concilio soceri persuasus Iethro Solus quod Populi nequijt componere lites Constituit populi praefectos atque tribunos Sic cum me praecelsa premant fastigia Regni Ardua magnarum teneatis muner a rerum Et primùm à vobis pravos secludite motus AEquis Iustitiae trutinis appendite causas Ob paupertatem miseros ne spernite cives Nec vota in cassum fundat pupillus in auras Denique largitio nè vos Corrumpat iniqua c. All things thus in a happy presage and good order the King with the Queene departed from London and makes Windsor the first gift in his Progresse for some few dayes From thence to his Mannor of Woodstock then to the Universitie of Oxford where the Muses Crown'd their browes with fragrant Wreathes for his entertainment Next he visited the circular Citie of Glocester and gave the Citizens for the love and loyaltie they exprest in holding the Castle and Towne so constantly against Queene Margaret and the forces of Henry the sixt for him and his Brother the King large Priviledges and Immunities And here the Duke of Buckingham takes his leave for Brecknock constantly disposed and affected in all outward appearance The King making small stay any where save at Coventry untill he came to the goodly and ancient Citie of Yorke the scope and goale of his Progresse which receiv'd him with all honour and Festivitie and was there the second time Crowned by Dr. Rotheram Arch-Bishop of that Sea in the Cathedrall Church and his Sonne invested in the Principalitie of Wales as the Prior of Croyland reporteth Eodem die quo Richardus Coronatus est Rex in Ecclesia Metropolitana Eboracensi mox filium Edwardum in Principatum Walliae eum insigntis virgae aureae c. evexit Pomposa sumptuosa festa convivia ibi fecit And indeed it was a day of great state for as Polidore saith There was then three Princes in Yorke wearing Crownes the King Queene and Prince In acclamation whereof there was Stage-Playes Turneaments and other Triumphall Sports as Sir Thomas Moore relates At this time the King Knighted Richard of Glocester his base sonne who was after Captaine of Calice and many Gentlemen of those parts But albeit this was an intermission as it were of all busie and serious agitations yet the King still where he travall'd had a just regard to the Administration and Execution of Justice and the more facinerous Malefactors And surely these respective inclinations of his had their solemn affections and desires Naturalized in him witnessed by the scope and integritie of those just Lawes which after followed The Progresse thus spent he returnes to London and having consulted some matters of State declares his first resolution for the Tribute detain'd by France which he had formerly by a friendly Message demanded but now sends stout menaces and threats for it The French would not have it cal'd a Tribute but a Pension as Philip de Comines insinuates though it had beene rays'd and payd to King Edward the fourth in lieu of the Dutchy and Countries of Aquitaine Normandy Poictou and Maine c. whereof the the French had deseis'd the Crowne of England which King Edward the fourth forced Lewis to acknowledge and to Covenant and agree That he his heires and Successors should pay unto the Crowne of England the summe of fiftie thousand Crowns with caution and securitie to be payd in the Citie of London or after Iean Tillet and Iohn Maierus seventy five thousand Crowns to be payd into the Tower with which the French King also granted in the name of Annuall Pension sixteen thousand pounds to some Noblemen and others of speciall credit with the King As to Sir Thomas Gray Marquesse of Dorset William Lord Hastings Chamberlaine to the King Doctor Thomas Rothram Bishop of Lincolne and Lord Chancellour of England Iohn Lord Howard Sir Iohn Cheyney Master of the Horse Sir Thomas Mountgomery Master Challoner and to the Master of the Rowles The chiefest of these had two thousand Crownes apiece per annum Besides which Pensions he gave rich Presents and sent rewards to such Lords as stood most for this accord Eugueraunt de Moustrolet avoucheth that the Lord Howard and the Master of the Horse were the chiefest of the mediators in it his reason is that they were the men most in favour with King Edward Iean Tillet with Philip de Comines tells us the Lord Howard in lesse then two yeares had the value of twentie foure thousand Crownes in Plate Coine and Jewels over and above his Annuall Pension the Lord Hastings at one time to the value of two thousand markes in Plate besides his Pension And if their owne Stories speake truth Richard de Nevil the great Earle of Warwick had of the Kings of France much more then any other English Nobleman which the Chronicle of Brittaine seconds And doubtlesse King Richard had still compel'd him to continue it had not eruptions of State and tumultuary practises fatally deterr'd his Sword For as Kings have vaster limits they have higher bounds then others If our vulgar paths be rugged theirs are slippery and all their mighty resolutions and ambitions have their fate and circle hither they must and no further yet as envious as fortune shew'd her selfe he brought King Lewis to termes of faire promises and mediation for time of payment as Comines obscurely implyes This yeare the King kept a very magnificent Christmas at Westminister and was reconciled to the Queene Dowager who left Sanctuary and to congratulate the Kings favour sent her five daughters to Court where they were received with all Princely kindnesse On the three and twentieth day of January in the first yeare of his Raigne he summon'd a Parliament to be holden at Westminster i◠which after the enacting of many good Lawes the marriages o◠King Edward were debated that with the Lady Gray adjudged unlawfull and her children illegitimate there being proofe of a former Contract and Marriage with the Lady Elianor Talbot daughter of the old Earle of Shrewsbury and Relict of the Lord Butler of Sudely then and long after living and all that had been inferred by the Duke of Buckingham or contained in the Bill supplicatory demonstrated was againe consulted and judgement given against that Marriage and incapacity of the Children also of the Earle of Warwicke and his sister the Lady Elizabeth Plantagenet all decreed and confirmed by Act of Parliament so that here to taxe so generall an Assent were to say there was not one honest nor just man in that High Court and what greater scandall to the whole Kingdome There was likewise notice taken of the Earle of Richmonds pretence to the Crowne by a Title derived from the House of Lancaster who was at that time in France labouring to engage the King and the Duke of Brittaine in the quarrell Oh the infinite windings and perplexed sleepes we labour through to get that we must bid goodnight
Lord Souch Henry Nevil Sonne to the Lord Abergaveny Christopher Willowby Henry Bainton Thomas Bullen William Say William Enderby Thomas of Vernon William Barkley Thomas Arundel Gervoise of Clifton Edmond Beddingfield Tho. Leukenor Iohn Browne William Berkley i. Another Berkley The fift day of July he rode from the Tower through the City in Pompe with his Sonne the Prince of Wales three Dukes and nine Earles twentie two Viscounts and simple Barons eighty Knights Esquires and Gentlemen not to be numbred besides great Officers of the Crowne which had speciall service to doe But the Duke of Buckingham carried the Splendour of that dayes Bravery his habit and Caparisons of blew Velvet imbroidered with golden Naves of Carts burning the trappings supported by Foot-men habited costly and sutable On the morrow being the sixt of July all the Prelates Miter'd in their Pontificalibus receiv'd him at Westminster-Hall towards the Chappell the Bishop of Rochester bare the Crosse before him the Cardinall and the Earle of Huntington followed with a pair of guilt Spurres and the Earle of Bedford with Saint Edwards Staffe for a Relique After the Precession the Earle of Northumberland beares a poyntlesse Sword naked the Lord Stanley the Mace of the Constableship but waited not for Constable the Earle of Kent bare the second Sword naked with a poynt upon the right hand of the King the Viscount Lovel another Sword on the Kings left hand with a poynt Next came the Duke of Suffolke with the Scepter the Earl of Lincoln with the Ball and Crosse then the Earle of Surry with the Sword of State in a rich Scabbard in place of the Constable of England the Duke of Norfolke on his right hand with the Crowne After him immediately the King in a SurCoat and Robe of Purple the Canopy borne by the Barons of the five Ports the King betweene the Bishop of Bath and Durham the Duke of Buckingham bearing up his Traine and served with a white Staffe for Seneshall or High Steward of England In the Front of the Queenes Traine the Earle of Huntington bare the Scepter Viscount Liste the Rod with the Dove the Earle of Wiltshire her Crowne and next to him followed the Queene her selfe in Robes like the King betweene two Bishops the Canopy borne by Barons of the Ports upon her head a Coronet set with precious Stones the Lady Margaret Somerset Countesse of Richmond carried up her Traine followed by the Dutchesse of Suffolke with many Countesses Baronesses and other Ladies In this manner the whole Procession passed through the Palace and entred the West doore of the Abbey the King and Queene taking their seats of State stayed untill divers holy Hymnes were sung then ascended to the high Altar shifting their Robes and putting on other open and voyded in sundry places for their Anoynting which done they tooke other Robes of Cloth of Gold so teturned to their seats where the Cardinall of Canterbury and the other Bishops Crowned them the Prelate putting the Scepter in the left hand of the King the Ball and Crosse in his right and the Queenes Scepter in her right hand and the Rod with the Dove in her left on each hand of the King stood a Duke before him the Earle of Surrey with the Sword as aforesaid on each hand of the Queene stood a Bishop by them a Lady kneeling the Cardinall said Masse and gave the Pax then the King and Queene descending were both housâ—ed with one host parted betweene them at the high Altar This done they offered at Saint Edwards Shrine where the King layd downe Saint Edwards Crowne put on another so returned to Westminster-Hal in the same State they came there dispersed and retired themselves for a season In which interim came the Duke of Norfolke Marshall of England mounted upon a brave Horse trapped with Cloth of Gold downe to the ground to submove the presse of people and void the Hall About foure of the clocke the King and Queene sat to Dinner the King at the middle Table of the Hall and the Queene on his left hand on each side a Countesse attending her holding a Cloth of Plaisance or rather of Essuyance for her Cup On the Kings right hand sate the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and all the Ladies were placed on one side of a long Table in the middle of the hall against them at another Table the Lord Chancellour and all the Nobles at a Table next to the Cup-board the Lord Maior of London and the Aldermen Behind the Barons of the Kingdome sate the Barons of the Ports there were other Tables for persons of qualitie After all were seated came the Lord Marshall againe the Earle of Surrey Constable Pro illa vice tantum the Lord Stanley Lord Steward Sir William Hopton Treasurer of the Houshold and Sir Thomas Piercy Controler they served the Kings boord with one dish of Gold and another of Silver The Queene was served all in guilt Vessells and the Cardinall Arch-Bishop in Silver Dishes As soone as the second course was served in Sir Robert Dimock the Kings Champion makes Proclamation That whosoever would say King Richard the third was not lawfully King he would fight with him at all gutterance and for gage thereof threw downe his Gauntler then all the people cryed King Richard God save King Richard And this he acted in three severall parts of the Hall then an Officer of the Cellar brought him a guilded Bowle with Wine which he dranke and carries the Cup away as his ancient Fee After that the Heralds cryed Largesse thrice and returned to the Scaffold Lastly came the Maior of London with the Sheriffs with a Voyder serving the King and Queene with sweet Wines who had each of them a covered Cup of Gold for reward By which time the day began to give way to the night the King and Queene departing to their Lodgings And this is a briefe and true Relation of his Coronation testified by all the best Writers and Chroniclers of our Stories publicke and allowed which may confute the boldnesse of that slander that sayes he was not rightfully and Authentically Crowned but obscurely and indirectly crept in at the Window But all times have Detractors and all Courts their Parasits and many that have admired Princes to their graves even there have turn'd from them with ingratitude and murmur Soone after this the King dismissed and sent home all the Lords Spirituall and Temporall with a straight charge and direction to them the Judges of Oyer and Terminer with all other Magistrates and Officers in generall and particular for the Equitable and just Government of their Jurisdictions and Circuits And it is observed those times were under as happy an expectation of Law and Justice as those either before or after more flatter'd which Iohn Hide a Learned man and Doctor of Physick implyes in a Manuscript Poesy of his Solio juris rectique Minister Ille sedens alto tali sermone profatur Moses
to apply Sir Thomas Moore something above his ability which he exprest most in his hospitality And surely if men are taken to the life best from their actions we shall find him in the circle of a Character not so commaculate and mixt as passionate and purblinde pens have dasht it whilst we squint not at those vertues in him which make up other Princes absolute His wisedome and courage had not then their nicknames and calumny as now but drew the eyes and acknowledgment of the whole Kingdome towards him and his brother had a sound experience of his fidelity and constancy in divers hazardous congresses and battels through which he had faithfully followed his fortune and return'd all his undertakings successefull as at Barnet where he entred so farre and boldly into the Enemies Army that two of his Esquires Thomas Parr and Iohn Milwater being nearest to him were slaine yet by his owne valour he quit himselfe and put most part of the Enemies to flight the rest to the sword With the like valour he behaved himselfe at the battell of Exon Doncaster St Albans Blore-heath Northampton Mortimers Crosse and Tewkesbury And it was then confest a very considerable service to the State his taking of the famous Pyrate Thomas Nevill alias Faulkonbridge Earle of Kent with whom complyed Sir Richard de Nevill Earle of Warwicke a neare kinsman to the Earle of Kent his naturall Father which â—â—â—d him up in the better esteeme and whetted him to any Attempt â—or this haughty Earle who had drawne him from the House of Yorke to which he had done valiant service not long before to the party of Henry 6. and his Lancastrian faction and fearing what forces and aid King Edward might have from beyond Sea provides a warlike Fleet for the narrow Seas of which this Faulconbridge was appointed Admirall with Commission to take or sinke all Ships he met either of the Kings friends or Subjects who did not under act it but made many depredations on the Coasts and put many to the Sword becoming an Enemy the more considerable King Edward finding as the case stood then with him his Attemps by Sea would be of too weake a proofe to surprise him which the Duke of Gloucester contrived by an advertisement he had of his private stealth into severall of the parts sometimes where he had recourse to some abetters of that Faction and comming too shore at Southampton by a ready Ambush seized and apprehended him from whence he was conveyed to London so to Middleham Castle and after he had told some Tales put to death And whilst he continued in the Northern parts he governed those Countries with great Wisdome and Justice preserving the Concord and Amity betweene the Scots and English though the breaches were not to be made up with any strength and continuance the borders living out of mutuall spoyles and common Rapines ever prompt for any cause that might beget braules and seâ—ds And in the last yeare of the Reigne of the King his brother the Quarrels grew so outragious and hostile that nothing could compose them but the Sword and open War arising from an unjust detaining the Tribute King Iames was yearly bound to pay as Polidore thus writeth King Edward tooke it very ill at the hands of Iames fourth King of Scotland that he refused to pay the Tribute whereunto he was bound by Convenant And therefore resolved by Armes to compell him to it But King Edward being distracted with a jealous care and watching of France neglected that businesse of Scotland and in the meane time Alexander Duke of Albany Brother to King Iames pretending earnest businesse in France makes England in his way and instigates King Edward to put on Armes against his Brother promising to returne shortly out of France and raise a power in Scotland for his aide Hereupon the King resolved it and sent the Duke of Glocester with a good Armie into Scotland who marched master of the field neare to Barwicke having a little before sent thither Thomas Stanley to besiege it and soone after tooke it himselfe But the Duke of Albany failed him and had underhand strooke up a peace with his Brother of Scotland yet Richard of Gloucester accomplished the expedition very honourably and happily Thus Polidore But to enlarge what he reporteth desertively and abridgeth King Edward notwithstanding that negligence noted by him levied strong forces the King of Scotland being as vigilant in that businesse and made the Duke of Glocester his Generall under whom went Sir Henry Peircy Earle of Northumberland the Lord Stanley after Earle of Derby the Lord Lovell the Lord Gray of Grestocke the Lord Scroope of Bolton the Lord Fitzhugh Sir William Parre of Rose a noble and valiant Gentleman Father of the Lord Parr of Rose Kendall and Fitzhugh and Grandfather to Sir William Parr Earle of Essex and Marquesse of Northampton Sir Edward Woodville Lord Rivers Brother to the Queene Elizabeth with many other of Eminency and Noble quality The Duke marched first with his Armie to the borders and frontieres of Scotland giving the overthrow to such as resisted then made up to the strong Towne of Barwicke which at that instant the King of Scotland possessed by the surrender of Henry 6 and had the like successe with those Troopes of the Enemies he met and found about the Towne After a short siege the besieged upon Summons and Parlee finding themselves too weake to make good the opposition were easily perswaded to be at quiet and safely rendring the Towne and Castle vpon very slender conditions as is recorded in the Chronicle of Croyland Having plac't a Governour and Garrison in the Towne he continued his march towards Edenborough with a purpose to besiege and sacke it but was met in the halfe way by Embassadours from thence who after a favourable audience and accesse craved in the name of their King and Nation implore a League or at least a Truce betweene the Kingdomes offering so faire conditions for it that the Generall after a deliberate consultation granted to suspend or intermit all hostile proceedings with a faire entertainement to their persons and a publike Edict throughout the Army that no English should offer any violence or offence to any Scot or their goods and by this provident truce that ruddy storme which seemed terrible to impend was diverted and made a calme preface to the famous League afterward concluded by him when he was K. and Iames the 4 th of Scotland But whilst these imployments staid him there newes arrived of King Edwards death and was muttered very doubtfully by some who had confidence and ground to suppose it hastened by treachery The Nobles at London and in the South parts speedily call the Duke home by their private letters and free approbation to assume the Protection of the Kingdome and two Princes committed unto him by the King Rex Edwardus 4. filios suos Richardo Duci Glocestriae
against the Sonnes of King Edward And therefore being certaine there is no man to whom the Crowne by just Title can be so due as to our selfe the rightfull Sonne and Heire of our most deare and Princely Father Richard Duke of Yorke to which Title of blood and nature your favours have joyned this of Election wherein wee hold our selfe to be most strong and safe And having the lawfull power of both why should I endure my professed Enemy to â—surpemy right and become a Vassall to my envious Subject The necessitie of these causes as admitting no other remedy urges me to accept your offer and according to your request and our owne right we here assume the Regall Praeheminence of the two Kingdoms England and France from this day forward by us and our heires to Govern and defend the one and by Gods grace and your good aydes to recover and establish the other to the Ancient Allegeance of England desiring of God to live no longer then wee intend and endeavour the advancement and flourishing Estate of this Kingdome at which they all cry'd God save King Richard And thus he became King But yet his Detractors stick not to slander and accuse all that was said or done in these proceedings of State for meer dissimulation by which justice they may as well censure At siâ— Reverentia dictum all the Barons worthy and grave Commons which had their Votes therein which would fall a most impudent and intolerable Scandall upon all the High Court of Parliament for in short time after all that was alledged and acted in that Treatie and Colloquy was approved and ratified by the Court of Parliament so that their Cavills onely discover an extreame malice and envy For it was not possible therefore not credible he could upon such an instant as it were by any practice attaine to that power and credit with all the Barons Spirituall and Temporall and Commons to procure and perswade them from the Sonnes of King Edward so unanimously to become his Subjects and put the Crowne upon his head with such Solemnitie and publicke Ceremonies Whilst those matters had their current the Northerne Gentlemen and his Southerne Friends joyned in a Bill Supplicatory to the Lords Spirituall and Temporall earnestly expressing their desires for the Election of the Lord Protector with the former causes urged Also that the blood of the young Earle of Warwicke was attainted and his Title confiscate by Parliament This Bill was delivered to the Lords Assembled in the great hall at Westminster the Lord Protector sitting in the Chaire of Marble amongst them upon the 26 of June some six or seven dayes after he was Proclaimed the tenor of the Bill was thus written in the Chronicle of the Abbey of Croyland PRotector eodem die quo Regimen sub titulo regii nominis sibi vendicarit viz 26 o die Iunii Anno Dom. 1483. se apud Magnam Aulam Westmonasterii in Cathedram Marmoream Immisit tum mox omnibus proceribus tam Laicis quam Ecclesiasticis Caeteris assidentibus astantibus c. ostendebatur rotulus quidam in quo per modum supplicationis in nomine procerum populi Borealis exhibita sunt Primum quod silii Regis Edwardi erant Bastardi supponendo illum praecontraxisse matrimonium cum quadam Domina Elianora Boteler antequam Reginam Elizabetham duxisset in uxorem deinde quod sanguis alterius Fratris Georgii Scil Clarensiâ— ducis fuisset Attinctus Ita quod nullus certus incorruptus sanguis Linealis ex parte Richardi Ducis Eboraci poterat inveniri nisi in persona Richardi Protectoris Ducis Glocestriae jam eidem Duci suplicabant ut jus suum in Regno Angliae sibi assumeret Coronam acciperet But the Barons were all accorded before this Bill came both sides moving with an equall and contented forwardnesse And in July next following 1483. was Crown'd and receiv'd with as generall Magnificence and Acclamations as any King in England many years before For as a grave man writeth Fuit dignissimus regno c. non inter malos sed bonos principes Commemorandus That he was most worthy to Reigne and to be numbred amongst the good not bad Princes The Queene his Wife was Crowned with him and with no lesse State and Greatnesse Accompanied him from the Tower to Westminster having in their Traine besides the Nobilitie of the South parts foure thousand Gentlemen of the North. Upon the 19. of June 1483. in the 25. yeare of Lewis the French King he was named King of England the morrow Proclaimed and rode with great Solemnitie from London to Westminster where in the seat Royall he gave the Judges of the Land a strickt and religious charge for the just executing of the Lawes then departed towards the Abbey being met at the Church doore with Procession and the Scepter of King Edward delivered to him by the Abbot so Ascended to Saint Edwards Shrine where he offered the Monks in the meane time singing Te Deum From thence he return'd to the Palace where he lodged untill his Coronation Upon the fourth of July he went to the Tower by water with the Queene his Wife and the next day Created Edward his onely Son about ten yeares old Prince of Wales He Invested Sir Iohn Howard who was made Lord Howard and Knight of the Garter 17. Edward 4. in the Dukedome of Norffolke in a favourable admission of the right of the Lady Margaret his Mother Daughter of Sir Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norffolke and an heire generall of the Mowbrayes Dukes of Norffolke and Earles of Surrey descended from the Lord Tho. Plantagenet of Brotherton a younger Sonne of King Edward the first and Earle of Norffolke This King also made him Marshall and Admirall of England he was as rightfully Lord Mowbray Lord Segrave Lord Bruce as Lord Howard as I have seene him Stiled by Royall Warrant in a Commission for Treatie of Truce with Scotland His eldest Sonne Sir Thomas Howard was at the same time Created Earle of Surrey and made Knight of the Garter Henry Stafford Duke of Buckingham was made Constable of England for terme of life but he claimed the Office by inheritance Sir Thomas Moore writes That Sir Thomas Howard Executed the Office of Constable that day William Lord Berkley was Created Earle of Nottingham Francis Lovel Viscount Lovel and Chamberlain to the King the Lord Stanley restor'd to liberty and made Steward of the Household Thomas Rotheram Chancellour and Arch-Bishop of Canterbury having beene committed for delivering the Great Seale to the Queene Widow receiv'd to grace and many Knights Addubbed of the old Order and some of the new or habit of the Bath whose names I have set downe to shew what regard was had of their Family and in those times accused of so much Malignity Sir Edward De-la-Poole Sonne to the Duke of Norfolke George Gray Sonne to the Earle of Kent William Souch Sonne to the
Elizabeth Wiatt alias Lucy Iane Shore the Lady Elianor Talbot And it is worth the remembring in the Concourse of such matters as these there was another fair Creature so dear unto him that his too much Affection begat Suspition of which he gave her a kinde expression by a quaint device sent unto her in a rich Jewel fashioned much after the manner of the trivial Hierogliffs used in France and called Rebus de Picardy The device was A Faulcon encompassed with a Fetter-lock The Mott Au Faulcon Serrure The Caution lying in the ambiguity and double sense of Faulcon which being whole and proper signifieth a Hawk but divided hath an obscene signification and so Faulcon becometh an aequivoque The King afterward was so affected with this device that he would have it carved and painted in many of his Royal works yet to be seen at Fotheringhay and elsewhere Yet although the Kings Jealousie was thus particular to her his Affection was as general to others being a frank Gaâ—ester and he that would cast at all fairly set Above all for a time he was much speld with Elianor Talbot daughter of Iohn Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury called in the Act of Parliament 1 Rich. 3 The old Earl of Shrewsbury her mother was the Lady Katherine Stafford daughter of Humphrey Stafford Duke of Buckingham and she the widow of Thomas Lord Butler Baron of Sudesley Her beauty and sweetnesse of disposition drew his desire so vehemently and with such respect that he was suddenly Contracted and after Married by Doctor Thomas Stillington Bishop of Bath Councellor of State one much favoured by the King and often employed by him in great Affairs This is witnessed by our English Writers and veritable Philip de Comines in these words Le Evesque de Bath lequel avoit este Conseillier du Roy Edward disoit que le dit Roy avoit promis foy de Mariage a une Dame de Angleterre qu'il avoit nommè que le Roy avoit fait la promise entre les mains dudict Euesque dit aussi c'est Euesque qu'il avoit apres espousè n'y avoit que luy ceux deux In English thus The Bishop of Bath a Privie Councellor of King Edward said That the King had plighted his faith to marry a Lady of England whom the Bishop named the Lady Elianor Talbot and that this Contract was made in the hands of the Bishop who said that afterwards he married them no persons being present but they twain and he the King charging him strictly not to reveal it Which Contract and Marriage are related in the Act of Parliament aforesaid where it is disertly called a former Marriage and the King had a childe by her But where desires are unlawful they will be unlimited We are ever young enough to sin never old enough to repent never constant never satisfied in our neerest desires Though to morrow shew us the sting of to day the third shall betray us again and we are taken like children in a shop of trinkets by the eye liking all things from one to another until pleasure dull pleasure and we grow weary of them As in the dotages of this King who had now received others into the bosome of his fancy especially the fame which was then in every Courtiers ear and mouth of an excellent Lady in the Court of France with the Queen Chareltts wife of King Lewis 11 and sister to this Lady whose name was Bona the daughter of Lewis Duke of Savoy And so suddenly and strongly had he taken fire and apprehension of her report the bent of his affection being meerly wanton to every new object thinking Love a cold Composition without the priviledge of Variety that he straight falls into terms of engagement and capitulation of Marriage to which purpose the great and renowned Richard Nevil Earl of Warwick and Salisbury and Captain of Calais then in the esteem of his best and most trusty friend had a Commission of Treaty and with all speed was sent Ambassadour into France who with all honour and magnificence to his wish effects it with the more noble and easie dispatch the Earl of Warwick being a man eminent thorow all the parts of Europe for his Valour Wisedom and Heroical vertues Expecting a welcome at his return answerable to the period of his employment but findes an alteration not onely of the Kings affection but of his countenance for in the interim he had in an instant or particle of time as it were wooed and wedded the Lady Elizabeth Gray Relict of Sir Iohn Gray daughter of Sir Richard Woodville and of Iaquetta sometime Dutchesse of Bedford and daughter of the Earl of St. Poole Her husband was one Gray a Knight of Grooby who became a very vehement Lancastrian revolting from the House of York and therefore the more hateful to those of that Family and the well-wishers thereof so to the Earl of Warwick He was slain at the Battel of St Albans Of whom and of this Lady his wife as of this Marriage Philip de Comines relates something which I shall leave to the interpretation of the better knowing and desire not to understand it in the words Or de puis le dict Roy Eduart espousè la fille d'un Châ—vallier de Angleterre femme veufue qui avoit deux filz aussi per Amorrettes But neither the despised state of widowhood nor the meannesse of her quality and condition the earnest disswasion of the Dutchesse his mother and best friends could make him withdraw his affection so deeply and obstinately he was surprised with her beauty yet if he could have enjoyed his longings otherwise he haâ— not married her But she was of so pregnant and reserved a wit seconded by the caution and counsel of the Dutchesse her mother that his highest temptations and sweetest batteries could not win upon her protesting never to yeeld to any dishonorable parley or unchaste motion although it might warrant the safeâ—y of her life and humbly implored his Grace not to think her so exorbitantly and vainly ambitious to wish her self a Queen or to have the hope and presumption to be any thing higher then what she was His poor and humble vassal nor was she of so lowe and lost a minde as to violate her Chastity or be a Concubine to the greatest King When the King perceived there was no other remedy but that he must shift his sail to that scantling of winde he complies with her and protests it was his desire and â—uit to marry her notwithstanding her inequality for in his esteem her love her beauty and her vertue made her Fortunes and Dowry great and high enough for any King Nor did he defer it any longer then there was necessity but marry her he did and with such dispatch that he stayed not for the advice of any either Councellor Kinsman or other whatsoever Nay his speed admitted not the approved Ceremony of the