to consider amongst your selues whether hee is to be holden guilty or no and to giue vp your verdicts according to conscience and honour They likewise withdrawing themselues at his command consulted together after a while they returned to their places Then the Lord High Steward beginning at the lowest said Lord De la Ware Is Thomas Duke of Norfolke guiltie of the crimes of Laesae Maiestatis for which he is heere arraigned at the Iudgement-Seate De-la-Ware rising vp and laying his hand on his brest hee answered Guilty the like did euery one in order being demanded Then was the Duke againe brought before the Tribunall to whom the Lord High-Steward in this manner spake THomas Duke of Norfolke you are heere arraigned for diuers crimes of Laesae Maiestatis and haue submitted your selfe to God and these Peeres by euery one of whom you are pronounced guiltie Is there now any cause why Iudgement should not be pronounced The Duke answered The will of GOD be done that will be iudge betweene mee and my false accusers Then euery man being silent the edge of the Axe was turned towards the Duke and Barham in the Queenes name required the Lord High-Steward to pronounce his Iudgement which hee with teares in his eyes according to the forme pronounced in these words FOrasmuch as you Thomas Duke of Norfolke beeing accused of the crimes of Laesae Maiestatis haue pleaded Not guiltie and submitted your selfe to the Iudgement of these Peeres who declared you guiltie The whole Assembly adiudged you to be committed back to the Tower from thence to be drawne vpon a Sledde thorow the Citie to the place of execution there to be hanged and cut downe halfe dead then to haue your Bowels taken out your Head cut off and your Body quartered into foure parts whose Head shall be at her Maiesties disposing and at the Queenes pleasure But GOD bee mercifull vnto your Soule The Duke hauing heard this Sentence with a minde full of courage he said THis Sentence is pronounced against mee as a Traytor my confidence is in GOD and the Queene hoping that if I bee depriued of your company I shall reioyce with them in Heauen and so will prepare my selfe for my death I desire no other thing but that the Queene would shew her selfe propitious to my Children and Seruants and bee carefull for the payment of my debts These were the particulars that passed in these affaires which I haue here declared because it is expedient for our posterity that in great matters the lesse occurrences should be remembred A few dayes after Barney and Marter were put to death for hauing conspired against the death of certaine of her Maiesties Councell and plotted the freedome and libertie of the Duke One Herle was priuy thereunto and of the same company but hee soone reuealed the same and as hee was brought face to face before Barney Truely said Barney thou hast preuented mee but of an houre for if thou hadst not so soone discouered it I purposed to haue done it and so now should I be in thy place to accuse thee and thou in mine to be hanged This conspiration and other plots which were practised to set the prisoners at liberty was the cause that a Parliament was forthwith summoned At which time the Queene created Walter d' Eureux Earle of Essex for that by his great Grand-mother hee was descended from the Bourchiers sometimes Earles of Essex And Edward Lord Clinton who had large possessions in Lincolneshire Earle of Lincolne Her Maiestie likewise made Iohn Pawlet of Basing Sonne to the Lord Marquis of Winchester Henrie Compton Henrie Cheyney and Henrie Norrice Peeres of England summoned them into the Vpper-House there to haue their voyces and after to beare the Title of Barons Amongst other Acts it was made Felony to intercept ruinate or burne any of her Maiesties Ships Fortresses or Harbours Item It was enacted that whosoeuer should attempt to set at liberty any person or persons committed by her Maiesties expresse command or which had trespassed against her Maiestie or was held suspected to haue offended if the partie were not indicted he was to be punished with onely losse of goods in stead of life and imprisonment during her Maiesties pleasure if indicted with death if condemned to be held guilty of treason But as necessitie brought in Decrees for the time so the States thought good they should be temporary or during the Queenes life But as new practices were daily discouered so they serued to hasten on the Dukes punishment which notwithstanding was yet deferred some fiue moneths more or lesse nor before could either the Lower-House of Parliament the Lords of the Priuy-Councell or the importunacy of Preachers aggrauating how great and eminent danger there was ouercome her Maiesties mercifull clemency The fourth day of Iune by eight a clocke in the forenoone the Duke was brought to a Scaffold built vpon the Tower-Hill whereupon being mounted and Alexander Nowell Deane of Saint Pauls who was appointed his Comforter had requested the confused People to be silent he said among many other words that I heard these IT is not strange to see some suffer death in this place although that since her Royall Maiestie began to reigne I am the first and I pray God I may be the last with that the People cried all aloud Amen Then continuing his Speech he said I know well said hee the Peeres of the Realme haue iustly iudged mee worthy to dye nor haue I purpose to excuse my selfe I haue treated I freely confesse in matters of great importance with the Queene of Scots without the priuity of my Soueraigne which I ought not to haue done and for that I was first committed and hauing had my libertie vpon my humble submission I past my faithfull promise that I would neuer more conferre with her yet I did I confesse which torments my Conscience but I neither promised nor swore as they say at the Lords Table I went and but once to Ridolfe but with no intent of conspiracie against her Maiestie For it is well knowne that I had great dealings with him vpon my accounts and reckonings I found he enuied the present peace of the Land and was very subtill in plotting proiects of mischiefe Twice there came Letters to my hands from the Bishop of Rome to which I neuer gaue consent nor to the Rebellion in the North. I renounced Papistrie after I tasted the sweete of Religion and reiecting the Popes doctrine I embraced the true Religion of Iesus Christ beleeuing wholy and soly in his precious bloud my Sauiour and Redeemer yet I cannot deny but many of my Family and familiars were addicted to the Romish Religion wherein if I haue offended GOD the Church and Protestants I beseech him and them to forgiue mee Then after they had sung a Psalme or two he said with a lowd voyce Into thy hands O Lord I commend my spirit Then imbracing Henry
Annals and then by my last Will to bequeath them to my honorable friend IAMES AVGVSTVS THVANVS who hath begun a Historie of his owne Times with great truth and modestie lest that as strangers are wont he a man most deare vnto me should like a traueller in a forraine Countrie be ignorant of our affaires But this resolution I was forced I know not by what fate to alter for a great part being sent vnto him some few years past wheÌ„ they were like rough-drawn pictures scarcely begun deformed with blots imperfect places swarming with errors patches thrust in as they fell from a hasty pen ill vsed by Transcribers Out of these he took as it were inter-weaued some things into the eleuenth and twelfth Tomes of his Historie hauing first polished them by adding altering substracting but all with good iudgement according to that order of the worke which he proposed to himselfe for he intended a vniuersall Historie of his owne Time selecting some few things concerning ENGLAND and IRELAND ommitting many things not only fit but peraduenture necessary for vs to know and I had heard that beyond the Seas the Historie of English affaires was much and not without reproach desired I therefore betook me to my intermitted study read all ouer againe corrected added diuers things refined the eloquution yet without affectation for it sufficeth me if I may place this Booke like a picture in water colours vnskilfully done in a commodious light But when all was done I was much perplext irresolute whether I should publish it or not But CENSVRES PREIVDICE HATRED OBTRECTATION which I foresaw to display their colors and bid battell against me haue not so much deterred me as the desire of TRVTH the loue of MY COVNTRY and the memory of that PRINCESSE which deserues to be deare and sacred amongst English men did excite me against those who shaking off their allegeance towards their Prince and Country did not cease beyond the Seas to wound aswel the Honor of the one as the glory of the other by scandalous libels conceiued by the malice of their own hearts now which they sticke not to confesse are about to publish a Book to remain to posteritie as a monument of their wickednesse As for me I desire nothing more than to be like my self they like themselues Succeeding ages will giue to euery one their deserued Honor. I confesse with sorrow that I haue not done so wel as the height of the argumeÌ„t requires but what I could I haue done willingly To my selfe as in other writings so neither in these haue I giuen satisfaction But I shall hold it more than sufficient if out of an earnest desire to conserue the memorie of things of truth in relating them instructing mens minds with that which is wise and honest I shall be ranked only amongst the lowest writers of great things WHATSOEVER IT IS AT THE ALTAR OF TRVTH I Dedicate and Consecrate it TO GOD MY COVNTRIE AND POSTERITIE ⧠TO THE TRVE MIRROR AND PATTERNE OF PRINCES THE MOST HIGH AND MIGHTY CHARLES PRINCE OF GREAT BRITAINNE c. SIR I COVLD not but shelter this Historie vnder your most renowned Name for to whom can I commit the Story of Her who whilst shee liued was the ioy of England the terror and admiration of the VVorld but to your HIGHNESSE who is the Fame and Honour of this spacious hemisphere Great Britaines both hope solace by your princely valour constant vertues no lesse dreaded and admired abroad than feared beloued at home A true admirer humble Obseruer of your diuine worth A. Darcie To the Highly Borne Princesse Frances Duchesse Dowager of Richmond Lenox This Noble Princesse's Father was Thomas Lord Howard created Viscount Bindon by Queen Elizabeth the first yeare of her raigne second son to Thomas Duke of Norfolke AND To the noble Prince her Cosin Thomas Earle of Arundell Surrey Earle Marshall of England This Duke of Norfolke the Duchesse of Richmond and Lenox's Grandfather had two wiues the first was the noble Princesse Anne Daughter to King Edward the fourth by which he had issue a young Prince who died young The other was the Lady Elizabeth daughter to Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham by whom he had issue the Lord Henry Hâ—ward whose son succeeded to the Dukedome of Norfolk which Dukes eldest son Philip Howard was by Queen ELizabeth alâ—o created and summoned in Parliament where he sate as Earl of Arundel being the primary Earledome of England in the right of his Mother sole daughter and heire to Henry Fitz-Allen Earle of Arundell He was this Noble Earles Father Thomas Viscont Bindon and a Daughter who was Duchesse of Richmond and Somerset Countesse of Nottingham Aunt to the now Duchesse of Richmond and Lenox This said Duke of Norfolke after a long sicknesse tooke his iourney peaceably to Heauen at his Palace in Kinninghall in Norfolke the first yeare of Queene Mary AND To the Illustrious fauourers of Vertue true mirrors of Honour and exact patternes of Nobilitie William Earle of Hartford c AND To the Noble Lady Frances his Princely Countesse This Earles grandfather Lord Edward Seimor son to Edw. Duke of Somerset was restored to his honours patrimonie by Queene Elizabeth who created him Earle of Hartford and Baron of Beauchamp in the Tower of London the second yeare of her raigne This noble Countesse's grandfather also was created Earle of Essex c. by Qu. Elizabeth the 14. of her raigne he died in Ireland 1575. and was magnificently buried at Carmarden in Wales where he was borne Edward Earle of Dorset Baron of Buckhurst AND To his noble sisters the lady Anne Beauchamp And the Lady Cecilia Compton This illustrious Earle and honourable Ladies grandfather was a most prudent and learned man for his heroick deserts and Princely descent from an ancient and true noble blood was created by Q. Elizabeth Baron of Buckhurst next by her Maiestie enstalled in the royall order of the Garter one of her intimate priuy Counsellors Lord High Treasurer of England c. Chancellor of the Vniuersity of Oxford Hee died in White-hall 1608. Theophilus Lord CLINTON Earle of LINCOLN Anno 1572. Edward Lord Clinton Lord high Treasurer of England was created Earle of Lincolne by Queene Elizabeth for his Noble merits and faithfull seruice to his Soueraigne Lady The same day her Maiesty created Sir Walter Deureux Earle of Essex He died the eighth day of Ianuary Anno 1585. and was with great solemnitie buried at Windsor To this right Honorable Lord Theophilus Earle of Lincolne he was great Grand-father Thomas Earle of Suffolke knight of the most honorable Order of the Garter This worthy Earle second sonne to Thomas Howard the last Duke of Norfolke by his martiall valour was Princely vertue and by Queene Elizabeth created Lord Howard of Walden and tooke place in the high Court of Parliament among the Peeres as Baron of Walden And Q.
with wisedome and kept by care was firme and lasting Now how by her Masculine care and counsell she surmounted her Sexe and what shee did most wisely in preuenting diuerting and powerfully resisting the attempts of her Enemies those that now liue and shall hereafter will bee able to iudge of what I shall drawe out and set forth of things if I may call them so in the Kingdomes owne memory At that time the Emperour and the Christian Princes interceding by continuall Letters that she would vse the Bishops which were retyred out of her Realme gently and suffer the Papists to haue Churches in Townes by the Protestants She answered that although the Bishops had in the sight of all the world against the Lawes and Peace of the Kingdome and obstinately reiected the same Doctrine which the most of them had vnder the Raigne of HENRY the Eighth and EDVVARD the Sixth propounded to others voluntarily and by publike writings that she would vse them meekely for those great Princes sakes notwithstanding shee could not doe it without offending her Subiects But to let them haue Churches by the others shee could not with the safety of the Common-wealth and without wounding of her Honour Conscience neither had shee reason to doe it seeing that England imbraced no new Religion nor any other then that which Iesus Christ hath commanded that the Primitiue and Catholike Church hath exercised and the ancient Fathers haue alwayes with one voice and one mind approued And to allow them to haue diuers Churches and diuers manners of seruice besides that it is directly oppugnant to the Lawes established by the authority of the Parliament it were to breede one Religion out of another and drawe the spirits of honest people into varieties to nourish the designes of the factious to trouble Religion and Common-wealth and to confound humane things with Diuine which would be ill in effect and worse in example pernicious to her Subiects and not assured at all to those to whō it should be allowed and aboue all at their request she was resolued to cure the particular insolency of some by winking at something neuerthelesse without fauouring in any sort the obstinacie of their spirits The Spaniard hauing lost all hope to marry her and beeing ready to marry the Daughter of France notwithstanding thinkes seriously of England nothing desirous that it should be ioyned to the Scepter of France and to retaine the dignity of so great a Kingdome in his House obtained of the Emperour Ferdinand his Vncle that he would seeke her to wife for his second Sonne which he as soone did by very louing Letters and followed it very carefully by Iasper Preimour a resolute Baron of the Countrey of Stibing The Spaniard himselfe to bring her to that promised her speciall affection and she of her side made him offer by Thomas Chaloner of her Ships and commodity of her Hauens for his Voyage for Spaine which he was about with all remarkable duties of Friendship The French on the other side casting an eye vpon England left the French Garrison in Scotland in fauour of the King Dolphin his sonne and Mary Queene of Scotland which hee had promised to take from thence vpon the agreement before mentioned and sent thither vnder-hand supplies sollicites the Pope of Rome more vehemently than euer to declare Queene ELIZABETH an Heretique and illegitimate and Queene Mary of Scotland legitimate of England and although the Spaniard and the Emperour hindered by their contrary and most strong practices though secretly by the Agents which they had at Rome neuerthelesse the Guizes carried their credulous ambition with such a flattering hope to ioyne Englands Scepter to France by the meanes of the Queene of Scots their neece that hee came so farre as to challenge it for his Sonne and for his Daughter in Law and commanded them in all their Royall Letters to take this Title Francis and Mary by the grace of God King and Queene of Scotland England and Ireland and to let the Armes of England be seene in all places causing them to be painted and grauen together with the French Armes in their moueables and vtensils in the walls of their houses in their Heralds coates of Armes notwithstanding any complaint that the English Ambassadour could make that it was a notorious wrong to Queene ELIZABETH with whom hee had newly contracted a friendship being manifest that hee had not done it during the reigne of Queene MARIE though she denounced warre against him Hee also leuied horse and foote in France and Germanie to goe to the Territories of Scotland neerest adioyning to England insomuch that Queene ELIZABETH had good cause to apprehend it seeing that he breathed nothing but after the bloud slaughter of the Protestants But these enterprizes were broken by his vnlooked-for death hapning at the Tilting which was for the recreation and solemnizing of the marrriages of his Daughter with the King of Spaine and of his Sister with the Duke of Sauoy And much to the purpose it fell out for Queene ELIZABETHS businesse whom hee resolued to set vpon with all his forces as well for being an heretique as also illegitimate on the one side by Scotland and on the other side by France Neuerthelesse to giue him royall honours after his death shee caused his funerall solemnities to be performed as to a King a friend with the greatest pompe in Saint Pauls Church in London and forthwith sent Ch. Howard Effinghams sonne now great Admirall of England and Ireland to condole with him for the death of his Father and to congratulate his succession to Francis his Sonne and Successour exhorting him to entertaine inuiolably the friendship which had lately beene begun But Francis and the Queene of Scotland his wife by the counsell of the Guizes who then had some power in France behaued himselfe publiquely as King of England and Ireland kept alwaies the English Armes which hee had vsurped and made shew of them more than euer and N. Throgmorton ordinary Ambassadour a wise but a hote man complained to them of this They first answere him that the Queene of Scotland had right to carry those Armes with a barre to shew the proximity of bloud which shee had with the royall Race of England After when he had maintained that by the Law which they call the Law of Armes it is not permitted to any to take the Armes and Markes of any House vnlesse hee be descended of some of the Heires of it obseruing to tell him that shee carried them not but to cause the Queene of England to leaue those of France But hauing vpon that put them in minde how D. Wotton had afore-time treated at Cambray how twelue Kings of England had carried the Armes of France and by a right so seldome called in question that by any of the treaties which were made betweene the English and the French nothing had beene resolued to the contrary hee gained in the end
and pleasing to her but she could not yet finde in her heart to marry in changing her present condition which was vnto her much more delightfull pray'd him to proue her good wil in any other thing assuring him that although hee could not enioy his desires neuerthelesse hee should perceiue that his loue had not beene ill placed and admonished him not to deferre the time any longer to make choyce of a Wife which might be worthy of him With this answer I. C. of Finland returnes into his Countrey After hauing imployed all kinde of meanes to make this marriage in courting her Maiestie importunately by bold demands vsing of great liberality towards her Courtiers captiuating the good will of the inferior sort amongst which he often strowed pieces of Siluer telling them that when his Brother should come he would distribute largely pieces of Gold to the common people in generall Neuerthelesse his Brother suspecting that he had made this suit for himselfe receiued and intertained him ill at his returne and obstinating himselfe in his designe ceased not to continue this suit two yeeres after and made the condition of it to be propounded by Nicholas Guildenstain but as hee was imprudent and light at the same time hee demanded the daughter of Philip Landgraue of Hessen hauing beene refused at last married with a Lady of meane condition But as for Charles Duke of Austria he conceiued such hope that his House already allied by marriages with great Princes would be much more augmented by the addition of the alliance with England and that the ancient Religion should be tolerated if not altogether established which he so expected as a thing which he could not faile of and Qu. ELIZABETH tooke not at an instant this hope from him For her Matie shewed openly to euery one protested in the presence of C. Elphinstain and writ to the Emperour that of all the illustrious marriages which were propounded to her there was not any more or greater than that of the Arch-Duke that neuerthelesse neither the storme of dangers had not power heretofore nor the fauourable winde of honour could yet for the present diuert her from that manner of life in which shee had settled her selfe Notwithstanding without being come so farre as to renounce altogether the state of marriage and that shee hoped that God vpon whose goodnesse shee wholly supported her selfe would addresse his ends in that and in euery other thing to the safety both of her and her Subiects Adolphe likewise Duke of Holsatia was stirred vp by Frederic the Second King of Denmarke his Nephew to hinder her from marrying with the King of Sueden and carried with hopes to be able to effect it by the desire which her selfe had by her Letters witnessed vnto him that he was possest with the same affection towards the English as he had beene long agoe towards the Spaniards and by the promise that shee had most louingly made him hee came into England where she intertained him royally honoured him with the Order of the Garter gratified him with an annuall pension and through her extraordinary courtesie profest vnto him her Maiestie obliged for euer a most illustrious Prince who had purchased the renowne to be a most famous warriour in a conquest lately by him wonne against those of DITHMARS There were also in her Kingdome certaine Lords who according to the custome of Louers vainly prated concerning the marriage viz. Sir William Pickering Knight of the Order who had an indifferent good estate but honourably descended hee through his rare study and affability had gotten much honor and no lesse applause by his Ambassage in France and Germanie The Earle of Arundel a man of a most ancient House no lesse great in meanes than illustrious by birth but growing into yeeres and Robert Dudley the yongest Sonne of the Duke of Northumberland whom Queene MARY restored to his right and honours a noble young Lord of most comely lineaments of body who was as farre in fauour with the Queene as his Father and Grand-father were generally hated of the people out of a rare and royall clemency which she professed towards him in conferring heaping honours vpon him whose Father would haue attempted her death Whether this might proceed from some secret instinct of those vertues apparant in him or out of common respect they both being prisoners vnder Queene MARIE or from their first procreation by a secret coniunction of the Planets at the houre of their birth combining their hearts in one no man can easily conceiue Howsoeuer it were it is most certaine that onely Destinie causeth Princes to affect some and reiect others In token of honour and for the testimony of her well-wishing towards him the first yeere of her reigne after she had made him her Champion shee made him Knight of the Garter which amongst the English is the most honourable dignitie of all with the Duke of Norfolke the Marquis of Northampton and the Earle of Rutland at which euery one wondered In the meane time Vicount Montaigu Ambassadour for Spaine moued him of the necessitie of the warres of Scotland and laboured what in him lay to preuent the imputation of the Scots to be Rebels shewed him by the instructions wherein he was commanded but coldly in regard hee was a zealous professour of the Roman Religion that that which was established in England was conformable and grounded vpon the holy Scripture and the Aecunomicke Councels and intreated him to renew the alliance of the Burgundians formerly contracted betweene the Kings of England and their predecessours The Spaniard howsoeuer it was agreeable and vsuall amongst Princes to confirme such a renouation in respect it giueth as it were life to their Alliances and testifieth to the world their mutuall good will and howsoeuer himselfe and Charles his Father in the treaty of marriage with MARY Queene of England in the yeere 1533. were bound to confirme this alliance answered notwithstanding that it was needlesse lamented the alteration of Religion happened in England seemed to distaste the raising of an army and rooting out the Rebels in Scotland and fained to be too late aduertized thereof But for all this hee still opposed the designes of the French who laboured to excommunicate ELIZABETH and brought it so to passe that she could be no way subiect to excommunication without his consent and to aduertise her though it were too late that they ought for her aduantage to insert in the Articles concluded with the King of France that if the French should returne into Scotland it might be lawfull for the English to expulse them and in expresse termes to condition for the certaine assurance of the restitution of Calais The Earle notwithstanding perceiued well and so did the Queene that he was displeased as well by the circumstances I haue related as principally for that hee re-deliuered into the said Vicounts hands the tokens and ensignes of the order
being diuorced from his first Wife tooke in her place the Lady Ienet Beton Aunt by the Mothers side to the Cardinall Beton by whom hee had Issue Iames Hamilton Duke of Chastel-Heraut Marie Sister to the Earle of Arraine bore to Mathew Iohn Earle of Lenox who being slaine by the Hamiltons when hee attempted to set King IAMES the fourth at liberty left this Mathew Earle of Lenox whom King Iames the Fifth loued most dearly in respect of his Father When the King was dead and the Hamiltons in full authority Mathew went secretly into France from whence being sent backe by the French King Henry the second into Scotland to preuent all detriment to the Scottish Common-wealth through the practices of the Regent Hamilton hee valiantly carried himselfe in this employment But being of an honest milde nature and very open-hearted permitting himselfe to bee out-reached by Hamilton and the Cardinall Beton in a small time hee lost the amity of the French and when hee could neither tarry in Scotland nor returne into France he went into England and committed himselfe in trust to King Henry the Eighth who very graciously entertained him as one that was powerfull well beloued in the Westerne parts of Scotland Whervpon he acknowledged him for next Heire to the Crowne of Scotland after Queene MARY who was then exceeding yong though neuerthelesse the Hamiltons condemned him and confiscated all his Lands gaue him to Wife the Lady Margaret Douglasse his Neece by the elder Sisters side with demeanes in England which amounted in an annuall reuennew to the summe of 1700. Marks after hee had made promise to surrender into his hands the Castle of Dunbritton and the I le of Buthe with the Castle of Rothsay which is in England The which hee vndertooke with courage but fayled in the successe The Queene of Scots beeing a wise and prudent Lady all whose drifts aymed at England shee gaue him her safe conduct and restored vnto him his Fathers goods both that hee might oppose the designes of Iames his bastard brother whom shee had honoured with the Earledome of Murray as also to cut off the hopes of others by the meanes of Darley her Sonne which they might any wayes foster and nourish of succession to the Diadem of England For shee feared that being of the Blood Royall borne in England and very well beloued of the English if hee were ioyned with any puissant Family in England relying on the English power and forces hee might happely one day disturbe her right of succession to the Kingdome of England many men reputing him for the second Heire apparant after her and shee affected nothing more feruently then by his meanes to bring the Kingdomes of England and Scotland to fall into some Scottish Race and Name and so by him to propagate them to posteritie in the name of the Stewards his Ancestors Queene ELIZABETH well discerned all this and to preuent it gaue the Queene of Scots to vnderstand by Randolph that this Marriage was so distastfull to all the English as against the consent of her Councell she was enforst to prorogue the conuentions of Parliament to some other fitter time for feare lest the States of the Kingdome therewith prouoked should enact somewhat to the preiudice of her right to the succession And therefore to cut off all occasions of this Issue hereafter and to satisfie the English she aduised her to thinke of some other marriage and so by this meanes shee once againe and with great affection commended vnto her the Earle of Leicester for an Husband who for this speciall reason she had exalted to the Dignity of an Earle For prosecution of this the Earles of Bedford of Randolph and of Lidington were deputed to treat of this marriage at Barwicke in the Moneth of Nouember The English promised vnto her a firme and constant Amity a perpetuall Peace and that vndoubtedly shee should succeed to the Crowne of England if she married with the Earle of Leicester The Scots on the other side contested alleadging That their Queenes Dignitie who had beene sued vnto by Charles Sonne to the Emperour Ferdinand the King of France the Prince of Condé and the Duke of Ferrara could not permit her so farre to embase and vnder-valew her selfe as to match with a new-made Earle a Subiect of England and who propounded nothing but bare hopes without any certaine Dowrie neither stood it with the honour of the Queene of England to commend such a man for an Husband to so great a Princesse her neere Kinswoman but rather shee should giue an infallible testimonie of her great loue and affection towards her to giue her absolute libertie to make choice of such an husband as might entertaine perpetuall peace with England to assigne her a yeerely Pension and with the authority of the Parliament confirme the right which shee had to succeede In all this busines the extreme desire of Queene ELIZABETH was although she made discreete haste to assure by such a marriage the succession of the Kingdome in an English Race The Queene of Scotland seeing that this businesse had beene prolonged full two yeeres and making account to marry Darley doubted whether she was proceeded withall in good earnest or no and that Queene ELIZABETH did not propound this marriage but to make a pre-election of the most worthy for herselfe or to marry the more excusable with Leicester She beeing absolute Queene after she should haue really consented to marry him But the Commissioners of Scotland weighing these reasons to maintaine their power with the Queene had resolued to hinder by all meanes all kinde of marriages Queene ELIZABETH admonisheth them to hinder that with Darley Leicester himselfe full of hope to enioy Queene ELIZABETH by secret Letters priuily warnes the Earle of Bedford not to presse the thing and with this hope it is credibly thought that hee secretly fauoured Darley THE EIGHTH YEERE OF HER RAIGNE Anno Domini 1565. DARLEY in the meane time by the intercession of his Mother with Prayers and diligence to Queene ELIZABETH obtained though with much difficultie leaue to goe into Scotland and to stay there three Moneths vnder pretext to be partaker of his Fathers establishment and came to Edenborrough in the Moneth of February in the great winter when the Thames was so frozen that people passed dry ouer on foot Hee was a Youth of a most worthy Carriage fit to beare rule of an excellent composition of members of a milde spirit and of a most sweet behauiour As soone as the Queene of Scotland had seene him she fell in loue with him and to the end to keepe her loue secret in discoursing with Randolph the English Ambassadour in Scotland she often-times intermixt her discourse with the marriage of Leicester and at the same time seekes a dispensation from Rome for Darley shee being so neere in bloud that according to the Popes Ordinance they stood in neede of one This being come
of Desmond who had faithfully promised to performe all the dueties of a loyall Subiect and others who were broken out into ciuill warres To extinguish these Controuersies Queene ELIZABETH calls Desmond into England and makes him Gouernour and Iustice of that Prouince with an Assessor two Lawyers and a Clerke and nominated Warham S. Leger chiefe President a man that had beene long conuersant in Irish affaires About the middle of October the same yeere dyed Thomas Chaloner lately returned Ambassadour from Spaine a famous man borne in London brought vp at Cambridge who had addicted himselfe as well to Mars as to the Muses and being but young got honour vnder Charles the fifth in the expedition of Alger who hauing suffered ship-wrack and had swomme so long that his strength and armes fayled him saued himselfe by taking hold of a Cable with his teeth whereof he lost some Vnder EDVVARD the Sixth at Mussleborrough where hee behaued himselfe so valiantly that the Duke of Sommerset honoured him with the Dignitie of Knight-hood And vnder Queene ELIZABETH in an extraordinary Ambassie to the Emperour Ferdinand and foure yeeres ordinary Ambassadour in Spaine where he composed fiue Bookes in pure and learned Verse of the restauration of the English Common-wealth which he called Hieme in fumo aestate in horreo Hee was honourably buried at Saint Pauls in London Cecill being chiefe mourner when Thomas his Sonne who liued neere HENRY Prince of Wales was very yong THE NINTH YEERE OF HER RAIGNE Anno Domini 1566. IN the beginning of the yeere Charles the 9. King of France sent into England to the Queene Rambouillet with the Robes of the order of S. Michael to bee giuen to two of the Peeres of England whom shee pleased She made choice of the Duke of Norfolke as being much more noble then any other and to the Earle of Leicester louing him very well Rambouillet hauing beene for and in the Name of his King placed honourably at Windsor amongst the Knights of the Order of Saint George inuested them solemnly in the Royall House at Westminster This shee tooke for a great honour remembring her selfe that no English was euer honoured with this Order saue HENRY the Eighth EDVVARD the Sixth and Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke But when she exactly obserued all things that belonged to the honour of it she was at length much displeased to see it so vilified that it was prostituted indifferently to euery man And shee busied her selfe not onely in things concerning honour but chiefely what was for the good of her Subiects For the Ayre beeing so intemperate that yeere that experienced men feared a want of Corne and other victuals she did not onely prohibit any Corne to be carried out of the Kingdome but tooke care that great quantity was brought in While these things past Henry Earle of Arundell being great and powerfull among the Lords of the Realme after hauing consumed much wealth vpon a vaine hope to marry the Queene and the Earle of Leicester who then was in great credit with her and his friends which had failed in the trust which hee reposed in them taking away this hope quite from him tooke leaue of her and voluntarily went out of the Kingdome vnder colour to recouer his health but in effect to strengthen himselfe against sorrow But the other English who for their naturall valour thought themselues borne to liue in Armes and not in idlenes seeing the Nobility of all parts did rise at the report of the warre against the Turke and carried their Armes and Courages into Hungarie Amongst whom the most remarkeable were Iohn Smith cousin german to EDVVARD the Sixth by the Sister of I. Seimor the Kings Mother H. Champernon P. Butshid R. Greuill G. George T. Cotton c. In Iune following the Queene of Scotland had a most auspicious and happy Deliuery for the eternall prosperity of Great Brittaine IAMES her Sonne who is now Monarch thereof whereof she gaue present notice to Queene ELIZABETH by Iohn Meluin Queene ELIZABETH howsoeuer angry to see her out-strip her in honour who enuied her as speedily sent H. Killigrewe to congratulate her lying in and the birth of her Sonne and to admonish her not to fauour any longer Shan O-Neale who rebelled in Ireland nor to assist Roquerbay an English Fugitiue and to punish some theeues that rob'd vpon the Borders After hauing vn-wearied her minde by a Progresse to shew herselfe as fauourable to the Muses of Oxford as well as of Cambridge betweene which there was then a sincere emulation goes toward the Vniuersitie of Oxford where she was magnificently entertained and staid there full seuen dayes taking pleasure in the pleasant aspect of the place at the beauty of the Colledges in the spirits and learning of most exquisit Schollers which passed the nights in Comedies and the dayes in learned Disputations for which she gaue them ample thankes by a most sweet discourse in Latine and a most louing farewell As soone as shee was returned to London the States of the Kingdome assembled there the first day of Nouember beeing the day assigned and after hauing established a Statute or two they begun to dispute among themselues of the Succession of the Kingdome seeing that the Queene hauing vowed Virginity had already reigned eight yeeres without thinking seriously of an Husband that on the one side the Papists made account of the Queene of Scots who had lately had a Sonne that on the other side the Protestants being deuided some of them made account of one and some of another and euery particular prouiding for their safety and Religion presaged the stormes of a most fearefull time if shee should dye without assuring a Successor And the keener sort of spirits proceeded so far as to blame her as if she abandoned both her Country and Posteritie and to teare by reprochfull defaming Libels wicked Councellor therein and to curse Huic her Phisicion because he disswaded her to marry for I know not what womanish infirmity The Earles of Pembroke and Leicester were openly and the Duke of Norfolke couertly of opinion that a necessity of marriage should be imposed vpon her or else publikely to appoint a Successor by authority of the Parliament whether she would or no which caused them to bee forbidden to enter into the Priuie Chamber or come neere the Queene who neuerthelesse granted them pardon as soone as they demanded it They neuerthelesse being much troubled and all the rest of the vpper House of Parliament touching the Succession all with one mind by the mouth of Bacon Keeper of the great Scale according to the dutie which they ought vnto God the fidelity to their Prince and the charity to their Countrie so to doe that as by her meanes they then sweetly enioyed all the benefits of Peace Iustice and Clemency they and their posterity might by her meanes likewise enioy the same assuredly and continually But
both Kingdomes the peace of either Prince and chiefly for the aduancement of Religion since he who was so great and worthy in Queen ELIZABETHS estimation should make friendship betweene the Scots and the English and might more easily perswade the Queene of Scots to the true Religion which hee had embraced Murray also by the meanes of Robert Meluin imparted this closely to the Queene of Scots and officiously promised his assistance but the Duke answered that he could not determine any thing of the marriage till she could cleare her selfe from her suspected crimes and wipe off those infamous aspersions but Rosse notwithstanding persisted in his perswasion and ceast not to draw him though vnwilling to it Not long after Nicholas Throgmorton met the Duke in Westminster who professing himselfe as euery way obliged and bound to performe all dueties of obseruance said that he vnderstood that Leicester dealt with the Duke concerning the match twixt him and the Scots which seemed strange and moued admiration in him since Leicester himselfe not long since had beaten the same bush and gone about it and friendly aduised the Duke that hee should put it off to Leicester who formerly had sought the honour of that marriage but if that could not be done that he should refuse it in regard the Scots accused her of many crimes but Throgmorton said that hee wisht that shee might bee ioyned to him in marriage that it might be prosperous to Religion and that she might wholly and soly depend and rely vpon Queene ELIZABETH But I doe premonish you that if you proceede in this matter Leicester may precede and goe afore you in counsell for by your owne meanes onely you cannot procure the assent and good will of the Queene Two dayes after the Earle of Leicester propounded the affaire to the Duke and receiued of him the answere that Throgmorton had forged and inuented afore-hand and when it came to the crimes he did moderate them according to the instructions and assurance that he had receiued of R. Cauendish of whom though suspected yet he recommended him to the Duke to make vse of his seruice After this he acquaints therewith the Earle of Pembroke who giues notice thereof to the Earle of Arundell and they all with Throgmorton doe write to the Queene of Scotland recommending vnto her Maiestie the Duke of Norfolke for her Husband as likewise Murray had formerly done The Duke himselfe also writes and witnesseth his loue vnto her offering her Maiestie louingly his humblest seruice and from that time he still communicated vnto them all such Letters as past betwixt them As for them they had ordinary and familiar discourses with the Bishop of Rosse concerning the meanes whereby they could effectuate and bring this marriage to passe and the twentieth of May 1558. a Proposition was made to the Queene of Scotland by Cauendish These ensuing Articles were written by the owne hand of the Earle of Leicester THat she should not vndertake any thing in the succession of the Kingdome of England preiudicious to Queene ELIZABETH or the issue her Maiestie might that haue she should passe an offensiue and defensiue League 'twixt their two Crownes That she should settle and firmely establish the true Protestants Religion in Scotland That she should receiue to her mercy all such Scots as then were against her she should reuoke the assignation that she had giuen of the Kingdome of England to the Duke of Aniou and that shee should take to her Husband some of the English Nobility and namely the Duke of Norfolke And they promised her that in case her Maiestie should conclude and agree the Articles to re-establish her anew in her Kingdome with all possible speed as could bee and to confirme her in the succession of the Crowne of England The Queene of Scots accorded them presently except that concerning the Allyance shee excus'd her selfe as not able to answere to it except shee had first consulted with the French King and concerning the assignation of the Kingdome of England she protested that she had neuer made any yet neuerthelesse shee would labour if they should desire it that the Duke of Aniou should renounce it Admonishing them to procure aboue all things the will and consent of Queene ELIZABETH for feare the affaire should turne and be preiudiciall both to herselfe and the Duke of Nolfolke as shee had formerly experimented in the match with the Lord Darley priuately contracted without Queene ELIZABETHS consent Yet they neuerthelesse esteemed fit first to sound the will and affection of many Noble-men who for the most part gaue their voice and consent prouided their Queene also to grant hers and likewise the Kings of France and Spaine were not against it but they onely had an apprehension of Murray and forasmuch as he had beene the first to propound this affaire promising to employ himselfe therein with all his might he should bee the first now to hinder it They yet notwithstanding were all of a mind that Lidington who then was lookt for should first sound the intention and disposition of Queene ELIZABETH In the meane while the Duke declares to the Lord Baron of Lumley all that was done and past in this businesse and with much adoe could hee obtaine from the Earle of Leicester leaue to take further consultation and aduice of his other friends he neuerthelesse made Cecill acquainted with it the Earle of Pembroke consenting thereunto At the same time the Lord Dacray resolued in himselfe to steale away the Queen of Scotland who at that time was prisoner at Winfield in the County of Derby vnder the keeping of the Earle of Shrewsburie The Earle of Northumberland who was of his counsell gaue notice thereof to the Duke of Norfolke who forbade to doe it fearing they went about to marry her to the Spaniard being then vpon hope to obtaine the loue and consent of Queene ELIZABETH The rumors and pretence of this match arriued presently to Queene ELIZABETHS eare beeing told her by some of those craftie and curious courtizans who smell and find out soonest the secrets of Louers The Duke knowing it labours with his vtmost power to make a proposition thereof to the Queen and to that end employed therein the Earle of Leicester the Earle of Pembroke and Throgmorton putting it off and deferring it from day to day as if he expected a fitter time and opportunity But Cecill seeing the said Duke perplexed in his mind counselled him himselfe to declare the businesse to the Queene for to take sooner away all scruple But the Earle of Leicester contrary to that opinion is against it promising him to propound the same to her Maiestie when she should walke abroad in the fields But whilest that hee by such sweete courtesies deferred the affaire from time to time Queene ELIZABETH beeing at Farnham causeth the Duke to approch neere vnto her Table and with a most graue and serious smile warned him That hee who
that it was heard by the Neighbours a great wayes off raised vp it selfe as if it had wakened out of a profound sleepe and forsaking his deepe bed below mounted vp into an higher place carrying with it the Trees which were rooted thereupon the Shepheards Tents and the Flockes of Sheepe feeding thereon Some Trees were almost quite couered with Earth as if they had but newly taken root there It left in the place from whence it departed an ouerture of fortie foot wide and 80. elles long the whole field was twenty Akers or thereabouts It ouerthrew a little Chappell neere vnto it carryed from the East into the West an Yew-tree which was planted in the Church-yard and with its violence draue vp before it high-wayes with Shepheards Caues with Plants and Trees which were thereon It made mountaines leuell and arable grounds mountainous as if then they had took their beginnings And thus from Saturday at night vntill Munday noone next following it rested not till at last as if it were then tyred with the long way and wearied with its weighty burthen A little before there was celebrated in France at Mesires sur Meuse the marriage betweene Charles the Fourth King of France and Elizabeth of Austrich the Daughter of Maximilian the Emperour with great and royall pompe Elizabeth to testifie her ioy with honour according to the entyre affection shee bore vnto the Emperour whom she honoured as her father and to shew her loue vnto the King of France her Neighbour and Confederate and for her owne honour sent into France T. Sackuil Baron of Buckhurst who according to his owne worth and his Princes dignitie was magnificently intertained Hee was accompanied with Guido Caulcancius a Florentine a man of great experience with whom the Queene-Mother of France mannaging the affaires of her and her children openly treated of a match betweene ELIZABETH and Henry the Duke of Aniou her Sonne and gaue him withall certaine Articles to present vnto ELIZABETH and after that the King of France made earnest suit for his Brother by Mauluoisie his Ambassadour ordinary La Motte F. Archant and de Foix who bestowed a whole yeere in solliciting ELIZABETH sometimes all together and otherwhiles seuerally This marriage did something fortifie their hope that the Romane Religion had taken no firme root in the Dukes heart as well in respect of his tender yeeres as being educated vnder Carualet who was much inclining to the Protestants Religion the hopes which they had by little and little to win him to the profession of it and the suppositions of the benefits which this marriage might bring to the reformed Religion hee being a young Prince and of a warlike disposition might by vniting the Forces of Germany and England bring the refractory Papists to obedience establish a perpetual league of peace betweene England and France and interrupt the designes of the Queene of Scotland the King of Spaine the Pope and the Irish Rebels sithence hee might ioyne vnto the Crowne of England the Dukedomes of Aniou Burbonnions and Auuergnia yeelding great Reuenues And it appeared that hee might adde greater things hereunto Lastly if this match were refused neuer would there be a more honourable match offered After diuers debatings the French propounded three Articles the first of which concerned the crowning of the Duke the second the gouernement of the Kingdome ioyntly with Queene ELIZABETH the third the toleration of their Religion To which answer was made THat the Queene could not agree without the consent of the State of the Kingdome that hee should be crowned after the marriage was accomplished but that she would willingly consent if the States thought good that vpon termes of marriage he should be graced with the matrimoniall Crowne so She termed it without doing any preiudice to her Maiestie nor to her Heires and Successors And that she would not fayle to make him discerne a most ample honour when hee was once her Husband As for the common gouernement shee thought it not vnfit to take for a Companion and Coadiutor in a coniunct administration him whom shee had honoured with the title of a King and her Husband And as for the toleration of the Religion which hee profest that shee could not giue her consent thereto for certaine causes which as I haue collected them out of the Letters of Queene ELIZABETH were these That howsoeuer the externall reuerence of Religion might bee tolerated between the Subiects of the same Kingdome vnder diuers manners and formes neuertheles this strange forme most repugnant of all which should bee betweene the Queene the head of her People and her husband seemed not onely dangerous but of all most auerse and disagreeing That She desired the King of France and the Queene his Mother equally to weigh in euen Ballance the perill which she should vnder-goe and on the other side the honour of the Duke of Anioâ— And that in tolerating his religion she violated the Lawes establisht in her Kingdome beget a distaste in her good Subiects lightened the heart of the wicked all which she verily should vndergoe for the honour of the Duke But the French-men vrged that if she liued without exercise of Religion shee seemed to haue none at all and that she would not for her Honour bee accounted an Atheist She on the contrary replyed THat if she did but husbandize those seedes of pure Religion which were in him and receiue increase thereof he should see within a short time that it would redound greatly to his Honour In the end they came so farre that if the Duke would assist with the Queene in the celebration of Diuine Seruice and not refuse to heare and learne the Doctrine of the Protestants She would condiscend that neither hee nor his people should be constrained to vse the Ceremonies and Fashions accustomed in the English Church nor molested if they vsed other Ceremonies not vtterly repugnant to the Word of God prouided that they vsed them in priuate places and that they ministred no occasion to the English of violating their Lawes establisht De Foix vpon these words To the Word of God paused a little Queene ELIZABETH to giue them content commanded that in stead of those words they should put in To the Church of GOD but the one pleasing no more then the other he desired that To the Catholike Church might be put in Queen ELIZABETH would no way assent thereunto and hereupon this matter began to waxe colder by little and little Some are perswaded that this Match was not seriously vndertooke by the King of France and the Queene his Mother but onely to the end that the remembrance of a match contracted with a Protestant Princesse might bee a testimonie vnto the Protestants of their sincere meaning vnto them and to preuent the match which they suspected to be treated of with the King of Nauar whom the King of France would haue married to his Sister The like opinion was of
to her Maiestie in Scotland These Articles being read the Clerke demanded of the D. if he were guilty of these accusations Whereupon the Duke desired if the Law would permit it that he might haue an Aduocate to defend his cause to which Catelin the Chiefe Iustice answered that it might not be allowed THen it is meet said he that I submit to the sentences of the Iudges but the matter is full of ambiguities neither did I knowe within these foure and twenty houres that I was to come to Iudgement and so was vnprepared of Bookes I see now well that I must enter into combate for my life without Armes I haue heard neuerthelesse that in the reigne of HENRY the seuenth in a cause of Laesae Maiestaris Humphrey Stafford had an aduocate assigned him To which Dier Chiefe Iustice of the Common-Pleas answered that Stafford indeed had an Aduocate allowed him to pleade for him concerning the right of Azile from whence by force he was taken but for the crime of Laesae Maiestatis without any assistance hee pleaded his cause himselfe THen this day replyes the Duke must I my selfe plead for my life goods my Children and for what counteruailes all these mine Honour but let that Honour passe if I innocently perish GOD will not let it passe vnreuenged Yet this one thing let me be permitted to question whether that enumeration of crimes will hold true in euery point and to what point I must make answere Catelin made reply Since the causes are true this enumeration also must be esteemed true I desire to bee instructed saith the Duke whether euery of these bee crimes of Laesae Maiestatis For I haue heard related that in the cause of the Lord Scroope vnder the Reigne of Henry the 4. But as he would haue proceeded the Clerke interrupted him speaking with a loud voice THomas Duke of Norfolke art thou guilty of these crimes or no The Duke denyed Then he was further demanded How wilt thou be tried He answered I commit my cause to God and to these Peeres The odiousnesse of these crimes amazeth mee but the Royall clemency of her Maiestie from which besides what I haue receiued I can expect no more much refresheth me But of you my Lord Iudge let me request thus much that I may bee iustly dealt withall and that my memory which is indeede but weake may not bee too much oppressed with a confused variety of matters I confesse my selfe happy hauing you my Peeres for Iudges and with much willingnesse would commit my life to the integrity of the most of you I was assured in mine owne innocency and therefore sought no way to fly Yet I cannot but ingenuously confesse that I haue beene wanting in my duty towards the Queene but neuer did I any thing which might touch or offend so Royall a Maiestie I beseech you then that those higher matters may not bee commixt equally with those of Laesae Maiestatis Then Barham the Queenes Serieant at Law began Those Crimes saith hee of Laesae Maiestatis of which you thus expostulate are these You haue complotted to depriue the Queene both of Kingdome and life you haue consulted of a marriage with the late Queene of Scotland you haue inuited forraigne powers to inuade the Realme you haue succoured Rebels and haue sent ayde to those Scots which were the Queenes Enemies The Duke interposeth saying BArham doe not I pray you exasperate the matter with words in obiecting against me the marriage and other things which fall not amongst the offences of high Treason Barham turning to the Peeres vrgeth this He quoth he that will marry a wife that layeth claime to a Kingdome doth likewise affect the same Kingdome For the Duke had enterprized the same being amongst the Commissioners at Yorke appointed for the hearing of the Queen of Scots Cause being at that time bound by his oath equally to ballance the accusations and defences of either part The Duke replyeth There be diuers parts contained in that cause which are not crimes of Laesae Maiestatis But the Lord high Steward commanded the Duke not to stray so farre from the purpose by digressions wherevpon Barham clamorously insisting he acknowledged that the Queene of Scots had laid claime to the Crowne of England but had long time since desisted Barham on the contrary demonstrated that shee had not as yet desisted because she had not yet renounced the right which she pretended hee furthermore grieuously accused the Duke that he instructed the Deputies of the Queene of Scots what to answere according as it appeared in the Confession of the Bishop of Rosse The Duke confessed that Lidington had made a motion to him of the marriage but he refused the same neither gaue he any instructions but desired that Rosse might be produced in presence After this Barham amply prosecuteth many things of the marriage which haue beene spoken of with an intent to prooue that the Duke had an affection to the Kingdome and insisteth with often-repeated Interrogatories What other thing could the Duke propound to himselfe whilest without the Queens knowledge he determined to marry the Queene of Scots being a woman without meanes or Kingdome her Sonne being established in the Kingdome then that by her he hoped to enioy the Crowne of England and so consequently depriue the Queene both of rule and life You haue quoth the Duke lowdly repeated these things to conuince me of enterprizing the deposing and ruine of the Queene To come to the point sayes Barham it is sufficiently knowne that you haue consulted about the surprizing of the Tower of London which is the strongest place in the Realme whereby it is necessarily manifest that you had then plotted the ruine of the Queene seeing that Rule is impatient of competitors The Duke denieth not hat one Hopton suggested him to the surprizing of the Tower of London but he vtterly reiected it Why then quoth Barham did you aske counsell of the Earle of Pembroke concerning the same who disswaded you from it Barham proceedeth and vrgeth that when the Queene of England had demanded that the young King of Scotland certaine Castles and the rebellious English which were in Scotland should be deliuered into her hands The Duke had vnder-hand aduised the Scots not to consent thereunto He likewise accused him that hee endeuoured to free the Queene of Scots out of prison and that after hee had religiously promised by his hand-writing not to meddle with her in any kind of busines One Candish was then produced for a witnesse who deposed that the Duke had constantly resolued of the marriage and had asked him if after the death of Queen ELIZABETH he might draw his Vncle to his partie These the Duke altogether denyed reiecting his testimony as of a poore and abiect fellow After this it was demonstrated that the Duke had secretly sent a Seruant to the Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland to aduertise them not to stir in the Rebellion because
he thought it would be very dangerous Letters also were brought in which the Queene of Scots had written to the Duke importing that shee was much grieued that the Earle of Northumberland was apprehended before hee had taken vp Armes in the Rebellion For whether shee vnderstood this by report or it was inuented of purpose I cannot say To this the Duke answered THat by these reasons it could not probably bee inferred that hee had laboured the destruction of the Queene neither was any thing that hath hitherto bin produced of any moment against him excepting the testimony of the Bishop of Rosse and that also of him being a forreiner by the authoritie of Bracton a man most expert in our Lawes in no wise is to be admitted That he neuer had Northumberland or Westmerland in such esteeme that hee would commit his life into their hands and that his innocencie was such a sure rampire to him that hee neuer meditated of any escape for himselfe Then Gerard the Queenes Attourney spake It is more than sufficiently apparant that the Duke would haue espoused the Queene of Scots to destroy the Queene of England The Letters which he hath writtē to the Pope the King of Spaine and Duke d'Alua doe iustifie that hee had a determination to inuade England That which hee consulted of with Ridolfe was now likewise openly knowne by the obscure Characters which were found hidden vnder the tiles in the house of the Howards and by the Letters also which he commanded to be burnt but were found at the entry of his Chamber vnder the Matte And all these things may easily bee proued by the interrogatories and answeres of them that haue not beene affrighted with torments nor condemned to haue attempted ought against the State To which the Duke replyed I Haue not quoth hee beene eyther author or fauourer of the counsels and deliberations holden with the Pope or Spaniard but to the contrary I haue alwayes reproued and disallowed them Those that haue offended let them suffer and not discharge them vpon me Besides all this Gerard accused the Duke that hee had consulted with Ridolfe for the landing of tenne thousand men out of Flanders at Harwich a Port in Essex and this was iustified out of the examination of Barker That Letters were written by Ridolfe to the King of Spaine and Duke d'Alua to which although the Duke subscribed not yet by the counsell of Rosse hee sent Barker his Secretary as Ambassadour to auerre them to be the Dukes owne Letters MY memory replyeth the Duke beginneth to falter neither can it containe such an intricate varietie of matters You other pleaders haue your notes and memorialls with you but I must ex tempore answere to all mine accusers But surely it is not probable that I who haue alwayes beene contrary to the Roman Religion should entertaine a treatie with the Pope I had a great deale rather be torne in pieces with wilde Horses than to depart from the Religion which I professe Consider but the situation of Harwich and it will easily annihilate the accusation Who sees not how difficult a thing it is to leade an Armie thorow that part of the Countrey which is round inclosed with hedges and most incommodious by reason of the streight and narrow wayes and passages Had I had a determination to rayse an army against my Princesse without doubt I would not haue beene vnprouided of Armes but I haue not for these tenne yeeres past bought any more than eight Corslets and for Gunpowder not any at all I neuer committed any Letters to the trust of Barker but rather of Banister that was to mee more than many Barkers Then were the intercepted Letters of the Bishop of Rosse which he writ in Prison to the Queene of Scots produced by which what things were before spoken were confirmed The Duke requested to see them for it seemed that he suspected them to be supposed But the Iudge answered You need not call them in question for they are written with the Bishops owne hand Besides these a little Letter was brought forth which the Duke had written in Okar to one of his Seruants wherein hee commanded him to burne the packet which was hidden in a certaine place and to turne the fault vpon the Bishop who by the priuiledge of an Ambassadour might delude the Law To which the Duke replyed in these words Being certified that it was diuulged abroad that many had accused mee I answered by this Letter and seeing all things were so neerely searcht into I commanded that packet should be burnt because I would saue others from danger Bromley the Queenes Sollicitor presented the Letters of Ridolfe wherein was conteined that the Duke d'Alua had approued the designe likewise the Letters of the Pope to the Duke dated the fourth of the Nones of May. Then Wilbraham made a faire discourse concerning what credit should be giuen to the testimonies of the Bishop and of the Dukes seruants whereto the Duke made answere CErtes it falls not vnder the power of my faculties to frame a replication to such an elegant and polished Oration Yet this Oratour such and so great as he is hath omitted to speake how great the violence of feare is which oftentimes doth remoue a firme and wel-composed minde out of its place and state Againe hee alledged Bracton against the credit giuen to forreine witnesses But Catelin answered that in such causes as this the testimonies of Strangers were auaileable and that it was in the power of the Peeres eyther to giue or deny them credit Now was that matter come to be proued that the Duke had succoured the rebellious Fugitiues which was found apparant by the Letters of the Countesse of Northumberland in which shee gaue the Duke great thankes for the money wherewith he furnished her husband and her selfe Finally the last obiection of the relieuing of those Scots which were enemies to the Queene was prooued by the Letters of the Duke to Banister by Banisters confession and by the Mony which was deliuered to Browne of Shropshire Hereupon the Duke demanded of the Iudges Whether the Subiects of another Prince confederate with the Queene may be accounted enemies to the Queene Catelin answered They might and that the Queene of England might make warre with any Duke in France and in the meane time obserue a peace with the King of France But as the night began to approch the Lord high Steward demanded of the Duke if he had any thing more to speake for himselfe The Duke answered In the equitie of the Lawes I repose my trust Then hee commanded the Lieutenant of the Tower to retyre with the Duke awhile after silence was proclaimed turning to the Peeres hee thus spake to them YOu haue heard how Thomas Duke of Norfolke being accused of Laesae Maiestatis and not confessing himselfe guiltie hath committed his cause to GOD and to you It is your part then
Ley hee whispered something in his Eare and after he spoke to the Deane of Pauls who turning him to the people said The Duke intreateth you all to pray with him that GOD would be mercifull to him and that you would be silent that his spirit be not disturbed Hee forgaue his Executioner asking him pardon refusing to put the Napkin ouer his face which he offered him saying I feare not death Then kneeling downe his heart lift vp to GOD on high hee prostrated himselfe on the Scaffold the Deane praying intentiuely with him then laying his necke ouer the Blocke at one stroke his head was cut off which the Executioner shewed a lamentable spectacle to the people most mournfully then shedding teares and sighing It is almost incredible how dearely the People loued him and how by his naturall benignity and courteous actions qualities well becomming so great a Prince hee had gained the hearts of the Multitude Diuers of the wiser sort as they were affected passed their censures diuersly some from an apprehension they had of great feare and danger might haue ensued had hee suruiued others commiserating the case of one so nobly borne so gentle by nature so comely of personage of so manly an aspect so compleat in all parts to perish so pittyously one who had not the subtill sleights of his Aduersaries and the slippery hopes he had conceiued vnder a colour of benefitting his Countrey and Common-wealth diuerted from the first-begun course of his life hee had beene the greatest honour and ornament of his Countrey They called also to memory the lucklesse death and destiny of his late Father who although vniuersally admired for Arts and Armes had some fiue and twentie yeeres before this lost his head in the same place vpon sleight occasions to wit for hauing his Armes quartered with King Edward the Confessour which we reade the Mowbrayes the Dukes of Norfolke had borne being giuen them by King Richard the Second from which Mowbrayes he drew his petigree Whereupon it shall not be impertinent to the purpose briefly to adde from what shop these Conspiracies were first forged as Hierome Catene in his History of the life of Pius the fifth relateth An Author for his credit made free Denison of Rome and admitted Secretary to Cardinall Alexandrine Nephew to Pius the fifth POpe Pius the 5. saith he burning with a zealous desire to re-establish the Romane Religion and hauing no other so conuenient a Messenger to bee his Nuncio Apostolike imployed Robert Ridolph Gentleman of Florence who comming into England vnder pretext of other businesse indeuoured himselfe to nothing more then to stir the hearts of the Queenes Subiects to her destruction wherein he dealt with such dexterity that he brought not onely Papists but also some Protestants to be of his faction some for a priuate malice they bore to those which aymed at the Kingdome others out of a desire of innouation As these matters were working vnder-hand and couertly there happened a debate betwixt the Spaniard and the Queene for certaine moneys that had been intercepted now in her possession Hereupon the Pope tooke occasion to perswade the King of Spaine to lend his helping hand to those which were combin'd Conspirators in England against Qu. ELIZA that so he might with the more facillity effect his affaires in the Low-Countries and restore the Catholike Religion in England In like maner dealt he with France as if he were bound to assist his Kinswoman the Queen of Scotland and to pleasure the Scots who to diuert the English from ayding the Protestants in France had made incursions vpon the English nor ought be any lesse to some great persons of the confederacy in England who by their policy had so preuented as that the Queene should not publikely send any ayde to the Huguenots of France by reason whereof the King of France promised his aide to set free the Qu. of Scots but failed to performe In the meane time Ridolph so wrought that he brought Norfolke to bee chiefe of the conspiracie promising him marriage with the Queene of Scots with her consent The better also to effect this businesse the Pope deposed the Queene of her Crowne and Kingdome and absolued her Subiects of all Oath and Allegeance by a Bull which hee caused to be published whereof he sent copies printed to Ridolph to be dispersed through the Kingdome Hereupon the Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland raised Armes in the North of England against the Queene but money failing there they speedily fled into Scotland and the Duke of Norfolke with others were committed to prison amongst which Ridolph was one who had receiued commandement from his Holinesse to deliuer to the Confederate League an hundred and fiftie thousand Crownes which hee could not doe beeing now prisoner But her Maiesty not looking so deepely as concerned her into the plot of the Conspiracie set Ridolph and some others at liberty and hauing distributed the foresaid moneys amongst the Confederates was by them sent home againe to the Pope to aduertise him that now all things were in a readinesse for the dispatch of the Queen and to procure with all speed the best supplies he might from the Spaniard out of the Low-Countries The Pope commended well this purpose although indeed the Duke of Norfolke had formerly misliked the same as a matter full of much difficulty in a priuate conference hee had with Ridolph once vpon the way and vnder a colour of other matter addrest himselfe to the Kings of Spaine Portugal to informe them thereof He promiseth the Duke of Norfolke by his Letters to send him succour mooueth with the King of Spaine to bee assistant and to further the matter the more offereth to goe himselfe in person and if neede were to spend the goods of his See-Apostolike Challices holy Vestiments and Crucifixes assuring him that he could and would easily effect the same nor was there any difficultie to be doubted would hee send ouer Chappin Vittel with an Armie out of Flanders into England which thing the Spaniard with all expedition commanded to be done whilest the Pope prouided money But the Duke D'Alua enuying that Vitel should haue the honour of this seruice sought to preferre his Sonne thereunto fearing that the French should fall from them with their Forces and doubting the Conquest of England might yeelde any profit to Spaine or that the Pope was able to comply with them for money sufficient for so great a designe Notwithstanding the King of Spaine gaue expresse command that he should inuade England and to that end sent moneys by Ridolph into Flanders But it pleased God the matter was discouered to the Queene of England by some beyond seas and the Duke of Norfolke apprehended and iudged to death which brought no lesse griefe to the Pope then to the King of Spaine who said in the presence of Cardinall Alexandrine his Nephew That neuer was
enuy among themselues so as neither of them obtained their end and purpose At that very time a pleasing serenity seemed to shine vpon the Protestants in France and Charles the Ninth pretending onely a warre in Flanders which he affirmed to be the preseruation of France and couering himselfe with this maske he feigned as though hee meant to contract alliance and amitie with the Queene of England and the Princes of Germanie to giue some testimony herein of his loue to the Protestants whose absolute ruine notwithstanding he couertly intended And as if he leaned to them of the one side and the Spaniard on the other hee substituted to this end the Duke de Mont-Morancy Birag de Anbisine the Bishop of Limoges and of Foix. The Queene of England who truely apprehended the secret plots and stratagems of the Duke of Alua deputed Sir Thomas Smith and Sir Francis Walsingham And Articles were drawne betweene them whereof you shall see an abridgement in the same expresse words and termes THis alliance shall not tye Princes allyed to leaue other Treaties past betweene them so they be not opposite and contrary thereunto There shall be a Confederation League and Vnion betweene them to defend themselues mutually against all who vnder some pretext or any other occasion whatsoeuer shall inuade or attempt to inuade their persons or Territories whereof they are now possest It shall remaine firme betweene them not onely while they liue but also betweene their Successours so the Heire of the first deceased giue notice to the suruiuant within the space of a yeere by Ambassadours and Letters that hee accepts of the same conditions Otherwise the suruiuant shall be reputed discharged of the obseruance of the same It shall bee validious against all yea and euen against those that are ioyned in affinitie to the one or other Prince and against all other Alliances contracted or to contract If the Queene of England be required to send succours by Letters sealed and subscribed with the King of France his owne hand shee shall be bound to passe ouer into France within two moneths after a thousand foot armed or fiue hundred Horse at her choyce whom the King must pay from the first day of their arriuall in France Shee was to send for the warre of Flanders eight Ships of equall greatnesse wherein twelue hundred Souldiers must be imployed with all things necessary and there must bee no Marriners nor Souldiers but English but yet they must be commanded by the Admirall of France payed and victualled by the King from the first day they enter into Seruice Shee was also to victuall her Ships for two Moneths which the King was also to pay within two moneths And if the Queene be moued to any warre the King hauing receiued Letters subscribed with her owne hand was to send ouer into England or Ireland within two Moneths sixe thousand foot or at her choyce fiue hundred Conductors armed at all poynts who should bring fifteene hundred Horse and about three thousand foot with good Horse and Armes after the French manner whom shee must pray from the time they set foot in her Countries And for the warre by Sea he was to furnish eight Shippes with twelue hundred Souldiers in manner and forme aboue mentioned Order agreed vpon for succours and pay to be digest in writing running in this forme that the one shall bee bound to sell vnto the other Armes and all necessary things to the Prince assayled They shall innouate nothing in Scotland but defend it against Strangers and permit them to enter and nourish the Scottish partialities But the Queene of England was permitted to pursue with Armes those amongst them who maintained or fostered the English Rebels who were at that present in Scotland That this Alliance shall be so taken and vnderstood as the onely proprietie and meaning of the words imported Each of the two Princes shall confirme euery one of these Articles by Patents and faithfully and really to deliuer them into the hands of Ambassadours for the one and other within three moneths For ratification of this Alliance on the behalfe of the King of France the Queene of England sent into France the Earle of Lincolne Admirall with a great traine of Gentlemen among which were these Barons the Lord Dacres the Lord Rich the Lord Talbot the Lord Sands and others And the King of France sent into England Anne Duke de Mont-Morancie and Monsieur de Foix with a magnificent traine that in the presence of them and Messieurs de Saligna and de la Mottef his Ambassadour ordinary the Queene might reciprocally confirme the same with oath which was performed at Westminster the seuenteenth of Iune and the day after the Queenes Maiestie with the consent of the French inuested with the Order of Saint George the Duke de Mont-Morancy in gratefull commemoration of the loue which Anne Constable of France manifested vnto her to whom HENRY the Eighth vouchsafed the same honour out of the loue he bare to the House of Mont-Morancy who carries the title of the first Christian of France and is there held for most Noble While Mont-Morancy remayned in England hee moued certaine propositions in the King of France his name that the Queene of Scots might there finde fauour so farre as it might be performed without danger That there might be a cessation of Armes in Scotland and that a Concord might be established by Act of Parliament And if a Parliament could not commodiously be summoned that some might be elected of the one and other part among the Scots to repayre to London to settle affaires with the Deputies of the King of France and Queene of England But answere was made him That more fauour had been shewed to the Queene of Scots than shee deserued and yet for the King of France more should be shewed her though the Estates of the Kingdome assembled had iudged how the Queene of England could not liue in security except some rigor were vsed to her That the Queene had carefully employed her whole power to establish Concord and procure a cessation of Armes hauing for this end lately sent into Scotland Sir William Drewry Gouernour of Berwicke with de la Croce the French Ambassadour But they could by no meanes induce Grange to peace nor the Garrison of the Castle of Edenborrough out of the hope they conceiued to bee succoured from France and Flanders though Huntley and Hamilton Arbroth for the Duke their Father had obliged themselues in writing to Queene ELIZABETH to enter it and other of the Queenes partakers had plighted their faith and promise thereunto After these motiues hee also propounded many other touching the marriage of the Duke of Aniou but in that they could not agree about some circumstances concerning Religion the matter grew hopelesse and he returned into France when there was preparation of the Nuptials betweene Henrie King of Nauarre with Margarite Sister to the King of
Rebels at the Earle of Kildares perswasion came vnder due obedience and at the same time Sir Thomas Smith a learned and prudent man with pitty entring into consideration what small account was made of Ireland obtained of the Queene that a Colonie might be sent thither vnder the conduct of his owne onely bastard sonne into the halfe Iland called Ardes at the East entry into Vlster to instruct and ciuilize the Demibarbarous inhabitants and to make them humane hoping the place might easily bee defended if Garrisons were planted in the straight or Istmus which ioynes it to the rest of the Iland He gaue to euery Footman 120. acres to each Horseman 240. ammounting to fiue hundred acres of English ground paying euery yeere but a penny for an acre But this businesse footed not according to his desire for Thomas his sonne hauing conducted thither the Colonie was surprized and slaine by the treachery of Neel Brian Artho Afterwards Malbie an English Gouernour of Lecale a frontier Prouince iudging all meanes lawfull to kill a perfidious murderer slew him likewise not long after and so left him to the Wolues iawes to be deuoured and eaten I know not whether it be materiall or no here to make mention as all the Historiographers of our time haue done how in the moneth of Nouember was seene a strange Starre except you had rather haue me tearme it a Phinomene in the Chaire of Cassioperaes Constellation which exceeded in relucencie that 〈◊〉 himselfe then when he is in the Perigie of his Eâ—ceâ—trick or Epicicle as I obserued my selfe and seated in the same Spheare of the heauens as also moued by his diurnall motion remained there 16. moneths Tho. Digsay and Ioh. Dee rare Mathematicians among vs learnedly did demonstrate by the maximes of the Paralels that it remained not onely in the elementall Region but in the very Celestiall circle and were of opinion that daily mounting higher by little and little at last it vanisht out of our sight And certainely their Iudgement was good and sound for after the eighth moneth it continually diminished Theodore Beza ingeniously compared this Starre to that which appeared at the birth of Christ and at the massacre of Infants which was perpetrated vnder Herod and in this short verse Thou therefore cruell Herod shake and feare admonished Charles new King of France who confest himselfe to be the author of that which was executed at Paris to tremble and feare and this was not out of a vaine and credulous beliefe For fiue moneths after the disappearing of this Starre he dyed of a bloody fluxe rackt with long and terrible torments THE SIXTEENTH YEERE OF Her Reigne Anno Dom. 1573. THe proceedings of Spaine in the Low-Countries being wonderfully crost by the taking of Flushing the reuolt of the Townes of Holland and the losse and discomfiture of the Spanish Fleet by the Hollanders with which the Duke de Medina coeli had a Commission with Chapin Vitelli to succour the Papists in England The Duke of Alua was constrained in despight of himselfe to shew himselfe more fauourable to the English and so it happened that in the moneth of Ianuary the commerce of the English with the Flemmings which in the same moneth of the yeere 1568. was interdicted at last came to be opened for two yeeres and the Articles were agreed vpon at Bristoll confirm'd by the Spaniard in the moneth of Iune amongst which this clause was inserted THat though this mutuall correspondencie and amity had beene obscured yet was iâ— in no wise to be reputed dissolâ—ed and broken and it was accorded that if the Deputies within a 〈◊〉 pâ—â—â—script time could not arbitrate the businesse that then the said Entercourse should be expired when the two yeeres came to an end But when the troubles renewed in Flanders it grew dead by little and little nay and before the two yeers were fully accomplished and a new one was commenst betweene the vnited States And as for Queene ELIZABETH she recompensed all the dammages of the English Marchants with such Flemmish goods as she retained in her hands restored the rest to the Duke of Alua and amply contented the Genoa Marchants for the money of theirs she seized vpon and tooke vp at loane which was the first cause of the warre although the Duke of Alua restored nor one shilling to the Flemmings of the English-mens goods which did accrue to the wonderfull honour of Queene ELIZABETH And yet she performed a farre more glorious Action then this and more pleasing to her Subiects by discharging England of those debts which her Father and Brother had taken vpon credit of Strangers which were greatly augmented by reason of the long interests due and to the inexplicable ioy of the inhabitants of the Citie of London calling in all the Citie obligations which had beene so often renewed Neuerthelesse both the Queene and the whole Clergie were wonderfully vext with certaine Ecclesiasticall persons who boyling with zeale and breathing nothing but Euangelicall Purity reprehended not only the Ecclesiasticall Gouernment as still defiled with Romane corruptions as well publikely as priuately both by Sermons Books which were intituled An Aduertisement to the Parliament and An Appologie of the Aduertisement but refused also to be present at the receiued forme of Common-Prayer vsurping framing to themselues other courses of seruing God So as the Queene condemning them for people impatient of Peace greedy of nouelties and apt to subuert things well established to preuent Schisme coÌ„manded that throughout the Kingdome they should by rigour of Law be vrged to obserue a generall forme and manner of publike Prayers and that these Libels might be deliuered into the hands of the Bishops or some one of the Priuie-Councell vpon paine of imprisonment although Iohn Whitegift who was afterward Arch-Bishop of Canterbury had with learned soliditie refuted them There was also diuulged by the English Rebels and Fugitiues a booke full of iniurie and calumniation whose title was A Treatise of Treason which to make Sir Nicholas Bacon Keeper of the great Seale and the Lord Burghley Treasurer of England odious to their Prince because they had often by their prudence and vigilancie cut off their wicked hopes and designes they preferred an accusation against them of being Traitors to their Countrie But the Queene was so farre from giuing credit to such friuolous accusations that by a publike Proclamation shee declared them idle and frustrate false calumnious and inuented by sworne Enemies to Religion and their Countrie by their wicked and secret practices to depriue the Queene of her faithfull Councellours And therefore shee admonished euery one to giue no credit to them to contemne throw them into the fire except themselues would bee punished as seditious persons in stead of those that were the true Authors Notwithstanding through a speciall vice very incident to the naturall curiosity of men they were frequently read till as it
in regard of his indisposition of body and diuers others dayly taking some occasion or other to excuse themselues by little and little secretly withdrew themselues from that wild Countrie Essex writ of it to the Queene and to his friends and complained very much that the most worthy of his company languished because the enterprize had bin begunne too late and victuals came not in time that they were corrupted and that troupes inconsiderately leuied were many of them lost That Mac-phelin was reuolted fraudulently and others by the perfidiousnes of Percy an English Captaine who heretofore had commanded the Irish in that Countrey That he was not able to furnish the expence of War That the Deputie had not sent him his Commission and that for want of it he could not vse any authority against the Frontier Inhabitants Therefore beseecheth her to take the busines in her own name and speciall command though he vnderwent halfe of the charges Then he besought Sussex Leicester and Burghley to intercede with the Queene that she would grant him at her charge a hundred Horse 150. Foot and the Iland of May. And as the Queene was ready to call him from Vlster Leicester and others seeing new troubles growing in Mounster perswaded that he should stay there And the Deputie commanded him whiles he was going against Desmond to goe towards the Frontiers of Vlster which although it troubled him being fortifying Claudobie obeyeth notwithstanding and entring into Mounster with Kildare perswaded Desmond to embrace peace who shortly after submitted himselfe Now Essex hauing receiued Letters of Authority tooke a long iourney and O-Donell ioyned with him But Cone O-Donell Turloghes Sonne in Law would not serue vnder him therefore hee tooke from him the Castle of Liffer and gaue it to Hugh O-Donel Turlogh in the meane space protracted the businesse by parleyes vntill it was time for Essex necessarily to depart Hee after hauing wearied his body with labour and broken his spirit with care all the Summer Winter being now at hand began to reuolue more deepely in his mind by what meanes Vlster so long neglected and growne wilde and fierce might be reduced to ciuilitie and hauing maturely deliberated vpon it thought that if three Townes were built at the Queens charge and by the monies that his associates would contribute ten Forts in those places which hee had found to bee conuenient aboue seuen thousand pounds of current English money might be gathered euery yeere neither should there neede within the space of two yeeres any Royall Garrison Whilest these and the like things and for supply of victuals tooke all their care and studie they had beene almost surprized by the Irish For Brian Mac-phelin who lately had by treacherie ouerthrowne and slaine Moore a Captaine of the English hauing conspired his ruine with Turlogh and the Scottish Hilanders whereof as soone as he had notice he most wisely iudged that it were not best to stay and expect them but to set forward to assault them which did he so couragiously that he slew two hundred Irish tooke Brian and Rory Oge his brother by the mothers side and Brians wife With those businesses in Ireland this yeere was spent to the good of none but with much losse to Essex and also to the notorious detriment of Chaterton an English Gentleman who vpon certaine conditions betweene the Queene and him tooke to leade some Colonies of English into Fues a neighbouring Territory to O-Hanlane THE SEVENTEENTH YEERE OF Her Reigne Anno Dom. 1574. IN the first month of this yeere the Duke of Alanzon laboured more then euer as well by letters full of loue as by Mauuisser the French Ambassador to obtaine leaue to come into England vnder safe-conduct to see and salute Queene ELIZABETH to whom being absent hee testified all loue and respect Queene ELIZABETH ouercome with his continuall prayers and sollicitations granted him his request although she gaue him contrary aduice and vnder assurance of safety gaue him leaue to come when he pleased so it were by the twentieth of May with promise to vse him with all offices of humanity which he could expect from a Princesse which bore him great affection And certainly after shee had discouered that he was much irritated and greatly stirred vp against the Guizes her Maiesties sworne enemies she bare him more loue and good will then before But before he had receiued this answer Valentine Dale Doctor of the Law Ambassador in France in Walsinghams place then Secretary gaue aduice that hee and the King of Nauarre were suspected of innouation For the mother Queene a woman of great Spirit beganne to suspect that he couertly plotted with the King of Nauarre and the Duke of Mont-Morancy to depriue her the King being dead of the managing of State-affaires The Guizes increased this opinion giuing her to vnderstand that he had not long agoe imployed Coligni Colonell of the Protestants his intimate friend vpon which being examined he voluntarily acknowledged amongst other things that he had for a certaine time sought the marriage of the Queene of England and iudging the friendship of Admirall Coligni profitable in this designe had talked with him about it and of the prosecution of the warres in the Netherlands neuerthelesse ouer him and the King of Nauarre was a Guard appointed to preuent them But Thomas Wilkes Secretary to to the Ambassadour Dale went priuatly to see them and hauing in the Queenes name comforted them he promised thaâ— her Maiesty would let slip no occasion to relieue and comfort them Whereof this subtill and crafty old Queene hauing soone notice handled Wilkes in such manner that he was constrained to leaue France and returne into England where she so farre vrged her complants by letters vnto Queene ELIZABETH that he was sent backe againe to France to aske her pardon Henry of Bourbon King of Nauarre buried not this friendly office for he afterwards being King of France and meeting with him 25. yeeres after in Normandy he honoured him with the dignity of Knighthood After this Queene ELIZABETH sent T. Randoll into France to the Queene mother to restore againe into her fauour if it were possible the Duke of Alanzon and the King of Nauarre but before his arriuall into France King Charles died and his funerall Rites paid with great honour and magnificency in S. Pauls Church in London As soone as Henry of Valois the third of that name King of France his successor returned out of Poland the right noble and vertuous Lord Roger Lord North Baron of Kirtling was sent Ambassador extraordinary into France to congratulate his happy returne and succession to the Crowne of France and to condole with him the distracted and wretched estate of that Realme so miserably rent and ruinated with ciuill war to counsell him to make peace and entertaine the Edicts to take to fauor the D. of Alanzon to lessen the hate he bore to the D. of Mont-Morancy Delosse
comfortable securitie by the Queenes children so often times wished for But if these marriages be neglected it was to be feared that the French would be prouoked the Scots alienated the Duke of Aniou marry the Daughter of Spaine with whom hee should haue in Dowry the Low-Country Prouinces draw the King of Scotland to be of their party procure him a Wife to bring him riches abolish the reformed Religion and the English when they should see no hope of Children by the Queene would adore the Rising-Sunne Whereat shee could not chuse but be much tormented in minde and pine away to death As in these dayes very many English feared a change of Religion by the Duke of Aniou so were the Scots afraid it would be with them by another French-man Aimé or Esme Stuart Lord of Aubigny who at the same time was come into Scotland to see the King his Cousin for he was Sonne to Iohn Stuart Brother to Matthew Stuart Earle of Lenox who was the Kings Grand-father and tooke his denomination Aubigni from a House situate in Berri that is so called which Charles the Seuenth King of France gaue in time past to Iohn Stuart of the Family of Lenox who was Constable of the Scottish Army in France defeated the English at Baugency afterwards slaine by them at the battel of Harrans and euer since that house hath descended vpon the younger Sonnes The King embracing him with a singular good affection gaue him rich demains and admitted him into his most intimate consultations established him Lord high Chamberlaine of Scotland and Gouernour of Dunbriton first created him Earle and afterwards Duke of Lenox after hauing directly reuoked the Letters of honour by which in his non-age he had created Robert Bishop of Cathanesse Earle of the same place his Grand-fathers third Brother and had giuen him in recompence the County of March This flourishing fauour with the King procured many to enuy him who murmured because hee was deuoted to the Guizes and the Romane Religion and that hee was sent to subuert the true Religion This suspicion increased in regard hee ioyned himselfe to Mortons aduersaries and did intercede for the reuoking of Thomas Carr of Fernihurst who was most if any were addicted to the Queene of Scots Morton whose power was apparently falling stroue in vaine although it might seeme that he had excellently well deserued in defeating the Hamiltons and taking the Castle of Hamilton and Daffrane There were at that time who stirred vp much hatred in the King against the Hamiltons obiecting and vrging their names as a thing of great terrour so as out of a necessitie they were for their owne safetie compelled to defend the Castle again the King but they were constrained to yeeld it vp and by authoritie of Parliament proscribed for the murdering as well of Murrey as Lenox Regents as a thing by them performed Many of those fled together into England for whom Queene ELIZABETH diligently interposeth by Erington as well for honour as in reason of Iustice that shee had obliged her faith in the yeere 1573. for the settling of peace that they should not be called in question for those matters without her consent Shee also at the same time was vndertaking in another part of the World Amurathes Cham or the Sultaine of the Turkes granted to William Harburne an English-man and to Mustapha Beg Bassa to the TVRKE that the English Merchants euen as the French Venecians Pollanders the King of the Germanes and other neighbouring Natitions should trade freely thorow all his Empire whereupon they by the Queenes authority made a Company which they call TVRKEY MERCHANTS and since that time they haue vsed a most gainefull Trade of Merchandize at Constantinople Angoria Chio Petrazzo Alexandria Egypt Cyprus and other places in Asia for Drugges Spices Cottons Raw-Silke Carpets Indian-Dyes Corinthian-Grapes Sope c. As for that execrable impiety of Hamont brought forth at that time in Norwich against GOD and his Christ and as I hope is extinct with his ashes or rather confounded in obliuion then remembred Neither am I of opinion of those which thinke that the publique hath interest that all sorts of vices poysons and impieties to be made manifest seeing that hee differs little from teaching which shewes such things This yeere was the last of Nicholas Bacon Keeper of the Great Seale of England who by decree of Parliament enioyed vnder this name the honour and dignitie of Chancellor of England a very fat man of a quicke subtill spirit singular wisdome height of eloquence stedfast memory and the other pillar of the sacred Councell whose place Thomas Bromley enioyed with the title of Chancellor of England Bacon is followed by Thomas Gresham Citizen of London a Merchant-Royall and of the order of Knight-hood Sonne to Sir Richard Gresham Knight who built for the ornament of his Countrey and vse of the Merchants of London that beautifull and goodly Walking-place which Queene ELIZABETH named The Royall-Exchange And the spacious Houses which hee had in the Citie hee dedicated to the profession of Learning and constituted in the same Lectures of sacred Diuinitie of the Ciuill Law Physick Astronomie Geometrie and Rhetoricke with honest pensions In Mounster a Prouince in Ireland new rebellion was kindled by Iames Fitz-Morris who hauing before cast himselfe vpon his knees at the feete of Perot President of Mounster and with teares sighes and humble supplications asked pardon made a holy vow of fidelitie and obedience to the Queene Hee I say who found no rest but in troubles with-drew himselfe into France promised the King if hee would lend ayde to ioyne the whole Kingdome of Ireland to the Scepter of France and restore the Romish Religion But wearied with delayes and in the end derided from France he goes to Spaine and promiseth the like to the Catholike King who sent him to the Pope of whom by the sollicitation of Sanders an English Priest and Allan an Irish Priest both Doctors of Diuinitie with much adoe hauing got a little money and Sanders the authority of Legat a consecrated Ensigne and Letters commendatorie to the King of Spaine returnes to Spaine and from thence with those Diuines three Ships and a few Souldiers they came and arriued about the Calends of Iuly at the Village of Saint Marie which the Irish call Smerwick in Kerrie a-pen-Insule in Ireland and after that the Priests had consecrated the place raised a Fort and brought the Ships neere vnto it those Ships Thomas Courtney an English Gentleman made haste with a Ship of warre which lay in a Road neere vnto them by and by to assault and taking them carries them away and barres the Spaniards from all benefit of the Sea Iohn and Iames brethren to the Earl of Desmond with great speed drew together a few Irish ioyne with their Confederate Fitz-Morris and the Earle himselfe who fauoured
his Armes and so absolued the people from all oath of Fealtie so that it was lawfull and free for them to elect another Prince The Duke permitted all those the vse of the Romish Religion which would sweare Allegeance to him and abiure the Spaniard After this hee betooke himselfe to the field where he lost Aldenard and tooke in Alost But six hundred English souldiers exclaiming of General Norris his imperious seueritie ouer them forsaking him fled to the Spaniard vnder the leading of Captaine T. Norris Barney Cornish and Gypson who exposing themselues to all perils and being basely respected were paid with slow and late repentance and infinite miseries the paine of their perfidiousnesse But notwithstanding General Norris with three hundred horse and the rest of his foot-companies got the renowne of a valorous and most iudicious Warriour for his couragious encountering the Duke of Parma who fell vpon him with a farre greater power the whilest he warily and wisely made his retreat into the City of Gand in sight of the two Dukes of Anjou and Orleans admiring his martiall valour from off the Ramparts where they stood to behold him But why insist I vpon these matters The Duke d' Anjou hauing now without successe spent huge summes of money sent him out of England weighing with himselfe that only apparant Titles were bestowed vpon him and considering that all the managing of these matters were in the power of the States assayed by a precipitate counsell with his Armie to enter by force Antwerpe and some other townes but all in vaine and with the losse of many of his men and shortly after was constrained shamefully to quit leaue Flanders It shall suffice to note in a word in passing that nere vnto CHAPELLE in the month of May in the 12 degree of Gemini appeared a Comet or blazing starre with bright shining beames streaming ouer the right sholder of the Dragon About that time happened a horrible tempest in Norfolke with fearefull flashes of lightning and thunder of long continuance with violent furious winds and hailstones of three inches about Queene ELIZABETH for better security and to fortifie her selfe the more abroad against the Spaniard whom shee knew to be infest against her for that she had furnished the Duke d'Anjou with moneyes admitted into the fraternity of the order of Saint George Frederick the second King of Denmarke who had alwaies shewed himselfe most affectionate towards her Maiesty and to inuest him therewith sent ouer Sir Peregrin Bertie whom shee as her Maiesty was euer nice in conferring honors had with some difficulty honoured with the title of Lord Willoughbey of Eresby before he had giuen any proofe of his martiall vertue howsoeuer the Duchesse of Suffolke his mother was daughter and sole inheritrix to the ancient Baronry of Willoughby of Eresby The King of Denmark with ioyfulnesse put the chaine of Roses about his necke and the Garter about his legge the other Robes he locked vp in his Chest but refused to put them on because they were exotick or to take the oath for that he had taken one afore when by the French King hee was installed Knight of the Order of Saint Michael The whilest the Lord Willoughby was in Denmarke he propounded to the King a complaint from the English Merchants concerning the raising of Imposts and customes for that in times past for passing the Oresunde or straits of Denmarke they vsed to giue for euery ship but a Rose-Noble which made the fourth part of an ounce of gold as much for the fraught with some smal peeces of siluer for the fire-beacons giuing light by night vvhich vvere to direct them by their Sea-markes ouer the Shallowes and by the Shelues bankes Rocks He treated also for the Merchants that the tribute vvhich they call their LAST GELT might be remitted by the vvhich they begunne vvhen the Warres were so hot betwixt the Kings of Denmarke and Sueden to exact by vvay of borrowing the thirtieth part of all manner of Merchandizes vvith promise to repay them or the value of them againe the warre once ended But these as matters of importance vvere referred till another time For Princes doe seldome or neuer abate of their Custome Taxes or Imposts esteeming that such things as these vvhich they call Royalties belonging to the rightfull liberty of euery Kingdome are not things subiect to be moderated or abrogated by any strangers Queene ELIZABETH the better to secure her state at home imployed Sir Walter Mildmay to comprimise businesse with the Queene of Scots But finding that the Guises had consulted with certaine English Fugitiues about the setting her at liberty and gathering forces together vnder the pretext of sending supplyes to the Duke of Anjou in Flanders vvhich in very deed vvere to haue beene past ouer from the Hauens of Aux or Ew obscure harbours of Normandy into England which the French King hauing notice of out of his loue to Queene ELIZABETH certifieth her thereof and stayed them hereupon the matter was intermitted and the Queene of Scots affaires deferred But by the vvay to meet with the Guises attempts in Scotland whither it is supposed he employed the Earle of Lennox to dissolue the League betweene the King of Scots and the English whilest Will Ruthen lately created by the K. Earle of Gowry begunne to be mutinous He for that hee vvould not degenerate frō his Father bearing a mortall malice to the Kings Mother together with others of his confederacie were to put in practice the best wits they had for the vvorking of the Duke of Lennox and the Earle Arran both out of the Kings fauour and company vnder a colour of Religion the Kings securitie and the league of amity vvith England Now behold their subtilty and crafty proiects They begin to perswade Lennox vvho had been established L. High Chamberlain of Scotland to exercise the rigor of his iurisdiction though then out of vse for no other purpose but to purchase his owne disgrace with the people vvhilest the Presbytery out of their Pulpits should declaime against him as a Papist of the faction of the Guizes and a rude and seuere Executioner of the Law should publikely foretell and denounce his ruine and destruction When as therefore Lennox was departed from Perth where the King remained to execute his office at Edenburgh and the Earle Arran absent from the Court Gowrey Marre Lindsey and others taking their opportunity inuited the King to the Castle of Ruthen being there they held him in such feare that hee durst not walke abroad such of his seruants as he thought best of they sent away the E. of Arran they arrested and cast into prison and compelled the King by the intercession of Queen ELIZABETH to recal the Earl of Angus out of exile and to sends the Duke of Lenox into France who as he was a Noble man of milde disposition and altogether inclin'd to
guilty of Laesae Maiestatis But of those that submitted if within ten yeares after they should approach nearer to the Court of the Queene then ten thousand paces their submission should be void That those that should any manner of way send money to the Seminary students should bee lyable to the punishment of Praemunire that is perpetual exile with the losse of their goods if any of the Peeres of the Realme that is Dukes Marquesses Earles and Lords shall transgresse these Lawes hee shall vndergoe the iudgement of the Peeres Whosoeuer shall haue knowledge that any Iesuites and such as haue any secret abode within the Kingdome and not make discouery of them within twelue dayes shall be punished according to the Queenes pleasure and abide imprisonment If any one shall be suspected of the number of those Iesuites or Priests and shall not submit himselfe to examination he shall for his contempt be imprisoned vntill he shall submit Whosoeuer shall send his children or others to the Seminaries and Colledges of the Popish profession shall be amerced a hundred pounds of English money All such as shall be sent thither if they returne not within a yeare and conforme themselues to the Church of England shall be depriued of all succession and inioying of goods in what manner soeuer they shall fall vnto them If the Wardens of the Ports shall permit any other but Saylors and Merchants to passe beyond the Seas without Licence from the Queene or sixe of her Counsell they shall bee depriued of their offices and the Masters of such Ships shall bee punished with the losse of their goods and of their voyage besides imprisonment for a whole yeare The seuerity of these lawes which were thought for those times no more then needfull did much terifie the Papists of England and amongst others Phil. Howard Earle of Arundell the eldest sonne to the Duke of Norfolke was in such sort affrighted that he resolued lest hee should offend against them to leaue the Kingdome Three yeares before he was by the gracious bounty of the Queene reestablished in the Rights and Honours of his father But a short while after being secretly accused by some of the Nobility and men of power he was depriued of her fauour so being priuately deuoted to the Roman Religion hee embraced an austere course of liuing This was the reason that hee was twice called before the Priuy Counsell and notwithstanding that he iustified himselfe against all obiections yet was he commanded to confine himselfe within his owne house Six moneths after or thereabouts being established in his right he entred in to the assembled Parliament but the first day before the speech vvas ended hee vvithdrew himselfe The Parliament ended he being as it were certain of his escape hee writ Letters to the Queene which hee commanded should be deliuered after his departure wherein was contained a long and sorrowfull complaint OF the malice of his aduersaries to which hee was forced of necessitie to giue way because they began to triumph ouer his innocency A remonstration of the vnfortunate deaths of his Ancestors First of his great Grandfather who was condemned without answering for himselfe then of his Grandfather who lost his head for matters of small moment and lastly of his father who was circumuented by his enemies but neuer transported with hate to his Queene or Countrey And a Declaration that lest he should proue an heire to his fathers infelicitie that hee might more freely apply himselfe to the seruice of God and prouide for his soules health hee had left his countrey but not his dutifull allegeance to the Queene Before these Letters were deliuered he went into Sussex where being about to imbarke himselfe by the treacherie of his men and discouerie of the Pilot hee vvas apprehended and committed to the Tower of London In the Tower at that time remained prisoner Henry Percy Earle of Northumberland brother to Thomas that lost his head at Yorke a man full of a quicke vvit and haughty courage suspected priuately to haue consulted with Throckmorton the Lord Paget and the Guise concerning the inuading of England and freeing of the Queene of Scots to whom he had alwayes borne great affection In the moneth of Iune he was found dead in his bed being shot through with three bullets vnder the left pappe the doore of his chamber being barred to him on the inside The next neighbouring Enquest sworne after the manner by the Coroner hauing searched the body considered the place and finding a Pistoll in the Chamber with Gunpowder they examined the seruant that bought the Pistol with him that sold the same Whereupon they pronounced the Earle murderer of himselfe The third day after the Nobilitie vvere assembled in the Starre-chamber where Tho. Bromley Chancelor of England succinctly declared that the Earle had treacherously consulted against the Queene and his Countrey which he perceiuing to be discouered and terified with the guiltinesse of his conscience which conuinced him he became his owne murderer But to satisfie the multitude which is alwaies credulous of the worst he commanded the Queenes Attourney and her Counsellors at Law plainely to vnfold the causes of his imprisonment and the manner of his death Whereupon Popham chiefe Attourney to the Queene beginning from the rebellion raised in the North parts sixteene yeares before demonstrated by the publique Acts THat hee was arraigned for the rebellion and for consulting of the freedome of the Queene of Scots That he had acknowledged his fault and submitted himselfe and was therefore amerced fiue thousand Markes But the Queene such was her gracious clemencie exacted not a peny from him and after that his brother had beene deseruedly punished for the same Crime the Queene confirmed him in the honour of Earle of Northumberland Neuerthelesse hee vndertooke new counsels for the deliuering of the Queene of Scots the inuading of England and ouerthrowing of the Religion and the Queene That Mendoza the Spaniard had giuen intelligence to Throckmorton that Charles Paget vnder the name of Mopus had in priuate treated with him concerning these matters in Sussex That the Lord Paget had likwise signified the selfe-same thing to Throckmorton and was also manifested by the Papers of Chreicton a Scottish Iesuite and that Charles Paget had declared all to Shelley at his returne out of France thisâ—gerton â—gerton the Queens Sollicitor demonstrated that by the circumstances suspitious care which the Earle had to keepe himselfe secret and close he shewed himselfe guilty of these matters that is to say That the Earle knowing none of those to bee in England that could accuse him but the Lord Paget whom Throckmorton had familiarly entertained a few dayes after that Throckmorton was intercepted he prepared by the helpe of Shelley a Ship for Paget to passe into France That so soone as Throckmorton had begunne to make confession hee retired from London to Penworth and forthwith sent for Shelley to him
notwithstanding she neuer saw Then she broke into these or the like speeches THe state of all Princes is at a weake stay if they depend vpon the writings and testimonies of their Secretaries for my part I deliuered nothing to them but what nature put into my minde for the recouery of my libertie nor ought I to be conuicted vnlesse it be by mine owne words or writing If they haue written any thing preiudiciall to the queene my sister they did it without my knowledge and therefore let them be punished for their inconsiderate insolency I know for certainty that if they were present they would cleere me in this case and if I had my manuscripts here I could answer all this particularly my selfe With that the Treasurer obiected that shee had determined to send her sonne into Spaine and to conuey to the Spaniard the right she challenged to the Kingdome of England Whereto she answered That she had no kingdome to bestow yet was it lawfull for her to giue her own at her pleasure neyther was she to be accountable to any therefore And when they obiected further out of Curles testimony that she had sent her Alphabet to D. Lodowick and Fernhurst she denied not But she had written out many of them and amongst others that for D. Lodowick after she had recōmended him and another to the honour of Cardinal And without offence she hoped it was as lawfull for her to haue entercourse of letters for the dispatch of her affayres with people of her own religion as it was for the Queen with those of another religion After this they vrged her againe vpon the euidences of Nauue and Curle which agreed together whereto shee eyther replyed as before or reiected them with a precise deniall protesting againe that she neyther knew Babington nor Ballard With this the Treasurer interrupting her said That she knew Morgan very well who had secretly sent Parry to slay the Queene and that she had giuen him an annuall pension She said She knew not that Morgan had done so but she knew well that he had lost all he had for her sake and therefore it stood with her honour to relieue him neyther was she bound to reuenge the wrongs done to the Queen by one who had well deserued from her yet had she alwayes done her best to disswade him from such wicked enterprises saying withall that out of England likewise there were pensions giuen to Patrick Gray and other Scotts enemies to her and her sonne Whereto the L. Treasurer answered Because the treasure of Scotland had beene much impayred by the negligence of the Regents or Vice-royes therefore the Queene had dealt the more bountifully with her neere kinsman your sonne Then was shewed some of the letters which shee had written to Inglefield to the Lo Paget and to Bernard Mendoza touching the forraigne supplies but when she had answered that That tended not to the ruine of the Queene because some strangers had a desire to procure her liberty and that she had manifested plainly enough to the Queene that they sought nothing but her freedome the matter was prorogued till the next day On the day following she reiterateth her protestation before mentioned requiring to haue it recorded and a copie thereof to be deliuered her lamenting That the most reasonable conditions which she had offered the Queene were still reiected especially hauing promised to deliuer her sonne and the Duke of Guise Hostages that neyther by her nor by her meanes the Queene nor kingdome should receiue any detriment That she her selfe altogether excluded from all hope of liberty was now most vnworthily handled whose honour and reputation was called in question by common Lawyers who by their contorted arguments make slender circumstances matters of great consequence wheras anointed and consecrated Princes are not subiect to lawes as priuate persons Moreouer whereas the authoritie of their Commission is to examine matters tending to the hurt of the Queens person yet they so handled the matter and so wrested their letters of Commission that they called in question the Religion she professeth the immunitie and maiesty of forraigne Princes and the priuate commerce they haue amongst themselues by writing and brought her to be arraigned at a Barre like a malefactor to the preiudice of Maiestie and soueraigne dignitie And this was done to no other end but to bring her in disgrace with the Queene and to seclude her from the right of inheritance to the Kingdome She called to mind withall How Qu. Elizabeth her selfe had bin questioned about Wyats rebellion though she were most innocent protesting most deuoutely that notwithstanding she wished the Catholicks welfare yet shee desired not the procurement thereof by the slaughter or bloud of any one She had rather play the part of Hester than Iudith rather make intercession to God for the people than take away the life of the meanest Expostulating the matter she complained that her aduersaries had bruited it abroad that she was of no religion Which was that time she said when she desired to be informed of the Religion of the Protestants but none would vouchsafe her the fauour a signe they had little care of the safety of her soule Then concluding When you haue done all you can said she against me you shall aduance your selues nothing in your cause or hope And so inuocating God and appealing to the Princes of her acquaintance desired she might haue another day of hearing and that she might be allowed an Aduocate to pleade her cause and being a Queene she might be beleeued vpon her royall word For it was extreme imprudence in her to be arraigned before those whom she perceiued to be armed with preiudice against her To this the Lo Treasurer made answer FOrasmuch as I represent two persons the one of a Counsellor the other of a Commissioner first heare me speake as a Commissioner Your protestation is registred and you shal haue a copie of it The power which we beare hath bin imposed vpon vs vnder the Queens signet and the great seale of England from the which there is no repeale Nor are we come with any preiudice but to censure according to the rules of Iustice Nor doe the Lawyers exaggerate the matter otherwise than to make it plainly appeare wherein you haue offended against the person of the Queene Our authoritie is to heare and examine the matter in your absence yet notwithstanding we haue willed you should be present for that wee would not seeme to derogate in any thing from your honour Nor haue wee any purpose to obiect against you any thing but what your attempts haue beene against the person of the Queene or with those with whom ye haue beene confederate Your letters were read only to shew your practising against the queenes person and such other things as concerne the same which are so intermixt they cannot bee sequestred therefore the letters were read wholly and not in parts to
that blood cryeth for blood and to be seuere vpon her cannot but seeme a thing cruell and bloody That the K. of France would endeuour seriously to dissolue the designes of those which conspired against Queen Elizabeth and that the Guises the Queen of Scotland's kinsmen should swear and subscribe to do the same who would take it very grieuously if she were put to death and perhaps would not suffer it vnreuenged Finally they required she should not be handled with such rigorous and extraordinary iudgement for if shee were the King of France could not but take it as a most grieuous offence howsoeuer the other Princes tooke it To euery one of these Articles answer was made in the Margent That the Queene of England hoped that the most Christian king of France made no lesse reckoning of her than of the Queene of Scotland who had practised her destruction she being an innocent Princesse her neere Kinswoman and in league of Alliance with the King of France That it is expedient for Kings and their Countries that wicked actions be not left vnpunished especially against Princes That the English who acknowledge Queen Elizabeth the sole Supreame Gouernesse of England cannot at once acknowledge two Soueraignes free and absolute Princes nor any other whilst she liued could participate in equalitie with her Neither could she perceiue how the Queene of Scotland and her Sonne which then raigned could be held at once for Soueraigne and absolute Princes Whether that the safetie of Queene Elizabeth be exposible to greater perils shee being put to death seeing it dependeth vpon future contingencie That the Estates of England hauing well weighed this point are otherwise conceited namely That whilst shee liueth there will alwaies be new plots of mischiefe breeding especially because it is now come to that issue that there is no hope left for the one if the other be not extinct and this saying should often present it selfe to her mind Either I shall dispatch her or shee me And the lesser time her life shall last the more celeritie will the Conspirators vse to execute their plots That hitherto she would neuer renounce her claime and challenge to the English Crowne and therefore was for iust cause to be detained in prison and detained must be till she renounce it although she came to England for succour and support And for what cause soeuer she was put in prison she is to be punished for the faults she hath cōmitted since the time of her imprisonment That the Queene of England had pardoned her before when shee was condemned of all the Estates for consenting to the Rebellion in the North the which was raised to haue made the Maryage betwixt her and tbe Duke of Norfolke and to pardon her againe were imprudent and cruell mercy That none are ignorant of that Maxime of the Lawyers An offender found within the Territorie of another is to be punished where he is found to haue committed the fault without respect of Dignitie Honour or Priuiledge And that the same is permitted as well by the Lawes of England as also by the examples of Licinius Robert King of Sicilie Bernard King of Italy Conradine Elizabeth Queene of Hungary Ioan Queene of Naples and of Deiotarus for whom Cicero pleading said It is not a thing vniust though vnusuall for a King to be arraigned His very words are these Primùm dico pro capite fortunisque Regis quod ipsum etsi non iniquum est in tuo duntaxat periculo tamen est ita inusitatum Regem capitis reum esse tante hoc tempus non sit auditum That shee that hath beene found guiltie by a iust Iudgement ought to vndergoe punishment forasmuch as that which is Iust is Honest and that which is Honest is also profitable That the History of Porsenna hath no allusion to the matter in question except it were to be thought that there are a great number yet behinde of them which conspire against Queene Elizabeth and so could perswade her out of feare and some little respect of honour to dismisse the Queene of Scotland without putting her to any paine as Porsenna past off Mutius after Mutius had told him there was yet 300. more of his Fellow-Confederates which had sworne his death Besides that Mutius set vpon Porsenna in open warre and assured himselfe that by sending Mutius away he was out of all danger That blood is to be spared but that is innocent blood That God hath said Blood cryeth for blood it is true and that France both before the Massacre of Paris since cā testifie this That punishment by death iustly inflicted cannot be accounted bloody no more than a wholsome medicine can be deem'd hurtfull Howsoeuer the Guises the Queene of Scotlands Cousens relish it Queene Elizabeth hath more nearer cause to respect her selfe her owne safetie her Nobilitie and the good of her People on whose loue shee wholly dependeth than the discontent of any other whosoeuer And that the matter was now at that point that the old Prouerbe of the two Princes Conradine the King of Sicilie and Charles the Duke of Anjou might be vsed and truly said of these two Queens THE DEATH OF MARY THE LIFE OF ELIZABETH And THE LIFE OF MARY THE DEATH OF ELIZABETH The promises of the French King or the Guises cannot secure the Queene of England nor the Realme of assured safetie much lesse make amends for her death if she be made away That the French King cannot discouer or keepe in the plots of Treason which are practised against him in his owne Country much lesse this against the Queene of England for that Treason is closely carryed and therefore ineuitable And if the wicked act were once committed what good would come on it to claime their promises How can the life of an incomparable Prince after death be repaired and what redresse can be found out for the Common-wealth failing with her in this sad confusion of all things That the hand-writings or oathes of the Guises can be of no great moment for that they hold it a meritorius matter to put to death the Pope of Romes Aduersaries and may easily haue a dispensation of their oath And when Queene Elizabeth shall be slaine and the Queene of Scotland which is of the House of the Guises aduanced to the Royaltie who is he will accuse them for her death or if they should be accused that can bring her to life againe But in that the Ambassadours haue said That the Iudgement was rigorous and extraordinary they haue spoken indiscreetly for they saw neither the proceedings of the businesse nor heard the proofes and haue with too much asperitie reprehended the Estates of the Realme of England being Personages of chiefest note in the Kingdome for noblenesse of Birth Vertue Wisedome and Pietie Yea and that they haue altogether deliuered these speeches from the King of France to terrifie the Queene of England and the Estates of the Land That the
all the Churches of England and went her selfe in triumph amongst the Companies and Societies of London which marched on both sides of her Maiestie with their Banners and roade thorow the Streetes which were richly hung with blue hangings in a Chariot drawne with two Horses Princes themselues not vsing foure as now adayes particular persons doe to Saint Pauls Church were shee gaue God humble thankes heard the Sermon which shewed the glory due to GOD alone and caused the Ensignes taken to be there set vp and shewed vnto the people Then shee assigned some reuenewes vnto the Admirall for the seruice which hee had performed with so good and happy successe praised highly her Sea-Captaines as men borne for the preseruation of their Countrey and as often as shee saw any of the other called them by their names to witnesse that shee tooke note of their deserts which they tooke as sufficient reward for their seruices Shee also recompenced the maymed and poorer sort with honourable pensions This publique reioycing was increased by the arriuall of Sir Robert Sidney who being come out of Scotland assured her Maiestie that the King of Scots embraced most affectionately the Queenes friendship made sincere profession of true Religion and would defend it with all his might Hee was sent vnto him before when Great Britaine was first threatned with the Spanish Fleete to acknowledge by his reioycings and thankes-giuing of the good will which he bore to the Queene to praise his forwardnesse to defend the common cause to promise him reciprocall succours if the Spaniard made any inuasion in Scotland To giue him to vnderstand with what ambition the Spaniard gapeth after the whole Monarchy of Great Brittaine solliciting the Pope to excommunicate his Royall person both to spoyle him of the Kingdome of Scotland and to exclude him out of the succession of the Kingdome of England To put him in minde of the threatnings which Mendoza and the Popes Nuntio vttered against him and that therefore hee was to take heed of Papists Whereunto that wee may note it by the way the KING answered graciously and merrily J expect no other courtesie of the Spaniard then such as Poliphemus promised to Vlysses to wit That he would deuoure him the last of all his fellowes About this time died the Earle of Leicester on the fourteenth of December of a continuall burning Feauer as hee was on his way to goe to Killingworth which death although the Queene much grieued at yet this ioy was neuer a whit diminished thereby Hee was the fifth sonne of Iohn Duke of Northumberland vnder King EDVVARD first Gentleman of the Kings Chamber vnder Queene MARIE who restored him to his first honours together with his Brothers and Sisters Master of the Artillery at the Siege of Saint Quintaines and vnder Queene ELIZABETH who affected him because of a simpathy of spirits betweene them occasioned perhaps by some secret constellation which the Greeke Astrologers call Sinastria he was Master of the Horse Knight of the Royall Orders of the Garter and of S. Michael one of the Priuy Councell Steward of the Queenes House Chancellor of the Vniuersity of Oxford Iustice in Eire of all the Forrests beyond Trent the Queenes Lieutenant and Captaine of the English Forces against Spaines Gouernour and Captaine generall of the vnited Prouinces of the Netherlands he began in his latter time to conceit a new hope and title of honour and authority looking to haue with Soueraigne power annexed thereunto a generall Lieutenancy vnder the Queene both throughout all England and Ireland of which he had gotten Letters Patents if that the Right Honourable William Cecill Lord Burleigh and Sir Christopher Hatton had not opposed themselues thereunto and also if the Queen had not betimes preuented the danger which might haue insued in giuing too-much power to one man alone Hee was reputed a compleat Courtier magnificent liberall a protector and benefactor of Souldiers and Schollers very skilfull in temporizing and fitting himselfe to the times to serue his owne turne very officious and cunning towards his ill-willers for a time much giuen to Women and finally a good husband in excesse To conclude as long as he preferred a power subiect vnto enuy before a solid vertue euill speakers tooke occasion to tugge and teare at him continually during the best of his fortune by defamatory libels which contained some slight vntruths And to say the truth hee was openly held to be in the ranke of those which were worthy of praise but the things which hee secretly plotted displeased many The Queene who was flexible ynough in all other things was hardly euer seene to remit any thing due to her treasure caused his goods to be sold to their vttermost value to pay that which he ought her The Duke of Parma hauing now broken off his purpose of inuading England to carry away notwithstanding with this great prepared Army for that end some glory from the English and by the same meanes to open the way of Zeland and deliuer Brabant from incursions besiegeth Bergen ap Zoom a Towne of Brabant strong by reason of the situation thereof and the Forts round about it and garded by a garrison the most part English But his indeuour was frustrated by the fore-sight of the Noble Lord Willoughby and the valour of the Garrison Souldiers For although that during the whottest of the siege there arose a great discord amongst the besieged some fauouring Drury Gouernour of the place established by the Lord Willoughby the English Generall and others adhering vnto Morgan prouided thereof by the Queenes Letters each of them notwithstanding hauing a care of the common good behaued themselues valiantly and by sallies and other military deuices did all of them so finde the Enemy busied that after hauing slaine taken or drowned about foure hundred which Grimston and Redhead feigning themselues to be Fugitiues had drawne into the Fort by great promises protestations and oathes the Duke hauing lost all hope of shutting vp their Hauen and to make himselfe Master of the Towne and seeing the Winter at hand and victuals fayling raysed his siege two Moneths after And the Lord Willoughby to honour with some recompence the well-deseruing knighted Sir Francis Vere who then began to shew himselfe Sir Thomas Knowles Sir N. Parker and Sir I. Pooly for their worthy valours England being now freed from the present feare of a forreine Warre found not her selfe so happily deliuered of an inward Schisme For schismaticall impiety waxeth alwaies insolent when any Warres be stirring nor euer did shamelesse and rebellious impudence and outragious malice more insolently beard the Ecclesiasticall Magistracie For whereas the Queene who was EVER THE SAME was very vnwilling to innouate any thing in Religion thinking it the way to cut the nerues of the Ecclesiasticall administration and the Royall Prerogatiue some which onely admired the discipline of the Church of Geneua iudging that there was no
better way to establish it than by blazoning the English Hierarchie and bringing the Prelates in hatred with the people did in scurrilous maner spit out their slanderous venome against this Hierarchie by certaine iniurious printed Bookes which carryed the Titles of Martin Mar-Prelate or A Whip for the Prelates Minerales Diotrephes demonstration of Discipline c. That the Authors of them seemed not to be professors of Pietie but rather Roysters neuerthelesse they were Ministers the one was named Penry and the other Vuedall and Iob Throckmorton a learned man but a merry conceited fellow and had for their fautors or supposts Sir Richard Knightlie and Sir R. Wigston worshipfull Knights graue and prudent personages who had beene seduced by like Ministers had bin fined deepe in the Starre-Chamber in case the Arch-Bishop of Canterburie according to his accustomed goodnesse and mildenesse had not with much adoe appeased the Queene Whilest these I say by slandering made way to this discipline other companions in this their enterprize in contempt of the Laws began to put it in practice in diuers corners of the Kingdome holding Synods and Assemblies in certaine places establishing to that end Presbyteries of which number Thomas Cartwright Edmund Snap Andrew King Proudlous Pain and other Ministers beeing committed some turbulent spirits thought to haue rescued them But I leaue vnto the Ecclesiasticall Historian the description of the petulancy of these people which was stayed by the wisedome and patience of the Lords Archbishops vnto whom the knowledge of that businesse appertained Although that tempest which had thundered so loude and with such threatnings from out of Spaine was now blowne ouer yet fell there some little gusts as reliques thereof in Ireland and Scotland and out of England vpon Spaine rushed out a more grieuous as anon wee shall declare For in Ireland by reason that Fitz-Williams the Lord Deputie who made search for all Spanish goods lost by wrecke did exact them with rigour and by occasion thereof imprisoned some as fauourers of the Spaniards amongst other matters occasion was thence giuen taken of all the troubles since hapning Daniel Rogers sent into Denmarke to condole the death of Frederick the Second and confirme the ancient alliances with his Successour treateth with the Curators of the Kingdome to procure THat the Danes should not beare Armes against the Queene in the seruice of any Enemies of her Kingdome That they should not grant permission to stay Ships for particular faults in the straits of Denmarke or Seiland That the Iland-fishing whereof the libertie was to be renewed euery seuen yeeres according to ancient order might not be hindered by any new deuices That the English might not pay any custome in the Sound but at their returne from the Baltique Sea nor in other Money than with that of Denmarke That the proprietaries of the Ships should not be holden by the fraud or deceits of Pilots and Ship-masters That the things wherewith Cloth are made vp were free and exempted from paying any custome and that the Tribute called Last gelt should be forgiuen to the English But these things were put off to another time because of the Kings being vnder age for the Danes were in some fashion ill pleased discontēted with the English for not passing then by the straits of Denmarke going into Russia but along the Coast of Norwegue Finmarck Lappy Scrufinic and Biarmie But Boris Theodoride elected and chosen Theodore Iahannide's Successor to the Empire of Russia who dyed vpon the beginning of this yeere he mist no occasion to helpe and succour the English purchasing carefully by all meanes possible the Royall amity of Queene ELIZABETH FINIS To the READER MAruell not READER why I should produce In the Omega of my Worke excuse And craue remission of my errours past Lest any Zoylus should aspersion cast On this my labours of-spring but doe know Though I such height of basenesse will not show To say all 's bad so my ambition is No wayes so great to say that nought's amisse The Sunne sometimes eclipst denyes his light So that the Day seemes turned into Night Faire Venus had a Mole vpon her Chinne The luckiest Gamester cannot alwayes winne The rarest Man may erre and t is most sure There 's none but GOD that spotlesse is and pure Then farre be such a Philautie from mee To say that none faults in this Worke can see 'T were strange if that a Strangers Penne and Presse Should haue no faults when best Workes haue no lesse Then stay rash Censurer and forbeare To condemne all though some mistake be there A. D. As there is nothing in this world in euery respect blessed in each particular happy so there is no constancy in humane things especially and according to Saint Jerome of the felicity of this world whilest we seeme to possesse it we part from it We see and dayly experience proues vnto vs what the condition and state of this life with the goods of it is the motion of it being as Saint Gregory saith so swift the possession so vncertaine as now we bee fatted in the fragrant posture of prosperity now pined and languishing on the bare commons of misery so that neither in weale or woe there is any constancy but all things are suddenly changed and vary in a moment so that we may repose more trust in letters written in the wind or water then in the happinesse of this humane life According to Herodotus it is as a circle of humane things which by her turning suffers not a man to be alwaies fortunate and prosperous Virgil exclaimes Time alters all things and Cicero tels vs The course of this mutable life is vnconstant and all the fortunes of men are vaine voluble and variable a meere Euripus for ebbing and flowing of worldly goods in a moment our mirth being turned to mourning our sorrow into solace The Royall House of the STVARTS and the illustrious Family of the SACKVILES not long since had wofull experience Of the Royal one there being pulled from the boughes of it two beautifull Roses to wit the two Noble Dukes of Lenox LODOVVICKE and ESME two rare Brothers of most vertuous and laudable conuersation Of the other a Noble branch was cut from that Tree of Honour RICHARD the most good and most Noble Earle of Dorset and Baron of Buckburst of happy and blessed memory All which in this yeere within the space of fiue moneths piously and peaceably slept with Christ Of Iustice IVSTICE is a constant and perpetuall will to giue impartially euery one their iust due the one is generall diuided in politicke and oeconomicke the other speciall diuided in distributiue and commutatiue her subiectiue parts are to doe good acts and fly from bad ones It stands therefore much in need of Religion Piety Obseruance Obedience Thanksgiuing of expulsions of iniuries also of Truth Affability Amity and Liberality Of Valour VALOVR which moderates feare and
Ambassage of Gondy Count of Rez Ambassage of the Earle of Worcester in France The Sea is purged of Pirats by Holstoc The French Protestants handle shrewdly the French Papists in England The French Leger Ambassadour complained to Queene Elizabeth concerning the helpe and assistance sent out of England to the Protestants of Rochell besieged Her Maiesty excused her selfe * Flagges Queene Elizabeth is earnestly sollicited to marry with the Duke of Alanzon Her Maiestie heares of it willingly By a double apprehension Queene Elizabeth graÌ„ts leaue to the Duke of Alanzon to come into England And her Maiesty presently sends him word not to come as yet Gondy returned into England Earle of Morton Vice-Roy of Scotland The King of France endeuours to destroy him Qu Elizabeth to defend him Grange opposeth The English are sent to besiege it Vpon what Conditions The Castle besieged by the English Forces The Castle yeelded Kircald and others hanged Lidington dyes Peace made in Scotland The Bishop of Rosse banished out of England Absence innouates Enterprizes The Duke of Alua is called out of the Low-Countries Lodowicke Zuniga sucseedes him Burches heresie Marshall Law Burch is hanged Effingham dies Gray Earle of Kent dies Caius the Phisition dyes The Colledge of Gonuell Caius Troubles in Ireland The Earle of Essex sent into Ireland The Deputie enuies it Mac-Phelim is taken The vnprofitable attempt and force of Chaterton Booke 2. 1574. The Duke of Alanzon desires to visit Queene Elizabeth Queene Elizabeth agrees to it He is suspected in France He is as it were prisoner being garded Queene Elizabeth comforts him Charles the ninth King of France died The right Honourable Lord Roger Lord North Baron of Catelage is sent Ambassador with a noble train to Henry of Valois the third of that name King of France Poland The King of France and mother Queene recommend the Duke of Alanzon to Queene Elizabeth They fauour the Queene of Scots against the Vice-Roy Morton She giueth credit to those who make reports aginst the Queene of Scotland The Earle of Huntington President of the North. An Edict against the riâ—tousnes of apparell England imbellished with magnificent structures The English worke treason in Holland They are defeated Ministers deceiued A Whale cast on shore An extraordinary floud in the Thames The Skie seemed to be on fire Booke 2. 1575. The league with France renued Warre kindled in France The Queene of England denieth ships to Requesens The entrance of the Ports To banish the Dutch fugitiues She denies the confederate Dutch entrance into the English ports Requisens chaseth the rebellious English from Flanders Dissolues their Seminary The Prince of Orange thinkes to run to the protection of the King of France The Queene of England disswades him The confederat Dutch deliberate what Protector they should chuse They haue recourse to the Queene of England She deliberateth thereupon She reiecteth their proffer The Ambassy of Champigni Requesens dyeth The Queene studieth to bring the affaires of the Netherlands to a composition A conflict vpon the borders of Scotland Heron is slaine The English led as prisoners into Scotland The Queene of England is much incensed The death of the Duke of Castell-Herauld Essex reduced into distresse in Jreland Sidney the third time Deputy maketh his progresse in Ireland The death of Peter Carew Booke 2. 1576. The French propound a marriage to Queene Elizabeth She peace to them She labours to diuert them from the Netherlands The Zelanders molest the English by Sea are repressed A confusion in the Netherlands Antwerpe sacked by the Spanish mutiners The Queene laboureth a peace for the Netherlands The arriuall of John of Austria in Flanders The Queene furnisheth the Estates with money to continue the Prouinces in the King of Spaines obedience The traffique re-established betweene England and Portugall With what probabilitie Witnesse Ienkinson an Englishman Bernard le Tor a Spaniard Furbisher is sent to discouer the Strait in the North part of America The death of Maximilian the Emperour Queene Elizabeth mournes The Elector Palatine dyes A Franc is two shillings English Essex death suspected The death of Sir Anthony Coke Tumults in Ireland William Drury President of Mounster Malefactors pursued and punished Ceass what it is The Irish complaine of exactions The Queene hath compassion Booke 2. 1577. Austria inclines to Peace Elizabeth perswades to it Orange diuerts her Austria seekes to marrie the Queene of Scots And by her to get the Kingdome of England Copley made a Baron of France The dissimulation of Austria He takes vp armes again Elizabeth couenanted with the Scots She declares the reason of it to the Spaniard The Spaniard did not willingly heare these things Don John complaines to Queene Elizabeth of the States England the ballance of Europe A pestilent sicknesse caused by the stinke of a prison Maine a Priest executed The death of the Lord Latimer Secretary Smith dyes Saffron Walden Rebellion in Ireland Rorio Oge Rorio slaine Booke 2. 1578. Queene Elizabeth is carefull of the Low-Countries English gone into the Low-Countries The Embassie for the Low-Countries Peace is irritated Egremond Radcliffe and his associate are put to death Don John dyes Aniou prosecutes the mariage with the Queene Leicester murmures The death of the Countesse of Lenox The business of Scotland Morton the Regent admonished The King sends an Embassador into England The Summe of the Embassage The answere of the Queene Morton takes vpon him the administration againe The Peeres rise vp against him The inuading of England consulted vpon Th. Stukeley takes Armes against his Countrie Ciuita Vecchia He is slaine in the African Warre William Drury Lord Deputie of Ireland Sidney's adieu to Jreland Booke 2. 1579. Casimire comes into England The Queene lends the States mony Semier solicites the marriage for the Duke of Aniou Thinkes on nothing but reuenge One was shot with a Pistolet being in the Boat with the Queene The Duke of Aniou came into England The dangers of the marriage The commodities of it The incommodities if it be neglected Aimé Stuart Lord of Aubigni came into Scotland From wheÌ„ce hee tooke the name of Aubigni He is raised to honours He is suspected of the Protestants Hamiltons deiected Proscribed Succoured by Elizabeth The Societie of the Turkey-Merchants Hamonts impietie N. Bacon dyes Thomas Bromley succeedes Gresham dyes His Colledge of London Rebellion of James Fitz-Morris in Ireland Stirred vp by the Pope and the King of Spaine Fauoured by the Earle of Desmond Dauile murdered in his bed Sanders approues of the slaughter He fights with those of Bourg Fitz-Morris is slaine William of Bourg made Baron He dyes for ioy John Desmond kils the English The Lord Deputy sick N. Malbey Gouernour of Mounster Defeats the Rebels The Earle of Desmond manifests himselfe a Rebell The death of Drury Lord Deputy The Rebels thereby incouraged William Pelham is Lord Chiefe Justice of Ireland Admonisheth the Earle of Desmond of his duety Proclaimes him Traitor The Earle of