came flocking to him every way and being fortified with new helps he laies siege to Malmesbury but the King coming upon him with more forces overcame the sewer forces of the Enemy Here is a thing to be rightly wonder'd at amongst drawn swords Peace began to shew her self Stephen procured rest by granting which he could not obtain by Victories and Henry obtained that Kingdom peaceably which he sought for by Warre For whilst here and there with equal endeavours they wage Warre Eustachius suddenly died and Stephen being deprived of an Heir to succeed him being overcome with mourning he willingly entred conditions of Peace with Henry and Mathilde whereby he assigned his Enemy to be his Successour and adopted him for his Sonne being he had none nearer of blood unto him so little faith or constancy is there in humane affairs they that but now fought with all their might do now embrace one the other and Stephen recovers his lost Sonne by adopting his Enemy So Henry seeking so great a Kingdom by Warre found both the Kingdom and a Father in Peace The affairs of England were too troublesom for Stephen to exact Tribute from his subjects yet he abundantly recompensed this loss by storing the Exchequer with the goods of the Rebels He made no Laws when as by reason of a continuall Warre he seemed more ready to receive than to give Yet he had no greater Victory than over the Clergy whose obstinacy and pride he regulated and made them good subjects He that had lived in Warre and contention ought not to die without trouble and neglect for he had scarce made Peace with Henry but he was afresh seized on by his old disease of the Emrods and the Cholick having not been free from Warre one year he died at Dover HENRY the second King of England Anno 1155. STephen being now dead Henry Duke of Aniou succeeded him in the Throne as he and King Stephen had agreed He behaved himself wisely when he began to Reign choosing the wisest men for his Counsellours expelling strangers that came in hopes of rapine especially those of Flanders demolishing the Casties that the Nobility had built at the connivance of King Stephen which they had often abused to sedition The Laws also that were faulty during the time of Warre he reduced to their former integrity and he banished some of the Nobility for perjury The Demeans which were bestowed upon those that were unworthy of them by Licence from King Stephen he took to himself and so he spared his subjects from Tributes thinking it safer to offend a few than many He had yet no Competitors and so was safer from Incursions and Rebellions The Welsh made some rude commotion who were no sooner up but he subdued them He made offensive Warre against Malcom King of Scots and drove him out by force from Northumberland the City of Carlile and New-castle which King Stephen had granted him He left him Huntington to do him homage for it for David King of Scots sake who was dead He took by force from his Brother Jeffrey after his Fathers death the Dukedom of Anion which his Father had granted him upon intreaty having the Popes indulgence to break his Oath Then he attempts to take to himself from Raymundus Earl of a place consecrated to Saint Aegidius the Dukedom of Tholouse which of right belonged unto him and when Lewis the King of France would help Raymund he wages Warre with them both Now the Armies were ready for battel but at the mediation of friends peace is at last concluded and the County of Tholouse is granted to Raymund for a time a Marriage being made between Henry King of Englands Son and Margaret Daughter to King Lewis If he managed all things wisely hitherto now he doth order his matters as foolishly taking his Son Henry into the Government with him For Lewis scorning the pusillanimity of his Son in Law that he would permit his Father to be equal with him in the Kingdom and would himself be a titular King only he easily inflamed his youthfull minde that was ready to take fire with unlawfull desires This envy had now broke forth into open hate and the Son began to cavil at all the Father either did or said Nor was the Sonnes ingratitude unknown to the Father wherefore messengers being sent to Lewis he endeavoured to oppress and extinguish those beginnings of discord But Lewis laught at the words of the Embassadours asking scornfully why they call'd him their Master who had freely delivered up his right to his Sonne and so dismissed them without any other answer To this there was joined the malice of Queen Eleoner that she bare him by reason that he loved whores whereby she instigated her other two Sons Richard and Jeffrey that they should assist the Son against the Father They fled to Henry into Normandy and conspire jointly against their Father Also William King of Scotland Hugh Earl of Chester Roger Mowbray Hugh Bigot and others fell from him Henry with this augmentation grew more bold and now provides open Warre against his Father Fortune was changeable in divers Battels both courage and fraud being employed in the Warres But Richard who had fallen off from his Father repenting of his errour came to him and craved pardon which he easily obtain'd at last some of the Rebels being taken and the Scotch vanquished Peace is confirmed between the Father and the Sonne at the Mediation of Richard Adela the Daughter of Lewis being married to Richard And so Henry returned into England with his Sons where Henry his eldest Sonne died and his Relict is sent home again into France to her Father and afterwards she was married to the King of Hungary But Richard taking it ill that his Marriage was so long deferred for the Father by his unlawfull lust was supposed to keep Adela for himself continually putting off the Matrimony fell again into the same Rebellion which he had renounced by Oath And being confederate with his Brother John and with Philip then King of France he makes Warre with his Father and at Ments he besieged the old King who slipt away in the night and thought though in vain to raise the siege at last the Town is delivered into the enemies hands to his greater loss because King Henry was born in that Town Wherefore either by reason of his power broken or by the loss of his native City his Majesty being eclipsed he that had hitherto given Laws was now forced to take Laws from the enemy And these are the Wars that he waged This King subdued Ireland without spilling blood Pope Hadrian an English man commanding it and he built a magnificent Palace at Dublin for the use of his Posterity He augmented his Treasure more by Confiscations and Parsimony than by Tributes and Imposts Because he was too sparing toward his children it is supposed that gave them occasion to revolt but he left an infinite Treasure when he died and recompensed
John and sets him a day of hearing to appear before him as one that ought him Homage But John refusing he entred his Territories by Arms and in short time he subdued all Normandy as it were in the face of John who staied sluggishly at Roan and afterwards doing nothing he returned into England the Nobility gnashing their teeth at it in vain To this may be added the second and third loss for Eleconer the Kings Mother died who did the Kingdom as much good by her vertues as the King did mischief by his vices Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury followed her who was another Ornament of the Kingdom And now John seemed to be in possibility to recover his loss so his subjects would bring Subsidies to help him to wage Warre which they strove who should do it most So he marcheth toward Portsmouth and suddenly set sail not waiting for the Noblemen that came after him but he had no sooner left the shore but he presently returned and upbraiding the Nobility because they followed him not with sluggishness and disobedience he fined them with a vast summe of money and so being the richer by his double Usury neglecting the War he returned home Philip in the mean while that he might expell all the English out of his Kingdom takes Chinon by force and he had quickly put an end to the Warre unless Guido the Husband of Constance falling off from Philip had joyned with John by whose help he levied a new Army whereby he took Mountalbans a Town otherwise impregnable with wonderfull celerity in fifteen daies and after that storming Aniou he gave the Plunder to his Souldiers rasing the Wals of the Town but he repented it afterwards and perchance because he was born in that City he built it again more firm and beautifull than it was And now Philip and John were in Arms now on this side now on that the Army expected the word to fall on and nothing but blood and slaughter was to be expected but at the Intercession of friends a Cessation was granted for two years John therefore returns for England but upon his return he enters the borders of the Scotch and kils multitudes of them and brought King Alexander to his obedience and those Irish that he found to have revolted he sailed with his Fleet thither and easily brought them under So he made the Rebel Welsh upon his return become Subjects taking eight and twenty Noble-mens children for pledges which when the Welsh rose again he commanded to kill them all So much prevails unadvised desire of wrong though sometimes it may oppose good examples to unsatisfied cruelty and so John was more cruel and valiant against none than toward his own Subjects He returned afterward into France that as we said he might repair the wals of Aniou when those of Poictou revolted to him But Lewis the sonne of Philip mustering an Army presently not only mastered and punished the Rebels but also put all Johns Army to flight and destroyed them taking the chief Nobility by which losse he was brought to desperation yet making peace he returned for England to vex his Subjects and to pour forth all his malice on the innocent In the mean time the Nobility of England because they could obtain from the King no release of their burdens conspiring together wage warre against him The King when he was too weak for them attempted to proceed by subtilty and calling the Nobility together granted them their requests But afterwards being discharged by the Pope from his promises he takes up armes against them and spoiling almost all England he threw down the Castles and Forts of all the Conspirators every where There was a Bull sent from the Pope against all the Nobility that disobeyed his Commands The Nobility being too weak for the King in Arms they commit an unjust and hainous wickednesse calling in the sonne of the French King to their assistance and promising obedience to him as to their King He stayed not but sailed for England with a Navy of six hundred ships The conspired Nobility joyn'd with him and so joyning their forces they came for London where Lewis with a fair speech wone the Citizens to his side Also the Scotch entred England with a mighty Army destroying all things in the way whereby Lewis as also by the other Forces being strengthned overruns all England with ease John in the mean time least he should seem to do nothing gathering together a great many vagabonds spoils miserably the Lands of his Subjects at last in the passing of some Rivers not a few of his followers being drown'd and being overweakned for want of help falling thereby into grief of minde and so into a Feaver he died within a few dayes Great controversies arose between the King and the Pope during his Raign in Church-matters about the choice of some Bishops The Pope got the upper-hand and made the King do him homage after that the businesse of the Church had stood still six years and three moneths He was immoderate in blasphemies and execrations Also he is thought to have sought aid from Mirammula King of Africa whilest he was in his troubles promising to him the Kingdom of England if he conquer'd and to renounce the Christian Faith He was sad and dark of countenance he was tall and fat sluggish and idle of Nature he seldome conquered the enemy but by force being inconstant in adverse fortune he was easily dejected He was false in his promises burdensom to his Subjects troublesom to his neighbours and hated of all HENRY the third King of England Anno 1517. AFter Johns decease his first born sonne Henry not yet passed nine years old obtain'd the Kingdom not without some controversie of the Nobles Some of the Nobility falling off to him who a little before had made a defection and swear to King Lewis yet Lewis with those that followed him from London with an Army of twenty thousand men wone many Towns till at last he came to the Castle at Lincoln which a certain noble woman did manly defend and caused him to stop and an Army of the English coming on in the mean time he was repulsed and conquered Many of the English Nobility being taken that stood with him besides the Count of Perch who preferred an honourable death before a dishonourable life yet he did not despair but sent for new forces out of France which were all almost destroyed in a fight at Sea By these misfortunes he was forced to take Conditions whereby there were granted to King Lewis in respect of his charge he had been at a hundred and five thousand franks he renouncing all Right to the Kingdom of England and promising faithfully to prevail with his Father to restore all the Provinces in France that belonged to the English But the King restored to the Rebel Nobility all the Lands that belonged unto them and so Lewis leaving England set sail at Dover for France having waged war unhappily in
French King a Maid of eight years old being betrothed to King Richard For Anna his former Wife was deceased The Duke of Glocester by an importune word blaming the Kings negligence fell into his displeasure and fearing some ill issue of it with his Brothers forsook the Court and entring into a Conspiracy with some friends he attempted to change the state of the Kingdom But the King under-feeling it with his Brother the Earl of Huntington took a progress to the Castle of the Duke of Glocester his Fathers Brother when he came there at night he found the Duke rising out of his Bed and presently going to meet him he was taken by the Earl Marshall and carried Prisoner to Callis and there was hanged miserably Also the Earl of Arundel the chief Conspiratour and some principall Noblemen are east into Prison And he afterwards in a Parliament being questioned for his life had his head cut off the rest being condemned either to be banished or to perpetual Imprisonment And thus Richard by the bloud of the Nobility thought to make good his Kingdom The Dukes of Norfolk and Hereford without any other witness appeaching one the other of Treason are admitted to fight a Duell but when they were both ready to fight they were commanded to forbear and so to spare blood they were both sent away to divers places into Banishment Norfolk went first for Germany then to Venice where he died of meer sorrow and grief But Hereford who had sail'd into France and there being instigated by the Counsel of the Archbishop of Canterbury who was banished for the same Conspiracy returned privately home under a pretence of his Patrimony to be redeemed which the King had brought into the Exchequer after his Fathers death against all Right and Equity but indeed that joyning with the Nobility he might order the Kings Insolence He was scarce landed but the Nobility came from all parts to him and he waxed very strong And having now a sufficient Army he took some Cities and beheaded the Kings chiefest Counsellours Richard in the interim was in Ireland and did his best to subdue the Irish When a Messenger came to him of the Commotions in England he was troubled at it yet made no haste according as the danger required At length the Earl of Salisbury was sent into England before him that he might levy what Forces he could the King promising in six dayes to be with him As soon as the Earl set foot in England he raised with ease a mighty Army of Welsh but the King not appearing a rumour was given that he was dead so part of his Forces went one way some another but a few stood to their Colours The King at last so soon as contrary windes would let him came to them But when he found so much of the Countrey to be fallen to Hereford and the Duke of Lancaster also by the death of his Father he quite fainted in his minde and bad all those men that came to help him to go whither they pleased yet they continuing their fidelity he with the Earl of Exeter and some others fled to the Castle of Conve where he found the Earl of Salisbury Here the Duke of Worcester who was Governour of the Kings House breaking his white Staff a sign of his Office and so renouncing his fidelity fell off from the King to the Lords Conspiratours Then the Earl of Northumberland is sent to the King who from that Castle conveyed him to another place saying also that he came to treat with the King for Conditions of Peace which the King did not refuse But in the way the Earl of Rutland coming upon him he is forced to go to Flint-Castle whether shortly after Henry the Duke of Lancaster came who was guilty and friendly received by the King and then he related the cause of his coming which was that he might receive his Rights and Goods The King granted and ratified all so they went to drink together and afterwards mounting on Horsback they ride towards London in a continued voyage in so great haste that the King had no leisure given him to change his cloaths Then was the King put into the Tower the Castle for the Nobility and was diligently watched there And a Parliament was called by the Command of Lancaster though it were falsly given out in the Kings Name wherein Richard was accused of divers crimes Namely That he had wasted the goods of the Kingdom That he had borrowed a vast summe of Money and not yet repay'd it That he had made all the Laws Arbitrary as he pleased That he had changed the Members of Parliament when he would That he had Tyrannically taken Power to himself over the Subjects Estates That he had corrupted the Judges That he had caused his Vncle Earl of Glocester to be barbarously murdered at Callis That he had imprisoned the Members of Parliament That beyond Right and Equity he had put the Earl of Arundel to extream Terture That be had depopulated his own Kingdome That be had pawned the Ornaments of the Kingdome and Kings out of the Kingdom and so forward For which faults they thought fit to deprive him of all his Honours and Title of King But he that he might seem to desire what he would have avoided willingly resigned all his Right to the Kingdom and freely gave it to Henry of Lancaster whom he nominated to succeed him which was ratified and confirmed by the Great Seal Then Richard being brought to Pomfret-Castle was discharged of his Crown Henry having thus got the Kingdome and not enduring any Competitour one day lamenting was heard to cry out Is there any man will free me from that hatefull man And presently one Peter Exton a Knight that he might winne the Kings favour with such a wickednesse went with eight more unto Richard whom he set upon to kill him being at Dinner but Richard rising hastily wresting the Ax out of the hands of one of his Executioners killed four of them and at last by this Peter Exton he was knocked down dead himself by an unhappy blow on the Head which the Parricides lamented when it was too late Thus the unhappiest and most well-favoured of the Kings of England ended his life and Kingdom HENRY the fourth King of England and France Anno 1399. HENRY of Lancaster who was nominated to succeed was crowned King but that he might not be thought to usurp that Kingdom which he had by Election he endeavoured to be established in his own Right vaunting that he was the next Heir being directly descended from Henry the third but that was false and counterfeit for Roger Mortimer Earl of Marsh deriving his Pedigree from the eldest Sonne of Henry the third had a better Title To this he added his Right of Force whereby he made good the Succession he could not have done by Inheritance Be it what it will be he maintain'd it by his Sword He gave good example when his
Florus Anglicus OR AN EXACT HISTORY OF England FROM THE RAIGN OF William the Conquerour to the Death of the Late KING By Lambert Wood Gent. LONDON Printed for Simon Miller at the Starre in St Pauls Church-yard 1657.6 The History of England TO THE READER FRIENDLY READER THou hast here a short Compendium of the Affaires of England yet written with so much Care and Diligence that there is nothing almost that is wanting in it but circumstances or things not usefull By this means I suppose I have spared the Reader both labour and time For what will it profit a man to spend his Age in searching out of that which he may have represented to him at an instant You may with one glance of your Eye runne over all the Writings and Pains taken by many Authours And that nothing might be wanting I have drawn forth the History from the very Infancy of it even unto the Death of CHARLES the First not following my own Advice but directed by the Testimony of them who setting aside all Envy were Reall and Eye-Witnesses of this Tragedy I have offered no Violence to the Truth by siding with any part If I loved the one I did not hate the other And if perhaps any Man which in Novelties is much desired by his future Experience shall bring forth the hidden Causes of things to the clearer Light I will not refuse to give Credit to it so farre is it from me from believing my own Report before the Relation of other Men. That which pleased me I think shall not be distastefull unto thee And I hope to reap the fruit of my Labours in it your kinde Acceptance which if I may obtain I aim at nothing else Judge moderately of the Style and censure it courteously It will not cause your Admiration shining forth in a Scholastick Brightnesse it will not retard curious Eyes with the Elegancie of words and glorying in the wittie choise of Sentences What can I say more It must be excused The desire of Praise could not carry me aloft who want Wings for it Moderate things please me when I can reach no higher Only I abhorre the envy of Detractors and the quarrelling of carping Momus Having premised thus much I shall remain A true Friend to my Countrey Lambert Wood. Courteous Reader These Books following are printed and sold by Simon Miller at the Starre in St Pauls Church-yard near the West end Folio The Civil Warres of Spain in the Raign of Charles the fifth Emperour of Germany and King of that Nation wherein our late unhappy Differences are parallel'd in many particulars The History of this Iron-Age with the Original and Causes of all Warres and Commotions that have happened throughout Europe from the Year 1500 to this present Quarto Abrahams Faith or the good old Religion proving the Doctrine of the Church of England to be the only true Faith of Gods Elect by J. Nicholson Minister of the Gospel Mr Boltons Directions The Anatomy of Mortality by George Strode Mr Ainsworth on the Canticles Mr Paul Baynes Diocesans Trial. The Supream Power of Christian States Vindicated from the Insolent Pretences of Gulielmus Apollonii by E. Gralle Politique and Military Observations of Civil and Military Governments The Birth Increase Decay of Monarchies the Carriage of Princes Magistrates Commanders and Favourites by D.P. Esq Mr Pinchin his meritorious Price of Christs Redemption Astrology Theologized shewing what Nature and Influence the Starres and Planets have over men and how the same may be diverted and avoided Octavo The Reconciler of the Bible A View of the Jewish Religion with their Rites Customs and Ceremonies Edward Waterhouse Esquire his Discourse of Piety and Charity A short View and Defence of the Reformation of the Church of England by King Edward and Queen Elizabeth wherein her Doctrine Liturgy and Discipline are considered and preferred before all others Mr Peter du Moulin His Antidote against Popery published on purpose to prevent the delusions of the Priests and Jesuites being seasonable for these times Herberts Devotions or a Companion for a Christian containing Meditations and Prayers usefull upon all occasions Mr Knowls His Rudiments of the Hebrew Tongue A Book of Schemes or Figures of Heaven ready set for every four Minutes of time The Poor mans Physician and Chyrurgeon Florus Anglicus or an exact History of England from the beginning to the death of the Late King Duodecimo Dr Smiths Practice of Physick Grammar Warre Posselius Apothegms Fuciculus Florum Crashaws Visions Robinsons Essayes The Christian Souldier his Combate with the three Arch-enemies of Man-kind the World the Flesh and the Devil together with his Conquest and Crown Vicessimo quarto The New-Testament The third Part of the Bible Playes The Ball. The Conspiracy The Tragedy of Chamlet Example Gamester Dukes Mistresse THE CONTENTS COncerning the first Kings of the Britans 1 Of the first Norman King 9 William the Second 16 Henry the First 20 Stephen King of England 25 Henry the Second 33 Richard the First 38 John the First 45 Henry the Third 53 Edward the First 64 Edward the Second 71 Edward the Third 85 Richard the Second 100 Henry the Fourth 115 Henry the Fifth 122 Henry the Sixth 131 Edward the Fourth 149 Edward the Fifth and Richard the Third 161 Henry the Seventh 172 Henry the Eighth 182 Edward the Sixth 200 Queen Mary 206 Queen Elizabeth 214 King James 223 King Charles the First 230 AN Exact History OF ENGLAND Concerning the first Kings of the Britans BRitany of old was subject not to one but to divers Kings The Names of four of them are called by Caesar Cingelarix Carvilius Taximagalus and Segonax whereupon the Conquest of the Romans over them was more sure though it were longer in doing for whilst they fought all severally they are generally overcome Yet the Britans did ever now and then make some resistance hardly submitting their necks to anothers Government Amongst whom for her Noble enterprise Vaodicia the Queen was most remarkable who with her two daughters Virgins having formerly been forced by the Roman Souldiery in revenge for her chastity abused raised a mighty Army and over-threw the Enemy with a great slaughter yet the fortune of the Warre changing afterwards she escaped bondage provided for her by drinking poyson This Island was subject to the Roman Government five hundred years but discord creeping in at home they left this place of their own accord which they had won with so much labour yet they took such Britans along with them which they thought most fit for Warre part whereof were slain in the Warre part were consumed with hunger and want and part of them transported themselves into that place in France for their safety which from them is called Britany The Picts and Scots they strive to enter upon the Countrey thus forsaken whom to resist they chose Vortigernus Earl of Cornwall for their King and implored the help of the Saxons or Anglo Saxons a Warlick Nation in
Right held but weakly for he made it up by good turns granting a General Pardon of all the wrongs had been done unto him but those that were guilty of the death of the Duke of Glocester he brought to a shamefull end abhorring so great wickednesse But after that the Fame of Richard being deposed was divulged in France King Charls was purposed to revenge his Sonne in Laws wrongs and to re-establish him in the Throne But when it was certainly understood that he was dead all that business came to nothing Also those of Aquitan and other places rising about the rumour of the death of their Duke were pacified by Messengers sent to them in time When he had got the Kingdom by troubles it could not be but that he must hold it with troubles also For John Earl of Exceter with John Montacnte Thomas Earl of Kent his Nephew Hugh Spencer and others conspired to invite Henry to Oxford under pretence of Running a Tilt thinking to kill him treacherously at this exercise But the matter was discovered and became void Thee what by fraud they could not do they attempt to do by open Warre carrying about with them a certain counterfeit Richard for he was not yet slain and they labour to restore him as one that was miserably wronged but their Forces running from them either by fear or distrust the Authours of it were taken and cruelly put to death The Welsh also about that time as their custome was make new Commations but the King came opportunely with his Army and easily dispersed them punishing the chief of them Whilst these things were in motion George Dumbar fled into England to the Earl of Northumberland craving assistance against David the Sonne of the King of Scotland for he had Divorced the Daughter of this George that was betrothed to him and had married another Wife not restoring the Dowry of the former Wherefore both of them making a Sally into Scotland fought first on equal terms with the Adversaries but at last they routed them and came back loaded with great spoil In the mean while Thomas Earl of Worcester knowing that the King was taken up with the Commotions in Wales joyning to himself Henry Earl of Stafford his Cousin by his Brothers side with an Army and the Scotch to boot who naturally hated the English beyond measure makes Warre against the King But the King least by delayes the mischief might encrease leaving Wales came in time to oppose them When both Armies were now ready they fell to it fiercely and fought long on equal terms untill such time as the perfidious Welsh came to assist Thomas and began the Battel afresh Yet Henry Father and Sonne gave wonderfull testimony of their invincible Courages running Thomas of Worcester through with a Lance and killing him whereupon they vanquished the Enemy that was now in such fair hopes and glorying of the Victory Henry Piercy the King took Prisoner and causeth his Head to be cut off Anno 1401. Also the Earl of Northumberland who was one of the partakers to save his Life fled to George of Dumbar Earl of Marsh who was now restored to his Estate in Scotland After this Conquest Prince Henry makes an inrode against the perfidious Welsh and easily put an end to a mutinous Warre subduing the Rebels banishing Owen the Ring-leader a very valiant man but seditious who was so brought to great want and ended his life miserably In the mean while the French came to help the Rebel Welsh with thirty Ships their Leader was James Borbon Earl of Marsh they set Sail but by a Tempest were brought upon some other Coast of England and they got into Cornwall upon which occasion they posfessed themselves of Plymouth Haven and coming on Land they ruine all places they meet with fire and Sword But storms suddenly arising twelve of their Ships were drown'd so they began to think how to return back and hastily giving warning to the rest laden with their prey they came again to France But Thomas the Sonne of King Henry with his Navy brought together depopulated the Frontiers of France and taking many Merchants-men sufficiently requited this Injury But the Kings of France and England being full of troubles at home and so thinking lesse of revenge made a Truce for some Moneths The King untill that time being a Batchelour took to Wife Joan that was formerly married to Duke Montfort and espoused her Daughter Blanch to the Sonne of the Duke of Bavaria At that time William Plunton a valiant warlike Knight conspired against the King with the Friends of Mowbray who as we said lived banished at Venice To these the men of Northumberland and lastly the Scotch united themselves The King being certain of this matter comes presently with an Army and easily defeated them Plunton and some of his Followers with Richard Scroop Archbishop of York who was said to have had a finger in this Rebellion was taken prisoner Plunton by the generall vote lost his Head for his insolence and afterwards the rest were put to death being convicted of this wickedness The King to extinguish Rebellion quite sent his Sonne Henry Prince of Wales against the Scots who were coming on to assist Plunton but they when they had heard that the Conspiracy was detected and the Authours of it executed were not come from their places But Henry that he might not lose his labour enters Scotland and wastes it miserably with fire and Sword and struck a wonderfull terrour upon the Scots so loading himself with the spoil and booty he returns back to his Father to London who was vexed to the purpose with new Commotions daily rising one out of another upon every occasion And now again some body had rais'd a Rumour amongst the People that Richard was yet alive whereupon the common people that alwayes gape after novelties being moved had made dangerous troubles if their faction had not been wisely and timely suppressed Also the Earl of Northumberland making a Covenant with George Earl of Marsh and raising some thousands of Scotch and English he enter'd the Borders of England and prey 's in an hostile manner on the Territories of Yorkshire The King went against them and overthrew all their Forces routing them in a tumultuary battel Some of the principal who fell into the Kings power were brought to York and executed there In the mean while Edmund Earl of Kent to suppress the French Pirats was set to Sea with a gallant Navy but not lighting upon the Pirats being hot with desire to fight he sought for them in the very Haven at the Temple of Brioâ— and when he could not fight at Sea he entred the City by Land but the Earl himself was killed by an unhappy blow with a stone yet his souldiers took the Town rifled it and burnt it and killing most of the inhabitants they returned again for England Also the English at the same time the Earl of Arundel being in chief did do their
overcame their Forces the most valiant fell in the fight the rest fled to save their lives The King and Queen escaped into Scotland leaving the Kingdom to Edward the fourth of that Name EDWARD the fourth King of England and France Anno 1461. EDWARD having got the Crown at last could not peaceably enjoy it For Henry that had fled into Scotland by the assistance of the Scots makes a new Warre upon him Edward meets him with equal Forces and fought him at Exham putting Henry and his Souldiers to their heels thirty thousand men were slain on both sides Edward giving the Command to spare none The Duke of Sommerset who formerly had fallen from Henry to Edward despairing of the success presently changed his minde at the report of so great an Army and revolted to Henry was taken and beheaded Henry again retires for Scotland waiting for another opportunity for his busines But afterwards returning for England in a disguise he was taken by the English and delivered up to Edward and by him that the state of the Kingdom might be the more quiet he was cast into prison In the mean time Edward took care of his houshold affairs and he married his Sister Margaret to Philip Duke of Burgundies Sonne Charles the Earl of Warwick being not a little mad at it who hated Burgundy worse than the plague whence and from other causes a grievous quarrel rose between them For Warwick hating the King drew to his faction his Brothers the Archbishop of York and the Marquess Montacute by a set speech and after that George Duke of Clarence the Kings Brother marrying his Sister to him and with the Duke he takes his voyage toward Callis for he was yet Governour of the City giving order to his Brothers in his absence to raise Tumults in Yorkshire They carefully observed what they had in charge and quickly causing a Tumult the common people as it usually happens in a blinde rage though they be raised against the innocent march to London armed that there they might seek for remedy of mischiefs they knew not what Edward hearing of this sedition sends William Herbert Earl of Pembroke hoping to subdue the people who was no sooner come but they put him to flight In the mean while Warwick upon this rumour with the Duke of Clarence arrived in England from Callis and so with joynt Forces they provide for another Battel Edward no way dismayed with the first loss sends Pembroke again with a new Army to fight them But when they fought his Army was beaten and he was taken prisoner and he was beheaded at Warwick with the other Nobility that fell into their hands Then there was a Treaty of Peace and Messengers being sent on both parts the King being animated with hopes of Agreement dealt the more securely which Warwick was not ignorant of and therefore falling upon the Kings Tents at night killing the Guard he takes the King prisoner who never dreamt of it and sends him first to Warwick then into Yorkshire to Middleham Castle to be secured But the King flattering the Keepers and bribing them with money by their connivance shortly came to York where the Citizens received him lovingly and so raising an Army by the assistance of Hastings he came safe to London Then there began a Treaty at London for Peace whither Warwick and the Duke of Clarence were come but this had no effect For they being stomackfull and very furious the matter could not come so farre as Peace wherefore all being left undone they depart and Warwick musters new Forces of which he makes Robert Wells sonne to Richard Commander in Chief But the King when he found he must engage again in Battel besides his expectation sent for Roberts Father Richard and his Kinsman Thomas Dimoke Knight to come to him who came upon the Kings promise of free Conduct The King commanded them to call off Robert from taking Arms and mustering Forces suddenly he goes against them with Thomas and Richard and when they were come to the Enemy and found that Robert would not hearken to his Fathers admonitions but held up his Arms still he contrary to his promise a most wicked example causeth both the Father and Kinsman to lose their Heads They fell to fighting and Roberts Forces were discomfited he himself was taken alive and immediately was beheaded Warwick at the news hereof with the Duke not knowing what course to steerâ— presently sailed into France to King Lewis who entertained him magnificently Queen Margaret Wife to Henry came also presently with Prince Edward who took counsel together and made a Covenant between the King the Earl and the Queen Edward in vain dehorting from it and Warwicks Daughter was betrothed to Edward and promise made on both sides that they would never cease untill the Kingdom should be restored either to Henry or to Edward his Sonne A mighty Army is raised and a vast Fleet rode at Anchor in the mouth of the Sienna Warwick invited by Letters from his friends with part of his Army and a Navy prepared with the Earls of Oxford and Pembroke came safe to Dartmouth The Queen who was not yet ready was to follow when she heard good news though the Duke of Burgundy observed his motion So soon as he was landed and it was published that he was arrived 't is wonderfull what multitudes of people ran to him with which being fortified he presently moves toward London But Edward not expecting an Enemy and leaving the care of raising Forces till another time with his Brother Richard Duke of Glocester took shipping at Lyn a Sea Town and sailed into Flanders to Charles of Burgundy to his own great disadvantage Queen Elizaboth being near to her travell fled to Westminster and made that her Asylum where she was deliverd of her Sonne Edward Warwick in the interim without any opposition came to London and marching to the Tower set King Henry at liberty and clothing him in his Kingly Ornaments attending him through the midst of London to St Pauls Church after thanks given to God he sets him in his Throne Then a Parliament was called and all King Henry had Enacted was ratified and the Acts of King Edward were maid void Edward with his followers was banished as an enemy of the Kingdom Edward in the mean time nothing dismay'd at this change raising an Army by the help of Charles of 12000 Men and with 18 Ships landed in Yorkshire His Army was so small that he durst attempt nothing only sent to perswade the people there but all in vain for they either by fear or for respect to Warwick would not falsifie their promise but when he gave out that he was come not for the Kingdom but to recover his Patrimony the Dukedom of York many running to him he grew somewhat stronger and so goes to York But the Towns men being warned by Letters from Warwick would not let Edward come in He spake fairly to the Citizens and desired
them that they would help their Lord not to get the Kingdom but his ancient Inheritance and so taking a solemn Oath that he would attempt nothing against King Henry toward getting the Crown he was admitted to enter within their Wals. But shortly after it appeared more clearly what his intention was for great ones use to pretend Religion to serve their turns which they make light of that with the greatest perjury they may compass what they desire He presently put a Garrison to secure the Town for himself and then hearing that the enemy made no great haste he marches to Nottingham to whom many Noble men came when they saw him fortified with a strong Army The very Duke of Clarence distrusting Henries side under a pretence of a Parley with his Brother came willingly to joyn with him Warwick also was solicited to fall off but he stuck fast to King Henry Then Edward in full confidence of his Army came up to London The Citizens were all frighted hearing that the Duke of Clarence was revolted and the people presently ran to meet Edward and with a great applause saluted him for their King Sommerset and the rest that followed Henry shift for themselves by flight leaving Henry in a Bishops Palace who was presently taken by Edward and committed to his former custody Then giving a generall pardon he won all the peoples hearts Warwick in the mean while mustering a gallant Army leads them to London and finding that Henry was cast into prison he stopt at St Albons Edward presently goes against him with a mighty power of men which augmented daily by the coming of more forces when both Armies came in sight at the break of day the Trumpets sound to Battell They fight stoutly on both sides Edward with more men Henry with more vertue yet Valour is vanquished by Force Warwick when he despaired of the Victory rid into the midst of the enemy and died gallantly with his Brother the Marquess ten thousand are slain Sommerset with Oxford flies into Wales The Earl of Exceter takes asylum at Westminster Edward like a Conquerour with King Henry for he brought him along with him enters London In the mean while the fame was that Queen Margaret was landed in England with a great Army and was corroborated for Warre by the Earl of Sommerset Devonshire Pembroke and others that joyned with her Wherefore Edward being sure to meet the enemy every where removes to Oxford with his Army At length he pursues Margaret whilst she thought to march into Wales and she by the unexpected coming of Pembroke which was very material taking counsel with Sommerset what to do gave him Battell the fight was fought at Teucksbury and the dispute was long and doubtfull at last Edward prevailed and all Margarets men almost were killed The Earl of Devonshire and Sommerset's Brother and many Nobles were slain Margaret Prince Edward the Duke of Sommerset and others about twenty Knights were taken and all of them except the Queen and Prince Edward were beheaded in two daies But Edward when he was brought to confer with the King and he answered more boldly than was convenient he was most cruelly slain by the standers by George Duke of Clarence Richard Duke of Glecester Thomas Gray Marquess of Dorset and William Hastings The Queen afterwards was set free for a Ransom and sailed into France and lived alwaies a sorrowfull and languishing life Edward having thus got the Victory comes in Triumph to London In the interim Faulconbridge Sonne to the Earl of Kent who was made Admiral of the Sea by Warwick when he had long plaid the Pirate coming into Kent raised a great force of Kentish men and entred into Londou But the Maior of the City raising an Army fell suddenly upon him and took all his booty from him chasing him away and killing many of his men Faulconbridge was taken afterwards and his head cut off Pembroke when he saw all was lost shifting away from the snares that were laid for his life and being more at ease by the death of Wagham who lay in wait for him with Henry his Nephew by his Brother Earl of Richmond and some few of his new friends arrived in France Edward that all things for the future might be more calm tamed the audacionsness of the Kentish men who had last taken up Arms against him partly by punishment partly by threats Also King Henry that he might give no occasion to new risings was killed in the Tower by the Duke of Glocester his Body was buried with no pomp but the Parricides and the Authors of his death as it shall be rehearsed were afterwards punished for murdering him He had reigned thirty eight years and six moneths he had an honest minde a comely personage and was more like a Saint than a King Edward to blot out all the footsteps of Rebellion cast George Archbishop of York into prison who was afterwards set at liberty yet died of grief of minde Also he cast the Earl of Oxford into prison where he kept him twelve years Others in other places were either captivated or put to death Then that the Rebels might not fly away to neighbour Nations he made Truce with James King of Scotland for twenty years The Earls of Pembroke and Richmond escaped into France where they were courteously entertained by the Duke of Brittain But afterwards when as Edward required that they should be delivered up to him and could not prevail they were kept more carefully by the Duke Then a Parliament being called Henries Decrees were nulled and Edwards confirmed and those that were banished their Country for his sake as enemies are called home again and the Kings Exchequer being extreamly wasted Subsidies are requested In the interim Warre burning between Lewis the King of France and the Duke of Burgundy to whom many Princes of France joyned themselves abhorring the manners of Lewis that were grievous to them Edward himself that he might not be wanting to assist his friend that he was bound unto for so many courtesies provided an Army and a Fleet and sailed to Callis Charles was presently with him and congratulates his Victory over the Rebels and invites him that was willing to enter upon a new Warre But Lewis being mightily afraid of two such potent enemies sent Embassadours to Edward The two Kings held a large Conference who met at Pictuigny where a League was made for many yeares 70000 Duccats being paid to Edward for his charges and 50000 to be paid yearly and Elizabeth Daughter to Edward was married to Charles Sonne to Lewis And so Peace being agreed upon Charles and Luxenburg that joyned with him in the Warre being not a little vexed at it Edward came first to Callis and from thence to England Luxenburg was afterwards taken in fight and lost his Head at Paris Edward though he had settled Peace at home and abroad yet thinking nothing safe enough for him whilst Henry Earl of Richmond was alive whose
stood for a Divorce of Queen Katharine The Pope in the mean time gave his Judgement for Katharine But Henry who had now Divorced Katharine by the Authority of many Divines and of those at Paris who were as it is supposed corrupted by money married Anne of Boloyne privately and being thereupon angry with the Pope he abolished all his Power over the English Church making it high Treason for any man to preferre the Popes Authority before the Kings or should pay Tribute to him which he had no right unto and caused them to be denied unto him for the future and made it a penalty for their life if any man should maintain the Pope to be the supream Head Then he made all the Churches of England and Ireland take an Oath to him that they should acknowledge him to be Head of the Church next under Christ The Discipline was thus changed but nothing in the Doctrine which he confirmed by a Synod called at London For he put to death many of those that followed Luther and Swinglius So Henry behaved himself in the rest of his life that had the Popes not been unjust against him he would willingly have submitted himself under their power The Pope being offended that he had lost his Authority sending out his Writings or Bull as they called it he Excommunicated Henry King of England but when it was known that it was procured by Queen Katharine it was the less regarded and she shortly after being deprived of friends lost her life for her contumacy In the mean time Sir Thomas More once Chancellour of England and John Fisher Bishop of Rochester who both refused to take the Oath of the Kings Supremacy lost their Heads Henry now using his own Authority invaded the goods of the Church and expelled the Monks out of their Monasteries Nor was he content with that but he cut off the Heads of his second Wife Anne of Boloyne Daughter to Thomas Bolen Earl of Wilshire accusing her for Incest and Adultery together with the Lord Rochsfort her Brother and others that were of the Kings Bed-Chamber Then he married Jane Semare who died afterwards in Childe-birth of Edward the sixth of that name who succeeded King Then he Divorced from him Anne of Cleve newly married and for her sake he beheaded Thomas Cromwell who made the match who was risen from a mean estate to a vast power by the success of Fortune Also Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk had his Head chopt off being charged of Treason because he had privily married Margaret Daughter to the King of Scots and Henries Neece Margaret was first detained then she was set free after that she was married to Matthew Earl of Leven King James his Grandfather In the mean time seditions arose in the North parts of England here and there by reason of the change made of Church Ceremonies some were punished for it some were sent home and some were subdued by force of Arms the troubles were happily asswaged yet not without some danger for it was a matter of great concernment to keep all quiet under new customs Henry now married his fifth Wife Katharine Howard but her he beheaded shortly after with the Lord of Rochsfort condemning her for Lasciviousness At that time Henry had the Title of King of Ireland when as before he was called only Lord of it In the interim Arthur Plantagenet bastard to Edward the fourth is accused of Treason but when he was proved not guilty he was received into the Kings favour but Arthur took so much joy at it that he died the next night of meer rejoycing The Scotch now entring the Frontiers of England and spoiling them compell Henry to take Arms who sent the Duke of Norfolk with an Army into Scotland who ruined many Villages and Houses and not seeing any enemy he returned to Barwick The Scot would not suffer this violence to be unrevenged but musters an Army suddenly and fals into England but his men being scattered and killed the Scot fell into such grief of minde and then into a Feaver that he quickly died of it leaving Mary Stewart his Daughter but eight daies old Heir of the Kingdom Henry to put an end to so great dissentions by the union of these two Nations dealt with the captive Lords to Espouse this Inheritrix of Scotland to his Son Edward who were set at liberty to press the business But by the mediation of the Cardinal of St Andrews this Treaty was made void the Daughter being married to the Dolphin Henry was enraged at this and sent a valiant Army into Scotland and burnt Leeth which pacified his wrath Then he made peace with Charles the fifth the Emperour and he married his sixth Wife Katharine Latimers Widow who was brought in danger of her life upon suspition of the change of her Religion but by her prudence and humility she escaped Now Henry by his Covenant with the Emperour proclaims Warre against the French King and sent an Army unto Callis under the command of John Wallop which joyning with the Forces of Charles besieged the City Landreice But the French making shew of a Battell called the Emperour off from the siege and when he had brought provision into the City he retreated having deluded Charles Then Henry mustering a mighty force sails himself into France and besieging Bononia won the place In the mean time the English Ships which they had taken from the French are filled with provision at London but the English had bad success in their fight in Scotland and Henries men were vanquished by which Victory and new forces they had recruited themselves with from France the Scots grew insolent and invade England But the English by the good success of the Earl of Hereford destroyed an innumerable company of Villages in Scotland and returned home Conquerours though otherwise they sustained a mighty loss by the Scots The Admirall of England with a Fleet did mischief on the coasts of Normandy and destroyed a multitude of the enemy but shortly after there was a Treaty made between the French and the English and the conditions of agreement were that the French should redeem Bononia with eight hundred thousand Crowns In the mean time Thomas Duke of Norfolk and Henry Earl of Surrey his Son are accused of Treason because they had engraven something in their Coats of Arms that seemed to be peculiar to the King and though they did defend their Titles very abundantly yet the Earl lost his Head But the Duke was kept in prison till the Reign of Queen Mary Henry died about this time in the year 1547 when he had reigned 38 years and was 56 years old He was a Prince adorned with all gifts of Nature and in whom had he not too much loved his pleasure there was no defect He was a great favourer of Learning EDWARD the sixth King of England France and Ireland Anno 1547. HENRY dying left his Sonne Edward born of Seymer by his Will to succeed him
and Yorkshire were revolted from him at the Report of what was past and for fear of them his counsel was troubled But the Parliament which the King in his straights was not ignorant of thought fit to proceed and did prescribe Conditions to the King namely That the English should be governed the same way as the Scotch were and to that they might call a Parliament as often as they pleased and assign Offices to whom they thought fit That the Bishops should be ejected out of the Parliament whom they found more addicted to the Kings side and many such like Propositions In the mean time the Houses take into their Power the Towns of greatest concernment amongst which Hull was one The King had sent the Earl of New-castle thither before to demand it for himself but the Townsmen who had first received order from the Parliament being doubtfull what to do were between hope and fear but then being confirmed with a farther order from the Parliament they excluded the King Wherefore being defrauded of his hope he resolves upon more milde counsels and sent Letters to the two Houses desiring them not to proceed so harshly to leave off their violence protesting his Innocence and sincere intention before God and man But the Parliament little moved by these words take care in the mean time for the business of Ireland giving Licence to Martin Tromp the Admiral of Holland to search all Dunkirk ships even in they very English Havens Also Digby and Lunsford that were addicted to the King are accused of High Treason the one was taken the other escaped into Holland Then they send Messengers to the King and gave him thanks for his Letters desiring his Majesty to return to London The King though he were pleased with their gratitude yet refused to come to the Parliament least the people by their Insolence should again put him in danger The Parliament was much displeased with this refusall of the King because the traffique did not proceed well and because they could not press their designs as they would Whereupon the Lower House drew up an Humble Remonstrance Whereby they desired Power to bestow all Places of Government both by Sea and Land upon whom they thought fit and to fortifie Towns with Ammunition and Provision necessary as they pleased And proceeding yet farther They asked that the old Servants of the Queen both English and French and such as were her Priests might be banished and the Bishops and Lords addicted to the Popish Religion might be excluded from the Parliament-House That a Synod of fifty Ministers might be called That the Princes and Lords should be forbidden to go out of the Land or to make any Covenant with forrain Princes or Commonwealths without the Parliaments consent Lastly They desired that the King should take an Oath to hold no counsel with the Queen in Church or State affairs The Lords of the Upper House were not well pleased with these Propositions for that the Kings Authority was palpably infringed by them The Lower House was angry at that and fell to their former Artifice and threatned to raise the people and incite them against the Nobility as Enemies to the Commonwealth and addicted to the Kings side The Lords regarded not their threats untill they saw the Commons uniting themselves by counsel from the Lower House and which is to be admired they found the Commissioners of Scotland to joyn with them against the profit of their own Countrey At last they were terrified with these things and fore-seeing greater dangers they consent though it were against their wils Twenty chosen men therefore are sent to the King with these Conditions which when the King beheld he undertook to ask Counsell thereupon and to deliver his minde in writing But when he was pressed with straights on all sides he yielded to these Conditions namely That the Parliament should store the Cities of the Kingdom with provision upon this ground that the King should first be made acquainted what provision they would make and to bestow the Offices so that of three men chosen the King might choose one As for the Bishops and the rest as being matters of great moment he would advise farther The Kings Consent was received by the Parliament with great applause though they could have desired the terms of his Grant had been larger for by this Authority they increased in power as much as the King decreased They brought the business so farre that the power should be in their hands so long as the Parliament sate which they meant for ever For the King by a dangerous Indulgence had granted them leave before to sit so long as they pleased they being not to be dissolved without their own Consent And that this power granted to them might not prove unfruitfull they presently put out some Governours and put in others Nor are they content with this but being higher by the Kings Grants they petition that the six Members should be cleared from all guilt and to be freed from attainder the King was resolved to yield to all and did grant what they asked The Kings courage was so farre weakned that he lifted up the Power of his Adversaries and pulled down the hopes of his friends who trusting but little to his over great lenity thought it best to avoid the strokes or misfortune now hanging over their heads Part of them forsaking the Parliament went home to their houses Part of them preferring voluntary banishment before continual fear went out of the Land for they had now got the power of all into their hands and did what they pleased no man daring to whisper against it And now that plenty of Parliament-members was so diminished that in the Upper House there were left not above five and twenty in the Lower House scarce fourscore the Kings friends still falling off that at last there were hardly sixteen in the House of Lords In the mean time they raged fiercely against those that were addicted to the Romish Religion and they provide a Fleet with the Kings Treasure to defend the Mediterranean Sea upon all occasions whereby his Power was diminished and his Authority broken The Queen also was so tired out with so many calumnies and aspersions that she resolved to sail into Holland and to accompany her Daughter to her Husband the Prince of Orange to whom she was espoused And the Parliament to leave the King naked of that succour easily yielded to it The King that he might clearly demonstrate that he by his presence had been no cause of any of those evils before his departure had consented to the Petition of the Parliament to exclude the Bishops out of the House which was not the least of his failings And to discover his minde plainly toward the Reformed Religion he caused a severe Statute to be published against the Papists and banished all their Priests out of the Kingdom 'T is marvellous with how great joy the people accepted that Bonfires were made in
Norman Kings STEPHEN King of England Anno 1136. HEnry being dead Stephen upon a doubtfull Title and his elder Brothers delaying first possessing succeeded He won the English partly by promises partly by benevolence to which was added his Title of Inheritance Having laid hold on the Kingdom by promises he endeavours to make it good by courtesie He took off the heaviest Taxes and granted his own right to the Clergy which the former Kings kept to themselves Also he would that Church-men should be free from yielding obedience to the temporal Magistrate Thus he won the people and the Church-men and the Nobility by granting them free leave to Hunt and liberty to build Castles His Brother Theobald who by his Birthright was next to the Crown he pacified by a yearly Pension Moreover to win the good will of strangers he obtained for his Sonne Eustachius Constance the Daughter of Lewis King of France yet he did not more by that Marriage than by Treasures strengthen himself in the Kingdom of King Henry which he spent not luxuriously but to leavy Souldiers and to wage Warre with He was scarce Crowned before he was forced to fall to his Arms for David King of Scotland striving to assert the Interest of Maud the Empress proclaimed Warre against Stephen and possessed himself of the Towns of Carlile and New-castle Stephen marched against him with a great Army and granting Cumberland to David and the County of Huntington to his Sonne he put by a Tempest that was coming on without any blood-shed at all Not long after he was shaken with Civil Commotions greater than before for when he was sickly he was reported by some to be dead whereupon the Nobles abusing their Castles to the Kings ruine conspired together and endeavour to get the Kingdom into their own power Stephen least by delay the danger should get strength partly by his Captains partly with his own hand he subdued the boldness of the Rebels He marched against Baldwin the ring-leader of the Conspirators and driving him out of Oxford he pursues him as farre as the Isle of Wight and forcing him from thence he enjoyned him perpetuall banishment He was scarce quiet at home but a Warre from abroad puts him to further trouble For Jeffrey Plantagenet relying on the Title of Maud his Wife invades Normandy with offensive Arms and strives to possess himself of his Grandfathers Territories Stephen quickly levying an Army hastens thither they having fought in divers small skirmishes come to an agreement namely that Jeffrey should abstain from all Title and Right Stephen paying to him an annuity of 35000 Franks When he returned he found the Kingdom full of Warre and Tumults for the Nobility enter upon a Conspiracy because the King kept not his promises and every one of them makes Warre in his own Dominions Also David King of Scotland forgetfull of his Covenant enters upon Northumberland and miserably made havock of all by fire and sword he neither spared women nor innocent children he kils the Priests before the Altars the sacred Virgins are ravished in the Churches The King to oppose himself against the greatest danger first bends his forces against the Scots But the Warre during long giving command to Thurstin Archbishop of York to wage Warre with the Scots he returned home that he might tame the rest of the Rebels which by force of Arms by Promises and by his Benevolence he at last reclaimed Thurstin in the mean time joyning Battell subdued the Scots and slew them with a great slaughter for eleven thousand Scots were slain in the fight besides those that ran away and were killed in the pursuit The King being made more bold by this success enters now with Arms upon Scotland and afflicted David with a sore loss and compelled him to beg for peace which at last he yielded to Stephen taking Henry the Son to David for Hostage Stephen returning laid siege to Ludlow the receptacle for the Conspirators and with his own hand he freed Henry whom he had taken for a pledge The most cruel tempest followed this fortune for Maude requiring her Right arrived in England Stephen hearing this laies siege to Arundel Castle where by chance she harboured her self but in this desperate siege water being all spent Maude delivers up the Castle having leave given her to retire towards Bristol In the mean while he quickly removes to Lincoln taken by Randulph Sonne to Robert Earl of Glocester and environs it with a siege The Earls of Chester and Glocester endeavouring to free the City fight with Stephen hand to hand in which fight Stephen is taken prisoner after that he had given wonderfull arguments of his prowess and he is brought before Maud who sent him toward Bristol to be imprisoned and she in the mean while possesseth the Kingdom entring London as Conquerour in Triumph But Maude or Mathilde the wife of Stephen hearing of the Kings misfortune humbly intreated Maud that she being of a long time weary of the Government might have liberty to live with her Husband a private life Also the Londoners they require their antient Laws which they enjoyed under Edward the Confessor but Maud would grant neither Maud not enduring the high stomack of Mathilde and detesting ignoble servitude cals for Eustachius her Sonne with a select company of Souldiers out of Kent to London who joyning with the Londoners that were wonderfully offended that their suits were denied them also fortifying himself with the help of the Bishop of Winchester they fall upon the Army of Mathilde which fled privately to Oxford and asked not help in vain of David King of Scotland by whose assistance her Army being increased she besieged Winchester But the Queen with her Sonne Eustachius falling on her fortress overcame Mathilde in a pitched Battell and took Robert Sonne to Mathilde but Mathilde her self escaped luckily A Treaty for Peace followed this fortune whereby Robert on the one hand Stephen on the other are set at liberty but there was no other condition agreed upon wherefore the Trumpet sounds again to Warre and Stephen being now free besieges Mathilde at Oxford but she despising danger passed through his Army in the night Yet she was so frighted with the present danger that she ever after forbare to make Warre with him leaving the charge of the whole business to her Son Henry In the mean while the City of Lincoln was valiantly defended against the King But at last the Earl willingly yielded to the King desiring reconciliation yet Stephen entertained him not so courteously but spoil'd the miserable Earl of all his Estate by which perjury he did not a little alienate the mindes of his subjects Henry by the death of his Father Jeffrey having got the Dukedom of Aniou and of Aquitan and with his Wife Eleonar the County of Poicteirs by a fresh attempt but with a few Souldiers sails for England hoping at last to regain his Grandfathers Kingdom He was no sooner landed but his friends