by him for a constant Memorial The Life of GEORGE VILLERS Duke of Buckingham TAll Cedars are shaken with the wind when the humble shrub rests secure Envy strikes not at the lowly person her aim is evermore at the tallest How vain then is that man who enjoying the quiet of a retired life ambitiously hunts after honour How few Favorites go to the grave in peace Histories make mention and this Age can testify this truth will be too sadly instanced in the late Lord Duke of Buckingham who from the mean estate of a private Gentleman being raised to the highest pitch of honour a subject could be capable of came at last to an untimely end His first rise began at the Earl of Somersets fall one upon whom King James had heaped many great favours for from the degree of a Knight he was first made Viscount Rochester next sworn a Privy Councellour then created Earl of Somerset and last of all made Lord Chamberlane But this serene Sky of favour was soon over-shadowed with Clouds by the Earls undeserving for having married the Lady Frances Howard Daughter to Thomas Earl of Suffolk and not long before divorced from the Earl of Essex the unfortunate Knight Sir Thomas Overbury for speaking against the match was by their procurement committed to the Tower and not long after poysoned as I have more at large treated of in his Life for which fact both the Lady and Earl were arraigned and condemned yet through the Kings great clemency had their lives spared but were for ever banisht his presence This great Favorite being thus disgusted King James who would not long be without an alter idem or Bosom-friend took into special regard as I have intimated Master George Villers a Gentleman of a good extraction but a younger Brother and finding him susceptible and of good form moulded him Platonically to his own Idea And that he might be a fit companion for a King raised him in honour next to himself yet not all at once but by degrees making him first a Knight and Gentleman of his Bed-chamber soon after a Viscount and Master of the Horse a while after erected Earl of Buckingham then Marquess of Buckingham and made Lord Admiral King James having thus hardened and pollished him about ten years in the School of observance for so a Court is and in the furnace of tryal about himself for he was a King that could peruse men as well as books he made him the Associate of his Heir Apparent together with the Lord Cottington an adjunct of singular experience and trust in forreign travel and in a business of love and of no equal hazard enough to kindle affection even between the distantest conditions so as by various and inward conversation abroad besides that before and after at home with the most constant and best natured Prince bana si sua nocint that ever any Nation enjoyed this Duke which last title was conferred on him in Spain now becomes seized of reiterated favour as it were by descent though the condition of that state commonly be no more then a tenancy at will or at most for the life of the first Lord and rarely transmitted it being a kinde of wonder to see favour hereditary yet in him it proved far otherwise as one writes The King loves you you him both love the same You love the King he you both Buck-in-game Of sport the King loves game of game the Buck Of all men you why you why see your luck And although it be ever the perpetual lot of those who are of choicest admission into Princes favours to feel as strong stroaks of envy and ill will from beneath as they do beams of grace and favour from above the Princes love procuring the peoples hate this Duke contrarily found their affection so great towards him that in open Parliament the generality honoured him with no lesser acclamation then the preserver of his Countrey But what odde turns are in the passions of men and how little time continue their affections may appear in this those very men in a Parliament holden the first year of King Charles accusing him as the onely cause of all bad events which happened in the Common-Wealth drew up a charge of thirteen Articles against him the Prologue whereof expressing the prodigious greatness of this Duke the influence of whose power this ensuing Letter of Sir Henry Wottons doth sufficiently express My most noble Lord When like that impotent man in the Gospel I had lain long by the Pools side while many were healed and none would throw me in it pleased your Lordship first of all to pitty my infirmities and to put me into some hope of subsisting hereafter therefore I most justly and humbly acknowledge all my ability and reputation from your favour you have given me incouragement you have valued my poor indeavours with the King you have redeemed me from ridiculousness who have served so long without any mark of favour by which arguments being already and ever bound to be yours till either life or honesty shall leave me I am the bolder to beseech your Lordship to perfect your own work and to draw his Majesty to the settling of some things that depend betwixt Sir Julius Caesar and me in that reasonable form which I humbly present to your Lordship by my Nephew likewise your obliged servant being my self by a late indisposition confined to my Chamber but in all estates such as I am Your Lordships Henry Wootton But to return where I left to the preface of his Titles as I finde them copied in the Parliaments Declaration against him For the speedy redress of the great evils and mischiefs and of the chief causes of those great evils and mischiefs which this Kingdom of England now grievously suffereth and of late years hath suffered and to the honour and fafety of our Sovereign Lord the King and of his Crown and Dignities and to the good and welfare of his People the Commons in this present Parliament by the authority of our said Sovereign Lord the King assembled do by this their Bill shew and declare against George Duke Marquess and Earl of Buckingham Earl of Coventry Viscount Villers Barron of Whaddon Great Admiral of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and of the Principality of Wales and of the Dominions and Islands of the same of the Town of Calais and of the Marches of the same and of Normandy Gascoigne and Guyen General Governour of the Seas and ships of the said Kingdoms Lieutenant General Admiral Captain General and Governour of his Majesties Royal Fleet and Army lately set forth Master of the Horses of our Sovereign Lord the King Lord Warden Chancellour and Admiral of the Cinque-Ports and of the members thereof Constable of Dover Castle Justice in Eyre of all Forrests and Chases on this side Trent Constable of the Castle of Windsor Lieutenant of Middlesex and Buckinghamshire Steward and Bayliff of Westminster Gentleman of his Majesties
sollicitations he had from Henry Earl of Richmond and the Lords of his faction who to draw them off from Richards side that morning in which Bosworth Field was fought was found a world of papers strowed before Norfolks door Yet notwithstanding all this he regarding more his oath his honour and promise made to King Richard like a faithful Subject absented not himself from his Master but as he faithfully lived under him so he manfully died with him But to return to his Son the Earl of Surrey in this Battle he had the leading of the Archers which King Richard had placed in the fore-front as a Bulwark to defend the rest the undaunted courage of this Earl and his resolute brave carriage being taken prisoner are delineated to the life by the renowned Sir John Beaumont in his ever-living Poem of Bosworth Field which if to some it may seem a long Quotation the goodness of the lines will recompense the tediousness of reading them Courageous Talbot had with Surrey met And after many blows begins to fret That one so young in Arms should thus unmov'd Resist his strength so oft in war approv'd And now the Earl beholds his Fathers fall VVhose death like horrid darkness frighted all Some give themselves as Captives others fly But this young Lion casts his generous eye On Mowbray's Lion painted in his shield And with that King of Beasts repines to yield The Field saith he in which the Lion stands Is blood and blood I offer to the hands Of daring foes but never shall my flight Die black my Lion which as yet is white His Enemies like cunning Huntsmen strive In binding snares to take their prey alive While he desires t' expose his naked breast And thinks the sword that deepest strikes is best Young Howard single with an Army fights When mov'd with pitty two renowned Knights Strong Clarindon and valiant Coniers try To rescue him in which attempt they die Now Surrey fainting scarce his Sword can hold Which made a common Souldier grow so bold To lay rude hands upon that noble Flower Which he disdaining anger gives him power Erects his weapon with a nimble round And sends the Peasants Arm to kiss the ground This done to Talbot he presents his Blade And saith It is not hope of life hath made This my submission but my strength is spent And some perhaps of villain blood will vent My weary soul this favour I demand That I may die by your victorious hand Nay God forbid that any of my name Quoth Talbot should put out so bright a flame As burns in thee brave Youth where thou hast err'd It was thy Fathers fault since he prefer'd A Tyrants Crown before the juster side The Earl still mindeful of his birth reply'd I wonder Talbot that thy noble heart Insults on ruines of the vanquisht part We had the right if now to you it flow The fortune of your Swords hath made it so I never will my luckless choice repent Nor can it stain mine honour or descent Set Englands Royal Wreath upon a stake There will I fight and not the place forsake And if the will of God hath so dispos'd That Richmonds Brow be with the Crown inclos'd I shall to him or his give doubtless signs That duty in my thoughts not faction shines Which he proved to be most true in the whole course of his life for having continued prisoner in the Tower three years and a half the Earl of Lincoln confederating with one Lambert Simnel raised an Army against the King the Lieutenant of the Tower favouring their enterprise freely offered the Earl licence to depart out at his pleasure which he refused saying That he that commanded him thither should command him out again The King understanding of his fidelity not onely released him of his imprisonment but took him into a more specal regard and soon had he an occasion to make tryall of him a great insurrection happening in the North wherein the Rebells were grown so potent that they slew the Earl of Northumberland in the field and took the City of York by assault against these King Henry assembles a great power making the Earl of Surrey Chief Captain of his Voward who so behaved himself that the Rebells forces were dissipated their chief Leaders taken and soon after executed The King noting his great prudence and magnanimity made him Lieutenant Generall from Trent Northward had Warden of the East and middle Marches and Justice of the Forrests from Trent Northwards in which offices he continued the space of ten years during which time the Scots having committed some outrages upon the Borders he made a road into Tivydale where he burnt and destroyed all before him returning with great spoils and honour Not long after he made another road into Scotland returning with like success James the fifth then King of Scotland raised a great power to withstand him and sent to the Earl a challenge to fight with him hand to hand which he accepted but the King into his demands would have the Countrey or Lands then in Controversie to be made Brabium Victoris which was without the Earls power to engage being the inheritance of the King his Master but he proffers better Lands of his own upon the Combat which was not accepted and so nothing was concluded A peace being concluded with the Scots he was called home and made Lord Treasurer of England of the Privy Council living in great Honor and reputation all the dayes of King Henry who dying his Son Henry that succeded him added to his other dignities the high Marshallship of England and going in person with an Army into France left him Lieutenant Generall from Trent Northward to defend the Realm against the Scots for James the Fifth King of Scotland notwithstanding he were King Henries Brother-in-law yet did so firmly adhere to the French that to divert King Henries proceedings in his own person with a mighty Army he invades England The Earl of Surrey to oppose him raises what Forces he could and at a place called Flodden it came to a pitcht field which was fought with great courage and valour but God who owned the just cause of the English crowned them with success and set the Palm of Victory on the Earl of Surrey's head The Scottish King being slain and with him two Bishops eleven Earls seventeen Barrons four hundred Knights besides other Gentlemen and seventeen thousand common Souldiers The Earl for these services was by the King at his return home highly rewarded and restored to the Dukedom of Norfolk his Fathers Dignity Soon after was he sent chief Commissioner with the Lady Mary the Kings sister to be married unto Lewis the French King and after his return home the King and Queen going to Guines to visit the French King he was made Protectour of the Realm in his absence Old age seizing on him he obtained leave of the King to spend the remainder of his dayes at Framlingham
proquaestor primum post Cancellarius Lancastriae tandem Angliae miro principis favore factus est Sed interim in publico regni senatulectus est orator populi praeterea legatus regis nonnunquam fuit alias alibi postremo vero Cameraci Comes collega junctus Principi Legationis Cuthberto Tonstallo tum Londinensi mox Dunelmensi Episcopo quo viro vix habet orbis hodie quicquam eruditius prudentius melius Ibiinter summos Christiani orbis Monarchas rursus refecta faedera redditamque mundo diu desideratam pacem laetisimus videt Legatus interfuit Quam superi pacem firment faxintque perennem In hoc officiorum vel honorum cursu quum ita versaretur ut neque Princeps optimus operam ejus improbaret neque nobilibus esset invisus neque injucundus populo furibus autem homicidis haereticisque molestus Pater ejus tandem Joannes Morus Eques in eum Judicum ordinem à Principe cooptatus qui regius consessus vocatur homo civilis innocens mitis misericors equus integer annis quidem gravis sed corpore plus quam pro aetate vivido postquam eo productam sibi vidit vitam ut filium videret Angliae Cancellarium satis in terra jam se moratum ratus lubens migravit in coelum At filius defancto patre cui quamdiu supererat comparatus juvenis vocari consueverat ipse quoque sibi videbatur amissum jam patrem requirens editos ex se libros IV. at Nepotes XI respiciens caepit apud animum persenescere Auxit hunc affectum animi subsequuta statim velut ad petentis senii signum pectoris valetudo deterior Itaque mortalium harum rerum satur quam rem à puero semper optaverat ut ultimos aliquot vitae suae annos obtineret liberos quibus hujus vitae negotiis paulatim se subducens futuram posset immortalitatem meditari eam rem tandem si coeptis annuat Deus indulgentissimi principis incomparà bili beneficio resignatis honoribus impetravit atque hoc sepulchrum sibi quod mortis eum nunquam cessantis adrepere quotidiè commonefaceret translatis huc prioris uxoris ossibus extruendum curavit Quod ne superstes frustra sibi fecerit neve ingruentem trepidus horreat sed desiderio Christi lubens oppetat mortemque ut sibi non omnino mortem sed januam vitae felicioris inveniat precibus eum Lector optimè spirantem precor defunctumque prosequere Pro Vxoribus suis Chara Thomae jacet c. Sub quo haec quoque subjuncta Carmina occurrunt Chara Thomae jacet hic JoannaVxorcula mori Qui tumulum Aliciae hunc destino quique mihi Vna mihi dedit hoc conjuncta virentibus annis Me vocet ut puer trina puella patrem Altera privignis quae gloria rara novercae est Tam pia quam gnatis vix fuit ulla suis Altera si mecum vixit sic altera vivit Charior incertum est haec sit an haec fuerit O simul ô juncti poteramus vivere nos tres Quam bene si factum religioque sinant Et societ tumulus societ nos obsecro Coelum Sic mors non potuit quod dare vita dabit The Life of THOMAS CROMWELL Earl of Essex Fortunae speculum Cromwellus scandit ad alta Vt casu graviore ruat Regisque favore Tollitur hincque cadit livore oppressus inique THomas Cromwell from so low a beginning as from the Forge attained to so high a pitch of honour as to be raised to a Pillar of State His Father as our Chronicles report was a Blacksmith to whom may be applied what Juvenal said of Demosthenes Whom his poor Father blear-eye'd with the soot Of sparks which from the burning Iron did shoot From Coals Tongs Anvil and such Black-smiths tools And dirty Forge sent to the Rhetrick Schools He was born at Putney in Surrey four miles from London being endued with a singular excellency of Wit His first advancement was under Cardinal Wolsey who made him his Solliciter employing him for the suppression of forty Monasteries to the erection of his Colledges at Oxford and Ipswich At the fall of the Cardinal he got him to Court where he was by King Henry first advanced to be Master of his Jewel-house then Barron of Oakham in Rutlandshire then Knight of the Garter ere long he was created Earl of Essex then made Lord great Chamberlain and lastly ordained the Kings Vicar General over the Spirituality by vertue of which Office he sat in the Convocation-house as Head over the Bishops an Honour so great that never any subject enjoyed the like in England Drayton thus epitomizes his Honours First by my Knighthood rising by degree The Office of a Jewel-house my lot After the Robes he frankly gave to me From whence to Privy Councellour I got Then of the Garter and then Earl to be Of Essex yet sufficient these were not But to the great Vicegerency I drew Being a Title as supream as new And now finding by Wolsey's predicting fall that the foundations of Monasteries were not unmoveable he puts it into the King head to have them all suppressed who being not long before declared supream Head of the Church thought his state in danger so long as the Pope had such Pillars to uphold his Power Another main thing was their excessive Riches which was valued at the yearly sum of 1865 12. pounds 8. shillings 1. d. o. q. besides the two Universities and divers Monasteries which were unvalued And no wonder that Bell sounded so sweetly in the Kings ear when so much profit pull'd the rope what ever was the true cause the pretended cause was the gain that was got by ignorant devotion and gadding on Pilgrimage as likewise that they were the receptacles of all traiterous attempts against the peace of the Land and Supremacy of the Crown Besides the Whoredoms Adulteries Incests and filthy Sodomies of the Monks Friers and Priests which put together weighed so heavy that by Act of Parliament they were granted all to the Kings use and Injunctions sent forth for the Bible in English to be read in all Churches and Register-books of Weddings Christenings and Burials in every of them to be kept These Actions of the King exasperated many especially the Pope who feared his Dagon would down if the King should be acknowledged supream Head of the Church whereupon he pronounceth him an Heretick and seduceth amongst others James the Fifth King of Scotland against him Cromwel that his Master might be able to bandy with the Pope counselleth him to allie himself with some Protestant Princess the King then a widdower entertained the motion and a marriage is concluded betwixt him and the Lady Anne Sister to William Duke of Cleve whose other Sister Fredrick Duke of Saxony had espoused a great favourer of the Gospel and maintainer of Martin Luther the promulgator and professour thereof But the Lady
shun the danger paid him eleven hundred and seventy pounds at the very instant yet did he deliver her the counterfeit coppy onely meaning to make use of the true one to get another some of the Earls adversaries This imposter being found out he was censured to perpetual imprisonment condemned in three thousand pounds two of which were to go to the Countess and his ears nailed to the pillory with this writing over his head A notorious Cheater I shall conclude all with some few observations on this unfortunate Earl as to his first rise my Lord of Leicester introduced him who had married his mother a tye of affinity Sure it is that he no sooner appeared in the Court but he took with the Queen and Courtiers and I believe they all could not choose through the sacrifice of the Father but look on the living Son whose image by the remembrance of former passages was afresh like the bleeding of men murthered represented to the Court The Cicero of our modern times parallels him and Buckingham where the difference was is too transparent certain it is to use Sir Robert Nauntons own words that there was in this young Lord together with a most goodly person a kinde of urbanity or innate courtesie which both won the Queen and took too much on the people which amongst other disparities Buckingham never did attain to the latter What hath been imputed to his fall is that he drew too fast from the Queens indulgence like a childe sucking of an over uberous Nurse which caused him to express himself in such peremptory language when he heard that my Lord Mountjoy received a favour from the Queen for his running so well a tilt when as though he would have limited her respects he said Now I believe every fool must have a favour which made the Queen swear by Gods death it was fit that one or other should take him down and teach him better maners All Authours agree that he was a man of a rash spirit thirsty after the uncertain fame of popularity which helpt him on to his Catastrophe One writeth this Latine Epitaph on him Epitaphium de eodem Comite Ecce sub hoc tumulo situs est celeberrimus Heros Qui cecidit patrii spesque decusque soli Fama ingens annis juvenis fortissimus armis Nobilitate potens religione pius Terra Britannia parens testis Hibernia lethi Tristia fata gemunt fortia facta canunt Facta togae bellive magis praestantia mirer Optima pace domi Maxima marte foris Mors fera corpus habet Coelo Comes inclyte vivis Vita dicata Deo mors nonna vita data est The Life of Sir ROBERT CECILL Tu pater patriae Princeps Prudentia cujus Extulit immensum roges populosque Britannos THis Earwig of the Court Sir Robert Cecil afterwards Earl of Salisbury was the Son of the Lord Burleigh and the Inheritour of his Wisdom and by degrees Successour of his places and favours though not of his Lands for he had Sir Thomas Cecil his elder Brother afterwards created Earl of Exeter He was first Secretary of State then Master of the Wards and in the last of Queen Elizabeths Reign came to be Lord Treasurer all which were the steps of his Fathers greatnesse and of the Honour he left to his House For his Person he was not much beholding to Nature though somewhat for his Face which was the best part of his outside but for his inside it may be said and without Solecisme that he was his Fathers own Son and a pregnant Proficent in all Discipline of State He was a Courtier from his Cradle which might have made him betimes yet at the age of twenty and upwards he was much short of his after-proof but exposed and by change of climate he soon made shew what he was and would be He lived in those times wherein the Queen had most need and use of men of weight and among able ones this was a chief as having his sufficiency from his instructions that begat him the Tutourship of the times and Court which were then the Accademies of Art and Cunning. This great Master of State and the staff of the Queens declining age who though his little crooked person could not promise any great supportation yet it carried thereon a head and a head-piece of a vaste content and therein it seems Nature was so diligent to compleat one and the best part about him as that to the perfection of his memory and intellectuals she took care also of his senses and to put him in Linceos oculos or to pleasure him the more borrowed of Argus so to give unto him a prospective sight and for the rest of his sensitive Vertues his predecessour Walsingham had left him a receipt to smell out what was done in the Conclave and his good old father was so well seen in the Mathematicks as that he could tell you thorow all Spain every part every ship with the burthens whither bound with preparation what impediments for diversion of enterprizes counsels and resolutions And that we may see as in a little Map how docible this little man was I will present a taste of his abilities The Earl of Devonshire upon the certainty the Spaniard would invade Ireland with a strong Army had written very earnestly to the Queen and the Councel for such supplies to be sent over that might enable him to march up to the Spaniard if he did land and follow on his prosecution against the Rebels Sir Robert Cecill besides the general dispatch of the Councell as he often did wrote this in private for these two began then to love dearly My Lord Out of the abundance of my affection and the care I have of your well doing I must in private put you out of doubt for of fear I know you cannot be otherwise sensible then in the way of honour that the Spaniard will not come unto you this year for I have it from my own what preparations are in all his Parts and what he can do For be confident he beareth up a reputation by seeming to embrace more then he can gripe But the next year be assured he will cast over unto you some Forelorn-hopes which how they may be reinforced beyond his present ability and his first intention I cannot as yet make any certain judgement but I believe out of my intelligence that you may expect there landing in Munster and the more to distract you in several places as at Kinsale Bur-haven Baltimore where you may be sure coming from Sea they will first fortifie and learn the strength of the Rebells before they dare take the field howsoever as I know you will not lesson not your care neither your defences and whatsoever lies within my power to do you and the publick service rest thereof assured And to this I would adde much more but it may as it is suffice to present much as to his abilities in the pen
Ships he had crost the Seas from Portsmouth into Normandy But King Richard made not so much haste to succour but the French King made as much haste to be gone here Earl John submits himself to his Brother who upon his submission restores his possessions unto him saying onely I wish you may as well remember your fault as I shall forget it King Richard following the French King overtakes him at Vendome who affrighted at his approach the second time flies without striking a stroak leaving behinde him all his bag and baggage Munition Tents and Treasure to a marvellous value together with the Indentures of such as had left King Richard to serve King Philip. Much about that time one Philip Bishop of Bevois a Martial man and who much annoyed the English borders was fortunately taken in a Skirmish by King Richards side who put him in prison the Bishop hereupon complained to the Pope who wrote in the behalf of his son as an ecclesiastical person and a Shepherd of the Lords The King sent unto the Pope the Armour he was taken in and engraved thereon the words which Jacobs sons used when they sold their Brother Joseph and presented their Father with his Coat Vide utrum filii tui tunica sit vel non See whether it be thy Sons Coat or no. Whereupon the Pope replyed That he was neither his Son nor the Son of the Church and therefore should be ransomed at the Kings will because he was rather judged to be a Servitor of Mars then a Souldier of Christ I am now come to the last act of this Kings Life which drew the black cloud of death over this triumphal and bright shining star of Chevalry one Widomare Vicount of Limoges having found a great hord of Gold and Silver sent part thereof to King Richard as chief Lord but he over covetous would not be contented without all pretending that treasure was wholly his by vertue of his Prerogative Royal. Thereupon marches with a great power to a Castle of the Vicounts called Chaluz where he supposed the riches were the Garrison of which place offered to yield the same and all therein if onely their lives and limbs might be saved but he would not accept of any conditions bidding them defend themselves as they could for he would enter by the Sword and hang them all but in the assault he was slain by a shot from an Arbalist the use of which warlike engine he first shewed unto the French Whereupon a French Poet made these verses in the person of Atropos Hoc volo non aliâ Richardum morte perire Vt qui Francigenis Balista primitùs usum Tradidit ipse sui rem primitùs experiatur Quamque aliis docuit in se vim sentiat artis It is decreed thus must great Richard dye As he that first did teach the French to dart An Arbalist 't is just he first should try The strength and taste the fruits of his own art The man which shot him was named Bertram de Gurdon who being brought before the King who neglecting his wound gave not over the assault till he had mastered the place boldly justified his action as done in defence of his Countrey and to revenge the death of his Father and Brother whom this King had slain with his own hand Which said the King caused him to be set at liberty and gave him an hundred shillings sterling but after the King was dead one Markadey a Captain of Rutters took him flead him quick and hanged him up Concerning his issue some report him to have none at all others two but illegitimate a Priest in Normandy is reported to have told him he had three daughters which he wished to bestow in marriage or else Gods wrath would attend him the King denying he had any daughter Yes said the Priest you have three Pride Covetousness and Leachery The King apprehensive of the Priests meaning called his Lords there attending and said My Lords this Hypocrite hath found that I have three daughters viz. Pride Covetousness and Leachery which he would have me bestow in marriage and therefore if any such I have I have found out most fit husbands for them all My Pride I bequeath to to thee haughty Templers and Hospitallers who are as proud as Lucifer himself My Covetousness I give to the white Monks of the Cisteaux Order for they covet the Devil and all But for my Leachery I can bestow it no where better then on the Priests and Prelates of our times for therein have they their most felicity Doubtless saith Speed these marriages proved so fruitful that their issue hath now overflowed all Kingdoms of the earth In this Kings dayes lived that famous Out-law Robin Hood accompanied with one called little John and a hundred stout fellows more who as Sir Richard Baker saith molested all Passengers upon the High way of whom it is reported that he was of Noble Blood at least made Noble no less then an Earl for some deserving services but having wasted his Estate in Riotous courses very penury forced him to take this course in which yet it may be said he was honestly dishonest for he seldome hurt any man never any woman spared the poor and onely made prey of the rich till the King setting forth a Proclamation to have him apprehened it happened he fell sick at a certain Nunnery called Brickleys in York shire and desiring there to be let blood was betrayed and made bleed to death Of all Thieves saith Major this same was the Prince and the most gentle Thief The Life of King EDWARD the Third HAving already as it were in a Land-scape discovered some part of the holy War I shall now with a careful brevity pass through the transactions of our Wars with France as they were managed with victorious success in the Reigns of Edward the Third and Henry the Fifth to which to compleat the History I have added the Life of John Earl of Bedford with whose Life the Honour of our English Gallantry in France expired Edward the Third sirnamed of Windsor his Birth-place was eldest son to King Edward the Second who for some misgovernments during the time of his Reign was by the factious Nobility deposed from the Crown and not long after deprived of his life by the procurement as it is said of his Wife Queen Isabel Lord Mortimer and some others and young Edward Crowned King Anno. 1327. Who though he thus rise by Fathers ruine yet may in some sort be excused of the same First in regard of his adolescency for though he were then married yet had he not attained to 15. years of age nor could he be induced to accept of the Crown until he was certified by some of his Lords that his Father had voluntary resigned it unto him besides the exemplary punishment he took on the Lord Mortimer a chief actor in his Fathers Tragedy may in part assure as of his Innocency therein In the mean time to divert
practices With many other words to the like effect which wrought so in the auditors that Henry is proclaimed King of England and France such French Lords as were present taking their oaths to be true unto him And great need had the Regent to bestir himself for Charles the French King surviving King Henry but 53. dayes died at St. Denis whose imbecillities were a great help to the English as the Infancy of King Henry was now an advantage to the Dolphin who upon his Fathers Death proclaims himself King by the name of Charles the Seventh and making all the force he could marcheth to relieve Crepan besieged by the English but his enterprise proved very unfortunate being routed with the loss of two thousand men yet nothing daunted at this disaster he resolveth to encounter adverse fortune with encrease of courage and hearing that many of the English had pillaged the Countries of Nugion and Main upon their return into Normandy he sets upon them recovers their booty and slayes fifteen hundred of them then speedily takes he Meulan upon the River of Sein putting all the English therein to the Sword but the possession was short and the revenge speedy being recovered by Thomas Montacute Earl of Salisbury who to quit scores with the Dolphin killed all the French were found there About this time the three great pillars of the English Monarchy in France the Dukes of Bedford Burgundy and Brittain met at the City of Amiens in Picardy to consult of the whole course and sum of Affairs adding to the old league this addition that it should be offensive and defensive respectively and to make the friendship the more firme the Duke of Bedford married Anne Sister to Philip Duke of Burgundy a Lady whose beauty surpassed the blush that glorified Luna when she kissed the Shepherd on the Hills of Latmos But whilst the Regent was thus busied in promoting the English cause the Parisians had a design to destroy it which was by delivering their City up to the French King but treason being seldome true to its self it came to the Regents ear which cost the chief conspirators their lives and now fresh forces coming out of England his Army augmented be takes from Charles the Towns and Fortresses of Crotoy Baside Riol Rula Gyrond Basile Mermound Milbam Femil Seintace and many other The French finding themselves too weak to deal with the English by force work by policy and allure from their sides the Duke of Richmond and his Brother Arthur who deliver up to the Dolphin the Castles of Crotoye and Yerney the Duke of Bedford hating their perfidiousness assaults and takes Crotoye and besieges Yerney who agree to surrender if not relieved by a certain time the Duke of Allanson with sixteen thousand French undertakes the rescue but finding the English numbers to surmount his Arithmetick he wheeleth about to Vernoyle in Perch whom the Regent overtaking a cruel Battel ensued which for two hours together was maintained with equall courage on both sides the Regent himself with a Battel-ax fought most fiercely winning immortal honour in that bloody journey At length the Victory fell to the English though with the loss of above two thousand of their men on the French side were slain 5. Earls 2. Viscounts 20. Barrons and above 7000. common Souldiers besides 2700. Scots lately arrived there were taken prisoners the Duke of Allanson himself the Lord of Herneys Sir John Towrnebull 200. Gentlemen and many common Souldiers This Battel was fought the 7. of August 1425. That which followeth till the siege of Orleance I have set down out of Paulus Aemytius as Speed hath done before me The fierce Conquerour besiegeth Mantz in Main and with Ordnance beats down part of the Walls it yields an English Garrison is left there after the taking which not being sufficient to keep the Town in due subjection is compelled to fly to a Tower for their safety the enemies which were admitted into it by the Burgers enjoying the rest The Lord Talbot that most noble Captain of the English with whose name Talbot is coming the French used to fright their children presently arrives to the rescue and puts the Malefactors to death The English Empire then extented it self at which time as bath been observed to the River of Loire Charles was called King of Berry Hitherto the English fortunes in France received no check their serene Sky was without Clouds so long as a good correspondence was held betwixt the Burgundian and the English but this knot of friendship was like to have been broken by occasion of the Duke of Glocester who married Jaqueline Countess of Haynoult Holland and Zealand notwithstanding John Duke of Brabant her husband were yet living The Duke of Burgundy his Cousin was greatly offended hereat insomuch that the controversie grew to be so great that the Duke of Glocester sent him a challenge but the Regent well knowing that the discord of the English might prove the union of the French so wrought betwixt them that the sore seemed indifferently well healed Much about that time likewise be compounded a difference between the Protector and Cardinal Beaufort Bishop of Winchester though to effect the same he was fain to come over into England substituting the Earl of Warwick Lieutenant General in his absence But France wanting his company he quickly returned carrying a great number of fresh men over with him During his abode in England Arthur Earl of Richmond made Constable of France by King Charles raiseth an Army of twenty thousand men and with them suddainly besiegeth St. Jean a Town in Normandy the Garrison were at first dismayed with their sudden arrivall but upon better advice they valliantly sallied out crying aloud a Salisbury a Suffolk whose names struck such a terrour into the besiegers that with loss of their Artillery and 800. of their Company they betook themselves to flight To rehearse each particular would make our discourse prove too prolix to come to the siege of Orleance Undertaken by these matchless Worthies the Earl of Salisbury and the Lord Talbot with a puissant Army the Citizens hearing of their intentions prepared to withstand them their Suburbs equall in bigness to a good City they level with the ground chusing rather to destroy a part then hazard the whole the English encompass it on every side and the Citizens begin to feel the misery of want God when mans help fails interposeth his hand the Earl of Salisbury looking out at a Window to take a view for a general assault is unfortunately slain a sad loss for the English for upon the death of this man saith Polydor Virgil the fortune of the War changed The Regent to repair this loss sendeth Sir John Falstaff with fresh supplies who arrived there safe in despite of the Lord De la Brets who with nine thousand men endeavoured to intercept him hereupon the City would yield but to the Burgundian not to the English a cunning plot to divide
Castle an honourable Mansion of his own where he continued and kept a bounteful house to the time of his death which happened in the fourscore and sixth year of his age He was buried at Thetford Abbey in Norfolk dying after a most generous life worth a large estate so clear from debt that at his death he owed not one groat to any person whatsoever an unusual happiness to attend so great a Souldier and Courtier as he was From this famous Duke is descended the Right Honorable James Earl of Suffolk whose great Grandfather Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk married Margret sole Daughter and Heir to Sir Thomas Audley Lord Chancellour of England by whom he had issue Thomas Lord Howard of Walden and Earl of Suffolk who built that magnificent Structure at Audley-end who left the same to his Son and Heir Theophilus a worthy Gentleman the Father of James Earl of Suffolk now living Anno 1659. To whom with his most vertuous Lady I wish all encrease of true honour and felicity To the greater honour of these Progenies this Heroick Earl died so much a Laureat that his Songs and Sonnets by all those that rightly understand Poetry are looked upon as in those dayes to have been the Muses Parnassus so that for his Epitaph there needed no more to be writ but that here lies interred The greatest Courtier the most valiant Souldier and the most accomplisht Poet of those times The Life of CARDINAL VVOLSEY Fortunae variantis opus Wolsaeus ad alta Scandit iter dubium certa minitante ruina CArdinal VVolsey the Tennis-ball of Fortune was born at Ipswich in Suffolk of so poor and despicable Parents that were his story of an ancient date and not delivered by Authentique Historians it might pass for a fiction his Father being no more but a poor Butcher from so low a beginning did he rise to the highest pitch of honour His Education in youth was at Oxford in Maudlin Colledge from thence he was preferred to be School-master to the Marquess of Dorsets Children where he first learned to be imperious over noble blood the Marquess dying Wolsey went into France to seek his Fortune and coming to Callis became servant to Sir John Naphant then Treasurer of the Town where he behaved himself with so great discretion that his Master shortly preferred him to King Henry the Seventh Having thus cast Anchor at Court the Haven of hope and Port of Promotion he was more then double diligent in the Kings eye and very serviceable to Doctour Fox Bishop of Wincheter Secretary and Lord Privy Seal as also to Sir Thomas Lovel Master of the Wards and Constable of the Tower who perswaded King Henry having urgent business with Maximilian the Emperour to send Wolsey in Embassage unto him being at that present in the Countrey of Flanders who returned again before he was thought to be gone and withal concluded some Points forgot in his directions to the hight contentment of King Henry for the which he bestowed upon him the Deanry of Lincolne and not long after made him his Almoner But King Henries day now drawing towards night he adores the rising Sun Prince Henry and having found the length of his foot fitteth him with an easie shoe well knowing there could be no loss to humour him who was so able to give nor was he deceived in his expectation for Henry afterwards coming to be King and having conquered the City of Tourney in France bestowed the Bishoprick of the same upon VVolsey and not long after made him Bishop of Lincolne and Archbishop of York And now being Primas Anglia carried himself accordingly by erecting his Cross in the Kings Court although within the Jurisdiction of Canterbury which high presumption VVilliam Archbishop of Canterbury greatly checked But VVolsey not abiding any Superious obtained to be made Priest Cardinal and Legatus de Latere unto whom the Pope sent a Cardinals Hat with certain Bulls for his Authority in that behalf And now remembring the taunts he had received from Canterbury found means with the King that he was made Lord Chancellour of England and Canterbury which was Chancellour dismissed who had continued in that place long since before the death of King Henry the Seventh VVolsey now sitting at the Helm of Church and State had two Crosses and two Pillars born ever before him the one of his Archbishoprick the other of his Legacy by two of the tallest Priests that were to be found in the Realm To the better maintenance of which chargeable estate the King bestowed on him the Bishoprick of VVinchester and in Commendam the Abbey of St. Albans and with them he held in Farm the Bishopricks of Bathe VVorcester and Hereford enjoyed by strangers incumbents not residing in the Realm so that now being Bishop of Tourney Lincolne York VVinchester Bathe VVorcester and Hereford he seemed a Monster with seven heads and each of them crowned with the Mitre of a Bishop far different from the state of his Lord and Master Christ who had not a hole wherein to hide his head Yet his ambition resteth not here next he aspires to the Triple Crown he onely wants Holiness and must be Pope to the attaining of which Dignity he makes means to the Romish Cardinals as also to the Emperour Charles the Fifth Gold he gave to the Cardinals and they gave him golden promises although they proved but empty performances nor did the Emperour serve him any better promising much but performing nothing VVolsey hereat enraged studies revenge and by his instruments seeks to make a divorce betwixt Queen Katherine Dowager the Emperours Aunt and King Henry the Eighth his Master thereby to advance a Marriage betwixt him and the King of France's sister But though he effected the one he failed in the other for contrary to his expectation King Henry fell in love with Anna Bullen a Gentlewoman nothing favourable to his Pontificial Pomp nor no great follower of the Rites of those times which moved the Cardinal the Pope having assumed the sentence of Queen Katherines cause unto himself to write unto his Holiness to defer the judgement of Divorce till he had wrought the Kings minde in another mould But though this was done secretly it came to the Kings ear and wrought his minde quite off from the Cardinal which finally was the cause of his confusion for upon the Kings dislike the Counsel articled against him and the Law found him in a Premunire for procuring to be Legatus de latere and advancing the Popes Power against the Laws of the Realm for which resentment the Kings displeasure was so incenst that the Broad Seal was taken from him and most of his other Spiritual Preferments his house and furniture seized on to the Kings use and himself removed to Cawood Castle in Yorkshire Yet was he still left Bishop of Winchester and Archbishop of York to which last providing for his installing state equivalent to a Kings Coronation he was arrested of
is reported of him that like certain Vegetables he did bud and open slowly Nature sometime delighting to play an after-game as well as Fortune which had both their tides and turns in his course His first advancement to Court was by means of the Earl of Leicester yet not so much out of love to him as it was thought as out of envy to Sir Walter Raleigh whose splendour at Court he meant to allay with this young Earl His first appearance in the Fields of Mars was at Tilbury Camp Anno 1588. where he was by the Queen made in the Field Commander of the Cavalry as he was before in Court being much graced by her openly in the view of the Souldiery and people even above my Lord of Leicester himself But scarcely was he thus warmed in the Queens favour when without her consent or knowledge he thrust himself into the Portugal Voyage hazarding thereby his future fortunes besides the danger of incurring the Queens displeasure and laying himself open to the practice of the Court notwithstanding a noble report coming home before him as indeed his actions deserved no less at his return all those clouds were dispersed and this his excursion afterwards accounted but a sally of Youth Nay he grew every day taller in her Majesties grace and favour insomuch that the King of France imploring her assistance against the Prince of Parma who in hostile manner had invaded his Dominions the charge of that enterprize was committed unto him who full of valour though young in years being furnished with four thousand Foot and two hundred Horse besides many Pyoners and other Volanteers whose Heroick Aspects determined the courage of their hearts landed in Normandy and laid siege to the strong City of Roan in assaulting whereof his Brother Walter Devereux a Diamond of the time both of an hardy and delicate mixture was slain with a small shot to the excessive grief of the Earl who after a tedious Winters Siege challenged Mounsieur Villerse the Governour to a single combate who not desirous to purchase his honour with the effusion of his blood refufed it with contempt of his refusal the Earl returned into England The Queen having now experience of his valour soon found an occasion for him to show it the King of Spain threatning to invade her borders she thought it the best policy to invade his first to perfect so great a design a mighty Navy is made ready consisting of an hundred and fifty ships wherein were above 14000. souldiers and sailers Our intended brevity will not permit us to recount the several Officers in this expedition The Earl of Essex and Charles Howard Lord Admiral of England were commanders in chief The first of June they set forth from Plimouth and on the 18. of the same moneth came to Cabo St. Vincent where they lighted upon an Irish Bark who certified them that at Cales from whence they came were store of Gallies Ships of War and Merchant Ships laden with Munition Coyn Oyl Wine Wax Silk Cloth of Gold and Quicksilver news most acceeptable unto the Generalls The twentieth of June they cast Anchor on the West side of the Island where a fair Dove a fortunate presager of their success lighted upon the main yard of the Lord Admiralls ship and sat there quietly the space of three hours every man gazing but no man suffered to remove her The next day a Council being called it was determined the fight should be begun with the lesser ships because the road was too shallow for the greater the Lord Thomas Howard Sir Walter Rawleigh Sir Francis Vere Sir George Carew and Sir Robert Southwell with some Londoners and a squadron of Low Countrey ships undertook the same which they valiantly attempted manfully maintained and bravely continued nor were the Spaniards backward in performance of their duties but resolutely fought in defence of their lives each side striving to acquit themselves bravely which made the fight continue fierce and doubtful The valiant Essex though by a Council of War appointed to keep the main Battel upon the sudden from Port Saint Maries side thrust himself foremost in this Sea fight which the other General perceiving desirous to participate of the danger as well as of the honour of victory forsook his great ship too unweldy for those narrow waters took into his Pinnace that he might not be over-acted in point of Honour The scales of War which before were even now turned to the English side the Spanish Admiral a ship of fifteen hundred tun was by their own souldiers set on fire whose ruine was accompanied with two other ships that lay next her the rest of their fleet ran themselves on ground in the Bay of Port Real The Earl of Essex in pursuit of his design landed his men at Puntal a League from Cales to oppose his Forces half a mile from the Town appeared many horse and foot but they finding the English numbers exceed their expectation they presently gave back the English perceiving their stratagem to out-wit them counterfeiting a fear made a retreat by which means having enticed forth their enemies they returned with such violence that they forced them back into the Town but there they having an advantage from the higher ascent played so fore upon the English that their foremost ranks began to give back which valiant Essex perceiving to engage his souldiers resolutions caught his own Colours and cast them over the Wall into the Town the undaunted English ashamed to lose their Ensign forgot all danger ascending the wall with shot and sword make way through the thickest press of the enemy in the interim Sir Francis Vere broak the the Gate and rushed in and the rest with him divers were wounded with stones from the tops of houses and Sir John Wingfield slain in the Market-place with a shot from the Castle The Town thus surprized the Castle was summoned which the next day yielded the Citizens compounding with the Lords Generalls to pay an hundred and twenty thousand Duccats for their ransom were suffered to depart for the assurance of which payment forty of the chiefest Citizens were brought pledges into England Far worse sped the ships that had run themselves on ground who being assaulted by Sir Walter Rawleigh profferred two millions and a half of Duccats for their redemption but he telling them he was sent to destroy ships not to dismiss them upon composition they were by the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonian Admirall of Spain set altogether on fire it was judged by the wiser sort of people that the Spaniard was damnified by this expedition no less then twenty millions of Duccats The fortunacy of this enterprize gave occasion to one of the Wits then living to frame this excellent Annagram on the Earl of Essex name Deureux Vere Dux Which he afterwards englisht in this Distich Vere Dux Deureux verior hercule Gades Nam semel hic vidit vicit at ille simul Alcides yields
to Deureux he did see Thy beauties Cales but Deureux conquer'd thee The whole Navy returning home safe crowned with victory and laden with spoils yet seemed the revenge far less then the injury offered by the Spaniard wherefore the next year a third voyage was undertaken whereof the Earl of Essex was made commander in chief Their design was to intercept the Indian Fleet in their return into Spain many of the Nobility and principal Gentlemen accompanied the Earl in this expedition The ninth of July 1597. they set sail from Plimouth directing their course to Feral and the Groyne but God as a worthy Author interprets was so displeased at these nations enmities that they had not sailed forty leagues but they were encountred with such a terrible tempest that the Marriners themselves were at their wits end and the Fleet had much adoe to recover Plimouth And attempting to set out the second time the winde fell so cross that for a whole moneths time they could not get out of the Haven The 17 of August they again hoise sail but before they came in view of Spain they were disperst by another horrible tempest in which they lost two of their ships The 15 of September they fell into the Isles of Flores Evernes Fyal and Pike all which submitted themselves to the Earls devotion afterwards they sailed to Gratiosa whose inhabitants submit and finde mercy here would the Earl have tarried in expectation of the Indian Fleet had he not been most unluckily disswaded by Graves his Pilot for no sooner was he gone but the American Fleet came by wherein were forty ships and seven of them laden with Treasure these fearful sheep hearing the English wolves were abroad loath to lose their golden fleece sailed with all speed they could to Tezcera where they gained the Haven all but three ships which the English took the rest securing themselves in the Port which being impregnable The English sail from thence to Sain Michaels where they took Villa Franca a fair Town well stored with Merchandize wine wood and corn here they tarried six dayes during which space a Caraque coming out of the East-Indies and perceiving the English were there ran her self ashore unloaded her Merchandize and then fired her self October the ninth they hoist sail for England but in their passage were assailed by such a tempest that quite lost them the sight of the Spanish Fleet who likewise suffered much by the same tempest for one of their ships was cast upon Dartmouth the Souldiers and Marriners half starved in her who upon examination confessed that the Spanish Fleets intention was to seize upon some Haven in Cornwall which being nigh the mouth of the Chancel might be convenient to receive Forces from Spain but man proposeth and God disposeth for the divine providence frustrated the designs both of the Spaniard and the English The Earl of Essex upon his return was created Earl Marshal of England Hitherto have we beheld our Earl ascending the zenith of Honour but favourites of great Princes are seldom without parasites who wanting true worth in themselves make a ladder of mischief to climbe up to promotion these buz into the Earls head strange fancies and chymaera's that his deserts were far greater then his rewards that during his absence Sir Robert Cicill was made Chancellour of the Dutchy of Lancaster and Charles Lord Howard created Earl of Nottingham with relation in his pattent to the Victory in eighty eight and his good service at Cales that he was descended of the blood royal of Scotland and England and had better right to the Crown then any other of the compettitors This puts the Earl upon indirect courses and though he cannot attain to be King of England he seeks to be made a petty King of Ireland the state of which Countrey ordained to be the Sepulchre of his Father and the gulf of his own fortunes was at that present in a dangerous condition by reason Tir Oen a notorious rebell had lately atchieved such a victory with so great loss to the English as they had never felt the like since they first set footing in Ireland Whereupon a serious consultation was held on whom to send to quell the rebels Essex though he seemed not to desire the employment yet still was ready with his exceptions if any other were nominated at length it was concluded that he should be the man and an Army of twenty thousand foot and thirteen hundred horse alotted unto him with these and a great retinue besides of the Nobility he passeth into Ireland His first action after his arrival was against the Petty Rebels in the Province of Mounster contrary to his Commission which was to go immediately against Tir Oen himself but men who prefer their private fancies before publique Instructions seldom attain to their wished desires For notwithstanding he took the Castle of Cahir and drove the Rebels into the Woods and Groves adjoyning his Forces by this means were so impaired that the gain did not countervail the loss wherefore sending for fresh supplies out of England in the mean time he sendeth directions to Sir Coniers Clifford President of Connaught to set upon the Rebels in one place thereby to sever their Forces while he assaulted them in another This counsel though good yet found ill success Clifford with fifteen hundred Souldiers marching towards Belike set upon the Rebels but the Fight continuing long and the English wanting Powder were put to flight Clifford himself and many of the old Soldiers being slain In the mean time Essex receiveth fresh Forces out of England and withall a check for neglecting the Queens Command wherefore at length he setteth forth towards the borders of Vlster with thirteen hundred Foot and five hundred Horse Tir Oen not able to match him in power yet seeketh to over-match him in policy and by his Messenger desireth a parley Essex mistrusting not the poyson in the bate condescended appointing the shallow of Balla Clinch for their meeting place thither came Essex alone with whom Tir Oen had private conference a full hour and not long after by their Delegates concluded a Truce from six weeks to six weeks till May Day This Transaction more incensed the Queen who dispatcheth very sharp Letters unto him blaming his delay and letting slip every fair opportunity with which Letters he likewise receiveth advertisement that Sir Robert Cecil was made Master of the Wards a place which he expected himself This Sir Robert Cecil was a man of lame feet but of a sound head one who bare great sway in the Court and a special stickler against the Earl which exasperated him the more not that he lost the place himself but that his Adversary had attained unto it This State proceeding entred so deep into his thoughts that he studies revenge and held private consultations of returning into England with part of his Forces to surprize his Adversaries But from this dangerous course the Earl of Southamptom
that he was his Crafts-master in forreign intelligence and for domestique affairs as he was one of those that sat at the sterne to the last of the Queen so was he none of the least in skill and in the true use of the Compass And so I shall onely vindicate the scandal of his death and conclude him for he departed in the moneth of May 1612. at Saint Margrets near Marlborough in his retun home from the Bathe as my Lord Viscount Cranborne my Lord Clifford his Son and Son-in-law and many more can witness But that the day before he swounded in the way was taken out of the Litter and laid into his Coach was a truth out of which that falshood concerning the manner of his death had its derivation though nothing to the purpose or to the prejudice of his worth He was from his greatest enemies acknowledged to be a compleat Statesman a support of the Protestant Faction a discloser of Treasons the Mercury of his time His body lies buried at Macfield He was famous for his buildings more especially that called Brittains Burse with this and other rare edifices to his extraordinary cost with which he adorned his Countrey The Life of Sir THOMAS OVERBURY A mans best Fortune or his worst's a Wife Yet I that knew nor Marriage Peace nor Strife Live by a good one by a bad one lost my life A Wife like her I write scarce man can wed Of a false Friend like mine there 's none hath read THis Witty but unfortunate Knight Sir Thomas Overbury was the son of Sir Nicholas Overbury of Burton in Glocestershire who to his natural propension of Ingenuity had the addition of good Education He having been a while Student of the Law in the Middle Temple soon after he cast Anchor at Court the then Haven of hope for all aspiring spirits Yet upon some discontent he descended from those lofty Pinacles and travelled into France where having been some time he returned again and was entertained into the respects of Sir Robert Carre one who was newly initiated a Favorite to King James who put him in trust with his most secret employments in which he behaved himself honestly and discreetly purchasing by his wise carriage in that place good affection and respect not onely from Sir Robert Carre but of other eminent Persons In process of time this favour procured profit profit indulged honour honour large employments and in him expert execution for where diligence and humility are associate in great affairs there favour is accompanied with both So that many Courtiers perceiving great hopes grew into familiarity with him the Knights expectations are performed and his businesses accomplished beyond his expectation to his wishes so that his diligence and parts gained him extraordinary resentments from the Viscount to his uniting him into friendship with himself insomuch that to the shew of all the world this bond was indissolvable neither could there be more friendship used since there was nothing so secret or private but the Knight imparted it to Master Overbury After some continuance of time Sir Robert Carre is made Viscount and Master Overbury had the honour of Knighthood conferred on him who grew still more and more into the affections of the people so that now his worth and his wealth were so much taken notice of that he was likely to taper at Court These Eminencies as they are not unvaluable so in their spectatours they raise scruples and cause doubts especially in the Viscount for Sovereignty and Love can abide no Rivals And indeed what State on earth is so firm that is not changeable or what friendship so constant that is not dissolvable Who would imagine this Viscount should become instrumental to his death who had done him so faithful service and to whom he had embosomed his most secret thoughts We shall therefore in the next place lay down the grounds of this revolt of friendship on the Viscounts part for we finde no breach in Sir Thomas but that rather his constant affection and free delivery of his opinion scorning to temporize occasioned his death There had lately past a Divorce betwixt the Earl of Essex and the Lady Frances Howard so that she being now free a motion of Marriage was propounded betwixt Viscount Carre and this Lady Sir Thomas Overbury who had written a witty Poem entituled The Wife thinking her not agreeable to his intentions of Matrimony disswaded the Viscount from it with words reflecting much on the Countesses reputation This counsel though it proceeded from an unfeigned love in Sir Thomas yet where beauty commands all discretion being sequestred created in the Viscount a hatred towards him and in the Countess the fury of a woman a desire of revenge who perswaded the Viscount That it was not possible that ever she should endure those injuries or hope for any prosperity so long as he lived That she wondred how he could be so familiar so much affected to this man Overbury that without him he could do nothing as it were making him his right hand seeing he being newly grown into the Kings favor and depending wholly upon his greatness must expect to be clouded if not ruined when his servant that knew his secrets should come to preferment The Viscount apt enough of his own inclination to revenge further exasperated by the Countesse resolves upon his death and soon he found an occasion to act it The Councel finding Overburies diligence and sufficiency nominates him as a fit man to be Ambassadour into the Low Countreys to the Arch Duke as thinking they could not serve him up to preferments worthy of his deserts Before he had given in his answer the Viscount comes to him acting his fatal part against Sir Thomas disswades him from undertaking it using this argument That his preferment and expectations depended not on Forreign Nations You are now said he in credit at home and have already made triall of the dangers of travel why then should you hazard all upon uncertainties being already in possession of that you can probably expect by these means Overbury not doubting the Viscounts fidelity towards him was perswaded by him forgetting the counsel of the Poet. Ne cuiquam crede haud credere quisquam Nam fronte politi Astutam vapido celant sub pectore vulpem Believe thou not scarce any man For oft a Phrygian face Is smoothly covered with a smile Within seeks thy disgrace King James deeply incensed with the refusal of his tendred honours for his contempt commits him to the Tower the Viscount aggravated his offence to the King but privately promised Sir Thomas by his intimacy with the King to bring him off from any troubles that might arise but whatsoever he pretended he practised the contrary And now having him in the place they desired their next study to secure their revenge was closely to make him away which they concluded to be by poyson To this end they consult with one Mrs. Turner the first inventor of
freer access unto the Princes Court then to any others of the same profession and so by consequence to the presence of the Queen her self who did not think much to enter into discourse with him apart and with much familiarity as often as there was offered any opportunity not onely in reference to his Profession and about matters of Law but also about the weighty affairs of State and the concernments of the kingdom and at all times he gave her such judicious answers that she received great satisfaction by them But though she abundantly cherisht him with the favour of her countenance yet never with the favour of a bountiful hand as never having advanc't him to any publick office either of honor or profit excepting onely one dry reversion of a Registers Office in the Star-Chamber computed at the yearly value of 1600. pound into the possession of which he came not till about twenty years after or thereabout of which office his Lordship said pleasantly in Queen Elizabeths time That it was like another mans Farm bordering upon his own house and so might help his prospect but not fill his Barn But in King James his Reign he at length enjoy'd that office and manag'd it by a deputy Now that he was not sooner preferr'd cannot be any way attributed to the least aversion or displeasure that the Queen had in her minde against him but to the fraud and envy of some one of the Noble men at that time powerful with the Queen who sought by all means possible to depress and hinder him lest if he should be advanced to any heighth of honour his own glory should be eclipsed by him However though in the time of his Mistris Queen Elizabeth his merited promotion was still forestalled or kept back yet after the change of Government and the coming in of his new master King James he with a quickned pace soon made a large progress being by this King eminently enobled with places of trust honour anst great revenues I have seen some letters written with his own hand to King James in which he acknowledgeth him to have been so good a master to him as to have nine times conferred upon him his iterated favours thrice titles of great honour six times offices of profit the Offices he means I suppose were these he being Councel extraordinary to his Majesty in which place he had formerly served the Queen the Kings Sollitour General the Kings Atturney General or principal Procurator made one of the Kings Privy Council while yet he held the place of Atturney General Lord Keeper of the great Seal of England lastly Lord Chancellour of England Which two last Offices although they are the same in Authority and Power yet in their Patent degree of honour and favour of the Prince they differ and since the time of his holding that Magistracy none of his successours hath been honoured with that title unto this day His honours were first his being Knighted by the King then he was created Baron Verulam lastly Viscount of St. Albons besides other rich gifts and extentions of a bountiful hand which his Majesty was pleased to bestow upon him as well out of the profits of the great Seal as out of the Office of Alienation When he had arrived to that part of his age in which fortune smiled upon him he began to think of marrying and at length took to Wife Alice the Daughter and one of the Heirs of Bennet Bernham Esquire and Alderman of London with whom he received a very considerable Dowry as well in Land as in ready money children he had none by her but for as much as children conduce very much to the perpetuating our names after death he was not altogether destitute of that advantage since it was his hap to be blest with an other kinde of Off-spring for the perpetuation of his memory to after times namely the Off spring of his brain in which he was alwayes wonderfully happy like Jove himself when he was delivered of Pallace Nor did this want of children in the least measure abate his affection to his Wife toward whom he behav'd himself as an indulgent Husband and shewed her all manner of conjugal love and respect bestowing upon her rich Furniture precious Jewels and likewise settled upon her a fair Joynture nor is it to be omitted in honourable remembrance of him that she wore a rich Wedding Gown which he had bestowed upon her about twenty years after his death for so long she surviv'd her most honoured Husband The last five years of his life retiring himself from Court-Affairs and all kinde of busie employments he bent himself wholly to study and contemplation which kinde of life seem'd indeed to be most pleasing to him as if he would have chosen by his good will to dwell rather in the shade then in the sun-shine Of which also we may find some not obscure intimations in the reading of his Works in which space of time he wrote the greatest part of his Books as well those that were written in English as in Latin which according to the order of time that they were written in I who was present all the while and observ'd shall endeavour to reckon up and they were these following The History of the Reign of Henry the Seventh King of England written in English The Abecedary of Nature a Metaphysical tractate which I know not by what evil fate perisht The History of the Windes The History of Life and Death The History of Dense and Rare never till now in Print The History of Heavy and Light which also is lost These Books were composed in the Latin tongue Next were certain English Fragments as namely these A Discourse concerning the carrying on of a War with Spain A Diologue concerning the Holy War The-Fable of new Atlantis A Preface to be plac't before the body of the Laws of England The beginning of the History of Henry the Eighth King of England Between some of these came that learned work of his call'd The Advancement of Learning in the Translating of which a thing undertaken of his own accord out of his native Tongue into the Latine our most honour'd Author took very great pains and from time to time inricht it with many and various additions After these came his Councels Civil and Moral formerly call'd Essays augmented both as to their number and weight in the English tongue Some of Davids Psalms Composed into English Verse Moreover divers of his Works already mention'd he converted out of English into Latin which were these The History of the Reign of Henry the Seventh King of England His Counsels Civil and Moral call'd Faithful sayings or the Inward sense of things The Diologue of the Holy War and the Fable of New Atlantis these he translated in favour of Forreigners by whom he heard they were desired Other Books that he writ originally in Latin were his book of the Wisdom of the Ancients review'd by himself The last
curious Map to build upon whose foundations he held it too injurious so I must with all submission acknowledge that a Gentleman of most accomplisht parts hath made a progress at large in this reverend Prelates History for me to have went about to build when he alone had laid such a firme foundation as shall out-live all other Historians I could not but count it too ambitious and am so far from thinking my self worthy to attend his noble purposes that if I had not thought it a crime of necessity though in the Epitome to place him amongst these eternized Heroes with Mr. Speed I should rather have left out a whole Countrey then in these few pages have committed the sin of presumption against his admirable endeavours The Life of ROBERT DEVEREUX Earl of Essex General of the Parliaments Forces THis Earl was borne in London Anno Dom. 1592. beginning his morning in the evening of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth His Father was that Robert Devereux Earl of Essex whose unfortunate life we have already discoursed of his Mother was the widdow of Sir Philip Sidney one whose Pen and Sword have rendered him famous to all posterity His education in his youth was at the University of Cambridge afterwards committed to the tuition of Bishop Whitgift a reverend Divine King James restoring him to his Fathers Titles and Estate forfeited by his fathers treasons to Queen Elizabeth That a perfect reconcilement might be made in all things a Marriage was contracted betwixt him and the Lady Frances Howard Daughter to the Earl of Suffolk a Lady of a transcendent beauty but she full of fire and the Earl of ice upon complaint made they were separated by a most just sentence of nullity executed by Commission under the great Seal of England after they had enjoyed the Society of one bed for three years together Some report that indirect and unjustifiable practices were used in the scrutiny of her Virginity but I averre according to the truth of allegations and proofs as the Jury of Midwives declared she was an untouched Virgin so did the Earl himself confess that though he had often attempted it he never could and believed never should unty her Virgin zone whereupon the Commissioners pronounced a divorce betwixt them Some Authors write that she did not much affect the Earl being of a lustful appetite Some on the other side imputed it to his travels others to her looseness in the time of his absence suffering her body to be abused Others bring Viscount Car on the stage that she placed her affections on him Others write that Mrs. Turner and Doctor Forman were employed to bewitch the Earl and to procure frigidity quo ad hanc so much do our Historians differ in their relations of this unfortunate marriage The Earl perceiving how little he was beholding to Venus is now resolved to address himself to the Court of Mars and to this purpose he bestows himself in the Netherlands which at that time was the School of Honour for the Nobility of England in their exercise of Arms where having continued for certain years and gained renown by his experience and perfection in the feates of Arms he advanced from thence into the Palatinate to which place went also the Earl of Southampton the Lord Willoughby the Earl of Oxford and Sir John Borlans with their Regiments but these not seconded as they expected and being invaded by so potent an Enemy as was then the Emperour and seconded by so puissant a Potentate as the King of Spain having in vain endeavoured with such weak forces to resist so great power they returned into England King James dying in the beginning of his Sons Reign a design went on for a sudden expedition into Cadiz in Spain which was committed to the mangement of Viscount Wimbleton and the Earl of Essex who putting forth to Sea were much dammaged with a furious storm but meeting together in the height of the Southern Cape they sailed to Cadiz where having taken Puntal Castle and in likelihood to fire the Ships in the Harbour the field men in the interim being directed to Land for their recreation and to take in fresh water having discovered the Cellers plentifully stockt with wine they carrowsed thereof so liberally in despite of more sober commands to the contrary as put them to the hazard of a dismal reckoning Whereupon the Admiral finding the Souldiers thus insufferably disordered fearing the Spaniard upon this advantage might make a lamentable butchery amongst them was forced to put to Sea again and having staid some time in expectation of setting upon the Plate Fleet in their returning home the Pestilence so reigned in their Navy that they had scarce men enow to handle their Sails which enforced them to ply home with all the speed they could The Earl of Essex soon after his return made a voyage into Holland not loving to lie idle when any action of Honour was on foot where he behaved himself with such gallant resolution as got him high repute in the mouthes of all men Having given these undeniable testimonies of his valour he was ambitious to give some further proofs of his virility and having been a while in England he solicites the affection of Mrs. Elizabeth Paulet daughter of Sir William Paulet of Wiltshire extracted from the noble line of the Marquess of Winchester with whom he consumated his Nuptials at Netley the Earl of Hartfords house by her he had a Son who was Christned Robert after his Fathers name he dyed in the year 1636. and lies buried at Drayton in the County of Warwick With this Lady he did agree and cohabit but it was but a short time becoming soon unhappy in his second as he was in his first choice for he could as little digest her overmuch familiarity with Mr. Vdal as his former Ladies with the Earl of Somerset upon which distaste this Earl did ever after abandon all uxorious thoughts and for a while lived a retired life Soon after began the long Parliament in which such Differences arose betwixt them and the King that for the deciding thereof each part had their recourse to Arms. The Parliament very wisely chose Essex for their General there being no person in the Kingdom so fit to take the people and credit their designs who having an Army raised marches with them against the King The King on the other side proclaims Essex and his adherents Traytors and confident in the justness of his cause gives him Battel on a place called Edge-hill which was fought with much eagerness and in a manner with equality for though the King kept the field and therein had the honour of the day yet lost he many brave Commanders who there dyed in the bed of Honour Amongst others the Lord Aubigney Sir Edward Vaerney who carried the Kings Standard Collonel Monroe and others Soon after was an overture for Peace but whilest it was in agitation a second Battel was fought at Brainford Essex
his charge serious and vigilant remiss in nothing that might any way improve or expedite his dispatch in Martiall Affairs But to take a brief survey of his Military Exploits I shall in the first place omitting engagements of less consequence as not so pertinent mount up the Hill near Newbury and Enborn Chase the two places where that memorable Battle was fought where Sir Charles Lucas with sundry other worthy Commanders behaved themselves as bravely as any of the most eminent Heroes from the beginning of this unhappy War in which Fight Sir Charles was grievously wounded Here were his characters of Honour deeply stamped in a Crimson die For the more brevity I shall pass by his valiant courage upon the Parliaments Forces at the assault of Cawood Castle where with skill and valour he forc'd his way thorow their Quarters to such places as he thought convenient and that with such confidence and magnanimity as his very name became a terrour to his enemies His Gallantry at Marston Moor will be had in remembrance so long as that Fight shall be recorded in our English Annals His valiant mannagement of Affairs at Newark where he exprest himself an absolute Souldier both in his Discipline and personal action His brave and successful attempt in his march from Berkley Castle with part of his Regiment betwixt Slymbridge and Beverston Castle upon Colonel Masseys Garrisons His incomparable Gallantry in the pursuit of his design at Tidbury But to descend from these particulars to the main thing we intend namely his Magnanimity in defending Colchester besieged by a powerful and successful Enemy We will in the first place give you a brief account of the occasion thereof and then as briefly relate the most memorable concernments during the Siege When the Parliaments Army had so subdued the Kings Forces that not one Garrison stood our for him openly and the King himself sold unto them by the Scots it was expected by the people a composure of differences would have ensued and the King reestablished on his Throne again according as they had promised in many Declarations But contrary thereunto they enacted to settle the Kingdom without him this much discontented the generality of the people and first they shewed their dislike thereof by way of Petition but that not prevailing they resolve force Langhorn Powel and Poyer strengthen themselves in Wales the Scots notwithstanding they had sold the King not long before yet now exclaim against the English for breach of Covenant and resolve to have the other march for England Against the Welchmen was Lieutenant General Cromwel sent and Sir Thomas Fairfax designed to go against the Scots but called back to march against the Kentish-men who in a Body of six thousand had possessed themselves of Maidstone with a resolution to stand it out against all opposers But Sir Thomas Fairfax falling upon them after a short but smart fight the Kentish-men were routed and their Army dispersed onely the Earl of Norwich with about three thousand men crossed the Thames and passed into Essex Where he found Sir Charles Lucas with some other persons of eminent honour and quality as the Lord Capel Loughborough c. with a compleat body of resolute men who after they had secured the Committee at Chelmsford struck into Colchester a Town inconsiderable as was generally conceived both by the Enemy and adjacent parts of the Countrey either to receive by a provisional way of relief any great force into it or by reason of the indefensive and intenible condition of the Town to stand out any time upon their settling or planting in it Yet so constantly courageous vigilant and incredibly industrious were these loyally disposed Gentlemen as this Town which in opinion by reason of her disprovision could not probably hold out against so powerful and formidable an Enemy the space of one week continued three moneths in a most resolute defiance and resistance of a victorious Army sated with such fulness of Conquests and supplied with such fresh and constant Recruits to bring their successive Atchievements to a more absolute period At length after many stout endeavours Sallies and Assayes gallantly performed having eaten all the Horses Dogs Cats and whatsoever though most reluctant to Nature could afford them nourishment this unfortunate Town of Colchester was surrendered after the continuance of three moneths Siege compleatly ended with these strict conditions the superior officers to mercy and the Souldiery upon quarter for life To those that shall demand what should be the reason for the besieged to hold out so long by their continued resistance to bring both themselves and the rest of the inhabitants into such misery and fearful distress especially seeing there appeared no hope at all of raising that lasting Siege nor of the Generals remove till he had finished his design besides their pertinacy and aversion from such reasonable conditions as in the beginning were proposed to them could not but highly incense the General and bring them as afterwards it did to extreamer terms upon intelligence of their necessitous condition that they might either be enforc'd to perish through Famine or necessarily surrender the Town To this sad inquiry I answer that besides others there were three main reasons which induced them to hold out so long as they did The first was that not onely the County wherein they were beleagured but other Counties too had ingaged themselves upon their fidelity a strong gage of assurance to valiant men that they would really joyn in assistance with them but this strong engagement procured an easie dispensation none appearing visibly save onely a small party about Saffron Walden who as they were soon up were as soon down being routed at Linton by a party of Horse under Major Sparrow But far greater hopes had they from London many of of the Royalists having engaged their persons under the Earl of Holland Duke of Buckingham c. to succour them But this expected aid proved fruitless for having lost that active spark of Honor. the Lord Francis Villers the rest of their flying Army were surprized at Saint Needs few escaping to carry tidings of their disastrous success But the main reason which induced them on to the continuance of this Siege was their daily expectance of relief from the North for the Scots having now ended their debate with their Presbyterian Cleargy concerning the conveniency and inconveniency of this War with 30000. men under the leading of Duke Hamilton entered England This numerous Army of Covenanters appearing so invincible made the Presbyterians in England to rest confident and to cry out Hosanna to the Mother Kirk of Scotland But as an Army of Sheep having a Lion to their leader is better then an Army of Lions with a Sheepish Commander even so this Canopy-General whose port and magnificence in his march promised wonders though it proved but Majesty in an imbroidered habit with a feaverish heart At Preston in Lancashire he was encountred by Cromwel with