and successful an enemy as followed them at the heels June 12 1648. they settled themselves a Garrison the Parliament Horse coming up and quartering within Canon shot of the Town Touching these proceedings I have further inlarged my self in the Life of Sir Charles Lucas But the greatest of all dangers which threatned the Parliament was from the North from the Kingdom of Scotland Duke Hamilton with an Army of five and twenty thousand entered England for the King with whom joyned Sir Marmaduke Langdale divers of the chief Ships of the Royal Fleet likewise much about the same time revolted from the Parliament and set their Vice-Admiral Rainsborow ashore affirming they were for the King and would serve Prince Charles sailing towards Holland where the Prince the was and with him his Brother the Duke of York who not long before fled privately out of London The Earl of Holland also with they young Duke of Buckingham having five hundred Horse appeared in Arms for the King by Kingston so that all things considered we may conclude that the Kings party since the beginning of the Wars was not in a likelier condition at least more formidible then at this present but God had otherwise decreed and all these fair hopes in a few dayes vanished into nothing as the following ill successes will declare The Earl of Holland soon after his rising was put to flight by Sir Michael Levesey and others The Lord Francis Villers Brother to the Duke of Bucking ham was slain and Sir Kenelm Digby's eldest Son who as he was fighting with four at once was cowardly thrust through his Back Holland flying with the remainder of his Horse was within few dayes after at the Town of Saint Needs by Collonel Scroop whom the General Fairfax had sent from Colchester for that purpose altogether subdued Holland himself taken and by the Parliament committed prisoner to Warwick Castle Langhorn and Powel were totally routed between the two Towns of Fagans and Peterstone and having lost all their Army escaped by flight to Colonel Poyer into Pembroke Castle which after a strait Siege was surrendred to Cromwell the three Collonels rendring themselves Prisoners at mercy Poyer onely suffered death who in hopes of a Reprieve dissembled a reluctancy when he was ready to dye Cromwel from thence marched against the Scots who were now come as far as Preston in Lancashire and with the addition of Lamberts strength gave Battel to Hamilton pursuing them as far as Warington about twenty miles and killing many in the Chase took Lieutenant General Bailey Prisoner with a great part of the Scottish Army granting them onely quarter for their lives In this Battle were slain three thousand Scots and taken Prisoners about nine thousand Duke Hamilton himself within few dayes after having fled with a good party of Horse to Vttoxeter was there taken prisoner by the Lord Gray and Collonel Wait. With Hamilton were taken about three thousand Horse Langdale also not long after was taken prisoner in a little Village by Widmerpole a Parliament Captain this was the success of Hamiltons invading England The Trophies of this Victory were placed in Westminster Hall Soon after was the strong Town of Colchester surrendred to General Fairfax which for three moneths together with much Resolution and Gallantry was defended by Sir Charles Lucas Norwich Capel c. until all hopes they had of relief were utterly blasted and all their provisions quite spent not so much as a Dog or a Cat left them to satisfie the necessity of Nature Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisel were shot to death the same day the Town was surrendred the Earl of Norwich Lord Capel and Master Hasting Brother to the Earl of Huntington were sent Prisoners to London The Lord Capel some few weeks after together with Duke Hamilton and the Earl of Holland were all three beheaded The Parliament during these Broils to give some seeming satisfaction to the Kingdom annulled their former votes of making no further addresses to the King and restored again to their seats eleven of their Members who had formerly been impeached by the Army a Treaty was voted to be with the King in the Isle of Wight the Earl of Middlesex with two of the House of Commons were sent to the King who made answer that he was very ready to treat of peace and named Newport in that Island to be the place Five of the House of Peers and ten of the House of Commons were appointed Commissioners and the Treaty went on with a great deal of seeming satisfaction on both sides But whiles they were intent upon the business a Petition was exhibited to the Parliament wherein they desired that the King might be tried by the Laws and brought to justice and all further Treaties with him to be laid aside which when the Parliament denied the Army not being satisfied they march some of them towards Newport others to the King who was now a Prisoner as large In the mean time the General sends his Letters to Collonel Hammond to render up his Command to Collonel Ewers who is to take the charge of the King but the Parliament vote him hereupon to stay there of which the General having notice 27. November The Army fast and pray and receive according to the still continued fashion Petitions from several Counties in order to what they intend to resolve and therefore Hammond submits and delivers up the King to Ewers and comes towards the Army The Parliament are angry and vote a Letter to the General that his orders and instructions for securing of the Kings person are contrary to their resolutions and instructions to Collonel Hammond and that it is the pleasure of the House that his Excellency recal his orders and that Colonel Hammond be free to take his charge to the Isle of Wight the Treaty being ended but instead of obedience hereto he salutes them with a sharp Letter for money to pay Arrears for the Army hereupon the Army marches to London and the King had his removes by Ewers till he came to the Block After that the House had past their Vote for no address to the King he being in a sad condition by his stricter condition in Hurst Castle hearing of these Votes prepares his soliloquies for his assured comfort in death as we finde his meditations in those golden Leaves of his Book As I have leasure sayes he so I have cause more then enough to meditate on and prepare for my death for I know that there are but a few steps betwixt the Prisons and the Graves of Princes Now the Ax was laid to the root of the Tree the House of Commons vote that by the Fundamental Laws of the Realm it is Treason for the time to come to Levy War against the Parliament and Kingdom the Ordinance for the Kings Trial was refused by the Lords January 2. After this a Proclamation was from the House of Commons for any one to accuse the King the Ordinance of
be taken pro Confesso and the Court ot proceed to Justice The President repeats in brief the passages of the last day and commands the King to answer to the Articles of the Charge unless he had rather hear the Capital Sentence against him The king persists to interrogate concerning the Cause and sayes That he less regards his life then his Honour his Conscience the Laws the Liberties of the people all which that they should not perish together there were weighty reasons why he should not prosecute his defence before the Judges and acknowledge a new form of Judicature for what power had ever Judges to erect a Judicature against the King or by what Law was it granted sure not by Gods Law which on the contrary commands obedience to Princes nor by Mans Laws the Laws of our Land sith the Laws of England enjoyn all Accusations to be read in the Kings Name nor do they indulge any power of judging the most abject Subject to the Lower or Commons House neither lastly their Power flow from any Authority which might be pretended extraordinary delegated from the people seeing ye have not askt so much as every tenth man in this matter The President interrupting his Speech rebukes the Kings and bids him be mindeful of his doom affirming once more that the Court was abundantly satisfied of their Authority nor was the Court to hear any reasons that should detract from their power But what sayes the King or where in all the world is that Court in which no place is left for reason Yes answered the President you shall finde Sir that this very Court is such a one But the King presses that they would at least permit him to exhibit his reasons in writing which if they could satisfactorily answer he would yield himself to their Jurisdiction Here the President not content to deny grew into anger demanding the Prisoner to be taken away The King replied no more to these things then Remember sayes he this is your King from whom you turn away your ear in vain certainly will my Subjects expect Justice from you who stop your ears to your King who is ready to plead his Cause The Saturday after the 27. of January before they assembled sixty eight of the Tryers answered to their names The President in a Scarlet Robe and as the King Came the Souldiers cryed out for Execution of Justice The King speaks first and desires to be heard a word or two but short and yet wherein he hopes not to give just occasion wherein to be interrupted and goes on A sudden Judgement sayes the King is not so soon recall'd But he is sharply reproved of contumacy The President profusely praises the patience of the Court and commands him now at length to submit otherwise he shall hear the sentence of of death resolved upon by the Court against him The King still refuses to plead his Cause before them but that he had some things conducible to the good of his people and the peace of the Kingdom which he desires liberty to deliver before the Members of both Houses But the President would not vouchsafe him so much as this favour least it should tend he said to the delay and retardation of Justice To which the King replies It were better to sustain a little delay of a day or two then to precipitate a Sentence which will bring perpetual Tragedies upon the Kingdom and miseries to Children unborn If sayes he I sought occasion of delay I would have made a more elabourate contestation of the Cause which might have served to protract the time and evade at least the while a most ugly sentence but I will shew my self a defender of the Laws and of the Right of my Country as to chuse rather to dye for them the Martyr of my People then by prostituting of them to an arbitrary power go about to acquire any manner of liberty for my self but I therefore request this short liberty of speaking before a cruel Sentence be given for that I well know 't is harder to be recall'd then prevented and therefore I desire that I may withdraw and you consider They all withdraw the King into Cottons House and the Tryers into the Court of Wards and in half an hour return The President as he had begun so he proceeds into a premeditated Speech to hasten Sentence which the King offers reason to forbear whilest he might be heard before his Parliament and this he requires as they will answer it at the dreadful day of Judgement and to consider it once again But not prevailing the President goes on wherein he aggravates the Contumacy of the King and the hatefulness of the cimes he asserts Parliamentary Authority producing Examples both Domestick and Forreign c. his Treasons he stiles a breach of Trust to the Kingdom as his Superiour and is therefore called to an account minimus majorum in Judicium vocat his murthers are many all those that have been committed in all the War betwixt him and his people are laid to his charge all the innocent blood which cannot be cleansed but by the blood of him that shed the blood So then for Tyranny Treason Murther and many other crimes he wishes the King to have God before his eyes and that the Court calls God to witness that mearly their Conscience of Duty brings them to that place of this employment and calls for Gods assistance in his Execution The King offered to speak to these great Imputations in the Charge but he was told that his time was past the Sentence was coming on which the President commanded to be read under this form Whereas the Commons of England have appointed them an High Court of Justice for the Trial of Charles Stuart King of England before whom he hath been three times convented and at the first time a Charge of High Treason and other Crimes and Misdemeanours were read in the behalf of the Kingdom of England c. To which Charge he the said Charles Stuart was required to give his answer and so exprest several passages at his Tryal in refusing to answer for all which Treasons and Crimes the Court doth adjudge that the said Charles Stuart as a Tyrant Traytor Murtherer and Publique Enemy shall be put to death by the severing his Head from his Body This Sentence sayes the President now read and publisht is the Act Sentence Judgement and Resolution of the whole Court to which the Members of the Court stood up and assented to what he said by holding up their hands The King offered to speak but he was instantly commanded to be taken away and the Court brake up After the Sentence the King was hurried away mockt and reviled by the Souldiers they puft their Tobacco in his face no smell being more offensive to his father and him such as saluted him they bastinadoed one that did but sigh God have mercy they cane'd they intrude almost into his Closet hardly permitting him
Brother Earl of Longuevile Charles Earl of Vendosme the Earls of Tankervile Salbruch Nassaw Dampmarlin La Roch with many other Lords besides two thousand Knights and Gentlemen nor did the slain come far short of the prisoners the Chiefest whereof were Peter of Burbon Duke of Athens high Constable of France John Clermont Marshall George of Charney Lord great Chamberlain the Bishop of Chalons the Lords of Landas Pons and Chambly with others to the number of 1700. Knights and Gentlemen The Prince having commended his Souldiers needed not at that time reward them giving them the rich plunder of the Field which did sufficiently recompence them for their victory This indeed whetteth a Souldiers valour when desert is recompensed with reward The English whose valour was most conspicious were the Earls of Warwick Suffolk Salisbury Oxford and Stafford the Lords Cobham Spenser Berkley Basset and Audley which last named Lord for his valour was rewarded by the Prince with the gift of five hundred marks Fee simple in England which he presently gave to four of his Esquires whereupon the Prince demanding whether he accepted not his gift he answered that these men had deserved the same as well as himself and had more need of it with which reply the Prince was so well pleased that he gave him five hundred marks more in the same kinde an example worthy of immortal memory where desert in the Subject and reward in the Prince strive which should be greatest Nor did the Prince use less humanity towards his prisoners whom he entertained in most honourable manner so that King Johns Captivity was onely restraint of his liberty being attended on like a King in the hands of his enemy for noble spirits scorn to insult over misery 't is Plebean rage that is merciless Having refreshed his Army he marcheth with his prisoners to Burdeaux where he tarried a while longer to rest his Souldiers from thence he sets sail for England ariving at Plymouth King Edward as soon as he had knowledge of the Victory caused a general Thanksgiving all over England eight dayes together giving God the thanks and glory knowing him the Author and his Son but the instrument of this unparallel'd victory By reason of these his wonderful Atchievements his name grew famous all the Christian world over to whom for succour comes Peter King of Castile driven out of his kingdom by the French with the assistance of the King of Arragon and his Bastard Brother Henry placed in his room Prince Edward considering what a dangerous president this might be against all lawful Kings that any one should be thus dis-throned having obtained leave of his Father resolveth to aid him and taking along with him an Army of thirty thousand men makes his way through the streights of Rouncevallux in Navarr accompanied with the Kings of Castile and Majorca John Duke of Lancaster his Brother with many other Knights and Gentlemen On the other side King Henry for defence of his Diadem had assembled an Army of an hundred thousand consisting of French under Glequin their famous Captain as also of Castilians both Christians and Saracens On the borders of Castile at a place called Nazers it came to a Battel where the Prince obtained a glorious Victory slew many thousands of his enemies and took above two thousand prisoners nor left he off here but proceeded so far untill he had set him in Burgus upon his Throne again The greater the benefit is of him that receives it the more monstruous is his ingratitude that doth not acknowledge it this ungrateful King notwithstanding the benefits he had received of the Prince dismissed his without money to pay his Army which constrained him in his return to Burdeaux to coin his Plate but that not supplying his present necessities he layes upon his Dominions in Gascoigne a new taxation which was the cause of a most dangerous revolt But this was not all the mischief that he accrewed by this journey for the Prince brought back with him such an indisposition of body that he was never throughly well after Some report him to have been poysoned by King Peter and probable enough he might be guilty of such wickedness whose whole course of life was so full of vice Duke John of Lancester was not freed from the suspition of hastening his death though the heat of the Countrey and the unfitness of the Season might be the principal cause How ever it was certain it is he survived not long after dying at Canterbury upon Trinity Sunday Anno 1376. aged about six and forty years a Prince excelling all the princes which went before him and surpassing in Martial deeds all the Heroes that have lived after him His body was buried at Christ-Church in Canterbury where his monument standeth leaving behinde him onely one Son who was afterwards King of England by the name of Richard the Second unless we should reckon his natural issue Sir John Sounder and Sir Roger Clarendon Knights which latter is thought to be Ancestour to the house of the Smiths in Essex The Life of Sir JOHN HAWKWOOD AMongst those many Worthies which this Martial age produced that valiant Knight Sir John Hawkwood deserveth remembrance who though of low birth by his Martial prowess purchased his own renown over the Christian world He was born at Sible Heningham in the County of Essex and was in his youth bound apprentice at London with a Taylor from whence he was prest in the musters for service of King Edward the Third and sent into France as a common Souldier where contrary to the Proverb which saith Taylors are no men he behaved himself so valiantly that he was made a Captain over a Company of Foot Souldiers and not long after upon some further good service by him performed advanced unto the order of Knighthood but a peace being concluded between the French and English and his estate not able to maintain his Title he was loath to return home again to follow his old occupation it being something preposterous from a Knight to turn Taylor again wherefore he joyned himself with the Companies called the Late-comers who being about five or six thousand made great spoil upon the East parts of France passing through Champain Burgondy and Damphin even to the very Gates of Avignion in Province From thence he departed into Lumbardy having the leading of that part of the Companies which was called the White Band with whom he served valiantly in the Wars of John Marquess of Montferrat but Lionel Duke of Clarence Son to Edward the Third King of England coming over into Italy to marry with the Lady Violanta Daughter of Galeacio Duke of Millain he forsook that service and attended the Duke to the marriage To omit their sumptuous entertainment which by Paulus Jovius upon the life of Galeacio is written at large Barnaby the Brother of Galeacio having at that time great Wars with the State of Mantua obtained of the Duke of Clarence that Sir John Hawkwood
Gold and upon the Cushion which lay thereon was placed an Imperial Crown set with precious stones The Body of the Effigies lay upon a Bed of State covered with a large Pall of black Velvet under which there was spread a fine Holland Sheet upon six stools of tissued Cloth of Gold on the sides of the Bed of State was placed a rich suit of Compleat Armour and at the feet thereof stood his Crest The Bed of State whereupon the Effigies did thus lye was ascended unto by two steps covered with the aforesaid Pall of Velvet at each corner whereof there was placed an upright Pillar covered with Velvet upon the tops whereof were the four Supporters of the Imperial Arms bearing Banners or Streamers crowned The Pillars were adorned with Trophies of Military Honour carved and gilt the Pedestels of the Pillars had Shields and Crowns gilt which compleated the whole work Within the Rails and Ballasters which compassed the whole work and were covered with Velvet stood eight great silver Candlesticks or Standerts almost five foot high with Virgin-wax Tapers of a yard long next unto the Candlesticks there were set upright in Sockets the four great Standards of his Arms the Guydons great Banners and Banrolls of War being all of Taffety very richly gilt and painted The Cloth of State which covered the Bed and the Effigies had a Majestick Scutcheon and the whole Room adorned with Taffety Scutcheons several of his servants attending bare-headed to set out the Ceremony with the greater lustre After this to shew there is no intermission of this vanity his Effigies was several dayes shown in another Room standing upon an ascent under a rich Cloath of State vested in Royal Robes having a Scepter in one hand and a Globe in the other a Crown on his head his Armour lying by him at a distance and the Banners Banrolls and Standards being placed round about him together with the other Ensigns of Honour the whole Room being adorned in a Majesticall manner and his servants standing by bare-headed as before November the 23. was the day appointed for the Solemnization of the Funerals multitudes were the Spectators which from all places came to behold it so much are we taken with Novelty that we think no cost too much for the beholding a two or three hours vanity The Effigies being a while placed in the middle of a Room was carried on the Hearse by ten Gentlemen into the Court-yard where a very rich Canopy of State was borne over it by six other Gentlemen till it was brought and placed in a Chariot at each end whereof was a seat wherein sat two of his late Highness Gentlemen of the Bed-Chamber the Pall which was made of Velvet and the White Linnen was very large extending on each side of the Carriage and was borne up by several persons of honour The Charriot wherein the Effigies was conveyed was covered with black Velvet adorned with Plumes and Scutcheons and was drawn by six Horses covered with black Velvet and each of them adorned with Plumes of black Feathers From Somerset-House to Westminster the streets were railed in and strewed with sand the Souldiers being placed on each side of the streets without the Rails and their Ensigns wrapped up in a Cypress mourning Veil The manner of the proceeding to the interrment was briefly thus First a Knight Martial advanced on Horseback with his black Truncheon tipt at both ends with Gold attended by his Deputy and thirteen men on Horseback to clear the way After him followed the poor men of Westminster in mourning Gowns and Hoods marching two and two Next unto them followed the servants of the several persons of all qualities which attended the Funeral These were followed by all his own servants as well inferiour as superiour both within and without the Houshold as alfo all his Bargemen at Watermen Next unto these followed the Servants and Officers belonging to the Lord Major and Sheriffs of the City of London Then came several Gentlemen and Attendants on the respective Ambassadours and the other publick Ministers After these came the poor Knights of Windsor in Gowns and Hoods Then followed the Clerks Secretaries and other Officers belonging to the Army the Admiralty the Treasury the Navy and Exchequer After these came the Officers in Command in the Fleet as also the Officers of the Army Next followed the Comissioners for Excise those of the Army and the Committee of the Navy Then follwed the Commissioners for the approbation of Preachers Then came the Officers Messengers and Clerks belonging to the Privy Councel and the Clerks of both Houses of Parliament Next followed his late Highness Physicians The Head Officers of the Army The chief Officers and Aldermen of the City of London The Masters of the Chancery with his Highness learned Councel at Law The Judges of the Admiralty the Masters of Request with the Judges in Wales The Barrons of the Exchequer the Judges of both Benches and the Lord Major of London Next to these the persons allied in Bloud to the late Protector and the Members of the Lords House After them the publick Ministers of Forreign States and Princes Then the Holland Ambassadour alone whose Train was born up by four Gentlemen Next to him the Portugal Ambassadour alone whose Train was held up by four Knights of the Order of Christ And thirdly the French Ambassadour whose Train was also held up by four persons of quality Then followed the Lords Commissioners of the great Seal The Lords Commissioners of the Treasury The Lords of the late Protectors Privy Councel After whom followed the Chief Mourner and those persons of quality which were his Assistants and bare up his Train All the Nobles were in close mourning the rest were but in ordinary being disposed in their passage into several divisions being distinguished by Drums and Trumpets and by a Standard or Banner born by a person of Honour and his Assistant and a Horse of State covered with black Velvet and led by a person of Honour followed by two Grooms Of which Horses there were eleven in all four covered with black Cloth and seven with Velvet These being all passed in order at length the Chariot followed with the Effigies on each side of which were born six Banner Rolls twelve in all by as many persons of honor The several pieces of his Armour were born by eight Officers of the Army attended by a Herald and a Gentleman on each side Next followed Gartar principal King of Arms attended with a Gentleman on each side bare-headed Then came the chief Mourner together with those Lords and other Personages that were Supporters and Assistants to the chief Mourner Then followed the Horse of Honour in very rich Trappings embroidered upon Crimson Velvet and adorned with white red and yellow Plumes and was led by the Master of the Horse Finally in the close of all followed those of his late Guard and the Warders of the Tower At the West Gate of