and that there shall be no peace betweene him and them without their mutuall consent thereunto Yet for all this is Britaine still neglected by the French King France in the very bowels thereof still labouring and neitheir yet could the Englishmen get so much as Pimpol or Breac a little Island for their retiring place but vpon extreame hard conditions to wit that they fortifie it not neither that they lodge either in the houses of Priests or Noblemen Yet for all this the States of Britaine humbly requested the Queene not to recall her forces which she had euen resolued on but euen ouer-entreated commanded them to stay and they dispersed and scattered vp and downe about the Country Villages and exposed both to the malice of the Heauen and their enemies were â—ainâ— to haue a lamentable wintering when Pimpol by reason it was so little could not containe them all Neither spared she her continuall admonitions to the King of France that he should consider how much it stood him vpon to protect and keepe in hold the Sea coasts which once being gotten into the power of the enemy opens a way for further losse and is not easily recouered againe she wished him by Sir Robert Sidney to protect in safety the professours of the reformed Religion He promised againe that as he had hitherto beene so he would alwaies be their Protector and Defendor although that euen the chiefest Nobles of them had already forsaken him But when Sidney would haue dealt with him about Brest for a retyring place for the English forces and a pawne for the monies he had already had which indeed the Queene greatly desired hee stopt his eares at that For truely the Frenchmen could not indure that the English should once set foot in any other possessions in France no not so much as in their Hauens noâ— being forgetfull how easily they a great while agoe hauing but once beene possessed of their Hauens victoriously ran ouer France and how hardly they resigned vp againe their possessions And thus miserably did the French turne the counsell of the Queene vpon her selfe and the English which she gaue them for a caution against the Spaniard The Queene that she might secure her own selfe from the Spaniard fortified the Islands of Silley in the British Ocean hauing erected a Fortresse in S. Mariâ—s Island which by reason of the fashion of a starre like to which it was made she called the Starre-Marie she fortified that also with a set Garrison Also she strengthened her Islands of Gaâ—nsey and Iersey opposite against France and other places besides with great cost and charges and as great courage and alacrity although the times then were very heauy For in that yeare Saturne running through the end of Cancer and the beginning of Leo as in the yeare 1563. the Pestilence or Plague miserably tormented the City of London insomuch that the rigour thereof in the whole course of one yeare mowed downe the people of the Citie and Suburbes to the number of 17890. besides Sir William Roe the Lord Major and three more Aldermen Bartholomew Faire was not kept that yeare in London and Michaelmas Terme at S. Albanes twenty miles from London At which Terme Richard Hesket was condemned and executed because he had perswaded Henry Earle of Darby whose Father Henry died not long before that he should claime the Crowne of England fetching his right from his great Grand-mother Mary the Daughter to Henry the seuenth largely promising moreouer assistance and money from the Spaniard withall threatning the Earles sudden destruction if hee kept it not secret and if he put it not in practise But the Earle fearing this to be a plot onely to bring him into danger betrayed his conspiratour who of his owne accord acknowledging his fault before the iudgement seat sorely cursed those that aduised him thereto and those also that hearkened to his aduise in it and indeed those curses fell vpon some body in all probability For the Earle within foure moneths after died of a miserable kinde of death as shall be spoken of shortly In this yeares space two famous Earles of England died both of the Order of the Garter Henry Stanley whom I now mentioned Earle of Darby the sonne of Edward by Dorothy the Daughter of Thomas Howard first Duke of Norfolke He got of Margaret the Daughter of Henry Clifford Earle of Cumberland of Elenor Brandon the Niece of Henry the eight by his Sister Mary two sonnes Ferdinand and William that in order succeded him The other Earle that died was Henry Ratcliffe Earle of Sussex Gouernour of Portsmouth hauing left onely one Sonne Robert which he had by Honor the Daughter of Anthony Pound At Portsmouth Charles Blunt afterwards Lord Montioy succeeded him Three Lords accompanied these Earles also into another life Arthur Grey of Wilton that famous Warriour and of the Order of the Garter to whom succeeded Thomas his sonne by Iane Sybill Morrison The second Henry Lord Cromwell the Nephew of that Thomas Earle of Essex so often spoken of that was the mocking-stocke of Fortune after him succeeded Edward his sonne by Mary the Daughter of Iohn Powlet Marquesse of Winchester The third Henry Lord Wentworth whom succeeded Thomas borne of Anne Hopton his sonne and heire Neither will we conceale the death of worthy Christopher Carlile whose warlike skill was sufficiently tried in the Low Countries France and Ireland and in America at Carthage and Santo Dominico in the yeare 1585. for he about this time accompanied the forenamed into a better life In Ireland O-Conor Dun Mac-Daâ—y and O-Brien Nobleman of Conaugh and others make complaints that they were vniustly gone to law withall about the possessions of the Mortimers Earles of March which they had no colour of pretence for but continuance of long time wherein they had onely vsurped the same Also about this time the Noblemen of the Prouince of Vlster who long before feared lest they should fal into a conformity to English lawes which they thought would be brought in vpon theÌ„ as they saw it done already in Monaghan and that they should loose much of their power thereby whereby sometimes they did euen tyraâ—â—ize ouer the people begin now to bring to light that rebellion which before long had beene conceiued and first of all Hugh O-Donell on a sudden surpriseth Montrosse Castle Now there had beene a grudge long betweene the Earle of Tir-Oen and Henry Bagnall Marshall of the Irish forces whose Sister the Earle had stolne for his wife The Earle he made his complaint before the Lord Deputy of Ireland the Chancellour and others that whatsoeuer he had brought in obedience to the Queene at Vlster by his continuall labour and euen hazard of his bloud that redounded onely to the commodity of the Marshall and not to himselfe that yet the Marshall had falsly accused him of treason and to that purpose had suborned base
be at anothers call or whistle Within the compasse of this yeare some of the greater sort and of the Nobility departed this life Amongst whom the best worthy memory were Iohn Puckering Lord Keeper of the great Seale who although he himselfe were a man of an vpright sincerity yet by reason of his corrupted seruants that set to faire Ecclesiasticall Benefices for the best price he was but hardly spoken of by the Clergy men Thomas Egerton the Queenes Attourney Generall succeeded him in his place who in the integrity of his vertues equallâ—d the great expectation that was of him Richard Fletcher Bishop of London a very famous Prelate who being sorely troubled with the displeasure of the Queene at his marriage as she was at the marriage of all the Clergy to get that away lost his life Henry Cary Lord Hunsdon Lord Chamberlaine of the Queenes Court Gouernour of Berwicke and Knight of the Order of S. George a man of a great stomacke but very cholericke and somewhat discontented that being somewhat of kinne to the Queene hee attained but meane honours and wealth departed also his Sonne George succeeded him in his dignities and the Lord Cobham in the Chamberlaines place who continued in it but few moneths Another was Francis Knolles who had married the Lord Hunsdons Sister and for the truth of the Gospell had beene banished into Germany first hee was Sub-Chamberlaine to the Queene afterwards Captaine of the Guard afterwards Treasurer of the Queenes Houshold and one of the Order of S. George In his Treasurer-ship Roger Lord North succeeded him and his Sonne William Knolles was made Comptroller of the Houshold Another towards the end of the yeere was Henry Hastings Earle of Huntingdon the third of that stocke President of the Councell in the Northerne quarters and being a man of a milde disposition but very earnest in the purity of his religion he spent most of his patrimony in costly succouring and cherishing of the more feruent sort of Ministers He was buried in the county of Leicester and Francis L. Hastings died then to And the Presidency of the Councell committed to Matthew Hutton Archbishop of Yorke but without the title of President Neither among so many men is the death of that worthy woman Margaret Clifford Countesse of Darby the onely daughter of Henry Clifford Earle of Cumberland which hee had by Elenor Brandon the Niece of Henry the Eight to bee concealed who out of a womanish curiosity and weakenes of her sexe being too credulous and somewhat ambitious of farre fetcht hopes dealt with Southsayers and in striuing to get the knowledge of things to come lost the presentfauour of the Queene and her life presently after THE FORTIETH Yeere OF HER REIGNE Anno Domini 1597. IN the beginning of this yeere how great prayse of their valor Robert Sidney and Francis Verâ— with the English forces in the battel at Turnholt in Brabant vnder the conduct of Maurice of Nâ—ssaw did deserue beare away hauing slaine 2000. Neapolitanes and Germanes the Low Countries historie doeth report I hasten and intend to greater matters The Queene being giuen credibly to vnderstand that the Spaniard was prouiding a new piece of warre out of the old decayed reliques and other ships which he intended against Ireland prepares her Nauy of ten of her owne Ships and as many Hollanders either to diuert his proiect or to delay it But when as this number seemed but very small there were more added fiue thousand Souldiers prest besides a thousand old Souldiers whom Vere brought out of the Low-Countries So that in all in this Nauy there were one hundred and twenty Ships Seuenteene of the Queenes three and forty little men of warre the rest to carry prouision The Nauy was diuided into three Squadrons Essex commanded the first who had the whole Expedition committed to his care Thomas Howard the second and Walter Rawleigh the third Charles Blunt Lord Montioy was Captaine of the Souldiers vnder the Earle of Essex and Sir Francis Vere Serieant Maior Sir George Carew master of the Ordnance and Engines and Sir Christopher Blunt chiefe Colonell To this warre also went the Earles of Rutland and Southampton the Lord Grey Cromwell and Rich with many other Knights and other Gentlemen These with their sailes displayed and other costly vanitie that is peculiar to the English when they goe to warre set forth from Plimmouth the ninth day of luly After two dayes to euery Ship was deliuered her Commission signed whither she should bend her course which way to Feroll and the Groyne that there they might expect the Spanish Nauy and assault it and surprize the Indy Nauy at Azores After mature deliberation this was thought most expedient to be done For so should England rest in security the Nauies of both the Indies being not defended should be easierly surprized the Islands Azores should be surprized where both the rich Nauies from the Iâ—dies in their returne arriue and water themselues The Queen should be made absolute Commandresse of the Sea The Spaniard dispoyled of his Nauy should either bee compelled to a peace vpon any equall tearmes or to his great dammage to renue his warres againe Essex had resolued as at least made shew and sometimes publiquely professed That he would either vanquish this Nauy that so hath threatned England the last yeare or else sacrifice himselfe to the good of his Countrey But they had scarâ—e gone forty leagues from Plimmouth when a fearefull tempest rushes vpon them Northâ—west and a mist takes away sight from them The Ayre with thunder and the water with tumultuous waues reflecting from the sides of the ships with a fearefull Eccho did so rage foure dayes together that the Mariners themselues were affraid the Souldiers trembled and the whole Nauy much diâ—â—ected not without great danger hardly recouered Plimmouth againe and other coasts thereabouts the Admirall it selfe was so battered that it was scarce of any â—se some of 〈◊〉 fresh-water Souldiers were so troubled with an â—nmannerly Stomack that they stole home againe secretly The Naâ—y being againe refresht and repayred although to the diminishing both of the number strength of the former forthwith puts forth againe but found the winds so contrary that for a whole moneth they could not get out of the Hauens And by that time prouisioÌ„ of victuals grew very scarce among them whereof they could haue no supply but out of the East part of England and that in no little time wherefore it seemed good vnto them to discharge all their Souldiers beside one thousand old ones and to dismisse most of their Ships of lesser weight and not to goe to Ferâ—ll or the Groyne And then it fell to be deliberated on whether or no they should make their expedition to the Islands Azores which all agreed vpon that they should but only Vere who said it would neither be for the profit nor the credit of the Queene since that
fellowes sorely lamenting he went and brought it in his other hand into the Towne and shewing it to the Surgeon Behold said he the arme that to day at dinner serued all my body This siege brought the King of France to Cales from whence is a short iourney ouer into England on purpose to prouide and strengthen the borders of his Kingdome which when the Queene vnderstood she sent ouer to him Sir Thomas Edmonds to see him and congratulate his health with him He againe to acknowledge this courtesie sent ouer into England to the Queene Marshall Byrone Aruerne and Aumont and many other Noblemen These the Queene entertained at Basing with such humanity and dismissed them so courteously that they much blazoned forth her meeke affablenesse seasoned both with wisdome and eloquence That truely which the French Writers report that the Queene shewed to Marshall Byrone and the rest of the French the braines of the Earle of Essex in her priuy Chappell or as others will haue it fastened to a post or stake is most ridiculous for his braines and body were truely both buried together Indeed certaine it is that amongst her talke with them she very sharply blamed the Earle of Essex concerning his vngratitude towards her and his vnaduised consultations and his scornfull contumacy in not begging pardon for his offence and that she wished that the most Christian King of France would rather vse towards his Subiects a milde kinde of seuerity then a dissolute clemency and that he would in time cut off the heads also of those that intend or plot any innouations in the state or disturbe the publique quiet This aduise of the Queene might haue well frighted Marshall Byrone from his wicked designes which he had already plotted against his King had he not beene bewitched But the force of his destinie rushing on him so besotted his blind vnderstanding that within few moneths after hee suffered the same punishment that the Earle of Essex had lately done before him Shortly after the Queene hauing returned out of the Country assembles a Parliament wherein she makes good and wholsome Lawes concerning the poore the weake and lame Souldiers and Marriners concerning fraudulent ouerseers of Wills and Testaments Concerning the deceit of Clothiers and the preying that were woont to be on the borders of Scotland But when as there did come grieuous complaints into the Lower house of Parliament against Monopolies for many had bought to themselues the power of selling some certaine commodities alone confirmed by Letters Patents vnder pretence of the publique good but truely to the great losse of the Land The Queene presently set forth a Proclamation wherein she made all her formerly granted Letters Paâ—ents voyd partly and of no effect and partly to be examined according to the Law And this was so pleasing to the Lower house that 80. of them chosen out came vnto her and by the Speaker of the House humbly gaue her thankes The Queene entertaining theiâ—â—oues very ioyfully spake to them much after this manner IOwe to you all a peculiar thankes and commendations for your large good wills towards vs not in silent thought conceiued but in deeds amply and really expressed in that ye recalled my errour which was out of ignorance and not wilfulnesse These things would haue beene turned to my disgrace and infamy if such Harpies and Horse-leaches as those had not beene made knowne by you I had rather be maimed either in my hand or my minde then to giue consent with either to these priuiledges of Monopolies The brightnesse of a Princesse Maiesty hath not so blinded my eies that liberty or licentiousnesse should preuaile with me more then Iustice. The glorie of the very name of a King may deceiue vnskilfull and vndiscreet Kings as guilded pills doe a sicke patient But I am none of those for I know that the Common-wealth ought to be gouerned for the good only of theÌ„ that are committed to it and not of him to whom it is committed and that the King must giue account of it before another Iudgment seat I thinke my selfe most happie that by Gods helpe I haue so gouerned my Kingdome as I haue done and that I haue such Subiects for whose good I would leaue Kingdome or life it selfe I desire that what other men haue trespassed in by false suggestion be not imputed to me to whom the testimony of my cleare conscience is a sufficient excuse for me You cannot chuse but know that Princes seruants are alwaies most intent for the good of their owne affaires and that truth is concealed often from Princes neither can they looke through all things who are continually troubled with great throngs of greater businesses About the beginning of this yeare died Henry Herbert Earle of Pembroke the sonne of William made Knight of the Garter in 1574 President of the Councell in Wales after the death of Henry Sidney his Father in law By whose Daughter Marie he begat William now Earle of Pembroke and Philip now Earle of Montgomery and Anne that died in the very flower of her youth Also there died Henry Lord Norris of Ricot restored to his Lands after the death of his Father but vpon some strict conditions about the inheritance of his Grandmother which was one of the Heires of Viscount Louell But the Queene made him more compleatly Lord after his Embasie into France finished with great commendation of his wisedome He begat of his wife Marie one of the Heires of Iohn Lord Williams of Tame who was in the time of Henry 8. Treasurer of the Augmentation Office and priuy Counsellour to Queene Marie a warlike progeny William his eldest sonne Marshall of Barwicke that died in Ireland to whom was borne Francis that succeeded in his Vncles honour the second was Iohn so often spoken of before the third was Thomas President of Mounster and sometimes Iustice of Ireland that died by reason of neglect of a small wound the fourth Henry that died the same death about the same time and place the fift Maximilian slaine in the warres of Britaine and Edward Gouernour of Ostend who alone suruiued his Parents Within a few daies after died Peregrine Berty Lord Willoughby of Eresby Gouernour of Barwicke who had vndergone all the Offices of a Captaine both in the Low Countries and in France and Robert his sonne by Mary Sister to Edward Earle of Oxford succeeded him And now let vs returne a little to Ireland And then we shall obserue that about this time there came out a Proclamation which also Henry 7. had forbad by Law that no man should transport English money into Ireland by reason that either the Rebels get it to themselues and purchase their prouision with it or the Merchants conuey it into other forreigne Nations to the great losse and detriment of this Kingdome Wherefore now there was great deliberation about altering the money in Ireland and mingling some Brasse with it
from any honour and inheritance that might fall to him by his Vnckle Yet for all this although in the daies of Queene Mary he was besides condemned of treason he was by the Queene restored to his honour againe as if so be he had neuer been condemned But when as this Lord by the reason of the sentence of the Parliament could not enioy his Grandfathers honour by the especiall fauour of the Queene he was a new created Lord Da-la-ware and as long as he liued he enioyed his place according to the time of his creating The Queene referred this matter to the Parliament-house who hauing found that the former sentence against the former Lord was onely personall and not touching his progeny and that his banishment in the time of Queene Mary nothing hindered him from losing that honour which he had not and that he was restored againe shortly after as also that his ancient honour is not extinguished by reason of a new creation but onely as it were lay asleepe as long as he liued when it was not in him in the time of his being created they allotted him the place of his Ancestors betweene the Lord Willoughby and Barcley where he was iustly placed Also Thomas Howard the second sonne of the Duke of Norfolke who but lately before was made knight of the Garter was called to this Parliament by the title of Lord Howard of Walden and he being at that time sicke the Lord Scroope was brought into the vpper House betweene two Lords bearing his Roll in his Parliament Robes the King of Armes going before him That when the Lord Keeper had read publikely he was seated below all the rest of the Lords although that elsewhere the younger sonnes of Dukes take place of Viscounts Since as appeares in an act of the Parliament Records in the sixt yeare of Henry the eight when Thomas Howard Earle of Surrey being called to the Parliament challenged to himselfe the place of going or sitting before the Earles because he was the eldest sonne of a Duke It was decreed by the Parliament that he should sit in Parliament according to the order of his creation notwithstanding that his prerogatiue of honor and worth which is due to him as the eldest son of a Duke should be reserued to him without the Parliament house This yeare died William Brookes Lord Cobham of the Order of St. George Chamberlaine to the Queene and Constable of Douer Castle Gouernour of the Cinque Ports and Chancellour Henry his sonne begot of Frances Newton succeeded him Also there died William Powlet Marquesse of Winchester the third more famous for his great wealth then for any thing else hauing left his sonne William which hee had of Anne Howard of Effingham In Ireland when as the affaires there were very turbulent and dangerous for all Vâ—ster beyond Dundalke besides the Garrison Castles Newrie Knockfergus Carlingford Greene-Castle Armach Dâ—ndrâ—m and Oldorfleet and almost all Conaugh had reuolted from the Queene the Lord Deputy Russell was recalled againe and the Lord Burrough made Deputy instead of him a man indeed of a sharpe wit and great courage but scarce insighted into the very elements of warre wherefore his election was beyond all mens opinion or expectation and more Norrises who by his deserâ—s and worthy skill had assured himselfe thereof But when as hee perceiued that his enemies at Court much preuailed and his friends as fast failed when he saw one now whom in birth he thought himselfe almost equall to and in honour and glory by reason of his exployts much superiour preferred before him and himselfe which was worst to be commanded vnder his authority to continue in the Lieutenant-ship of Mounster 〈◊〉 what with griefe thereof and discontent that Tir-â—â—n by his dissembling had mock't him out of the iudgment he was thought to haue had he shortly after died A man he was certainly of great worth and to be celebrated amongst the famous Captaines of our Nation in his time He was the second sonne of Henry Lord Norris borne of the Daughter and the other heire of the Lord Williams of Tame He first practised himselfe in warre vnder the Admirall Coline in the French ciuill warres afterwards being but a young man he was a Captaine in Ireland vnder Walter Earle of Essex He was Colonell generall of the English vnder the States of the Low Countries Marshall of the Army of the States vnder the Earle Hâ—hâ—nlâ— He was President of Mounster twelue yeares although absent most part thereof Generall of the auxiliary English in Britaine in France And to conclude he was a man of great worth if himselfe had not knowne it and he was well rewarded for his worth if his conceit had been so humble as not to haue aspired aboue if not his merits yet his birth Tir-Oâ—n now being warie enough to prouide for the security of his owne state sends his Letters to the new Deputy and very humbly desires a truce or a cessation from Armes or any kinde of hostility and it seemed indeed at that time somewhat to concerne the good of the Kingdome to grant this truce although the Deputy himselfe iudged it very hurtfull to the State Wherefore it was graunted for a moneth When the moneth was expired he assembles all his forces to the credit of his new authority and sets out in battaâ—le against the Rebels and being brought if not into danger yet either to the conceit or feare of danger and some streights hee opens himselfe a safety by valour and valiantly winnes by assault Blacke water the onely Fort of the Rebels besides the woods and bogs whereby is the entrance into the County of Tir-Oen and gaue the Rebels to vnderstand how easily they might be vanquished if hee would but insist vnpon them a little And now on the very same day wherein the Deputy and all his Army were giuing thankes vnto God for their late victory there was a sodaine alarme and all called to their armes by reason the enemy shewed himselfe from a Neighbour hill Henry Earle of Kildare with a wing of horse and some of the Nobler sort voluntaries issued forth against them and put them to flight Of the English there was wanting Francis Vaughan brother in law to the Deputy â— Turner Serjeant maior whose deaths the Earle of Kildare tooke so sorrowfully that within few dayes after he died for griefe thereof Tir-Oen now thought his fortune and credit quite vndone vnlesse he recouered againe the Fort at Black-water wherefore hee strongly besieged it The Deputy forthwith hasteneth thither as fast as he could being resolued surely to passe further into Vlster But in his full path way to great victories death arrested him leauing the great desire of him to the good and to the â—ad longer security Had â—e but liued in the iudgement of the wisest he had soone weakned the hopes of the enemy and the matters had neuer come to that danger
THE HISTORIE OF THE LIFE AND REIGNE OF THAT Famous Princesse ELIZABETH Containing a briefe Memoriall of the chiefest Affaires of State that haue passed in these Kingdomes of England Scotland France or Ireland since the yeare of the Fatall Spanish Invasion to that of her sad and ever to be deplored dissolution Wherevnto also is annexed an Appendix of Animadversions vpon severall passages Corrections of sundry errours and Additions of some remarkable matters of this History never before imprinted Polyd Virg. Hist. Angl. lib. 3. pag. 53. Ne quid falsi dicere audeat Historicus ne quid veri non audeat Ne qua suspitio gratia sit ne qua simultatis LONDON Printed for William Webbe Booke-seller in Oxford Ann. Dom. 1634. TO THE SACRED MAIESTIE OF MY SOVERAIGNE LORD KING CHARLES SIR IT was so farre from my Ambition that it was my Feare to make your Maiesty who already is of my Colledge Visitor of my Labours for indeed could the Honour of this Story have descended to the humble content of a lower Patronage I should no more haue aduentured the Fauour of your protection then I can deserue it The only credit which I craue from This Inscription is to countenance not my Reputation but Reason which tells me that to vnderualue the Maiesty of this Story with a Dedication lesse then Princely were to furnish not my labours but errours with a Patronage Should I heere steale into a seasonable commendation of the Subiect of this History I should but iniure Goodnesse with some thin applause and not blazon but stifle Vertue in too straight a Panegericke I will rather leaue still her Name for a terrour to the Romish Faction her Death for a common-place of Sorrow to the English Nation her Vertue for an example to Your enuious Imitation and her vnworthy Translator to the gratious acceptance and Princely pardon Of your MAIESTIES most loyall Subiect and humble poore Scholler THO BROWNE From my study at Ch. Ch. in Oxon. To the Reader IT were well if what once the tongue of the Athenian Crier did to euery Orator the language of Authority would to euery Babbler Inter dicere ne praefatione affectibus uterentur lubere ut rem modâ— expâ—â—â—rent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A law indeed which notwithstanding by a necessary disobedience I must now both approue and violate for I confesse that in excusing my selfe I had rather hazard the vncertaine censure of this ostentation then by concealing an indifferent truth sit down to a certaine discredit Know therefore Reader for I care not who does that when I made the first onset vpon this Exercise it was my desire rather to see what I could doe then care what I did for with the iust expences of a moneths time labour I digested the whole body of this History into a perfect frame I must confesse my way was hard and my time as short insomuch that by the very transcribing of so compleat a Volume in such a space my â—and her selfe seem'd to earne a commendation But withall I must acknowledge that since I was faine to adde the discretion of my second thoughts to correct and regulate some grosse absurdities which notwithstanding was such as that it spoâ—e onely in interlinings and marginall references and not added the supplement of one sheet to encrease the former bulke Hauing thus lickt it so farre to make it worth the reading that I made it almost impossible to be read as I first began it to ease the troublesome request of a priuate friend so now I rendred it vp into his hands to punish him with a peruâ—all But it seemes when the respects of loue and friendship blinâ—e the iust censure of a iudicious eie there weake endeauours may finde both entertainment and acceptance Thus fell it out with me for although the conscience of my own imperfections could bequeath it no better light then that that should consume it it pleased him to thinke it worth a brighter this of the worlds so that I whose conscience and duty bound me to an equall obseruance of his Desire with other mens Commands was forced now againe to fashion my collected errours for the Presse desiring to publish rather my obedience to my Friend then name to the World Then might I haue iustly and boldly said what Erasmus once did vpon his Edition of Saint Ieromes Workes Vnum illud verè dicâ—m audacter minoris arbitror Hieronymâ— suos constitisse libros conditos quà m nobis restitutos paucioribus vigilijs apud illum natos fuisse quam apud nos renatos For I may well auerre that the very reviewing of my Paines exceeded the Paines which I reviewed by so much the more as it is easier to commit a fault then to finde it once committed If this serue for an excuse I craâ—e acceptance at thy hands if not forgiuenesse but if thou be not pleased to giue then exchange a courtesie which is nought but this for my defects let me haue thy pardon and for my deserts I 'le dispence with thy commendation Farewell T. B. Corrige sodes Hoc bone Lector et Hoc PAge 35. Line 18. Readâ— Martigue p. 36. l. 1. Prince 〈◊〉 p. 141. l. 5. Duke of Alua. p. 178. l. 24. which was to Feroll p. 192. l. 3. dealt with them of Dantzicke p. 221. l. 25. William Peter p. 241. l. 24. the same Hagan p. 244. l. 34. who notwithstanding had not yet p. 255. l. 10. Monastâ—ry of Typarary p. 311. l. 21. Saint-Iohn 〈◊〉 Bletnesho p. 360. l. 14. Roger and Gawyn the two Haruiâ—s A TABLE OF THE CONTENTS BELONGING TO THE HISTORY OF THE LIFE AND REIGNE OF QVEENE ELIZABETH Anno M.D.LXXXIX THe practises of the Spaniard in Scotland against England Page 1 A mutinie in Scotland 2 The mutiny is 〈…〉 3 The Earle of Arrundel arraigned ibid. His Peeres 4 Thâ— hâ—ads of his accusation ibid. His demands of the Iudges â— The Earles answer 7 The Earle condemned 10 His life pardoned ibid. Drakes expedition ibid. The Groyne assaulted 11 The base Towne taken 12 The high Towne assaulted but in vaine ibid. Preparation from the Spaniard 13 The Spaniards driuen backe ibid. The English depart and embarque for Portugall ibid. Peniche taken 14 Lisbon assaulted ibid. The Spaniards sally forth vpon the English 15 They are forced home to their very Gates ibid. The English depart ibid. Drake blamed ibid. Cascay's yeelded 16 Threeâ—â—â—â—â— Hâ—lkes taken ibid. Vigo burnt ibid. The English returâ—e ibid. The English subiect to diseases 〈◊〉 Spaine 17 The Hansâ—-townes complaine ibid. The Queenes answere 18 The Queene aides the King of Nauarre ibid. The Holy League in France 19 The Barricadoes at Paris ibid. The Duke of Guiseâ—laine â—laine 20 Henry the third King of France slaine 21 Contention about the election of a new King ibid. The Cardinall of Bourbon proclaimed King 22 The Queene 〈◊〉 the French King ibid. The English 〈◊〉 in France 23 The English returne 24 The Spaniard
his proceedings began now to aâ—gment his feare to a cautelous suspition lest the Dukes ambitious policy should lay wayt for his life and concluding his owne life and safety out of the necessary murther of the Duke shortly after as he was entring the Arras of his Priuy chamber caused him to be run through and his Brother the Cardinall to be strangled committing the Dukes sonne Cardinall Bourbon and as many of the Leaguers as the danger of those times would licence his enquiry for to the safe custody of close prison And now began a generall confusion to ouerrun the face of all France the disiointed limbes of a compleat Kingdome lept into a variety of rebellion The peopâ—e began at their pleasure to disburthen themselues of their duty to Magistrates to rob the Kings veâ—y Court at Paris Some Cities began to affect and estâ—bâ—ish Democracy others Aristrocracie the rest Oligarchy few or none a Monarchie The villany of this conspiracy hauing now growne ripe for such misery that by striuing to make as it were many Kingdomes they had almost reduced it to none At their next assembly the Leaguers cause a new Seale for the administring the affayres of the Realme to be engrauen arrogating to their ambitious rebellion all Princely Iurisdiction they share amongst it themselues the best fortified places and sometimes whole Prouinces They stop the Reuenewes of the Crowne and recall the Spanish forces out of the Low Countries foure whole Parliaments of France seconding them with their vnanimous suffrages and all the Clergie of the Realme preaching nothing but warre against their owne Souereigne Insomuch that the King turning to the Protestants and they turning from their allegiance caused one Iaques Clement a Monke to murther him The Leaguers although not onely his right of Succession but aâ—so the Kings option on his death bed assured him of the Crowne by a Proclamation banisht Nauarre not more from the Crowne then the Kingdome declaring him guilty of Heresie and of drawing the enemies forces into his owne countrey But although all of them agreed in this to exclude Nauarre yet euery mans priuate engagement could not easily come to an agreement whom they should create King Charles Duke of Maine Brother to the slaine Duke of Guyse thought himselfe most worthy of it because hee had forced the Protestants many times to a great incoÌ„uenience most of their Cities to their ancient obedience Likewise because Cardinall Bourbon being feeble a Priest and now in prison would if he should be elected rather exercise the wits of the French to scoffe and scorne him than their allegiance to reuerence and obey him yet that by making him King they might not onely acknowledge the Right of the familie of the Bourbons to the Crowne but also recall the old Right of the Vncle against the Nephew But the controuersie came not so neare the hope of reconcilement for others preferred the Cardinall of Lorraine or any of his familie that so now at length the ancient Right so long abused by Hugh Capet at first might be restored to the familie Vrging that the Spaniard greatly fauoured that House and that hee would bequeath his daughter to any one that was chosen out thence Others opposed against him the Duke of Sauoy sonne of the daughter of the King of France sonne in law to the King of Spaine a neighbour Prince and as truly couragious as noble The rest nominated Guise by reason of his Grandfather and Fathers seruice done the Realme and the Catholique Religion Neither were there wanting some scattered suffrages for the Spaniard himselfe which flattery would easily haue encreased had there beene any hope of speeding But the maior part pretending a very forme of iustice in the height of a rebellion reflecteth vpon the Cardinall of Bourbon as being one degree neerer to the deceased King than his Nephew Nauarre was and as one that had suffered much in the Catholique cause by whose meanes after an easie deliuerance out of the prison to the Throne they might if not with as much speede yet with more conuenience represse the Reformed Religion than by crauing forraine helps for assistance in that matter This conclusion was cunningly broacht by Mendoza the Spaniards Embassadour who since he perceiued hee could not pleasure his master with his conceited hope of an Immediate election thought to lay here a foundation of reducing by degrees that Kingdome vnder his Dominion So that now amongst these Leaguers and Conspiratours Cardinall Bourbon is proclaimed King and coynes dispersed about in traffique with his inscription of Charles the tenth The Duke of Maine is declared to be Lieutenant Generall of the Crowne of France who presently to bring his office into execution musters all his forces with an intent either to surprise Nauarre proclaimed likewise King of France amongst his confederates at Deepe where he resided or driue him by violence out of France The French King being now reduced to so great streights hauing pitched his campe neere vnto Deepe with as good successe as speed presently dispatched Beauore La Noe-cle and immediatly after Buhie and Bozenuale into England to proffer to the Queene an offensiue and defensiue league and to desire some aide from her The Queene vnwilling to be defectiue to his doubtfull hopes in such a courtesie out of her true zeale to his Religion and fortune mixt with a iealous feare of the reuolting of the Germans and Switzers his stipendiaries who to gaine but the emptie riches of a large promise were likely to endanger their fidelity presently furnisht him with two and twenty thousand pounds of english Gold A somme which either somewhat to the disparagement of his owne estate or more to the true token of his gratitude he ingenuously acknowledged he neuer yet saw paralell'd besides munition and some foure thousand men vnder the conduct of Peregrine Lord Willoughby who after the departure of the Earle of Leicester out of the low countries had in succeeding him purchased no small honor She appointed Sir Thomas Wilford who was also Marshall Sir Iohn Burrough Sir William Drury and Sir Thomas Baskeruile Colonels allotting them a moneths pay before hand who after their arriuall in France behaued themselues both to the Kingdoms and their owne honour The brute of their expected arriuall mingled with the ouerthrow as much against their reason as their hopes which the French King lately gaue the Leaguers at Arques so discouraged the pride of their hopâ—s that the very day before the arriuall of the English they fled from before the King with bagge and baggage The King partly encouraged with this victory the obiect of his wonder as much as ioy and partly with the welcome arriuall of the English began to draw his forces towards Paris where the English and the Switzers attempting that part thereof which lies betweene Saint Marcels gate and the riuer Seine made such a resolute breach through their rampiers and inclosures that hauing
Ecclesiastical causes searching out all poore widows and Papists houses They took away almost by way of robbery al Vessels Chains Iewels or any thing that bare vpon it the picture of Christ or any of the Saints They seuerely exacted the allowance by the way due to Apparitors and cousened many poore silly fearefull people of their money that they might not appeare before the Magistrates Some of these being taken were compelled to restore againe what they had thus robbed men of and were set in the Pillory their eares clipped off and branded in the forehead as cheaters and couseners Yet for all this this seuerity could not keepe vnder this villany that had spred abroad vntill publique notice came that Apparitors should not demand their Viaticum before those that were cited did appeare and the Apparitors also with them before the Magistrate If that many were cited by the same Commission vpon one and the same day the Apparitors were also to be present If that any man that was cited suspected his Apparitor hee might warne him before the next Iustice of Peace to be examined that it may be knowne whether he be one or no. They who were cited vnder paine of excommunication were not to bribe the Apparitor that they might not appeare Also that the Apparitors take no such bribe vnlesse they would lose their places be imprisoned and lyable to seuere punishments This yeare returned Thomas Arundell of Wadour whom the Emperour created Earle of the Holy Empire and all and euery one of his Heires his Posterity and those that shall descend from him lawfully begotten of either sex Earles and Countesses of the Holy Empire for because the Queene in her Letters had commended him as her kinsman and because he had deserued so great an honour in his braue behauiour in the Hungary warre against the Turke This title whosoeuer is master of are said to enioy by vertue thereof these priuiledges that in all Imperiall Diets they haue both place and voyce they may purchase Land in the Empire they may muster vp Voluntaries and need not to appeare being cited to iudgement but onely in the Imperiall Chamber When he after his returne grew somewhat famous among the common people by reason of this Title there arose vpon it a question presently whether a Subiect ought to admit of any such Honour or Title from a forrâ—ine Prince his owne Prince being not acquainted with it There were indeed those that thought that such rewards for valour were to be allowed of from what Prince soeuer they were bestowed by reason that vertue growes lanke without her rewards of merit vrging the example of Henry the third King of England who very thankfully acknowledged Reginald Mohune made Earle of Somerset by the Apostolike authority of the Bishop of â—ome Also of Henry the eight who did so congratulate Robert Curson whom Maximilian the first Emperour had created Lord of the Holy Empire for his warlike valour that he reckoned him amongst his Lords of England and allowed him an annuall pension for the better maintenance of his dignity Besides they vrged some braue Scottish Souldiers as of Archibald Duglasse of Wigtone who receiued the Title of Duke of Tours from the French King and of Iohn Steward who was by the King of France made Earle D' Euereux that the Scottish kings esteemed this as an honour to the Nation But the Lords of England imagining that this would bereaue them and their Heires of some of their prerogatiues if so be they and their Heires were to giue place to such an vpstart Lord and his Heires for euer argued against it thus that such Titles of honour are neither to be receiued by the Subiect nor to be allowed of by the Prince That it is the property of the Prince for to conferre honours vpon his owne Subiects and not for any Forreiner to doe it according to the words of Valerian the Emperour LEt that be onely an Honour which is bestowed by our command Vrging that there is a great detraction both from the Maiesty of the Prince and the dutie of the Subiect if they may be tolerated to receiue Dignities from Forreiners For there must needs be a secret allegiance betweene him that is honoured and the party honouring That these kinde of Titles are nothing else but a cunning sleight to prefer men out of the obedience to their Prince to any strange Forreiner That there may be an action of theft against him that shall brand another mans sheepe with his marke Also that there may be an action of cousenage and deceit against him that shall spread abroad fodder to entice another mans sheep into his flocke And although mighty Princes are not bound to these Lawes yet are they by the equity of these Lawes and the Law of Nature As in the Citie and Common-wealth of Rome no man could be a Citizen of that and any other City whereupon Poâ—peius Atticâ—â— refused to be reckoned as a Citizen of Athens lest he should lose his right in the Citie of Rome So in the Common-wealth both of Venice and Genua whosoeuer receiue a Spirituall diginity from the Pope or any Temporall one from any forreine or strange Prince is held suspected of his Loialty and suspended from the vndertaking of any office publike Concerning the obiections they answered that indeed it might come to passe that Henry the third out of his simplicity and the times iniquity might allow of Reginald Mohune thrust into an Earledome by the Pope when as his Father hauing beene excommunicated and threatned depriuation was compelled to acknowledge himself the tributary King of the Pope of Rome and yet it appeareth vpon Acts and Records of those times that Mohune was not accounted as Earle of Somerset Concerning Henry the eight they made answer that he therefore accounted Curson as one of his Lords that he might obscure that shadowy title of Lord of the Holy Empire but withall obseruing that hee allowed him no voyce in Parliament But as for the Scots that it was no wonder if they receiued and allowed of honour from the French when they shew themselues to bee vnder the tuition of the French Floure-de-luce by their Kings armes and the Floure-de-luce therein Many indeed esteemed an Earle of the sacred Empire of no better ranke then a publike Notary as they esteemed all the Counts and Viscounts of the Holy Palace at Lateran created by the Pope or the Kings Physitians Lawyers Grammarians or Rhetoricians who hauing professed 20. yeares boasted themselues with the title of Count Palatines but we know that the Count Palatine is an honoured title and hath Princely iurisdiction in it's owne courts in Fees and fading heredities THe Queenes censure was that as a woman should not follow any man but her husband so a Subiect should not receiue any thing but from his owne Prince I would not sheepe my should be branded with anothers marke neither would I haue them to
Indian Caracke comming with full saile which when by reason of shot out of a Hollander she perceiued her enemies were neere about her violently put on shore where hauing vnladen very rich Merchandise and taken fire instead thereof she burnt two dayes Thus enuious fortune in this voyage thwarted the English designes And although chances fall no where more then at Sea yet these errours in them seemed to be willingly committed and the frustrated enterprizes proceeded from the enuious emulation whereby one would striue to steale credit from the other On the ninth of October wherein the Sea was very full of daily tempests Essex hauing giuen notice commanded that they should waigh anchor and turne home all for England But within a day or two after there arose a great tempest out of the North which scattered all the ships vpon the Sea euen the Spanish Nauie with all her prouision against England that lay at Feroll but so that neither the English nor Spanish Nauie euer came in sight of one another Not one of the English Nauie perished in this tempest but many of the Spanish as they reâ—ort one of them tumbled and tossed from place to place by the tempest at last was driuen vpon Dartmouth the Souldiers and Marriners almost starued with hunger These informed vs that the Spaniard had 〈◊〉 to sâ—aze vpon some Port in Cornwall whose scituation might be fittest for receiuing aide from Spaine that thereby they thought to keepe the English from warre as also to hinder their voyages into the East Indies and Spaine it selfe But so did the diuine powers that decide such controuersies of warre part the fierce quarrels betweene both Naâ—ions that for this time both their expectations were very much frustrated At length towards the end of October came Essex home safe to England but his ships very weary and weather-beaten but with a spoile of sufficient value Then concerning this Voyage many men seuerally spent their opinions some out of loue to Essex some out of ill will to Rawleigh and the loue of the Queene whereof both of them were very well experienced by a strange effect encreased the ill will of the people towards the one which indeed a sinister opinion of his impiety much encreased and the loue of them towards the other by reason of his affablenesâ—e and the great conceipt of vertue and valour that was in him Certainly none could finde a want either of valour in danger or of wisedome in consultations in either of them but happy successes to either none could assure himselfe of since they depend vpon the prouidence of the Almighty But certainly the enmity betweene Rawleigh and Essex euery day grew vp higher whilest one cast the misfortunes of the voyage vpon the others negligence Besides Essex was much grieued to see Robert Cecill the last yeare that was made Secretary to the Queene for all his opposition against him now in his absence to be made Chancelloâ—r of the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 to whom hee alwayes opposed himselfe as emulous of his wisdome and too great a fauourite of Rawleigh But he was further grieued to heare Charles Howard Admirall made Earle of Nottingham with this Testimoniall in his letters of Honour THat he secured England from all danger of the Spanish inuasion hauing gotten a braâ—e victory in eighty eight That ioyntly with our deare kinsman Robert Earle of Essex he had valiantly and magnanimously by open violence taken the Island and City of Cadiz that was strongly fortified That he had wholly vanquished and ouerthrowne an entire Nauie of the King of Spaine that stood ready in the said Hauen to assault the Kingdome of England These things Essex who had challenged to himselfe all the glory thereof before now construed them as done in disgrace to him and great preiudice to his valour especially considering that the Admirall who being a Lord was behinde him in honour now by being made an Earle should haue the prerogatiue of superiority ouer him For it was established in the times of K. Henry the eight that the Lord High Chamberlaine of England High Constable the Marshall Admirall and Lord High Steward and Chamberlaine should haue preheminence about â—ll that were but of the same degree But yet the Queene which was alwaies a fauourer and an enlarger of the dignities and honours of Essex to qualifie his distast and so set him before â—im againe made him Earle Marshall of England an office which had â—aine a sleepe euer since the death of the Earle of Shrewesburie This yeare came Paulus Dzialinus Embassadour from Sigismond King of Poland a man of greater aâ—â—â—city then ordinarily the disposition of that Nation attaâ—nes vnto from whom when the Queen expected great acknowledgment of her Fauours and thanksgiuing for the peace wrought by her from Amurath Emperor of the Turks He after he had deliuered his Letters to the Queene sitting in her Chaire of state which the Nobles about her she began to reade them in a very vnseemly vnusuall manner in England descends to the lower part of the Priuy Chamber and there in a lowd tone began in a Latine Oration to complaine that the priuiledges Prutenick and of the Polonians were not onely much enfâ—inged but euen violated contrary to the Law of Nations in that their traffique with the Spaniard was made vnlawfull and prohibited by the Queene and that vnder colour of that that the Polonian goods were forfeited to the Queenes Exchequer Vrging that his Master could not beare with this without complaint in respect of the great damage which he hath sustained as also the affinity of him and the Spaniard and the House of Austria Wherefore that 〈◊〉 required of the Queene that these things that had been â—â—ken away should be restored againe and that he might hâ—â—â— free traffique with the Spaniard Which if she granted not that his Master would take some order to prouide for the safety of his Subjects and his owne estate and it may 〈◊〉 make those repent it that were the occasion of the first 〈◊〉 offered him The Queene somewhat amazed at the bold speech of 〈◊〉 Embassadour in a sober rebuking Rhetoricall answer â—â—ded him these words LOrd how was I deceiued I expected an Embassadour I found an Herold I neuer heard such an Oration all the daies of my life Neither can I sufficiently wonder at so great 〈◊〉 rashuesse If that your King euer willed you to these speechâ—s which I much doubt of I doe therefore thinâ— he did it because being a young man and not chosâ—â— according to the vsuall succession of bloud but by election he doth not vnderstand the affaires of Traffique or those businesses that haue been passed through by Vs and his Prâ—decessours For your part you seeme to Vs to be well read in many bookâ—â— but yet to be very shallow in Policy or matters belonging thereto For for asmuch as you haue so often vsed the Law of Nations in
against the League and also promised his Masters endeuours to reconcile the Queen and the King of Spaine The Queene hauing courteously entertained them promiâ—eth that the League should be renewed the goods if any were surprized should be restored and that no more should be surprized also that the Fishing should be lawfully vsed according to the ancient Leagues But concerning a peace with the Spaniard who had first brake it so treacherously and especially to get it by a third man that should seeme to procure such a commodity for her she thought it not to stand with her honour nor the weale of her Kingdome she for her owne part being sufficiently so enuironed by the loyalty and valour of her owne people that she feared not any man And last of all would she make a Peace or trust to it made since that he so maliciously at this very time did so molest his confederate the French King with a cruell warre For the Spaniard had now by this time vnder the conduct of Ferdinand Teglio a little Dwarfe but of great skill and valour taken Amiens the greatest and strongest City in Picardy by a warlike stratageme of ouer-turning a Cart in the Port or Gate and had now brought the French King to such distresse that hee was faine to intreat 4000. English to aide him from the Queene Which indeed she denied him not vpon this condition that he should giue them pay when as the Nauy sent out lately to the Islands and the Army in Ireland had much consumed her treasure The King solemnly protested that he was not able to pay and that he might obtaine them without pay certifies the Queene that a most commodious peace was offered him by the Popes Nuncio with an absolute restitution of all the places taken in France besides Calis and Ardes if so be he would seperate himselfe from the Queene and not haue League with her and that the French Nation beg'd for peace most earnestly The Queene made answere that she could not belieue that so great a Prince conioyned to her by necessity and much benefited by her especiall good will and but lately bound by an oath would admit of such faire deceitfull shewes to draw him from the League made betweene them and the oaths and protestations made by either parties onely because she could not in this so great necessity helpe him as otherwise she would And Anthony Mildmay the Leager there very earnestly and not without offence to the Kings eares expostulated with him these things a man truely of an open heart and a true Englishman who very often would accuse to their faces the French Counsellours of tergiuersation and too much inconstancy in their answers and lightnesse too as if they onely mocked England But shortly afterwards when some men shrewdly hallucinated that the purpose of the Spaniard bended onely and aimed at this marke that hauing broken the League betweene the French and the Queene and retaining Calis still in his possession he might the easier assault England from thence The Queene thought good to send him ouer aide and to pay the Souldiers her selfe if so be he would onely warre in Picardy or Britains to remoue the Spaniard farther if so be he would ioyne greater forces to them and allot the English a place of retyring For otherwise by reason of her motherly loue towards her Nation she would not send them to be butchered by the cruelty of the Spaniard onely for the pleasure or benefit of the French And besides she lent him great store of monies for the which and all his debts besides he pawned to her Calis if so be the Queene at her owne cost and charges within a set time recouered it and the better to recouer it he allotted the English Boloigne for a retyring place But whilest these things are in action the French reget Amiâ—ns from the Spaniard after a tedious and difficult siege For the which as in his Letters to the Queene dated in September appeares he was much beholding to Baskeruile that died at the siege and Arthâ—r Sauage two worthy Commanders and the valour of the English Nation But the happinesse of this was much bettered by the age and necessity of the Spaniard which creeping on him very fast excited him continually to a desire of peace For when experience had well informed him that his affaires consisted more in report then strength and that all his wealth was not able to represse the assaults of the English that the warre in the Low Countries was to be prosecuted and that the places which he had taken in France were also to be defended that he was now in a good old age and that his strength failed him that his Sonne was but of small age and lesse experience of affaires that the French were very famous for warlike exploits he thought it his best course by the meanes of the Bishop of Rome who should be as an arbitratour betweene them to treate with the French King about peace who indeed was as desirous as himselfe of it the Spaniard adiudging it better to conclude his troubles in a well-setled peace then to leaue them all hereditary to his Son whose yeres were too tender to goe through them with good successe And truely this peace was shortly made betweene them as we shall speake of in its proper place Assoone as the first suspition of this vnperfect peace came to the Queenes eares she imagining that it was only the better to molest England and entrap it strengthened her selfe before hand both with monies which she almost lacked and the good will and loue of her people which she much encreased For she called a Parliament at Westminster where she made many very good and gracious Lawes acceptable to the people Vid. Act. The States presently after send ouer to congratulate the restauration of the true Religion and the happy administration of the Common-wealth to congratulate also the deliuery of the Realme from the hands of bloudy enemies the defence and protection whereby Ireland was secured the aide and assistance which she vouchsafed both the States and the French After this that the Queene might the better be ready furnished with store of money the Clergy voluntarily granted her three Subsidies and the Lay people entreated the Queene to take of them three whole and entire Subsidies six Fifteenes and Tenths Withall requesting that the necessity of these her occasions might not be patterne for future ages to measure their liberality by towards the Prince To this Parliament was Thomas De-la-ware his Father William being dead called who gaue vp his Petition to the Queene to intreat her to restore him again to the ancient place of the Lord De-la-ware The occasion was this That his Father William hauing an Vnckle of his whose inheritance and honour he gaped after prouided poison for him and thereupon by the authority of the Parliament in Edward the sixt his time he was depriued and shut out
indignation of a weake Prince That the heart of the Queene is hardened I know what I haue to doe as I am a Subiect and what as I am an Earle and Marshall of England I cannot liue like a seruant and a bond-slaue If I should confesse my selfe guilty I should both iniure truth and God the authour of truth I haue receiued a dart in my whole body It is absolutely a sinne to serue after the receipt of so great a disgrace Cannot Princes erre cannot they iniure their Subiects Is their earthly power infinite T is the foole in Solomon that being strucke laughes They that receiue benefit by the errors of Princes let them beare the iniuries of Princes Let them thinke the Queenes power infinite who beleeued that God is not omnipotent As for my part I being rent in peeces with iniuries haue long eâ—ough within my brest endured the bitternesse thereof But yet for all this a little while after being more submisse hee was pardoned and receiued into fauour by the Queene whose greatest anger at any offence could neuer be stretched to a iust hatred except onely of the offence Buâ— here his Friends and Fauourers greatly began to feare a râ—ine who haue obserued that Fortune very seldome in reconciled with one whom she hath cast out of her care and that Princes are a great deale seldomer especially to those whom they themselues haue beene thought to haue offended and iniured About this time died William Cecill Lord Burghley Treasurer of England who being sorely troubled with griefe of minde and the Gout too sent his Letters to the Queene earnestly beseeching her that he might lay aside the burthen of his Offices The Queene presently vpon it came and visited him and comforted him very much but within few daies after hauing liued long enough to Nature and famous enough to Glory but onely not long enough to his Country he so quietly gaue vp the ghost that his greatest enemy could confesse that he hated nothing more or enuied any thing like to such a death in so great honour seeing that ordinarily the ends and Catastrophes of the Administratours of such great affaires as he did are both sad and sometimes sodaine Certainly he was an excellent man whom besides his venerable countenance and comely visage nature made and learning perfected to a great fame of honesty grauity temperance industry and iustice Besides these he was a wondrous well-spoken man in his curious language which neither was any way affected but plaine and easie His wisedome was strengthened by long experience and seasoned with great moderation His faith and loyalty well approued and his religious piety aboue all most to be commended To speake all in a word the Queene was most happy in such a Counsellour and England will be beholding to his counsell for euer If at any time it shall concerne posterity to know his birth he was borne at Burne in Lincolne shire in 1521. His Father was Richard Cecill Master of the Wardrope to Henry the eight his Mother Iane the Heire to the Family of Ekinton and the Walcots He when he was a young man was student in St. Iohns College at Cambridge where at the age of twenty yeares he tooke to wife Marie the Sister of Iohn Cheeke a very learned man who within one or two yeares after died Afterwards hauing beene a Student at Law in Graies Inne at London hee married Mildred a good Graecian and Latinist the Daughter of Anthony Coke Informer to Edward the sixth Hauing got into the house of the Duke of Somerset Protector of the Realme he was vnder him made Master of Requests being the first in England as I haue heard of himselfe that euer vsed that Title Afterwards he became Secretary to Edward the sixt and by him knighted He found some fauour with Queene Mary but greater with Cardinall Poole Tunstall and William Petra for his wisedome the resson of his fauour with Mary was in that although he with the rest subscribed hee most opposed that counterfeited pretence to Edwards kingdome whereby both Mary and Elizabeth were excluded from any right thereto But yet afterwards being a very religious Protestant although hee serued the times a little when he perceiued that his religion lay as a blocke in his way to all promotion he betooke himselfe to the seruice of Elizabeth she vsed his paines much in her affaires whatsoeuer Afterwards she made him one of her Priuy Councell and in the third yeare of her Raiâ—ne after the death of Sir Thomas Parry made him Master of the Wards which Office he so well performed prouidently to the good of the Orphans moderately to his owne good and liberally to the good of his Friends Kindred and followers without any iniuries that the Queene admiring his discretion committed the gouernment of all vnto him in a manner But as his power and fauour with the Queene encreased with him so did hatred and enuy in many of the Nobility against him but yet so that as he was wont to say he ouer came it with patience more then frowardnesse Afterwards the Queene hauing well approued his wisdome and loialty this thirteen yeares bestowed on him the title of Lord Burghley and Lord high Treasurer of England In which Office alwaies hating those base trickes of heaping money together as hee encreased the publike good so also his own priuate estate by his paines and parsimonie He was very vnwilling to haue any thing spent vnlesse for the honour of the Queene the defence of the Kingdome or the aide of our Neighbours He narrowly looked into although not with the eies of security yet of equity the affaires of the Custome-house and the Tole takers that belong thereto He would professe that hee neuer liked that the Exchequer should like the Spleene encrease continually and the rest of the members wither and fade away and truely hee strongly endeuoured that the Prince might not grow rich by the peoples misery of taxation but that both the one and the other might want nothing Hee would often say that nothing was profitable to the Prince that was not honourable for her also to doe and hereupon he would not suffer the Reuenews of her Lands to be encreased or the old Tenants remoued or Farmers put out As for his priuate estate he so well managed it that neither he euer went to Law with any man or any man with him Of his former wife Mary Cheeke begot hee Thomas now Earle of Exeter very fruitfull in his issue Of his second wife Mildred Coke he begat Robert Earle of Salisbury his successour in the greatest Offices of the Kingdome with the like happinesse besides two Daughters that died before himself Anne Countesse of Oxford who had three Daughters Elizabeth married to William Earle of Darby Bridget married to the Lord Norris and Susan to the Earle of Mountgomery and Elizabeth the wife of William Wentworth that died without issue The Ouerseers
whither or no the Queene were ready to goe to Supper or whether any of the Priuy Councell were there There being taken and then examined the next day being condemned by Crosses witnesse and his owne confession he was hanged at Tyburne and there indeed he confessed that he had beene a very wicked lewd fellow but in this cause very innocent protesting that he neuer thought any thing in his life against the Queene This execution indeed might another time haue beene longer deliberated on but in these times necessity required such wholesome seuerity And well was it to shew how they would punish treason though perchance they hanged no traitor And now presently after all their assemblies and consultations at Drewry house were reuealed by one of the conspiratours enticed it is likely with hope of his life but who it was certainly I cannot tell And this when the rest being examined perceiued to be found out thinking also that all was knowne and counting it a foolish secrecy to conceale that which was already knowne hoping for no benefit of concealing reuealed all Hereupon Essex and Southampton who thought that all was safe enough were arraigned the 19. of February at Westminster before the Lord Buckhurst Treasurer of England Lord Steward for that day Their Peeres were the Earles of Oxford Nottingham Shrewsbury Darby Worcester Cumberland Sussex Hertford and Lincolne Viscount Howard of Bindon the Lords Hunsdon De-la-ware Morley Cobham Stafford Grey Lumley Windsor Rich Darcie of Chech Chandoys Sir Iohn of Bletnesh Burghley Compton and Howard of Walden which was then Constable of the Tower of London Besides Popham Lord chiefe Iustice of England Periam Lord chiefe Baron of the Exchequer Gawdy Feâ—ner Wamsâ—ey Clarke and Kingsmill These all being called by name Essex demanded if it were not lawfull for him as it is for a priuate man in the like case to take exception against any of them But the Iudges made answere that the credit and truth of the Peeres of the Kingdome of England is such that in any Law-case or iudiciall causes they can neither be put to their oath nor yet excepted against Then are they ioyntly demanded wherefore they intended to dispossesse the Queene of her Throne and take away her life from her which they intended in their resolutions of assaulting the Court of breaking into an open rebellion and of imprisoning the Priuy Councellours of stirring the Londoners to a rebellion and of setting vpon her Maiesties trusty Subiects in the City and by defending their houses against the Queenes forces They being demanded whither or no they were guilty of these crimes denied and submitted themselues to God and their Peeres Eluerton at large vnfolds the matter shewing that it is to be reckoned as treason euen to thinke any thing against the Maieste of a Prince Then he compares Essex with Catiline by reason that he heaped together in his rebellion men of alâ— sorts Atheists Papists and the wickedest that were Then he casts in his teeth the liberality and goodnesse of the Queene towards him that had bestowed vpon him an vndeseruing young man such vntimely honours accusing him for abusing them by hunting after popularity and the loue of Souldiers in an vnsatiable ambition of glory which neuer stinted but still like the Crocodile growes as long as it liues Then he shewes that he much wonders that the Earles would pleade not guilty when all the world could giue euidence of their offences Sir Edward Coke Solliciter shewes them out of Fitzherbert an English Authour among the Lawyers that the very inward thought of any villany against the Prince was indeed treason although not to be iudged so till it brake out into Word or Act. Then he shews that they intend the destruction of the Prince who run into rebellion who draw together an armed Band who being commanded to dismisse them refuse or who thinke of bringing the City the Tower or the Court or the Prince vnder their owne power Then hee runnes thorow all the graces and fauours of the Queene bestowed vpon him That she had made him Master of the Horse and warlike Engines That she had chosen him into her Priuy Councell That she had made him Earle Marshall of England and Lord Deputy of Ireland and that in a small time she had most munificently giuen him thirty thousand pounds of English money Then hee reckons vp the imprisonment of the Priuy Councellours the threatnings against them the feares they were put in and then he obiects his acquaintance to him with Danuers Dauis and Blunt all addicted to Popery Then shewed he how that they chose rather to goe into the City then come to Court because the glorious light of Maiesty glittering in the Queene would haue so blinded the eies of their treachery and treason that they would neuer haue dared to haue come neere Then he commends their confessions which came out voluntary and not being wracked out and also for the coherence of one with another and hauing wouen into his discourse an historicall Narration of all the matter about surprizing the Queene and calling a Parliament hee concluded his speech with this bitter Epiphonema THat it were to be wished that this Robert should be the last of this name Earle of Essex who affected to be Robert the first of that name King of England The Earle cheerefull in voyce and countenance answered to this that indeed it was the propriety of Lawyers to speake well and be good Orators who doe thinke it a great glory in accumulated speeches to aggrauate the offence of people in a manner innocent But for his Peeres he intreated them to consider of his case not according to the vehemency of his words but the truth of the thing protesting that for his owne part he was most sincere in his Religion and that he knew no otherwise by Dauis for he went daily to Church Concerning the threatnings to the Priuy Councellours he answered that he heard not any by reason of the tumultuous concourse and noise of the people that hee vsed them there as his best and chiefest friends but that he was compelled there to keepe them in custody by reason of the people and that he was necessarily droue thereunto in his owne defence after that once he had heard not by coniecturall thoughts but by sure reason of faithfull messingers that he was ready to be set vpon sodainly by his enemies And concerning the Queene hee said that he then did and still doth keepe his loyalty to so well-deseruing a Prince and that he nothing intended else then to prostrate himselfe at the Queenes feet and to lay open the dangers he was in and the danger that hangs ouer all the Kingdome Popham Lord chiefe Iustice of England being asked vpon his oath declared how vnworthily and ill they had bin vsed at his hands The Earle made answer that he intended no harme to those Honourable persons but respected them with great honour
of warre They I say tooke it very heinously as if the King suspected their loyalty and hereupon being also mooued with other suggestions thinking themselues to haue deserued better they began for to conspire to 〈◊〉 their Offices hereditary to them and their heires and wheâ— they could wring out that which they would they became â—iercer then the very enemies Of this number were they whom the King in his Letterâ—â—o the Queene was not ashamed 〈◊〉 defame very sharpely not onely as vngratefull but of a faint courage not hauing euer ouercome the enemy by any warlike valour but reconciled them rather by pay and promises But the Queene being very desirous of the safety of the King pittying the often and neadlesse reuolts of the French neuer gaue ouer celebrating him as the only preseruer of the fading French Monarchy These things I haue weaued into my discourse that posterity may hereafter iudge of the wisedome of the Queene in councelling the King and of her constant good will to her ancient friend and Professour of the same Religion Also at this time the Queene succoured Geneua the Seminary of the Reformed Religion which was now assaulted by trickes and open Armes by the Duke of Sauoy and great store of money was gathered to that intent throughout all England which was liberally bestowed both by the Clergy and Commonalty of the Land This yeare in February Alexander Nowell Doctor of Diuinity and Deane of Pauls surrendred his soule to God In the dayes of Queene Mary hee was banished into Germany for the truth of the Gospell which afterwards both in his laborious Sermons and his learned workes he strongly did maintaine He bestowed vpon Brasen-nose College in Oxford where he was brought vp 200. pounds yearely to maintaine therein 13. Fellowships seconding this his godly example with a religious life and conuersation 〈◊〉 Ouerall succeeded him professour of Diuinity in Cambridge a generall learned Scholler preferred to this Deanery by the commendations to the Queene of Sir Fulke Gâ—euill his Patron And now Ireland recalls me to an account of what hath passed there this yeare For after that the Spaniards were driuen out of Ireland Tir-Oen in a fearefull affright retires himselfe as fast as he could into his lurking holes in Vlster nimbly posting through the Desarts belonging thereunto but he lost many of his company whom the Riuers encreased with the Winters raine swallowed vp And yet for all that could he not rest in quiet without great care but worthily oppressed with the iniquiâ—y of his conscience hee distrusted euery man insomuch that he still changed holes and sought for new The Deputy to refresh his Army that was wearied hauing setlâ—d his affaires in Munster returned to Dublin and after the hard time of the yeare was past ouer he returned backe againe by small iourneyes with a puissant Army vnto Vlster with intent as before he had resolued to girâ— the Rebels in their Forts by placing Garrisons about them He bringeth ouer his Army at Blackewater ouer the Floats and at the first the Foord being vnknowne hauing found an old Fortresse a little below there he erects a Bulwarke which according to his owne Christian name hee called Charlemont Hereupon Tir-Oen being â—orely affrighted fired his owne house at Dunganon and lest it should be ransacked he burnt it The Deputy still marcheth forwards and assoon as Sir Henry Docwray with his Forces had come from Logh Foâ—l he distributed Souldiers into all quarters who burnt vp the Corne set fire on the Houses and Villages driuing home preyes daily Presently after the Forts in Logh-Carew Logh-Reah and Moherlecow where S. Iohn Barclay was shot through with a Bullet were yeelded vp to the Deputy who placed a Fort at Logh-Eaugh or Logh Sidney which after his name of Honour he called Montioy-Fort making Sir Arthur Chichester a man worthy to succeed him in his Office Gouernour thereof He sends backe Sir Henry Docwray to Diry who receiueth to mercy O-Chanan after great part of his Dominions had fell to the Queene onely vpon condition that by her Letters Patents he might quietly possesse the rest After that at the Deputies command he ouer-runs Omie with a miserable slaughter he driues away the Cattle of Cormac-Baron although with some danger And after that being sent for by the Deputy and Agar Castle being taken he sends him and Sir Henry Folliot home First making Folliot of authority vnder him and shortly after beyond all expectation making him absolute President of Ballashanon to the wonder of the English that he should be preferred before Docwray who by his great paines and industry had recouered Ballashanon And at the same time to the much admiration of the Irish receiues into protection Rodoricke O-dâ—â—ell a most famous Rebell as yet neglecting Oâ— Neale Garâ—e a faithfull friend to the English Insomuch as that O-Neale tooke it so heinously that he assumed to himselfe the title of O-donell and exercised tyranny ouer the people compelling them to sweare fealty to him and not to the Queene Now towards the end of the yeare Sir Arthur Chichester and Docwray determined to set vpon Tir-Oen on this side and on that side in the Vallies where he lay lurking But all their on-sets were so frustrated with the boggish grounds with the vncertainty of the weather and the perfidiousnesse of the spies that they were faine to giue ouer their enterprise But in a word the Garrisons disposed so by the Deputy on euery side with great Military skill and greater courage so vexed the Rebels with often onsets and crosse expeditions on this side and that side that at last seeing themselues begirt and all things harder and harder euery day and that now they must lurke like wilde Beasts in the Desarts many of them changed their loyalty to Tir-Oen with their fortune and secretly submitted themselues to the Deputy muttering speeches that Tir-Oen had exposed the whole Nation to ruine onely vpon his priuate hatred and that all this warre was onelâ— necessary for him alone but hurâ—full and lamentable to all the rest And truely the Deputy somewhat respected these yeelders more then was looked for neglecting those against his owne promise that had faithfully stucke to the Queene but it is likely he fauoured them so out of his Iudgement rather then affection knowing that it was better for the Kingdome being so wounded to be at rest then to haue those wounds greene againe with a seuere cure This yeelding daily encreased so much that Tir-Oen easily perceiued that by reason of his ill successes the loyalty and force of his Army much diminished wherefore being weary of his miseries he now resolued to preuent more vpon hope of life which euen will discourage the valiantest mindes that are Wherefore he sent most humble Letters both to the Queene and the Deputy both with teares and prayers crauing pardon for his offence bearing so great signes of sorrow before him
but was intercepted before euer it came to his hands The forme was thus ANTONIVS PEREZIVS MYLORDO ESSEXIO EX literis amicorum intellexi tuum ex Hiberniâ adventum Nondùm voco illum Reditum donec per te omnino pacato regno deaito tuae Reginae in gratiam ejus Majestatis restitutis omnibus gloriosus iterum redeas Interea congratulor Reginae tuae vestrae Angliae mihi tuo postremò Tibi qui omnia illa tibi anteponis semper no vite arripio calamum quod Regnum infirmum ferè desperatum tibi commissum eò perduxeris Non tu Comici sequutus es confilium qui omnia prius experiri quam armis sapientem decere consulebat Quod ego non supremis Ducibus sed supremis Principibus consuli intelligo Nam Imperatores praefectósque excercituum arma potentiam sui Principis virtutémque propriam prius experiri quaÌ„ Collocutiones audire decet Glóriosae enim illis deditiones quae ab Armis proveniunt Vnde ex consuetudine Lacaedemoniorum Gallum gallinaceum Bovem Gallos Boves dicerem potius cum plures pluribus suis actionibus debeantur Iovi immolari oporteret quandóque arma tuae Reginae fortitudinem brachij tui expertus priùs tuâ prudentiâ istius tuae personae ubicúnque jam per sonantis anthoritate industriâ negotium posteà perfeceris ad deditionem rebelles deduxeris Lege Plutarchum in Marcello ibi quid tibi velim quid tibi deberi intelligam videbis O invidia virtutis aemula Principum pernicies Regnorum exitium quâ erumpes modò Cede cede saltem prae Timore quis non sibi cavit pro Honore quis hanc humanae vitae animam sprevit pro Communi Bono quis salutem suorum membrorum non desider at Novi te novi tuam naturam novi quoties te metus repressit novi quoties idem te praecipitaverit Cave ne judiceris tuo Conservatori in majorem ejus gloriam etiam tibi odioso ingrata tuo supremo Principi Infida in graviorem ejus contra te indignationem tuo Regno inimica in ultimam in te vindictam Quo in statu sint meaeres in Hispaniâ vel potiùs quo in cursu quo potiùs in motu lento ex literis ad amicos meos intelliges quem verò ad exitum tendere videantur judicet alter si inveniri potest exitus in tali Labyrintho Vale cave à Labyrinthis Nihil aliud Labyrinthi nobis significant nisi Aulas Favores Principum Id nos docere voluerunt Majores Nostri Eâ de causâ credas referri quatuor fuisse Labyrinthos in quatuor mundi partibus ut ad omnes orbis partes notitia Admonitio perveniret quà m timendi essent atque noscent omnes tot ambagibus tot foveis tot praecipitijs undequaque esse plenos ut qui eò semel intrasset de exitu dubitaret qui semel inde evasisset timeret iterum eodem reverti Pag. 112. Lin. 29. Knights of St. Michael This Order of S. Michael was first instituted by Lewis the eleuenth of France in the yeare of Grace 1469. and was then named The order of my Lord S. Michael To euery Knight of this Order the King giueth a Coller of Gold made of Scallops enterlaced one within another and doubly banded fastened on small chaines or mailes of gold At the middest of the same Coller vpon a Rocke must be an Image of my Lord S. Michael which must hang down vpon the breast of him that weares it which they are bound to weare daily and openly about their necke on paine of causing a Masse to be said and to giue for Gods sake the summe of seauen Sols and six Deniers Tournois if they be delinquent If any man be desirous to see the forme of the Kings Letters Patents whereby this Order was instituted they shall finde it thus LEwis by the grace of God King of France To all present and to come greeting We make knowne that for the most perfect and sincere loue which we beare to the Noble Order and estate of Knighthood whereof in most ardent affection we desire the honour and increase that according to our hearty wish the holy Catholike Faith the blessed condition of our Holy Mother the Church and posterity of the Common-weale might be kept and maintained as they ought to be Wee to the glory of God our almighty Creatour and reuerence due to the Glorious Virgin Mary as also in the honour and reuerence of Saint Michael the prime and chiefe Knight who in Gods quarrell fought against the ancient enemy of mankinde and made him fall from Heauen who hath likewise alwaies kept his place preserued and defended his Oratory named the Mount S. Michael without suffering it at any time to be taken subdued or brought into the hands of this kingdomes ancient enimies and to the end that all good high and noble courages should be incited and moued the more to vertuous Actions Constitute and Ordaine and by these Presents doe constitute and ordaine an Order of Brotherhoode or louing Company of certaine number of Knights which we will shall be named The Order of my Lord Saint Michael the Archangell in and vnder the Forme Conditions Statutes Orders and Articles as hereafter are set downe c. The chiefest reason that can be found of the Institution of this Order to the honour of S. Michael was certainly the ancient opinion that the French haue who belieue that S. Michael is the Tutelary Angell and Guardian of all France Wherfore hee is called by them Princeps imperij Francorum which name he receiued euer since he appeared to Aubert Bishop of Auranches commanding him to build a Church vpon a Rocke in his Diocesse called the Tombe or Tombe-Helene Besides they celebrate two great deliuerances which they attribute to Saint Michael namely when the English besieged Orleans in the yeare of Grace 1428. where the Archangell S. Michael they say visibly appeared vpon the Bridge of the City and fought against the English and ouerthrew them And secondly when Henry the Great reduced to obedience the City of Paris where there was 〈◊〉 neere vnto his Maiesty Saint Michael the Archâ—ngell in the shape of a young childe about six or seuen yeares olde cloathed all in white who all the time the King rendred thankes to God vpon his knees for this happy reduction stood close by his right side and when he had done immediatly vanished But concerning this order it is to be obserued that before any Knight elected come to the Soueraigne of that Order he must deliuer these or the like speeches vnto him at his presentation SIR or if he be of the bloud My most gratious Lord I haue obserued by these Letters that of royall Grace in you and Loue in the most honour able Brethren and Companions of the worthy and noble Order of S. Michael I haue beene and am elected into