to them by the new usurper much lamented and pittied would never cease to barke if they cannot bite at the one side of me Likewise my cousin the Earle of Richmond his aides kinsfolke which be not of little power will surely attempt like a fierce grayhound either to bite or to pierce mee on the other side So that my life and rule should ever hang by a haire never in quiet but ever in doubt of death or deposition And if the said two linages of Yorke and Lancaster which so long have strived for the imperiall Diadem should joyne in one against mee then were I surely mated and the game gotten Wherefore I have clearely determined and with my selfe concluded utterly to relinquish all such fantasticall imaginations concerning the obtaining of the Crowne But all such plagues calamities and troubles which I feared and suspected might have chanced on me if I had taken the rule and regiment of this reale I shall with a reredemaine so make them rebound to our common enemie that calleth himselfe King that the best stopper that hee hath at tenice shall not well stop without a fault for as I told you before the Countesse of Richmond in my returne from the new named King meeting mee in the high way prayed me first for kindred sake secondly for the love I bare to my grandfather Duke Humphrey which was sworne brother to her father to move the King to bee good to her sonne Henry Earle of Richmond and to licence him with his favour to returne againe into England and if it were his pleasure so to doe shee promised that the Earle her sonne should marry one of King Edwards daughters at the appointment of the King without any thing to be taken or demanded for the said espousals but onely the Kings favour which request I soone overpassed and gave her faire words and so departed But after in my lodging when I called to memorie with a deliberate studie and did circumspctly ponder them I fully adjudged that the holy Ghost caused her to move a thing the end whereof she could not consider both for the security of the Realme as also for the preferment of her child and the destruction and finall confusion of the common enemy King Richard Which thing shee neither then thought I am sure as I by her words could make conjecture nor I my selfe cast not her desire to be so profitable to the Realme as I now doe perceive but such a Lord is God that with a little sparkle he kindleth a great fire and so finally to declare to you the very conclusion to the which I am both bent and set my mind is and my power and purpose shall helpe that the Earle of Richmond very heire of the house of Lancaster in the quarrell of the which linage both my father and grandfather lost their lives in battell shall take to wife Lady Elizabeth eldest daughter to K. Edward by the which marriage both the houses of Yorke and Lancaster may bee obtained and united in one to the cleare stablishment of the title to the Crowne of this noble Realme To the which conclusion if the mothers of both parties and especially the Earle himselfe and the Lady will agree I doubt not but the braging Bore which with his tuskes raseth every mans skinne shall not only be brought to confusion as he hath deserved but that this Empire shal ever be certain of an undubitate heire and then shall all civill and intestine war cease which hath so long continued to the parting of many mens Crownes this Realme shall bee reduced againe to quietnesse renoune and glory This invention of the Duke many men thought after that it was more imagined for the inward hatred that he beare to King Richard then for any favour that hee bare to the Earle of Richmond But of such doubtfull matters it is not best to judge for erring to farre from the minde and entent of the actour But whatsoever he intended this device once opened to King Richard was the very occasion that hee was rounded shorter by the whole head without attainder or judgement When the Duke had said the Bishop which ever favored the house of Lancaster was wonderous joyfull and much rejoyced to heare this device for now came the winde about even as hee would have it for all his imagination tended to this effect to have King Richard subdued and to have the lines of K. Edward and King Henry the sixt againe raised and advanced But Lord how hee rejoyced to thinke how that by this marriage the linages of Yorke and Lancaster should bee conjoyned in one to the very stead fastnesse of the publique wealth of this Realme And lest the Dukes courage should swage or his minde should againe alter as it did often before as you may easily perceive by his owne tale Hee thought to set up all the sailes hee had to the intent that the ship of his pretended purpose might come shortly to some sure port And said to the Duke my Lord sith by Gods high provision your incomparable wisedome and policie this noble conjunction was first moved now it is convenient yea and necessary to consider what personages and friends we shall first make privie of this high device and politicke conclusion By my truth quoth the Duke wee will begin with my Lady of Richmond the Earles mother which knoweth where he is either in captivitie or at large in Brytaine For I heard say that the Duke of Britaine restored him to liberty immediately after the death of King Edward by whose meanes hee was restrayned Sith you will begin that way said the Bishop I have an old friend with the Countesse a man sober secret and well witted called Reignold Bray whose prudent policie I have knowne to have compassed things of great importance for whom I shall secretly send if it bee your pleasure I doubt not he wil gladly come and with a good will So with a little diligence the Bishop wrote a letter to Reighnold Bray requiting him to come to Brecknock with speede for great and urgent causes touching his Mistresse and no other thing was declared in the letter So the messenger rode into Lancashire where Bray was with the Countesse and Lord Thomas Stanley her husband delivered the letter which when hee had read hee tooke it as a signe or presage of some good fortune to come and so with the messenger hee came to the Castle of Brecknocke where the Duke and the Bishop declared what thing was devised both to set the Realme in a quiet steadfastnesse and also for the high preferment of the Earle of Richmonds sonne to his Lady and Mistrisse Willing her first to compasse how to obtaine the good wil of Queene Elizabeth and also of her eldest daughter bearing the same name and after secretly to send to her son into Britaine to declare what high honour was prepared for him if he would sweare to marry the Lady Elizabeth assoone
it in the meane season there came to make a sute to the King by Petition Dame Elizabeth Gray which after was his Queene then a widdow borne of noble blood specially by her mother which was Dutches of Bedford and she was married to sir Richard Woodvile Lord Rivers her Father Howbeit this Elizabeth being in service with Queene Margaret wife to King Henry the sixt was married to one Iohn Grey Esquier whom King Henry made Knight at the last battell of Saint Albons but little while hee enjoyed his knighthood for at the same field he was slaine After when King Edward was King and the Earle of Warwicke beeing on his Embassage this poore Lady made her sute to the King to bee restored to such small lands as her husband had given her in joynture whoÌ„ when the King beheld and heard her speak as she was both faire and of good favour moderate of stature well made and very wise he not alone pitched on her but also waxed enamored on her and taking her secretly aside began to enter into talking more familiarly whose appetite when shee perceived shee vertuously denyed him but that shee did so wisely and that with so good manner and words so well set that shee rather kindled his desire then quenched it And finally after many a meeting much wooing and many great promises she well perceived the Kings affection towards her so greatly increased that shee durst somewhat the more boldly say her minde as to him whose heart she perceived more fervently set then to fall off for a word And in conclusion shee shewed him plaine that as shee thought her selfe too simple to bee his wife so shee thought her selfe too good to be his concubine The King much marvelling at her constancy as hee that had not beene before elswhere so stiffely said nay so much esteemed her continency and chastity that he set her vertue in stead of possession and riches And thus taking counsell of his owne desire determined in haste to marry her And after that hee was thus appointed and had betwâ—ene them twaine assured her then asked he counsell of his secret friends and that in such manner that they might easily perceive that it booted them not to say nay Notwithstanding the Dutches of York his mother was so sore moved therewith that she disswaded that marriage as much as shee possible might alleaging that it was his honour profit and surety to marry in some noble progeny out of his Realme whereupon depended great strength to his estate by that affinity and great possibility of increase of his dominions And that hee could not well otherwise doe considering the Earle of Warwicke had so farforth entred into the matter already which was not like to take it well if all his voyage were in such wise frustrate and his appointment deluded And she said further that it was not Princely to marry his owne Subject no greater occasion leading there unto no possessions nor other commoditie depending thereupon but onely as a rich man would marry his maiden onely for a little wanton dotage upon her person In which marriage many men commend more the maidens fortune then the mans wisedome and yet shee said that there was more honesty then honour in this marriage for asmuch as there is not betweene a Merchant and his maide so great a difference as betweene a King and his Subject a great Prince and a poore widdow In whose person although there were nothing to bee misliked yet was there said shee nothing so excellent but that it might bee found in divers other that were more mee quoth she for your estate yea and maidens also the onely widowhood of Dame Elizabeth Grey although she were in all other points and things convenient for you should suffice as I thâ—nke to refraine you from her marriage since it is an unfitting thing and a great blemish to the sacred Majesty of a Prince that ought as neere to approach priesthood in cleannesse as he doth in dignity to be defiled with bigamy in his first marriage The King made his Mother an answer part in earnest and part in play merrily as hee that knew himselfe out of her rule and albeit he would gladly that shee should take it well yet was hee at a point in his owne minde tooke shee it well or otherwise Howbeit somewhat to satisfie her hee said that albeit marriage being a spirituall thing ought rather to be made for the respect of God where his grace inclineth the parties ought to incline to love together as he trusted it was in his case rather then for the regard of any temporall advantage yet neverthelesse he deemed this marriage well considered not to be unprofitable for hee reckoned the amity of no earthly Nation to be so necessary for him as the friendship of his owne which hee thought likely to beare him so much the more hearty favour in that hee disdained not to marry with one of his owne Land and yet if outward alliance were thought so requisite he would finde the meanes to enter thereunto much better by other of his kin where all parties could be contented then to marry himselfe wherein hee should never haply love and for the possibility of possessions lose the fruit and pleasure of this that he had already For small pleasure taketh a man of all that ever he hath beside if hee be wived against his appetite and I doubt not quoth he but there be as you say others that be in every point comparable with her and therefore I let not them that like them to marry them no more is it reason that it mislike any man that I marry where it liketh me And I am sure that my Cousin of Warwicke neither loveth me so little to grudge at that that I love nor is so unreasonable to looke that I should in choice of a wife rather be ruled by his eye then by mine owne as though I were a ward that were bound to marry by the appointment of a Guardian I would not be a King with that condition to forbeare mine owne liberty in choice of mine owne marriage As for possibility of more inheritance by new affinity in strange Lands is oft the occasion of more trouble then profit And wee have already title by that meanes as sufficeth to so much as sufficeth to get and keepe well in one mans dayes That she is a widdow and hath already children By God his blessed Lady I am a Batchelor and have some too and so each of us hath a proofe that neither of us is like to be barren And therefore Madame I pray you be content I trust to God she shall bring forth a young Prince that shall please you And as for the bigamy let the Bishop hardly lay it to my charge when I come to take orders for I understand it is forbidden a Priest but I never knew that it was forbidden a Prince The Dutchesse with these words nothing appeased and seeing the
to God requiring of him a safe conduct and licence to passe through his countrey of Normandy into Britaine The yong King having compassion of the misfortune and unfortunate chance of the Earle of Richmond not onely gently granted and assigned to him a pasporte but also literally disbursed and departed to him a convenient some of money for his conduct and expenses necessary in his long journey and passage But the Earle trusting on the French Kings humanity adventured to send his ships home into Britaine and to set forward himselfe by land on his journie making no great haste till his messengers were returned which being with the benefit so comforted and with hope of prosperous successe so encouraged marched towards Britaine with all diligent celeritie intending there to consult further with his lovers and friends of his affaires and enterprises When hee was returned againe into Britaine hee was certified by credible information that the Duke of Buckingham had lost his head and that the Marques Dorset and a great number of noble men of England had a little before enquired and searched for him there and were now returned to Vanues When hee had heard these newes thus reported hee first sorrowed dolorously lamented the first attempt and setting forward of his friends and especially of the Nobility not to have more fortunately succeeded Secondly hee rejoyced on the other part that God had sent him so many valiant and prudent Captaines to bee his companions in his martiall enterprises trusting surely and nothing doubting in his owne opinion but that all his businesse should bee wisely compassed and brought to a good conclusion Wherefore hee determining with all diligence to accelerate and set forward his new begun businesse departed to Renes and sent certaine of his privie servitours to conduct and bring the Marquis and the other Noble men to his presence When they knew that hee was safely returned into Britaine Lord how they rejoyced and applauded for before that time they missed him and knew not in what part of the world to make investigation or search for him For they doubted and no lesse feared lest hee had taken land in England and fallen into the hands of King Richard in whose person they knew wel was neither mercy nor compassion Wherefore in all speedy manner they galloped towards him and him reverently saluted which meeting after great joy and solace and no small thanks and gratifications given and rendered on both parts they consulted and advisedly debated commoned of their great businesse and weightie enterprise in the which season the solene feast of the Nativitie of our Saviour Christ happened on which day all the English Lords went with great solemnity to the chiefe Church of the Cittie and there each gave faith and promise to other The Earle himselfe first tooke a corporall oath and on his honour promising that incontinent after he should be possessed of the Crowne and dignity of the Realme of England hee would bee conjoyned in matrimony with the Lady Elizabeth daughter to King Edward the fourth Then all the company sware to him fealtie and did to him homage as though he had beene that time the Crowned King and annointed Prince promising faithfully fiâ—mely assuring that they would not onely lose their worldly substance but also bee deprived of their lives and worldly felicity rather then to suffer King Richard that tyrant longer to rule and â—aigne over them Which solemne oathes made and taken the Earle of Richmond declared and communicated all these doings to Francis Duke of Brittaine desiring and most heartily requiring him to aide him with a great army to conduct him into his Countrey which so sore longed and looked for his returne and to the which he was by the more part of the Nobilitie called and desired which with Gods ayde and the Dukes comfort hee doubted not in short time to obtaine requiring him further to lend to him a convenient some of money affirming that all such somes of money which he had received of his especiall friends were spent and exhausted in the preparation of the last journey made towards England which somes of money after his enterprise once atchived he in the word of a Prince faithfully promised to repay and restore againe The Duke promised him aide and helpe upon confidence wherof he rigged his ships set forth his Navie well decked with ordinance warlikely furnished with all things necessary to the intent to saile forward shortly and to see no convenient time slackly overpassed nor bee pretermitted In the meane season King Richard apprehended in divers parts of the Realme certaine gentlemen of the Earle of Richmonds faction and confederation which either intended to saile into Britaine towards him or else at his landing to assist and aide him Amongst whom sir George Browne sir Roger Clifford and foure others were put to execution at London and sir Thomas Sentliger which had married the Dutches of Exeter the Kings owne sister and Thomas Rame and diverse others were executed at Exeter Besides these persons diverse of his houshold servants whom either hee suspected or doubted were by great crueltie put to shamefull death After this hee called a Parliament in the which he attainted the Earle of Richmond and all other persons which were fled out of the Realme for feare of any other cause as enemies to him their naturall countrey and all their lands goods and possessions were confiscate and seased to the Kings use And yet not content with this prey which no doubt was of no small value and moment hee laid on the peoples neckes a great taxe and tollage and surely necessity to that act in a manner compelled him For what with purging and declaring his innocencie concerning the murther of his Nephewes towards the world what with cost to obtaine the love and favour of the commonaltie which outwardly glosed and openly dissembled with him hee gave prodigally so many and so great rewards that now both hee lacked and scarce knew honestly how to borrow In this troublous season nothing was more marvelled at then that the Lord Stanley had not beene taken and reputed as an enemie to the King considering the working of the Lady Margaret his wife mother to the Earle of Richmond but forasmuch as the enterprise of a woman was of him reputed of no regard or estimation and that the Lord Thomas her husband had purged himselfe sufficiently to be innocent of all doings and attempts by her perpetrated and committed it was given him in charge to keepe her in some secret place at home without having any servant or company so that from thenceforth shee should never send letter nor messenger to her sonne nor any of his friend or confederates by the which the King might bee molested or troubled or any hurt or prejudice might bee attempted against his realme and commonaltie Which commandement was a while put in execution and accomplished according to his dreadfull commandement Yet the wild
the Earle of Richmond how all the deceit and craftie working was conveighed and compassed giving him in charge to counsell and advise the Earle in all haste possible with all his company to retire out of Britaine into France When these newes were brought to the Earle he then kept house in Vannes and incontinent dispatched againe Christopher Vrswike to Charles the French K. requiring him that hee and his might safely passe into France which desire impetrated and obteyned the messenger shortly returned to his Lord and Prince The Earle well perceiving that it was expedient and necessarie with all speede and diligence to looke to this weightie matter calling verie few to councell he made exploration and search of all secret and by waies and sent before all his noble men as though for a certaine familiarity and kindnesse they should visit and comfort the Duke which then for recreation and change of aire lay on the borders and confines of France And secretly hee gave charge to the Earle of Pembrooke which was the leader and conducter of his company that when they approched the marches and limits of Britaine they should divert and take the next way into France The noble men somewhat suspicious of things newly imagined without any tarrying or by the journey gasing scouring the waies as fast as their horse would runne or as they conveniently might beare sustaine came out of the Dutchy of Brittaine into the Dutchy of Angeou in the dominion of France where they expected the Earles comming which two dayes after departed out of Vannes only accompanied with five servitours as though hee had gone to visite some familiar friend of his in a small village adjoyning No man suspected that hee would depart considering that a great multitude of Englishmen were left and continued in the citie but after he had passed directly five miles forward hee suddenly turned into a solitary wood next adjoyning where cloathing himselfe in the simple coate of his poore servant made and appointed his said minister leader and master of his small cōpanie he as an humble page diligently followed and served his counterfeit governour never resting nor themselves refreshing except the bayting of their horses till they by waies unknowne now this way now turning that way came to their company abiding them in Angiers The fourth day after the Earle of Richmond was thus departed that craftie merchant Perter Landoyse trusting still after his prey promised by King Richard was ready to set forward his crew of souldiers which he privily had consigned with certaine trustie captaines for that onely purpose appointed and elected to performe and atchieve his pretensed enterprise dissembling feigning them to be conducted and hired by him to serve the Earle of Richmond and him to conduct in his returne towards his native countrey meaning none other thing but to apprehend him and the other noble men in his retinue which no such fraud suspecting nor yet any treason imagining unawares and unprovided and destitute of all aide and them to cast and detrude suddenly into continuall captivitie and bondage to the intent that by this facinorous and naughty act he might satisfie the charitable request and louing desires of good K. Richard more for his owne profit then for King Richards gaine But when this crafty dissembler Peter Landoyse which was no wiliar then an old Foxe perceived that the Earle was departed thinking that to bee true that hee imagined Lord how curriours ran into every coast how light-horsemen galloped to every streete to follow and detaine him i◠by any possibility hee could bee subsecuted and overtaken and him to incarcerate and bring captive into the citie of Vannes The horsemen made such diligence and with such celeritie set forward their journey that nothing was more likely then they to have obtained yea and seazed their prey For the Earle of Richmond was not entred into the Realme of France scarse one houre but the followers came to the limits and confines of Britaine and durst adventure no further but vainely without their desire sorrowfully returned At which season were left at Vannes about the number of three Englishmen which not being called to counsell and unawares of this enterprise but knowing of the Earles sudden departure were so incontinently astonied that in a manner they were all in despaire both of him and their owne securitie and safegard But fortune turned her saile and otherwise it happened then their feare them incombred For the Duke of Britaine now being somewhat recovered was sore displeased and nothing contented that the Earle of Richmond was in his dominion so uncurteously tracted and intreated that hee should bee by fraud and untruth compelled to leave and fly out of his Dutchy and countrey contrary to his honour Wherfore hee tooke great displeasure with Peter Landoyse his Treasurer to whom although hee knew not and was ignorant that all the drift was driven and devised by him he laid the fault and imputed the crime Wherefore he sent for Edward Woodvile and Edward Powninges valiant Esquiers of England and delivered unto them money sufficient for their conduct willing them them to convey the rest of the Englishmen being in Britaine to the Earle of Richmonds presence When the Earle was thus furnished and appointed with his trusty company and was escaped all the dangerous labyrinthes and snares that were set for him no marvell though he were jocund and glad of the prosperous successe that happened in his affaires Wherefore lest hee should seeme to be blotted with the note of ingratitude hee sent divers of his gentlemen to the Duke of Britaine the which should publish and declare to him on the behalfe of the Earle that hee and his were onely by his benefit and favour conserved and delivered from the imminent danger that they were like to be trapped in Wherefore at that time he rendred to him most heartie thanks in words trusting and not doubting but in time to come liberally to recompence him with acts and deedes After this the Earle tooke his journey to Charles the French King living then at Langes upon the river of Leyre to whom after great thankes given for manifold gratuities by him to the Earle shewed hee disclosed and manifested the cause and occasion of his accesse and repaire to his person After that hee required of him helpe and succour to the intent that by his immortall benefit to him at that time shewed hee might safely returne to the nobilitie of his Realme of whom he was generally called to take upon him the Crowne and Scepter of the Realme they so much hated and abhorred the tyranny of King Richard King Charles promised him aide and comfort and bad him bee of good courage and make good cheere for hee assured him that hee would gladly shew to him his benevolent minde and bountifull liberalitie Which King from thence removed to Mountargis leading with him the Earle of Richmond and all the noble personages of his retinue and faction
willing him in any wise to leave the Earle and without delay to repaire into England where for him were provided great honours and honourable promotions ascertaining him further that all offences in both parties were forgotten and forgiven and both he and she highly incorporate in the Kings heart Surely the inconstancie of this woman were much to bee marvelled at if all women had bin found constant but let men speake yet women of the very bond of Nature wil follow their owne kinde After that King Richard had thus with glorious promises and flattering words pleased and appeased the mutable mind of Queene Elizabeth which knew nothing lesse then that he most intended he caused all his brothers daughters to be conveighed into his Palace with solemne receiving as though with his new familiar and loving entertainment they should forget and in their mindes obliterate the old committed injury and late perpetrate tyranny Now nothing was contrarie and opposite to his pernicious purpose but that his Mansion was not void of his wife which thing he in any wise adjudged necessary to be done But there was one thing that so much feared and dragged him from committing this abominable murder because as you have heard before hee began to counterfeit the image of a good and well disposed person and therefore he was afraid lest the sudden and immature death of his wife once openly knowne hee should lose the good and credible opinion which the people had of him without desert conceived and reported But in conclusion evill counsell prevailed in a wit lately minded to mischiefe and turned from all goodnesse So that his ungratious desire overcame his honest feare And first to enter into the gates of his imagined enterprise hee abstayned both from the bed and company of his wife After hee complained to divers Noble men of the Realm of the unfortunate sterilitie and barrennesse oâ— his wife because she brought forth no fruit and generation of her body And in speciall hee accompted to Thomas Rotheram Arch-bishop of Yorke whom lately hee had delivered out of ward and captivity these impediments of his Queene and divers others thinking that hee would reveale and open to her all these things trusting the sequell hereof to take his effect that shee hearing this grudge of her husband and taking therefore an inward thought would not long live in this world Of this the Bishop gathered which well knew the complection and usage of the King that the Queenes dayes were short and that hee declared to certaine of his secret friends And thus he procured a common rumour but hee would not have the authour knowne to bee published and spread abroâ—d among the common people that the Qâ—eene was dead to the intent that shee taking some conceit of this strang fame should fall into some sudden sicknesse or grievous malady and to prove if afterwards shee shâ—â—ld fortune by that or any other waies to lose her life whether the people would impute her death to the thought or sicknes or therof would lay the blame to him When the Queene heard tell that so horrible a rumour of her death was sprung amongst the commonaltie shee sore suspected and judged the world to be almost at an end with her and in that sorrowfull agony shee with lamentable countenance and sorrowfull cheere repaired to the presence of the King her husband demanding of him what it should meane that he had judged her worthy to die The King answered her with faire words and with dissembling blandiments and flattering leasings comforted her bidding her to bee of good comfort for to his knowledge shee should have no other cause But howsoever it fortuned either by inward thought and pensivenesse of heart or by intoxication of poyson which is affirmed to bee most likely within a few dayes after the Queene departed out of this transitorie life was with due solemnitie buried in the church of S. Peter at Westminster This is the same Anne one of the daughters of the Earle of Warwicke which as you have heard before at the request of Lewes the French King was married to Prince Edward son to King Henry the Sixt. The King thus according to his long desire loosed out of the bonds of matrimony beganne to cast a foolish phantasie to Lady Elizabeth his neece making much suite to have her joyned with him in lawfull matrimony But because all men and the maiden her selfe most of all detested and abhorred this unlawfull and in a manner unnaturall copulation hee determined to prolong and dâ—fer the matter till he were in a more quietnesse For all that very season hee was oppressed with great weightie and urgent causes and businesses on every side considering that daily part of the nobilitie sailed into France to the Earle of Richmond other privily favoured and aided certaine of the conjuration so that of his short end few or none were in doubt And the common people for the most part were brought to such desperation that many of them had rather be reputed and taken of him in the number of his enemies then to abide the chance and hazard to have their goods taken as a spoyle of victorie by his enemies Amongst the noble men whom hee most mistrusted these were the principall Thomas Lord Stanley Sir William Stanley his brother Gilbert Talbot and six hundred other of whose purposes although King Richard were ignorant yet he gave neither confidence nor credence to any one of them and least of al to the Lord Stanley because hee was joyned in matrimony with the Lady Margaret mother to the Earle of Richmond as afterward apparently ye may perceive For when the said Lord Stanley would have departed into his Countrey to visite his familie and to recreate and refresh his spirits as he openly said but the truth was to the intent to be in a perfect readinesse to receive the Earle of Richmond at his first arrivall into England the King in no wise would suffer him to depart before he had left as an hostage in the Court George Stanley Lord Strange his first begotten son heire While King Richard was thus troubled and vexed with imaginations of the tumultuous time that was like to come Loe even suddenly hee heard newes that fire was sprung out of the smoake and the warre presently begun and that the Castle of Hammes was delivered into the hands of the Earle of Richmond by the meanes of the Earle of Oxford and that not onely hee but also Iames Blunt Captaine of the Castle were fled into France to aide the Earle Henry Wherefore he thinking it great policie to withstand the first brunt sent the most part of the garison of Calice to recover again by force the castle of Hammes They which were in the Castle perceiving their adversaries to approach prepared munitions and engins for their defence and sent also the Earle of Richmond to advertise him of their sodaine obsession requiring him of hasty ayde speedie succour The Earle slipping
with the ayde and reliefe of his friends intended to passe over the river of Siverne at Shrewesbury so to passe directly to the citie of London requiring them as his especiall trust and confidence was perplanted in the hope of their fidelitie that they would occurre and meete him by the way with all diligent preparation to the intent that hee and they at time propice and place convenient might communicate together the profunditie and deepenesse of all his dubious weighty businesse When the messengers were disparcled with these commandements admonitions hee marched forwards toward Shrewesbury and in his passing there met and saluted him Rice ap Thomas with a goodly band of Welshmen which making an oath promise to the Earle submitted himself wholy to his order and commandement For the Earle of Richmond two dayes before made to him promises that if hee would sweare to take his part and be obedient to him he would make him chiefe governour of Wales which part as he faithfully promised and granted so after that hee had obtained and possessed the Realme and diadem hee liberally performed and accomplished the same In the meane time the messengers that were sent diligently executed the things given to them in charge and laden with rewards of them to whom they were sent returned to him the same day that he entred into Shrewesbury made relation to him that his friends were ready in all points to doe all things for him which either they ought or might doe The Earle Henry brought in good hope with his pleasant message continued foorth his entended journey and came to a little towne called Newport pitching his campe on a little hill adjoyning reposed himselfe there that night In the evening the same day came to him Sir George Talbot with the whole power of the young Earle of Shrewesbury then being inward which were accompted to the number of two thousand men And thus his power increasing he arrived at the towne of Stafford and there pawsed To whom came Sir William Stanley accompanied with a few persons and after that the Earle and hee had communed no long time together he reverted to his souldiers which hee had congregate together to serve the Earle which from thence departed to Lichfield lay without the walles in his campe all the night The next morning hee entred into the towne and was with all honour like a Prince received A day or two before the Lord Stanley having in his band almost five thousand men lodged in the the same towne but hearing that the Earle of Richmond was marched thitherward gave to him place dislodging him and his and repayred to a towne called Adrestone there abiding the comming of the Earle and this wilie Foxe did this act to avoide all suspicion being affraid lest if hee should bee seene openly to be a fautour or ayder to the Earle his son in law before the day of the battell that King Richard which did not utterly put in him diffidence and mistrust would put to some cruell death his sonne and heire apparent George Lord Strange whom King Richard as you have heard before kept with him as a pledge or hostage to the intent that the Lord Stanley his father should attempt nothing prejudiciall to him King Richard at this season keeping his house in the Castle of Nottingham was informed that the Earle of Richmond with such banished men as fled out of England to him were now arrived in Wales and that all things necessary to his enterprise were unprovided unpurveyed and very weake nothing meete to withstand the power of such as the King had appointed to resist him This rumour so inflated his minde that in manner disdaining to heare speake of so poore a company determined at the first to take little or no regard to this so small a sparcle declaring the Earle to bee innocent and unwise because that hee temerariously attempted such a great enterprise with so small thinne a number of warlike persons and therefore hee gave a definitive sentence that when hee came to that point that hee should be compelled to fight against his will he either should be apprehended alive or else by all likelihood hee should of necessitie come to a shamefull confusion and that he trusted to be shortly done by Sir Walter Herbert and Rice ap Thomas which then ruled Wales with equall power and like authoritie But hee revolving and casting in his minde that a small warre begun and winked at and not regarded may turne to a great broyle and tumultuous trouble and that it was prudent policie not to asperne and disdaine the little small power and weakenesse of the enemie be it never so small thought it necessary to provide for after clappes that might happen and chance Wherefore hee sent to Iohn Duke of Norfolke Henry Earle of Northumberland Thomas Earle of Surrey and to other of his especiall and trusty friends of the nobility which he judged much more to preferre and esteeme his wealth and honour then their owne riches and private commoditie willing them to muster and view all their servants and tenants and to elect and chuse the most couragious and active persons of the whole number and with them to repaire to his presence with all speede and diligence Also he wrote to Robert Brakâ—nbury Lieutenant of the Tower commanding him with his power to come to his army and to bring with him as fellowes in armes Sir Thomas Burchier and sir Walter Hungerford and divers other Knights and Esquiers in whom he had cast no smal suspition While hee was thus ordering his affaires tidings came that the Earle of Richmond was passed Severne come to Shrewesbury without any detriment or encombrance At which message hee was sore moved and broyled with Melancolie and dolour and cryed out asking vengeance of them that contrary to their oathes and promises had fraudulently deceived him For which cause he beganne to have diffidence in others in so much that hee determined himselfe out of hand the same day to occurre and resist his adversaries And in all haste sent out explorators to view and espie what way his enemies kept and passed They diligently doing their dutie shortly after returned declaring to the King that the Earle was encamped at the Towne of Lichfield When he had perfect knowledge where the Earle with his army was sojourning he having continuall repaire of his subjects to him began incontinently without delay to marshall and collocate in order his battailes like a valiant captaine and politique leader and first hee made his battailes to set forward foure foure in a rancke marching toward that way whither his enemies as was to him reported intended to passe In the middle part of the army he appointed the trafficke and carriage appertaining to the armie Then hee environed with his satellites and yeomen of the Crowne with a frowning countenance and truculent aspect mounted on a great white courser followed with his footmen the
which was Father to Sir Charles Brandon by King Henry the 8. created Duke of Suffolke and matched hand to hand with Sir Iohn Cheiny a man of great force and strength which would have resisted him and the said Iohn was by him manfully overthrowne and so he making open passage by dent of sword as hee went forward the Earle of Richmond withstood his violence and kept him at the swords point without advantage longer then his companions either thought or judged which being almost in despaire of Victory were suddenly recomforted by Sir William Stanley which came to succour them with three thousand tall men at which very instant King Richards men were driven back and fled and hee himselfe manfully fighting in the middle of his enemies was slaine brought to his death as hee worthily had deserved In the mean season the Earle of Oxford with the aide of the Lord Stanley after no long fight discomâ—ted the forward of King Richard whereof a great number were slaine in the flight but the greatest number which compelled by feare of the King and not of their meer valiant motion came to the field gave never a stroke and having no harme nor damage safely departed which came not thither in hope to see the King prosper and prevaile but to hear that he should be shamefully confounded and brought to ruine In this Battaile dyed few above the number of a thousand persons And of the Nobilitie were slaine Iohn Duke of Norfolke which was warned by divers to refraine the Field insomuch that the night before hee should set forward toward the King one wrote on his Gate Iack of Norfolke be not too bold For Dickon thy Master is bought and sold. Yet all this notwithstanding hee regarding more his oath his honour and promise made to King Richard like a Gentleman and a faithfull subject to his Prince absented not himselfe from his Master but as hee faithfully lived under him so hee manfully dyed with him to his great fame and laud. Theâ—e were slaine beside him Walter Lord Ferrers of Chartley Sir Richard Radâ—liffe and Robert Brakenâ—uâ—y Lieutenant of the Tower and not many Gentlemen more Sir William Catesbey learned in the Lawes of the Realme and one of the chiefe Counsellors to the late King with divers others were two dayes after beheaded at Leicester Amongst them that ranne away were Sir Francis Vicount Lovell and Humfrey Stafford and Thomas Stafford his Brother which took Sanctuary at Saint Iohns at Gloucester Of Captives and prisoners there was a great number for after the death of King Richard was knowne and published every man in manner vnarming himselfe and casting away his abiliment of warre meekly submitted themselves to the obeisance and rule of the Earle of Richmond of the which the more part had gladly so done in the beginning if they might have conveniently escaped from King Richards espyals which having as cleare eyes as Linx and as open eares as Midas ranged and searched in every quarter Amongst these was Henry the fourth Earle of Northumberland which whether it was by the commandement of King Richard putting diffidence in him or he did it for the love and favour that hee bare unto the Earle stood still with a great companie and intermitted not in the battell which was incontinently received into favour and made of the councell But Thomas Howard Earle of Surrey which submitted himselfe there was not taken to grace because his Father was chiefe Counceller and hee ly familiar with with King Richard but committed to the Tower of London where hee long remained and in conclusion delivered and for his truth and fidelitie after promoted to high honours and dignities On the Earle of Richmonds part were slaine scarce one hundred persons amongst whom the principall was sir William Brandon his standard bearer This battell was fought at at Bosworth in Leicestershire the two and twentieth day of August in the yeare one thousand foure hundred eighty sixe the whole conflict endured litle above two houres King Richard as the fame went might have escaped and gotten safegard by flying For when they which were next about his person saw and perceived at the first joyning of the battell the souldiers faintly and nothing couragiously to set on their enemies and not onely that but also that some with drew themselves privily out of the prease and departed They beganne to suspect fraud and smell treason and not only exhorted but determinately advised him to save himselfe by flight and when the losse of the battell was eminent and apparent they brought to him a swift and a light horse to convey him away He which was not ignorant of the grudge and ill will that the common people bare towards him casting away all hope of fortunate successe and happie chance to come answered as men say hee would make an end of all battailes or else there finish his life Such a great audacitie and such a stout stomacke raigned in his body for surely he knew that to be the day in the which it should bee decided and determined whether hee should peaceably obtaine and enjoy his kingdome during his life or else utterly forgoe and bee deprived of the same with which too much hardinesse hee being overcome hastily closed his helmet and entered fiercely into the hard battell to the intent to obtaine that day a quiet raigne or else to finish there his unquiet life and unfortunate governance And so this miser at the same very point had like chance and fortune as happeneth to such which in place of right justice and honesty following their sensuall appetite love use and imbrace mischiefe tyranny and unthriftinesse Surely these be examples of more vehemency then mans tongue can expresse to feare and astunne such evill persons as will not live one houre vacant from doing and exercising crueltie mischiefe or outragious living When the Earle had thus obtained victorie and slaine his mortall enemie hee kneeled downe and rendered to almighty God his harty thankes with devout and godly orisons beseeching his goodnesse to send him grace to advance and defend the catholike faith and to maintaine justice and concord amongst his subjects and people by God now to his governance committed and assigned which prayer finished he replenished with incomparable gladnesse ascended up to the top of a little mountaine where he not onely praysed anâ—â—â—â—ded his valiant souldiers but also gave unto them his harty thankes with promise of condigne recompence for their fidelitie and valiant facts willing and commanding all the hurt and wounded persons to bee cured and the dead carcases to bee delivered to the Sepulture Then the people rejoyced and clapped hands crying up to heaven King Henry King Henry When the Lord Stanley saw the good will and gratuity of the people hee tooke the Crowne of King Richard which was found amongst the spoyle in the field and set it on the Earles head as though hee had beene elected King by the voice of the people as in
While the Earle was thus attendant in the French Court Iohn Vere Earle of Oxford which as you have heard before was by King Edward kept in prison within the Castle of Hammes so perswaded Iohn Blunt captaine of the same fortresse and sir Iohn Fortescewe porter of the towne of Caleys that he himselfe was not onely dismissed and set at liberty but they also abandoning and leaving their fruitfull offices condiscended to goe with him into France to the Earle of Richmond and to take his part But Iames Blunt like a wise captaine because he left his wife remaining in the Castle before his departure hee fortified the same both with new inventions and new souldiours When the Earle of Richmond saw the Earle of Oxford hee was ravished with an incredible gladnesse that hee being a man of so high nobilitie of such knowledge and practise in feates of warre and so constant trusty and assured which alwaies had studied for the maintenance preferment of the house of Lancaster was now by Gods provision delivered out of captivitie and imprisonment and in time so necessary and convenient come to his aide succour and advancement in whom more sure then any other he might put his trust and confidence and take lesse paine and travile in his owne person For it was not hid from him that such as had ever taken paines with King Edward before this time came to doe him service either for malice that they bare to K. Richard or else for feare to fall under his truculent rule and tempestuous governement But this man which so often times had personally fought in mortall battell in the quarrell of King Henry the Sixt hee judged by divine power and heavenly inspiration to be delivered out of captivitie and imprisonment for this onely purpose that hee should have a man of his owne faction and schoole to whom he might surely and faithfully communicate and credite all things as to his owne proper person and therefore being inflamed with an immortall joy for the Earles comming he beganne to have a good hope of the happie successe of all his pretensed enterprises Not long after the French King returned againe to Paris whom the Eale of Richmond followed intending there to solicite his matter to the conclusion Wherupon he besought King Charles to take upon him the whole tuition and defence of him and his cause so that he and his company being by his meanes aided and comforted should confesse and say their wealth victory and advancement to have flowed and budded forth of his bountifulnesse liberality which they would God willing shortly require In the meane season divers Englishmen which either fled out of England for feare or were at Paris to learne and studie good literature and vertuous doctrine came voluntarily and submitted themselves to the Earle of Richmond and vowed and sware to take his part Amonst whom was Richard Foxe a Priest a man of great wit and no lesse learning whom the Earle incontinent received into secret familiaritie and in briefe time erected and advanced him to high dignities and promotions and in conclusion he made him Bishop of Winchester In the mean season King Richard was credibly advertised what promises and oathes the Earle and his confederates had made and sworne together at Renes and how by the Earles meanes al the Englishmen were passed out of Britaine into France Wherefore being sore dismaid and in manner desperate because his crafty mischief tooke no effect in Britaine imagined and devised how to infringe and disturbe the Earles purpose by another meane so that by the marriage of Lady Elizabeth his neece hee should pretend no claime nor title to the Crowne For hee thought if that marriage failed the Earles chiefe combe had beene cleerely cut And because that he being blinded with the ambitious desire of rule before this time in obtaining the kingdome had perpetrate and done many flagitious acts and detestable tyrannies yet according to the old proverbe let him take the bull that stole away the calfe hee thought all facts by him committed in times past to be but of small moment and not to be regarded in comparison of that mischievous imagination which hee now newly beganne and attempted There came into his ungratious minde a thing not only detestable to bee spoken of in the remembrance of man but much more cruell and abominable to be put in execution For when hee revolved in his wavering minde how great a fountaine of mischiefe toward him should spring if the Earle of Richmond should be advanced to the marriage of his neece which thing hee heard say by the rumour of her people that no small number of wise and wittie personages enterprised to compasse and bring to conclusion He clearly determined to reconcile to his favour his Brother wife Queen Elizabeth eithers by faire words or liberall promises firmely beleeving her favour once obtained that shee would not stick to commit and lovingly credit to him the rule and governance both of her and her daughters and so by that meanes the Earle of Richmond of the affinity of his Neece should be utterly defrauded and beguiled And if no ingenuous remedy could be otherwise invented to save the innumerable mischiefes which were even at hand and like to fall if it should happen Queen Anne his wife to depart out of this present world then hee himselfe would rather take to wife his cousin and neece the Lady Elizabeth then for lacke of that affinity the whole Realm should runne to ruine as who said that if hee once fell from his estate and dignity the ruine of the Realme must needs shortly ensue and follow Wherefore he sent to the Queene being in Sanctuary divers and often Messengers which first should excuse and purge him of all things before against her attempted or procured and after should so largely promise promotions innumerable and benefits not onely to her but also to her sonne Lord Thomas Marquesse Dorset that they should bring her if it were possible into some wan hope or as men say into a fooles paradise The Messengers being men both of wit and gravitie so perswaded the Queene with great and pregnant reasons then with faire and large promises that she began somewhat to relent and to give to them no deafe eare insomuch that she faithfully promised to submit and yeeld her self fully and frankly to the Kings will and pleasure And so she putting in oblivion the murther of her innocent children the infamy and dishonour spoken by the King her husband the living in adultry layed to her charge bastarding of her daughters forgetting also the faithfull promise and open oath made to the Countesse of Richmond mother to the Earle Henry blinded by avaritious affection and seduced by flattering words first delivered into King Richards hands her five daughters as Lambes once againe committed to the custody of the ravenous Wolfe After shee sent Letters to the Marquesse her sonne being then at Paris with the Earle of Richmond