religion no way could be found better then by maintaining in life and honour such Princes as these two were who professed and maintained Popery as contrarily to subvert Religion Laws Liberties and the like the best means are thorough the sides of such Kings and Queens as are projectors and maintainers of them So the holy Scripture declareth by word and example I will smite the Shepheard and the sheepe shall be scattered For this Queen was so far from furthering the establishment of Religion nay from connivence at those who should goe about any such matter that she professed that she would follow the example of her cousin Qu. Mary of England which was no other thing then maintaining in her dominions the Pope and Popery and punishing the contrary minded as Hereticks It will not be thought I suppose that either the Papists at home in Scotland or those in France or els where would go about to take away the lives of such Princes whose lives secured their Religion For what was attempted against the life and most unhappily succeeded of the King was not any way to subvert Popery because the deed was committed and the plot chiefly layed by Papists It rather was undertaken against the life of this Prince by some to make way for their own family to inherit the Crowne of Scotland by others to get the Kingdome and admit any Religion But those which look farther into matters judge this act to be committed against a Professour of the Romish Religion that he being taken out of the way another might succeed which had greater power and friends to bring to passe what K. Henry the Queens husband had a mind but not power enough to do And that made those which were no enemies to the King in point of Religion not dislike the Treason for the ends sake I cannot be of their minds altogether who judge that of the Queen of Scots being now in restraint in England not long before married to Earle Bothnile and presently to desire a divorce from him and to require that he should be summoned within the space of a very few days to return into the Kingdom to make answer and defence to the Queens suit of divorce to have proceeded from the changing fancy of the Queen not so much from conscience For it was as well known before her departure into England as after that Earle Bothnile had a wife living when he married the Queen in so much that at the publishing of the banes of their Matrimony one stood up in the Church and forbad them It was generally thought that it was that a way might be open for the Duke of Norfolk who then made suit unto her He indeed
was such a man as being of great wealth mighty in friends and singular abilities of mind could better bring about what was desired then a man of no great riches at any time but was now in extreme poverty and disgrace in the Dominions of the King of Denmark and notoriously infamous for his crimes in Scotland The Rebellion of the Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland AT this time the King of Spaine wrote unto the Duke of Norfolk to joyn with the Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland to raise a Rebellion in England and to the Earle of Ormond to do the like in Ireland These Letters were shewen unto Qu. Elizabeth by the Duke and the Earle that from hence at least might appeare their loyalty Neverthelesse whether by the advice of the Bishop of Rosse who lay as Ambassadour at London for the Queen of Scots and one Rodolf a Florentine going in the appearance of a Merchant factor or purposing of himselfe whatsoever he might pretend he privately sought to marry the Q. of Scots she being next heir to the Crown of England contrary to his promise made unto his Soveraign Q. Elizabeth The Q. of Scots and the Duke participate of one anothers mind by Letters written in hidden characters Neither was this a matter only supposed but the Dukes Secretary one Hieford who was commanded by the Duke to burne such Letters as came from the Qu. of Scots but did it not and hid them under a mat in his chamber and being under examination he caused them to be reduced This was when the two Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland had secretly complotted to raise Armes and not long after the Dukes apprehension they fell into open Rebellion One of the Letters which was shewen at the Dukes arraignment was to this purpose That the Qu. was sorry that the said Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland were in Armes before the Dukes forces were ready This was undertaken after that Pope Pius quintus had in Bulls from Rome printed and sent to Ridolf absolved Q. Elizabeths Subjects from their allegiance The Pope perswaded the Spaniard to assist the conspiratours that his affairs in the Netherlands might prosper the better and the French did the like that the Qu. of England might be lesse able to send aid to the Protestants in France Northumberland and Westmerland having thus taken Armes supplies and monies failing withdrew themselves into Scotland Norfolk was thrown into prison Ridolf being in custody for whom the Pope had appointed 150000 crowns to the partners in the Treason He being with the Pope is sent by him to the Spaniard to presse him to give assistance to the King of Portugall also for the same purpose He wrote also to the Duke of Norfolk promising to send him aid The Popes letter to the Spaniard was that he should send an Army out of the Low-countries to invade England And this very thing the Spaniard endeavoured There was now a difference betwixt Q Elizabeth and the Spaniard about mony sent by him to the Duke of Alva but was intercepted by the Queen and that was one pretence that the Spaniard had for his dealing against our Queen and Kingdome But the Duke of Norfolk was put to death Nor is this the Relation of an English Protestant but of a Papist a good part whereof had not bin knowne but for him one Hieronimus Calena The Book was printed at Rome by the priviledge of â—ius quintus 1588. The Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland seduced by one Morton a Priest and at Duresme set up the Masse thence they marched to Clifford moore where hearing that the Queen of Scots was removed to Coventry that the Earle of Sussex was sent with strong forces against them and that Sir George Bowes was behind them and had fortified Bernards Castle that Scroupe and Cumberland had fortified Carliel and had also an Army in readines that the souldiers of Barwick and the power of Northumberland were in New-castle besieged Bernards Castle and took it on conditions Then for feare of the Earle of Sussex they fled to Hexam thence by bie-wayes to Naworth Castle from that place into Scotland and from thence was Northumberland sent and here beheaded Westmerland escaped into the Netherlands where with a poor pension under the Spaniard he lived poorly all his days Dacres his endeavour to deliver the Scots Queen IN the Yeare 1569. Leonard Dacres second son of William Lord Dacres of Gillesland being grieved to see a very great patrimony go from him to the daughters of the Baron whom the Duke of Norfolke their Father in law had joyned in marriage with his sons grew revengefull and joyning with the Rebels endeavored to deliver the Queen of Scots yet a little before being at the Court promised to assist the Queen his Soveraign against the Rebels but treacherously he undertook to kill the L. Scroup and Bishop of Carleil to whose custody the Scottish Queen was committed but he failing in the performance took Grastock Castle holding it as his own and gathered Souldiers The L. Hunsdon met him with the trained Souldiers of Barwick and after a sharpe conflict overcommeth him and Dacres fled into Scotland from thence into the Netherlands where at Lovaine he lived and dyed poorly Fitz-Morris raiseth Rebellion in Ireland IN this Yeare Edmund and Peter Butler brethren to the Earle of Ormond joyning with James Fitz-Morris of the house of Desmond entred into a conspiracy against Qu. Elizabeth and to further it came Joannes Mendoza secretly out of Spaine The Earle of Ormond going into Ireland caused them to submit they were imprisoned and for their brother the Earles sake not brought to tryall The Lord Deputy and Sir Humphrey Gilbert through Gods assistance appeased that rebellion It is cleare enough that this rebellion in Ireland arose from the Spaniard as the first mover for to this end he sent Mendoza into Ireland and had not long before written to the Earle brother to the two Rebels to raise a rebellion in Ireland Stanleys Conspiracy IN the Yeare 1570. under a colour of delivering the Queen of Scots Thomas Stanley and Edward younger sons of the Earle of Darby Thomas Jerard Rolston Hall with others in Darby-shiere conspired but the son of Rolston which was pensioner to the Queen disclosed the conspiracy All but Hall were impisoned Hall escaped into the Isle of Man thence by the commendation of the Bish of Rosse he was sent into Dunbretan whence the Castle being won he was brought to London and suffered death Dissimulation of Don John of Austria IN the Yeare 1576. Don John of Austria comming into the Low-Countries as Governour sent Gastellus to Qu. Elizabeth pretending a perpetuall Edict for peace The Queen as if ignorant of any bad intent sent Rogers to congratulate Don Johns Edict yet she knew that Don John had conceived a certain hope of marrying the Qu. of Scots and of enjoying Scotland and England intending to invade the Isle of Man that from thence
he might out of Ireland the north of England and Scotland also where he knew were many Papists invade England This man to help forward this great designe practised secretly with the Pope and with the King of Spain for the Havens of Biscay But the King of Spain neglected him in this desire accounting England and Scotland a morsell fitter for his own palate During this treaty of perpetuall peace this treacherous Don treateth secretly with the Scotish Queen about the marriage and the better to work his own ends took divers Towns and Castles in the Low-countries by treachery and wrote into Spain that for the invasion of the Netherlands it would be best to seize on first the Towns of Zealand before the more inland places and that England might with the more ease be first invaded The Queen in the mean while prepareth for war but God cut off this her enemy very sodainly before the fruits of his high thoughts were ripe Stueleys designe against Ireland NOt long before this time in Ireland Thomas Stucley a prodigall riotous and needy English-man discontented for that he lost the Stewardship of Wexford breathes out contumelies against the Queen and betaketh himselfe to the Pope with whom he treateth and boasteth that he will subdue Ireland with 3000. men and burne the Queens Navy Pope Pius quintus had a great opinion of him After him Gregory the 13. and the King of Spaine consulted together to invade England and Ireland at once The Pope aymed to get for his Son James Boncompayno the Kingdome of Ireland and the Spaniard chiefly to imitate the course of Qu. Elizabeth who to keep the Spaniard busie abroad secretly sent ayd to the Dutch that he might with-draw her help from the Low-countries But because the strength of England consisteth chiefly in the Navy the King of Spaine setteth the Merchants of Italy and the Netherlands a worke to hire the Merchants ships of England and so to send them away in very long voyages that the ships being from home and Stucley joyning with the Rebels of Ireland the Queens Navy might be over-thrown by a greater The Pope gave him very great Titles in Ireland and sent under his command 800. Italians the Spaniard paying the souldiers Stucley then went to Sebastian King of Portugall to intreat him to be chiefe Conductor but was perswaded by the said King and the King by Abdallas son Mahomet to go first unto the African warr where both King Sebastian and himself lost their lives And thus God overthrew their wicked counsels for that time Fitz-Morris his second attempt against Ireland ANno Domini 1579. James Fitz-Morris formerly having fled into France being pardoned for a former Rebellion in Ireland goeth now to the Spaniard and is by him sent unto the Pope to consult with him about his request which was to reduce that Kingdome by force of Arms unto Popery The Pope at the earnest sult of Nicolas Sanders an English and Alan an Irish Priest gave Fitz-Morris some mony to that intent and sendeth him back to the Spaniard from whence with his Priests 3. ships and a few Souldiers he arrived at Smerwick in Kerry in Ireland and raiseth a Fort there Thomas Courtney an English-man presently surpriseth the ships John and James brethren to the Earle of Desmond joyn themselves to Fitz-Morris who was their Kinsman The Earle of Desmond although he pretended the contrary favored them drew forces together and by this pretence of Desmond caused the Earle of Clanrickard who came to oppose them to withdraw himselfe Fitz-Morris seeing few Irish come to his aid under pretence of going in pilgrimage to the holy crosse of Tipperary went toward Conaught and Vlster to draw forces together whose horses being tired he took some horses from the Plough of William a Burgh his kinsman and being pursued by the sons of William a Burgh Fitz-Morris perceiving that told his cousin Theobalda Burgh that it was no time now to fall out about horses but to joyne with him in the businesse of rebellion for which he was come into Ireland These brethren had bin in a former rebellion but now declared unto Fitz-Morris their sorrow for it yet now fighting with Fitz-Morris to recover the horses both the brethren and some others were slain Sir William Drury was then Lord Deputy who sent for the Earle of Desmond who made a promise by his wife to the Deputy that he and his men would fight against the Rebels He dissembled long but after that Malbey had defeated John his brothers forces and had sent for Desmond to come unto him about Rekel a Town of Desmond he plainly discovered his rebellion That night the Rebels set upon Malbeys Tents but were disappointed Afterward Desmond was sent for to come in person by the Lord Deputy Pelham who succeeded the deceased Sir William Drury but excuseth himselfe by a letter sent by his wife The Earle of Ormond was sent unto him that he should deliver Sanders the Priest the Castles of Carigofoile and Asketton and to submit himself absolutely The prosecuting of him was committed to the Earle of Ormond who ruined Conilo the Rebels only refuge he hanged the Bayliffe of Youghall at his doore for refusing to take an English garrison into the Town besieged the Spaniards in Strangicall but they withdrew themselves and after were all killed and so hard he pressed Desmond and his brethren that madly they intreated the chiefe Justice to take their parts Afterward the Justice sent for the Nobility of Munster to come to him and would not dismisse them till they had given pledges that they would assist against the Rebels They made the Baron of Lixenaw yeeld himself took Carigofoil Castle killed and hanged all the Spaniards in it and the Captain also an Italian San Josephus with 700. Spaniards sent into Ireland THe next Yeare 1580. 700. Spaniards and Italians came to divert the Qu. Forces rather then to conquer Ireland they landed at Smerwick under the command of San Josephus an Italian they fortified it and called it Fort Delor but being followed by the Earle of Ormond they withdrew thence into a valley called Glammingel Some prisoners of them were taken who confest they were 700 and that Armes were brought for 5000 and that more were expected from Spain that to conquer Ireland the Spaniard and Pope had resolved and therefore sent into the hands of Sanders Desmond and his brother John a vast sum of mony That night the Spaniards and Italians returned to their Fort which so soon as Ordinance could be brought and Winter was returned with the Ships of war from England was on every side besieged and after 5 days taken The common Souldiers Italians and Spaniards were put to the sword the Irish hanged only the Captains of the former were preserved Three years after Desmond wandering like a vagabond had his arme almost cut-off by a common Souldier before he was known and after was slain Nicolas Sanders was almost famished in the Woods
and died stark mad This yeare 1580. Priests and Seminaries much increasing in England severe Laws were enacted against them These were for the most part bred in the English Colledge of Doway founded by the procurement of Alan somtimes a student in Oxford afterward Priest and Cardinall in the year 1568. Afterward under Requesenius government in the Low-countries when the wars were betwixt England and Spain the fugitives were thrust from thence and 2. Colledges erected for them one at Rhemes the other at Rome the first by the Guises the 2d by Gregory the 13. From these places rose in England Hanse Nelson Main Sherward Priests who reported Q. Elizabeth to be an Heretick and so ought to be deposed for which they suffred In the aforesaid yeare 1580. Robert Parsons a man of a turbulent spirit and impudent Campian a more modest man both Jesuites they to serve the Catholicks turns obtained of Pope Gregory an interpretation of Pius his Bull against Q Elizabeth that it bound the Q. and Hereticks always but not Catholicks till a convenient season Campian wrote a Book intituled 10 Reasons in defence of Rome M. Chark answered him soberly Parsons wrote against Chark virulently but Camp 10 Reasons were thorowly answered by D. Whitaker Campian and others condemned EDmund Campian Ralfe Sherwin Luke Kirby Alexander Briant were taken in the year 1581 as Traitors to the Q. and State and condemned for comming into England to stir up sedition Still more and more Priests came into England and for their dangerous doctrin that Princes excommunicate were to be thrown out of their Kingdomes that Princes of any other then the Roman Religion had lost their Kingly dignity that those who had taken orders were freed from Princes jurisdiction and not bound by their Laws it was enacted 1582. that it should be treason to disswade any Subject from his allegiance and from the Religion established in England c. Somerviles attempt to kill the Queen AN Dom 1583. divers Priests and Jesuites wrote dangerous books against Q. Eliz. and certain other Princes excommunicated which prevailed so far that one Somervil a Gentleman breathing out nothing but bloud against the Protestants secretly sought entrance into the Queens presence with a drawn sword set upon one or two in his way and being apprehended confessed that he purposed to have killed the Queen Ed. Arden his father in law a Gentleman of Warwick-shiere and Arderns wife and their daughter Somervils wife and Hall a Priest were condemned as guilty of Somervils practise After 3 days Somervile was found strangled in prison for fear of revealing it as was thought where he lay and Ardern was hanged the next day Mendoza the Spanish Ambassadour thrust out of England IN 1584. some English Gentlemen began to practise the delivery of the Qu. of Scots Francis Throgmorton was suspected by letters written to the Qu. of Scots and intercepted Presently Thomas Lord Paget and Charles Arundell a Courtier left the Land secretly Henry Earle of Northumberland and Philip Earle of Arundel were commanded to their houses And there was great cause of circumspection for the Papists by printed Books incited the Maids of Honour to do that against the Qu. that Judith did against Holofernes Yet was the Queens mercy such that she caused 70. Priests to be sent out of England The chief of them were Gasper Heywood who of all the Jesuites first came into England James Bosgrave John Hart and Edward Rishton who presently after wrote a book against the Queen At this time Bernardinus Mendoza the Spanish Ambassadour was thrust out of England for practising Treason against the State He having dealt with Throgmorton and others to bring in strangers to invade the Land as appeared by Throgmortons action who being apprehended sent one of his packets to Mendoza his other packets being searched there was found a catalogue of all the Havens in England fit to land in and another of all the Noblemen in England which favoured the Romish Religion And he did not deny that he had promised his help to Mendoza and the help of those Nobles it was fit he should deale with A Popish practise against Qu. Elizabeth discovered not without a miracle by Creightous torne Papers a Scottish Jesuite QUeen Elizabeth that rare Paragon of her Sex and that fairly flourishing Flower which Traitors though oft attempted could never nip nor crop up being a Princesse both prudent pious and pittifull seeking therefore a faire opportunity and sutable meanes to set the Queen of Scots at those times tainted with some treasonable practises against her Crown and Person at liberty and for that purpose sent Sr. William Wade who was then returned out of Spain to confer with her of the meanes therunto And the good Queen was about to send Sr. Walter Mildmay to bring this ayme of hers to further issue But some terrours and feares in the interim brake-out between them which disturbed that intention especially by a notable discovery by certain papers which one Creighton a Jesuite sailing into Scotland did then teare in peeces when he was apprehended in the Ship by Dutch-Pirates at Sea whose person being by them ceased-on he tooke forth his papers wherin it seems the project of a traiterous plot against Qu. Elizabeth at that time was described tore them into small peeces and with all his force threw them into the Sea But see how the Lords good providence ordered it as they flew in the ayre the winde blew stifly by force wherof they were all blowne back again into the ship even in a miraculous manner as the Jesuite himself confessed when he saw it Which papers were all kept and gathered together sent to England to Sr. William Wade aforesaid and with much labour and singular skill so joyned and set together again that he found they contained a notable new plot among many other of the Popes the Spaniards and the Guises resolution to invade England Wherupon and by reason of many other rumors of dangers intended against the Queen and whole Kingdome of England a great number of all sorts of men out of common charity and to shew their love and affectionate care of the welfare of the Queen and State bound themselves by an association as then it was called by mutuall promises and subscriptions of hands and seales to prosecute all such by all their force and might even unto death that should attempt any thing against the life of the Queen or welfare of the Kingdome Now the Queen of Scots tooke this as a thing devised to bring her into danger and she also was so continually set upon by seditious spirits who if they may but have accesse are able to draw the greatest Princes to destruction And what have bin their practises from time to time but to bring great personages and greatest Families to ruine Lamentable experience shews openly the fruit of their malice and mischievous plots of treason which they impiously and audaciously call and count nothing els but
the Lord Windsores brother Thomas Salisbury Charles Tinley the Queens Pensioner Chidioe Tichburne Edward Abingdon whose father was the Queens Cofferer Robert Gage Iohn Travers Iohn Charnick Iohn Iones Savage Barnwell an Irish Gent. Henry Dun Clark of the first fruits Office and one Polly also joyned himselfe who was thought to reveale all to Sir Francis Walsingham Abingdon Barnwell Charnick and Savage took an Oath to kill her with their own hands Babington enjoyned that whosoever was admitted into the conspiracy should take the Oath of secrecy They were so confident of the successe that they did not feare to cause the undertakers of the Treason to be pictured together which picture being seen of the Queen she knew only Barnwell and seeing him a good way off she blamed the neglect of guarding her person This fellow afterward gave it out that if the conspirator had bin present the deed might easily have bin done That the aid from France might not be wanting leave was obtained for Ballard to passe oveâ— thither for mony under a false name and Babington was to follow who that he might the more cunningly work his ends pretended to Sir Franciâ— Walsingham that he had a desire to goe into France to discover what the fugitives plotted for the delivery of the Scots-Queen Walsingham seemed very much to like the matter and to commend Babingtons resolution but upon pretences delayed his going This was knowne to Walsingham either out of a singular faculty he had to find out Treasons or els by the means of Gilbert Gifford a Priest who was sent out of France to incourage Savage in his wicked resolution and that letters might safely be transmitted by him to the Q. of Scots Gifford corrupted with mony or for feare revealed the plot to Walsingham and promised to communicate unto him all his letters Walsingham kindly used him sent him into Stafford-shiere to Sir Amice Paulet in a letter perswading Sir Amice to suffer some of his servants to be corrupted by him Gifford for some gold prevailed with Sir Amice his Brewer who conveyed the letters to and from Gifford which by messengers for that end appointed came ever to the hands of Sir Francis Walsingham who coppied out the letters and by the art of Thomas Philips found out the character and by the help of one Gregory sealed them up that none could suspect them opened and then sent the letters as they were directed The Queen hereupon commanded Ballard to be apprehended which was done Babington advised presently to send Savage and Charnike to kill the Queen Babington intreateth leave of Walsingham to goe into France and sueth for Ballards liberty who would be of use to him for discovery and to avoid suspition Sir Francis keepeth him back with delayes and draweth him to his own house Skidmore Sir Francis servant was commanded to observe him strictly and to goe with him pretending least he should be taken with Messengers This letter being read for the command was written by Skidmore was perceived and read also by Babington sitting by him who supping with Sr. Francis man in a Tavern pretending to rise to go pay the reckoning left his Cloake and Rapier and fled Then Barnwell Gage Dun Charnoke being in the mean time proclaimed Traitors fled into the Woods and after were concealed fed and cloathed in rusticall habit by one Bellamy at Harrow on the hill After 10 dayes they were found and brought to London Salisbury was taken in Stafford-shiere and Traverse also Jones in Wales not privy to the conspiracy but he concealed them and furnished Salisbury and his man with a changed Cloake Windsor was not found Gilford was sent into France as an Exile and theâ—â— dyed Sept 13. 7 of the conspirators being brought to Judgment confest themselves guilty and were condemned of Treason other 7. the next day pleaded not guilty but were guilty and condemned Polly though guilty yet for confessing somthing to Sr. Fran. Walsingham was not brought to Judgement on the 20. the first 7. were hanged and quartered in S. Giles Fields where they used to meet The French Ambassadors plot to kill the Queen IN the Yeare 1587. Obespineus the French Ambassadour of the Guisian faction conferred with William Stafford to kill Q. Elizabeth Stafford refused it but commended one Moody in prison Trappius Secretary to the said Ambassador in the absence of Stafford conferred with Moody about the deed Moody proposed poyson or a bag of Gun-powder Trappius disliked it and wished rather for such a man as the Burgundian which killed the Prince of Orenge this thing Stafford revealed to the Counsell Trappius was apprehended going into France and afterward the Ambassador Moody Stafford Trappius all accused the Ambassador before the Lords who sent for the Ambassador Stafford beginning to speak was interrupted by the Ambassador saying that Stafford first proposed it to him who if he did not desist threatned to send him bound hand and foot to the Queen Stafford upon his knees with great protestations affirmed that the Ambassador first moved it the Ambassadour was admonished to take heed of such crimes and dismist by Burley insinuating unto him that it was more the Queens clemency then that his office claimed any such favour The Spanish Armado IN the yeare 1588. was set out by the King of Spaine for the conquest of England the invincible as they call'd it Navy for this purpose the Duke of Parma had an Army in Flanders of one hundred and three Companies of Foot and three thousand Horse amongst which were seven hundred English fugitives the Bull of Pius quintus for excommunicating Qu. Elizabeth is renewed by Sixtus quintus and a plenary Indulgence granted to all which would joyn against England The Queen prepared a Navy also and makes the L. Charles Howard Admirall and sends him into the West to joyn with Sr. Fra. Drake Vice-Admirall Henry Seimour second son to the Duke of Somerset with 40. Ships English and Dutch is appointed to stop Parma's comming forth upon the Land Southward were placed 20000 men another Army of 22000 Foot and a 1000 horse at Tilbury under Leicester another Army guarded the person of the Queen consisting of 34000 Foot and 2000. Horse under Henry L. Hunsdon The counsell of war decreed that all places commodious to land in should be strengthened with Men and Ammunition which places should be defended with the trained Bands in the Maritime Countries to hinder the Enemies landing if he should land then they should waste the Country round about that he might find no more relief then he brought and that they should keep him in continuall Alarums To secure the Qu. at home from Papists some were committed to Wisbitch Castle There was in the mean time a Treaty of Peace from the Spaniards even till the Fleet was almost come to the English-coast The Spanish Fleet consisted of 130 Ships 19290 Souldiers Marriners 8350 chained Rowers 2080. Great Ordnance 2630. they loosed out of the River of Tagus
a most accursed Covenant just as our Popish-Pouder-Traitors did in their damnable designe and bound themselves by an oath of Confederation and Secrecy Reily a prime Popish-Priest and others like his father the Devill compassing the Earth farre and neer to draw into their conspiracy such as had not before bin therwith acquainted as also to satisfie all scruples if any arose in any of their minds about the lawfullnesse of their actions just as Garnet that old Romish Jesuiticall Fox did with his Pouder-conspirators 1605. And wheras they falsly have masked this their most inhumane Treason and Rebellion under the Kings name pretending his authority and all they did or doe in obedience to his Majesty and tender respect to his Royall Prerogative yet it hath bin by some others of them professed that they intended to have a King of their own yea that they had one already some saying Tyrone was he others Sir Philim O Neal who hath bin audaciously and traiterously honoured with the stile of his Majesty and that they will with the assistance of Spain and France set footing in England having completed their own devillish Irish-work and after that in Scotland where all things being setled to their desires the whole forces of Ireland in way of retribution and acknowledgement of gratitude was intended as hath bin confessed for the King of Spain against the Hollanders Such mighty and invincible Conquerours had they made themselves in their owne conceipts and most bold and bloudy imaginations Unto which their horrible disloyalty and unparalleld treachery and Rebellion they added most execrable expressions of unheard of hatred and inhumane barbarity to the Subjects of the English-Nation Banishment or perpetuall slavery were the greatest favours that would have bin afforded them their generall profession being for a generall extirpation even to the last and least drop of English-blood from among them Yea and that which transcends all former extents of rage and unpattern'd wrath and malignity not so much as an English beast or any of that breed was to be left alive in that whole Kingdom And as the hearts and tongues of these most base and abhominable Traitors and Rebels were boundlesly and extremely cruell in intention and profession So it pleased the Lord for the sins of his people there to permit power unto these barbarous Rebels to act with their hands the most accursed and profane perpetrations that ever Christian eyes beheld or eares have heard of both for impiety against God and his holy Gospell and almost unexpressible inhumanity toward the true Professours therof among them blaspheming our God stripping his Servants starke naked and then bidding them goe to their God to be cloathed againe breaking into Churches burning Pulpits with extream hatred to our Religion and exceedingly tryumphing in all their impieties Dragging some Professours of the Gospell by the haire of their heads through the Streets into the Churches and there stripping and whipping them and with most cruell and taunting termes abusing them telling them if they came to morrow they should heare the like Sermon Yea so excessively impious was their hatred to the Gospell of Christ that they tooke the sacred bookes of the holy Scriptures and cast them into kennels and puddles of dirt and mire treading them under-foot and leaping and skipping on them and ô horrid impiety causing a bagg-pipe to play all the while and bidding a plague upon them saying they were the cause of all quarrels and burning some and saying it was hell-fire that was then flaming and wishing they had all the Bibles in Christendome that they might use them so And as for the most inhumane and more than Scythian cruelties of these Irish Canibals and most barbarous blood-sucking Tygres of whom we may most properly say as Jacob did of his bloody sons Simeon and Levi in their massacre of the Shechemites Gen. 49.7 Cursed be their anger for it was fierce their wrath for it was cruell Yea certainly more cruell than ever any eye did see or ear did heare yea I say past the most exquisite historicall expressions of any ancient or modern Relations witnes their stripping stark-naked men women and children even children sucking their poore mothers brests whereby multitudes of all sorts ages and Sexes in the extremitie of that cold season of frost and snow have most lamentably perished women being dragg'd up and downe naked women in child-bed drawne out thence and cast into prison one delivered of a child while she was hanging one ripped up horresco referens and two children taken out of her and all cast unto and eaten up by Swine One stab'd in the brest her child sucking An infant cruelly murthered whom they found sucking his dead mother slain by them the day before A child of 14 years of age taken from his mother in her sight cast into a Bog-pit and held under water while he was drowned Together with many other yet more horrid hideous and more than savage or beast-like barbarities too terrible for me any farther to relate but may be more fully found in that most lamentable Remonstrance of this Irish-Rebellion and all there proved by testimonies on Oath wherunto I referr the Reader Which makes me call to mind that old observation proverbially spoken of Ireland which is That no poysonous Serpent will live on Irish-ground which how true in the historicall meaning I know not but now I am sure 't is most false in the mysticall meaning of it for here it seems that Satans Serpentine seed a brood of most poysonous native-Serpents Adders and Snakes of villany and cruelty doe live yea and thrive there also but I trust but for a season for certainly the Lord the most righteous Judge of all men and severe revenger of all wrongs will not suffer such horrible impieties and unpattern'd cruelties to goe unpunished but will undoubtedly ruinate such a pestilent generation of Romish Vipers and Babilonish blood-suckers as these are which he hath already most blessedly begun First by his most gracious and timely discovery of their main plot the taking of the City of Dublin which was indeed the Master-peice of their intended Epidemical mischief but prevented I say by the Lords great mercy and good providence in a most strange manner by a native Irish Gentleman one M. Owen Mack-Connell once Servant to that pious and most worthy Gentleman Sir John Clotworthy and this also by a most remarkable way and worke of the Lords speciall providence as is more particularly and punctually related in the preamble of Irelands Tears to which I referre the Reader And secondly by the Lords most glorious and victorious over-powring the out-ragious power and petulancy of those barbarous miscreants now in open Rebellion by the hands of a very small remnant of poore Protestants there among them who by reason of the most unhappy distractions and unnaturall civill-discords raised up among us in England by the Popish Faction also and their Pontifician abettors cannot be by us so
them and appointed their Troops to be placed where he thought meetest About midnight it was informed to all the Popish Assemblies in the Town that the like to this massacre should be done to all of the Religion throughout the whole Realme and that the watch-word of the generall massacre should be the great bell of the Pallace which should be rung at the break of day and the badge of the Executioners should be a white Handkerchief tyed upon their sleeves and a white crosse in their hats The Duke of Guise with his bloudy minded associates had charge to begin at the Admirals lodgings The mighty noyse of armour and running up and down with very many lighted torches soon after mid-night made many of those of the Religion that were lodged neare the Admirall to come out of their lodgings and to goe into the street to enquire of their acquaintances what this noise ment at such an undue houre but being anxiously answered they went on still toward the Lonure where the Duke of Guise and his bloudy Comrades were attending the deed where those innocent Lambs of the Religion were fast set upon and assaulted by the Dukes guard Then presently they rang S. Germaines bell in the Pallace wherupon one Cosseins a French-fury perceiving the Duke of Guise comming with his Troops knocks at the Admirals gate between 2 and 3 of the clock in the morning being Sunday the 24. of August 1572. La-bonne one of the Admirals attendants opens the gate and was instantly stab'd by Cosseins the 2d doore going up the stairs being soon burst open they came to the Admirals chamber where his own guard of Switzers were one of them was slain with an harquebush And while Cosseins was jumbling at the chamber-doore one Cornatan ran up into the chamber and being asked by the Admirall who had caused his men to lift him out of his bed and in his night-gowne having assisted his Ministers in fervent Prayer and most humbly commended his soul to his Saviour Christ Jesus what all this hurly burly meant Cornatan his servant answered my Lord it is God that cals for us the house is entred by force and there is no means of resistance The good Admirall then replyed it is not long since I disposed my self to die save you your selves if it be possible for you cannot save my life and therfore I commit my soule into the hands and mercy of God Presently hereupon his attendants began to shift for themselves and to fly for their lives and some of them got up into the top of the house and found a window to issue out of the roof and so into gutters but most of them were slain in the next houses but Cornatan and Merlin a godly Minister escaped and were miraculously preserved The Admirals Chamber-doore being now opened 7 or 8 armed men with their Targets entred into it and one Besmes servant to the Duke of Guise with a naked Sword in his hand oâ—fering him the point wherupon the good Admirall said unto him Young man thou oughtest to respect mine age and infirmity yet shalt thou not shorten my life with that Besmes thrust his Sword into the Admirals body and redoubling the blow upon the Admirals head every one of the rest also gave him a blow in such sort that he fell upon the ground and so lay gasping The Duke of Guise and others staying below in the Court and hearing the blowes asked if they had done and commanded the body to be throwne out of the window which was presently done by that villaine Besmes and his companions Now the blowes that he had on his head and the blood covering his face had so disfigured him that the Duke of Guise hardly knew him wherupon stooping downe and wiping his face with his hankerchief he said now I know him it is he indeed and therwith gave him a kick with his foot on his face being dead whom all the murtherers of France extremely feared being alive Which done he left the Admirals house accompanied with his most bloudy traine and began to cry about the Streets courage fellow Souldiers we have made a good beginning let us now to the rest for the King commandeth it repeating those words oft with great Majesty for the King commandeth it it is his pleasure it is his expresse commandement just as our Romish and Atheisticall Prelates and Popish-Courtiers doe now a dayes cry out to us and did ever of latter times laying all the odium of their impious villanies and cruelties on the Kings Majesty saying still 't was his pleasure it should be so Now presently thereupon the Pallace Clock strooke and then a noyse was heard all about the streets of Paris saying that the Hugonets for so the Romish Catholiques terme the true Protestants in France were in armes they being all alas in their beds farre from any such thoughts and ment to kill the King just as our powder-Traitors intended had their plot taken effect to have slandered the Puritans in England to have bin the Authours of that hellish-Treason to whom the Admiralls head was carried and presented and to the Queen-mother of France and then imbalmed and sent to Rome to the Pope and Cardinall of Lorraine The Common-people like Priest like people ran to the Admirals lodging where they cut-off his hands and his privy members and drew his body for the space of three dayes about the Towne which done it was borne to the Gibbet of Montfaucon and there hanged by the feet The Gentlemen officers of the Chamber Governours Tutours and houshold Servants of the King of Navarr the French Kings brother in law lately married to his sister and of the Prince of Conde were driven out of their Chambers where they slept in the Lonure and forced into the Court were there massacred in the Kings owne presence The like was done to the Lords and Gentlemen that lay round about the Admiralls lodgings and then throughout the Towne in such sort that the number slain that Sunday at night and the 2 next dayes ensuing within the Towne or City of Paris and the Suburbs thereof was esteemed to be above 10000 persons Lords Gentlemen Pages Servants Justices of all sorts Schollars Lawyers Physitians Merchants Artificers Women Maids and Boyes not sparing little children in their Cradles no nor in their Mothers bellies The Courtiers of the Kings guard and strangers that massacred these Gentlemen said that in one day by weapons and disorder they had ended those processes which pen paper sentences of Justice nor open warre could not find the means to do or execute in 12 years space And thus these most honourable Protestant Lords and Gentlemen falsly accused and slandered of conspiracies and practises against the King being starke naked thinking only upon their rest scarce awakened out of their sleepe utterly unarmed in the hands of infinite cruell crafty and most treacherous enemies not having so much leasure as to breath were barbarously slain some in their beds
others on the roofes of houses and in whatsoever other places where they might be found It would be too tedious to recite at large the names and surnames of all the honorable personages of divers qualities that were then slain and butchered it sufficeth that their names are written in heaven and that their death though shamefull and despicable in the sight and presence of men of this world is precious in the sight of the Lords most holy Majesty Now let the tender hearted Christian Reader but consider and ponder in his heart how strange and horrible a thing it might be in a great Town or City to see at the least 60000 men with Pistols Pikes Courtlasses Ponyards Knives and other such bloody instruments run swearing and blaspheming the sacred Majesty of God throughout the streets and into mens houses where most cruelly they massacred all whomsoever of the Religion they met without regard of estate condition sex or age the streets paved with bodies cut and hewed in peeces the gates and entries of houses Palaces and publike places died with bloud A horrible plague of shoutings and howlings of the murtherers mixed with continuall blows of Pistols and Calivers together with the pittifull cryes of those that were murthered the bodies cast out at windowes upon the stones drawne through the dirt with strange noyse and whistlings the breaking open of doors and windows with bils stones and other furious instruments the spoyling and plundering of houses Carts carrying away the spoyles and dead bodies which were throwne into the river of Soame all red with blood which ran in great streams through the Town and from the Kings Pallace into the said river As for the King of Navarr himselfe and the Prince of Conde they were called into the Kings presence who must himselfe speak with them who with his own mouth certified them what had thus past all this while adding that he had saved their lives only upon condition that they should renounce their Religion and follow his otherwise that they must look for the like punishment that their Adherents had and should receive The King of Navarr besought the King to remember his promise of alliance newly contracted and not to constraine him in his Religion The Prince of Conde also more fervently answered that the King had given his faith unto him and to all those of the Religion with so solemn a Protestation and Vow that he could not be perswaded that his Majesty would falsifie such an authentick oath and that thereupon he had thus farre yeelded to his Majesties demands and faithfully performed what he had required of him on this assurance But as touching the Religion whereof the King had granted him the free exercise and God the true knowledge to whom he was to make an account therin for this his Religion he said he was fully resolved to remaine most constant therin and which he would alwayes maintain to be true although it were with the losse of his life This answer of the Prince set the King into such a choller that he began to call him rebell seditious and son of a seditious person with horrible threatnings to cause them to loose their heads if within 3 dayes they tooke not better counsell and indeed these threatnings and other crafty carriages in this way so wrought on both these Princes at last that they forsooke their Faith and first Love and turned to Romish abhominations Now the King perceiving that this massacre of Paris would not quench the fire but rather kindle it the more fearing least those of the Religion in his other Provinces and Townes might assemble and unite themselves together and so give them new worke he with the speedy advise of his Counsellours sent two Messengers with two severall Messages the one to the Governours and seditious Catholikes of his remoter Townes wherein were many of the Religion with expresse command to massacre them the other containing certaine Letters to the Governours of Provinces by which he pretended this Massacre to be perpetrated by the Duke of Guise and the Admirall to be murthered on a particular and private quarrell twixt them two and that the Kings honest meaning and intention was utterly against these things and seriously to maintaine his former Edict of a generall Pacification and therfore that his care and vigilancy had ceased it the same day it began and yet as my Authour recordeth in his History on the Tewsday following being the 26. of the same August the King accompanied with his Brethren and the chiefest of his Court went to his Court of Parliament and there publickly declared in expresse tearms that whatsoever had hapned in Paris was done not only by his consent but also by his commandement and of his own motion And as for his other former mentioned Message and Letter to other Townes and Provinces for the massacring of those of the Religion among them also his bloudy command herein was immediately put in execution at Lyons and many other places where the poore Protestants were murthered and massacred in most hideous and horrible manner by those mercilesse and inhumane Butchers of bloody Rome who knockt down the innocent Christians among them as so many doggs cut their throats â—â—angled their bodies slash'd off their hands with great sharp knives as on their knees they held them up to the villains praying for the sparing of their lives yea and were knowne to rip up their bellies and take out their fat from their bowels and to sell it to their Apothecaries to make medicines Thus also in those remoter parts from Paris were very many thousands of the Religion murthered without any difference or distinction either of Sex or Age. And so deeply enraged was the King and his adherents and so desperately resolved to root out and extirpate the memory of those of the Religion especially of any note or eminency that the King having at last got into his custody one Briquemant a noble French Gentleman of the age of seventy yeares one that had valiantly imployed himselfe in the Service of the Kings of France having been found in the House of the Embassadour of England then resident in France wherein he had hid himselfe whiles the greatest fury of the massacre was executed was by the Kings command put in close prison together with another vertuous Gentleman Cavagnes Master of the Requests both which Gentlemen bare great affection both unto the Religion and also unto the renowned Admirall and were themselves of great esteeme and reputation in France but the King having them now fast in hould threatned to teare them in peeces upon the rack if they would not write and signe with their hands that they had conspired with the Admirall to kill the King his Brethren the Queene and the King of Navarr But they having most constantly and justly refused to avouch so horrible a lye against their owne and their godly friends innocencies were racked and cruelly tormented and by a most unjust sentence
sufficiently supplyed with men and arms as is fit and much desired therfore I say the Lord of Hoasts abhorring and abominating such atrocious and hell-fomented blasphemies murthers and mercilesse cruelties makes his just indignation and wrath to prosecute and pursue them at the heeles giving those small and inconsiderable companies such admirable and even almost miraculous victories over them as most evidently declare the hand of the Lord to be against them and his gracious purpose utterly to supplant and exterminate such devillishly desperate and intolerably barbarous and bloody Rebels and Traitors the lively lims and lineaments of that bloody Strumpet of Rome The most bloody Massacre at Paris Anno 1572. extracted out of the French History truly and briefly related ANd now good Reader give me leave a little to seeme to digresse not so much from the matter as from the persons and places at first propounded and to looke but a little into our neighbour Kingdome of France where I say I shall only vary from personages but the subject matter the same with the former setting forth the bloody plots and conspiracies of the Popish Faction among them also against those of the reformed Protestant Religion in France and especially in that most butcherly and barbarous Massacre at Paris where it primarily and chiefly began to be cruelly acted and executed on Gods innocent lambes marked out to the slaughter before hand And thus it was in brief In the yeares 1571. and 72. Charles the ninth then K. of France the said K. the then Duke of Guise and others of the Romish Faction bearing a most inveterate hatred which was craftily concealed against those of the Religion and in speciall against the then most renowned Admirall of France whose Piety Prudence and Prowesse was such and in so high esteem of all both friends and foes also that whiles he subsisted and survived the Popish-party maugre their malice could doe nothing to any purpose to the prejudice of the cause of the Religion At last a plot was laid most craftily and cruelly under pretence of a marriage between the Prince of Navarr a noble and pious Prince of the Religion and the Kings Sister by which snare to bring the said Prince the Admirall and the rest of the heads of the Religion to the Court and City of Paris that so these heads being first smitten-off the inferiour members therof might the more easily be destroyed Under this colour I say the King invites the Admirall to the Court at Paris pretends a faire correspondence and agreement of all matters in difference 'twixt his Majesty and those of the Religion especially himselfe and the Admirall and a reconcilement also betweene this noble Admirall and the Duke of Guise In which interim one Lignerolles a French Gentleman was openly slain in the Court for discovering some secrets concerning this plot against those of the Religion and the Cardinall of Chastillon then in England and ready to depart thence for France brother to the Admirall of France was poysoned by one of his Chamberlaines and dyed therof to the great griefe of all his friends and servants The most noble and religious Admirall on the Kings invitation comes to Paris was with extraordinary fair shows of love and regall respect most welcomely entertained both he and divers others of the Religion that came with him The fore-said marriage was not long after solemnized in Paris with great pretences of joy and content on all sides expressed in most sumptuous and liberall feasts and banquets Maskes and dances the sweet innocent Princes little dreaming of such a dance to be now a leading by the King Queen-mother and Duke of Guise with the rest of their Romish bloody faction as stain'd nay steep'd all their dainties in streames of their hearts blood in so much as 't was admired to see such a seeming friendly mixture of those of the Religion with the Romish Catholiks just like so many lambs among so many greedy wolvs Now whiles every one imployed himself in such like mirth jollity divers that were sent for by the K. Q-Mother Du. of Guise that so they might be sure to be the stronger party speedily arrived in Paris the Catastrophe of all that follows having bin made not long before among them the Dukes of Guise and Anjon being the principall actors openly seen in this wicked work who resolved not to let the Admirall depart out of Paris but there to dispatch him and all such as should indeavour to defend him Now it so fell out that one morning the Admirall comming out of the Lonure and going to dine at his lodging being on foot and without least suspition of any villanie to be attempted against him as he was reading a Petition one shot at him with a harquebush the bullet wherof tooke away the fore-finger of his right-hand and hurt him in the left-arme the villaine that shot escaped by flight a horse standing ready to post him away after he had done the deed The noble Admirall being therupon brought to his lodging shewed most singular Piety Constancy and Patience under his Surgeons hands was visited by divers Lords and Gentlemen of the Religion the K. of Navarr now the K. of France his brother in law and the Prince of Conde The French K. also though a maine plotter in the work craftily complained to these Princes of the mischiefe thus happened protesting his sorrow and swearing revenge and severe execution of Justice on the offendor whosoever he were The K. himself also went to visit the Admirall making many serious and deep protestations of his high esteem of his loyalty and fidelity to his Person and Crowne alwayes and that he held and esteemed him a most discreet and valiant Commander in Arms and that therfore he much respected him with many such like French complements Immediately after the Kings departure the K. of Navarr and the Prince of Conde were certainly but very secretly enformed of the intended massacre on all of the Religion and advised as speedily as they could to get away out of Paris and to be assured that that blow given to the Admirall was but the beginning of the Tragedy but alas good Princes they so much confided on the Kings vows promises that they rejected this advise and counsel staied ther still About Saturday evening being the 23. of Aug. 1572. certain Protestant Gen. offered themselves to watch that night with the good Admirall but Teligny his son in law would not suffer them but dismissed them with many thanks little suspecting still any approaching or precipitating danger on his father Night being come-on the Duke of Guises Lieut. in this action which now at this present was to be declared to the Duke of Anjon sent for all the Captains of the Switzers and companies of Strangers which still increased into the Town shewing them his Commissions to kill the Admir and all his partakers exhorting them to be couragious in shedding of blood and making spoyle of