in death and find the weaknesse and fault of the counsell which you are about to follow Many like speeches were with great vehemeÌ„cy often repeated but the kings eares were stopped against all impression of manhood and as he was vnable to gouerne himselfe in his prosperous estate so was he much lesse sufficient to wind out of these intricate troubles Therfore perceiuing himselfe so straitly beset that he could hardly either escape away or shift any longer he desired speech with Tho. Arundel archbish of Cant. L. Hen. Percy earle of Northumb. of whom the one he had banished the other he had proclaimed traitor not long before These two came vnto him the king vpon short coÌ„ference vnderstanding what stiffe stomacks they bare against him was coÌ„tent not to demand that which he saw he could not obtaine thereupon agreed that he would relinquish his estate vpoÌ„ condition that an honorable liuing might be assigned him life promised to 8. such persons as he would name the greatest number whom aduersity did not alter This was then both readily faithfully promised by the Archbish. and the earle afterward solemnly ratified by the duke The king ceased not to intreat submisly promise largely and as the nature is of men perplexed with feare aboue his ability without measure the earle incouraged him and declared that the Duke before he had obtained any aide secured by his oath the safety of the kings person Then the king desired to talke with the duke which was likewise promised so the archbish the earle departed the king remoued to the castle of Flint about 8. miles distant from Chester to which place the Duke came to him Here the coutenances words of both were noted by them that were present the king seemed abiect base the duke neither iusulting nor relenting but comforting and promising friendly The king repeated many benefits kindnesses that he had shewed how in former time he had spared the dukes owne life lately his sonnes in regard where of he desired him with such submisnes as was agreeable rather with his necessity then his honour that he would shew some pitie where he had receiued such pleasure and permit him to enioy his life with such priuate maintenance as was coÌ„uenient for his estate The duke put hâ—m in good comfort promising him assuredly that he would prouide for his safety for which he suffered himselfe to be solemnly thanked thought it not much to haue it accounted a great benefit Indeed from that time the king was kept safe and sure enough from hindring any of the dukes purposes neither could it so easily haue bene discerned what had beue best for him to do as that this which he did was the very worst for the same night he was brought by the duke and his army to Chester and from thence secretly conueyed to the Tower of London there to be kept safe vntill the Parliament which was appointed shortly after to be holden Thus the King yeal ded himselfe the 20. day of August being the 47. day after the Dukes arriuall so that his iournyes considered from Houldernesse in the North to London from thence to Bristowe so into Wales backe againe to Chesten a man shal not easily trauaile ouer the land in shorter time then he conquered it So frienly was fortune vnto him that hee eyther found or made a readie passage through al hinderances and lets it seemed that he needed onely to open his armes to meete and receiue her as she offered her selfe vnto him All the Kings treasure Iewels with his horses and all his fardage came to the Dukes hands and many that were in his companie were afterwards also despoyled by the souldiours of Northumberland and Wales Some writers affirme that the King did not yeald himselfe but was forelaied taken as he was secretly passing froÌ„ Flint to Chester but the authoritie of others who liued in that time eyther in the plaine viewe or certaine intelligence of these affaires who for their place could not but knowe and for their professioÌ„ would not but deliuer the very truth hath drawne me to follow their report which I find also receiued by some late wrighters of as great deapth in iudgement and choice as any without exception that this age hath brought forth As the King was carried towards London certaine citizens conspired to lay themselues in a wait by the way and sodainly to slay him partly for priuate grieuances partly for the cruelty that he had vsed towards the whole citty but the Maior vpon intelligence preuented the practise and rode forth in person with a coÌ„uenient company to conduct him safely vnto the tower Shortly after the duke came to LondoÌ„ in solemn estate and sent forth summons in the Kings name for a Parlament to be holden at Westminster the last day of SepteÌ„ber in the same yeare in the meane time he deliberated with his kindred and kind friends coÌ„cerning the order of his proceedings The duke of Yorke who a litle before had bene gouernour of the realm for the king theÌ„ was the chiefest directer of the duke thoght it best that K. Richard should both voluntarily resigne also solemnly be deposed by consent of all the states of the realme for resignation only would be imputed to feare and depriuatiâ—â— to force whereof the one is alwaies pitied and the other enuied but if both concurre and his desire be combined with his desart being willing to forsake that which he is adiudged worthy to forgo then shall it appeare that he neither is expelled his kingdom by meere constraint nor leaueth it without iust cause This aduice pleased the rest and for executing therof vpon the day of S. Michaeil which was the day before the parlament should begin there assembled at the Tower Thomas Arundell archbish of Canturbury Richard Scroupe archbish of Yorke Iohn bishop of Hereford Henry duke of Lancaster Henry earle of Northumberland Radulph Earle of Westmerland L. Hugh Burnell L. Thomas Berkley L. Rose L. Willoughby L. Abergeiny the Abbat of Westminster the Prior of Canterbury Willam Thirminges and Iohn Makeham Chiefe Iustices Thomas Stâ—ke and Iohn Burbacke Doctours of Law T. Herpingham and T. Gray knights W. Ferby and Dionise Lophane publike Notaries and diuers others either not noted or not remembred When all were set in their places King Richard was brought foorth apparelled in his royall to be the diademe on his head and the scepter in his hand and was placed amongst them in a chaire of estate Neuer was prince so gorgeous with lesse glory and greater griefe to whom it was not disgrace sufficient to lose both the honour and ornaments of a king but he must openly to his greater scorne renounce the one and deliuer the other After a little pause and expectation the king arose from his seat and spake to the assembly these words or the very like in effect I assure my selfe that
Henry the third but they were not able yet were they able to depose King Edward the second and to constitute his young sonne Edward King in his steade these are not all and yet enough to cleare this action of rarenesse in other countries noueltie in our The difficulty indeede is somewhat because the excellencie is great but they that are affraide of euery bush shall neuer take the bird your selfe had once some triall hereof when without battaile without bloud or blowes you had the King at such a lift as he held his Crowne at your courtesie euen at that time when his grieuances were neither for greatnes nor continuance so intollerable as now they are growne and by reason of his tender yeres not out of al compasse both of excuse for the fault and of hope for an amendement And as concerning the lawfulnesse Nay said the Duke where necessity doth enforce it is superfluous to vse speach either of easinesse or of lawfulnesse necessitie will beate thorow brasen Walles and can be limited by no lawes I haue felt verie deeply my part in these calamities and I would you knew with what griefe I haue beheld your for what other reward haue I receiued of all my trauailes and seruices but the death of my vncle and dearest friends my owne banishment the imprisonmeut of my children and losse of my inheritance and what haue beene returned to you for your bloud so often shed in his vnfortunate warres but continuall tributes scourges gallowes and slauerie I haue made sufficient proofe both of pacience in my owne miseries and of pittie in your remedy them hither to I could not If now I can I will not refuse to sustain that part which yonr importunitie doth impose vpon me if we preuaile we shall recouer againe our libertie if wee loose our state shall be no worse theÌ„ now it is and since we must needs perish either deseruingly or without cause it is more honorable to put our selues vpon â—he aduenture eyther to winne our liues or to dye for deserte and although our liues were safe which in deede are not yet to abandon the state ane sleepe still in this slauerie were a poynt of negligence and sloath It remaineth then that we vse both secrecie and celeritie laying hold vpon the oportunitie which the Kings absence hath now presented vnto vs for in al enterprises which neuer are commended before they bee atchieued delayes are daungerous and more safe it is to be founde in action then in counsaile for they that deliberate onely to rebell haue rebelled already So the messengers departed into England to declare the Dukes acceptance and to make preparation against his arriuall both of armour and of subiection and desire to obey Presently after their departure the Duke signified to Charles king of Fraunce that he had a desire to goe into Brittaine â—o visite Iohn Duke of Brittaine his friend and kinsman The King suspecting no further fetch sent letters of commendation in his fauour to the Duke of Brittaine but if he had surmised any dangerous drift against King Richard who not long before had taken his daughter to wife in stead of letters of safe-conducte he would haue founde lettes to haue kept him safe from disturbing his sonne in lawes estate Assoone as the Duke was come into Brittaine he waged certaine souldiours and presently departed to Calice and so committed to sea for England giuing forth that the onely cause of his voyage was to recouer the Duchie of Lanchaster and the rest of his lawfull inheritance which the King wrongfully deteyned from him In his companie was Thomas Arundell the Archbishop of Canterburie and Thomas the sonne heire of Richard late earle of Arundell who was very yong and had a little before escaped out of prison and fled into France to the Duke The residue of his attendants were very few not exceeding the number of fifteen lances so that it is hard to esteeme whether it was greater maruaile either that he durst attempt or that he did preuaile with so smal a company but his chiefest coÌ„fidence was in the fauour assistance of the people within the realme So he did beare with England yet not in a streight course but floated along the shoare making head sometimes to one coast and sometimes to another to discouer what forces were in a readines either to resist or to receiue him As he was in this sort houering on the seas L. Edmund duke of Yorke the kings vncle to whom the king had committed the custody of the Realme during the time of his absence called vnto him EdmuÌ„d Stafford bishop of Chichester L. Ghancellour W. Scroupe earle of Wiltshire L. Treasurour of the Realme also Sir Iohn Bushie Sir Henry Greene Sir William Bagot Sir Iohn Russell and certain others of the kings Priuy councell and entred into deliberation what was best to be done At the last it was concluded deceitfully by some vnskilfully by others and by all perniciously for the king to leaue the sea coasts and to leaue London the very walles castle of the Realme and to goe to S. Albons there to gather strength sufficient to encounter with the duke It is most certaine that the dukes side was not any wayes more furthered then by this dissembling and deceiuable dealing for open hostility and armes may openly and by armes be resisted but priuy practises as they are hardly espied so are they seldome auoided And thus by this meanes the duke landed about the feast of Saiud Martin without let or resistance at Rauenspur in Houldernesse as most writers affirme Presently after his ariual there resorted to him Lord Henrie Pearcie Earle of Northumberland and Lord Henry his son Earle of Westmerland Lorde Radulph Neuill Lorde Rose Lord Willoughby many other personages of honor whose company encreased reputation to the cause and was a great couutenance and strength to the Dukes further purposes And first they tooke of him an oath that hee should neither procure nor permit any bodily harme to be done vnto King Richard whereupon they bound themselues vpon their honours to prosecute all extremities against his mischieuous counsailers And this was one step further then that which the Duke pretended at the first when hee tooke shipping at Callice which was only the recouery of his inheritance but that was as yet not determined nor treated and of some perhaps not thought vpon which afterwardes it did ensue and so was that place easily insinuated into by degrees which with maine and direct violence would hardlier haue bin obtained Then the common people desperate vpon newe desires and without head head-long to matters of innouation flocked very fast to these noble men the better sort for loue to the common-wealth some vpon a wanton lenetie and vaine desire of change others in regard of their ownâ— distressed and decayed estate who setting their chiefe hopes and deuises vppon a generall disturbance were then most safe when the common state was
Berkley Thom. Erpinghame Thom. Graye Knights Will. Thirninge Iustice Commissioners for the matters hereafter specified by the Lords spirituall and temporall of the realme of England and the Commons of the said realme representing all the states of the saide Kingdome specially deputed sitting in seate of iudgement and considering the manifold periuries and cruelties and many other crimes and offerces by Richard late King of the saide realme committed and doone contrarie to good gouernement in the realmes and dominions aforesaide during the time of his reigne also considering the articles which were openly â—â—â—bibited and red before the said states which were so publicke notorious manifest and famous that they could nor can by no auoydance and shift be concealed also considering the confession of the saide King acknowledging and reputing and truly vpon his certaine knowledge iudging himselfe to haue been and to be altogether insufficient and vnskilfull for the rule and gouernment of the realmes and Dominions aforesaid and of any parts of them and not vnworthy to be deposed for the notorious demerites by the said Richard first acknowledged and afterward by his will and mandate before the said states published and to them opened and declared in the English tongue Vpon these and other matters which were done concerning the same busines before the said States and vs by the diligent place name and authority to vs in this part committed in aboundance and for a cautele we pronounce decree and declare the saide Richard to haue beene and to be vnprofitable and vnable and altogether insufficient and vnworthie for the rule and gouernement of the said realmes and of the dominions rights and parts of them and in regarde and respect of the premises worthily to be deposed from all kinglie dignitie and honour if any such dignitie and honour remaineth in him and for the like cautele wee doe depose him by our sentence definitiue in this writing inhibiting from hencefoorth expressely all and singular Lords Archbishops Bishops Prelates Dukes Marquesses and Earles Barons Knights Vassalles and all other persons whatsoeuer of the saide realmes and dominions and other places to the said realmes and dominions appertaining the subiects and liege people of the same and euery of them that from henceforth none obey or intend to obey the foresaid Richard as king or Lord of the realmes and dominions aforesaid Then the same Commissioners were by the consent and suffrages of both houses constituted procurators ioyntlye and seuerally for all the states of the realme to resigne and surrender vnto King Richard for them and all other homagers of the realme all the homages and fealties which were both due and doone vnto him as King and Soueraigne and also to declare vnto him al the premises concerning his deposition Now Henrie Duke of Lancaster that he might be reputed or reported at the least not to attaine the kingdom by intrusion and wrong was counsailed by his friends to pretend some lawfull challenge and claime therevnto and being in power it was no sooner aduised what was to bee doone but it was presently deuised how to doe it So a title was drawne from Edmund sonne to King Henrie the third whom they surnamed Crowch backe affirming that he was the eldest sonne of King Henrie and that for his deformitie he was put from his right of succession in the kingdome which was for that cause giuen to his yonger brother King Edward the third to this Edmund the Duke was next of bloud by his mother Blanche sole daughter and heyre to Henrie the first Duke of Lancaster and sonne to the saide Edmund This cunning conceit was perceiued of all men but seeming not to perceiue it was a point of friendship in some and of obedience in the rest therfore the kingdome of England being then thought vacant both by the resignation and also by the deposition of King Richard Duke Henrie arose from his seate and standing in the view of the Lords crossed himselfe on the forehead and on the brest and spake as followeth In the name of God Amen 〈◊〉 Henrie of Lancaster claime the realme of England â—â—â—â—owne with all the appurtenances 〈…〉 of the bloud royall comming from that good Lord K. Henrie the third and through the right that God of this grace hath sent mee with the helpe of my kindred and of my friendes to recouer the same Which kingdome was in point to be vndoone for default of good gouernment and due iustice After these wordes it was demaunded in both houses of the Nobility of the commons which were assembled whether they did consent that the Duke should raigne Who all with one voyce acknowledged and accepted him for their King then the Archbishop of Canterbury tooke him by the hand and placed him in the throane of estate the Archbishoppe of Yorke assisting him and all the assemblie testifying their owne ioy and wishing his Then the Archbishop made an oration and tooke for his theame this place of Scripture See this is the man whom I spake to thee of this same shall raigne ouer my people 1. Reg. 9. 17. After all this he was proclaimed King of England and of Fraunce and Lord of Ireland and the common people which is voide of cares not searching into sequels but without difference of right or wrong inclinable to follow those that are mighty with shoutes and clamours gaue their applause not all vpon iudgement or faithfull meaning but most onely vpon a receiued custome to flatter the Prince whatsoeuer he be Yet least the heate of this humour should allay by delay it was foorthwith proclaimed in the great Hall that vpon the 13. day of September next ensuing the Coronation of the King should be celebrated at Westminster These matters being thus dispatched the King proclaimed arose from his seate and went to White Hall where he spent the rest of the day in royall feasting and all other complementes of ioy notwithstanding there appeared in him no token of statelynesse or pride nor any change in so great a change Vpon Wednesday next following the procurators before mentioned went to the presence of King Richard being within the Tower and declared vnto him the admission of his resignation and also the order and forme of his deposition and in the name of all the states of the realme did surrender the homage and fealty which had been due vnto him so that no man from thence foorth would beare to him faith and obedience as to their King The King answered that he nothing reguarded these titulare circumstances but contented himselfe with hope that his cousen would be gracious Lord and good friend vnto him So vpon the 13. day of October which was the day of the translation of Edward the Confessour the Duke was with all accustomed solemnities by the Archbishoppe of Canterbury sacred annointed and Crowned King at Westminster by the name of king Henry the fourth vpon the very same day wherein the yeere before he had been banished the Realme
Father espied it in his bosome and demaunded what it was the Sonne humbly craued pardon and said that it nothing touched him by S. George quoth the Father but I will see it and so whether vpon a precedent iealosie or some present cause of suspition he tooke it away from him by force When he perceiued the contents he sodainely arose from the table with great fiâ—rcenesse both of countenance and speech vttered to his Sonne these wordes I see traytor that idlenesse hath made thee so wanton and mutinous that thou playest with thy faith as children doe with stickes thou hast been once already faithlesse to King Richard now again art false to King Henrie so that the like fish Sepia thou troublest all the waters wherin thou liuest Thou knowest that in open Parlament I became suertie and pledge for thy alleageance both in bodye and goods and can neither thy dutie nor my desert restreine thee from seeking my destruction in faith but I will rather helpe forwarde thine With that hee commaunded his Horses to bee made readie and presentlye tooke his iorneye towardes Windsore where the King then laye The Duke of Aumerle had no time eyther to consulte with his friends or to consider with himselfe what was best to bee doone but taking aduise vppon the sodaine he mounted likewise on horsebacke and posted towardes Windsore another way It was no neede to force him forwarde his youthfull bloud and his sodaine daunger were in steed of two winges to keep his horse in Pegasus pace so that he came to Windsore was alighted at the Castell before his stiffe aged Father could come neere Then hee entred the gates and caused them to be surely locked and tooke the Keyes into his owne hands pretending some secret cause for which he would deliuer them vnto the King When he came in presence he kneeled downe and humblie craued of the King mercie and forgiuenesse The king demaunded for what offence Then with a confused voice and sad countenance casting downe his eyes as altogether abashed partly with feare of his daunger and partly with shame of his discredit he declared vnto the King all the manner of the conspiracie The King seemed neither rashlie to beleeue nor negligentlie to distrust the Dukes report neyther stood it with pollicie to enterteine the discouerie with any hard and violent vsage therefore with gracious speeches he comforted the Duke and if this bee true sayd he we pardon you if it be feined at your extreame perrill be it By this time the Duke of Yorke was rapping at the Castle gates and being admitted to the Kings presence he deliuered to him the endenture of confederacie which hee had taken from his sonne When the King had redde it and was thereby perswaded of the trueth of the matter he was not a little disquieted in minde complaining of the vnconstant disposition of those men whom neyther crueltie he said could make firme to King Richard nor clemencie to him but vppon dislike of euery present gouernment they were desirous of any change So being possessed with deeper thoughts then to gaze vppon games he layde his iorney aside and determined to attend at Windsor what course his enemies would take and which waye they would set forward knowing right well that in ciuill tumults and aduised patience and opportunitie well taken are the onely weapons of aduantage and that it is a speciall point of wisdome to make benefit of the enemyes follie In the meane time he directed his letters to the Earle of Northumberland his high Constable and to the Earle of Cumberland his high Marshall and to others his most assured friends concerning these sodaine and vnexpected accidents The confederates all this time hearing nothing of the Duke of Aumerle and seeing no preparation for the Kings comming were out of doubt that theyr treason was betraied And now considering that once before they had beene pardoned the guilt of this their rebellion excluded them from all hope of further mercie wherevpon they became desperate and so resolued to prosecute that by open armes wherein their priuie practises had â—ailed And first they apparrelled Magdalen a man very like to King Richard both in stature and countenance and of yeares not disagreeable in princely attire and gaue foorth that hee was King Richard and that eyther by fauour or negligence of his keepers he was escaped out of prison and desired the faith and ayde of his louing subiects Then they determined to dispatche messengers to Charles King of Fraunce to desire his helpe and assistance on the behalfe of his sonne in lawe if need should require The common people which commonlie are soone changeable and on the sodaine as prone to pittie as they were before excessiuely cruell most earnestlie wished the enlargement of King Richard and earnestly wishing did easely beleeue it in which imaginarie conceit being otherwise men of no deepe search the presence of Magdalene most stronglie confirmed them and so eyther vpon ignorance of truth or delight in trouble they ioyned themselues in great troops to the Lords desiring nothing more then to be the meanes whereby King Richard should be restored as in a manner resuming their first affections and humors towards him Then the Lords of this association with great force but with greater fame as the manner is of matters vnknowne aduanced forward in battaile arraye towards Windsore against King Henrie as against an enemie of the common state hauing in theyr company aboue fortie thousand armed men The King vpon intelligence of theyr approache secretlye with a few horse the next Sunday night after Newyeres day departed from Windsore to the Tower of London and the same night before it was daye the confederates came to the Castle of Windsore where missing their expected praye they stood doubtfull and deuided in opinions which waye to bend their course Some aduised them with all speede to follow the King to London and not to leaue him any leaue and libertie to vnite an armie against them that Winter was no let but in idle and peaceable times that in ciuill discentions nothing is more safe then speede and greater aduantage alwayes groweth by dispatching then deferring that whilest some were in feare some in doubt and some ignorant the Citie yea the realme might easilye be possessed and that many armies whose furie at the first rush could not be resisted by delayes did weare out and waste to nothing Others who would seeme to bee considerate and wise but in verye deede were noe better then dastardes perswaded rather to set King Richard first at libertie for if their counterfeiting should be discouered before they possessed themselues of his person the people vndoubtedly would fall from them to the certaine confusion of them all Herevppon they gaue ouer the pursuite and retired to Colebrooke and there delayed out the time of dooing in deliberating beeing neyther courogiouslye quicke nor considerately stayed but faintlie and fearefullye shrincking backe and when they once beganne
to relent they decreased euery daye more and more both in power and in hope King Henrie the next morning after hee was come to the Tower sent to the Maior of the Citie to put Souldiours in armes for his resistance who presentlye presented vnto him three thousand Archers and three thousand bill men besides those that were appointed for defence of the Citie The King spent vpon him many good speeches and liberally loaded him with promises and thanks and soone after he issued out of London with twentie thousand tall men and came to Hounslowe Heath abiding there and as it were daâ—ing his enemyes to ioyne issue in the field contemning theyr disorderlye multitude as a vayne terrour of names without forces But the confederates eyther for feare of the Kings power or for distrust of theyr owne or else lingring perhappes after some succour out of Fraunce refused the encounter and doubtfull it is whether they shewed greater courage in setting vp the danger or cowardise in declining it when it was presented vnto them So they departed from Colebrooke to Sunnings a place neere Redding where Queene Isabell King Richardes wife did then abyde to whom vppon the plaine trueth before declared fame had falslye descanted that King Richard was escaped out of prison and did lye at Pomfret with a hundred thousand armed men and that King Henrie for feare of him was fledde with his children and friendes to the Tower of London All which was as lightlye beleeued as it was vainlye toulde wherevppon shee defaced King Henries armes and plucked away his cognisance from those his seruants that attended vppon her and hauing in some sorte satisfied her womannish anger with this harmelesse spight she and the Lordes departed together first to Wallingforde and from thence to Abington stirring the people by the waye to take armour and to rise in ayde of king Richard who was saide they and is and should be their Prince At the last they came to Chichester and there the Lordes tooke theyr lodgings the Duke of Surrey and the Earle of Salisburie in one Inne the Duke of Exceter and the Earle of Gloucester in another and all the hoast encamped in the fields But the Bayliffe of the towne suspecting all this countenance to be but the vaine flashe of a false fire did in the night with about foure score Archers beset and set vpon the house where the Duke of Surrey and the Earle of Salisburie laye who were men but of weake resistance by nature but being put vpon necessitie shewed great manhood and persistance in defending themselues against the townsmen The Duke of Exceter and the Earle of Gloucester being in another Inne were not able by force to rescue their associates wherevpon a certaine Priest of their companye set diuers houses in the towne on fire supposing thereby to diuert the townsmen from theyr assault to the sauing of their houses and of their goods but this fire greatly inflamed their furie and made them more obstinate in their attempt crying out that they would neuer labour to rescue their losses but to reuenge them and that with the bloud of the Lordes those flames should be quenched Then there arose confused clamours and noyses all the towne being in an vproare and in armes shooting fiercelie and running vpon the Lords with a rashe and desperate rage not caring to loose many wherof they had many to spare When the Earle of Exceter and they that were with him perceiued the force of the assaylants daungerouslie to encrease and that it was impossible for a few to susteine the furie of so many so obstinately bent they fledde out of the backe side towards the campe intending to bring the whole army to the rescue but the soldiers hauing heard a tumuâ—â— and seeing fire within the towne supposed that the King was entred with all his puisance whereupon being strooke with a sodaine and false feare and wanting a commaunder of courage to confirme them they ran away and dispearsed themselues without measure and so whilest euery man endeuoured to saue himselfe all were brought to theyr confusion Thus the Duke of Surrey and the Earle of Salisbury the Lords Gentlemen which were in their company were left to defend themselues against the townsemen as they coulde who manfully maintained the fight with great bloudshed of theyr enemies from midnight vntill three of the clocke the next day in the after noone at the last being inferiour both in number and fortune the Duke and the Earle were wounded to death and taken and the same euening theyr heades were stricken off and sent to London there were also taken Sir Bennet Shelley Sir Bâ—â—nard Brokas Sir Thomas Blunt and 28. other Lordes Knights and Gentlemen who were sent to Oxford where the King then lay and there were put to execution The Duke of Exceter when he found the army dispersed and fled fled likewise with Sir Iohn Shelley into Essex lamenting the certaine destruction which his rashnesse had procured to himselfe and to his friends but moste especially to King Richard if not as a party yet as a cause of this vnhappy tumult many times he did attempt to haue escaped by sea into Fraunce but he was alwayes driuen backe by distresse of weather and so wandring and lurking in secret places hee was at the last attached as hee sat at supper in a certaine friendes house and led to Plashy and there shortly after beheaded so that a man might probably conâ—ecture that the death of the Duke of Glocester was then brought in reckoning who by his counsell and contryuance chiefly in the same place had been apprehended An excellent example for all those which measure their actions eyther by their pleasure or by their power that reuenge of iniurious dealing although it be prolonged yet doth neuer faile but commeth surely although perhappes slowly This duke was a man of high parentage of a franke minde and wealth answerable thereunto openly praiseâ— worthy but his secret actions were hardly spoken of he was of consent to all his brothers vices and of counsaile to many yet somewhat the more close and vigilant man and not so much partaker of his prosperity as violently carried with the current of his misery The Earle of Gloucester fled towardes Wales but was forelayed and taken and beheaded at Bristow Magdalenâ— the counterfeite of King Richard flying into Scotland was apprehended and brought to the Tower and afterward hanged and quartred with W. Ferby another of King Richards Chapleines Diuerse other Lordes and Knights and Gentlemen and a great number of meane and base persons were in other places put to death insomuch as the King though otherwise of a very temperate and intreatible nature seemed to shew too hard and haughty dealing in reuenging his owne iniury or rather maintaining the iniury he had done the heads of the chiefe conspiratours were pitched vpon poles and set ouer London Bridge in all other partes of the realme a spectacle both lamentable and
at London to whome the King made faith for the safetie of their persons and indemnitie of their goods and that nothing should be attempted without their priuitie and aduise all this was as rashly belieued as it was craftely giuen out whereupon the Dukes dissembled their feares and dissolued their forces and remained in expectancie what would ensue A little before the feast of Saint Michael the Parliament began at London wherein Sir Iohn Bushie Sir William Bagot and Sir Heâ—rie Greene were principall agents for the Kings purpose These were then in all the credite and authoritie with the King and his chiefest Schoole-masters both of crueltie and deceite they were proude arrogant and ambitious and vppon confidence of the Kings fauour professed enemies to men of auncient Nobilitie to the ende that being lately start vp they might become more famous by maintaining contention with great persons And first by their importunate trauaile all the Charters of pardon graunted by the King were in this Perliament annulled and reuoked Then the prelates did constitute Sir Henrie Percie their procurator and departed the house because they might not be present in iudgement of bloud Lastly the Earle of Arundell and the Earle of Warwicke were arraigned and for the same offences for which they had bene pardoned namely for encroaching to themselues royall power in iudging to death Simon Burlye Iohn Berneis and others without the Kings consent were condemned to be hanged drawne and quarterâ—d but the King so moderated the seueritie of this sentence that the Earle of Arundell was onely he headed and the Earle of Warwicke committed to perpetuall imprisonment in the Ile of Man The Duke of Gloucester was so greatly fauoured that it was thought a point both of policie and peace notto bring him to his open answere but to put him to death secreately so he was strangled vnder a fether bedde at Calice by the Earle of Notingham being then Earle Marshall which death howsoeuer he deserued yet dying as he did not called not heard he died as guiltlesse In this same Parliament Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Caunterburie was also accused for executing the commision against Michaell Delapoole Earle of Suffolke for which cause his temporalties were seazed his lands and goods forfeited as well in vse as in possession and himselfe was adiudged to exile charged to depart the realme within sixe weekes then next ensuing So hee went into Fraunce where afterwardes he became a principall meane of the reuolt which followed Also the Lord Cobham was exiled into the Ile of Gernsey and Sir Reinolde Cobham was condemned to death not for entring into any attempt against the King but because he was appointed by the Lords to be one of his gouernours and of his counsaile in the 11. yeare of his raigne Now the King falsely supposing that he was free from all daungers and that the humour against him was cleane purged and spent conceiued more secreate contentment then he would openly bewraye as more able to dissemble his ioy then conceale his feare being so blinded and bewitched with continuall custome of flatteries that hee perceiued not that the state of a Prince is neuer stablished by cruelty and crafce On the other side the common people were much dismayed hauing nowe lost those whome they accompted their onely helpes and their onely hopes both for their priuate affaires and for supporting the state and because these mishapes hapned vnto them for maintaining a cause of common dislike the peoples stomacke was stirred thereby to much hate and hearte-burning against the King And to make their deathes the more odious the Earle of Arundell was reputed a martyr and pilgrimages were dayly made to the place of his buriall the rumour also was current but without either authour or grounde that this his head was miraculously fastened againe to his body this whilest all men affirmed and no man knewe the King caused the corpes to bee taken vp and viewed ten daies after it was interred and finding the cause to be fabulous hee caused the ground to be paued where the Earle was layde and all mention of his buriall to be taken away forbidding publickly and such speaches of him afterwardes to bee vsed but this restrainte raysed the more and they who if it had beene lawefull woulde haue saide nothing beeing once forbidden coulde not forbeare to talke It was also constantly reported that the King was much disquieted in his dreames with the Earle who did often seeme to appeare vnto him in so terrible and truculent manner that breaking his fearefull sleepe he would curse the time that euer he knew him In the one and twenty yeare of the raigne of K. Richard Henry Earle of Darby was created Duke of Herforde at which time the King created foure other Dukes to wit Duke of Aumerle who was before Earle of Rutland Duke of Southrey who was before Earle of Kent Duke of Excester who was before Earle of Huntington and Duke of Norfolke who was before Earle of Notingham This degree of honour long time after the conquest of the Noâ—mans whose chiefest rulers had no higher title was accompted too great for a subiect to beare the fourme of the common-wealth beeing framed by the victors farre from equallity of all and yet the King excepted without eminencie of any At the length King Edward the third created his eldest Sonne Edward Duke of Cornewale and made this honour hereditary conferring it vnto many since which time diuerse princes of this lande haue bene either put or kept or hazarded from their estate by men of that quallity and degree The King likewise created the Countesse of Norfolke Duchesse of Norfolke the Earle of Sommerset Marquesse of Sommerset the Lorde Spencer Earle of Gloucester the Lorde Neuill Earle of Westmerland the Lorde Scroupe Earle of Wiltshire and the Lord Thomas Darcy his steward Earle of Worcester Among these hee made diuision of a great parte of the landes of the Duke of Gloucester and of the Earles of Arundell and warwicke supposing by this double liberality of honour and possessions to haue purchased to himselfe most firme friendships but bought friendes for the most parte are seldome either satisfied or sure and like certaine Rauens in Arabia so long as they are ful doe yeeld a pleasant voyce but being empty doe make a horrible crie Now the Duke of Hereford raysed his desires together with his dignities and either vpon disdaine at the vndeserued fauour and aduancement of some persons about the Kingâ— or vpon dislike that the King was so dishonourably both abused and abased by them or else perhaps vppon desire to manifest his owne sufficiencie in matters of controwlement and direction being in familiar discourse with Thomas Mowbraye Duke of Norfolke he brake into complaint how the King regarded not the noble princes of his bloud and Peeres of the Realme and by extreamities vsed to some discouraged the rest from entermedling in any publique affaires how in steade of these hee was
most vnsure So betweene the one and the other the multitude did in short time increase to the number of threescore thousand able soldiours The Duke finding this fauour not onely to exceed his expectation but euen aboue his wish he thought it best to followe the current whilst the streame was most strong knowing right well that if fortune be followed as the first doe fall out the rest will commonly succeede Therefore cutting of vnnecessary delaies with al possible celerity hee hastned towardes London to the end that possessing himselfe thereof as the chiefe place within the realme both for strength and store he might there make the seat of the warre In this iourney no signe nor shew of hostility appeared but all the way as he passed the men of chiefest quallity and power adioyned themselues vnto him some vpon heat of affection some for feare others vpon hope of rewarde after victorie euerie one vpon causes dislike with like ardent desire contending least any should seeme more foreward then they In euerie place also where he made stay rich gifts and pleasant deuises were presented vnto him with large supply both of force and prouision far aboue his neede and the common people which for their greatnesse take no care of publique affaires and are in least daunger by reason of their basenes with shoutes and acclamations gaue their applause extolling the Duke as the onely man of courage and saluting him Kiug but spending many contumelious tearmes vppon King Richard and deprauing him as a simple and sluggish man a dastard a meycocke and one altogether vnworthy to beare rule shewing themselues as much without reason in rayling vpon the one as they were in flattering the other Againe the Duke for his part was not negligent to vncouer the head to bowe the body to stretch forth the hand to euery meane person and to vse all other complements of popular behauiour wherewith the mindes of the common multitude are much delighted and drawen taking that to bee courtesie which the seuerer sort accompt abasement When hâ— came to the citty he was there likewise very richly and royally entertained with processions and pageantes and diuers other triumphant deuises shewes the standings in all the streets where he passed were taken vp to behold him and the vnable multitude who otherwise could not yet by their good wordes wishes and wils did testify vnto him their louing affections neither did there appeare in any man at that time any memory of faith and alleagiance towards King Richard but as in seditions it alwaies hapneth as the most swayed all did go On the contrarie side the Duke of Yorke with the rest of his â—ounsaile fell to mustering of men at S. Albones for the King but as the people out of diuers quarters were called thither many of theÌ„ protested that they would doe nothing to the harme and preiudice of the Duke of Lancaster who they said was vniustly expelled first from his country and afterwardes from his inheritance Then W. Scroupe Earle of Wiltshire L. Treasorer Sir I. Bush Sir W. Bagot and Sir Henrie Greene perceiuing the stiffe resolution of the people forsooke the duke of Yorke and the L. Chanceller and fled towards Bristow intending to passe the seas into Ireland to the king These foure were they vpon whom the common fame went that they had taken of the king his realm to farme who were so odious vnto the people that their presence turned away the harts of many subiects yea it was thought that more for displeasure against them then against the king the reuolt was made For being the onely men of credit and authority with the King vnder false colour of obedience they wholly gouerned both the realme him to many mischiefs corrupting his mind in many abusing his name either against his wil or without his knowledge insomuch as he was innocent of much harme which passed vnder his commandement but the patieÌ„ce of the people could not endure that two or three should rule al not by reason they were sufficient but because they were in fauour and the King in that he permitted them whom he might haue bridled or was ignorant of that which he should haue knowen by tolerating and wincking at their faults made them his owne opened therby the way to his destruction So often times it falleth out to be as dangerous to a prince to haue hurtfull and hatefull officers in place and seruices of weight as to be hurtfull and hatefull himselfe The Duke of Yorke either amazed at this sodain change or fearing his aduenture if he should proceede in resistance gaue ouer the cause and preferred present security before duty with daunger giuing most men occasion to misdeeme by his dealing that he secretly fauored the dukes enterprise likewise all the other counsailers of that side either openly declared for the Duke or secretly wished him wel abandoning all priuate direction aduice adioyned themselues to the coÌ„mon course presuming thereby of greater safety Duke Henry in the meane time being at London entred into deliberation with his friends what way were best to be followed At the last hauing considered the forwardnesse of the people the greatnes of the perill whereinto they had already plunged the kings irreconcilable nature wherof he made proofe against the duke of Gloucester the earles of Arundel of Warwicke they finally resolued to expel him from his dignity to constitute duke Henry king in his sted and to that end open war was denounced against the King and against all his partakers as enemies to the quiet and prospenty of the realme and pardon also promised to all those that would submit themselues to follow the present course otherwise to look for no fauour but all extremities None of the nobility durst openly oppose himselfe to these designes some vnwilling to play all their state at a cast kept theÌ„selues at liberty to be directed by successe of further euent others consented coldly and in tearmes of doubtfull construction with intent to interpret them afterwards as occasion should change but the most parte did directly and resolutely enter into the cause and made their fortunes common with the Duke in daunger of the attempt but not in honour among whome the Duke standing vp vsed speach to this purpose I am returned here as you see at your procurement and by your agreement haue entred into armes for the common liberty wee haue hitherto prosperously proceeded but in what tearmes we now stand I am altogether vncertaine A priuate man I am loath to be accompted being designed to be King by you and a Prince I cannot be esteemed whilst another is in possession of the kingdome Also your name is in suspence whether to be tearmed rebels or subiects vntil you haue made manifest that your allegeance was bound rather to the state of the realme then the person of the Prince Now you are the men who haue both caused this doubtfulnes and must cleare
condemne the helpe of straungers in cases of extremity but doe account it a remedy least to be trusted and last of all to bee tried What then if first you should procure a treaty to see in what terms the people stand against you It may be that vpon some conditions they will submit themselues vnto you as heretofore they haue done Or if they wil needs deforce you from your kingdome yet if an honourable maintenance may bee assured what shall you lose thereby What shall you lack You haue no childe to be disinherited the chiefest motiue which maketh men so greedy to get and so carefull to keepe And as for your selfe you shall be remoued from a steepe sliâ—â— pery hill to a smooth and pleasant plaine from tempestâ—â—us seas to a calme hauen from daungerous trauaile to secure rest if there be no solace without safety no felicity without firmnesse you shall find the priuate life not only more sweete but more high and happy then your princely state The tallest trees are weakest in the toppes in widest fieldes are greatest tempests and enuy alwaies aimeth at loftiest marks so that to be placed on high is a false felicity and a true misery in shew a rule but indeed a subiection to all the subiects hauing least stay to stand and most danger in the fall and therefore if you come downe safely you are therein priuileged aboue many other But you shal lose you will say the credit the countenance of a King so you shal the cares and so you shall the casualties The crown sceptar are things most weighty to weld if a Prince be good he is laden with labour if euill with infamy and reproch iâ— either with perils on euery side he is beset with dangerous rocks with deadly gulfes continually tossed with strong and sturdy tempests so that to be freed froÌ„ these feares is to be esteemed an escape and not a losse This did the stoick Philosopher perecue who seeing Dionysius â—it merily freely conceited in the theater beeing a little before expelled his kingdom greatly condemned the error of his people who had banished him to such liberty so preferred him by his punisliment These are the dreames of philosophers you will say who vsually contemne and depraue honor yet neuer lie from honourable mens tables Let passe then Philosophers go to vaine and sottish men Seleuchus being a King was wont to say that if a man knew with what cares the diadeÌ„ was clogged he would not take it vp although it lay in the street You will say peraduenture that like the boatman he looked one way and pulled another or like the lapwing he cried most wheÌ„ he was furthest from his nest vainly dispraising that which hee was loathest to loosâ— What say you then to Antiochus whome when the Romanes had dispoiled of al Asia he sent vnto them great thanks that they had rid him of infinit importable cares and set him at a moderate quiet you will say that he made a vertue of his necessity Well then we are some what neere your cace they that cannot frame their wils to this wisedome let them thanke their enimies for enforcing them to it But what say you to Diâ—clesian who did voluntarily relinqusht not a small and corner kingdoÌ„e but the greatest empire that the world did euer beare and found so sweet contentmeÌ„t in that exchange that when he was importuned by the senate to resume his estate hee vtterly reiected their suite But what need we trauell in externe histories for those examples whereof we haue so large supply in our owne the ancient Saxon Kings Kingilsus Ina Ceolulphus Eadbertus Ethelredus KeÌ„redus Offa Sebbi Sigebertus did of their owne accord laye downe their diadems and scepters and betake theÌ„selues to solitary religious liues Now many Princes haue helde their estate with better fortune but none did euer with greater honor leaue it then you should at this present for others haue abaÌ„doned their rule either for desire of ease or for auoidance of dangers or vpon some sluggish and superstitious deuotioÌ„ but you for loue to your country shall forbeare to seek your vttermost remedy in setting vp a most cruel war wherein much English bloud should be spilt the realme depriued of many worthy armies Let others be repotted to forsake their kingdoms when they had no longer pleasure to hold theÌ„ but your praise shall be for giuing ouer when it is greatest benefit vnto the people and the more hope you haue to preuaile if you list to contend the greater commendations will it be to yeeld as being rather voluntary then by constraint The king coÌ„mended the courage of the first but this last couÌ„sell best agreed with his faint feeble spirit more yeelding to feare then forward in hope apt by the one to despaire vnable by the other to holde out in any hard aduenture preferring alwayes abiect and base safety before hazard with honour Yet were many ready to reply that al speech of conditions yeelding was both dishonorable also dangerous for euen in hardest haps said they a noble nature wil not presently relinquish but first endeuor either by courage to repell the danger or by wisdome to decline it and why should you so litle esteem your glory and fame as without battel or blow striken to bind your hands yeeld vp your weapons put your selfe vpon miserable mercy or if the honor of your noble house doth nothing moue you yet let danger despaire at least arme you to boldnesse for neither the duke nor his friends will be so confident as to thinke themselues safe so long as you shall remaine although in priuate state aliue Indeed you may assure your self that faire words wil be giuen large offers made but the performance shal coÌ„sist in the courtesy of the conqueror and nothing will be thought vnlawfull to him that hath power King Edward the second was too heauy to be indured eueÌ„ of his own sonne and many haue vsed violence to themselues rather theÌ„ they would fall into the power of their concurrents and do not you expect more fauor or greater fortune theÌ„ other haue fouÌ„d let neuer that senselesnes possesse your mind to imagine that a prince may liue safely in priuate estate for in this case there is no meane betweene Caesar nothing betweene the highest honor the deadliest downfall Therfore omit neither all nor any one meanes vnassayed to maintaine your side by armes no greater harme can happen at the hardest then that which willingly you run into you can but die if you be vanquished die you shall if you do yeeld but by the one you shall end your life with glory by the other with shame perpetuall reproch And although you do now esteeme equally of both yet when you shall see your selfe pent in prison in dayly feare and expectancy of a bloudy messenger you shall then perceiue a difference