to whom that place was assigned Fauconbridge and Blunt continue the leading of the vantguard And on Palme-Sunday by breake of day they came to Saxton from whence they made a full survay of King Henryes army and certified the Earle of March that the enemie was threescore thousand strong whereupon a second Proclamation was made through the Campe That no quarter should be kept nor prisoner taken a Course more savoring of policie then Religion yet by so much the more excusable by how much his number was so far short of his adversarie The armies being both in sight The Lord Fauconbridge gave direction to the bowmen upon a signall by him to be given to shoot every man a flight arrow for that purpose provided and then to fall backe three strides and stand which they accordingly did The Notherne men hereupon plied their bowes untill their sheaves were empty But all their arrowes fell short of the marke and turned to their owne disadvantage For their arrowes being spent hasting to ioyne to come to hand-blowes Their owne arrowes did themselves much hurt that had done the adversary no harme at all The works of those sticking galling their shinnes and the splinters of those broken piercing their feete whilst the Southerne men shot at their bodyes as if they had beene shooting at butts policy prevailing beyond strength Ten houres in doubtfull termes of victory The battaile continued when the Earle of Northumberland being slaine with the Lords Beamond Gray Dacres The Earles of Exceter and Somerset fled left the conquest to the Earle of March but the bloodiest that ever England felt for on that day fell there thirty six thousand seven hundred threescore and sixteene persons besides those that dyed of the hurts then received all of one nation no prisoners being taken but the Earle of Devon This Henry Earle of Northumberland now slaine was the third Earle of the familie of Peircyes he married Elianor Daughter and heire of Richard Lord Poyning by whom he had issue Henry that succeeded him in the Earldome and three daughters Elizabeth married to Henry Lord Scroope 2 Elianor married to West Lord Laware 3 Margaret married to Sir William Gascoyne The victor hasts to Yorke where he is readily admitted entrance when presently he causeth The heads of his father and his friends to be taken downe and buried with their bodyes setting in their places the heads of the Earle of Devon and three others there then executed This Earle of Devon was Thomas the xvi Earle and Lord of Ockhampton he married Margaret daughter of Iohn Beawford Earle of Somerset by whom he had issue three sonnes and two daughters Thomas who was taken with his father and presently by reason of the Proclamation slaine Henry the second sonne who was after beheaded at Salisbury and Iohn who was after slaine at Tewkesbury The father and the three sonnes with the losse of their best bloods witnessing their true affection to the house of Lancaster Iohan his eldest daughter was married to Sir Roger Clifford Knight and Elizabeth was married to Sir Hugh Courtney Knight The Earle of Somerset being the messenger of the late overthrow perswades and prevailes with King Henry his Queene and sonne from Yorke to flye to Barwicke where leaving the Earle of Somerset they slye further for succour to the King of Scots who comforteth them with promise of reliefe but maketh a sure bargaine and receiveth in liewe of a pension to be assigned to King Henry during his aboad there from him upon Saint Markes day the Towne and Castle of Barwick to such poore shifts was this potent King driven to pawne his best fortresse for bare food Queene Margaret and her sonne are sent to France to labour there whilst those that stayed with the King himselfe being onely intentive to devotion fayled not to solicite friends and make preparation for a second encounter The Queene upon her arrivall obtayned of Lewis the eleventh her Cousin that those of the house of Yorkes favorites were prohibted trafficke or stay in the French Kings dominions But all such as loved the Lancastrian line were permitted freely In triumphant manner the Earle of March commeth to London where he is by the Maior and Citizens gloriously entertained being by them upon the xxvi day of Iune from Lambeth attended to the Tower of London who upon his first entrance therein invested foure and twentie with order of Knighthood and upon the next day he did the like to foure more Vpon the xxviii day of Iune he rode through London from the Tower to Westminster where he was Crowned in the Abby there A Parliament is summoned which began at VVestminster upon the fourth of November in which all acts of Henry the sixt formerly made which might see me any way preiudiciall to Edw. title or profit were repealed And therein Iohn Earle of Oxford a learned valiant wise man he who in a former Parliament disputed the question concerning the precedency betweene the temporall and spirituall Barones a bold attempt in those dayes and by force of whose arguments iudgment was given for the Lords temporall with his sonne Aubry de Vere Sir Thomas Tiddenham Kinght William Terrill and VValter Mongomery Esquires were without answer convict of Treason and beheaded This Iohn Earle of Oxford married Elizabeth the daughter and heire of Sir Iohn Howard and had issue five sonnes and three daughters 1 Aubry de Vere beheaded with his father 2 Iohn de Vere that succeeded in the Earledome 3 George Vere Knight that died living his father 4 Richard Vere and 5 Thomas Vere Knights 1 Mary a profest Nunne at Barking in Essex 2 Ioan married to Sir VVilliam Norris and 3 Elizabeth married to VVilliam Bourcheir sonne and heire of Henry Bourcheir Earle of Essex King Edward to encourage others to obtaine like favour by well deserving at his hands after that he had created his two younger brethren George and Richard the one Duke of Clarence the other Duke of Glocester he maketh Iohn Lord Nevill first Vicount then Marquesse Mountacute Henry Bourcheir whose brother was Archbishop of Canterbury Earle of Essex and VVilliam Lord Fauconbridg Earle of Kent enobling many others with dignities and honorable titles To hansell their new Honors Essex and Kent with the Lord Audley and divers other of the nobility with ten thousand souldiers are sent to skowre the narrow Seas these land in Britaine and by force enter the Towne of Conquet and the Isle of Ree which having pillaged and the Coasts cleered they returne Henry Duke of Somerset Sir Ralph Peircy with some others come in and submit themselues to King Edwards mercy who gratiously receiveth and entertaineth them protesting his propension of free pardoning them and as many others as would follow their example of submission The distressed Queene with five hundred French a small stake to play an aftergame of Reputation with came to the Coasts of Scotland and from thence sailes to Timmothe where
Kings Person to his no little amazement and disquiet they removed all or the most part of his ancient officers and servants placing in their roomes their owne creatures whom they had power to command The Duke of Glocester taking upon him the custody of the King tooke order for the conveying of the Prisoners to severall Prisons in the North parts and then set forwards with the King towards London giving out by the way that the Marquesse and the Queenes kinred had plotted the destruction of the King and all the blood-royall and all the ancient Nobilitie of the Realme and to alter the government of the Common-wealth And that they were only imprisoned to be brought to their triall according to the Law And the better to settle these suggestions in the apprehension of the vulgar They brought along with them divers Carts laden with Armour of their owne providing with driefats and great Chests wherein they reported to bee treasure for the payment of souldiers with which they so possest the common people that all was believed for Gospell that was thus rumoured But of all other the neatest devise was to have five of the Duke of Glocesters instruments which were manacled and pinioned like Traitours and these in every place where the King lodged by the way were dispersed with some keepers to bee lodged in the chiefe Officers houses and to bee regarded as men of great birth howsoever they were now prisoners and they must seeme to bee penitent for their offences and confesse their owne guilt but laying the blame on the Queenes Brother who had drawne them into this vile plot of Treason but these did so artificially expresse themselves that they could at their pleasures invite their hosts to call them Traitours and cry out that the earth was not fit to beare such trecherous rebells and that the Dukes were to blame not to stay the King in that place untill execution were done against such horrible malefactours and their trayterous companions This plot continued acting till the King came to London and the disguise was taken from these impostors and they were put to act another part The Queene with her second Sonne and five Daughters being at London receiving by Post intelligence of these dolefull accidents and fearing there were worse to follow presently taketh Sanctuary at Westminster with which place good Lady shee had formerly beene acquainted The young King much grieved at the newes and more at the occasion with teares and sighes expressed his discontent But the Dukes as seeming ignorant of any of these things comply themselves unto his service and with all externall show of reverence and respect and with many glozing protestations of their fidelitie and care of his safetie and content sought to comfort him but it would not be The Duke of Glocester by the contrivement and procurement of the Duke of Buckingham by the Decree of the Councell table is appointed and established Protector of the King and kingdome which place added such fuell to the ambitious fire of his heart that it burnt all love naturall respect or duty either to Countrey kinred or King And now nothing sets his imagination on worke but to compasse the meanes how to bring his trayterous designes to effect which was to make away the King and his Brother which hee is resolved wickedly yet wittily to attempt To contrive the getting into his custody the Duke of Yorke is the next Scene to bee acted for the more easie accomplishment whereof hee takes advantage of the Kings melancholy and acquainteth both him and his Councell That the company of his Brother would much conduce to his being thereby made merry saying withall that the Queene Mother was more wedded to her peevish will then was convenient either for the Honour of the kingdome or the Kings content And therefore wishtsome course might bee taken either by perswasion or otherwise to procure her to send the Duke of Yorke to beare the King his brother company The counsell to whom Glocester seemed to speake nothing but Oracles so well had hee moulded them presently apprehend a necessity of a Companion to bee found for the King and none so fit as his owne Brother And to that end the Archbishop of Canterbury one upon whose advise the Queene-Mother did much rely is imployed with instructions to procure her to consent to part with her younger Sonne to accompany the elder which hee accordingly did yeelding these reasons the sooner to drawe her to yeeld as hee said to reason First for that it was scandalous to the whole Realme that a Child of so noble Parentage by birth so tender of yeares so neere the King and so innocent should bee enforced to be a Prisoner Secondly That none could be permitted to enjoy the benefit of Sanctuary priviledge but such whose consciences did accuse them of some offence for which they feared to bee punished by the law But the Dukes infancy and innocency was such that he needed no such protection Thirdly that none ought to bee priviledged as a Sanctuary person but whom discretion had enabled to require it and for that reason hee was not capable of it And lastly any person might bee taken out of that place if so it bee for his owne preferment and benefit and not to his punishment or prejudice and therefore if the Queene should refuse to deliver him hee must bee taken from her Volens nolens and the rather lest that through a froward jelousie shee should convey him beyond the Seas as pretending hee should be more safe in any place then in the King his Brothers company To these the Queene makes answer that none was more fit to have the tutelage of the child then the Mother and the rather in respect of his weake and tender disposition That each of those Brothers was the others safety so long as they are kept asunder that the life of the one was maintained in the body of the other and if that one of them did well the other was in no perill And that it was dangerous to keepe them both in one place And as shee was proceeding further the Archbishop said hee was loth to put the power of his primacy in execution but her obstinacy would to his griefe enforce him thereto Whereupon the Queene perceiving that it was concluded that reason must not dispute against the Councells resoltrion shee with such expression of passion as tender-hearted Mothers use to part with a beloved child when their Propheticke thoughts suggest unto them they take their last leave of the Babe shee taketh the Duke by the hand and delivereth him unto the Archbishop saying at his hands shee would require that sweet boy and unable to speake more shee opened the sludgates of her eyes and bedewing her cheekes with teares turned her backe The Archbishop having effected his arrand hasteth to the Lords who in the Starre-chamber with the Protector stay expecting their comming to whom making relation with what unwillingnesse the Mother was
Tressilian Lord chiefe Iustice Nicholas Bramber Alderman of London and others neither eminent by birth or desert but observant and plyable to the Kings humour These were highly in credit with the King both in company and counsell alwayes next him By these hee ordered his private actions by these he managed his affaires of State hee spared neither the dignity nor death of any man whose authority or life interposed their pleasure or profit Hee remoued Sir Richard Scroope from being Lord Chancelor of England to which place hee was appointed by the Parliament because hee refused to set the great Seale to the grant of certaine lands which had beene abusively drawne from the King alledging for his so doing the great debts of the King the small demerits of the graunts upon whom the King might consume much but orderly give nothing wishing the King might bee well advertised thatryot might deceive him under the termes of bounty and that gifts well ordered procure not so much love as indiscreetly imparted incite envie This Chancellor used not to cauterize his conscience with partiall maintaining of such as were mighty but being alike to all was the sooner disliked of all that were lewd The destruction of the Duke of Lancaster was plotted upon the like dislike by Iustice Tresilian offences were suggested appellors appointed Peeres named sudden arrest intended and present arraignment condemnation and execution concluded But the Duke upon notice of these contrivances escaped to Pomfret Castle and there made preparation for his defence against the King from hence grew a head of division which the common people at that time very busily sought But the Kings Mother incessantly travailing betweene the King and the Duke notwithstanding her unweldinesse and age drew them both to reconcilement The King in regard of the dangerous and discontented times the Duke in respect of his dutie and alleageance the more easie to bee made inclinable and so partly by her entreatie and counsell and partly by their inclination bending to the safest course all apparance of displeasure on the one part and distrust on the other was for that time removed The Frenchmen againe land in England and did much harme at Dover Winchelsey Hastings and at Graves end and unincountred returned to France For prevention of which outrages and revenge of those injuries offered a Parliament is assembled at Westminster in which a Subsidie of foure pence for poll of each sexe throughout the kingdome above the age of fourteene yeares is granted to the King The levying whereof procured much heart-burning and did much alyen the hearts of the subjects from the King With that money preparation is made and eight thousand men sent over into France under the conduct of Thomas of Woodstocke the Kings Vncle who passing over Soam Oyse and Marne Rivers spoyled and burnt all the Countrey and ransomed the Inhabitants untill hee came to Brittany where by the Duke Iohn Momford hee was joyfully received and royally entertained About this time one Iohn Balle a factious clergy man a scholler of Wickcliff observing the common people much to murmure at the payment of the foresaid Subsidie in all places where hee came used secretly to informe the inferiour sort of people such as were poore and needy That by discent from Adam all men were of one condition that the lawes of this kingdome were injurious and much hindred us of participating Christian liberty nay most unjust by making so great a difference of mens estate preferring some to bee Peeres and Potentates giving to some others large authority and enlarging others possessions and taking advantage of the humble and plyable condition and carriage of others in servilitie and basenesse hardly giving them allowance of sustenance and that not that neither but with sweat and hard labour where amongst Christians there should be an equall share of all things and that in common taking this for his theame When Adam delv'd and Eve span who was then a gentleman with such like trayterous perswasions hee did prepare the vulgar apt to entertaine the proffers of rebellion and fitte them for insurrection upon the slightest occasion This doctrine once on foot runne from rusticke to villanie and from shire to shire that at length it infatuated them and infected the Citie of London the Commons whereof I meane the poorer sort of mechanicks and handicrafts desperately inclined to mutinie upon the reasons aforesaid incited and invited the multitude prepared as aforesaid to come thither promising their best assistance and furtherance Whereupon a rude rowte of rascalls under the leading of Wat Tyler a Taylor who commanded in chiefe with their grave minister Iohn Wall Iacke Straw a Thresher Iack Sheppard of the Councell of warre under the tytle of the Kings men and the servants of the Common-wealth of England came to London ransacking by the way and demolishing from Essex side all the faire structures and great buildings of the Nobility and Gentry They summoned the King to give them a meeting who accordingly accompanied with the most of his best Councellours tooke-his Bardge and went to Graves End but seeing the rabble so ragged and rogue-like a company of swadds compact of the off-skum of the people it was held no discretion for the King to venture his person among them and so returned to the Tower from whence hee came The next day these unruly rake-shames approched London but finding the gates lockt and the bridge drawne and well guarded they threatned the slaughter of man woman and childe on Southwarke side the sacking of their houses and lastly the firing of the Borough and Churches there For prevention whereof and somewhat to keepe the staggering Commons from precipitate running with them in rebellion the Gates were opened and the bridge let downe and by permission they entred where their furie with faire words and kinde usage was for that night pacified only the Commander Tyler sent for his quondam Master Richard Lyon an antient grave Citizen and in thankfull requitall of moderate and deserved punishment given him in his apprentiship hee caused his head to be strucke off and pitched upon a pole and in triumph borne before him the next day when hee went to the Savoy a house belonging to Iohn of Gaunt the Kings Vncle which they rifled burnt and inhumanly murdred all the chiefe Officers they found there They commit sacriledge in all Churches and religious houses robbing the houses of the students in the Law committing to the fire all their bookes and Records proclayming death to any that should bee found to know law or literature they spoyled all Forrainers inhabiting in or neere London and their numbers increasing to threescore thousand They came to Saint Katherines from thence sending to the King to attend their pleasure at Mile End no sooner was the King gone forth of the tower to the place appointed when Tyler with some of his comrades entred the Tower gates ryfled the Kings lodging barbarously entreating the Kings Mother
could come at and did take away all the plate vestments treasure they could finde enforcing the Seniors and students of that Colledge by oath to renounce and disclayme all and whatsoever Charters grants priviledges and franchises had beene formerly bestowed upon that house and to acknowledge from thence forth subjection to the Maior and Burgesses of Cambridge From thence they went like a torrent to Saint Maries Church where they broke up the chests and from thence tooke out all the treasure and Church ornaments fury being on foot left nothing undone that was barbarous and passion having drownd reason they cared not what mischiefe they did nor to whom so as they might make their malice sufficiently perspicuous to the Clergie from Cambridge they went to the Priory of Bernwell a mile off which they like Sarazens defaced felling downe the trees spoyling the walkes and setting fire to what remained there undefaced Tired with doing but not sorry for having done so many crimes they retyred to Cambridge where in the Market place they consumed with fire all rhe ordinances constitutions and statutes of the Vniversitie and all other the particular bookes rowles parchments and leidgers they could come at taking up the ashes and flinging them in the ayre cryed away with these Clerkes cunning and then in the darke of the night every one shifted for one and stole away The King for punishment of these and other like offenders sent the Lord chiefe Iustice Tressilian and Sir Roger Sales and other Commissioners into all-those parts where insurrection had beene made From Coventry Iohn Ball who had seconded Wall and Wraw in inciting the multitude to insurrection is sent to the King against whose frowardnesse in practise towards authoritie and forwardnesse in profession to sowe such seeds of sedition in his sermons that thereby the people were both incited and incouraged to rebelliou such sufficient information was given that hee was executed for high Treason This generall flame of combustion being extinct the King studyeth the advancement of his Favourites so that within short time after Michel de la Poole sonne and heire of Sir William de la Poole Knight and Banneret say some but others one of that name a Merchant in London was made Lord Chancellor of England and created Earle of Suffolke and Robert Vear Earle of Oxford the fourth of that name and ninth Earle thereof was created Marquesse of Dublin being the first man within this Realme that was enobled with that title But they grew in hate as they did in honour for many of antient nobility did stomacke their undeserved as they deemed it advancement and with these the votes of the people generally went But the Kings intemperate affection was peremptory and violent not regarding envy untill he could not resist it The yeare following the new Marquesse was Created Duke of Ireland The lower house of Parliament exhibited a Bill of grievances against the Chancellor desiring his answer thereto and tryall thereupon the particulars 1. Whereof were for that hee had abused the King in farming the profits and revenewes of the Crowne 2. For profusely wasting the treasure in ryotous prodigalitie and unnecessary expences 3. For being dived deepe into the Kings debt 4 For being carelesse and corrupt in his Office 5. For deceiving and discrediting the King in his accounts and disbursement the particulars whereof were annext to the Bill with divers objections of both dishonesty of body and dishonour in his private actions and publike Office This Earle from London sent a student to Oxford returned well clothed to the Court and there suddenly growne great could not moderate his change but in his height of prosperitie layed open the basenesse of his inclination and condition which before were either cunningly covered or craftily cloked from being discovered And serving a weake Ruler in an eminent place with an ill minde hee made open sale of his Princes honour But the King willing to connive at or remit the offences silently let the complaints slip with a short audience and no examination expressing himselfe thereby neither much grieved at the offences nor well pleased with the complaint A Subsidie is required but answer was made there was no need of it since the Kings wants might bee furnished and supplyed with his owne debts due from the Chancellour if called in neither was it if otherwise to any purpose to bee graunted so long as the moneys should bee issued by such persons as formerly had beene and was likely to bee againe The complaints against the Chancellour are recontinued with that earnestnesse that the King is perswaded that it is neither for his Honour or safetie to justifie him for to private men it is sufficient if themselves abstaine from wrong but Princes must provide that none doe wrong under them For by conniving and abetting the faults of their Officers they make them too often seeme their owne and they will bee objected against them upon the first occasion The importunitie of both houses wrought the Kings consent to a Commission to authorize divers noble men to heare and determine all grievances and objections against the Chancellour Thereupon a Subsidie is granted but with proviso that the money bee disposed of by the Commissioners agreed upon to the benefit of the Realme The King moved that the heires of Charles Bloyes who laid clayme to the Dutchy of Britaine should be delivered to the French upon the receipt of 30000. Markes by them to that purpose offered the same to bee delivered to the Duke of Ireland for the recovery of those possessions the King had given him in Ireland which was assented unto so as before the feast of Easter following the Duke should depart thither and there remaine at so high a rate they valued his riddance out of the Realme The charge of the Subsidie was committed to Richard Earle of Arundle The Duke of Gloucester and the said Earle were made Commissioners concerning the Earle of Suffolke who by the Kings absence is left to himselfe to answer the objected misdemeanours whereof hee made the Kings blind favour his priviledge and protection presuming never to see that either altered or over-ruled Hee is convict of many crimes deposed from his Office his goods are confiscate to the King and himselfe adjudged to execution which was submitted to the Kings pleasure and under sureties was permitted to goe at large Iohn Fourd B. of Durham another minion of the Kings is removed from being Lord Treasurer hee was a man of little depth either in learning or judgement only one that had the art of seeming making a formall shew of whatsoever he spake or did and rising from a poore estate to so high a pitch of honour hee too excessively exercised his ryot and ambition not able to qualifie the lusts and desires his former wants had kindled This businesse blowne over the King returnes to London and presently receives the Earle of Suffolke the Duke of Ireland and
Iustice of the Kings bench Belknapp chiefe Iustice of the Cōmon pleace Holt Stil◅urpe Burgh Iustices of the Cōmon-pleas men learned in Court-law to please those in highest place these were charged upon their alleageance particularly to answer these propositions 1. Whether the Statute Ordinance and Commission meaning that granted against the Duke of Suffolke set out the last Parliament did derogate from the royall prerogative of the King 2. How they were to bee punished that did procure that Statute to bee inacted 3. How they were to bee dealt with that provoked the King to consent thereto 4. What punishment did they deserve that compelled the King to yeeld consent 5. What did they merit that resisted the King to exercise his regall authoritie in remitting or releasing any penalties or debts due to him 6. When a Parliament is assembled and the affaires of the State and cause of convoking the Parliament declared and Articles limited by the King upon which only the Lords and Commons should meddle the Lords and Commons will proceed upon other and not those by the King appointed untill the King hath given answer to the other by them propounded whether in this case the King ought to have the rule of the Parliament and so to order the fact that the Lords and Commons upon the Articles limited by the King or that they should first have answer of the King to the Articles by them propounded before they proceed any further 7. Whether may the King at his pleasure dissolve the Parliament and command the Lords and Commons to depart 8. Since the King may at his pleasure remove any Officers and Iustices and punish them for their offences whether may the Lords and Commons without his leave accuse his Officers and Iustices in Parliament yea or no 9. What punishment have they deserved who moved a Parliament that the statute whereby King Edward Carnarvon was deposed should be brought forth by view whereof the last Statute and Commission aforesaid were framed 10. Whether the judgement given in the last Parliament against Michael de la Poole Earle of Suffolke were erroneous and revocable yea or no These propositions which were drawne by the direction of the chiefe Iustice Tresilian to which the afornamed Iustices answer as followeth 1. They did derogate from the Honour of the King because extorted against his will 2. 3. That they deserved to bee punished by death except the King in mercy would remit 4. 5. Worthy to bee punished as Traytours 6. Whosoever resisteth the Kings rule in that point was punishable as a Traytour 7. That the King may at his pleasure dissolve the Parliament and who so afterwards shall presume to proceed against the Kings manifest will as in a Parliament is worthy the punishment of a Traytor 8. That they cannot whosoever doth the contrary deserveth a Traytors punishment 9. Aswell the mover as the bringer of that Statute to the house are worthy the same death 10. And lastly that the said judgement seemed erronious and revocable In witnesse whereof they with Iohn Lockton the Kings Sergeant at Law subscribed and so under their Seales at armes sent it When those hard sentences of death and treason were under generall and large termes thus fastened upon the Lords the King supposed his attempts against them whether by violence or colour of Law sufficiently warranted but his power both wayes as it was terrible against weake resisters so against such mighty defendants was of small force to effect that which he so much affected yet hee did not omit his best endevours and first accounting the Lords as condemned persons hee made division of their lands and goods amongst those he favoured Then hee waged souldiers to bee in readinesse for his assistance and sent the Earle of Northumberland to arrest the Earle of Arundell at his Castle in Rygate where hee then lay but he either upon advertisement or suspition of the Kings intent bandied himselfe so strong that when the Earle of Northumberland came thither to him hee dissembled his intent and left his errand untold The Duke of Gloucester having secret intelligence of the Kings displeasure and of his projects sent the Bishop of London to perswade the King to entertaine a more favourable opinion of him solemnly swearing unto the Bishop that hee never intended any thing against the King either in person or state The Bishop not unskilfull to joyne profitable perswasions with honesty declared to the King that the ground of his displeasure against the Lords was either by false suggestions of their enemies or misconstruction of some of their actions by himselfe Then declared hee how desirous they were of his grace and favour how faithfull and forward they promised to persist in all dutifull service and further intimated how honourable this agreement would bee to the King and how profitable to the kingdome nay which was above both how pleasing it would bee to God and how displeasing to him and dangerous it would be to both sides if these troubles should increase The King by this speech seemed inclinable to attonement But Delapoole a turbulent person against quiet counsell standing neere the King quickly hardned his minde against all impression of friendship by meanes whereof contention arose betwixt the Bishop and the Earle which violently broke out into heate of words The Earle reproched the Lords with the ordinary objection against great men popularitie and ambition sparing no spight of speech but using all rethoricke to aggravate matters against them The Bishop replyed the Earle was thus fiercely bent not upon any necessity of his owne or respect unto the King but only to satisfie his bloody and ambitious humour wherein he was so immoderate that rather then the Lords should not be destroyed he would overwhelme them with the ruines of the State For tumults might bee indeed raysed by men of little courage like himselfe but must bee maintayned by hazard and ended with the losse of the most violent that neither his counsell against what was desired in this cause was to bee followed being the principall firebrand of the disturbance nor his complaints against any man in any thing to bee regarded being himselfe a condemned person and one that held his life and livelihood of the Kings favourable mercy wherewith the King was so exceedingly wroth that hee commanded the Bishop out of his presence The Duke of Gloucester hearing this signifies the danger to the Earles of Arundel Warwicke and Darby inciting them to armes and thereupon they confederate themselves for a common defence For in so doubtfull and suspected peace open warre said they was the better safety The King having intelligence of their courses indevoured to prevent the Lords in joyning their forces and to that end sent some power either to set upon the Earle of Arundel in his lodging or to intercept him in his passage to the Duke But the Earle had marched all night before their comming and so unencountred came to the Duke with whom
with the match and truce that he lost all patience exclayming that it was more meet to bee in armes then amitie with the French who being inferiour to the English in courage did ever outreach them in craft and being too weake for warre did oftentimes prevaile by peace That the French Kings Daughter being but a childe was an unmeet match for King Richard aswell for the disparitie of age as for that the King had no issue by his first wife and was not like to have any by this except perhaps in his old age But when the Duke saw his arguments would not availe ought hee suborned the Londoners to make petition to the King that seeing there was peace with France hee would release them of the Subsidie which was granted unto him in the last Parliament in respect of those warres to have beene maintained This suite was by them importunately followed and much perplexed the King untill at length the Duke of Lancaster assured them that the procuring of this peace had spent and lost the King three hundred thousand pounds wherewith they were pacified though not well pleased Guido Earle of Saint Paul was sent by King Charles to visit and salute in his name King Richard and his Queene Isabel To this Earle the King did relate with what fervency Gloucester contended to disturbe the peace betwixt England and France and that because this opinion was not therein followed hee moveth the people to seditious attempts bending himselfe wholly to maintaine discord in his owne countrey rather then not at all he further reported what stiffe strife the Duke in former times had stirred which howsoever they were done yet as they were delivered sounded harsh and odious Whereupon the Earle replied that the Duke was too dangerous a subject to bee permitted to live That greatnesse was never safe if once it grew excessive and bold That the King ought not to affect the poore commendation of Clemency with his owne perill and that it touched him both in honour to revenge the disgrace which hee had by him formerly received and in policie to prevent the dangers which hee had some cause to feare This set such an edge on the Kings displeasure that from thenceforth hee busied his braynes about no one thing more then how to bring the Duke to his end Whereupon hee begun to pry more narrowly into his deportment to watch his words to observe his actions and to interpret them to the worst framing unto himselfe many vaine and needlesse feares often would he to the Dukes of Lancaster and Yorke complaine of the Duke of Glocesters aversnesse in actions and crossenesse in speech whose answer thereunto was that their brother indeed was more vehement then they could commend yet his fiercenesse was joyned with faithfulnesse and his crossenesse proceeded from care lest the Common-wealth should decrease either in honour or possessions and therefore the King had neither cause to feare or dislike him The King seemeth to approve of their answers and tobe satisfied that Gloucester was what they reported him And in the meane time Lancaster and Yorke withdrew themselves to their private houses The Duke of Glocester also went to Plashey in Essex Vpon this accidentall separation the King entred into Councell with Iohn Holland Earle of Huntington his brother by the Mothers side and Thomas Mowbray Earle of Nottingham how the Duke of Glocester might bee suppressed the cruelty which was but wavering nay wanting in the King was soone confirmed by evill advise and being once thereby enclinable to blood hee did not faile either of lewd example of vile action to follow or direction of cruell counsell what to doe The plot is contrived and according thereunto the King and the Earle of Nottingham ryde together into Essex as though they went on hunting When they were in the Forrest the Earle with a selected troope made stay in the Forrest whilst the King with a small and unsuspected trayne came to Plashey and there by the Duke of Gloucester was lovingly entertained and freely feasted pretending action of present returne the King desires the Duke to accompany him to London The Duke supposing that only to bee intended indeed which was in words and show pretended went to horsebacke with the King with a very small company appointing the rest to follow him to London They pleasantly rode together in familiar conference untill they came neere the Earles ambuscadoe and then the King suddenly put spurres to his horse the Duke following easily was suddenly intercepted and stayed and with violence hurryed to the Thames side and there blindfolded unvoluntarily shipped and conveyed to Callice The next day the King did invite the Earle of Warwicke to dinner and gave him gratious countenance but in his returne he was arrested and sent to prison and so a double breach of hospitalitie is committed when feasted by the Duke of Gloucester the host is committed and feasting the Earle of Warwicke the guest is imprisoned In the like manner was the Earle of Arundel and his sonne entrapped and imprisoned In the Isle of Wight the Common-people having notice of the apprehension of these three Noble men whom they only affected were in a great confusion and there then wanted but a head to draw them to commotion every man murmured and daring no further stood wayting for one to lead them the way every one being ready to follow that which any one was loath to begin The Dukes of Lancaster and Yorke upon information of these strong proceedings gathered a strong Army and came there with to London where they were readily received by the Citizens contrary to the Kings expresse command But this seemed to bee a guard to themselves rather then a regard to other The King lay within foure miles of London with a great power of armed men drawne out of Cheshire and VVales and to pacifie the people caused to be proclaimed That the foresaid Lords were not questioned upon any old displeasures but for offences lately committed and for which they should be orderly appealed by the course of Law and receive open and legall tryall in the next parliament presently to begin The like message was sent to London to the Dukes to whom the King made faith for the safety of their persons and indemnitie of their goods and that nothing should be done without their privitie and advise all this was as rashly beleeved as readily given out Whereupon the Dukes dissembled their feares and dissolved their forces in expectancy of what would ensue The Parliament began at London wherein Sir Iohn Bushy Sir VVilliom Bagot and Sir Henry Greene were principall agents for the Kings purpose These were the Kings chiefe Schoolemasters both of cruelty and deceit they were proud ignorant and ambitious and presuming on the Kings favour professed themselves enemies to the antient Nobilitie to the end that being but Mushrumpes lately start up they might become famous by maintaining contention with greater persons At first by
their importunate travaile especially of Sir Iohn Bashy who had procured himselfe to be made Speaker of that Parliament all the Chartells of pardon formerly granted by the King were in this Parliament annulled The Prelates perceiving the intention of drawing divers of the Nobilitie and others in question for their lives did Constitute Sir Henry Piercy their Procurator and depart the house because they might not be present at judgement of blood Then the Earles of Arundel and Warwicke were arraigned for those offences for which they were formerly pardoned and thereupon were condemned to bee hanged drawne and quartered but the King so moderated the severitie of this sentence that the Earle of Arundel was only beheaded and the Earle of Warwicke committed to perpetuall imprisonment in the Isle of Man It was thought a point of policie and peace not to bring the Earle Duke of Glocester to publicke tryall but secretly to put him to death and so hee was strangled betweene two feather-beds by the appointment of Nottingham Earle Marshall of Calice which death howsoever hee might bee thought to him deserved yet dying as hee did not legally called or heard hee may be truly sayd to dye guiltlesse Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury was likewise there accused for executing the Commission against Michael de la Poole for which causes his temporalities were seized his lands and goods forfeited and he himselfe adjudged to exile and to depart the Realme within sixe weekes The Lord Cobham was banished into the Islle of Gernsey and Sir Reignold Cobham condemned to death not for any attempt against the King But because hee was appointed by the Lords to bee one of his governours in the eleventh yeare of his raigne Now the King falsly supposing himselfe free from danger and that the humour against him was cleane purged away conceived more secret content then hee could openly bewray as more able to dissemble his joy then conceale his feare being so blinded and be witched with continuall custome of flatteries that hee perceived not That the state of a Prince is never stablished with cruelty nor confirmed by craft The common people were much dismayd having now lost their only helpes and hopes as well for private affaires as support of the publike state The Plebeians were much incensed against the King And to make their deaths seeme the more foule The Earle of Arundel hath the reputation of a martyr and Pilgrimages are made to the place of his interment yea it went for current likewise that his head was miraculously joyned to the body This being generally affirmed but without any ground The Corps therefore are taken up ten dayes after the buriall and finding the fame to bee fabulous the King caused the ground to bee paved where the body was layd publickly forbidding all further speeches thereof afterward to bee used But this restraint raysed fame the more and they that if it had beene lawfull would have beene silent being now forbidden could not forbeare to talke The King Createth five Dukes Henry Earle of Darby was created Duke of Hereford Edward first Earle of Rutland was created Duke of Ammerlo and Corke in Ireland Thomas Holland the Earle of Kent was created Duke of Southry Sir Iohn Holland Earle of Huntington was created Duke of Exceter Iohn Lord Moubrey Earle of Nottingham was created Duke of Norfolke This Title of honour long time after the Conquest amongst the Normans whose chiefest Rulers had no greater Tytle was accounted too high for a subject to beare the forme of the R. P. being framed by the Conquerour far from equalitie of all and yet the King exempted from alike eminency of any The King likewise created Margaret daughter and heire of Thomas Brockerson Countesse of Norfolke Dutchesse of Norfolke Iohn Bewfort sonne of Iohn of Gaunt Earle of Sommerset was created Marquesse of Sommerset Thomas Lord Spencer was created Earle of Gloucester Ralph Lord Nevill was created Earle of Westmerland William Lord Scroope sonne of Richard Lord Scroope Lord Chancellor was created Earle of Wiltes Sir Thomas Piercy Vicechamberlaine was created Earle of Worcester Amongst whom was made a distribution of a great part of the Lands of the Duke of Glocester and of the Earles of Arundell and Warwicke supposing by this double bountie of Honour and meanes to maintaine it to have tyde them with a double obligation of dutie and affection but â—…ired friends for the most part are seldome either satisfied or sure but like the Ravens in Arabia that full gorged have a tunable sweet record but empty scrich horribly The Duke of Hereford as it were to rayse his desires to his dignities either upon the disdaine of the undeserved favours and advancement of some persons about the King or disliking that his Soveraigne should bee so abused and abased by such or else to make knowne his owne sufficiency in matters of controlement and direction one day having familiar conference with the Duke of Norfolke complained that the King too much undervalued the Princes of the blood royall and much discouraged the rest of the Nobilitie from intermedling in publike affaires That in steed of these hee was wholly guided by a few new-found and new-fangled Favourites of dunghill-breed of base qualities having no sufficiency either for Councell for peace or courage for warre who being of all men both the most unhonest and most unable which hatefulnesse of the one and contempt of the other were generally despised in all the Realme whereby the Honour of the Kings person was much blemished for ungrate and ungratious adherents to a King are alwayes the path to hatred and contempt secondly the safety of his estate might bee endangered for extraordinary favours to men of apparant weake or bad desert doth breed insolency in them and discontentment in others two dangerous humours in a Common-wealth Thirdly the dignitie of the Realme was much impayred whose valour and successe being guided by the ill successe of such unlucky leaders stood never in the like doubts of danger and distresse as now it did so that matters of peace were tumultuous and uncertaine and atchievements in warre were never brought to honourable conclusions And that it was high time that the King should looke unto them for the Nobilitie grew out of heart the Commons out of hope and all the people were fallen into a discontented murmuring And this hee affirmed hee sayd not for any grudge to any particular person but for griefe for the publike grievance and good will to his Soveraigne and therefore desired the Duke who was one of the Kings Cabinet counsell to discover unto him these deformities and dangers that by repayring the one hee might happily repell the other These words procured to the Duke of Hereford both great offence and great glory At the delivery whereof the Duke of Norfolke made shew of good liking well approving them and made promise of sincere dealing therein And had they afterward by him beene as faithfully related and
whereby his Attornies had beene enabled to sue out his Ouster le maine and Livery of those lands which during his exile might fall unto him his homage being formerly concluded upon to bee respited at a reasonable fine But these violent proceedings was rather a meanes to provoke then prevent mischiefe Edmond Duke of Yorke the Kings only Vncle that survived who hitherto had enforced his patience to endure many things against his liking now either in disdaine of this indignitie or distrust of his owne safety and the Realmes disturbance he with the Duke of Anmerle his sonne retired themselves to his house at Langley At this time the whole frame of the State was much shaken and matters of greatest consequence hung but on slender threads The King was plunged in pleasure and sloth by whose example others also gave themselves over to ease and luxurie whereby cowardice and effeminacie crept in and shipwracke was made both of manhood and reputation The chiefest affaires of state had beene for a long time ordered according to private respects whereby the Common-wealth lost both the fatte and the favour and seemed not at seasons and by degrees but with a maine course and at once to bee ruinate and fall The North parts were many times canvased and by small yet often Iosses almost consumed by the Scots who had taken many Castles and Townes and defaced all the countrey with slaughter and spoile The South parts were divers times pillaged by the French and in France many strong holds were lost for want of convenient succour it was much about these times that there was a secret pact renewed betweene the two Kings for the delivery of Callice and other pieces thereabout to the French But the performance thereof was resisted both by the Court and Councell Ireland which in the time of Edward the third was kept in order and awe and the people were taught Religion and civilitie and well reclaimed yeelding to the Kings coffers thirtie thousands per annum was suffered now to bee loose and licentious and thereby the people growne rude and untractable so that now the King instead of receiving was enforced to bee at the charge to expend thirty thousand pounds yearely Many succours were every day sent abroad but so scatteringly and at such unseasonable times and often so ill accommodated that they were occasions rather of losse then helpe whereupon the King endevoured some expeditions in person with great preparation and much charge but his reputation being once cryed downe whatsoever therein succeeded well was attributed to his Commanders but all misfortunes only to him on the other side if any exploit were well atchieved by any of the Nobilitie it received misconstruction by the Court Parasitâ—…â—…d by them to whom Militarie vertue was altogether unpleasant so exteâ—…ed depraved or envied that it seldome times received recompence or praise yea sometime it drew on suspition and danger it being whispered to the King that to commaund well in the field and to bee skilfull and valiant was a vertue meerely to bee appropriated to a Prince and that it was perilous to have the name of a private subject famous for such experience in every mans mouth whereby few sought to raise their fortunes by vertue and valour when the way was easier for to rise by humouring the Prince Affaires of State in peace were managed by those of weakest apprehension by whose corrupt or ignorant counsell the overthrow of the well-minded Nobilitie was many times attempted and at the last wrought The profits and revenewes of the Crowne were let to farme the King making himselfe Landlord of the Realme challenging no greater priviledge by his Raigne but a dissolute and uncontrouled life Great summes of money were by new found and unwonted meanes every day rather exacted then voluntarily granted from the Subject whereof no good did ensue but the Kings private pleasures maintained and his unworthy Favourites advanced To these hee was beyond expectation too liberall to continue for which he was inforced to borrow begge and extort in many places but purchased not so much love by the one as hee procured thereby hatred from the other over and above Tenths and Fifteenes which were many times gathered double in one yeare strange impositions were devised and put in practise sometimes exacting twelve pence per poll of every subject throughout the Realme sometimes of every religious person male and female vj. s. viij d. of every secular Priest as much Vnder the favourable terme of benevolence hee drew from the people great summes of money hee borrowed so much upon privie Sâ—…ales that no man of abilitie could escape his loane but seldome and to few was repayment made He sent certaine Commissioners Bishops and Lords temporall to all shires and corporations within the kingdome to make knowne the Kings heavy displeasure against them for having abetted the Duke of Gloucester and the Earles of Arundel and Warwicke which without due acknowledgement of the offence and submission to his mercy could not be pacified Whereupon the chiefe in every shire and all Corporations made their acknowledgement and submission under their hands and seales for the redemption whereof and for procuring of the Kings favour insupportable fines were payd and all so impoverished that few or none were able to subsist none to resist Strange and unheard-of oathes were obtruded upon the Commons for performance of what was under their hands and seales promised by them nay to adde affliction to affliction blancke Charters were sealed and delivered to the Kings use wherein whatsoever hee pleased might bee inserted These courses were quite contrary to the government of Henry the second who though borne a stranger and comming young to the Crowne and in a scarce settled time maintained great warres woon large Dominions more then ever were hereditary to any his Predecessors had many children and alwayes maintained a Kingly port yet never demanded Subsidie of his subjects neverthelesse hee left nine hundred thousand pounds besides jewels and Plate of inestimable value in his Treasurie having in all his life-time held a good correspondency betwixt his care and respect towards his subjects and of their obedience and loyaltie to him But this King bearing a heavy hand over his people they beare an hard heart towards him and hee being shallow in judgement not of sufficiency enough to cover his vices but with or by a cloke of seeming powerfull at length drave then many to revolt whose resolution was rather to run the hazard of ruine by rebellion then to continue safety with slavery and did but waiting occasion to begin which was thus offered The King received advertisement out of Ireland that the wild Irish had massacred all his garrison souldiers and barbarously slaine Roger Mortymer Earle of Marsh who had beene declared heire to the Crowne and that they proceeded with that cruelty that wrath and rage being master of the field could incite or cowardly conquerours practise This losse being greater was much
both sides being by the one accounted a corrupter by the other a betrayer of the King The rest by his Example more fearefull then faithfull tooke every man his owne way and scattered And they that in the Kings prosperitie would have contended to bee foremost now together draw backe and like Swallowes forsake that house in Winter where all the Summer they did feed and foyle Betweene faint souldiers and false friends the King is abandoned Looke on hee might remedie it hee could not as not of force to punish that which he never forced to prevent his present remedy is patience a cold comfort his only revenge complaint a weake weapon Betweene both thus hee vents his passion And doe saith hee all forsake mee doth their faith and my good fortune both end together Had I forsaken them in time I had not beene forsaken of others who once loved me better but now are able to hurt me more I confesse the blindnesse of my judgement and so there is no friendship in flattery nor trecherie in plaine truth and wish I had but as much space to reforme this error as I am like to have time to repent it But ah they would not suffer mee to be wise when I might and now they have made mee wretched they flye from mee they were content to bee the causes but will not bee companions of my calamities such attendants are like Crowes to a dead carkasse which flocke to it not to defend it but to devour it and no sooner have they bar'd the bones but they are gone Thus having lost both the feare and affection of his Subjects distracted without comfort counsell or courage like an Exile in his owne kingdome hee remaineth in Wales not daring to goe to London and no man desirous to come to him shifteth still from place to place fearing all things but most misliking the present The Duke pursueth him with all his power but the King was too weake to doe any thing by force and yet too great to bee undiscovered neither had hee any assurance of those few hee had At length hee came to the Castle of Conoway and there utterly destitute of helpe or hope hee stood divided in minde which way to bend his course his followers were more ready to oppugne the opinion of others then to give direction themselves as seeing better what to shun then what to follow and as it alwayes chanceth in desperate causes that course is commonly made choice of whereof the opportunitie is already past Some advised him that it was then time rather to thinke of saving of life then recovering his estate give place say they to the current of this furie let it haue its full source and when it is at the highest it will turne againe and then you shall have the tyde as strong with you as it is now against you Therefore give a little space for the bad to draw backe for the good to put forward Treason gets ground at the first but good counsell gathers strength by cunctation The mindes of the multitude are only constant in unconstancy and persevere only in change in dislike of things present they desire new wherewith they rest not long contented but are many times glutted with the first sight And how can they long endure the Raigne of him who mounting the Throne only by their favour and strength shall hold the same in a manner at their courtesie every unpleasant command shall bee deemed ingratitude every suit though never so unreasonable if denyed shall charge him shith unkindnesse if Honour be not offered they will bee much discontented and upon every occasion of distast thinke themselves as able to displace him as they were to set him up You may therefore say they for a time returne to Ireland or goe to your Father-in-law into France you may assure your selfe of his assistance to stand upon your side to recover your losses Others who were enemies to any counsell how good soever it was whereof themselves were not authors perswaded the King that his enemies would rather dye then desist not so much for enmitie to him as for caution to themselves For it is a hard matter to forgive but impossible to forget the indignities and injuries they have offered And to omit what some Princes have done what all will promise to doe They will soone find fresh and bleeding examples what you are like to doe Glocester Arundell Warwicke made insurrection not to amove you from the Crowne but to remove from you certaine misleaders of your affections an action more displeasing then prejudiciall unto you Atonement was made Charters of free pardon were granted under the great Seale But what followed was the breach ever perfectly made up did displeasure dye or was it only dissembled but the present wants of their lives have fully revenged their deaths For had they lived their countenance and authoritie would easily have stinted these strifes But the manner of their death perswades an obstinate resistance in all your adversaries As for the refuge to forraine Princes you may peradventure receive of them faire entertainment and allowance yet growing burdensome it may perchance fayle But it is hard to draw a Prince into such a quarrell and more hard by that meanes to prevaile Or if you should it is to bee feared that the Victors will hold the benefit of the conquest to themselves and not yeeld it over to you Few countryes that have required such ayde but have beene by Forrainers subdued This drew the Saxons into the land who so assisted the Britons that they could not be resisted from possessing their kingdome yet helpe of strangers in cases of extremitie is not altogether to bee contemned but it is a remedy last to be trusted to least to be tryed but in no case altogether to be relied upon What then if you procure a Treatie to see in what termes the people stand against you it may be upon faire quarter they will submit but if they will persist to uncrowne you an honourable stipend may be procured you what shall you lose thereby you have no childe to bee disinherited the chiefe motive to make men greedy to get and carefull to retaine And as for your selfe you shall bee but translated from a steepe and slippery hill to a smoothe and pleasant playne from dangerous travaile to secure rest And if there be no solace without safetie no felicitie without firmenesse you shall finde the private life not only more pleasant but more happy then your principall state The tallest trees are weakest in the toppes and envy alwayes aymeth at the highest But you shall lose you will say the credit ahd countenance of a King so shall you the cares and casualties The Crowne and Scepter are things most waighty to wield If a Prince bee good hee is laden with labour if evill with infamy howsoever with perills and tossed with strong and sturdy tempests so that to bee freed from these feares is to
doings only the King was utterly undone Then was demanded of the Nobilitie and Commons of the Realme what they judged of the substance and truth of these Articles who all agreed that the crimes were notorious And that the King was worthy for the same to bee deposed from his Princely dignitie The Noble men partly corrupted by favour part awed by feare gave their voices And the Commons who commonly are like a flocke of Cranes as the first flye all followers did the like Commissioners are appointed by both houses who pronounced sentence of Deposition against King Richard in manner and forme as followeth In the name of God Amen Wee Iohn Bishop of Asaph Iohn Abbot of Glassenbury Thomas Earle of Glocester Thomas Lord Barkley Sir Thomas Erpingham and Sir Thomas Gray Knights and William Thirning Iustice Commissioners for the causes hereafter specified By the Lords Spirituall and temporall and the Commons of the Realme of England representing all the States of our Kingdome specially deputed sitting in place of judgement considering the manifold perjuries and cruelties and many other the crimes and offences by Richard late King of this Realme committed and done contrarie to good government in the Realmes and dominions aforesaid during the time of his raigne Also considering the Articles which were openly exhibited and read before the said States which were so publike notorious manifest and famous that they could nor can by any shift or cover be concealed or avoyded considering also the Confession of the sayd King acknowledging and reputing and truly upon his certaine knowledge judging himselfe to have beene and to bee altogether insufficient and unskilfull for the rule and government of the Realme and Dominions aforesaid and not unworthy to bee Deposed for the notorious demerits by the said Richard first acknowledged and after by his will and mandate before the said States published and to them opened and declared in the English tongue upon these and other matters which were done concerning the same businesse before the said States and us by the delegation place name and Authoritie to us in this part committed in pursuance whereof Wee pronounce decree and declare the said Richard to have beene and bee unprofitable unable and altogether unsufficient and unworthy for the rule and government of the said Realmes and in regard and respect of the premisses worthy to bee deposed from all kingly dignitie and honor if any such dignitie and honor remaineth in him And for the like cautele We do depose him by our sentence definitive in this Writing inhibiting from henceforth expresly all and singular Lords Archbishops Bishops Prelats Dukes Marquesses Earles Barons Knights Vassales and all other persons whatsoever of the said Realmes heretofore the subjects of the same and every of them that from henceforth none obey or intend to obey the said Richard as King or Lord of the Dominions aforesaid And afterwards the same Commissioners by the conseâ—…t and suffrage of both houses were constituted Procurators joyntly and severally for all the States of the Realme to resigne and surrender unto King Richard for them and all other homagers of the Realme all the homages and fealties which were both due and done unto him as King and Soveraigne And also to declare unto him all the premisses concerning his Deposition Now Henry Duke of Lancaster that hee might bee reputed or reported at the least not to attaine the kingdome by intrusion and wrong was counselled by his friends to pretend some lawfull challenge or claime thereunto And being in power it was no sooner advised what was to bee done but it was presently devised how to doe it So a Title was drawne from Edmond sonne to King Henry the third whom they nicknamed Crookbacke affirming that he was the eldest sonne of King Henry and that hee for his deformitie was put from his right of succession which was for that cause given to King Edward the first To this Edmond the Duke was next of blood by his mother Blanch sole Daugter and heire to Henry Duke of Lancaster and Sonne to the same Edmond This cunning conveyance was perceived by most but seeming not to perceive it was a point of friendship in some and of obedience in the rest Therefore the Crowne of England being supposed unpossessed both by the resignation and also by the deposition of King Richard Duke Henry arose from off his seate and standing in the most view of the assembly making the signe of the Crosse on his forehead and brest said as followeth In the name of God Amen I Henry of Lancaster claime as my right the Crowne and Realme of England with all the Dominions and appendices to the same as being lineally descended by the right of lyne from the blood Royall comming from that good Lord King Henry the third and through the right that God of his grace hath sent mee by his assistance and the helpe of my ready kindred and noble friends have adventured to recover the same which was in point of destruction for want of good government and orderly distribution of justice therein and therewith reseated himselfe Then was it demanded in both Houses upper and lower whether they did consent that the Duke should raigne over them who all with one voice accepted of him for their King Then the Archbishop of Canterbury tooke him by the hand and placed him in the Throne of estate the Archbishop of Yorke assisting him and all the Parliament testifying their owne joy and wishing his Then the Archbishop of Canterbury upon this place of Scripture 1 Reg. 9. 17. See this is the man whom I spake to thee of this same shall raigne over my people did make a paraphrasticall exposition which ended the Duke was generally proclaimed King by the name of Henry the Fourth King of England and France Lord of Ireland The Common people voide of cares not searching into sequels but without difference of right or wrong inclinable to follow the mightie with showtes and clâ—…mours gave their applause not all upon judgement or faithfull meaning but only upon received custome at first to flatter the Prince whatsoever hee bee But lest the humour thereof should allay by delay it was forthwith Proclaimed that upon the thirteenth of September next ensuing the Coronation of the King should be celebrated at Westminster These matters being thus dispatched the proclaimed King rose from his Seate and went to Whitehall where hee feasted the Assembly royally yet hee made no show of statelinesse or pride or change of deportment in this so great change of fortune Vpon Wednesday following the before-remembred Procurators went to the deposed King to the Tower and declared to him the admission of his resignation and the manner of his Deposition and in the name of the States of the Realme did surrender backe the Homage and Fealtie formerly due unto him with this attestation that no man from thenceforth would beare unto him faith and allegeance as due to a King The
right to the Crowne of England The King likewise made Sir Iohn Shirley Lord Chancellor Iohn Norbury Esquire Lord Treasurer Sir Richard Clifford Lord privie Seale Vpon the fourth of October the Lord high Steward by his Fathers command sate in the Kings Hall at Westminster and caused Proclamation to bee made That any that could claime any Office at the solemnization of the Kings Coronation should preferre their Petitions whereupon divers claimed Offices and Fees And those to whom the rights of such clayme 's appertained were admitted accordingly The Parliament was prorogued to the morrow after Saint Edwards day upon their reassembly it was enacted that the inheritance of the Crowne and Realme of England and of all the Dominions to the King of England appertaining should bee united and remaine in the person of King Henry and in the heires of his body lawfully begotten And that Prince Henry his eldest Sonne should be his heire apparant and Successor in the premisses and if hee should die without issue then they were entayled to his other Sonnes successively in order and to the heires of their bodyes so that nothing was left undone that the wit of man could invent and authoritie refulcitate for the setting of the right to the Crowne in him and his heires In this Parliament were deprived of their dignities the Dukes of Surry Aumerle and Exceter The Marquesse Dorset and Earle of Glocester underwent the like sentence The Inheritance of the kingdome settled and some exemplary punishments of some the late Kings ill counsellers made A motion was made in Parliament what should bee done with the deposed King Thomas Merckes the Bishop of Carlile a man that used both libertie and constancie in a good cause In his private judgement having never allowed these proceedings but dissembled his dislike till fit time to declare it being in a place to bee heard and by the order of the House not to be interrupted of any rose up and with a grave countenance and settled courage sayd This question right Honorable concerneth a matter of great consequence and waight the determining whereof will assuredly procure either quiet or turmoile both to the publike State and our particular consciences Therefore before any resolution thereof bee given I beseech you to take into your more serious consideration these two things First whether King Richard bee sufficiently deposed or not secondly whether King Henry bee by Iustice and good advisement seated in the succession In the first point is to be examined whether a King by lineall succession being Crowned annoynted and lawfully invested may upon imputation either of negligence or tyrannie bee deposed by his Subjects secondly what Richard had omitted in the one or committed in the other that might deserve that heavy judgement I will not dispute what may bee done in a popular or consular estate in which though one beareth the Title and honour of a Prince yet he hath no Supreame power of a King But in the one the Nobilitie and chiefe men of state in the other the people have greatest prerogative in neither the Prince of the last sort was the Common-wealth of the Lacedemonians who by that forme of government which Licurgus framed oftentimes fined sometimes fettered their Princes sometimes put them to death such were the petty Kings in France in Caesars time who were oftentimes arraigned and executed and as the Prince of the Leodienses Ambiorix confessed had no greater power over their subjects then their subjects had over them and of the second condition were the Roman Emperors at the first being subject to the censure of the Senat And such are now the Emperours of Germany whom the other Princes by their Aristocraticall power doe not only restraine but sometimes remove such are the Kings of Denmarke and Sweveland who are many times by their Nobilitie dejected either into prison or exile Such are the Dukes of Venice and some other free States of Italy And the chiefest cause why Lewis Earle of Flaunders was lately expelled was for assuming unto himselfe the Cognizance of life and death which authoritie was never incident to his dignitie In these and such like governments the Prince hath not absolute Regalitie but is himselfe subject to that power which is more transcendent then his whether it bee in the Nobilitie or multitude But if the Soveraigne Majestie bee in the Prince as it was in the first three Emperours and in the kingdomes of Iudea and Israel and is now in the kingdomes of England France Scotland Spaine Muscovia Turkie Tartary Persia Ethiopia and almost all the kingdomes of Asia and Africa although for his vices hee bee unprofitable to the Subjects yea hurtfull yea untolerable yet can they neither hazard his power nor harme his Person either by judiciall proceedings or by force for neither one nor all Magistrates have any authoritie over the Prince from whom all Authoritie is derived and whose only presence doth silence and suspend all inferiour jurisdiction and force And for power what subject can assist or counsell or conceale violence against his Prince and not incur the high heinous crime offensonry or treason it is a common saying thought is free free indeed from punishment of secular Laws except byword or deed it break forth into action yet the secret thoughts against the sacred Majestie of a Prince without attempt without endeavour have bin adjudged to death And somewho in auricular confession have discovered their treacherous devises against the King in person have for the same bin executed All laws do exempt a madd man from punishment because their actions are not governed by their will and the will of man being set apart all his deeds are indifferent neither can the body offend without a corrupt or erronious minde yet if a mad man but draw his weapon upon his King it hath beene adjudged worthy death And lest any man should surmise that Princes for the maintenance of their owne safetie and soveraigntie are the only authors of these judgements Let us examine with consideration the patternes and precepts to this purpose set forth in the Sacred text Nabucadonezer King of Assyria wasted all Palestine with fire and sword oppugned the holy Citie a great while and at the last expugned it slaughtered the King burnt the Temple carryed away the holy Vessells and Treasure and permitted the souldiers with unmercifull crueltie to spoile and ransacke all the people with fire and sword and whom from thence had escaped and the pestilence had spared hee led captive into Chaldea and there erected his golden Image commanding those that refused to worship it to bee cast into the fiery Furnace notwithstanding God calleth Nabucadnezer his servant and promiseth him wages for his service And the Prophets Ieremiah and Baruke did write unto the Iewes to pray for the life of him and of Balthazar his sonne that their dayes upon earth might bee as the dayes of heaven and Ezechiel with bitter termes upbraideth the disloyaltie of Zedechiah
of Westminster that imployed his studies not as others to cloke their idlenesse and sloth under pretext of Religion making a seeming show of sanctitie and a solide practice of gaine and promotion but to enable himselfe for counsell and direction in publicke affaires who for the generall opinion of his wisdome and integritie was in good credit with King Richard and had accompanied him in his last expedition into Ireland This Abbot calling to minde a speech of King Henries when hee was but Earle of Darby that Princes had too little and religious men too much knowing the saying to be too true for at that time the riches of the Clergie was growne so great that they were beheld by the eyes of envy and withall observing the generall passages in those times tended to the abridging of the regular power wherein lest Avarice should appeare open-faced pollicie was pretended and the excesse thought dangerous both to the King and Clergie as likely to cause want in the one and wantonnesse in the other and that thereupon in Parliament divers bills were formerly put up in King Richards time to represse the increase of Religious possessions and that inquisition and redresse might bee had against such of the Clergie as under licence to purchase ten pounds did purchase fortie and more per annum and against such Ecclesiasticall persons as caused their villanies to marry free women inheritable whereby their lands might come to those religious persons possession And that it was there likewise moved that the King should seize into his hands all temporall livings of Religious houses as being rather a burden then benefit to religion And that upon these and such like Petitions the Archbishops of Canterbury and Yorke in behalfe of the Clergie of their Provinces were often-times enforced to make their solemne protestations in Parliament That if any thing were attempted in restraint of the libertie of the Church they would in no wise assent but utterly disclaime the same which protestations were respectively enrolled So that now partly upon love to King Richard and partly upon feare lest King Henry would be as ready to invade as he was to inveigh against the riches of the Church This Abbot blew the first coles and brought fewell to the fire of this Confederacie Hee invited to his house upon a solemne feast day in Michaelmasse terme those that hee had sounded to bee most sound to his purpose The chiefe of which were such as in the Parliament before had in some sortbeene touched in reputation although by pardon and reconciliation the harme did seeme to bee closed up Their names were Iohn Holland Duke of Exceter Thomas Holland his brothers sonne Duke of Surry Edward Duke of Aumerle Iohn Mountacute Earle of Sarum Hugh Spencer Earle of Glocester Iohn Bishop of Carlile Sir Thomas Blunt and Magitalon one of King Richards Chaplaines who in feature and favour so resembled King Richard that hee was afterwards affirmed to bee him indeed After dinner they withdrew themselves into a private Chamber to Councell where the Duke of Exceter who was mainly bent to restore or revenge the cause of his Deposed brother declared to the rest the alleageance they had sworne to King Richard the honours and preferments whereunto they were by him advanced That they were therefore bound both in conscience by the one and kindnesse by the other to take his part against all men That King Henry contrary to both had dispoyled him of his royall dignitie and unjustly possessed himselfe thereof whilst they stood looking on and shewed neither the obedience of subjects nor love of friends That King Henry by violent invading fraudulently insinuating himselfe into the kingdome of his sole Soveraigne was but a tyrant and an usurper and such an one as it was lawfull for any one at any time by any meanes to throw downe without respect whether hee bee good or evill for it is lawfull for no man under the pretence and show of goodnesse to draw Soveraigntie to himselfe That the examples of best governed Common-wealths did not only permit this action but highly honoured the actor with Statues and Garlands and also rewarded them with titles of Nobilitie and all the wealth of the suppressed Tyrant and lesse hee could not esteeme King Henry that this enterprise would bee very profitable to the republicke by extinguishing those warres that the Scots menaced the French prepared for and the Welchmen had already begun upon this quarrell That hee did not distrust but it might bee accomplished by open hostilitie but hee thought it more sure for him and safe for the Common-wealth to put first in practise some secret policie And to that purpose it was proposed and approved that a solemne justs should bee notified to bee kept at Oxford in Christmasse holy-dayes betweene him and twentie more on his part and the Earle of Salisbury and twenty more on his part to which King Henry should bee invited And wen hee was therein observed to bee most intentive hee should suddenly be surprized by such which without suspition might at that time bee assembled both for number and preparation sufficient for the exploit And thereby King Richard presently restored to libertie and State This devise was at once uttered and approved and so resolving on the enterprise they tooke a solemne oath of faith and secrecie to the houre of death each to other And an Indenture Sextipartite was likewise made betwixt the Lords wherein they bound themselves respectively each to other to doe the best of their devoyre for the destruction of the one and delivery of the other King which was interchangeably subscribed sealed and delivered They likewise concluded what forces should bee gathered where and by whom they should bee ordered and placed and to whose trust the execution of this exploit should bee committed In pursuance hereof the Duke of Exceter came to the King at Windsor and desired that hee would vouchsafe to honour with his presence the martiall exercise that was intended betwixt him and the Earle of Sarum at Oxford and bee pleased to bee Iudge of their performance if any controversie should arise The King perswading himselfe that that was really intended which was so formally pretended easily yeelded to his request whereupon the Duke with the rest of the Confederates did disperse themselves and according to direction made their preparations and furnished themselves with all things necessary for the accomplishment of their plot and at the time agreed upon addressed themselves to Oxford well accompanied with horse and foot where they all meet except the Duke of Aumerle The King hearing of their departure determined the day following to follow according to promise and appointment The Duke of Aumerles absence gave just cause of doubt to the rest of his complices and to bee ascertained of the cause of his stay they send a Post unto him but before his arrivall the Duke was departed from his house towards Oxford but by the way went to
King Henries armes and plucked away his Cognizance from those that as his servants attended upon her and having there with somewhat eased her swolne heart shee with the Lords departed to Wallingford and from thence to Abington stirring up by the way the people to take armes in ayde of King Richard At length they came to Cicester and there tooke up their lodgings The Duke of Surry the Earle of Salisbury in one Inne the Duke of Exceter and the Earle of Glocester in another Inne the Army encamped in the fields The Bayliffe of the Towne suspecting what was true that these guests were no good subjects besets the house where the Duke of Surry lay who with his retinue growne desperately bold made strong defence against the assaylants The Duke of Exceter and his Company had not force enough to rescue their Companions Whereupon a Priest of their consort supposing thereby to divert the Townsmen from the assault set divers houses on fire but the fire more inflamed the townsmens furie and made them insist more obstinately in the attempt swearing not to rescue their losses but revenge them and quench the flames with the Traytors blood The Earle of Exceter and they that were with him perceiving the force of the assaylants to increase and that it was impossible for a few so to sustaine the fury of so many obstinately bent they fled out of the backside towards the Campe intending to bring the Army to the reskue But the souldiers having heard the alarum and seeing the fire within the Towne supposing the King was entred with his forces were strucke with a sudden and causlesse feare and wanting Commanders of courage to confirme them they disbanded and fled and whilst every one sought to save one they brought themselves all to confusion The Duke of Surry and his company manfully maintained the fight with great bloodshed on all sides from midnight untill three of the clocke the next after-noone and then being inferiour in number and fortune the Duke and the Earle of Salisbury were both wounded to death and taken and that evening dying their heads were strooke off and sent to the King to London There were then taken prisoners Sir Bennet Sherley Sir Bernard Brockas Sir Thomas Blount and twenty eight Lords and men of note who were afterwards upon King Henryes comming to Oxford sent thither unto him and there executed The Duke of Exceter with Sir Iohn Sherley fled into Essex from whence many times they attempted to have escaped to France but by contrary windes were driven backe againe and then lurking in secret places the Duke was taken and lead to Plashey and there beheaded There wanted not some in those times that made conjectures that now the Duke of Glocesters death was brought to bee reckoned for who by Exceters counsell and contrivance in the same place had beene wrongfully apprehended An example for those which square out their actions by the crooked line of their pleasure or power to other mens disprofit or disparagement but punishment of such impietie though it bee prolonged doth never faile but commeth at length and then surely though perhaps slowly This Duke of Exceter was a man of high Parentage great power and honourable Alliance Created Earle of Huntington in the eleventh yeare of King Richard now deposed in the one and twentieth hee was Created Duke of Exceter and upon the resignation of the place and release of the right thereto by Aubery de Vere Earle of Oxford was made that yeare Lord Chamberlaine of England and married Elizabeth the Daughter of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and Blaunch his wife by whom hee had issue Richard that dyed young Iohn afterwards Duke of Exceter Earle of Huntington Edward that dyed without issue and a Daughter named Constance first married to Thomas Mowbray sonne and heire of Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolke and after to Iohn Lord Gray of Ruthyn hee was popular and openly praise-worthy but his secret actions were hardly censured hee was partaker of all his brothers vices and of counsell to many of them yet somewhat more circumspect and close and not so much partaker of his prosperitie as violently carried with the torrent of his misery Thomas Spencer Earle of Glocester fled toward Wales but in the way was taken and beheaded at Bristoll hee married Constance Daughter of Edmond of Langly Duke of Yorke and had issue Richard that dyed young Elizabeth dyed young and Isabell who was borne seven moneths after her Fathers death and was first married to Richard Beauchamp Earle of Worcester by whom shee had issue Elizabeth her second husband was Richard Beauchamp Earle of Warwicke cosin german to her first husband by whom she had issue Henry afterwards Earle of Warwicke The counterfeit of King Richard flying into Scotland was apprehended committed to the Tower and from thence drawne and hanged and quartered and one Ferby and an other of K. Rich. Chaplaines with him divers others of all sorts Lords and Gentlemen with a great number of common souldiers were in other places put to death insomuch that the King though otherwise of a moderate and peaceable disposition seemed in this too too vindicative of his owne injurie or rather in maintaining the injury that hee had done The heads of the chiefe Conspirators were pitched upon poles and set over London bridge lamentable spectacles of heads and quarters of unfortunate dismembred wretches were visible in many parts of this Realme putrifying above ground not all for desert but many to satisfie either the malice or want of King Henryes friends Insomuch that some of those of deepest apprehension openly gave forth That in short time there would be just cause to wish King Richard againe as being more tolerable to indure the crueltie of one then of many and to live where nothing then where any thing might bee permitted was most safe The Abbot of Westminster in whose house and head this Conspiracy tooke life and light hearing of these disasters going from his Monastery Grange neere Westminster was taken with a dead Palsie and suddenly dyed speechlesse And although in this enterprise accident gave policie the checke and by a strange fortune which wisdome could not prevent overturned the project yet it is apparant that this Abbot first moved the stone that rowling along was likely toturne King Henry out of his Chaire The Bishop of Carlile was condemned for his treason but the extremity of his passion closed up his dayes and prevented the violence and shame of publicke execution King Richard as afore having abdicated his Regalitie did but a short time injoy that sweet securitie wherewith hee so flattered himselfe For first his goods which hee had given in satisfaction of the wrongs by him done were shared amongst his enemies and hee removed first to the Tower of London and then from thence to the Castle of Leeds in Kent and from thence to Pomfret where being kept in straight Prison innocent and ignorant of this offence
round about The Scots under the leading of Archibald Dowglasse about the number of twenty thousand with barbarous crueltie entred into Northumberland making havocke by the way but at a place called Homildon they were encountred by the English under the leading of Henry Lord Piercy surnamed Hotspur and George Earle of March on holy-rood day in harvest who put them to flight and tooke prisoners after the slaughter of ten thousand of them five hundred whereof Mordack Earle of Fife the sonne of the Generall who in the fight lost one of his eyes Thomas Earle Murry Robert Earle of Angus the Earles of Atholl and Mentits were chiefe and amongst the slaine were Sir Iohn Swinton Sir Adam Gordon Sir Iohn Leviston Sir Alexander Ramsey of Dalehowsey and twenty three other Knights Piercy having put his prisoners in safe keeping entred Tividale wasting all in the way and there besieged the Castle of Cockclawes of which Sir Iohn Greenlow was Captaine who upon condition that if hee were not relieved within three moneths compounded to surrender the Castle The first two moneths were past and no reskue nor likelihood thereof appeared But before the expiration of the third moneth the souldiers were sent for to attend the King in his expedition as before against Glendour and so they raised the siege and departed with a plentifull bootie The French King to backe Glendour in his trayterous designes not so much for love of him as hatred to King Henry sent twelve hundred men of qualitie to bee Captaines and Commanders to those rebellious disorderly troopes but the windes were so contrary and the violence of the storme such that they lost twelve of their best ships with their fraught and the rest with great difficultie returned to France The English deriding the whilst the French Kings ill successe whose enterprises though they threatned much yet they alwayes vanished to nothing The report whereof so exasperated his resolutions that forthwith hee sent into Wales twelve thousand men who safely landed and joyned with the Welch But upon notice of the English Armies approach suspecting their owne strength or their partakers fidelitie amazed and heartlesse they ran to their shippes and without any service done disgracefully turned home King Henryes Embassadours lately sent into Britaine for the Lady Iane de Navar Dutchesse of Britaine the relict of Iohn de Mountford surnamed the Conqueror with whom the King by procurators had contracted matrimony in the beginning of February returned with her in safetie The King met her at Winchester where the seventh of February the Mariage was solemnized In the meane time Valerian Earle of St. Pauls out of a malitious hatred to King Henry with seventeene hundred men of warre from Harâ—…ew landed in the Isle of Wight where burning two Villages and some few Cottages in token of triumph hee made some Knights But hearing the people of the Island to have assembled hee hasted to his shippes and retired About that time Iohn Earle of Cleremont the heire of Bourbon wonne from the English the Castles of Saint Peter and Saint Mary and the new Castle The Lord de la Bret wonne the Castle of Calafyn of great consequence for the honour of England to bee questioned The Piercies Earles of Northumberland and Worcester with Henry Hotspur which in the initiation of King Henryes attempts had beene both advisers and coadjutors about this time began to turne retrograde to obedience their reason was for that the King not only refused at their request to redeeme their kinsman Mortimer from Glendours slavery though often by them and their friends to that purpose solicited But likewise contrary to the law of the field and Martiall custome as they pretended had challenged as of right pertaining to him all such prisoners as by their martiall prowesse had beene taken of the Scots either at Homeldon or Nesbyt of which they formerly whether of curtesie or duty by them it was disputable only had delivered unto him Morduk the Duke of Albanyes sonne Neverthelesse they came to the King at Windsor where of purpose to prove him they required that either by ransome or otherwise hee would procure the liberty and inlargement of their cousin german Edmond Mortymer â—…avishly shackled and abused as they affirmed for being true to him The King made answer That the Earle of March was not taken prisoner in defence of his Title nor in his service but willingly suffered himselfe to bee taken because he would not withstand the attempts of the Traytor Owen and his Complices and therefore neither would relieve nor ransome him Whereupon Henry Hotspur brake forth and in passion said The heire of the Realme is bereaved of his right and the robber will not allow him part of his owne for his redemption and therewith the Piercies departed the Kings presence and presently procured Mortymers delivery and to adde more waight to King Henrye's displeasure they entred into a league offensive and defensive with Glendour And by their Proxies in the house of the Archdeacon of Bangor they agreed upon a tripartite Indenture under their hands and seales respectively to bee made to divide the Kingdome into three parts whereby all England from Severne and Trent South and Eastward was assigned for the portion of the Earle of March all Wales and the lands beyond Severne Westward were assigned to bee the portion of Owen Glendour and all the remainder of land from Trent Northward to bee allotted to Lord Piercy This was devised or advised say some by Glendour whom they would make a Southsayer by occasion of a Prophesie as though King Henrie was the Mowldwarpe cursed of Gods owne mouth and they three must bee the Lyon the Dragon and the Wolfe which should divide the land among them But the event proved those blinde fantasticall dreames of the Welch Southsayers to bee Deviationes non divinationes In the meane time King Henry not acquainted with these Conspiracies caused a Proclamation to bee made intimating thereby that the Earle of March had voluntarily caused himselfe to bee taken prisoner That the Rebells having him in their custody and company might pretend some colour wherewith to varnish such conspiracies as secretly they had complotted and contrived against his Crowne and him And therefore his discretion for his safetie advised him not to hearken to any motion for his being redeemed Hereupon the Piercies assisted with a company of Scots whom they by setting their Scottish Prisoners at libertie had procured drew to their partie the Earle of Stafford and Richard Scroope Archbishop of Yorke brother to the beheaded Earle of Salisbury and many others and with them purposed to joyne with the Captaine of the Welch And to set the better glosse to their treasonable attempts they framed by way of accusation certaine Articles against the King which they published and to this effect sent them unto him in writing Articles against King Henry 1. IN primis That when hee returned from his Exilement hee made faith only
King sent forth a Fleet which arriving in Britaine tooke fourty Shippes laden with Oyle Sope and Rochel Wines and burnt about fourty more and then landed at Pennarch burning Townes and Villages sixe leagues within the Countrey together with the Town of Saint Mathew and all the building there three leagues about the same and returned laden with spoyle and bootie sufficient with advantage to recompence the losses received at Plymmouth A Parliament was called at Coventry about the feast of all Saints but at Saint Andrewes tyde for want of good accommodation then the same was prorogued to London untill the Feast of Epiphany The Frenchmen about that time attempted to have ransacked the Isle of Wight and to that end set on land one thousand footmen who having got together a great booty of cattell the Ilanders enforced them to their Shippes and to leave their prey behind them with many of their men to helpe pay the damage done An unaccustomed surcharging Subsidy of every Knights fee whether the same were held by Mesnaltie or otherwise twenty shillings to the King every one that could dispend twenty shillings per annum ultra reprises and so upward of what holding soever twelve pence the pound and aboue twenty pounds in goods according to the rate twelve pence in the pound is in this Parliament granted but with this caution and protestation that it should not hereafter bee drawne for a President and that no Records thereof should be kept in the Treasurie or Exchequer but that presently upon the account made all the Rowles thereof to be burnt This yeare there dyed that ever to bee reverenced with gratefull remembrance William of Wickam Bishop of Winchester who more affecting by workes of Piety and Charity to doe good unto his Countrey then to propagate Posteritie left behinde him many monuments of his zeale to Religion and love to the Church howsoever his primitive name is uncertaine and disputable For the discordancie of Writers of those times have left too many scrupulous questions about his descent and originall surname I have therefore as neere as God hath enabled mee endevoured to cleere the point and what with some search I have found hereof to set downe the truth And though to some it may here appeare impertinent yet I presume it will not altogether prove unprofitable In the yeare of our Lord God 1324. William the sonne of Iohn Long was borne at Witkham in the Countie of Southampton This Iohn was Parish Clerke of Wickham aforesaid in which place hee taught Children to write and amongst others his owne sonne who profited so well that hee attained to the writing of a very faire hand a qualitie in those dayes much respected and by the better sort greatly desired From Wickham this Iohn with his wife and family removed to Litchfield there as afore-time he continued the course aforesaid And thither amongst others did one Nicholas Woodall then Constable of the Castle of Winchester send a Sonne of his to be instructed who upon his returne making relation to his Father of this William his skill of faire writing was a meanes that this Constable of the Castle procured the said William of his Father and kept him together with his owne child at Schoole in Winchester where hee learned his Latine French tongues in both which he profited exceedingly From Winchester at Master VVoodhalls charge hee is sent to Oxford where hee applyed himselfe to the study of the Cannon lawes but from them before any degree in Schoole taken hee by his Patron was sent for who being made Surveyor generall of his Majesties workes a place in those dayes of more then ordinary regard hee is by him imployed as his Clerke and in short time grew so expert therein that hee farre surpassed all others in orderly keeping the Account booke and faire engrossing of the same Insomuch that King Edward the Third about that time much addicted to reaâ—…ing magnificent sttructures comming in Progresse and lodging at the Castle heard a large commendation from the Bishop of VVinchester Adam de Orleton of this VVilliam Longs sufficiency who affirmed unto the King that hee had divers times by his Masters leave imployed the young man and upon full proofe found him every way of sufficiencie to doe his Majestie any requirable service Whereupon the King told the Bishop That if without doing wrong to his Master hee might obtaine it hee was desirous to have this VVilliam to serve him The Bishop thereupon perswadeth and prevaileth with Master VVoddall to preferre this his servant to the King who more tendring his Clerkes preferment then his owne ease or service a course not over frequent in this Age accordingly tendreth him whom the King gratiously entertaineth and presently imployeth him in contriving and overlooking his Fortifications at Doven and Quinborough Castles and afterwards made him Surveyor of his buildings at VVindsor Castle and his Houses of Henley and East-Hamstead in all which his imployments hee so dexteriously behaved himselfe that hee not only got the generall good will of his contemporary officers and workmen but also the favour of the King and his Councell and all the Courtiers of whom by discreet observation he had sufficiently learned to make use of the time to his best advantage And having sufficiently seene proved by others experience that service is no certaine heritage And that only to depend on the Kings favour and the peoples praise was a brittle and slippery course to run in wisely therewithall observing that spirituall promotions the wind blowing as it did was easily to bee obtained presuming the King would not bee offended if hee should enter into Orders when thereby preferment was every day promised no doubt inwardly feeling himselfe to bee sufficiently called hee entred into holy Function And according to the custome of the Clergie men of those times bee was from thence forth written and called by the name of William of Wickham and by that time was instituted first Parson of Saint Martins in the field Then made Minister of Saint Martins le grand afterwards Archdeacon of Lincolne Provost of Wells and Rector of Manyhent in Devonshire But within short time after notwithstanding his watchfull care in his deportment to give no occasion of offence as neere as possible to any much lesse to the King yet hee was falne into the jawes of Envie a common plague to Court favourites and by some or others be traduced to the King For over-ambitiously affecting vaine-glory as arrogating the renowne of the Kings choice-peece of building to bee the worke of VVickham only and for an instance thereof they produce a sculpture in a stone of the wall in VVinchester Tower in VVindsor Castle set up at that time when hee was imployed in that worke which imported This made VVilliam of VVickham And this upon the first relation gave just cause of indignation to the King as derogating much from his honour to have a subject to attribute the building of
that rightfully for want of issue it should devolve unto him That the Bishop should dicover the same and make it knowne to the King and the Councell afterwards the Queene being dead and Iohn of Gaunt during the weaknesse of the King did take upon him so much that hee gave just cause of suspition to the lookers on of his ambitious affecting the Crowne The Bishop first in silent and secret manner by way of ghostly counsell diswaded the Duke from nursing the least hope of ever attayning the Crowne and withaâ—… used his best perswasions to him to content himselfe privately to live without further intermeddling then needs must with the affaires of the kingdome And then hee would keepe unrevealed what otherwise byâ—…ye of dutie to his profession he must and would discover which would redound much to the Dukes disparagement This so nettled the Duke that passion confounded reason and in the height thereof hee waded as farre as hee durst for feare of undergoing the censure of the Church for reviling one of the Fathers thereof Neverthelesse hee did not so temper his words but that hee gave just occasion to the Bishop to provide for his safetie and to looke to himselfe hereof hee gave intimation to the rest of the Bishops And so it chanced that within short time after a Parliament is convoked wherein the Kings necessitie of present supply of money is much prest But the Clergie unanimously affirme that without their Brother the Bishop of VVinchesters presence they neither can nor will consult of any thing and therefore crave that hee might bee permitted to come The King being told that hee being a principall member of the house of Parliament could not with conveniencie bee excluded Whereupon hee is sent for The Bishop upon notice of the Kings pleasure repaireth to London but in that obscure manner and with that small retinue that hee ministred occasion of commiseration to the beholders which so incensed the Duke of Lancaster that hee not only continued his indignation against the Bishop of VVinchester but openly did oppose all the Bishops in generall protecting and countenancing VVickliffe a man of more zeale then discretion in all his over-bold and undutifull carriages towards them In the meane time VVinchester having sufficiently learned that the King now in his declining time did so dote upon Alice Pierce that in a manner hee was altogether governed by her complies himselfe wholly to her and so effectually aut prece aut pretio or both made his way with her that mauger all what the Duke could say or doe to the contrary after two yeares being kept out of his livings by her meanes the Bishop is restored fully to whatsoever had beene taken or was detayned from him The Parliament dissolved the Bishop commeth to VVinchester where as well by the Citizens as Pryor and Covent hee is joyfully with kinde welcome and generall procession received and entertained Then and there also hee receiveth of the Executors of his Predecessors Bishop Edington satisfaction for the summe of one thousand one hundred sixtie two pounds tenne shillings and for the valew of one thousand five hundred fiftie sixe rother beasts three thousand eight hundred seventie sixe Weather-sheepe foure thousand seven hundred and seventeene Ewes three thousand five hundred twentie one Lambes and one thousand one hundred twentie seven Swine formerly recovered against them for dâ—…apidations before the Officiall of VVilliam VVitesley Archbishop of Canterbury King Edward being dead and Alice Pierce being banished the Court Iohn of Gaunt confident now to worke his malitious designes against VVinchester taking the advantage of his Nephew King Richards infancie musters afresh his old forces and with small addition of some new surmised cavillations reinformes and againe accuseth the Bishop of VVinchester But the Dukes malice was not more discernable but the Bishops innocencie was every way as perspicuous By meanes whereof hee escaped all the Gauntish machinations and by the helpe of his truest friend his open but full purse hee obtained a generall Pardon under the great Seale of England and together with that from thenceforth a quiet and unperturbed estate during which time hee made preparations to forward his preintended goodly buildings providing himselfe of all needfull materials and furnishing himselfe with some of them and all his chiefe workmen for stone-worke out of France having made tryall of his Artificers skill in their owne Countrey where at Roven hee built a stately conventuall Church and furnished the same with all needfull and befitting ornaments and maintenance And now having in readinesse all requirable utensells his first worke was the building of a Chappell at Tytchfeid where his Father Mother and sister Perrot were buried endowing the same with proportionable maintenance for a Priest to performe the Ceremonies in those dayes used for the benefit of the soules departed Hee founded at Southwicke in the Countie of Southampton neere the Towne of Wickham the place of his birth as a supplement to the Priory of Southwicke a Chauntry with sufficient aliment and all other necessaries for five Priests for ever Hee bestowed twentie thousand Markes in orderly repairing the houses belonging to the Bishopricke He discharged out of prison in all places of his Diocesse all such poore prisoners as lay in execution for debt under twenty pounds about which hee expended two thousand pounds Hee sufficiently amended all the high wayes from Winchester to London on both sides the River Hee procured large immunities to the Sea of Winchester and purchased lands thereto to the valew of two hundred Markes per annum with a Licence in Mortmaine for two hundred pounds per annum more In the eleventh yeare of the Raigne of Richard the Second he receiueth from the Kings owne hands the great Seale of England and is made Lord Chancellor whereby it appeareth that King Richard was not altogether so voide of judgement in the choice of his Officers of eminencie as the Writers of his time would seeme to make him At his returne from Court hee called all his Officers to account amongst whom hee remitted the summe of foure thousand pounds in which they were arere and gave to every one of them respectively a generall release of all demands untill that time Hee likewise remitted unto the tenements of the Bishopricke all such customary payments of knowledge money as were by his Officers affirmed to bee due unto him in the whole amounting to the summe of five hundred and twentie pounds But now as if whatsoever was done before had beene but an essay of what hee intended to doe after hee began to lay the foundation of that magnificent structure in Oxford at that and till this time called new Colledge And upon the fift day of March Anno Dom. â—…379 hee in person layd the first stone thereof And afterward having finished and sufficiently furnished the same with all befitting accommodations and endowed with proportionable meanes for the liberall maintenance of a Warden Threescore
a meane descent and but a poore scholler in the now but new founded Colledge of Saint Maryes in Oxford at length came to bee Chaplaine there and stepping on by degrees attained to the Deanry of Yorke and finding the ginge of the Court made such use thereof that hee thereby got to bee Lord Treasurer of England And after that Richard the second had banished Thomas Arundel Archbishop of Canterbury the Realme who in Parliament before but minùs justè was attaint of Treason VValden was Consecrate and authorized Archbishop of Canterbury and so for the space of two yeares continued but after a deposall of King Richard Arundell by King Henry was restored and by Pope Boniface Roger was pronounced an intruder who now being Archbishop but without a Bishopricke as afflictions seldome come uncoupled hee was called to account for the Treasurership and though hee produced his quietus est yet were all his temporalties seized and hee imprisoned yet from thence being delivered by the charitable condition of the now Archbishop hee led a private life but then was made Treasurer of Callice and then with great hope of rerising hee was promoted to bee Bishop of London The Duke of Orleans besieged the Townes of Burgh and Bloy in Gascoygne with a great power but after eight weekes siege and the losse of six thousand of his souldiers hee raised his siege and departed The Lord Camoyes being arraigned before the Earle of Kent for that day Lord high Steward upon supposition without ground which some forgetfull persons had accused to have plotted the Kings surprisall by Pirats upon the Thames in a ship whereof he had the charge was by his Peeres acquit and restored to his goods lands offices and the Kings fauour Northumberland and Bardolfe after they had beene in Wales France and Flaunders to raise a power against King Henry returned backe to Scotland where after they had continued a yeare with a great power of Scots and strangers they returned into England recovered divers Castles formerly belonging to the Earle to whom great multitudes of people resorted wherewith they came into Yorkeshire making great spoyle by the way making proclamation That they were come for the comfort of the English and the reliefe of the Common-wealth therefore willed all that desired to retaine their libertie to repaire unto them Sir Thomas Rokesby high Sheriffe of Yorke having leavied the power of the Countie with that only upon Bramham More gave the Rebells battell wherein Northumberland was slaine Bardolfe taken but wounded to death and the rest put to flight This Henry Earle of Northumberland had two Wives the first was Margaret daughter of Ralph Lord Nevill of Raby by whom hee had issue Henry Hotspur slaine as afore Sir Thomas Piercy Sir Ralph Alane that dyed young His second Wife was Maud daughter of Thomas Lord Lucy by whom hee had no issue This yeare a Parliament began in which the Commons preferred a Petition to the King and the upper house therein expressing their desire that the King might have the temporall possessions which the Bishops and Clergie consumed in unnecessary courses the value thereof they pretended would bee sufficient maintenance for one hundred and fiftie Earles one thousand five hundred Knights sixe thousand two hundred Esquires and one hundred Hospitalls for maymed souldiers besides them already erected They craved likewise that the Clerkes convict should not bee delivered to the Bishops prison and that the Statute made in the second yeare of the King against Lollards might bee repealed which â—…avoured of too much curiositie and too little charitie The King upon advised consideration justly distasting their distempered zeale denied their Petitions and in person commanded them upon paine of his indignation from thenceforth not to presume to trouble their braine about any such businesse In this Parliament the King moved in every yeare wherein there was no Parliament kept to have allowed him a tenth of the Clergie and a fifteenth of the Laytie the Bishops assented but the Commons would not agree thereto Sir Robert Vmfrevill the Vice-Admirall of England with tenne men of warre entred the Forts in Scotland lying there fourteene dayes together landing every day on one side or other taking great preyes and doing greater hurt hee burnt the great Gallyot of Scotland and many ships over against Lyeth and carried away with him fourteene tall ships laden with Corne and other Staple commodities which at his returne hee sent to the Markets round about which brought downe the prises of all things and purchased to him the name of Mend-market Hee likewise made a road by land into Scotland and burnt Iedworth and most part of Tiuidale The King Created his sonne Thomas Duke of Clarence his brother Thomas Beufort third sonne of Iohn of Gaunt hee Created Earle of Dorset upon some distaste taken not given against the young Prince whose youthfull carriage was well-neere censured by the graver sort to bee wilde and uncivill the King removed him from the place of President of the Councell and gave it to his third sonne Iohn and giving too much eare to his severer Councellours against the said Prince hee made at least-wise was said to make a misconstruction of all his actions seasoning the same with jealousie that hee ambitiously affected the Crowne and that he would not stay the leisure of time to have it after the Kings death but would use some stratagem though with the losse of his Fathers life to take present possession thereof To feed this suspition all the youthfull actions of the Prince are set on the tentours and exemplified beyond the degree of wildnesse his merriments are termed ryots his company are stiled Swaggerers his behaviour branded with dissolutenesse and his words and gesture dangerous Whereupon a vigilant eye is carried over him and a note taken of all his followers and Fashions The Prince all this while innocent would not seeme though hee had intelligence of thus much to take notice of these passages but continued his sporting merriments with his old companions amongst whom as in all ages some such have beene there were those that would dare and doe many forgetfull prankes the blame whereof still was laid on the Prince his shoulders whose greatnesse was able to countenance their great follyes which hee many times and not unwillingly did undergoe At length being informed that two things were necessary for a Christian to observe Credit and Conscience the one for his acquaintance sake the other for his owne and that hee would bee censured to bee cruell to himselfe if that hee neglected the opinion of others as relying only on the assurance of his owne Conscience hee resolved to give this satisfaction to the world that such as had given his Father intimation of any sinister intention on his part were in an error undeniable hee first by severall Letters of his owne both inditing and writing expostulated with such as hee knew to bee guiltie of doing ill offices
therefore I straightly charge and command you and every one of you that from henceforth untill you have settled your selves in a more orderly course of life and redeeme your pawnd credits with faire and regarded behaviour hereafter upon paine of forfeiture of your heads not to appeare in my presence nor to come within the verge of my Court For what is past I will grant you my pardon and withall because I know sometimes necessitie will cripple honesty I will allow each of you a competency of maintenance as a stocke to begin a course whereby to live orderly hereafter But take heed of relapsing for the least complaint of ill-behaviour of any of you hereafter if proved shall forfeit your pardons and exclude my favour for ever which resolution of mine I will never breake and so without attending any reply hee departed And afterwards to show others the way hee disposed himselfe to a new course of deportment qualifying his cariage with such magnanimous and heroicall vertues as might best become the Person of so great a Potentate and knowing that howsoever wee ought to live by lawes and not by examples yet mans nature is presently carried away with imitation hee preferred to places of iudicature and publike administration of Iustice such as were truly noble wise discreet modest and temperate well able to command others and to rule themselves out of which hee selected a choice number of the ablest braines to bee of his Privie Councell Hee industriously indevoured to reforme the pride covetousnesse sloth and other abuses crept among the Clergie enjoyning them to more regular life and sincere serving of Almighty God commanding the reformation of disorders tenovation of discipline punishment of irregularitie and amendment of life And with moderate severitie caused such administrations of the lawes that hee made both spiritualtie and laitie tractable to the performance of their severall duties Then to establish safetie at home that hee might not bee molested either with the Welch or Scots hee erected divers Fortifications and Bulwarkes upon their Frontiers and furnished them both with necessaries and able Commanders so that hee was still powerfully ready to suppresse all insurrections or rebellions that might bee attempted from thence Immediately after Easter hee called a Parliament but in the interim most of the Nobilitie before his Coronation an usuall course never before done did strive to outgoe each other in forward tender and doing their homage all most willingly swearing to him Allegeance and doing fealtie On Trinitie Sunday the Obsequies for his Father were solemnly performed himselfe and most of the Nobilitie being at Canterbury at the offering present Shortly after he caused the body of King Richard the second to be brought from Langley to Westminster and there buried with great solemnitie by his first wife Queene Anne About this time the opinion of Wickliffe notwithstanding the care taken to suppresse it by the wisdome of the Parliament and the courses appointed in their convocation-Convocation-house by the Clergie began to bee generally dispersed insomuch that Sir Iohn Oldcastle in right of his Wife called in courtesie Lord Cobham a man of a bold and resolute disposition and a stout Souldier was convented before the Archbishop of Canterbury for broching and maintaining many novell positions against the received tenet of the Church the tenor of whose accusation was by Henry Chichley then Archbishop of Canterbury presented unto the King who in commiseration of the Knight required the Prelates that if hee were a strayed sheepe to reduce him to the fold rather by gentle courses then severitie And himselfe afterwards sending for him did earnestly exhort him to reconcile himselfe to God and the Church and to submit himselfe to the constitutions thereof but Sir Iohn first by word of mouth then by writing seemed to justifie his assertions affirming that his Grace was supreame head and his competent judge and no other And that hee would come to his purgation with an hundred Knights and Esquires or fight in defence of his just cause in open Lists But the King by his Councell being informed That by the law accusations touching questions of beliefe ought to bee tryed by the spirituall jurisdiction hee sent him to the Tower of London And afterward upon the three and twentieth day of September a Convocation was held in the Church of Saint Paul in London and upon the five and twentieth day following another in the Hall of the Black-fryers in which places the Lord Cobham was fully heard to vent a spittle of diseased opinions and thereupon was by the Archbishop convict of heresie and denounced an hereticke and remaunded backe to the Tower from whence hee escaped and fled into Wales The King keeping his Court and Christmasse at Eluetham was advertised that divers had conspired against him his brethren and the Bishops and that Sir Roger Acton Knight Iohn Browne Esquire and Iohn Beverley Clerke were with a great company in armes on the backside of Saint Giles assembled for that purpose Whereupon the King secretly posted to London and drawing some Companies of souldiers together hee layed an ambush neere the place where the Conspirators about twelve of the clocke at night were appointed to make their randevous where accordingly many of them were taken and some slaine The Maior of London likewise according to directions gave order to every Alderman in his severall Ward to apprehend all suspitious persons himselfe about ten of the clocke at night in person tooke at Bishops gate at the signe of the axe there one Iohn Burgate a Carpenter and seven other whom hee sent to the King before whom they confessed that they were of the Confederacy with Sir Iohn Oldcastle to have fought with the King in Saint Gyles field The Captaine likewise of the commotion being taken confessed the treason and appeached many of their complices The gates of London were watcht and guarded so that none had passage without the word by which meanes all their partakers there were kept from comming forth divers being met upon the wayes comming from sundry parts of the Realme upon examination confessed that they came to meet their Captaine the Lord Cobham But hee could not bee heard of though the King by Proclamation offered a thousand markes to him that could bring him besides large Priviledges to the Towne wherein hee should bee attached Amongst other there was one William Morley of Dunstable taken who discovered what was the chiefest motive of that Commotion which was pride and ambition â—…f preferment for hee being but a Maltster had two horses trapped with gâ—…tharnesse led after him and a payre of guilt spurres in his bosome an ornament for none in those dayes under the degree of a Knight to weare for hee it seemes was promised and assured himselfe of Knighthood at the least The ring-leaders were attaint of heresie by the Clergie and of high Treason by the Laytie whereupon they were condemned to bee hanged and burnt gallowes and
all which judgement was accordingly executed upon Sir Roger Acton and eight and twenty of the Rebells in Smithfield most of the Prisons in and about London were filled with these lob-lords The cause of this nickname came In this time the Parliament continuing the King as his Father was before was much importuned by some somewhat infected with Oldcastles opinion and therefore not well pleased with the greatnesse of the Clergie to suppresse the religious houses of this kingdome because as they affirmed they were made the nurses of idlenesse and cages of uncleane birds To divert this storme into another quarter it was advised that Chicheley Archbishop of Canterbury should set on foot the Kings title to France which thus he sets forth Philip the fourth called Philip the faire eldest brother of Charles Earle of Valoys was the fourty sixt King of France hee married Ioane Queene of Navarre and by her had issue three sonnes Lewis surnamed Hutyn or Mutyneere Philip the Long and Charles the Faire and only Daughter Christned Isabel which was married to your Majesties Predecessor Edward the second who survived her three Brothers who successively one after the other had enjoyed the Crowne of France But after the death of Charles upon a pretended fundamentall Law of that kingdome Philip of Valoys sonne of Charles the younger Brother of Philip the Faire endevouring to exclude all females from Soveraigne inheritance layed hold of the Imperiall Diadem against whom in right of his Mother Edward the third opposed and quartering the armes which was semi de luces proclaimeth his Title to bee King of France and England and in Hostile manner entred France with Banners displayed where hee performed those honourable exployts that whilst any Records last can never bee forgotten there hee continued victorious during the time of Valoys and left his Sonne the blacke Prince to prosecute his Claime who to his eternall commendations so that hee tooke not only Iohn the French King prisoner but braved Charles the fift at his great Citie of Paris to his teeth and unanswered the wise King thinking it no good pollicie to meet a roring Lyon in the field And had not God on whose will depends all things stopt this ever to bee renowned Prince in his course by stopping of his breath the question had long since beene decided and England had totally brought France to subjection but hee being dead and his Father but a short time surviving left his grand-sonne an infant to finish what his Father and grand-father had so happily commenced and so gloriously had continued But unlesse the Lord build the house the workemen labour but in vaine so the Lord displeased with the disorder of those times gave France a time to breathe and gather strength and opportunitie to Charles the sixt to change the armes of France from the Semi de luces to three Flower-de-luces yet is the Title to France the same that it was before and though your royall Father otherwise imployed did not prosecute the claime yet hee did not disclaime the right but hath to you for whom I rest assured God hath reserved victory both left that and the meanes to obtaine it Then went hee on learnedly and pathetically refelled that unjust surmise of the Salick-law both by reason and example and first whereas in terram Salicam mulieres ne succedant was the text whereon they build their position hee proved that that was made in Germany in disdaine of the dishonest manners of the German women and had no relation to France for that Pharamond whom they affirme to bee maker of that Law deceased above three hundred and fifty yeares before the Frenchmen were placed beyond the river Sala the one dying at 426. and the other being seated there Anno 805. And for example hee cited Pepyn Hugh Capet and others who neither had right nor colour-like right to the Crowne of France but as heires generall as their owne storyes manifest hee fortified likewise his assertions with Scripture out of the booke of Numbers When a man dieth without a Sonne let his inheritance descend unto the Daughter to this hee added that if the King would bee pleased to advance his Banner in France to challenge his rightfull inheritance the warre being just the cause good and his clayme undeniable his Clergie would furnish him of their owne free gift with such a masse of mony as never subjects at one time presented King with the like This motion tooke on all sides and the offer of money wherewith to pay the souldiers so pleased the King that nothing was now thought of but the conquest of France Hee begins therefore to alter the bearing of his Semy-de-luces and quarters what the then French King bare and then sendeth the Duke of Exceter the Archbishop of Dublyn the Lord Gray the Lord high Admirall and the Bishop of Norwich with five hundred horse Embassadours to Charles the sixt to require in peaceable manner for the avoyding the effusion of Christian blood the surrender of the Crowne of France with the members thereof which if the King would yeeld unto then King Henry would bee pleased to take to Wife Katherine the Daughter of Charles and endow her with all the Dutchies belonging to the Crowne of France But if Charles refused so to doe that then Henry would with fire and sword enforce it from him or lose his life The strangenesse of this message amazed the King and amazed his Councell They craved time to answer And the King of France promised to speed Embassadours with his answer unto the King of England The Dolphyn like one that cuts another man meat and his owne fingers having wit but wanting discretion deriding as it were the King of Englands youth as deeming him fitter for play then to attempt matters of such consequence sent him a tonne of Tennis balls which King Henry distasting promised with an oath before many moneths were past to tosse such iron Balls among them that the best armes in France should bee unable to hold a Racket to returne them And forthwith due provision being made and all things prepared hee drawes together his forces and in his absence to secure the Scots and Welch from attempting his prejudice hee appointeth an Army to attend the Marches and upon all alarums to bee ready hee ordaines his Mother-in-law Ioane Daughter of Charles King of Arragon Governour in his absence and whilst hee is dispatching Richard Earle of Warwicke the Bishops of Salisbury Bath and Hereford with the Abbot of Westminster to the generall Councell appointed at Constance The Dolphyn sent as Embassadours the King of France being weake and sickly The Earle of Vandome with others who having audience the Archbishop of Burges made a long Oration in praise of peace and disswaded warre concluding with a tender of the Lady Katherine with a summe of money and some Townes of no great wealth or importance the King of England feasts them at his owne Table and
men besides a thousand Artificers and Pioners The Nobilitie and Gentry having at their owne charges furnished him with eleven thousand one hundred and eight and twenty men whereof every fourth man was a Launceere The King besieged the Castle of Tonque which upon the ninth of August yeelded at which time the Earle of Salisbury tooke the Castle of Albervilleirs which the King gave him to him and his heires being the first land given by the King in France the King at the winning of Tonque made eight and twentie Knights and Captaines thereof Sir Robert Circkley From thence the Army marched to Cane whether to prevent the Citizens from burning the Suburbs the Duke of Clarence with a thousand men was sent who found them firing thereof but drove them away quenched the fire reskued the Abby Church of Saint Stephens from being throwne downe and tooke in the Cell of Nans which they had strongly fenced The King sitting downe before the Towne entrenched himselfe and cast up a mount to prevent the Citizens from sallying The King made many assaults but finding the losse thereby more then the gaines hee only kept them busied with often alarums whilst his Pioners laboured to undermine the walls which being effected upon the fourth of September hee offered the besieged their lives in case they would but submit but they refusing hee made show of giving a generall assault whilst many of his men entred the Citie under the foundation The Duke of Clarence with his Company was the first that entred and came upon the backs of those that defended the walls whereby they were easily vanquished and the whole Army entred without resistance The King caused all the armes in the Towne to bee brought together to the Market place where hee caused his men in battell array to stand all night in the morning hee caused all the Magistrates and principall men of the Towne to come before him at their Senate house where some of them for their stubborne refusall of grace proffered were adjudged to death and all the rest fined The spoyle of the Towne hee distributed among the souldiers The Captaine of the Castle made show of standing at defence but having advertisement that the King had sworne to show no mercy if hee did not surrender upon assurance to depart with life bag and baggage the habiliments of warre excepted hee made composition and accordingly gave twelve hostages that if hee were not fully relieved before the twentieth of September to render up the Castle which not being done hee performed and so the King had possession both of Cane and the Castle In the meane time of the Kings absence the Scots in great numbers entred the English pale but hearing the Duke of Exceter with the Lord Wardens were marching towards them with a great power they retired without much hurt doing Charles the Dolphin being about seventeene yeares of age being bare both of men and money yet in the time of his Fathers weaknesse studied how to put of this storme that hung over the Common-wealth and by the counsell of the Constable found a meanes to possesse himselfe of all his Mothers jewells Plate and money which was great which hee orderly expended in waging of souldiers and making preparation for things necessary for the defence of the kingdome But what can an alone woman doe toward the good or safetie of the King or Common-wealth shee knoweth no good but gold nor reckoneth any thing worthy the preserving but beauty and costly apparell she therefore being bereaved of those ornaments of womans greatnesse jewells forgetting the perill wherein both her selfe and Nation stood most intemperately passionate began to worke her womanish malice placeth the Duke of Burgondy in the chiefest authority about the King who having the sword in his owne hands to revenge old injuries resolveth first to tame the young Gallant and then to repulse the common enemy The Dolphin likewise stomacking the inconsiderate folly of the Duke to preferre private quarrells before publicke preservation minded first to represse his insolencie and then to attend the repelling of the forraine foe In the meane time King Henry pursueth his victorious successe sendeth the Duke of Clarence further into the Country who with great difficultie tooke in Bayuxe whereof hee made the Lord Matrevers Captaine The Duke of Glocester likewise tooke the Citie of Lyseux The King remained still at Cane repayring the Towne and fortefying the Castle putting out the Natives that were impotent or young infants to the number of fifteene hundred and in their places did settle English people and finding a great masse of money and plate deposited by the Citizens in the Castle hee caused the same upon proofe to bee respectively delivered unto all such as came to make claime unto the same and would acknowledge him for their Soveraigne His mercifull and moderate cariage wonne him the good report of his enemies nay it incited most of the Captaines and Governours neere adjoyning to tender their commands unto him which hee accepted of as testimonialls of their dutie And upon comming into those parts so rendred unto him hee restored to many of them upon oath of due fidelitie their charges of command againe making alwayes protestation whosoever would become his subjects sweare allegiance unto him they should enjoy their lands and liberties in as large if not in more free and ample manner then they enjoyed them before an excellent pollicie to winne the Normans whose rugged condition is and was alwayes easier to bee led with facile and gentle courses then bee driven by compulsary and harsh meanes for hereby they were contented to forsake the French and turne to the English Crowne The King having orderly settled things in Cane made Sir Gilbert Vmphrevile Captaine of the Towne and Sir Iohn Popham Bailiffe and Sir Gilbert Talbot Captaine of the Castle and so the first of October departed to Courfy Castle which within three dayes yeelded The fourth of October hee came to Argenton the Towne and Castle whereof made composition that if they were not reskued by the day then to surrender those that would become subject to England to stay the rest to depart with their moveables for want of succour at the prefixed time both were yeelded and Covenants on all parts performed The Lord Gray of Codnor was made Governour there whilst the King marched to Sees a populous place which together with many adjoyning peeces acknowledge King Henry for their Soveraigne and were kindly received and fairely entreated The Towne of Alanson endured the brunt of eight dayes siege but in the end tooke out a Copie from the former places for submission The Duke of Glocester was made Captaine thereof and Sir Ralph Lentell his Lieutenant certaine overtures of peace were made by the Dolphin at Tonque Castle but none concluded only a truce was made for certaine time betwixt King Henry and the Duke of Britaine who came in person to require the same
thirteenth of Iuly the Captaine whereof was Barbason a Gascoyne a skilfull souldier and of approved valiancy And as Hanniball in warre was not more ready to invent stratagems then Quintus Fabius to prevent them so King Henryes counsell could not bee more wily to winne then Barbason was warie to defend The King by land and water stopped all passages making use of his before-mentioned floates to passe his souldiers over the River yet Barbason sallied out and fell upon the Earle of Warwickes quarter where if hee had not beene the more valiantly resisted The Duke of Burgoynes men had tasted of their fury The Duke of Bavier another of King Charles Sonin-lawe but his Dutchesse was dead with seven hundred well-appointed Horse-men came to the Campe which were presently listed under the Kings pay Barbason countermined some and stopt other mines made by the English and fought hand to hand in the Barryers with King Henry yet notwithstanding all his circumspect care and praise-worthy diligence when hee found hee was to fight against the two bitter arrowes of Gods wrath Famine and Pestilence hee humbled himselfe to the King who pardoned all that were not guilty of the forenamed murther whereof Barbason being suspected and others that were found faultie were sent to Paris under the conduct of the Duke of Clarence whom King Charles made Captaine of Delea that Citie and was accordingly admitted into the possession of all the strength thereof And presently thereupon both the Kings with their Queenes the Duke of Burgoyne and his Dutchesse with a royall traine came thither where they were most magnificencly entertained the French King was lodged in the house of Saint Paul and the King of England in the Castle of Louer Here the three States of France anew under their hands and seales in most authenticke manner ratified the former agreement the instruments whereof were delivered to the King of England who sent them to bee kept in his Treasurie at Westminster Now King Henry began to exercise his Regency and as a badge of his authoritie hee caused a new coyne which was called a Salute to bee made whereon the armes of France and England were quarterly stamped Hee there heard the Appeale of the Dowager of Burgoine against the Dolphin whose Advocates in his behalfe made large offers for satisfaction but they were adjourned to another day Hee placed and displaced divers officers and appointed the Duke of Exceter with five hundred men to the guard of Paris Sir Gilbert Vmfrevile was made Captaine of Melun and the Earle of Huntington of Bloyes de Vinces King Henry awarded out Processe against the Dolphin to appeare at the Marble table at Paris which hee not obeying sentence was denounced against him as guilty of the murther of the Duke of Burgoyne and by the sentence of the Parliament the Dolphin was banished the Realme The King with his beloved Queene Katherine the sixt of Ianuary left Paris and came to Roane where hee received homage of all the Nobilitie aswell such as were enobled by descent of the French as such as were dignified by desert of the English And making Thomas Duke of Clarence Lieutenant generall of France and Normandy and his Deputie in Normandy the Earle of Salisbury Having finished his Christmas he with his Queene went to Amiens and from thence to Callice and thence landing at Dover came to Canterbury and afterward thorow London to Westminster where the Queene upon Saint Mathewes day the fourth of February with all ceremonies rites and accustomed solemnities was Crowned The King of Scots sitting at dinner in his Estate but on the left hand of the Queene the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Kings Vncle the Bishop of Winchester being on the right hand all were serued with covered messes of silver but all the Feast was fish in observation of the Lent season King Henry by his ghostly father being instructed that the surest stone that can bee layd for the foundation of future felicitie must bee digged out of the quarry of Pietie first visited many places for devotion by way of Pilgrimage and then tooke his Progresse thorow the Land and knowing that great evills may grow out of the smallest causes if neglected hee by the way reformed all misdemeanours whereof he received notice hearing with a diligent eare the complaints of his poore subjects taking order for the administring of Iustice to high and poore neither sparing the great for might nor the meane for misery And shewing that Examples are the best Lectures and Vertue the best example after hee had set his ministers a copy thereof Hee gave meeting to the Queene at Leicester where they kept their Easter In the meane time the Duke of Clarence making a road into Aniou with the garrisons of Normandy came to the City of Ampers where hee knighted Sir William Rosse Sir Henry Goddard Sir Rowland Vider Sir Thomas Bewford his naturall Sonne And retutning home laden with prey was advertised that the Duke of Alanson intended to intercept his passage hee therefore sent the skowt-Master Andrew Fogosa to discover the face of the enemy who being a trecherous Lombard and having beene corrupted by the enemy at his returne reporteth their number to bee but small meanly armed and worse ordered so that if presently charged there could bee no resistance The Dukes credulitie caused him to draw all his horses together leaving the strength of the field his Bowes and Bills behind with them hee makes towards the enemy the traitour leading to a straight where by his appointment an ambush was layed that the Duke could neither retreat nor flee which perceiving the Duke with a valiant courage told the Earle of Tanckervile that their chance was very hard when no meanes was left but to sell their lives at the dearest rate to their enemies and so setting spurres to his horse charged upon the enemy but over-layed with multitude and over-wearied with fight The Duke of Clarence the Earle of Tanckervile the Lord Rosse the Earle of Angus Kyme Sir Iohn Lumley and Sir Iohn Verend with above two thousand English slaine The Earles of Somerset Suffolke and Pearch Sir Iohn Berckley Sir Ralph Nevile Sir William Bowes and threescore Gentlemen were taken prisoners The Bastard Clarence having an inckling of the Lombards treachery brought on his Archers whom the French perceiving to approach fled with their Prisoners leaving the dead undispoyled by which meanes the Lord Fitzwater and some others were found wounded and almost stifled amongst the carkasses The bodyes of the dead were by the foot-men buried except the Duke of Clarence who by Sir Iohn Beauford his base sonne the Duke dying without other issue wac conveyed to England and buried at Canterbury besider his father This happened upon Easter Eeve The King was at Beverly when he had notice of his brothers death and presently thereupon hee dispatced away Edmond Earle of Mortaigne into Normandy making him Lieutenant thereof Then calls hee his
his Care that he would give a good account of the keeping of it or leave his life as a testimony of his good will to have done it the Duke of Somerset vrged his authoritie which so incensed the old Captaine that he sayd that he could never better have expressed his insufficiency then ambitiously having affected so iminent a place now durst not abide the hazard to stay in it this so moved the Regent that he complaineth hereof to the rest of the Captaines to whom hee maketh show of more danger then there was and so farre prevailed with them that they for the most part agree to make composition for their departure with bagge and baggage which being granted Sir David with some few of his retinue departed into Ireland where to his Colonell hee related all the passages betwixt him and the Duke which set a roote of rankor in the heart of the Duke of Yorke against Somerset that the seeds were never after dead till drowned in blood The French triumphed in Normandy having cleerely gotten it after an hundred yeares possession out of the English mens hands and finally wonne all France to the obedience of Charles their King the reasons of this totall reduction of these Provinces are diversly delivered Some affirme that the English had grasped more with their hand then they could well hold joyning more Townes then they could man and having more lands then they could manure so that their store bred their povertie Others say that the Captaines kept not halfe the number in their Companies that they received pay for Others affirme that Somerset was blinded with French-crowne dust that hee could not discerne danger till the souldiers tasted destruction But it is most agreeable to truth that the triple-headed Gerion in England presumption in government by some unmeet to rule the inveterate malice and insufferable pride of the last created Nobilitie and the universall distaste of the Commons too much oppressed with exactions and burdens was the originall and finall cause of the ill successe our Armies had in France Yet by the way consider but the deportment of the English Nation the concurrence of martiall men their counsell discipline designes from the beginning of Edward the first untill this time and you will acknowledge that they were men of worth and prowes and caried the palme of victory before them wheresoever they went But Suffolke must beare a share and a great one of the blame for this businesse for hee is not only exclaimed against as the cause of the surrender of Anion and Mayne The chiefe procurer of the Duke of Glocesters death The occasion of the losse of Normandy but they accuse him further to have wilfully wasted the Kings Treasure for being a meanes to remove sufficient men from the Councell borde and admitting of Favourites that were only to serve his turne his ambition ayming at the advancement of his faction though with the destruction of the King and the subversion of the Common-wealth The Queene taketh notice of these aspersions and too well knowing how farre they were guiltie that were thus toucht doubting the Dukes destruction and her owne downefall if this current were not stopt so wrought that the Parliament assembled at the Black-Fryers is adjourned to Leicester and from thence to Westminster In the meane time all meanes possiblie are used to stop the mouthes of those that were incensed against the Duke but it prevailed not For the Lower house exhibited their Bill of grievance against the Duke of Suffolke to this purpose 1. That hee traiterously had incited divers the Kings enemies as namely the Bastard of Orleance the Lord Presigny and others to levie warre against the King to the intent that thereby the King might bee destroyed and that Iohn the Duke of Suffolkes Son who had taken to Wife Margaret Daughter and sole heire of Iohn Duke of Somerset whose Title to the Crowne the Duke of Suffolke had often declared in case King Henry should die without issue might be King 2. That by his sinister practises Charles Duke of Orleance notwithstanding the many cautions upon great reasons by King Henry the fift to the contrary given obtained his liberty 3. That through his trecherie by the abetment of the Duke of Orleance the French King hath gotten possession of all the Dutchy of Normandy and taken prisoners the valiant Earle of Shrewsbury the Lord Fauconbridge and many other brave Commanders But to all these hee affirmed himselfe not guilty neither in thought or deed Then was further allegations made against him to this purpose 1. That being with others sent Embassadours into France hee transcended his Commission and without privitie of his fellow Commissioners presumed to promise the surrender of Anion and the deliuery of the Countie of Maunts and the Citie of Mants to Duke Rayner which accordingly was performed to the great dishonour of the King and detriment of the Crowne 2. That hee had traiterously acquainted the Councell of the French King with all the affaires of State and passages of secrecie by whose trayterous information the enemy was througly instructed in all the designes of the King and Councell 3. That hee had received rewards from the French King whereby all succours sent to the Kings Friends in France were disappointed and frustrate 4. That by his wicked practises the good Duke of Glocester was deprived both of Protectorship and life 5. That by his labouring such only were made of the Kings privy Councell that more respected the Dukes particular profits then the good of the King or Realme 6. And lastly that hee had underhand fraudulently enriched himselfe with the Kings Treasure and revenewes and had possessed himselfe by abusing the Queenes favour of all Offices of charge and credit about the King All these hee faintly denyed but could not acquit himselfe of them But to bleare the eyes of the people and to keepe them hoodwinckt during the time of Parliament The Duke is committed to the Tower but the Parliament is no sooner dissolved but hee is set at liberty which so much incensed the vulgar people that they could not be restrained within the limits of obedience but in many places after they had vented their swolne spleenes in garrulent exclaiming against the corruption of times and the wrongs the Common-wealth sustained by the misgovernment of the Queene and her Favourite They fell to an insurrection and under the leading of a desperate Commander stiling himselfe Blewbeard they began to commit some outrages but by the diligence of the Gentlemen of the Country the Captaine was apprehended and the rebellion ceased The Parliament is againe assembled and great care taken of the Election of moderate-minded men for Citizens and Burgesses presuming thereby to stop any further proceedings against Suffolke But his appearance gave such a generall distaste in the House that though hee came in the company of the King and Queen they would not forbeare but begin the assembly with
on the other side of turbulent spirited men to have leave to execute the place 13. That they are too much troubled with too often comming to attend the generall Sessions being enforced in many places to make five dayes journey to the place where they are kept hereof they made complaint and crave redresse and that speedily The Captaine likewise for his owne particular after protestation made to live and die in the quarrell of the King and in justification of his being Soveraigne and undoubted Lord and of affirmation of his desire of the Kings welfare and prosperitie of the Realme maketh Petition that the King would be himself not live of the almes of his poore Cōmons whilst his proud Courtiers ryot out the revenewes of the Crown to that end hee craveth that the King wil resume into his own hands all the demeasne lands rights and profits of the Crowne now sold or leased or farmed or otherwise disposed of 2. That his Majestie would be pleased to call backe and into favour to receive the truly noble Prince the Duke of York now exiled from his presence and with him the right honourable the Dukes of Exceter Buckingham and Norfolke and the antient Noblemen of the Realme by the undue practises of Suffolke and his complices commanded from his presence And that all their antagonists and ill-willers might bee banished the Court or bard their place in Councell and displaced of their Offices 3. That condigne punishment might be impartially inflicted upon all the plotters contrivers of the Duke of Glocesters death their associates abettors and of all such as were the causes of the death of the Dukes of Exceter and Warwicke with the irrecuperable losse of the Kings possessions in France 4. That there mightbe a generall amotion of corrupt officers an abolition of the green Wax and other instruments of extortion out of the Exchequer a qualification of the rigor of proceeding in the Kings bench an inhibition of unequall purveyance of provision for the Kings houshold a cessation of proceedings against the offenders of the Statute of Laborers and a present execution of the Promooters Slegge Cromer Isell and East whom he pretended by wrongfull informations to have abused the King and wronged his subjects These bills of intimation and petition are sent from the lower House to the upper from whence the examination of the circumstances are committed to the Lords of the Kings privy Councell who having throughly perused them and maturely examined the particulars explode them as frivolous and conclude the promovers and authors there of proud and presumptuous rebells Whereupon the King is solicited by his privy Councell to punish the unlawfull attempt of these rebellious pretenders rather by force then entreaty This advise is seconded by the Queen whom she perceived now they principally aimed at though not as yet in overt termes discovered The King drawes his forces to Greenwitch from whence he appointed divers namelesse Lords to assaile the rebells but they were told by their followers that they would not fight against their friends as only laboured the reformation of abuses and the punishment of such traytors about the King as the Lord Say the Kings Chamberlain was whose name was rife in every mans mouth as well on one side as other to be reproched whereupon the L. Chamberlaine is presently cōmitted to the tower until other forces come the King Queen retire to London from whence within two daies being nowful 15000. strong the King in person marcheth towards Captaine Amend all who politickly withdraweth his forces to Senock wood upon notice where of the King retireth to London But the Queen thirsting after their ruine that plotted hers sends the two Staffords Sir Humphry William with many gallants to follow the rebels these proud of imployment make more hast then good speed for they found Iacke Cade in good order ready to receive them who in the first encounter slew Sir Humphry afterwards his brother put all the rest to ◅ight The Kings forces being at Blackheath could not by threats or entreats bee enforced or perswaded to goe to the reskues But hearing of the discomfiture of the Staffords and the forward Courtiers they began to whistle treason wishing the Queene and her favourites in Staffords roome or that the Duke of Yorke were in England to ayd his Cousin Mortimer never ownd to be of the house of March untill now But all expressing their backwardnesse to make resistance many of them steale to the Kentishmen and others from Sussex and Surrey encrease his number whom he ordereth restraineth from forraging or taking any thing by force or without payment yet how or from whence he had provision of food for this numerous company or mony to provide it had not some Londoners underhand given him assistance might have beene wondered But hee returneth againe to Black-heath and encampeth where the Kings army lay the night before who were now falne downe to Green-witch The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Duke of Buckingham are sent to expostulate with the rebells and their Captaine about their demmand a miserable time the while when two such peeres must be imployed in such a manner to so meane a person and a rebell But now beeing together Iack Cade with a sober composed countenance and great moderation expressed himselfe in very good termes but without show of reluctation or cessation from armes except the King in person would heare the grievances of the subject and passe his Princely word for reformation of their wrongs thus setled if not peremptory resolution made knowne to the King who was in doubt of his owne forces as being unsure of his owne Souldiers faith marcheth presently to Killingworth Castle in Warwickshire where he fortifieth and victualleth as suspecting to be besieged having left nor power nor Commander of note behind but onely the Lord Scales who with some forces were left to gard the Tower The Kentish Captaine taking advantage of the Kings departure commeth to Southwarke where he orderly quartereth his men earnestly exhorting his Souldiers to be Examples of that in themselves that they made pretence to find wanting in others and to be regular and modest and to Commit no outrage either in or about their lodging he himselfe kept the watch and kept all things faire and square The next morning they marched to London-bridge where they made shift with their swords to cut the ropes of the draw bridge no force being used for resistance and so in good order they march by London stone vpon which the Captaine strooke his sword saying Loe Mortymer is now Lord of London The Maior of London Sir Thomas Chalton standing upon the threshold of his doore with a bold countenance as though he had power enough if he would to represse him told the Captaine that if he should attempt any thing against the quiet of the City that he should feele hands enough about their eares to stop them before they
language provoked the Victor but one bad word begat another and from foule words they fell to fouler blowes The Maior observing the mover to be the Pryors servant not only commanded the Kings peace in generall to be observed but perceiving by the Priors countenance that he did abet his servants insolency he commanded Richard Ally one of the Sheriffs to lay hold upon the Priors servant who did so and delivered him to one of his officers from whom by the Priors servants and others their partakers the prisoner was in danger to be reskued so as the Sheriffe craved assistance of the Maior who with his brethren and officers and servants valiantly assisted the Sheriffe in the execution of his office whilst the Prior hasted to Saint Iohns from whence and Clerkenwell he under the guide of one Callice a desperate swaggerer sent a number of Bowmen to resist the Maior upon whose approach great bloodshed and some slaughter was committed the Maiors cap was shot thorow with an arrow hee neverthelesse couragiously did his devoire in encouraging the Citizens and apprehending some of the mutiners whom he sent to Newgate and put the rest to flight which being done he commeth to his Pavilion would have had the sports goe on but the Wrastlers were out of breath or hurt so that none came neverthelesse Sir Iohn Norman the Maior told his Brethren that he would stay a while to make triall of the Citizens respect towards him for if they came to his reskue though it needed not yet they would expresse their love or their neglect if otherwise he had no sooner said so when the Citizens with Banners displayed came in great numbers to him and fetcht him home in great triumph This was that Maior which first began to goe by water to Westm. to take his oath in that manner as is at this day used wheras before that time they used to go by land This Maior againe was troubled by the Sanctuary men of S. Martins which not without some bloodshed a great deale of industry on his part was with the publick punishmēt of some of the ringleaders appeased But upon the neck of that began the quarrel in Holborne betwixt the Gentlemen of the Innes of Chauncery and some Citizens in appeasing of which the Queenes Attourney and three more were slaine But these were but Peccadelloes to the deformities made in civill societies by civill dissentions the yeare following For now began the sparke that fell into the bundell of flaxe at Somersets going Regent into France to flame out For first Yorke by all meanes laboureth to stirre up the hatred of the Commons against Somerset inculcating in their eares who are apt enough upon losses in warres to accuse the Leaders of some crime of neglect or other what dishonour England sustained by Somersets dishonourable giving over by composition the strong townes of Normandy to these hee addeth favour with the King and Queene which hee imployeth saith hee to his owne gaine and the Commons griefe and so having anticipated with his speeches their apprehensions hee addresseth himselfe to those of the Nobilitie that could not well brooke the too much commanding power of Somerset over the King and Queenes affections for what hee told the Queene was beleeved and what she told the King must bee true amongst others the Duke of Yorke fasteneth upon the two Nevills both Richards the Father and the sonne the one Earle of Salisbury the other Earle of Warwicke The Earle of Salisbury was second sonne of Ralph Nevill Earle of Westmerland whose Daughter the Duke of Yorke had married And this Richard was married to Alice Daughter and only heire of Thomas Mountacute Earle of Salisbury slaine in France with these hee deales so effectually that an undissoluble knot of friendship is knit betwixt them by whose assistance the King lying dangerously sicke at Claringdon the Duke of Somerset is arrested in the Queenes great Chamber of treason and sent to keepe his Christmasse in the Tower and a Session of Parliament at Westminster now convoked Somerset is appeached of treason and many heynous crimes objected but the King though weake is brought to London to dissolve the Parliament After which the Duke of Somerset is againe set at libertie which more incenseth the Duke of Yorkes choler and inciteth others more to be cholericke and the rather for that Somerset in-stead of receiving of punishment for the losse of Normandy is entrusted with the sole remainder of our interest in France and preferred to be Captaine thereof to lose that too say his enemies of the whole Common-wealth they assemble a great power and therewith march towards London The King being assured it was no good policie to suffer the Duke to approach London wherein he had by his long practises got no small party resolves to stop him on the way and accompanied with the Duke of Somerset and attended by the Duke of Buckingham and his Sonne both named Humphry Henry Earle of Northumberland Iames Earle of Wiltes Iasper Earle of Penbrooke and two thousand fighting men march forward both Armies meet at Saint Albones The Duke and the Lords encampe without the Towne in a place called Keyfield the King pitched his Standard in a place called Goseslow the Lord Clifford kept the end of the towne which hee barrcadoed The Duke in the morning sent a Letter unto the King stuft with many protestations of fidelitie and sinceritie offering to give testimony thereof in any thing so please his Majestie to give due punishment to those that have abused his favour and dishonoured the Realme and that so be witched him especially the Duke of Somerset that nothing his loyall subject can either say or doe can make him give credence to their true relations against Somerset the delivery of him into their hands to stand or fall by the judgement of his Peeres is all they desire that they will have or die in the pursuit The King for answer commands them to disband and submit to his mercy and not expect any in his Army to be delivered to their wills for he will rather lose his life then any should bee wronged for their loves that were with him Here with the Duke acquaints his friends who afore resolved and now prepared fell every one to his quarter the Earle of Warwicke with his March-men fell upon the Lord Cliffords quarter driving downe all afore them for that wanting roome to use their weapons the Kings partie was much disadvantaged the Duke of Somerset hasting to the reskues was slaine and with him the Earle of Northumberland Humphry Earle of Stafford the Lord Clifford and about five thousand The Kings army being encreased after his comming forth to eight thousand but now they are all dispersed and slaine and the King unguarded left in a poore thatched house whither to bee freed from the arrowes flying hee had withdrawne himselfe The Duke of Yorke having notice where the King was comes with
rifled and robbed the outlandish Merchants in all places of the Citie doing them much mischiefe and committing many outrages The Maior to suppresse these enormous courses assembleth a company of honest and substantiall Citizens who with good discretion but not without some blood-shed appeased their rage and quieted the many whilst the ringleader which more for revenge of his commitment to Newgate then any desire to enrich himselfe with their spoile got himselfe to Westminster and there taketh Sanctuary The Councell being advertised of this misdemeanour sent the Duke of Buckingham by the Qeenes direction with Commission to enquire and punish these offences But when the Maior and the Commissioners were set tidings came that tâ—… Commons were up in armes to stop all proceedings against any of those offenders the Commissioners thereupon well knowing how distastfull their Commission would bee to the multitude when thereby the Maiors power should be abridged and the government of the Citie questioned departed and left the businesse to bee proceeded in by the Maior and his Brethren who with great care and much industry so managed things that many of the offenders were punished some by death others by fines and imprisonment and all things quieted and well ordered The French in this time of uncivill dissentions manned out two Fleetes whereof one under the conduct of William Lord Pomyers the other of Sir Peter Bressy went Eastward and Westward the Lord fell upon Fulnay and burning certaine houses soone retyred the Knight spoyled Sandwich the people for feare of the plague which mightily raged there being fled from thence but with no great booty or harme done returned The Scots under colour and countenance of their Kings presence came into Northumberland burning and spoyling the Borders but hearing of the Duke of Yorkes approach retired Thomas Piercy Lord Egremond one of the younger sonnes of the Earle of Northumberland had a great conflict with the Earle of Salisburies Sonnes in which many were slaine But the Lord was taken and brought before the Councell by whom hee was committed to Newgate and deeply fined but hee escaped with many other prisoners to the great trouble of the Sheriffs of London Whilst the Duke of Yorke was absent for repelling the rebellious Scots in the North the King went to Greenwitch to the Queene who perswaded him for his health and recreation as she alleaged but her drift was for that shee found by experience that the Duke of Yorke was more favoured and his favourites respected about London then either shee or the King so that it was in vaine to attempt any thing against him there yet something must be done against him or else she should be undone to take his Progresse Northward into Warwickshire which he did by the way hawking hunting the Queen making shew of minding nothing but pastimes had caused private Letters under the Kings privie signet in most loving termes to be sent unto the three Lords whereby they-were earnestly solicited by an houre appointed to be at Coventry which they reverently intended But by the way they have true information of the mischiefe plotted against them and so warily by flight but not without some danger escaped for they causing their stewards with their retinue to goe forward on the way to the Court whilst the Duke of Yorke but with a groome and a Page sped him to Wigmore Castle The Earle of Salisbury to his Castle of Middilham in the North And the Earle of Warwicke to the Sea-side and so to Callice but before they departed they agreed upon an alphabet by which they might have entercourse of letters which though intercepted yet their intentions might be kept vndiscovered The King unwitting of this intended mischiefe against the Duke of Yorke and his friends returneth to London whither he calleth a Councell And therein of his owne accord desireth some course to be invented for the banishing of Rancour and malice out of the hearts of his nobilitie and to the end he might have the glory of the reconcilment though themselues the good he promised on his salvation a thing unusuall with him so to assevere so to entertaine the Duke of Yorke and his friends that all discontents and injuries should be outwardly respectively forgotten and inwardly religiously forgiven and perpetuall love and amitie on all parties established to this end Messengers are dispatched to the Duke of Yorke and all other of what ranke soever worthy notice to be taken of which since the battaile of Saint Albones had expressed themselues to be displeased on either part Commanding them for vrgent affaires of the realme and upon royall promise of safe conduct to repaire to his Court at London at a time appointed The Duke of Yorke having intimated to his confederates his resolution and given them admonition to provide for prevention of the wrong observantly came and with foure hundred men well appointed lodged at his house called Baynards Castle The Earle of Salisbury with fivehundred men likewise lodged at his house called the herbor the Dukes of Exceter lately released and Somerset with eight hundred men were lodged without Temple-barre The Earle of Northumberland the Lord Egrimond and the Lord Clifford with fifteene hundred men were lodged in Holborne the Earle of Warwicke with sixe hundred in red Iackets with ragged staves embrodered behind and before were lodged at the Gray-Friers in London upon the seventeenth of March the King and Queene came to London and were lodged at the Bishops pallace The Maior like a provident Magistrate Commanded every Alderman in his Aldermanry to keepe a standing watch in armes both by day and night himfelfe having five thousand well appointed men in readinesse upon any occasion rode with a competent number all day long round the City for preservation of the Kings peace on all sides The Lords lodging within the Citie held their Councell at Black-friers the others at the Chapter house at Westminster Betweene both the reverent Archbishop of Canterbury the sonne of Henry Bourchyer Earle of Essex a man every way Compleat without exception with some such prelates of whose modest condition and learning he had made experience did diligently intercede and so effectually laboured that both sides by his mediation were well contented to come to Communication the good successe whereof was good for that after much conference the wisedome of the indifferent being such that all repetitions of wrongs on either side done should be forborne it was finally concluded that all wrongs iniuries and misdemenors on every side should be forgotten and forgiven that each side should be friends to the other and both be obedient to the Commandes of the King And by their further consent the Duke of Yorke the Earle of Salisbury and the Earle of Warwicke should assure forty five poundes per annoum to the Abby of Saint Albones for obites and ceremonions suffrages of the Church at that time usuall for the benefit of the soules of all such as were
Queen with the Duke of Somerset some few others taking with them the young Prince fled to the Bishoprick of Durham The King was taken and as a prisoner conveyed to London At their comming thither the Tower of London is yeelded unto the Earle of Warwicke by his souldiers the Lord Scales in disguised apparell endevoured to escape is taken by the Watermen and by them without due course of Law or orderly proceeding beheaded and his corps carelesly left upon the sands Tho Thorpe one of the Barons of the Exchequer upon whose advise the Lancastrians much relyed in the habit of a Monke his or owne shorne purposely to fly to the Queen is taken and committed prisoner to the Tower The Duke of York at this time being neither idle nor asleepe being advertised of this good successe leaveth Ireland and posts to London where by the advise and consent of the York faction he thought fit to discover the head of that ambitious serpent that hitherto had bin covered in the grasse of reformation and so that in the Kings name he summoneth a Parliament which being assembled in the presence of the Lords in the upper House he placeth himselfe in the Imperiall seate and with great courage and a confident brow hee layeth open his rightfull claime and Title to the Crowne of England as being the Sonne and heire of Anne Daughter and heire of Roger Mortimer Earle of March Son and heire of Philip the sole Daughter and heire of Lionell Duke of Clarence the third Son of Edward the third and elder Brother of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Father of the usurper Henry the fourth grand Father to Henry the fift who was Father to him that untruly stileth himselfe King Henry the sixt He further related that God had not blessed this unlawfull usurpation for by meanes thereof the Common-wealth had suffered so many and so grievous calamities that had not God been the more mercifull the same had bin overwhelmed by the multitude and grievousnesse thereof that though Henry the fift had made many conquests in France and Normandy yet as of ill-gotten possessions his heire could not take any benefit by them And how much heaven is at this time offended with his government wee may well feare if wee but call to mind the cruell butchering of so many honourable great Lords in defence of his title abroad the slaughter of so many thousand of his loyall subjects in maintenance of his quarrell the inutterable exhaust of the treasure unnecessarily consumed in France Normandy and else-where The civil broiles at home the losse of all formerly got in France and those parts the losse occasioned by the excursion and depredations of the Scots and French And lastly the oppressions extortions and violence daily unsufferably practised by the tiranny of an insolently ambitious woman upon the meaner sort of people And then concluded that he craved no favour from them except that justice did warrant his claime nor would expect or desire the possession of the Crowne except his descent were undisputable and his Title without just exception and for his owne particular he presumed that since vertue might be as bold to challenge its due as vice is apt to borrow of insinuation he might without offence put in his claime and demand allowance thereof This being a businesse of import required deliberation and mature consideration but in conclusion the Duke having before hand by his agents prepared the Lords Spirituall and few of the Nobilitie present that were not on his part the Burgesses were easily perswaded and that was generally resolved and enacted accordingly That King Henry during his life should retaine the name and honour of a King That the Duke of Yorke should be proclaimed Heire apparant to the Crowne and the Protector of the Kings person his Land Dominions and Country That at any time any King Henryes Friends Allies or Favourites in his behalfe should attempt the disanulling of this act that then the Duke should have present possession of the Crowne No sooner was the Parliament dissolved when the Duke dispatcheth Letters into Scotland requiring in the Kings name the Queene the Dukes of Somerset and Exceter and all other of the Nobilitie that remained in that kingdome with all speed to repaire to his Presence to London But they were otherwise resolved And having gotten together of English and Scots to the number of eighteene thousand men they marched into England The Duke of Yorke with his younger Sonne the Earle of Rutland with the Earle of Salisbury leaving the King in the custodie of the Duke of Norfolk and the Earle of Warwicke marched towards the Queene and approaching neere her Army at Wakefield the Dukes Scowâ—…s being returned certified him that the enemy farre exceeded their power in number and all warlike preparation Whereupon the Earle of Salisbury advised the Duke to retire and attend the comming of the Earle of March who was gone into Wales to raise the Marchmen But it being appointed that here his ambitious desires should come to a period The pride of his former victory and overweening of his souldiers valours made him deafe to all counsell of forbearing the field and hastened on by his destiny from Sandall Castle hee marched to Wakefield greene where the Lord Clifford on the one side and the Earle of Wilts on the other were placed in ambuscado The Duke of Yorke supposing that the Duke of Somerset who had the battell had no more forces but what were with him valianly and in good order marcheth towards him but being entred within their danger the Ambushes on both sides broke out upon him and slew him and three thousand of his side the rest with number and confusion overborne fled the Earle of Salisbury is taken prisoner and harmelesse Rutland that came thither but to see fashions is made a sacrifice for his Fathers transgression and kneeling upon his knees instructed by his infant feares with teares begging life is unmercifully stabbed to the heart by the Lord Clifford in part of revenge as he sware of his Fathers death The Queene unwilling to bee behind hand in crueltie as unlike a mercifull woman as he an honourable gentleman in cold blood without due forme of tryall causeth the Earle of Salisbury and as many as were taken prisoners to bee beheaded at Pomfret Castle and to have their heads as it were in scorne to be placed on poles about the walls of the Citie of Yorke an incitement as it were to make all interessed in the shame to adde spurres to the speedy course of vindicative desires and to draw on revenge to the uttermost This Richard Nevill Earle of Salisbury was third Sonne of Ralph Nevill first Earle of Westmerland by Ioane his second wife Daughter of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster hee married Elianor Daughter and heire of Tho Montague Earle of Salisbury had issue foure Sons six daughters 1. Richard the eldest was restored and
they fled which ever since hath beene called Loose Coate field in this place were slaine of the Earles part ten thousand and odde of the Kings side thirteen hundred but no man of marke Sir Robert Wells with all the prisoners then taken were there presently executed Sir Robert beheaded the other hanged which were threescore seven The report of this disaster turnes Clarence and his father in Law to Exceter from whence having dismist their army they fled to Dartmouth from thence they shipped to Callis having their Ladyes and divers Gentlewomen in their Company intending there to goe on shore but their expectation was frustrated for whilst he was about to land he was saluted with a great shot from the platforme which assured them there was no going on shoare there without apparant danger whereupon the Earle by messenger entreated Mounseir Vocleer the Earles Deputie leiftenant there But to give way to the Ladyes to land the Dutchesse of Clarence being then in travaile which Vocleer uncourteously refused and like the hedghog kept his Captaine out of his owne lodging not doing or permitting to be done any the least office of humanitie but denying the sicke and tender Ladies all courtesie and comfort wherefore the Earle was enforced to put againe to Sea Whilst King Edward for this so discourteous usage of the Earle sent the ungratefull Gascoyne a patent of the Captaines place of Callice under the great Seale of England And the Duke of Burgoyne gave him an annuitie of one hundred pounds per annum during life Notwithstanding Warwick being at Sea received intelligence from Vocleer whom it seemes did love the Earle in the second place but himselfe in the first That the Duke of Burgoine plotted his destruction whereupon the Earle kept the Seas and tooke all the Burgonians he cold meet making prize of their ladings wherewith he landed in France and from Deepe by the French Kings solemn invitation he went to the Castle of Amboyes where the King then kept his Court. And there the Ladies wants are supplied and honorable welcome and liberall entertainment given to the Earle and all his company The newes of the Earle of Warwickes being at the French Kings Court drew thither Queene Margaret and her sonne Edward with Iasper late Earle of Pembrock for this Iasper having beene attainted of treason William Lord Harbert was created Earle of Pembrook but being slaine William his sonne succeeded in the Earledome This Iasper and others with him who were lately broke out of prison in England and fled thither joyne in confederation with the Earle of Warwick and a solemn oath passeth betwixt the Duke of Clarence the Earles of Warwicke Oxford and Iasper of Pembrook never to deserte one the other during life nor desist to the uttermost of their best abilities to procure the releasment of King Henry and his restoration to the Crowne of England and to give the better Countenance to this confederation Prince Edward is married to the Earle of Warwicks daughter But therein the Earle of Warwick sitting in his ownlight overshot himselfe and by overdoing in policy to strengthen his part both himselfe and partakers are undon The water intended to drive the Mill being drawne to drowne the same for the Duke of Clarence after he had taken into his owne more serious consideration the purposed end of this match he easily perceived that that being seconded with the intended prosecution of the warres against King Edward would if succesfull prove the utter overthrow of his Brothers and the finall extirpation of the house of Yorke From hence arose and not without just ground the Dukes distrust of his owne fortunes For the prevention of which mischiefe hee inwardly became lesse forward to the businesse and began to cast about how to come fairely off from his Father-in-law propinquitie of blood proving a stronger incentive to affection then contracted affinitie though never so much combined with solemne promises and overt protestations From henceforth underhand he gives perfect intelligence to King Edward of all proceedings against him and withall assures him that he was resolved upon his comming into England to play the part of a loving Brother and as hee did now in heart decline the confederation so he would then cleane desert their cause herewith when King Edward acquainted his Brother the Duke of Yorke hee said hee alwayes thought as much for hee that at one time had turned Traitour to his Soveraigne would at another prove trecherous to his friend but wee may saith he presume better hereafter of our Brother The French King having furnished the new Confederates with men money and amunition and with necessary shipping They all went aborde and falling downe to the mouth of the river of Seyne they descried the Burgonians with a strong fleet prepared to interrupt their sayling forth Whereupon the Lords strike sayle and call to Councell But during their time of such consultation a strong Southwest wind comes from land with a terrible tempest of raine by fury whereof the Burgonian Fleet was driven to Sea and severed many of them being driven on ground in Scotland The storme being ceased having set the Queene and Prince with his Wife on shore Warwicke with his Complices hoise sayle and with a merry gale arrive safely at Dartmouth from whence hee gave notice to his partakers of his arrivall King Edward presuming of the strength of the Burgonian Fleet and their watchfulnesse had omitted preparation either to impeach his Adversaries landing or to affront them being landed by meanes whereof the Lords land at ease and having a cleere passage march forward in good array making Proclamation in every place where they come in King Henryes name to command all his loving subjects to bee ready both with purse and person to give him assistance against the Duke of Yorke who like a tyrant and an usurper withheld from him his Crowne and Patrimony by this meanes in few dayes his Army greatly encreased wherewith in good order and by easie marches keeping his men alwayes in action by exercising them and fitting them to their weapons hee made towards London upon notice of whose approach on the Sunday next after Michaelmasse day one Doctor Goddard a Chaplaine of the Earle of Warwicke appointed to preach at Pauls Crosse did so set forth the pious intention of the Earle his Master that endevoured the restoring of a wronged King to his liberty and Dominion and to free the kingdome from an Vsurper that his pithy perswasions prevailed so farre with his Auditory that none reproved him for his boldnesse but so approved of his Sermon that divers put their ghostly Fathers advice in practice insomuch that the Marquesse Mountacute who had as was pretended on King Edwards behalfe levied sixe thousand men about London found them all enclinable to goe with him to the Earle of Warwicke and accordingly went and joyned with him so suddenly and easily will the vulgar bee seduced This
he himselfe walked the cleane contrary way The Northern men well rewarded are returned home and the king left at leasure to discover his masked hipocrisie and at liberty to invent and put in practise stratagems of death and murther And as afterwards he ended his time with the best which was his so began he his raigne with the worst which was the death of his two innocent Nephewes The King and the Queene take their progresse into Glocester to visit in his new honour the place of which he bare the name of his old By the way he plotteth the manner of the destruction of the two innocent lambes left behind in the slaughter-slaughter-house For the execution whereof he sent one of his execrable instruments named Iohn Greene with a letter and instructions to Sir Robert Brackenbury Leiftenant of the Tower a creature of no small credit with him presently upon the sight thereof to take order for the dispatching out of the way those two as he termed them bastard brats But the Lieftenant in this howsoever vehemently suspected as guiltie of other like imployments being honest both detested the businesse and denyed to performe the Command with which answer Greene returned to Warwicke where the King then was to whom he related the Lieftenants answer wherewith the king was doubly perplexed with the discovery of his intention and the refusall by him on whose readinesse hee much presumed before And much discontented he withdrew to his Chamber where after some vent to his passion he made enquiry of some of the pages if any could thinke of a man that to gaine his Soveraignes favour would hazard the losse of a finger or somewhat more whereupon one of the Pages presently gave information of a Knight who to give wing to his ambitious desires which were ever desirous of the Kings imployment would not be scrupulously conscienced nor would stand much upon the hazard of his limmes to doc his Majestie service adding withall that he was now in bed in the next chamber upon this man the K. presently pitcheht And hastely rifing from the close stoole for this Communication was at the time of evacuation a faire closet and a fit season for such counsell he went forth into the pallace Chamber where hee found two brothers Sir Thomas and Sir Iames Tirrell in bed together men of different conditions but equall comlinesse of feature and countenance wherein few in those times did exceed them Sir Iames before by the Page fully described to be the undertaker is singled out and privately conferd withall by the king And to him hee briefly importeth his minde and the meanes to purchase his perpetuall respect and favour The Knight as greedy of the imployment as the King to have it effected out went the Kings expectation in forwardnesse undertakes the performance of whatsoever shal be appointed whereupon the next morning hee is dispatched with letters mandatorie to Sir Robort Brackenbury for present surrender up of his command the keyes of the Tower for a time to the bearer Sir Iames Tirrell which was accordingly done Sir Iames before hand had furnished himselfe with actors for such a filthy tragedy whose names were Miles Forrest and Iohn Dighton a couple of Rake-shames that had beene thoroughly flesht in all villany And had so often offended the law by shedding of blood that the custom thereof had taken away the sence of the sinne so that to cut the throate of a Prince or a Pig was without difference to them These the second night after his having of the keyes of the Tower Sir Iames imployes to smother the two poore innocents in their bed which they did by wrapping hard their pillowes about their heads and stopping their breath with their bed clothes which done they tooke and buried them under the stayres amongst a heape of stones From whence they were after removed in more obscuritie but to a place of Christian buriall by Sir Robert Brackenburyes Chaplaine whose suddaine death which hapned some few dayes after hindered the discovery of the place And thereby gave cause of doubt to some and colour to others by the credulous folly of a few but the inveterate malice of more afterwards to justifie Perkyn Warbecks and others imposturie The tragedy being come to the Catastrophe away poasts Sir Iames having first taken order for the shipping of his agents for the Lowe Countries to the King From whom at first he received gracious countenance good words and great promises But was never afterwards preferred or imployed by the King as perceiving in his lookes some reluctancy for what he had so lately done But scornd and detested by all that knew the imployment abandoned by his owne brother and despicable in his owne thoughts And such is usually the reward of those that pawne their soules to purchase uncertaine preferment for as good Phisitians affect not poyson though skilfully sometimes they make use of it no more doe any the traytor that take advantage of the Treason The King doth now perceive that he is able enough to subsist of himselfe and without Buckinghams ayde or advise powerfull enough to plot and actuate any requirable project And therefore having now freed himselfe from any competitors for the Garland by the murther of his two Nephewes he began by little and little to weane himselfe from Buckingham and withdrawes his former privacy of conference with him And first delayes and then denyes to performe the pact and agreement so solemnly before concluded betwixt them yet publickly washes his face in every company with all showes of Court holy water which the Duke wisely observing one formerly sufficiently acquainted with his disposition Thinking it farre better to be enjoyer but of a small loafe then to have no bread playes with the King at his owne weapon At Glocester taketh occasion with outward show of all formall respect and former integrity to take his leave of the King and so departed the Court But they had no sooner severed themselves but each began to observe the others behaviour and by meanes of interlopers they were known to misconster and misinterpret each others words and actions so that the knot of familiaritie formerly united in treachery was now easily dissolved by Ielouâ—…ie which was the sooner brought about by this occasion After the Dukes arrivall at his Castle of Brecknock he sent for his prisoner Morton Bishop of Ely whom he familiarly entertained and from time to time continued such his kind and respective entertaiment towards him which the wise Bishop observing and withall noting the Dukes haughty heart and ambitious haughtines he thought it good discretion from thence to take his hint to make his wisedome the meanes of his own deliverance though with the Dukes distruction For the Bishop besides his profound learning having often and by alternate proofe of prosperity and adversity gotten experience the mother and mistris of wisdome and thereby could discerne the passages of polliticke and cunning contrivements perceiving the Duke so
to King Henry the 6. But she was as absolutely forgotten by me as if I had never seene or knowne her Now she and her sonne Henry Earle of Richmond being both cutworke and percullis betwixt me and that port which I must of necessitie passe if I should at any time attempt to enter into the Court royall of Maiestie my presupposed title was in my imagination now scarce worth a tittle And herewithall calling to mind that those inseparable dangers insupportable cares and unavoydable troubles that necessarily awaite upon a Crowne are so imminent numerous That no one if he but man can with safety escape wel undergoe or with patience endure the least of many of them except by lineall descent the law doe cast it upon him or he be by Gods especiall providence as David was preordaind or before appoynted thereunto And further taking it into consideration That if I once assumed unto my selfe the swaying of the Scepter howsoever I might perchance be of abilitie sufficient to lay hold of it yet on the one part I should bee sure to find many foes but few faithfull friends who in this age are all for the most part gone on Pilgrimage and their returne is uncertaine And on the other side King Edwards Daughters and their Allyes whose patience so infinitely abused might incite some furious partakers or my cousin Richmond with his friends and followers or some discontented Lords for it would bee an impossible thing to give plenary content to all would bee ever snatching or snarling at mee upon every the least occasion and upon any advantage so that in all likelyhood my life and livelihood should bee ever hanging but by a very slender thread so that I should never bee secure but ever in danger of death or deposition wherefore from thenceforth I concluded with my selfe to banish out of my thoughts all ayrie-built Castles to looke after the government of the kingdome either in my owne right or to my owne use and concluded watchfully to attend if at any time it should please God to make mee his instrument to relieve the wronged and to scourge the oppressour And now I am verily perswaded that it is the good pleasure of the Almightie to make this the meanes by which both may bee to his glory effected for the Earle of Richmond to take to Wife Elizabeth the eldest Daughter of King Edward the fourth to bring which orderly to effect neither my person power or purse shall bee wanting In respect that by this match The two houses of Yorke and Lancaster at this time so miserably dis-joynted may bee brought to unitie and conjunction And whereas my Grandfather and Father did both lose their lives in abetting the side of Lancaster I will now hazard mine to conjoyne them both hand in hand These words the Duke uttered with that vehement earnestnesse that the good Bishop and not without reason was thorowly perswaded that it was asmuch the love of Richmond as the hatred to Richard that made him make this forward and friendly offer And from thenceforth afterward hee so condited his discourses with such powerfull and significant words and prevalent reasons that hee kept him firme and constant to his first proposition insomuch that at length by this Bishops advise and procurement of Reignold Bray a Gentleman attending upon the Countesse of Richmond this whole plot is discovered to the Dutchesse and very well approved of by her And presently from her Doctor Lewis her Phisitian is imployed to Queene Elizabeth who still remained in Sanctuary at Westminster to sound how shee stood inclinable Who upon the first proposition before shee would expresse any thing unto the Doctor shee prostrated her selfe upon her knees and humbly invoked the blessed Trinitie to bee propitious to this so much desired Vnitie And then raising her selfe up shee did professe her selfe next unto God to be much bound to him or her that first invented the meanes whereby to restore my poore children to their right and redeeme my selfe from that thraldome and feare wherein now I am And with great thankes returned to the Doctor wishing him to assure the contriver thereof whosoever That if Earle Richmond would take his corporall oath to espouse either her Daughter Elizabeth or Cicely in case it should please God Elizabeth should dye before that time assoone as hee had obtained the enjoyment of the Crowne That shee would not only give hers and get her Daughters consent to the match But procure all the Friends and Allyes of her deceased husband King Edward and her owne to take his part and in all things to give him their best assistance The Mothers thus having expressed their intentions to keepe the game on foot Doctor Lewis preferred to the Queene a religious and learned Priest called Christopher Vrswicke who up on oath taken for secrecy was as occasion should bee offered to bee imployed in these businesses so that now Bray and Vrswicke doe travaile only about home whilst the Physitian who might doe it with more safetie and lesse suspition negotiated in more remote places first to sound then to incite as many of the Nobilitie and Gentrie as they should discover to bee willing to give their assistance but alwayes with this caution to offer to treate with none without making oath first for truth and secrecie In few dayes Bray had drawne into confederacy Sir Giles Daubeney Sir Iohn Cheney Richard Guilford and Thomas Rame with some others Vrswicke likewise for his share had prevailed with Hugh Conoway Thomas Culpepper Thomas Rooper with some others And in the meane time Doctor Lewis was not idle but had wonne Edward Courtney and his brother Peter Bishop of Exceter amongst whom it was carefully agreed upon that convenient messengers should bee speedily dispatched for Britannie to Earle Richmond to acquaint him with the whole proceedings For this purpose by the contrivement of Vrswicke Hugh Conoway is imployed from Plimmouth with great summes of money Thomas Rame by the advice of Bray is with like instructions sent out of Kent by Callice both which within the space of little more then an houre though divers wayes the one most part by Sea the other most part by land came to the presence of the Earle who graciously received them and gladly embraced both the concord and condition The Earle acquaints the Duke of Britanny both with the plot and the confederation earnestly imploring his advise and ayde which the Duke as readily promised as really performed Howsoever Hutton Embassadour from King Richard had endevoured to preoccupate the Scene and in his Masters name had both by private Letters and many proffers of much money and more courtesies laboured the Duke for the Earles restraint But to little or no purpose The Earle thus encouraged returnes Connoway and Rames by the same way they came to give notice of his speedy repaire with ample instructions for the manner of preparation against his approach to be made Whereupon the Confederates in
all places provide such as had Castles or Piles of strength furnish them with men and amunition And others use their best meanes that money and men may bee got in readinesse against the Earles arrivall Bishop Morton who had gained opportunitie against the Duke of Buckinghams will to convey himselfe into the Lowe-Countryes is not slacke by Letters and private messages to conjure all such as hee knew either to hate or envy King Richard or to have loved King Edward to lay to their helping hands with all their might in this conjuration Now whether amongst so many through some false brothers treachery or out of his watchfull jelousie over Buckingham it is uncertaine But King Richard hath intelligence of the designe and politickly dissembleth it but secretly giveth order as it were but to take a muster to draw his forces together amongst whom hee suddenly comes and having appointed his carriages to follow him hee marcheth away without acquainting any of the Commanders with any particular place whither hee lead these forces In the meane time first by proffer of friendship by faire termes the King did solicite the Dukes presence at London where the King kept his standing house But receiving from him but delatory put offs The King then sent a peremptory message by the tye of his alleageance to come away which was returned with this resolute answer That hee would not if hee could avoid it have any conversation with an ungratefull per jured inhumane butcher of his owne flesh and blood so that now preparation to offend and defend by the sword is made on both parts The King holds on his march whereupon all the conjurators in every quarter are in overt commotion Thomas Marquesse Dorset preserved from slaughter by the only favour of Sir Thomas Lovell against the Kings will forsaketh Sanctuarie and in York-shire laboureth to raise forces The two Courtneys in Devon and Cornwall take the same course and they are seconded in Kent by Guilford and Rame so that civill combustion is in every quarter of the Realme King Richard notwithstanding severs not his forces but keepes on his march towards Buckingham who having notice thereof both readily and willingly setteth forward bending his course thorow the Forrest of Deane intending at Glocester to have passed Severne and so to have joyned forces with the two Courtneys and the Westerne Confederates but by the long continuance of wet weather the waters thereabouts were risen so high that Severne was broken out and had overflowne all the Countries so that it was a thing impossible for the Dukes forces to bee transported which the Welch-men drawne thither more for feare then love tooke advantage of saying it was a prodigious token of their ill successe in the enterprise and secretly by night slipt away from him whose example the residue followed so that the Duke upon this disbanding was left to shift by himselfe whereupon hee dismist all his followers and without or Page or Foot-man repayred to the house of one Humphry Bannister who dwelt neere Shrowsbury presuming there he might safely lodge in obscurity untill better fortune should smile the rather for that the many extraordinary favours formerly done to the said Bannister and his father before him might justly challenge willing entertainment during his secret stay there if not more The newes of this disaster added wings to the other conjurators to disperse their powers and flye some to Sanctuary others to unknowne places all of them making the best shift they could to escape but they sped best which conveyed themselves into Britanny Amongst whom the Marquesse Dorset John Lord Wells the Bishop of Exceter and his brother Sir John Bourchier Sir Edward Woodvile brother to Queene Elizabeth Sir Robert Willoughby Sir Giles Daubeney Sir Thomas Arundell Sir John Cheney and his two brethren Sir William Barckley Sir William Brandon and his Brother Thomas Sir Richard Egmond Hollowell and Poynings Captaines were chiefe King Richard having intelligence that the enemy was fled sent order presently to lay all the Ports with strict charge that none should goe on borde or come on shore without especiall warrant Hee likewise made publick Proclamation that if any one could bring tydings of the Duke of Buckingham who was now proclaimed Traitour and all his lands and goods seized into the Kings hands so that the Duke might bee apprehended if the person were a bondman hee should bee manumitted if a freeman hee should have a generall pardon and a thousand pound currant English coyne Whilst these things are thus in agitation King Richard hath information from Hutton his Leiger Embassadour in Britaine That the Duke thereof not only refused to keepe the Earle of Richmond in restraint of libertie Bu was seeming forward to give him his assistance to prosecute his intendmentt which was to worke some exploit in England Wherefore the King tooke especiall order for the present rigging and preparing his Navy to stop if possible the Earles landing in any Port of England In the interim whether feare to offend the law or greedy Covetousnesse to gaine the thousand pounds it is yet disputable but Bannister like an ungratefull servant perfidiously discovered his Master the Duke of Buckingham to Iohn Mitton then high Sheriffe of Shropshire who thereupon apprehended him in a little Grove neere Bannisters dwelling house and conveyed him to Shrowsbury where King Richard lay from whence upon All-Soules day hee was conveyed to Salisbury and then and there without arraignment or legall proceedings in the Market-place beheaded Whether Bannister received his proclaimed reward is uncertaine but that Gods judgements appeared afterwards against him and his is very remarkable for hee was afterwards hanged for man-slaughter his eldest daughter is debauncht by one of his Carters and his sonne and heire in a desperate lunacy became his owne butcher and was so found by the Coruors inquest This Henry Duke of Buckingham was Earle of Stafford Hereford Northampton Lord of Brecknocke Kimbolton and Tunbridge and high Constable of England Hee married Katherine Daughter of Richard Woodvile Earle Rivers by whom he had issue three Sons and two Daughters 1. Edward who by Henry the seventh was restored to blood and succeeded in his Fathers honours 2. Henry the said King Created Earle of Wilts 3. And Humphry that dyed young 1. Elizabeth married to Robert Radcliffe Lord Fitz-Waters 2. Anna married first to Sir Walter Harbert and afterwards George Lord Hastings Earle of Huntington Vpon the twelfth day of October the Earle of Richmond with fourtie ships and five thousand waged Britons tooke the Seas But that evening by the rage of an impetuous tempest the whole Navy was dispersed The ship wherein the Earle was with one only little Barke after they had endured the rage of the tempest eight and fourty houres was driven upon the coast of Cornwall where hee giveth expresse commandement that none should dare to take land untill the fleet were drawne together But after hee had huld up and downe the shore
1384. R. 6. A subsidy demanded and denyed Commissioners appointed to receive the Susibdie The Lord Treasurer removed by Parliament Ann. 1386 R. 6. Anno. Dom. 1387. R. 9. An. 1387. R. 9. The King accompanieth the Duke of Ireland towards Wales A good office of the Bishop of London The Bishops sent to the Barons Ann. 1388 R. 10. The Lord Chancellors speech to the Lords Ann. D. 13â—… R. 10. Proceeding in the Parliament against Favourites The modesty of the Earle of Darby An oath exacted from the King An. 1389. R. 11. An. 1390. An expedition into Barbary Ann. 1392 R. 14. The priviledges of London seized into the Kings hands are abridged and part restored An. 1393. R. 15. An intervenew between the Kings of Fraâ—…ce and England An. 1396. Reg. 18. The Earle of Saint Pauls advise to the King Ann. 1396 R. 18. The Duke of Glocester betrayed Glocester murthered not executed The Earle of Arundel supposed a martyr An. 1398. Reg. 21. 5. Dukes created Ann. 1397 R. 21. Herefords complaint of the government to Norfolke An. 1397. R. 22. An. 1398. Reg. 22. 1. 2. 3. Ann. 1398 R. 22. An. 1399. R. 23. Archbish. Arundels speech to Henry Earle Henries answer The Duke of Hereford setteth forward The Duke of Hereford landeth in Holdernesse The Duke of Heref. sworne not to doe or suffer any violence to bee done to King Richard The Duke of Herefard entreth into Councell at London Warre proclaimed against King Richard Lancasters Oration The Lord Treasurer pursued to Bristoll The Treasurer with Sir Iohn Bushye surprised in Bristol Castle and afterwards executed The Sons of the Duke of Glocester and Lancaster imprisoned in Trim Castle in Ireland King Richard arriveth at Milford Haven Discouraged His Councellors disagree Lancaster marcheth towards the King The Lord Steward dissolveth the Kings houshold King Richard expostulateth with himself Consulteth with his followers A Parliament summoned by the Duke in the Kings name King Richards speech Lancasters easie conquest A fainâ—…d Title D. Lancaster layeth his claime to the Crowne The Duke of Lancaster accepted for King The Commissioners acquaint King Richard with the resolution of the House Edward the fourth crowned Ann. 1399 R. 1. The Bishop of Carliles Oration Deut. 17. 12. Rom. 13. 12. Sap. 6. Ann. 1399 R. 2. The Bishop committed Nobles degraded of then Titles Officers removed Ann. 1400 Reg. 2. Burbon soliciteth the inhabitants of Guyan to revolt The Earle of Worcester sent to Guyan The Abbot of Westminsters proceedings The Duke of Exceters perswasions to rebell The Conspirators plot The Duke of Yorkes speech to his Son The Duke of Aumerle discovereth the Conspiracy The King leaveth Windsor The Maior of London furnisheth King Henry with Archers Queen Isabels womanish course The Inhabitants of Ciceter assault the conspirators An. 1401. R. 2. An. 1401. R. 3. An. 1403. R. 3. The King married An. 1403. R. 3. An 1â—… 04. R. 4. A byting Subsidie Archiepisc. Parker fol. 257. In regist Simonis Larg fol. 12. Fox Martir fo 1100. Godwyn fol. 184. Continuator histo Ranulphi Antiquitates Britt fol. 257 Vbi supra Stowe 562. Isa. Worke fo 90. In the Colledge Libraty Ann. 1404 Reg. 5. The French Kings brothers challenge The French attempt Dartmouth and are repulsed The Kings third sonne with some forces land at Sluice Three Carricks of Genoa taken Northumberland and others with him rebell The Archbi Yorke perswades the people to rise against the King Westmerland circumvents the Archbish. of Yorke He is beheaded at Yorke Northumberland his partakers proclaimed Traytours Anno 1408. The Prince of Scotland taken prisoner and sent to the Tower 1408. An. 1408. R. 9. The Lord Camoys arraigned for treason is acquit by his Peetes 1408. 1410. A Petition by the Commons against the Bishops Meanes to maintaine Earles 150 Knights 1500 Esquires 6200. and an hundred Hospitalls of new to bee erected Sir Robert Vmphrevill tearmed Mend-market An. 1411. R. 11. The Prince of Wales removed from being President of the Councell From hence was the honorable ornament of the coller of S. S. worne by these in eminent places in remembrance of this Princes reconcilement to his Father devised The Prince presents himselfe to the King The King Prince reconciled The King having taken upon him the Crusado prepareth accordingly The death of Henry the fourth An. 1412. R. 12. 1. 2. 3. An. 1412. R. 13. 4. 2. Daughters Ann. 1413 R. 1. King Henry taketh leave of his antient companions The forwardnesse of the Nobilitie to tender their homage The Lord Oldcastle convented Oldcastle escapeth out of the Tower Ann. D. 1414 R. 1. Punishment of treason and heresie Ann. 1414 Reg. 1. An. 1414. R. 2. Motives for the King to lay claime to the Crowne of France Embassadors sent into France Embassadors sent to the Councell at Constance The King armes in France Harstew besieged Harstew taken The Peasants assayled King Henry Pro recuperatione sigilli sui The order of the battell of the French The Duke of Yorke leads the English Voward The beginning of the sight The disorder of the French The English having rowted the van charge the battaile of the French The French submit An. 1415. R. 3. Edward Plantagenet Duke of Yorke maried Philip daughter and coheire of Iohn Mahun Lord of Dunster but dyed without issue Michael de la Poolâ—… Earle of Suffolke died without issue also Ann. 1416 R. 4. The Duke of Glocester entertaineth the Emperour at Dover Harstew besieged by the French Relieved by the Duke of Bedford Penancâ—… done King Henry accompanieth the Emperour to Callice The Duke of Bedford made Regent The Earle of Huntingtons fortune at Sea Cane taken Boyeux taken The Kings good pollicie to allure the French Courfey Castle yeelded An. 1418. R. 4. Sees submits to K. Henry Falays taken 1418. A great storme 6. Reg. Ann. 1416 Reg. 6. Captaines made over severall places The Dolphin and Duke of Burgoigne reconciled Eureux besieged Loveirs besieged and rendred An. 1418. R. 6. New inventions for passage over waters Roane besieged The English Navy passeth the river The good service of the Irish. King Henryes charitie Ann. 1418 R. 9. Roane comes to composition Surrendred An Overture for an interview crossed by the Dolphins default An. 1419. R. 7. A Conspiracie in Roane discovered Ponthoys surprised by the English The English army severed into three parts French Embassadours sent to King Henry An. 1420. R. 8. King Henry sends to the Duke of Burgoyne King Henry giveth meeting at Troyes to the Queen King Henry affianced to the Lady Katherine The Duke of Burgoynes oath The Articles of agreement certified A League with the Duke of Burgoyne The creation of Garter principall King of armes The ratification of the agreement layed up in the Treasury at Westminster An. 1421. R. 9. Queene Katherine Crowned King Henryes Pietie The Duke of Clarence betrayed Robert Vmphrevile here slaine was both Earle of Argus and Kime 1421. A Parliament at Westminster King Henry returnes to France Dreux
the wall to his Soveraignes house to bee done at his charge For which so saying the King sharply reprehendeth VVickham To whom VVickham modestly replieth that it was farre from his thought to ascribe by that inscription the Honour of building that tower to himselfe but his owne good hap for being preferred to that worke for not by any indifferent construction the words may seeme to import that VVickham built that Tower But his imployment thereabouts was the cause of making and preferring of Wickham for thereby hee had gained his Majesties gratious favour and countenance By this answer the King was pacified and as it were to make VVickham amends and deterre his calumniators from further persisting in such their envious courses the Kings favour is daily increased towards him and hee is enriched with many faire preferments Insomuch that within few yeares by the assistance and plotting of Iohn Buckingham Bishop of Lincolne and Sir Simon Burleigh Knight two of his antient and most intimate acquaintance in Oxford hee had gotten into his possession besides the spirituall livings before remembred twelve severall Prebendships and by dispensation from Pope Vrban and qualification by being the Kings Chaplaine hee held at one time in his hands so many Ecclesiasticall livings and promotions as the valew of them did amount in the Kings bookes to the summe of eight hundred seventy sixe pounds thirteene shillings and foure pence in those dayes a great summe such was his behaviour that hee held the Kings favour firme unto him and the Nobilitie for the most part did well approve his courses besides these Spirituall promotions the King had likewise honoured him with many temporall places of both profit and respect as being his principall Secretarie Keeper of the Privie Seale Master of the Wards and Liveryes Treasurour of the Kings Revenewes in France and some other Offices of lesse eminencie Now whilst his wealth and worship every day increased in Anno 1356. VVilliam Edendon Bishop of VVinchester departed this life leaving the sea void whereupon the King desiring the same the Monkes of Saint Swithins in VVinchester elected VVilliam of VVickham to that sea But Vrban the then Pope being sufficiently informed of the Elects little learning but great livelyhood deferd by the space of a whole yeare the confirmation of the Election in which time VVickhams good Angells interceding for him in the Court of Rome hee is permitted to take the benefit of the spiritualties and to have the temporalties in the meane time sequestred The King hearing how much the insufficiencie of schollership was obtruded upon VVickham began to expostulate with him to surcease further suit for the place which required to bee supplied by a man of more sufficiencie in Clerkship then hee was to whom VVickham replied that so please his Majestie to continue his gratious favour towards him so that hee might obtaine his desire therein hee doubted not but by Gods speciall assistance so to behave himselfe that hee would supply all defects of schollership in himselfe by providing for others meanes and maintenance to make and keepe able persons for the service of the State and the good of the kingdome wherewith the King was so taken that hee wrought so effectually That in the yeare 1367. hee was consecrated Bishop of VVinchester and was restored to all profits of that Bishopricke during the vacancie Within short time after hee was made Lord Treasurer and was imployed and trusted with all the affaires of the kingdome and had the disposition of all the Kings Treasure which was the occasion to advantage his enemies to strike the more easily at him For the King by the new Bishops care being rid of many troubles yet tooke a further benefit thereby for whatsoever was done that displeased the Councell or the Commons that was objected to the Bishop whereby when the Kings wants were pressing it was held the best pollicie at that time to give the King a supply by squeezing the full moistned spunge of the Bishops coffers And to yeeld some colour for their so doing The Bishop is charged to give account for eleven hundred ninetie sixe thousand pounds received during the time of his being Treasurer besides a hundred thousand Francks delivered him by Galeaze Duke of Millaine which must bee suddenly performed and the more to puzzle him at that very instant divers untrue and feyned cavillations by way of complaint are put up against him at the Councell boord to the answering whereof hee is instantly convented where whilst hee is intentive to save the bye hee hazarded the losse of the maine for whilst hee indevoureth to give satisfactory answers to the foresaid calumniations Iudgement is through the earnest importunitie of the Duke of Lancaster by William Skipwith Lord chiefe Iustice upon an information of deceipt suggested awarded in the Kings bench against him by meanes whereof all his temporalties were seized upon taken into the Kings hands and given to the Prince of VVales And for a further addition to his affliction by Iohn of Gaunts meanes hee is in the Kings name commanded upon paine of his Majesties high displeasure not to come within twenty miles of the Court The Bishop with a cleere conscience and a constant resolution awaits a fitter time to crave review of this sentence against him and like a discreet Pilat playeth with the wave which if hee should meet might indanger him and by giving way thereto escapeth the hazard Accesse to the King hee knew not how to obtaine to pacifie the Duke of Lancaster hee saw no possibilitie and how to procure any course to bee taken for his benefit hee was altogether ignorant His trayne therefore hee dismisseth expecting some few of whose honest fidelitie and otherwayes sufficiencie hee had made sufficient proofe these he imployeth to write out and ballast his accounts and such answers as hee had made to the accusations and informations which as aforesaid were exhibited against him which perfected the Copyes thereof hee privately disperseth amongst his brethren of the Clergie and such other as hee presumed would without prejudice to his cause vouchsafe the reading of them And therein amongst other things hee at large setteth forth the ground or occasion of the Duke of Lancasters irreconciliable malice against him which was thus Queene Philip wife to Edward the third upon her death-bed by way of Confession delivered unto VVinchester That Iohn of Gaunt was not the lawfull issue of King Edward but a suppositious sonne For when she was brought to bed at Gaunt of a maiden childe knowing how much the King desired to have a male issue shee consulted with one of her maides of honour by whose industry the Daughter was exchanged with a Dutch woman for a boy whereof shee had beene delivered about the same houre with the Queenes Thus much shee confessed and withall conjured the Bishop that if the said Iohn of Gaunt should at any time directly or indirectly attempt or affect the wearing of the Crowne or