accusing sometimes one of his Lords sometimes another as 〈◊〉 it wâ—re their fault that he had lost these Townes in Franceâ— and upon 〈…〉 made many of them pay great summes of money which brought 〈…〉 into hatred at home but into contempt abroad for the King of 〈◊〉 â—nâ—â—â—standing his unworthy courses proceeds more violently in his Invasiâ—ns 〈…〉 getting Falaiâ— Damfrâ—nt and all the good Townes of Normandy but onely Roan and at last though Râ—an was a Towne strongly fortifyed with Walls and more strongly with the faithfull hearts of the Inhabiâ—ants yet finding no hope of succour from King Iohn it was forced for want of Victuals to submit it selfe to the King of France whose example all the other Cities followed and so all Normandy returned to the subjection of the French after three hundred and sixteene yeares that Rollâ— the Dane had first possest it It was now the yeare 1205. and the fourth of King Iohns Raigne about which time the two props of his Estate or rather indeed the two Bridles of his intemperancy dyed his Mother Queene Eleanor whose vertues had oftentimes qualifyed the vices of her Sonne and Hubert Arch-bishop of Canterbury who repented him at his death of nothing more then that he had beene an Instrument of bringing him to the Crowne And now King Iohn being a Substantive of himselfe hath a devise in his head to make his subjects as willing to give him money as he was to have it for knowing the great discontentment they all had for his losses in France he gives it out that he would presently raisâ— an Army for recovery of those losses if he might have money to goe about it whereupon never was money given with more alacrity and as soone as he had it he instantly went to Portesmouth and there took Shipping before it was possible for his Lords and others to be in readinesse to accompany him and sayling forward some certaine Leagues into the Sea upon a sudden he returnes backe againe and then laies the fault upon his Lords that had not followed him and for this backwardnesse of theirs imposed afterwards great Fines upon them by which meanes he got money no lesse by pretence of his not going then he had done before by pretence of his going About this time died Geoffrey Fits-Peter Justitiar of England who while he lived kept the King in some awe in so much as hearing he was dead he swore by the feete of God that now at length he was King of England and with great rejoycing said to some Lords about him Now when this man comes into Hell let him salute the Arch-Bishop Hubert whom certainely he shall finde there But Philip King of France intending to leave the English nothing on that side the Sea invadeth Chinon and takes it and in it the valiant Captaine Roger Lacie which had given a period to King Philips victories had not Guido the husband of Constantia Prince Arthurs Mother revolted to King Iohn who with his assistance once againe leavies an Army besiegeth Mount Auban a Castle thought impregnable and within fifteene dayes takes it which Charles the Great could not get with his seven yeares siege where so great a number of French Lords were taken prisoners that King Iohn sent a Catalogue of their names into England for a memoriall of so great a victory After this he taketh the strong Towne of Angiers and utterly defaceth it for which afterward he was sorry as being the Towne where he was borne But now when the two Kings were ready to meete and to give battell intercession was made by friends of both sides and thereupon a Peace concluded for two yeares and King Iohn returned into England King Iohn being returned performes no lesse worthy acts at home then he had done in France for first he invades the Borders of Scotland and brings Alexander King of Scots to doe him homage and then understanding many of the Irish to be revolted he passeth over to Dublin and reduceth them to his obedience and then placing Iohn Bishop of Norwich Governour there he returnes into England where passing through Wales he subdueth certaine Rebels there and takes eight and twenty children of the best Families for pledges of their future loyalty but not long after hearing they grew mutinous and rebelled againe he was so incensed that he would not goe to dinner till he had seene those twenty eight children to be all hanged before his face so inconsiderate a thing is the desire of revenge that it makes no difference betweene innocency and guiltinesse though indeed a thing oftentimes must be done for example which considered in it selfe would be forborne And it was the yeare 1214. and the fourteenth of K. Iohns Raign when he going to Angiers strongly repaires it and the Province of Poictou revolted to him which Lewis King Philips sonne understanding comes upon them with a mighty Army and using much severity upon the Authors of the revolt takes prisoners Reynold Earle of Boleigne and William Earle of Salisbury with many others of King Iohns Captaines and defeateth his whole Army whereof when King Iohn was certified he grew in a manner desperate and as a man dejected makes a new Truce upon any conditions with the King of France and returnes into England where he findes a worse businesse ready to entertaine him for the Lords of the Realme having often required their ancient Rights and Liberties and finding nothing but delusions endure no longer to be abused but meeting at Saint Edmundsbery they there conferre how they may finde a remedy to redresse this evill and at laâ—t concluded to goe to the King themselves in person and make their Demands whereof a Charter was produced that had beene formerly granted in King Henry the firsts time whereupon comming to the King after Christmas lying then in the New Temple and acquainting him with their Demands he gives them this faire Answer that within a few dayes he would give them satisfaction and causeth the Bishops of Canterbury and Ely with William Marshall Earle of Glocester to passe their words for him that it should be performed But the King meaning nothing lesse then to doe as he said fals presently a leavying of Souldiers which the Lords understanding they also doe the like and going to the Bishop of Canterbury deliver him a Copy of their Demands and require the Kings Answer But the Bishop shewing it to the King and humbly intreating him to give the Lords a satisfactory Answer he swore a great Oath they might as well demand the Kingdome and that he would die before he would yeeld to any such demands Whereupon the Lords knowing now what they were to trust to fall to besiege Northampton and after that Redford which is yeelded to them and withall they are sent to by the Londoners to signifie their readinesse to joyne with them At this time the King was at Windsor providing an Army but hearing the Londoners were joyned with the Lords he thought it no
Saxons was Kingills who was the first Christian King of this kingdome converted by Berynus an Italian Divine to whom hee gave the City of Dorchester neere to Oxford who therein erected his Episcopall See The seventh King was Kenwald who at first an Apostata was afterward converted and founded the Cathedrall of Winchester and the Abbey of Mamesbery whose wife Segburg also built a house of devotion in the Isle of Sheppey wherein herselfe became a Nunne and was afterward elected Abbesse of Ely The eleventh King was Ine who ordained many good lawes which are yet extant in the Saxon tongue and are translated into Latin by the learned Master William Lambert This King built a Colledge at Wells bearing the name of St. Andrews which afterward King Kenulph made an Episcopall See He also in most stately manner new built the Abbey of Glastenbery and out of his devotion to the See of Rome he injoyned every one of his Subjects that possessed in his house of any one kinde of goods to the value of nineteene pence to pay yearely upon Lammas day one penny to the Pope which at first was contributed under the name of the Kings Almes but afterward was paid by the name of Peter pence At last hee went to Rome and there tooke upon him the habit of Religion and therein died His wife also became a veyled Nunne and afterward was made Abbesse of Barking neere London The thirteenth King was Cuthred who first permitted the bodies of the dead to be buried within the walls of their Cities which before were used to bee buried in the fields The foureteenth was Sigebert who for his cruelty and exactions was by his subjects forced to fly into the woods to hide himselfe where by a swinherd hee was slaine The fifteenth was Kenwolph who founded the Cathedrall Church of St. Andrews at Wells and was afterward slaine by Kynoard whom he had banished The sixteenth King was Brithrick whose Queene Ethelburg having prepared a poyson for another the King chanced to tast it and thereof died In feare of which chance the Queene fled into France where Charles the then King for her excellent beauty offered her the choyce of himselfe or his sonne in marriage but she out of her lustfull humour choosing the son was thereupon debard of both and thrust into a Monastery where committing adultery she was driven from thence and ended her life in great misery For her sake the West Saxons ordained a Law that no Kings wife should hereafter have the Title or Majesty of a Queene which for many yeares after was severely executed The fourth Kingdome being of the East Saxons THe fourth Kingdom of the Heptarchy was of the East Saxons began by Erchenwyn in the yeare 527. containing Essex and Middlesex and continued 281 years during the Raignes of foureteene Kings of whom the third was Sebert who first built the Cathedrall of St. Paul London which had formerly beene the Temple of Diana He likewise Founded the Church of St. Peter in the West of London at a place called Thorny where some time stood the Temple of Apollo which being overthrowne by an Earthquake King Lucius new built for the service of God that againe being decayed this King restored to a greater beauty with his Queene Athelgarda was there buried The ninth King was Sebba who after thirty yeares peaceable Raigne relinquished the Crowne tooke upon him a Religious habit in the Monastery of St. Paul London where dying his body was Intumbed in a Coffin of gray Marble the cover coaped and as yet standeth in the North wall of the Chancell of the same Church The twelveth was Offa famous for the beauty of his countenance who both enlarged with buildings and enriched with lands the Church of Westminster and after eight yeares Raigne went to Rome and was there shorne a Monke and in that habit died The fourteenth was Suthred whom Egbert King of the West Saxons subdued and made his Kingdome a Province to his owne And thus besides the former Shires these two also were lopped off from the Britaines Dominion and this was a fourth impairing The fifth Kingdome being of Northumberland THe fifth Kingdome was of Northumberland and began by Ella and Ida in the yeare 547. Containing Yorkeshire Durham Lancashire Westmerland Cumberland and Northumberland and continued 379. yeares during the Raignes of three and twenty Kings of whom nothing is recorded of these two first but that they builded the Castle of Bamburg The seventh King was Ethelfryd who at Caerlegion now Westchester made a slaughter of twelve hundred Christian Monkes and was himselfe afterward slaine by Redwald King of the East Angles The thirteenth King was Osred whose wife Cutburga out of a loathing wearinesse of wedlocke sued out a divorce from her husband and built a Nunnery at Winburne in Dorsetshire where in a Religious habit she ended her life The sixteenth King was Cednulph who after eight yeares Raigne left his Royall robes and put on the habit of a Monke in the Isle of Lindesfern or Holy Island Unto this King the Venerable Bâ—de a Saxon and a Priest in the Monastery of Peter and Paul at Werimouth neere to Durham Dedicateâ— his worke of the English History which hee continued from the first entrance of the Saxons into this Island to the yeare 731. containing after his owne account 285. yeares The seventeenth King was Egbert who after twenty yeares Raigne forsooke the world also and shore himselfe a Monke whose-brother being Archbishop of Yorke erected a notable Library there and stored it with an infinite number of learned bookes The last King was Oswald after whom this Kingdome yeelded to the protection of Egbert King of the West Saxons who was now in the yeare 926. become absolute Monarch of the whole Island And thus by the erection of this fifth Kingdome were the six Northerne shires lopped off from the Britaines Dominion and this was a fifth impairing The sixth Kingdome being of Mercia THe sixth Kingdome was of Mercia and began in Crida in the yeare 522. containing Huntington Rutland Lincolne Nottingham Warwickshire Leycester Northampton Derbyshire Oxfordshire Cheshire Shropshire Glostershire Staffordshire Buckinghamshire Bedfordshire and Hartfordshire and continued 202. yeares during the Raignes of twenty Kings eight of whom in a continued succession kept the Imperiall Crowne of the Heptarchie for though other Raigned as Kings in their owne Territories yet among them ever one was the supreme head of the rest and was called King of Engle-lond till Egbert the West Saxon brought them all into one The fifth of these Kings of Mercia was Penda who was the first Christian King of the Mercians and laid the Foundation of a faire Church at Medeshamstead now called Peterborough The seventh King was Ethelred who Raigned thirty yeares â—nd then gave over the Crowne and became a Monke in the Monastery of Bradney in Lincolnshire where in the yeare 716. he died The eighth King was Kenred who after foure yeares raigne went to
Office should pay him againe So Earle Richard having given infinitely to compasse this Advancement looked to helpe himselfe againe by the Place and this and the desire he had to revenge himselfe upon those thaâ— had opposed his Electionâ— made him take such violent courses that he came soone to be dispossessed forsaken and forced to returne into England a poorer King then he went out an Earle Acts done in the câ—ntention betweene the King and his Barons NOw King Henry very proud to have his younger sonne a King as well as his brother cals a Parliament wherein he brings forth his sonne Edmund clad in Sicilian habit and â—els the Parliâ—ment that for advancing this sonne of his to the kingdome of Sicilie he had bound himselfe under covenant of losing his kingdome in the summe of an hundred and forty thousand Markes and hoped they would not thinke much to aide him with money for so great an advancement but the Parliament stood firme to their usuall condition of Margna Charta so as that might be confirmed they were content to give two and fifty thousand Marks but this gave the King no satisfaction The yeare after another Parliament is holden at London wherein upon the Kings pressing them againe for meanes to pay his debts to the Pope the Lords tell him plainely they will not yeeld to give him any thing for any such purpose and give their reasons and withall repeate their owne grievances his breach of promise the insolencie of his brothers and specially William de Valence who had given the lie to the Earle of Leycester and no right done him in it and many such things which the King hearing and not able to deny humbles himselfe and tels them how he had often by ill counsell beene seduced but promiseth by his Oath which he tooke on the Tombe of Saint Edward to reforme all those errours But the Lords not well knowing how to deale in this businesse as being divided betweene a desire to satisfie the King and a desire to be satisfied themselves and knowing withall the variablenesse of the Kings nature they get the Parliament to be adjourned to Saint Barnabies day and then to assemble at Oxford In which meane time the Earles Glocester Leycester Hereford the Earle Marshall Bigod Spenser and other great men confederate and provide by Armes to effect their desire and here is the foundation laid of those bloudy wars that ensued betweene King Henry and his Barons And now the King being put to his shifts for money gets the Abbot of Westminster to put his Seale and that of his Covent to a Deed Obligatory as a surety for two hundred Markes making account that by his example others would be drawne to doe the like but his trusty servant Simon Passeleve being imployed to other Monasteries and telling them amongst other reasons to perswade them that the King was Lord of all they had they onely answered they acknowledged indeed the King to be Lord of all they had but yet so as to defend not to destroy the same and this was all he could get of them The Prince also in no lesse want then his Father is driven to morgage his Towne of Stamford Brahan and many other things to William de Valence a Poictouin wherby appeared the disorder of the time when the Prince was in want and strangers had such plenty And now is the Parliament assembled at Oxford whither the Lords come attended with large traines and here they beginne with the expostulation of the former Liberties requiring that the Chiefe Justiciar the Chancellour and Treasurer may be ordained by publike choyce and that the twenty foure Conservaâ—ours of the kingdome may be confirmed twelve by the election of the Lords and twelve by the King with whatsoever else made for their imagined security The King seeing their strength and in what manner they required these things sweares solemnly againe to the confirmation of them and causeth the Prince to take the same Oath But the Lords left not here the Kings brethren the Poictouins and other strangers must presently be removed and this also though with some little opposition was at last concluded and thereupon the Kings brethren and their followers are despoyled of all their fortunes and â—xiled by proscription under the Kings owne hand directed to the Earles of Hereford and Surrey But now sicknesse and mortality happening to many great ones it is imputed to poysons supposed to have beene prepared by those strangers proscribed the Earle of Glocester in a sicknesse suddenly lost his haire his teeth his nailes and his brother hardly escaped death which made many to suspect their nearest servants and their Cookes Walter Scoynie the Earle Steward is strictly examined committed to prison and afterward without confession is upon presumptions onely executed at Winchester Elias a converted Iew is said to have confessed that in his house the poyson was confected but it was when he was a Iew and not a Christian. Every man that had received any wrong by those strangers now put up their complaints and are heard Guydo de â—â—chfort a Poictouin to whom the King had given the Castle of Rochester is banished and all his goods confiscate William Bussey Steward to William de Valence is committed to the Tower of London and most reproachfully used Richard Gray whom the Lords had made Captaine of Dover Castle is set to intercept whatsoever the Poictouins convaied that way out of England and much treasure of theirs and of the elect of Winchester is by him taken besides great summes committed to the new Temple are found out and seised for the King And now the new Chiefe Justiciar Hugh Bigod brother to the Earle Marshall chosen this last Parliament by publike voyce procures that foure knights in every Shire should inquire of the oppressions of the poore done by great men and certifie the same that redresse might be made Also order was taken against corrupting of justice when yet notwithstanding this pretended care of the publike it is noted by the Writers and Records of that time how the Lords were themselves but as â—otidem tyranni enforcing the services of the Kings tenants that dwelt neare them But to make their cause the more popular it was rumored that the King stood upon it that his necessity must be supplied out of the estates of his people whether they would or no which the King hearing sends forth Proclamation declaring how certaine malitious persons had falsely and seditiously reported that he meant unlawfully to charge his subjects and subvert the Lawes and Liberties of the kingdome and by these false suggestions averted the hearts of his people from him and therefore desires them not to give credit to such perâ—urbers for that he was ready to defend all Rights and Customes due unto them and that they might rest of this secured he caused his Letters to be made Patents But now Montford Glocester and Spenser inforce the King to call a Parliament at London where
brought to King Edward and for the love of her Prince Leolyn was content to submit himselfe to any conditions which besides subjection of his State was to pay fifty thousand pounds Sterling and a thousand pounds per annum during his life and upon these conditions the marriage with his beloved Lady was granted him and was solemnized here in England whereat the King and Queene were themselves present Three yeares Leolyn continued loyall and within bounds of obedience in which time David one of his Brothers staying here in England and found by the King to be of a stirring Spirit was much honoured by him Knighted and matched to a rich Widow Daughter of the Earle of Darby and had given him by the King besides the Castle of Denbigh with a thousand pounds per annum though as it was afterwards found he lived here but in the nature of a spy For when Prince Leolyns Lady was afterward dead and that he contrary to his Conditions formerly made brake out into rebellion then goes his Brother David to him notwithstanding all these Favours of the King and they together enter the English Borders Surprise the Castles of Flynt and Rutland with the person of the Lord Clifford sent Justiciar into those parts and in a great Battaile overthrew the Earles of Northumberland and Surrey with the slaughter of Sir William Lyndsey Sir Richard Tanny and many others King Edward advertised of this Revolt and overthrow being then at the Vyzes in Wiltshire prepares an Army to represse it but before his setting forth goes privately to his Mother Queene Eleanor lying at the Nunnery of Aimesbury with whom whilest he conferred there was one brought into the Chamber who faigned himselfe being blinde to have received his sight at the Tombe of King Henry the third Aâ—soone as the King saw the man he remembred he had seene him before and knew him to be a most notorious lying Villaine and wished his Mother in no case to beleeve him but his mother who much rejoyced to heare of this Miracle for the glory of her husband finding her sonne unwilling that his Father should be a Saint grew suddenly into such a rage against him that she commanded him to avoid her Chamber which the King obeyes and going forth meetes with a Clergy man to whom he tels the story of this Impostour and merrily said He knew the justice of his Father to be such that he would rather pull out the eyes being whole of such a wicked wretch then restore them to their sight In this meane time the Arch-bishop of Canterbury had gone of himselfe to Prince Leolin and had laboured to bring him and his brother David to a re-submission but could effect nothing for besides other reasons that swayed Prince Leolin the conceit of a Prophesie of Merlin that he should shortly be Crowned with the Diadem of Brute so overweighed him that he had no care for peace and shortly after no head for after the Earle of Pembroke had taken Bere Castle which was the seat of Prince Leolin he was himself slain in battell and his head cut off by a common Souldier was sent to King Edw. who caused the same to be Crowned with Ivie and to be set upon the Tower of London And this was the end of Leolin the last of the Welsh Princes betraied as some write by the men of Buelth Not long after his brother David also is taken in Wales and judged in England to an ignominious death First drawn at a horse taile about the City of Shrewsbury then beheaded the trunke of his body divided his heart and bowels burnt his head sent to accompany his brothers on the Tower of London his foure quarters to foure Cities Bristow Northâ—â—pton York and Winchester A manifold execution and the first shewed in that kind to this kingdome in the person of the son of a Prince or any other Noble man that we reade of in our History It is perhaps something which some here observe that at the sealing of this conquest King Edward lost his eldest son Alphonsus of the age of twelve years a Prince of great hope and had onely left to succeed him his sonne Edward lately borne at Carnarvan and the first of the English intituled Prince of Wales but no Prince worthy of either Wales or England And thus came Wales to be united to the Crowne of England in the eleventh yeare of this King Edwards Raigne who thereupon established the government thereof according to the Lawes of England as may be seene by the Statute of Rutland in the twelfth yeare of his Raigne The worke of Wales being setled King Edward passeth over into France upon notice of the death of Philip the Hardy to renew and confirme such conditions as his state in those parts required with the new King Philip the fourth intituled the Faire to whom he doth homage for Aquitaine having before quitted his claime to Normandy for ever After three yeares and a halfe being away in France he returns into England and now in the next place comes the businesse with Scotland and will hold him woâ—ke at times as long as he lives and his sonne after him Alexander the third King of Scots as he was running his horse fell horse and man to the ground and brake his necke and died immediatelyâ— by reason whereof he leaving no issue but onely a daughter of his daughter Margaret who died also soone after there fell out presently great contention about succession Ten Competitors pretend title namely Erick King of Norway Florence Earle of Holland Robert Bruce Earle of Anandale Iohn de Baylioll Lord of Galloway Iohn de Hastings Lord of Abergeveny Iohn Cummin Lord of Badenaw Patrick de Dunbarre Earle of March Iohn de Vescie Nicholas de Sulâ—s William de Rosse all or most of them deâ—cending from David Earle of Huntington younger brother to William King of Scots and great Unkle to the late King Alexander This title King Edward takes upon him to decide pretending a Right of Superiority from his Ancestours over that kingdome and proving it by authority of old Chronicles as Marianus Scotus William of Malmsbury Roger de Hoveden Henry of Huntington Ralph de Luceto and others which though the Scottish Lords who swaied the Interregnum opposed yet are they constrained for avoyding of further inconveniences to make him Arbiter thereof and the tenne Competitours bound to stand to his award Two are especially found betweene whom the â—ight lay Iohn de Baylioll Lord of Galloway and Robert Brâ—ce the one descending from an elder daughter the other from a sonne of a younger daughter of Alan who had married the eldest daughter of this David brother to King William The controversie held long twelve of either kingdome learned in the Lawes are elected to debate the same at Berwick all the best Civilians in the Universities of France are solicited to give their opinions all which brought forth rather doubts then resolutions whereupon King Edward the better to
King according to an ancient custome had ayde of His Subjects thorough England for making his eldest sonne Prince Henry Knight which yet was Levied with great moderation and the Prince to shew himselfe worthy of it performed His first Feates of Armes at Barriers with wonderfull skill and courage being not yet full sixteene yeares of Age. It was now the eight yeere of King Iames His Reigne being the yeare 1610 when Prince Henry being come to the age of seventeen yeares It was thought fit He should be Initiated into Royalty and thereupon the thirtieth of May this yeare He was Created Prince of Wales in most solemne manner which was this Garter King at Armes bore the Letters Patents the Earle of Sussex the Robes of Purple Velvet the Earle of Huntington the Traine the Earle of Cumberland the Sword the Earle of Rutland the Ring the Earle of Darby the Rod the Earle of Shrewsbury the Cape and Coronet the Earle of Nottingham and North-Hampton supported the Prince being in His Surcoate only and bare-headed and in this manner being conducted to the King attended on by the Knights of the Bathe five and twenty in number all great men and great mens sons The Earle of Salisbury principall Secretary read the Letters Pattents the Prince kneeling all the while before the King and at the words accustomed the King put on him the Robe the Sword the Cape and the Coronet the Rod and the Ring and then kissed him on the cheeke and so the solemnity ended After this it was thought fit he should keep his Court by himselfe and thereupon Sir Thomas Chaloner a learned Gentleman who had before been his Governour was now made his Lord Chamberlaine Sir Edw. Philips his Chancellor and all other officers assigned him belonging to a Princes Court wherein he shewed himselfe so early ripe for Majesty that he seemed to be a King while he was yet but Prince And all mens eyes began to fix upon him King Iames had long since shut up the Gates of Ianus and was in Peace with all Princes abroad his only care now was how to keep Peace at home and to this end the three first dayes of Iune in his own person he heard the differences between the Ecclesiasticall and the Temporall Iudges argued touching Protections out of the Kingsâ—Bench and Common-Pleas to this end the eight ninth tenth of Iune he heard the manifold complaints of the abuses of the Victualers other Officers of his Navy Royall to this end the 4 of Iune 1610 he once again by Proclamation commanded all Roman Priests Seminaries and Iesuits as being the chiefe Incendiaries of troubles to depart this Kingdome by the 5 of Iuly next and not to returne upon pain of severity of the Law also all Recusants to returne home to their Dwellings and â—ot to ramaine in London â—oâ— to come within ten miles of the Court without speciall Licence aâ—â—â—r which Proclamation the Oâ—th of Allegeance was presently ministred to all sorts of people and their names certified to the Lords of the Counsell that refâ—â—ed to take it and this Hee the rather did out of consideration of the bloudy fact committed lately by one Revillâ—ck upon the person of the renowned K. of France Henry the fourth whereas Queen Elizabeth in her 43 years had granted her Letters Pattents to continue for 15 years to the East India Merchants now upon their humble petition the King was pleased to enlarge their Pateâ—â—s giving them a charter to continue for ever enabling them thereby to be a body Corporate and Politick which so encouraged the Merchants that they built a ship of twelve hundred â—un the greatest that was ever made in this Kingdome by Merchants which the King and Prince honored with going to Deptford to see it and then named it The Trades encrease and at this time gave to Sir Thomas Smith Governour of that Company a faire chaine of Gold with a Iewell wherein was his Picture But this great Ship having been in the Read Sea and returning to Banthem was there lost and most of her men cast away But then the King himselfe builded the goodliest Ship of War that was ever built in England being of the burthen of 1400 tun and carrying threescore and foure pieces of great Ordnance which he gave to his son Prince Henry who named it after his own dignity The Prince And now whereas a Parliament had been holden this year and was Prorogued to a certain day the King perhaps not finding it to comply with his designes or for some other cause known to himself on the last day of December under the grâ—â—t Sâ—ale of England dissolved it Before this time one Sir Robert Câ—rre a Gentleman of Scotland or of the bordâ—â—â— being a hunting with the King chanced with a fall off his horse to breake his leg upon which mischance he was forced for some days to keep his bed in which time the King was sometimes pleased to come and visit him and then it was first perceived that the King had begun to cast an eye of favour upon him and indeed â—roâ— that time forward as he was a very fine Gentleman and very wise many great favours were heaped upon him So as on Easter Munday in the yeare 1611 he was Created Viscount Rochester On the two and twentieth of Aprill 1612 was swoâ—ne a privy Counsellor On the fourth of November 1613 was Created Earle of Soâ—erset and the tenth of Iuly following made Lord Chamberlaine Bâ—â— this Sun-shine of Fortune lasted not long yet not by any inconstancy in the King but by the Earles own undeserving which thus fell out The Right Honourable Robert Earle of Essex had before this time married the beautifull Lady Francis Howard daughter of Thomas Earle of Suffolk who upon caâ—ses â—udicially heard were afterward Divorced and left free to marry any other Afteâ— which Divoâ—ce this great favorite the Earle of Somerset takes her for wife thâ— King gâ—acing their marriage with all demonstrations of love and favour and the Lords gracing it with a stately Masque that night and a few dayes after the Bride and Bridegroom accompanied with most of the Nobility of the Kingdome were â—easted at Merchant Taylors Hall by the Lord Major and Aldermen But see how soon this faire weâ—â—her was overcast For it hapned that one Sir Thâ—mas â—â—erbâ—ry a very ingenious Gentleman and the Earles speciall fâ—â—â—â—d who had written a witty Treâ—tise of a Wife and it seemes not thinking thâ— Lady in all points answerable to his description had been an earnest disswaâ—â—â— of the Mâ—â—â—â— and to â—â—rengthen his diâ—â—wasion layd perhaps some unjust 〈◊〉 upâ—â— the Ladyes 〈◊〉 which so incensed them both against him that 〈…〉 could not give them satiâ—â—â—ction than to take away his life So 〈…〉 saying Improbe 〈…〉 r quid non mortalia pectora cogis 〈◊〉 this they finde pretences to have the said Sir Thomas committed to the â—â—wer and there by their Instruments effect their revenge some
expresse his Character in a word which worthily might be matter for many volumes He was to his wife a most loyall husband to his children a most loving father to his servants a most bountifull Master to his Subjects a most just prince to all Princes neare him a most peaceable neighbour that more justly it may be said of him than of whom it was said Quaete tam laeta telerunt saecula a Prince afâ—eâ— Plato's owne heart for his learning and which is infinitly more worth after Gods owne heart for his Religiousnesse and Piety Oâ— his Death and buriall OF his death there were many scandalous rumours spread and some were so impudentâ— as to write that he was poysoned as the Duke of Richmond and the Marquis Hambleton had been before but King Iames being dead and his body opened there was found no signe at all of poyson his inward parts being all sound but that his Spleen was a little faulty which might bee cause enough to cast him into an Ague The Ordinary high way especially in old bodies to a naturall death Of this ague after a months anguishing notwithstanding all the remedies that could be applyed he departed this life aâ— Thâ—â—balds on the 27 of March in the yeare 1625 in the 59 yeare of his ageâ— when he had Raigned two and twenty years compleat His body for the greater Staâ—e was convayed by Torche light from Theobalds to Denmark house who having tested from the 23 of Aprill to the 7 of May it was carryed to Westminster and there interred in the Chappell Royall with great solemnity but with greater lamentation there being scarce any of the infinite multitude that was present of whom it might not be said Multa gemens largoque humectat flumine Vultum Of Men of note in his time MIlitary Men of Note in a time of Peace as the whole Raigne of King Iames was we have no reason to expect yet if we look amongst the Voluntaries that went to the Schoole of War in the Low-Countryes we shall find a payre of brothers that may stand in comparison with the greatest Souldiers in the most Martiall times S. Francis Vere who as another Hanniball who with his own eye could see more in the Martiall Discipline than common men can do with two and Sir Horatio Vere who as another Philopaemen contained in a very little body a very great both skill and courage But for Men of Note in Learning as being in the time of a most learned Prince there was never greater store of whom these for example In curiousnesse of Preaching there was Doctor Andrewes Bishop of Winchester who hath left to posterity a Century of such golden Sermons that shews he as well deserved the name of Chrysostome as he that had it In multiplicity of Reading there was Doctor Reynolds of Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford who seemed as it were a living Library and one would have thaught his Memory to be a perfect Index of all the Books had ever beene written In knowledge of Law there was Sir Edward Cook Chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench who hath written such excellent Commentaries of the Law that he seemes as another Bartholus or Baldus amongst us In Elegancy of writing there was Sir Francis Bacon Viscount Saint Albans who besides his profounder Books of Novum Organum hath written the Reigne of K. Henry the 7 in so sweet a style that like Manna it pleaseth the tast of all palats In the skil of Antiquities there was William Camden King at Armes who hath set forth the Description of Brittaine and the life of Q. Eliz. in so lively colours that he seems to have brought Brittaine out of darknesse into light and to keep Q. Eliz. alive after her death And to speake it in a word the Trojan Horse was not fuller of Heroick Grecians than K. Iames His Raigne was full of men excellent in all kinds of Learning And here I desire the Reader leave to remember two of my own old acquaintance the one was Mr. Iohn Dunne who leaving Oxford lived at the Iâ—nâ—â— of Court not dissolute but very neat a great visiter of Ladies a great frequenâ—er of Playes a great writer of conceited Verses untill such time as King Iames taking notice of the pregnancy of his Wit was a meanes that he betooke him to the study of Divinityâ— and thereupon proceeding Doctour was made Deane of Paules and became so rare a Preacher that he was not only commended but even admired by all that heard him The other was Sir Woottonâ— mine old acquaintance also as having been fellow pupils and chamber fellows in Oxford divers yeares together This Gentlemen was imployed by K. Iames in Embassage â—o Venice and indeed the Kingdom afforded not a fitter man for maâ—ching the Capriciousnes of the Italian Wâ—â—s a man of so able dexterity with his Pen that he hath done himself much wrongâ— and the Kingdom more in leaving no more of his Writings behind him Of the English Plantation in the Indies that wâ—re iâ— King IAMES his time ANâ— now we are come to a time wherein we may very neare say as much of King Iames as was said of Agustus Caesar Super Garamantus Indos profert Imperium In this better that where Augustus did it by the violent way of Armes King Iames did it by the civill way of Plantations for in his dayes began the great plantation of the English in the Indies and must be acknowledged the proper effect of his peaceable Government The first Plantation of the English in the Indies was that which is now called Virginia in memorie of the Virgin Queen Elizabeth but called before Wingandacoa It was first discovered by Sir Walter Rawlegh in the yeare 1584 to whom the first Letters Patents were granted for making a Plantation there but yet no Colony was sent thither till the yeare 1606. It is a Countrie in America between the degrees of 34 and 45 of the North Latitude but that part of it which is planted by the English is under the Degrees of 37 38 and 39. It is no Island as many have imagined but a part of the Continent adjoyning to Florida The first and chiefe Towne made here by the English is called Iames Towne in honour of the Kings most Eexcellent Majesty It is a Countrie abounding with all sorts of Fish and Fowle so fruitfull that it yeelds thirtie and sometimes fortie Bushells of Corne upon an Acre and that which to us is more strange hath three harvests in a yeare the Corne being sowed ripe and reaped in little more than two moneths Manyâ— Plantations had beene attempted here before but came to nothing the first to any purpose was in the yeare 1607. under the conduct of Captaine Gosnoll Iohn Smith and Mr. Edw. Maria Winkfield who carried a Colonie thither of a hundred persons but of these many dying of sicknesse or slaine by the Savages a new supply came in the yeare 1608. of a hundred and twenty
VERA EFFIGIES EXCELLENTISSIMI PRINCIPIS CAROLI MAG BRITAN FRAN. HIBERNIAE HAEREDIS Viuat ô Viuat Princeps CAROLINUS et Orbi Imperet inÌ„umeris decorans sua sêcla Triumphis Flourish braue Prince out shine thy Glorious Name Triumphant Laurels ever Crowne thy Fame CAROLUS inter Reges ut Lilium inter Flores VEROLAM LINCOâ—â—â— LONDON YORK A ROMAN A SAXON A DANE A NOâ—â—â—â— CHRONICLE OF THE KINGS OF ENGLAND From the Time of the ROMANS Goverment unto the Raigne of our Soveraigne LORD KING CHARLES Containing all Passages of State Church With all other Observations proper for a CHRONICLE Faithfully Collected out of Authours Ancient and Moderne digested into a new Method By Sr R. Baker Knight LONDON Printed for Daniel Frere and are to be sold at his Shop at the Red Bull in Little Brittaine 1643. To the High and Mighty Prince CHARLES Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornewall Eldest Sonne of our Soveraigne Lord CHARLES King of Great Britaine France and IRELAND SIR THE Dedication of Chronicles hath in all times been thought worthy of the greatest Princes Gulielmus Gemiticensis writ a Chronicle of the Dukes of Normandy and Dedicated it to William the Conquerour Thomas Walsingham writ a Chronicle of the Kings of England and Dedicated it to King Henry the sixth And of late time Sir Francis Bacon Viscount Saint Albans and Lord Chancellour of England writ a History of the Reigne of King Henry the seventh and Dedicated it to Your Royall Grand-Father of blessed memory King Iames For indeed as nothing makes Princes more Illustrious then Learning So no Learning makes them more Judicious then History Other Learning may fill their mindes with knowledge This onely with Judgement And seeing it is Judgement that must sit as President over all their Actions it is fit that History should sit as President over all their Studies History gives an Antedate to Time and brings Experience without gray haires Other Knowledges make You but see Quod antepedes est History is the true perspective Glasse that will make You see things afarre off And though it make not men to become Prophets yet it makes their conjectures to be little lesse then Oraclesâ— But most Illustrious Prince there accrues to your Highnesse by this Chronicle a greater benefit then all this For if it were an Excitation of great force to vertue to have it said Et Pater Aeneas Avunculus excitet Hector of how great Force must it needes be when You shall reade the Noble Acts of so many your worthy Progenitors Some Eternized for their valourous Atchievements in Warre Some for their prudent government in Peace Some Renowned for Mercy some for Justice And although the Example of your Royall Father be not amongst them yet it may be sufficient that while you have the Acts of others upon Record you have his under View by which he seemes to say unto you Disce Puer virtutem exme verumque laborem Fortunam ex aliis And if in any of your Progenitors there appeare as it were Maculae in Orbe Lunae will it not invite you to a higher Orbe that Your Actions may shine with the clearer Beames and then how happy will the eyes be that shall see you sitting in your Throne For my selfe I should account it happinesse enough that I have lived to see the dayes of your Illustrious Father if it were not a great unhappines to see them overcast with clouds yet when these clouds shal be dispel'd will it not make him shine with the greater Splendor And this as old as I am I doubt not to live my selfe to see and having once seene it shal then willingly say my Nunc Dimittis and lâ—ave the joy of your glorious times for another Age In the meane time prostrating my self humbly at your feet and wishing to your Highnesse as Dâ—iphobus did to Aeneas I Decus I Nostrum Melioribus utere Fatis Your most humble and most devoted Servant RICHARD BAKER An Epistle to the READER THis Booke I suppose will no sooner come abroad but the question will be asked why any man would take so superfluous a Labour to write that which hath been written by so many by some so copiously by some so elegantly that nothing can be added To which Objection I confesse my selfe unable to make a better Answer then by President For when many excellent men had written the Story of the Roman Emperours both accurately and eloquently yet Suetonius Tranquillus comming after them wanted not his part of Commendation For though he added nothing in the matter or substance yet be altered much in the forme and disposition distinguishing that into Classes and Chapters which the former had delivered in one continued Narration as being both lesse tedious to the Reader like a way marked out by Miles and more plainly Informing where Distinction tooke away confusion Besides many have Written the Reignes of our English Kings copiously indeed but so superfluously that much may justly be pared away Some againe Elegantly indeed but so succinctly that much as justly may be added And this if I have endevoured to doe I cannot be blamed If done it I deserve acceptance Againe where many have written the Reignes of some of our Kings excellently as in the way of History yet I may say they have not done it so well in the way of Chronicle For whilst they insist wholly upon matters of State they wholly omit meaner Accidents which yet are Materials as proper for a Chronicle as the other For my selfe if in some places I be found to set downe whole passages as they are already set downe by others and may seeme rather to transcribe then to write yet this I suppose may be excused as being all of one common stocke and no matter from whence the water comes so it come cleane to the Readers use Lastly for the Worke it selfe I dare be bold to say that it hath beene Collected out of Authours both Ancient and Moderne with so great care and diligence that if all other Chronicles should be lost yet this onely would be sufficient to informe Posterity of all passages memorable or worthy to be knowne which of any other generall Chronicle cannot perhaps be said RICHARD BAKER A CATALOGVE OF VVRITERS BOTH ANCIENT AND MODERNE Out of whom this CHRONICLE hath beene Collected 1 GIldas Britannicus surnamed the Wise was the first writer of our English Nation who amongst other his Workes writ a Treatise De Excidio Britanniae He was borne in the year 493. and dyed in the yeare 580. 2 Nennius a Monke of Bangor writ the Story of Britaine and lived about the yeare 620. 3 Venerable Bede a Saxon and a Priest writ the Ecclesiasticall Story of the English Nation from the comming in of Julius Caesar to the yeare 733. about which time he dyed 4 Ethelwardus a writer next to Bede the most ancient writ a generall Chronicle from the Creation to the end of King Edgar 5 Radulphus de Diceto
unfitly be here related First for the celebration of divine Service it was ordained that all Ceremonies tending to the encrease of reverence devotion should bee used as need required Secondly that upon the Sabbath day all publike Faires Markets Synods Huntings and all secular actions should be forborne unlesse some urgent necessity should require it Thirdly that every Christian should thrice in the yeare receive the blessed Sacrament of the Lords Supper Fourthly that if a Minister of the Altar killed a man or committed any notorious crime he should bee deprived both of his Order and Dignity Fifthly thâ—t a married woman convict of adultery should have her nose and eares cut off Sixthly That a widow marrying within a twelvemonth after her husbands decease should lose her Joynture These and many other good lawes were made whereby the kingdome remained during all his time in a most peaceable state and government In the third yeare of his Raign he heard how the Vandales taking advantage of his absence had entred Denmarke and annoyed his subjects whereupon with a great Army of English hee passed over the Seas and gave them battaile but with ill successe the first day when preparing for the next dayes battaile the Earle Goodwyn who was Generall of the English secretly in the dead of the night set upon the Vandals Campe with a great slaughter of their souldiers made their two Princes Ulfus and Anlave to flie the field In the morning it was told Canutus that the English were fled for that their station was left and not a man of them to be found which did not a little trouble his patience but he going in person to see the truth found the great overthrow the English had given for which service ever after hee held the English and especially the Earle Goodwyn in great estimation After this returning home hee made a prosperous Expedition against Malcolme King of Scots and at last in the fifteenth yeare of his Raigne wearied with the honourable troubles of the world and out of devotion he tooke a Journey to Rome to visit the Sepulchre of St. Peter and Paul from whence he writ to the Bishops and Nobility of England that they should carefully administer Justice and never seeke to advance his profit by any undue wayes or with the detriment of any man At his returne froÌ„ Rome he built in Essex the Church of Ashdone where he got the victory against King Edmund in Norfolke the Abbey of St. Benets which Saint he greatly reverenced and in Suffolke the Monastery of St. Edmund which Saint he deadly feared To the Church of Winchester hee gave many rich Jewels whereof one was a Crosse valued to be worth as much as the whole Revenue of England amounted to in one yeare To Coventry he gave the arme of the great St. Austin which he bought at Pavia in his returne from Rome for which he payd an hundred Talents of silver and one of gold One strange Act is recorded which he did for convincing his fawning flatterers who used to tell him that his power were more then humane For being one time at Southampton he commanded that his chaire of State should be set on the shoare when the Sea began to flow and then sitting downe there in the presence of his many attendants he spake thus to that Element I charge thee that thou presume not to enter my Land nor wet these Robes of thy Lord that are about me But the Sea giving no heede to his command but keeping on his usuall course of Tyde first wet his skirts and after his thighes whereupon suddenly rising he thus spake in the hearing of them all Let all the worlds Inhabitants know that vaine and weake is the power of their Kings and that none is worthy of the name of King but he that keepes both heaven and earth and sea in obedience After which time he would never â—uffer the Crowne to be set upon his head but presently Crowned therewith the Picture of Christ on the Crosse at Winchester from which example arose perhaps the custome to hang up the Armour of Worthy men in Churches as Offerings consecrated to him who is the Lord of battaile When he had Raigned nineteene yeares he deceased at Shafteâ—bery in the County of Dorset the twelfth of November in the yeare 1035. and was buried in the Church of the old Monastery at Winchester which being after new built his bones with many other English Saxon Kings were taken up and are preserved in gilt Coffâ—rs fixed upon the wals of the Quire in that Cathedrall Church He had by his two wives three sonnes Sweyne and Harold by his first wife Alfgive and Hardicnute by his second wife Queene Emma and two daughters of whom the eldest called Guinhilda was married to the Romane Emperour Henry the third who being accused of adultery and none found to defend her cause at last an English Page adventured to maintaine her Innocency against a mighty Gyantlike-Combatant who in fight at one blow cutting the sinewes of his adversaries legge with another he felled him to the ground and then with his sword taking his head from his shoulders redeemed both the Empresses life and honour But the Empresse after this hard usage forsooke her husbands bed and tooke upon her the Veyle of a Nun in the Towne of Burges in Flanders where she devoutly spent the râ—st of her life Of the second Danish King in England KIng Canutus dying left his Kingdome of Norway to his eldest Son Sweynâ— and his Kingdome of England to his youngest Sonne Hardiknâ—te whom he had by his wife Emma but he being at the time of his Fathers death in Denmarke Harold his elder Brother by a former wife taking advantage of his absence layes claime to the Crowne For determining of which Right the Lords assembled at Oxford where Queene Emma pleaded for her sonne Hardiknute urging the Covenant of Canâ—tus at their marriage and his last Will at his death as also Earle Goodwyn of Kent did the like being left Guardian of her Children and keeper of his last Will. But Harolds presence together with the favour of the Londoners Danes and Northumbrians so wrought with the Lords that the absent Hardiknute was neglected and Harold was Proclaimed and Crowned King at Oxford by â—lnothus Arch-bishop of Canterbury in the yeare 1036. Harold having now attained the Crowne was not so jealous of his Brother Hardiknute as of his mother in Law Queene Emma and her Sonnes by King Ethelreâ— who were beyond Sea and therefore how to secure himselfe against these was his first care For effecting whereof he framed a Letter as written by Queene Emma to her two Sonnes Edward and Alfred instigating them to attempt the Crown usurped by Harold against their Right to which letter comming first to the hands of Alfred he suspecting no fraud returned Answer that he would shortly come over and follow her Counsaile And thereupon with a small Fleet and some few souldiers lent
King claimed the Investiture of Bishops to be his right and forbad Appeales and Intercourse to Rome for no Appeales had ever beene used till Anselme in this Kings Reigne appealed to the Pope upon whose complaint the Pope was about to Excommunicate the King but having a little before Excommunicated the Emperour Henry the fourth the first Christian Prince with Soveraigne authorâ—ty that was ever Excommunicate by any Pope he forbore at that time to doe it lest by making Excommunication common he should make it be slighted At this time great contention arose betweene the King and the Arch-Bishop Anselme and Ansâ—lme not yeelding to the King in any point prejudiciall to the Popes authority nor the King yeelding to Anselme in any point prejudiciall to his owne Prerogative which were points indeed Incompatible the contention continued long and hot and the hotter because there were at that time two Popes on foote at once one elected by the Conclave called Urbanus the second another set up by the Emperour called Clement the third for Anselme held with Urban the King with Clement and thus not agreeing in a third it was impossible they should agree between themselves and this contention though palliated with pretentions somtimes of one side sometimes of another yet brake out againe and was renewed both in this Kings time and in the times of many Kings after Anselme often threathing his going to Rome the King told him plainely he would not thrust him out of the Realme but if he would goe without his leave he would then keepe him out during his pleasure and besides he should carry nothing out of the Realme wiâ—h him yet Anselme ventured it and the King performed it for William Warlewast was sent to rifle him in his passage at Sea of all he had neither was he suffered to returne as long as the King lived during all which time the King tooke the profits of his Archbishoprick to his owne use It may not be amisse to shew a passage here concerning the first cause of contention betweene the King and Anselme which some say was this The King required a thousand Markes of him for having preferred him to that See which Anselme refused to give as judging it no lesse Simony to give after the preferment then before but yet afterward offering five hundred pounds the King refused to accept it as being worth he said five times as much whereupon Anselme told him Your Grace may have me and all that is mine to serve your turne in a friendly manner but in the way of servitude and bondage you shall never have me nor mine Which words so angred the King that they could never after be reconciled In this Kings Reigne Pope Urbane exhorted all Christian Princes to joyne together for recovery of Ierusalem and the Holy Land and by the solliciting of Peter an Hermite there assembled for that enterprise under the conduct of Godefry of Bulloigne to the number of three hundred thousand men amongst whom was Robert Duke of Normandy who so valiantly carried himselfe in the action that after Ierusalem was won the Kingdome of it as some write was offered to him but he looking more after the Kingdome of England and therefore refusing it It is observed he never prospered all his life after In this Kings Reigne although he had no command in Ireland yet their Bishop of Dublin was sent over to Anselme Arch-bishop of Canterbury to be Consecrated by him and the Citizens of Waterford also desiring to have a Bishop procured Murcherdach King of Ireland to write to Anselme to give his consent Also in this Kings dayes the Pope forbad the marriage of Priests Workes of piety of this King or by other in his time THis King gave to the Monkes of Southwarke the Church of Saint Saviour of Beâ—mondsey and Bermondsey it selfe he also Founded at Yorke the Hospitall of Saint Leonards He gave the Church of Saint Peter in the City of Bathe to be a Bishops See Hugh Earle of Chester in this Kings dayes builded the Abbey of Chester Oswald Bishop of Salisbury Founded the Cathedrall Church of Salisbury Remigius Bishop of Dorchester to the end his Bishoprick might be removed to Lincolne beganne to build the Cathedrall Church of Lincolne and Lanfrank Arch-Bishop of Canterbury builded two Hospitals without the City the one of Saint Iohn the other at Harbaldowne repaired Christs Church and caused five and twenty Manors to be restored to that See which had unjustly beene withholden He repaired also the Abbey of Saint Albans and the Church of Rochester where for foure secular Priests he placed to the number of fifty Monkes In the sixth yeare of this Kings Reigne William Warren the first Earle of Surrey and Gundred his wife Founded the Abbey of Lewis in Sussex and Warren Earle of Shrewsbury built two Abbeys one in the Suburbs of Shrewsbury the other at Wenlock In his twelfth yeare Robert Losaunge Bishop of Thetford removed his See from Thetford to Norwich and founded there a faire Monastery His buildings and Structures THis King enlarged the Tower of London and compassed it with new wals he also built the great Hall at Westminster being 270. foote in length and 74. in breadth but thinking it too little he intended to have built another Hall which should have stretched from the Thames to the Kings streete He repaired the City and Castle of Carlile which had beene wasted by the Danes two hundred yeares before and because it had but few Inhabitants he brought a Colony thither out of the Southerne parts He finished New-Castle upon Tyne and many other Castles he erected or repaired upon the borders of Scotland many also upon the frontires and within the very breast of Wales Casualties happening in his Reigne IN the fourth yeare of his Reigne on Saint Lukes day above six hundred houses in London were throwne downe with tempest and the roofe of Saint Mary Bow Church in Cheape was so raised that in the fall six of the beames being 27. foote long were driven so deepe into the ground the streets being not then paved with stone that not above foure foote remained in sight and yet stood in such ranke and order as the workmen had placed them upon the Church Also in this Kings Reigne all the Lands in Kent sometimes belonging to Earle Godwin were by breaking in of the Sea covered with Sands and are called Godwins Sands to this day In his eleventh yeare at a Towne called Finchamstead in the County of Barkshire a Well cast out bloud as before it had done water and after by the space of fifteene dayes great flames of fire were seene in sundry places and at sundry times Of his Personage and Condition HE was but meane of stature thick and square bodied his belly swelling somewhat round his face was red his haiâ—e deepe yellow whereof he was called Rufus his forehead foure square like a window his eyes spotted and not one like another his speech unpleasant and not easily
of this Kings Raigne the first Chanons entred into the Church of our Lady in Southwarke called Saint Mary Overey Founded by William Pountlarge knight and William Dancyes Normans Robert the first Earle of Glocester the Kings base Sonne builded the Castles of Bristow and Cardyffe with the Priory of Saint Iames in Bristow And his Sonne Earle William began the Abbey of Kensham Geoffrey Clinton Treasurer and Chamberlaine to the King Founded the Priory at Kenelworth of Regular Chanons Henry Earle of Warwicke and Margaret his Wife Founded the Colledge of Saint Marâ— in the Towne of Warwicke and Roger de Belemond his Sonne and Ellyne his wife translated the same Colledge into the Castle of Warwicke in the yeare 1123. Roger Bishop of Salisbury built the Devises in Wiltshire the Castles also of Mamesbury and Shirborne He repaired the Castle of Salisbury and environed it with a wall he also built the stately Church of Salisbury destined to a longer life then any of his other workes Ralph Bishop of Durham began to build the Castle of Norham upon the banke of the River of Tweed In the 32. yeare of this Kings Raigne the Priory of Norton in Cheshire was founded by one William the sonne of Nychel and the Abbey of Cumbermere in the same Shire The Colledge of Secular Chanons also in the Castle of Leycester and the Abbey without the North gate of the same Towne called Saint Mary de Prato Also in this Kings Raigne was Founded the Monastery of Plimpton in Devonshire with the Cathedrall Church of Exetâ—r the Priory of Merton the Hospitall of Kepar the Priory of Oseney neare Oxford by Robert de Oylye Knight and the Hospitall of Saint Crosse neare Winchester by Henry Blois Bishop there also Robert Earle of Ferrers Founded the Abbey of Merivall and indeed so many in his time were built that one would thinke the Inhabitants of England to be all Carpenters and Masons that were able to finish so many great buildings in so short a time as this Kings Raigne â— Casualties happening in his time IN this Kings dayes all the foure Elements were guilty of doing much mischiefe but chiefely the water For King Henry returning into England after his conquest of Normandy left his sonne William with his sister Mary Countesse of Perche Richard his sonne by a Concubine the Earle of Chester with his wife Lucie the Kings Neece by his sister Adela and other Lords and Ladies and passengers to the number of 180. to follow after him who taking Shipping and â—he best Ship the King had whether by carelesnesse or drunkennesse of the Saylours were all drowned The Prince indeed was got into the Ship-boate and out of danger but hearing the lamentable cries of his sister compassion wrought so in him that he turned about his boate to take her in which over-charged with the multitude over-turned and they all perished none escaped but onely one Saylour who had been a Butcher who by swimming all night upon the Mast came safe to Land An accident not more grievous then exemplary for amongst other conclusions from hence we may gather that no state is so uncertaine as prosperity no fall so sudden as into adversity and that the rule He that stands let him take heed he fall not cannot alwayes be observed because a man happens sometimes to fall before it is possible for him to take heed Another great mischiefe was in this Kings dayes wrought by the water for by the breaking in of the Sea a great part of Flanders was drowned whereupon a great number of Flemmings being Suiters to King Henry for some place to inhabit he assigned them a part in Walâ—â— neare the Sea called Pembrokeshire where they have inhabited to this day the King by this one action working two good effects both shewing compassion to distressed strangers and putting a bridle upon unquiet Natives But the water had another way to doe mischiefe as much by defect as this was by excesse for upon the tenth of October the River of Medway many miles together did so faile of water that in the midst of the Channell the smallest vessels could not passe and the same day also in the Thames betweene the Tower of London and the Bridge men waded over on foote for the space of two dayes also at another time the River of Trent at Notingham was dryed up a whole day Now for the Earth though naturally it be without motion yet it moves sometimes when it is to do mischiefe specially being assisted by the Aire as in this Kings dayes it moved with so great a violence that many buildings were shaken downe and Malmesbery saith that the house wherein he sate was lifted up with a double remove and at the third time setled againe in the proper place Also in divers places it yeelded forth a hideous noyse and cast forth flames at certaine rifts many dayes together which neither by water nor by any other meanes could be suppressed But yet the active Element of Fire was busiest of all for first Chichester with the principall Monastery was burnt downe to the ground From West-cheape in London to Aldgate a long tract of buildings was consumed with fire Worcester also and Rochester even in the Kings presence then Winchester Bathe Glocester Lincolne Peterborough and other places did also partake of this calamity that there could be nâ— charging the fire with any partiality and to speake of one forraine casualty because a strange one In Lombardy this yeare was an Earthquake that continued forty dayes and removed a Towne from the place where it stood a great way off Of his Wives and Children AT his first comming to the Crowne he married Matild or Maude sister to Edgar then King of Scotland and daughter to Malcolme by Margaret the sister of Edgar Etheling This Matild if she were not a veyled Nun she was at least brought up in a Nunnery and thereby growne so averse from marriage that when the motion was first made her to marry with King Henry she utterly refused it as resolved though perhaps not vowed to die a Virgin till at last importuned and even forced by the authority of her brother she rather yeelded then consented for she did it with so ill a will that it is said she prayed if ever she had issue by the marriage that it might not prosper and indeed it prospered but untowardly as will be seene in the sequell But though she made this imprecation before she knew what it was to be a Mother yet when she came to be a Mother she shewed her selfe no lesse loving and tender of her children then loyall and obsequious to her husband And to make amends for this seeming impiety towards her children there is a story related of her reall piety towards the poor for a brother of hers comming one morning to visit her in her chamber found her sitting amongst a company of Lazar people washing and dressing their ulcers and sores and then kissing them afterward when
of Anjoâ— brought upon him a distemper which encreased by eating against his Physitiâ—ns advise of a Lâ—mprey a meate alwayes plâ—â—sâ—ng 〈◊〉 himâ— but never agreeing with him cast him into a â—â—aver which in few â—ayeâ— put a pâ—â—iâ—d to his life So cerâ—aine it is that one intemperate action is enoâ—â—h to overthrow the temperance of a whole life as of this King Henry it is saidâ— thâ—â— he seldome did eaâ— but when he was hungry never did drink but when he was â—thirstâ— yet this but onâ—e yeelding to his sensuall appetite made hâ—m forfeâ—â— all benefit of his former abstinence though some write he tooâ—â— his dâ—â—th by the fâ—ll off his hâ—rsâ— He died upon the first of Dâ—â—ember at night in â—he yeâ—re 1135. when he had Raigned five and thirty yeares lived threescore and seven His bowels braines and eyes were buâ—ied at Roan in Noâ—mandy where he died the rest of â—iâ— body was stuffed with Salt wrapped in Oxe hides and brought over inâ—â— England and with honoâ—rable Exequies buried in the Monastery of â—eâ—dingâ— which himselfe had Founded His Physitiâ—n that â—ooke out his braines with the intolerable stinch shortly after died In this King Henry ended the line of the Nâ—rmans as touching the Heiâ—es Males and then câ—me in the Freâ—ch by the title of Heires generall Men of nâ—te in his time MEn of learning in his time were manyâ— first Stephen Harding a Benedictine Monke who was Founder of the Cistercian Ordeâ—â— Then Anselme Arch-bishop of Câ—â—terbury who beâ—ides his activenesse in matters of State writ many great and learned bookes Then Waltâ—r Câ—lâ—â—â— Arch-deacon of Oxford who delivered a History written in the British tongue from Brute to Cadwallader to Geoffry of Monâ—â—â—â—â—h to translatâ— and added forty yeares of his owne â—ime Also 〈◊〉 a Monâ— of Wâ—â—câ—ster who writ Dâ— rebâ—s Gestis Anglorum Also Eâ—dmâ—râ—s a Mâ—â—k of Câ—â—terbury who â—â—sides othâ—r wâ—â—ks writ the History of his owne tâ—me under the two Williâ—â—s and Hâ—â—â—y the first THE RAIGNE OF KING STEPHEN AFter the decease of King Henry presently steps upon the Stage of Royalty Stephen Earle of Boleyne Sonne to Stephen Earle of â—loys by Adela Daughter of King William the Conqâ—â—â—our and though there were two other before him Maâ—de the Empresse and Theobald his elder Brother She in a substantiall right He in a colourable yet taking advantage of being Priâ—â—â— Occâ—pans the first Invader as being quickly here after King Henries death where the other stayed lingring about other Affâ—ires he solicits all the Orders oâ— the Realme Bishops and Lords and People to receive him for their Soverâ—ine wherein besides his owne large promises what great matters he would do for them all he had the assistance also of Henry his Brother Bishop of Winchestâ—râ—nd â—nd the Popes Legate and of Roger Bishop of Salisbury his great friend 〈◊〉 the most powerfull men at that time in the State who partly by force of Reasons but more indeed by force then Reasons procure the State to accept him for their King and so upon Saint Stephâ—ns day in Anno 1135. he was Crowned at Westminster in presence of but three Bishops few of the Nobility and not one Abbot by William Arch-bishop of Canterbury with great solemnity That which put â— scruple in mens minds and made them averse at first from consenting to Stepheâ— was the Oath they had taken to receive King Henries Daughâ—â—r Maude to be their Qâ—een after his decease but the weight of this scruple was something abated when it was urged that no Precedent could be shewed that ever the Crowne had beene set upon a Womans head And Roger Bishop of Salisbury brought another Reason because they had taken that Oath but upon condition that the King shoulâ— not marry heâ— out of the Realme without their consents and the King having brokâ—n the condition was just cause to nullifie their Obligation to which was added thâ—â— the Oath having beene exacted by Authority which is a â—ind of forcing it might have the Plea of Per minâ—s and therefore void And yet more then all these Hâ—gh Bigâ—t sometime Stewâ—â—d to King Henry immediately after his decease came oveâ— into England and tooke a voluntary Oath before divers Lords of the Land that he was present a little before King Henries death when he adopted and chose his Nephew Stephen to be his Successour because his Daughter Mâ—â—dâ— had grâ—evously at that timâ— displeased him But howsoever their breach of Oath was thus palliaâ—ed it is certaine that many of them as well Bishops as other Lords came afterward to an evill end at least â—o many calamities before their end VVhat course he tooke to establish himselfe in the Kingdome IT is a true saying 〈◊〉 rebâ—s optiâ—â— servatâ—â— Imperium quibuâ— pâ—â—atur and this was Stephens course he got the kingdome by Proâ—ises and he establisht it by Performances he pleased the People with easing them of Taxes and Impositions He pleased the Clergy with forbearing to keepe Bishoprickes and Abbeyes Vacant and with exempting them from the Authority of the Temporall Magistrate He pleased the Nobility with allowing them to build Castleâ— upon their owne Lands He pleased the Genâ—â—y with giving them liberty to hunt the Kings Deere in their owne Woods and besides with advancing many of them in Honours and for his Brother Theobald who being the elder was before him in pretence to the Crowne he pleased him with a grant to pay him two thousand Markes a yeare and then to strengthen himselfe abroad no lesse then at home he marryed his Son Eâ—stace to Constance a Daughter of Lewis King of France which alliance alone might be thought a sufficient security against all Opposition And yet one thing more which establisht him more then these at least these the more for this that he had seiseâ— upon King â—enries treâ—sure which amounted to a hundred thousand pound besideâ— Plate and â—ewels of inestimable value which he speâ—t no◠〈◊〉 vaine riot but imployed to his best advantage both in procuring of Friends and in levying of Souldiers out of Britany and Flanders Of his Troubles in his Raigne THere may wel be made a Chapter of the troubles of his Raign seeing his whole Raign was in a manner but one continued trouble at leaâ—t no longer intermissioÌ„ then as to give him breath against new encounters til at last when he grew towards his lâ—st he rather left to be in trouble then was at quiet being forced to make his adversary his Heâ—re and to leave his Crown to him that had sought his life For he was no sooner set in his Chaire of State but he was presently disquieted and made to rise by the provocation of David King of Scots who solicited by some Lords of England but chiefly by Maâ—de the Empresse whose Right he had sworne to defend with a mighty Army entred Nâ—rthumberland tooke Carlile and Newcastle and was proceeding further till King Stephen with a greater Army comming against him yet rather bought his
not a Law yet it is an Ordinance which was first brought in by this King that the Lions should be kept in the Tower of London Affaires of the Church in his timâ— THis Kings Raigne is famous for the contention of a Subject with the Prince and though it may be thought no equall match yet in this Example we shall find it hard to judge which of them had the victory But before we come to speak of the Contention it is fit to say something of the Man and of the Quarrell The man was Thomas Becket borne in London his Father one Gilbert Becket his Mother an outlandish Woman of the Country of Syria His first rising was under Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury who taking a liking to him as one saith no man knew for what made him first Arch-deacon of Canterbury and then used meanes to have him be the Princes Tutor after that to be Chancellour of England and after the decease of the said Theobald was himselfe made Arch-bishop of Canterbury in his place One memorable thing he did at his comming to be Arch-bishop he surrendred his place of being Chancellour as not thinking it fit to sit at the Helme of the Common-wealth and of the Church both at once But now began the Contention betweene the King and him the difference was the King would have it ordained that Clergy men who were malefactors should be tryed before the Secular Magistrate as Lay men were This Becket opposed saying it was against the liberty of the Church and therefore against the honour of God Many Bishops stood with the King some few with Becket the Contention grew long and with the length still hotter till at last Becket was content to assent to the Ordinance with this clause Salvo Ordine suo the King liked not the Clause as being a deluding of the Ordinance He required an absolute assent without any clause of Reservation At last after many debatings and demurres the Arch-bishop yeelds to this also and subscribes the Ordinance and sets his hand unto it But going homewards it is said his Crosse-bearer and some other about him blamed him for that he had done but whether moved with their words or otherwise upon second thoughts the next day when they met againe he openly repented his former deed retracts his subscription and sends to the Pope for absolution of his fault which the Pope not onely granted but encouraged him to persist in the course he had begunne It may be thought a Fable yet is related by divers good Authours that one time during this Contention certaine fellows cut off the Arch-bishops horses taile after which fact all their Children were borne with tailes like horses and that this continued long in their Posterity though now long since ceased and perhaps their Families too But King Henry finding there was no prevailing with Becket by faire meanes beginnes to deale more roughly with him and first makes use of Authority upon his Temporalties and withall a censure was spoken of to be intended against his person which Becket understanding thought it his best course to flee the Realme and thereupon passing under the name of Dereman he passeth over Sea and there two yeares by the Pope and five by the King of France was maintained as it were of Almes in which misery nothing vexed him so much as that King Henry sent all his kindred Men and Women old and young into Banishment after him And now King Henry finding that Becket stood much upon his Legatine Power sent messengers to the Pope desiring him to take that power from him and to conferre it upon his Arch-bishop of Yorke but the Pope answered he would not doe so but was content the King himselfe should be his Legate and sent him Letters to that purpose which King Henry tooke in such scorne that he threw away the Letters and sent them presently backe to him againe In this meane time the King of France prevailed with King Henry to afford Becket a conference hoping to bring them to some Agreement where being together King Henry alledged before the King of France that he required nothing of Becket but his assent to an Ordinance to which in his Grandfather King Henries the first time all the Bishops of the Realme and the Arch-bishop of Canterbury that then was did give their Assent yet this moved not Becket at all but he continued his former Tenet it was against the honour of God and therefore desired to be excused See now saith King Henry the perversenesse of this man all that agrees not with his owne humour is presently against the honour of God While these things were thus a working Becket had gotten him more friends at Rome and by their meanes prevailed with the Pope to give him power to interdict some Bishops in England that had done him wrong and the Pope spared noâ— to threaten Excommunication to King Henry himselfe if he restored not Becket to his Dignity But whether awed with his threatning or wonne by the King of Frances importunity or else perhaps relenting in himselfe he was contented at last that Becket should returne home and enjoy his Bishopricke who being come to Canterbury the Bishops whom he had indicted for Crowning the young King Henry which he said was his right to have done made humble suite unto him to be released of the censure Which when the Arch-bishop would not grant but with certaine cautions and exceptions the Bishops discontented went over to the King complaining of the hard measure that was offered them by the Arch-bishop whereat the King being much moved Shall I never saith he be at quiet for this Priest If I had any about me that loved me they would find some way or other to ridde me of this trouble Whereupon foure knights standing by that heard the King make this complaint namely Reynold Fits-urse or Bereson Hugh Morvyll William Tracy and Richard Britton thinking they should doe an acceptable service to the King went shortly after into England and going to Canterbury found the Arch-bishop then at Church when upon the steps there they strucke him upon the head with their swords and slew him the thirtieth day of December in the yeare 1172. Afterward with much adoe by King Henries meanes they were pardoned by the Pope onely enjoyned Penance to goe on Pâ—lgrimage to Ierusalem as some write but others more probably that the King abhorred them ever after and that within three yeares they all dyed miserably You have heard his persecution and as some would have it called his Martyrdome now heare the honours that have beene done him and the visitations to his Tombe And first King Henry himselfe comming to Canterbury as soone as he came within sight of Beckets Church lighting off his horse and putting off his hose and shooes he went barefoot to his Tombe and for a further penance suffered himselfe to be beaten with rods by every Monke of the Cloyster A few yeares after King Lewis of France comes
and sword in one dayes labour takes it and had made great slaughter in it if King Richard had not beene moved to compassion with the Messanians teares but chiefely with King Tancreds offers both to pay his sister Iane her Dower and to marry his daughter to King Richards Nephew Arthur Duke of Britaine and to give a good part of the Portion in hand But King Philip was not well pleased with these conditions yet he breakes not out into open dissention till more fuell was afterward cast upon the fire of his anger In the Spring King Philip sayles with his Army to Ptolemais otherwise called Acon which the Christians had long besieged and with them he joynes while King Richard taking his sister Iane and Berengaria the young daughter of the King of Navarre with him in 190. Ships and 50. Galleys puts to Sea for the Holy Land but is by tempest cast upon the Coast of Cyprus where the Ilanders seeking to hinder his landing he sets upon them with his forces and invading the Iland easily subdues and brings it under his subjection and the King of the Couâ—trey being taken prisoner and intreating King Richard not to put him in bonds of Iron King Richard gives him his word and keeps it but puts him in bonds of Silver In this Iland he solemnizeth his marriage with Berengaria and then leaving Richard de Canvile and Robert de Turnham his Lieutenants in Cyprus he passeth on to Ptolemais which City was defended by Saladine and had beene besieged now two yeares when the enemy seeing and fearing the encrease of the Christian forces propounds conditions upon which accepted they deliver it up in August the yeare 1192. At the taking of this Towne there fell out an accident seeming an honour to King Richard for the present but proving a disgrace at least a great trouble and charge to him afterward For Leopold Duke of Austria had first set up his Colours upon the wall which King Richard caused to be throwne downe and his owne to be set up but this was no place to stand a quarrelling it came not to the reckoning till some time after When Ptolemais was taken Saladine fearing the Christians further proceeding dismantles all the best Townes that were neare it as Porphyria Caesarea Ascalon Gaza but of Ioppa King Richard takes a care and placeth in it a Colony of Christians For Ioppa is a City of Palestine that was built before the Floud and hath belonging to it a Haven of great convenience And now the King of France though valiant enough himselfe yet thinking his owne great acts to be obscured by greater of King Richards he beganne besides his old hating him now to envie him For indeed emulation when it is in Vertue makes the stronger knot of love and affection but when it is in Glory it makes a separation and turnes into the passion of envie and malice and so did it with King Philip who pretending the aire of the Countrey did not agree with his body but was indeed because the aire of King Richards Glory did not agree with his minde obtained King Richards consent to returne home swearing first solemnly not to molest his Territories in his absence But this fell out for the present enterprise most unsâ—asonably For the departure of the King of France though it diminished not much the strength for he left Odâ— Duke of Burgundy in his place yet it diminished much the shew of assistance and indeed Saladine who was at this time in termes of surrendring Ierusalem when he saw the King of Francâ— departed as knowing there must needs be a conclusion where there was a beginning doubted not but the rest would follow soone after and thereupon stâ—ied his hands and grew more confident then he was before At this time Guy of Luâ—ignan was possest of the City of Tyre and with it of the right of the Kingdome of Ierusalem with him King Richard makes an exchange that Gâ—y should have the Iland of Cyprus which King Richard had wonne and King Richard should have the kingdome of Ierusalem to which Guy had a right and upon this Title the Kings of England were stiled Kings of Ierusalem a long time after as likewise the posterity of the said Guy hath by this exchange held the kingdome of Cyprus to this day Now was King Richard more hot upon taking Ierusalem then ever before and had certâ—â—nely taken it but that by ill counsell diverted because the Winter drew on and indeed by the drawing backe of Odo Duke of Burgundie who envied that King Richard should have the honour of taking it he removed for that season to Askalon after which time the Enemy growing stronger and the Christians weaker all opportunity of taking it was utterly lost and they could never come to the like againe And shortly after King Richard was advertised of the King of France his invading Normandy contrary to his oath at his departure which forced King Richard much to his griefe to conclude a peace with Saladine and that upon conditions not very honourable for the Christians and himselfe presently to retuâ—ne home and so sending his wife Berengaria and his sister Iane with a great part of his Army into Sicilie and from thence into England he passeth himselfe with some few in his company by the way of Thrace and was by tempest brought into Dalmaâ—iae from whence being to passe through Germany and particularly through Duke Leopolds Countrey of Austria he remembring the old grudge changed his apparell and travelling sometimes afoote and sometimes on horsebacke he used all meanes possible to keepe himselfe from being knowne but destiny is not to be avoyded for as soone as he came to Vienna partly by his tongue and partly by his expenses it was presently found he was an Englishman and withall some great man and by and by a rumour was spread that it was Richard King of England who finding himselfe to be discovered and no meanes possible to escape he puts off his disguise putting on his Princely apparell and avowes himselfe which Duke Leopold understanding sent presently to have him apprehended but King Richard refusing to yeeld himselfe to any but to the Duke himselfe the Duke himselfe came and led hiâ— to his owne Palace honourably enough but yet strongly guarded whereof as soone as Henry the Emperour heard he sent with great instance to Duke Leopold to send King Richard over to him under pretence of safer custody but with a purpose indeed to be a sharer in his Ransome And the Duke though well knowing his meaning yet knowing withall that it was not safe for him to deny the Emperour he sent him over to him who soone after put him into a prison he had called Trivallis into which no man was ever knowne to be put that escaped with life though done perhaps to him but in terrorem to draw the better Ransome from him That with which King Richard was charged beside the wrong done to Leopold in
of the Liberties of the kingdome which though oppugned by some and spâ—cially by William Brewer and Hubert de Burgh whom the King had now made his chiefe Justiciar as having beene an Act of constraint yet the King then againe ratified and twelve knights or other Legat men of every Shire by Writs were charged to examine what the Lawes and Liberties were which the kingdome injoyed under his Grandfather and that they should returne them by a certaine day and here the King by Parliament resumeth into his hands such Alienations as had beene made by his Ancestors of any Crowne Land The next yeare after another Parliament is held at Westminster wherein is required the fiftieth part of all the movables both of the Clergy and Laity for the recovery of those parts in France with-held from the Crowne by Lewis now King contrary to his Oath and promise made here in England at his departure which though it concerned the Honour and Dignity of the kingdome and the estates of most of the Nobility yet would it not be yeelded to but upon confirmation of their Liberties which in the end was obtained in the same words and forme as King Iohn had granted them in the two Charters before and twelve knights are chosen in every Shire to dispart the old Forests from the new and the new to be laid open and ploughed and improvedâ— to the great comfort and benfit of the subject and two yeares they were accordingly injoyed Of his Acts after he came to be of age IT was now the tenth yeare of King Henries Raigne and being about nineteene yeares of age he claimed to take the government of the kingdome into his own hands and no longer to be under a Protectour and now will presently appeare the difference betweene a Prince that is ruled by good Counsell and a Prince that will doe all of himselfe and take no advise For the ten yeares hee was ruled by a Protectour were all passed as it were in a calme without noyse or clamour but as soone as he tooke upon him the government himselfe there grew presently stormes and tumults no quietnesse either to the subject or himselfe nothing but grievances all the long time of his Raigne For at the Parliament now holden at Oxford as soone as he was Crowned againe he presently cancels and annuls the Charter of the Forests as granted in his Nonage and therefore he not bound to observe it and then not using any longer the Seale which the Protectour had used he makes a new and causeth a Proclamation to be made that whosoever would enjoy any benefit of Grants under his Seale should come and have them signed by his new Seale by which course he drew much mony from many and this was the first grievance Shortly after he commits the keeping of Barkehamstead Castle to one Walleran a Duâ—chman which Castle belonged to his Brother Richard Earle of Cornewall but when Earle Richard required to have the possessionâ— as oâ— right he ought it was then plotted by Hubeâ—t Burgh Chiefe Justice and the Kings chiefe Counsellor to commit him to prison which the Earle understanding oâ— at least suspecting flies presâ—ntly to Mâ—rleborough where he finds William Earle Marshall his vowed friend with whom he hasâ—ens to Stamford and there meeâ—es with the Earles of Chester Glocester Warren Hereford Ferrers Warwicke and diverâ— other Barons who all confederate together and send to the King â—hat unlesse he restore the Castle to his brother and â—o them the Liberties of Forests which he had lately cancelled at Oxford they would seeke to recover them by the sword Here upon King Henry to pacifiâ— his brotherâ— not onely renders the Castle to himâ— but gives him besides all that his Mother had in Dower and also great possessions which the Earle of Britaine and thâ— Earle of Bâ—leigne lately deceasedâ— had in England but to the Petition of the Lords he makes a dilatory answerâ— and this was another grievance Not long after King Henry is perswaded by Hugh â—e Brun Earle of March who had married his Mother to make a journey into France for recovery of his right thereâ— but the Earle perswaded it for ends of his owne which to have discovered had beene no way to comâ—â—â—â—e themâ—â—e must therefore â—ay some colours upon his worke and it was colour enoughâ— that the action would be of great benefit to the King if it might succeedâ— and the likelihood of succeeding was most apparent by reason of the great inclinaâ—ion of the people to King Henry and their great aversnesse from King Lewis Upon these colours King Henry undertaking the action raiseth great summes of money from the Clergyâ— and from the Londoners for redemption of their Libertiesâ— and takes the â—hird part of all the goods of the Iewesâ— but when he returned home a yeare after without having done any thing but spent his treasure and his timeâ— and that which was moâ—e worth then both these the lives of many Noble men and others this was another grievance And now King Henry bringing many Pâ—â—ctâ—â—ins over with him who had served him in his warresâ— he was to reward them â—ere which he could not doe but by displacing and spoyle of his Officers First therefore he calleth Ralph Bretton Treasurer of his Chamber to account and grievously Fâ—nes him for defrauding him in his Office Then likewise is Hubert de Burgh Chiefe Justiciar and his Chiefe Counsellour called to account for such Treasure as passed his Office who being further charged with crimes of Treason flies to the Church of Merton for sanctuary from whence when the King commanded him to be drawne out by violence the Bishop of London hearing of it commanded him to be returned back to sanctuary upon paine of Excommunication but the King commanding him to be kept from sustenance hunger at last enforced him to render himselfe to the Kings mercy all his goods which were very great confiscate Also Walter Bishop of Carlile is thrust out of his Office of Treasure and William Rodon knight from his place of Maâ—shall of the Kings house and all the chiefe Counsellours Bishops Earles and Barons of the kingdome are removed as distrustedâ— and onely strangers preferred to their roomes of which course Peter de Rupibus a Poictouin Bishop of Winchester and one Peter de Rivalis the Kings speciall Favorite were said to be the Authors and this was another grievance The King was now about eight or nine and twenty yeares old and a Consultation was had for a fit wife for him There was propounded a sister of Alexander King of Scots but it was not thought fit the King should marry the younger sister when Hubert de Burgh had married the elder he therefore takes one of his owne choosing and marries Eleanor daughter to Raymond Earle of Province by which match he neither had Portion by his Wife nor strength of Alliance by friends or if any were it was all made vaine by distance onely he had by her
aggravate his breach of promise and to acquaint him with all the disorders of the kingdome with whose remonstrance the King is so moved that after he had tried the Londoners and found them also to partake with the Lords he cals a Parliament aâ— London whither the Lords come armed for their own safety where after long debating the King taking his Oath to referre the matter to certaine grave men of the kingdome Articleâ— are drawne sealed and publikely set up to the view of all with the seales of the Legat and divers great men but before it came to be effected the Earle of Cornwall by the working of Simon Montford hath his edge rebated and is brought to be unwilling to meddle in the matter any more which the other Lords seeing they also grow cold and so for that time it rested and no more was done in it And now is the Kings turne to play his part in using his authority which he failes not to doe to the uttermost for upon a small-occasion he causeth the gates of Gilbert now Earle of Pembroke the third sonne of VVilliam the great Marshall to be shut against him at VVinchester whereupon the Earle retires into the North. Also Simon Norman Master of the Kings Seale and his greatest Favorite is thrown out with disgrace and his brother Geoffrey a knight Templar is put out of the Counsell both of them for not yeelding to passe a Grant from the King made unto Thomas Earle of Flanders the Queenes Unkle of foure pence upon every sack of Wooll And now that load enough is laid upon those of the Laity comes a new load to be laid upon the Clergy for the Pope nothing dainty to make use of the power he had in the King sends over three hundred Romans requiâ—ing to have the first Benefices that should be vacant bestowed upon them which seemed so unreasonable a request and to the Clergy of England so dammageable that it made Edmund Arch-bishop of Canterbury to give over all and betake himselfe to a voluntary Exile in the Abbey of Pontiniac in France yet to shew his respect to the Pope gave him eâ—ght hundred Markes before his departure And to lay more weight upon the Clergy great summes are also required of them for maintenance of the Popes warre against the Emperour which though the Clergy opposed and shewed many good reasons of their opposition both to the King and the Legat yet by promises or threatnings they were won or forced to yeeld unto it And now comes the Earle of March and once againe solicits the King to make another journey into France which being yeelded to by the King and assented to in Parliament an aide presently was demanded towards it but this demand was not onely opposed but all the Kings Taxations and aides before granted were now repeated and thereupon an absolute deniall to grant any more Upon this the King comes to the Parliament himselfe in person earnestly and indeed humbly craving their aide for this once but all prevailed not they had made a vow to the contrary and the King is driven to get what he could of particular men of whom partly by gift and partly by â—oane he gets so much that he carries over with him thirty Barrels of Sterling money This expedition had no better successe then the former for after a whole yeares stay the King was driven to make a dishonourable Truce with the King of France and returne home At his returne he puts the Iewes to another redemption and the Londoners to another exaction and to helpe on his charge his wives mother the Countesse of Provence comes now to visit him who bringing her daughter Zanchia with her a marriage is solemnised betweene her and Richard Earle of Cornwall whose wife was lately dead and he returned from the Holy warres The old Countesse at her returne is presented with many rich gifts having besides received an Annuall Pension of foure thousand Markes out of England for five yeares past in consideration of a pact made that King Henry after her decease should have the Earledome of Provence but shortly after her returne she disappoints him of that and bestowes it upon her youngest daughâ—er Beatrix married to Charles the French Kings brother who was after King of Naples and Sicilieâ— so as this Countesse lived to see all her foure daughters Queenes Richard Earle of Cornwall comming after to be elected King of the Romans Upon thâ—se profusions a consultation is had for new supplies and no way thought so fit as by Parliament hereupon a Parliament is againe assembled at Westminster whithâ—r the King comes againe himselfe in person urging his necessities yet nothing wouâ—d be granted without the assurance of reformation and due execution of the Lawes And here they desire to have it ordained that foure of the most grave and discreet Peeres should be chosen as conservatours of the kingdome and sworne of the Kings Councell both to see Justice administred and the treasure issued and these or two of them at least should ever attend about the King Also that the Lord Chiefe Justiciar and the Lord Chancellour should be chosen by the generall voyces of the States assembled or else be one of the number of those foure Besides they propound that there might be two Justices of the Benches two Barons of the Exchequer and oâ—e Justice for the Iewes and those likewise to be chosen by Parliament But while these things were in debating comes one Martin a new Legat from the Pope with a larger Commission then ever any before to exact upon the State but at the same time Letters comming from the Emperour Fredericke to intreat that the Pope might have no more supplies out of England the Popes Mandate is rejected and his Agent Martin disgracefully sent home This businesse took up so much time that nothing else was done in this Parliament but onely an aide granted to the King for the marriage of his daughter to Alexander King of Scots twenty shillings of every knights Fee and that with much adoe and repetition of his former aides The Winter following he assembles another Parliament wherein he moves for an ayde upon a designe he had upon Wales and to pay his debts which were urged to be so great that he could not appâ—are out of his Chamber for the infinite clamour of such to whom he owed for his Wine Waxe and other necessaries of house but they all to his face refused to grant him any thing whereupon other violent courses are taken an ancient quarrell is found out against the City of London for which they are commanded to pay fifteene thousand Markes and Passeleve the Clerk is imployed with others in a most peremptory commission to inquire of all such Lands as had beene inforested and either to fine the occupyers thereof at their pleasure or else to take it from them and sell the same to others wherein such rigour was used that multitudes of people were undone But now to shew
a Plaine neare Evâ—sham to encounter him and noting the manner of the approach of the Princes Army said â—o those about him These men come bravely on they learne it not of themselves but of me and seeing himselfe likely to be beâ—et and overlaid with multitude he advised his friends Hugh Spenser Ralph Basset and others to shift for themselves which when they refused to doe then saith he let us commend our soules to God for our bodies are theirs and so undertaking the maine weight of the battell perished under itâ— and with him are slaine his sonne Henry eleven Barons with many thousands of common Souldiers And thus ended Montford the great Earle of Leycester highly honoured in his life and more highly should have beene after his death if the people might have had their will who talkt of Miracles enough to have made him a Saint And now is King Henry by this victory of his sonne at liberty who together repaire to Winchester where a Parliament is convoked and all who adhered to the Earle Montford are disinherited and their estates conferred on others at the Kings pleasure the Londoners also have their Liberties taken from them But though the death of Montford gave a great wound to the party of the Barons yet it was not mortall at least not mortal presently for there remained reliques that kept it alive a good while after Simon and Guy de Montford sons of the Earle of Leycester and other of the Barons take and defend the I le of Ely the Castle of Killingworth held out halfe a yeare till their victuals failed and then yeelded upon conditions to have their lives and goods saved and many others there were resolute and desperate persons strongly knit and fastned together though now shortly upon dissolving For after the Parliament at Westminster the King with an Army going against them and being at Northampton Simon and Guy de Montford submit themselves to him but when the Earle of Glocester opposed the restoring them to their estates they were faine to flie the kingdome and make their fortunes in other Countries as indeed they did the younger in Italy the elder in France where they were Propatours of two great Families Their mother was banisht shortly after the battell of Evesham a Lady of eminent note as being the daughter and sister of a King and yet of more note for her patient bearing of adversity or rather for her making a benefit of adversity for by this meanes she betooke her selfe to the veile of piety and died a Nunne at Montarges in France Three yeares after this the disinherited Barons held out till at length conditions of render are propounded but here the Councell are divided in opinion Mortimer and others stated in the possessions of the disinherited are against restoration alleadging it were injustice to take from them the rewards of their service Glocester and the twelve ordained to deale for the peace of the State are earnest for restoration alleadging it were hard measure to grant them their lives not their livelihoods but not prevailing in great discontentment Glocester retires from Court sends messengers to warne the King to remove strangers from his counsell and observe the Provisions at Oxford as he promised at Evesham otherwise that he should not marvell if himselfe did what he thought fit Hereupon Iohn de Warren Earle of Surrey and William de Valentia are sent to the Earle of Glocester who though they could not perswade him to submit to the King yet thus much they got of him under his hand and seale that he would never beare Armes against the King or his sonne Edward but onely defend himselfe and pursue Roger Mortimer and his other enemies And now a Parliament is convoked at Bury wherein many demands are made by the King and the Legat and all for money from the Clergy but all denied that nothing but denials are done in this Parliament After this the Legat imployes Solicitours to perswade the disinherited Lords which held the I le of Ely to returne to the faith and unity of the Church and to the peace of the King according to the forme propounded at Coventry to which the Lords make answer that they never opposed the unity of the Churchâ— but the â—varice of Church-men that were put in authority and that they never opposed the King but for the good of the kingdome and then required that the Provisions of Oxford might be observed and pledges be given them for their security Hereupon the yeare after the King prepares a mighty Army and Prince Edward with bridges entring the I le of Ely shuts them up so that he constraines them at last to yeeld also the Earle of Glocester comming to London with an Army is by the Legat once againe perswaded to render himselfe to the King and upon forfeiture of twelve thousand Markes if ever he should raise any commotion againe is reconciled Now remaines Lewilin and the Welsh to be chastened for aiding of Simon Montford but the King going against them with an Army they give him two and thirty thousand pounds Sterling and so make their peace And here was an end of the first warres betweene the Kings of England and their Barons The next yeare after the Popes Legat Ottobon signes with the Croysado both the Kings sonnes Edward and Edmund the Earle of Glocester and divers Noble men induced to undertake the Holy warre by the sollicitation of him and the King of France who nothwithstanding his former calamities endured in that action would once again adventure it and because Prince Edward wanted meanes to furnish himselfe out the King of France lends him thirty thousand Markes upon a morgage of Gascoyne And now whilst this preparation is in hand King Henry labours to establish the peace of the kingdome and to reforme the excesses which the warre had bred and the same yeare assembles his last Parliament at Marleborough where the Statutes of that title were enacted Neare two yeeres it seemes to have beene after the undertaking the Crosse before Prince Edward set forth but then taking his wife Eleanor with him though young with childe he set forward and in the voyage when many of his people seemed desirous to leave himâ— and returne home he is said to have strucken his breast and sworne that if all his followers forsooke him he would yet enter Acon or Ptolemais though but onely with his horse-keeper Fowin Shortly after Richard King of the Romans died and the yeare following King Henry Of his Taxations and wayes for raising of money NEver sonne was more like a Father in any thing then King Henry was like his Father King Iohn in this point for raising of money for he trode directly in all his steps if he added not something of his owne King Iohn had great Subsidies granted him by Parliament for any great action he undertooke so had King Henry King Iohn resumed the lands aliened from the Crowne so did King Henry King Iohn
sway this businesse by his presence takes a journey Northward where being come as farre as Lincolnshire he lost his beloved wife Queene Eleanor and thereupon going backe to see her Funerall performed at Westminster that done he returnes presently to his Scottish businesse And now sixe yeares were passed since the death of King Alexander and yet nothing concluded in this controversie whereupon King Edward deals privately with Bruce who had the weaker Title but the more friends and promiseth him if he would sweare fealty and homage to the Crowne of England he would Invest him in that of Scotland But Bruce answers he was not so dâ—sirous to rule as thereby to infringe the liberties of his Countrey Whereupon with the like offer he sets upon Baylioll who having better right but lesse love of the people and more greedy of a kingdome then honour accepts the condition and thereupon is Crowned King at Scone hath fealty done him by all the chiefe Nobility except Bruce comes to New-Castle upon Tyne where King Edward then lay and there with many of his Nobles sweares fealty and doth homage to him as his Soveraigne Lord. Which act done to secure him overthrew him for being little beloved before hereby he became lesse such as stood for Bruce and others of the Nobility tender of the preservation of their Countries liberty took stomach against him and not onely for this but shortly after for his injustice in the case of the Earle of Fife one of the sixe Governours in the time on the Interregnum who had beene slaine by the Family of Alberneth the brother of which Earle prosecuting Law before King Baylioll in his high Court of Parliament and having no right done him King Baylioll giving judgement of the side of the Alberneths he appeales to the Court of the King of England whereupon King Baylioll is summoned appeares sits with King Edward in his Parliament till his cause was to be heard and then is cited by an Officer to arise and to stand in the place appointed for pleading then he craves to answer by a Procuratour but is denied and thereupon descends to the ordinary place and defends his cause himselfe which indignity as he tooke it so incenseth him that he returnes home with a breastfull charged with indignation meditates revenge renues the ancient league with France confirmes it with marriage of his sonne Edward to a daughter of Charles brother to King Philip glad in regard of late offences taken against the King of England to embrace the same which done Baylioll defies King Edward renounceth his Allegeance as unlawfully done being not in his power without consent of the State to doe any such Act. Hereupon brake out that mortall dissension betweene the two Nations which consumed more Christian bloud and continued longer then ever quarrell we reade of did between any two people in the world For he that beganne it could not end it but it lasted almost three hundred yeares and was never throughly abolished till the late blessed union wrought by him in whom Wisdome and Vertue Right and Power concurred all to make it firme And now the fatall Chaire in which the Kings of Scotland used to be Inaugurated seemes to recover its secret operation according to antient Prophesie that whither soever that Chaire should be removed the kingdome should be removed with it and this Chaire King Edward caused to be brought out of Scotland to Westminster and to be placed there amongst the Monuments where it still continues But now King Baylioll being summoned to appeare at New-Castle and refusing to come King Edward enters Scotland with an Army consisting of foure thousand horse and thirty thousand foot besides five hundred horse and one thousand foote of the Bishop of Durham Berwicke is first wonne with the slaughter of fifteene thousand Scots our Writers say more and after that the Castles of Dunbarre Roxborough Edinbough Sterliâ—g and Saint Iohns Towne and now King Balioll sues for Peace submits himselfe takes againe his Oath of Fealty to King Edward as his Soveraigne Lord which done a Parliament for Scotland is held at Berwicke where the Nobility likewise did Homage to him confirming the same by their Charter under their hands and seales onely William Dowglasse refuseth content rather to endure the misery of a Prison then yeeld to the subjection of the King of England But King Baylioll notwithstanding his submission is sent prisoner into England after his foure yeares Raigne in Scotland and King Edward returnes home leaving Iohn Warren Earle of Sussex and Surrey Warden of all Scotland Hugh Cressingham Treasurer and Ormesloy Chiefe Justice with Commission to take in his name the Homages and Fealties of all such as held Lands of that Crowne But this continued not long for King Edward being absent in France the Scots fell upon the Officers he had left slew Sir Hugh Cressingham with sixe thousand English recovered many Castles and regained the towne of Berwick and all by the animation and conduct of one William Walleys a poore private Gentleman though Nobly descended who seeing his Countrey without a Head and thereby without a Heart all the great men either in captivity or subjectionâ— assembles certaine of as poore and desperate estate as himselfe and leads them to attempt upon whatsoever advantages they could finde to annoy the English and having therein good successe it so encreased both his courage and company that he afterward came to be the generall Guardian of the whole kingdome and was in possibility to have absolutely redeemed his Countrey from the subjection of the English if the speedy comming of King Edward had not prevented him For now King Edward to bring his worke neare together removes his Exchequer and Courts of Justice to Yorke where they continued above sixe yeares and thither he cals a Parliament requiring all his subjects that held of him by knights service to be ready at Roxborough by a peremptory day where there assemble three thousand men at Armes on barded horses and foure thousand other armed men on horse without bards with an Army of foote answerable consisting most of Welsh and Irish besides five hundred men at Armes out of Gascoyne and with this power he makes his second expedition into Scotland the Earles of Hereford and Norfolke with the Earle of Lincolne led his Vauntgard at the famous battell of Fonkirke where the shouts of the Scots were so great that King Edwards horse frighted withall cast him off and brake two of his ribs which notwithstanding he gets up againe goes on and gets the victory wherein are reported to be slaine two hundred knights and forty thousand foot of the Scots but William Walleys with some few escaped to make more work And here againe that kingdome might seeme as if quite overthrowne Most of the estates of the Earles and Barons of Scotland with their titles that had stood out were bestowed on the English and a Parliament is called at Saint Andrewes where all the great
his favour which to entertaine and encrease King Edward sends him a whole furnish of all vessels for his Chamber of cleane Gold which great gift so wroâ—ght with the Pope that he untied the King from the Covenant made with his Subjects concerning their Charters confirmed unto them by his last three Acts of Parliâ—ment and absolved him from his Oath A safe time for Princes when they mighttye themselves in any obligation to their Subjects and afterward for a bribe to the Pope be untyed againe His Taxations and wayes for raising of money IF Taxations may suffer degrees of comparison it may not unfiâ—ly be said of these three last Kings that King Iohn was in the Positive his Sonne Henry the third in the Comparative and this King Edward in the Superlative For not onely he farre excâ—eded thâ— two former but he hath left a spell to all that come after for ever comming neare him but then under the name of Taxations wee must include the wayes he tooke for raising of profit But first in the way of Parliament In the first yeare of his Raigne was granted him a tenth of the Clergy for two years besides a fifteenth of them and the Temporalty In his fifth yeare a twentieth of their goods towards the Welsh warres In his seventh the old money was called in and new coyned in regard it had beene much defâ—ced by the Iewes for which 297. were at one time executed in London and this brought in profit of no small value In his eleventh yeare he had a thirtieth of the Temporalty and a twentieth of the Clergy for his warres in Wales In the thirteenth Escuage forty shillings of every knights Fee In his foureteenth yeare he had a thousand Markes of certaine Merchants Fined for false weights In his nineteenth the eleventh part of all movables of the Clergy and shortly after a tenth for sixe yeares In his twentieth William Marchyan then Lord Treasurer of England perceiving great riches to be in Churches and religious houses put it so into the Kings head that they were all brought into the Kings Treasury In the eighth yeare of his Raigne he sent ouâ— his Writ Quo Warrantâ— to examine by what title men held their lands which brought him in much money till Iohn Earle of Warren being called to shew his title drew out an old rusty Sword and then said He held his land by that and by that would hold it to death which though it made the King desist from his Project yet he obtained at that time a fifteenth part of the Clergy In his seventeenth yeare he Fined all his Judges for corruption Sir Ralph Higham Chiefe Justice of the higher Bench in seven thousand Markes Sir Iohn Loveton Justice of the lower Bench in three thousand Markes Sir William Brompton in sixe thousand Markes Sir Sâ—lâ—mon Rochester in foure thousand Markes Sir Richard Boyland in foure thousand Sir Walter Hopton in two thousand Sir William Saham in three thousand Robert Lithbury Master of the Rolls in one thousand Roger Leycester in one thousand Heâ—â—y Bray Escheatour and Judge for the Iewes in one thousand but Sir Adam Strattâ—â— chiefe Baron of the Exchequer in foure and thirty thousand and Thomas Wayland found the greatest Delinquent and of the greatest substance had all his goods and whole estate confiscated to the King and himselfe banished out of the kingdome In his eighteenth yeare he banished the Iewes of whom there was at that time above fifteen thousand in the kingdom who had but all their goods confiscateâ— leaving them onely meanes to beare their charges in going away In his foure and twentieth yeare he commanded a new Subsidy to be levied upon all sarplers of Wooll going out of England as likewise with Fels and Hides In his five and twentieth yeare he cals a Parliament at Saint Edmundsbery where is granted the eighth part of the goods of good Townes and of other people the twelfth As for the Clergy they desire to be excused and refuse to contribute in regard of their many late paiments as in the two and twentieth yeare of his Raigne they paied the moâ—ty of their goods and in his three and twentieth yeare he seiâ—ed into his hands all Priories aliens and their goods besides he had a loane of the Clergy which amounted to an hundred thousand pounds but notwithstanding upon this refusall of the Clergy the King puts all Clergy men out of his protection whereby they were to have no Justice in any of his Courts a straine of State beyond any of his Predecessours which so amazed them that in the end the Arch-bishop of Yorke with the Bishops of Durham Ely Salisbury and Lincolne yeelded to lay downe in their Churches the fifth part of all their goods towards the maintenance of the Kings warres whereby they appeased his wrath and werâ— received into grace But the Arch-bishop of Canterbury by whose animation the rest stood out had all his goods seised on and all the Monasteries within his Diocese taken into the Kings hands and Wardens appointed to minister onely necessaries to the Monkes conveâ—ting the rest to the Kings use at length by much suite and Abbots and Priests giving the fourth part of their goods redeeme themselves and the Kings favour In the sixe and twentieth yeare of his Raigne at a Parliament holden at Yorke is granted him the ninth penny of the goods of the Temporalty the tenth penny of the Clergy of the Diocese of Canterbury and of Yorke the fifth and in this yeare also he raised the Imposition upon every sack of Wooll from a noble to forty shillings In his two and thirtieth yeare he sends out a new Writ of Inquisition called Traile-baston for intruders on other mens lands who to oppresse the right owner would make over their land to great men for Batterers hired to beate men for breakers of Peace for Ravishers Incendiaries Murtherers Fighters false Assisours and other such Malefactours which Inquisition was so strictly executed and such Fines taken that it brought in exceeding much treasure to the King As likewise did another Commission at the same time sent forth to examine the behaviour of Officers and Ministers of Justice wherein many were found Delinquents and paid dearly for it At this time also he called his Lords to account for their stubbornnesse some yeares before in denying to attend him into Flanders which brought him in profit answerable to their greatnesse that were called After all this in his foure and thirtieth yeare there is granted him the thirtieth penny of both Clergy and Laity and the twentieth of all Merchants towards his journey into Scotland And this may be sufficient to shew his Taxations to have beene in the Superlative degree And yet besides these he had no small benefit by Silver Mines which in his time were found in Devonshire Of his Lawes and Ordinances IN the first yeare of his Raine were made the Statutes called of Westminster the first In his twelfth yeare were made the Statutes
advancement in honour alter men to the better to the worse often and commonly then when it is joyned with an Authority that sets them above controlement Neither yet was their feare more out of what they had seene then out of what they saw for where he should have endevoured to accomplish the charge his Father had given him in his death-bed he seemed to intend nothing lesse nothing more then wholly to breake it for he presently called home Pierce Gaveston from banishment and the two and thirty thousand pounds which his Father had specially appointed for the Holy Warre either all or the most of it he beâ—towed upon Gaveston and for carrying his Fathers bones with him about Scotland it had beene well if he had suffered them quietly to be laid at rest in England for after the Corps had beene kept above ground sixteene weekes in the Abbey of Waltham and that the Bishop of Chester Walter Langton the then Lord Treasurer and Executor of his Fathers Will was busie in preparing for his Funerals he sent the Constable of the Tower to arrest him and imprison him at Wallingford seising upon all his Goods and giving them to Gaveston and all for old grudges And that which seemed a high straine of incongruity before he had seene performed his Fathers Funerals which was not till the 27. of October following he entred into Treatie of his owne Nuptials forgoing over to Boleigne on the two and twentieth of Ianuary he marryed Isabell the Daughter of Philip the Faire King of France which Marriage was honoured with the presence of foure Kings the King of France himselfe the King of Navâ—rre his Sonne the King of the Romans and the King of Sicilie and three Queenes besides the Bride Mary Queene of France Margaret the Dowager Queene of England and the Queene of Navarre and yet did Gavestâ—n exceed them all in bravery This was observed by the Lords of England and thereupon when his Queene and he came afterward to be Crowned they went unto him signifying what a hainous transgression of his Fathers will it was to call home Gâ—veston and seeing the charge was no lesse given to them then to him if he did not performe it they would and therefore unlesse he would remove Gaveston from the Court and kingdome they would hinder his Coronation from proceeding which strooke such a dampe to Prince Edwards spirits to thinke what a disgrace it would be to him if so many of his great Friends being present Charles of Valois the King of Frances Brother the Dukes of Britaine and Brabant the Count of Luxenburg who was afterward Emperor the Duke of Savoy the two Dutchesses of Brabant Artois with many other Princes and great Ladies if now his Coronation should be called in question that he solemnly swore he would do what they desired in the next Parliament so they would be quiet now and thereupon on the 24. day of February in the yeare 1307. his Queene and he were both Crowned at Westminster by the hands of Henry Bishop of Winchester by Commission from Robert Arch-bishop of Canterbury being then in Exile and out of the kingdome At which solemnity there was so great a presse of People that Sir Iohn Blackwell knight was crowded to death And now in the very Act of his Coronation there was given another provocation to the Lords against Gaveston for the King had appointed him to carry the Crowne of Saint Edward before him the greatest honour could be done to a Subject which added to the other honours the King had done him for he had made him Earle of Cornewall Lord of Man and Lord Chamberlaine so incensed the Lords that they entred into consultation how to suppresse this violence of the Kings affection which shortly after they put in execution Portion in money King Edward had none with his Wife but the King of France gave him the Dutchy of Guyenne which he had seised upon before as confiscate to him and thereupon King Edward did him Homage for that Dutchy and for the County of Ponthieu Of his difference with his Lords about Gaveston VVE shall have here no Quinquennium Neronis no such five yeares as Nero afforded in the beginning of his Raigne but this King at his first entrance will shew what he is and what he will continue to be as long as he lives for though he tooke some great and grave men to be of his Councell yet as appeared afterward he did it rather to the end they should be pliant to him then that he had any meaning to apply himselfe to them For let them say what they would Gaveston must be the Oracle all the Kings actions were but Gavestons impressions And now Gaveston presently after the Coronation to let the world be a witnesse of his worthinesse and that the King had not bestowed his Favours upon him without cause caused to be published a Turneament at Wallingford whither came all the great Lords of the kingdome as Thomas Earle of Lancaster Humfrey Earle of Hereford Aymer Earle of Pembroke and Iohn Earle of Warren with many others all Valiant men at Armes yet none had the honour of the day like to Gaveston And thus farre he did well if he could have stayed here if having gotten true glory he had not falne into vaine-glory For the Lords envyed him not so much for his advancement in Honours as they hated him for his insolency in Manners for in a scornefull pride he would be casting scoffes upon them all calling Thomas Earle of Lancaster the Stage Player the Earle of Lincolne Burstenbelly â—imer de Valence Earle of Pembroke Ioseph the Iew and Guy Earle of Warwicke the blacke Dogge of Arderne which scoffes together with his other insolencies drew such a party upon him that in the next Parliament the whole assembly obtaines of the King to draw Articles of their grievances of which the chiefe were that the great Charter of Magna Charta should be observedâ— that all strangers should be banished the Court and kingdome that the businesse of the State should be treated of by the Counsell of the Clergy and the Nobles and that the King should not begin any warre nor goe out of the kingdome without consent of Parliament Which Articles though seeming harsh to the King yet for avoyding of further inconvenience he yeelds unto them and specially to the baniâ—hment of his Minion Gaveston as hoping that would excuse him for all the rest and Robert of Winchelsey Arch-bishop of Canterbury lately called home from Exile pronounceth Excommunication against all such as should oppose the Articles Hereupon Gaveston is sent away into Ireland where he lived awhile not as a banisht man but as Lieutenant rather of the Country and indeed not unworthily for in the time of his being there he is said to have made a Journey into the Mountaines of Dublin and to have broken and subdued the Rebels there built New Castle in the Kerns Country repaired the Castle of Kevyn and
troubles abroad so grievous for though the Lords having made an end of Gaveston and cut off his head thought they had made an end of their need to beare Armes and had cut off the head of all their discontents yet as if Gaveston had beene a Phoenix as it were out of his ashes another Phoenix riseth presently up and puts the Lords to as much trouble as ever Gaveston did For now the younger Spenser upon a sudden growes as great a Favorite of the Kings as ever Gaveston was and indeed in all points just such another equall to him in goodlinesse of personage in favour of the King and in abusing the Lords for though they were the Lords themselves that brought him at first in to be the Kings Chamberlaine the rather as was thought because he was one whom the King did not love yet being once in the place he so wonne upon the King by diligent service and by complying with the Kings humour that he brought the King at last to comply with his humour and nothing must be done but as Spenser would have it It seemes it was the Kings nature that he could not be without a bosome friend one or other to be an Alter idem and to seeke to remove such a one from him was to seek to remove him from him selfeâ— as impossible a thing as to alter nature yet the Lords being more sensible of their owne grievance to be insulted on by a Favourite then of the Kings grievance to be affronted by his subjects are more intentive to worke their owne ends then the Kings and therefore to remove Spenser and his Father from the King which they knew was a worke not to be done but by strong hand they continue their Armes and confâ—derâ—ting together they send to the King peremptorily requiring the confirmation and execution of the Articles formerly granted threatning withall that unlesse he presently performe the same they would constraine him to it by force of Armes and thereupon assemble strong forces about Dunstable where the King â—hen lay The great Prelates of the kingdome with the Earle of Glocester labour to appease them and with two Cardinals sent lately by the Pope to reforme these disorders they repaire to Saint Albâ—ns and desire conference with the Lords who receive them very peaceably but the Letters which the Pope had written to them they refuse to receive saying they were men of the Sword and cared not for reading of Letters that there were many wâ—rthy and learned men in the kingdome whose counsell they would use and not strangers who knew not the cause of their commotion so the Cardinals with this answer returned to London But the Prelates of Englandâ—o â—o labour the businesse that the Lords were content to yeeld up to the King such horses treasure and jewels as they had taken of Pierce Gaveston at New-Castle so as the King would grant their Petitions and thereupon Iohn Sandall Treasurer of the kingdome and Ingelard Warle keeper of the Wardrobe are sent to Saint Albons to receive those things at their hands Shortly after a Parliament is called at London wherein the King complaines of the great contempt was had of him by the Barons their rising in Armes their taking and murthering Pierce Gaveston and such other affronts Whereunto with one accord they answer that they had not offended therein but rather merited his love and favour having taken Armes not for any contempt of his royall person but to destroy the publike enemy of the kingdome which otherwise would never have beene done Which stout resolution of theirs the Queene with the Prelates and the Earle of Glocester seeing they seeke by all meanes to qualifie their heate and at length so prevailed with them that they humble themselves to the King and crave pardon for that they had done which they obtained and the King receives them into grace as his loyall subjects grants them their Articlesâ— and particular pardons by his Charter for their Indemnity concerning the death of Gaveston and for the greater shew of true reconcilement Guy de Beauchamp Earle of Warwicke is made of the Kings Counsell though shortly after he ended his life not without suspition of poyson as being a man much envied by such as possest the King The King kept his Christmas at Clipston and his Easter at Clarendon and they seemed to be all good friends but this reconcilement of the King with his Barons was but as the covering of fire with ashes every little wind that blew made it breake out into flames afresh the time being so unsetled as it was it was impossible but such winds would continually be blowing It was such a wind blew when the great Earle of Lancaster had his wife a Lady who had lived with him alwayes in good fame taken out of his house at Canford in Dorsetshireâ— by one Richard Saint Martinâ— a deformed lame Dwarfe who challenged her to be his wife and that he had lien with her before the Earle married herâ— and this wind was made to blow the stronger by the Ladies owne confession for upon examination she voluntarily averred it was all true and thereupon the oâ—gly fellow in her right claimed the two Earledomes of Lincolne and Sâ—lisbury which he durst not have doneâ— if he had not beene back'd with great Abettours and it was not without aspersion upon the King himselfe It was another such wind blew when at the Feast of Pentecost at dinner in the open Hall at Westminster a woman fantastically disguised entred on horsebacke and riding about the Table delivered the King a Letter wherein was signified the great neglect he shewed of such as had done him and his Father noble services taxing him for advancing men of unworthy parts and such other complaints which Letter read and the woman departed put the King into a great rage they who guarded the doore being sharply reprehended for suffering her to enter in such manner answered It was the fashion of the Kings house in times of Festivals to keepe out none that came as this woman did to make sport Search being made for the woman she is found and examined who set her on she confessed a knight gave her money to doe it the knight is found and upon examination boldly answered he did it for the Kings honour and to no other end and thereupon escaped without further trouble It was such another wind blew when a knight was taken passing by Pomfret with Letters sealed with the Kings Seale directed to the King of Scots about murthering the Earle of Lancaster which messenger is executed his head set upon the top of the Castle and the Letters reserved to witnesse the intended plot Which whether it were fained or true the report thereof reflected upon the King and made many to take the Earles part It was such another wind blew when a fanatick fellow one Iohn Pâ—â—dras a Tanners sonne of Exeter gave forth that himselfe was th trâ—e Edward eldest sonne of the late
King Edward the first and by a false Nurse was changed in his Cradle and that the now King Edward was a Carters son and laid in his place but this wind was soone blowne over when at his death being drawne and hanged he confessed he had a Familiar Spirit in his house in the likenesse of a Cat that assured him he should be King of England and that he had served the said Spirit three yeares before to bring his purpose about But most of all it was such a wind blew when a Baron named William Brewis having wasted his estate offers to sell unto divers men a part of his inheritance called Powis Humphrey 〈◊〉 Earle of Hereford obtaines leave of the King to buy it bargains for it The two Roger Mâ—rtimers Unkle and Nephew great men likewise in those parts not understanding it seemes any thing of the former bargaine contract also for the same Land with the said Sir William Brewis Hugh Spenser the younger hearing of this sale and the land adjoyning to part of his obtaines a more speciall leave of the King being now his Chamberlaine and buyes it out of their hands The Earle of Herâ—ford complaines hereof to the Earle of Lancaster who thereupon at Sherbourne enters into a new confederation with divers Barons there assembled taking their Oaths intermutually to live and die together in maintaining the right of the kingdome and to procure the banishment of the two Spensâ—râ— father and sonne whom they now held to be the great seducers of the King and oppressours of the State disposing of all things in Court at their pleasure and suffering nothing to be obtained but by their meanes and under this pretence they take Armes and comming armed to Saint Albons they send to the King being then at London the Bishops of London Salisbury Hereford and Chichester who were there assembled to consulâ— for peace requiring him as he tendred the quâ—et of the Realme to rid his Court of those Traitours the Spensers condemned in many Articles of high treason by the communalty of thâ— Land and withall to grant his Letters Patents of pardon and indemnity both to them and all such as tooke part with them The King returnes answer that Hugh Spenser the father was now beyond the Seas imployed in his businesse and his sonne was guarding the Cinque-ports according to his office and that it was against Law of Custome they should be banished without being heard and withall swore he would never violate the Oath made at his Coronation by granting Letters of pardon to such notorious offenders who contemned his person disturbed the kingdome and violated the royall Majesty Which answer so exasperated the Lords that presently they approached to London and lodged in the Suburbs till they had leave of the King to enter into the City where they peremptorily urge their demands to which at length by mediation of the Queene and the chiefe Prelates the King is wrought to condescend â—nd by his Edict published in Westminster Hall by the Earle of Hereford the Spensers are banished the kingdome Hugh the father hearing it keepes beyond the Seas but the sonne secretly hides himselfe in England expecting the turne of a better season And indeed shortly after the Arch-bishop of Canterbury in a Councell holden at London pronounceth the banishment of the Spensers to have beene erronious and thereupon the Edict is revoked and the Spensers are called home and seâ— in as great authority as they were before But the Lords having thus obtained their desire with the Kings Letters of indemnity returne home but yet not with such security as to give over the provision for their owne defence Not long after there fell ouâ— an unexpected accident that suddenly wrought the Lords confusion The Queene making her progresse towards Canterbury intended to lodge in the Castle of Leedes belonging to the Lord Badlesmer who had beene long the Kings Steward but now tooke part with the Lords and sending her Marshall to make ready for her and her traine they who kept the Castle told him plainely that neither the Queene nor any else should enter there without Letters from their Lord. The Queene her selfe goes to the Castle and receives the like answer whereupon she is driven to take such lodging otherwhere as could be provided Of which indignity she complaines to the King who tooke it so to heart that presently with a power of armed men out of London he laies siege to the Castle takes it hangs the keeper Thomas Câ—â—epepper sends the wife and children of the Lord Badlesmer to the Tower and seiseth upon all his goods and treasure And having this power about him and warmed with successe and the instigation of the Queene suddenly directs his course to Chiâ—hester where he keepes his Christmas and there provides for an Army against the Barons whereof many seeing the Kings power encreasing lefâ— their Associats and yeeld themselves to his mercie amongst whom were the two Roger Morâ—iâ—â—rs men of great might and meanes the Lord Hugh Audely the Lord Mâ—â—rice Barkely and others who notwithstanding contrary to their expectation were sent to divers Prisons The Earles of Lancaster and Hereford seeing this sudden change withdrew themselves and their companies from about Glocester towards the North-parts whom the King followes with his Army wherin were the Earles of Athâ—ll Angus and at Burton upon Trent where they had made a head discomfited their forces and put them to flight In the meane time the Earle of Lancaster had sent into Lancashire a knight of his named Robert Holland one whom he had brought up of naught to raise more forces amongst his Tenants but he hearing of this flight of his Lords goes with his forces to take the Kings part which so dismaies the Earle that he beganne now to thinke of suing to the King for grace but being in the way at a Towne called Borough-bridge was there set upon by Sir Simon Warde Sheriffe of Yorke and Sir Andrew Harkeley Constable of Carlile who utterly defeat his forces In which fight was slaine the Earle of Hereford who fighting valiantly upon a Bridge was by a Varlet skulking under the Bridge thrust with a Speare into the fundament Sir Roger Benefield Sir William Sulland and others there was taken the Earle of Lancaster Sir Roger Clifford Sir Iohn Mâ—wbray Sir Roger Tuckets Sir William Fits-Williams with divers other and were led to Yorke This field was fought the fifteenth day of March in the yeare 1320. It was not long â—fter that Sir Hugh Daniell Sir Bartholomew de Baddelsmer were taken Three dayes after the Earle of Lancaster is brought to Pomfret where the King sitting himselfe in judgement with Edmund Earle of Kent his brother the Earle of Pemâ—â—â—ke the Earle Warren Hugh Spencer lately created Earle of Winchester and others sentence of death is given against him to be drawne hanged and beheaded as a Traitor The two first punishments are pardoned in regard he was of Royall bloud onely
beheaded he was the same day without the Towne of Pomfret before his owne Castle To speake of the Miracles said to be done by him after his death might be fit for a Legend but not for a Chronicle and therefore I omit them By the like judgement were condemned the Lord Cliffordâ— the Lord Warren Lisle the Lord William Tuchet Thomas Maudit Henry Bradburne Williâ—m Fits-Williams William Lord Cheyney Thomas Lord Mâ—wbray Ioceline Lord Danill all which were executed at Yorke Shortly after the Lord Henry Teyes is taken drawne hanged and quarterâ—d at London the Lord Aldenham at Windsor the Lords Baddlesmere and Ashburton at Canterbury at Cardiffe in Wales Sir William Flemming at Bristow Siâ— Henry Womington and Sir Henry Montford Bannerets at Glocester the Lord Cliffordâ— and Sir William Elminbridge principall men in principall places to spread the more â—eâ—rour over the kingdome all their estates and inheritances are confiscated and â—â—ny new men advanced by the same And this is the first bloud of Nobility that ever was shed in this manner in England since William the Conquerour But not long after the King in a calmer humour beganne to have a sense oâ— the Earle of Lancasters execution which he discovered upon this occasion some â—bouâ— him making earnest suite for a Pardon to one of the Earles followers and preâ—â—â—ng the King hard to it he fell into a great pâ—ssion exclâ—iming â—gâ—inst them as unjusâ— and wicked Counsellours who would urge him to save the life of a notorious Vâ—â—let and would not speake one word for his neare kinsman the Earle of Lancasteâ— who said he had he lived might have beene useâ—ull to me and the whole kingdome but this fellow the longer he lives the more mischiefe he will doe and therefore by the soule of God he should die the death he had deserved Sir Andrew Harkeley who was the man that tooke the Earle of Lancaster prisoner being advanced for his service to the Earledome of Carlile enjoyed his honour but a while for the next yeare after either thrust out into discontent by the Spensers envying his high preferment or combining with the Scots upon hope of a great match as he was accused he is degraded of all his honours drawne hanged and quartered at Londâ—n for Treason But now the King of France summons King Edward to come and doe his homage for Gascoyne and he not comming all his Territories in France are adjudged to be forfeited and many places of importance are seiâ—ed on by the French Hereupon a Parliament is called and it is by common consent of all agreed that the King should not goe in person himselfe in regard of the distraction of the times but should send some speciall man to excuse his appearance whereupon Edmund Earle of Kent the Kings brother is sent but to little effect Then it is thought fit the Queene should goe and indeed the Queene went but what was the cause of her going there is amongst Writers great variance some say she was sent by the King to accommodate this businesse which she negotiated so well as that all quarrels were ended upon condition the King should give to his sonne Edward the Dutchie of Aquitaine with the Earledome of Ponthieu and send him over to doe his homage for them which after many consultationsâ— the King is wrought to yeeld unto and the Prince is sent with the Bishop of Exeter and others to the Court of France accordingly but others sayâ— she went out of discontent to complaine to her brother the King of France for wrongs offered her by the Spensers who had so alienated the Kings minde from her that he would scarce come where she was nor allow her fit maintenance for her calling But whatsoever was the cause of her goingâ— there appeared no cause of her staying but that she had gotten into her company Roger Mortimer Lord of Wigmâ—re a gallant young Gentlemanâ— whom she specially favoured lately escaped out of the Tower of London by giving his keepers as was said a sleeping drinke And withall the Bishop of Exeter perceiving some plots to be in hand and their close consultations made without him withdrawes himselfe secretly and discovers to the King what he observed in their courses Whereupon the King sends presently for the Quâ— and Prince and solicits the King of France to hasten their return which when he saw was neglected and delaied he caused them openly to be proclaimed enemies to the kingdome banished them and all their adherents out of the Land and withall causeth all the Ports to be strongly kept and sends three Admirals to attend in severall Coasts to hinder their landing It was not without suspition that as the King for love of the Spensers had his minde alienated from loving the Queen so the Queen for love of Mâ—rtimer had her minde alienated from loving the King and therefore having him with her câ—red not how long she staied However it was when the Queene heard of the Kings Proclamation she knew there was no returning for her into England without some good assistance whereupon soliciting her brother the King of France he aided her with men and money say some but others that he refusing to aide her as being wrought under hand by the Spensers against her she left the French Court and went into Heynault to the Earle of that Countrey who upon a contract betweene her sonne Prince Edward and Philippa the Earles daughterâ—â—ided her with a competent Army under the conduct of his brotheâ— Iohn and with them and her beloved Mortimer she tooke shipping and landed at Orwell a Port neare unto Harwich in Suffolke where presently came to her the Earle Marshall Henry Earle of Leycester and Henry Earle of Lancaster with the wry neck called Tâ—rtcâ—ll with many other Lords and Bishops The King at this time being at London and hearing of the Queenes landing with such forces and chiefely how all the Realme ranne flocking to her was â—uddenly strucken into a great amazement and though he had his great Counsellours the Spensers about him yet now he found what little good thâ—ir counsel could do him and indeed in this case what should he or what could he do To stay in London was apparent danger for he plainely saw the Londâ—ners to be more inclining to take the Queenes part then his and to goe from London to any other place was as unsafe all places being possest eitheâ— with certaine Enemies or uncertaine Friendsâ— at last the Isle of Lundy is thought of a place plentifull of provisionâ— abounding with Conies Fish and Fowle and the Island of hard accesse as having but one place in it where it could be entred and that so narrow that a few might easily keepe out many upon this place he resolvesâ— and taking with him the Earle of Glocester the Spensers and Robert â—aldâ—cke with some feâ— others he â—akes shipping but by contrary windes is driven backe and raine through Tempests to land in Wales and there in the Abbey of
Neth in 〈◊〉 kept himselfe close In the meane time the Queene was come to Oxford where Adâ—m Bishop of Hereford Preaching tooke for his Text Caput meum dolâ—â— and thereupon inferred that the kingdome being now deadly sicke of its head it was fit to remove that head and put a sounder in the place At this time also thâ— Lâ—â—dâ—ners to shew their love to the Queene seised upon Walter Stapletâ—n the good Bishop of Exceter and Lord Treasurer of England left Governoâ—r theâ—â— by the King and with great despight beheaded him as also divers others onely because they favoured the King In the meane time the Queene went from Oxford to Glocester and from thence to Bristow where Hugh Spâ—ncer the Father was a man of fouâ—escore and ten yeares old who is there taken and without examination or Judgement in most cruell manner Executed having his heart pulled out of his body being yet alive and his body left hanging upon the Gallowes After this the Queene stayed at Hâ—reford the space of a monethâ— and then dividing her Army she sends one part of it under the Conduct of Henry Earle of Lancaster and Ryce a Powell a Clerke â—o find out the King and this Ryce being a Welshâ—an and knowing thâ— Country well brought the Earle to the Monastery of Nâ—thâ— where the King was whom they there take together with Spenser the Sonne Roberâ— Baldâ—cke and Simon of Reading The King is by the Bishop of Hereford committed to the custody of the Earle of Leycester where all that Winter he was used no worse then was fit for a captive King But Edmund Earle of Arundell Iohn Daniel and Thâ—mâ—â— Micheldens at the instance of Mortimer are all three beheaded Presently after is Hugh Spenser the younger who was now Earle of Glocester drawne hanged and quarâ—eâ—ed his head sent up to be set upon London Bridge and his foure quarters bestowed in severall Cities The like is done with Simon of Reading but Robert Baldocke is committed to New-Gate against whom when no just cause of death could be found there was used so much cruelty in his imprisonment that he shortly after dyed Presently after Christmas a Parliament is called wherein it is agreed to depose the King and set up his Sonne which he hearing refused it unlesse his Father would freely resigne whereupon are appointed three Bishops two Earles two Abbots foure Barons and of every City a Burgesse to goe to the King in custody then at Kenelworth The Bishops were Iohn of Sâ—ratford Bishop of Winchester Adam Torleton Bishop of Hereford and Henry Bishop of Lincolne But the Bishops of Winchester and Lincolne getting to the King before the rest came perswade the King to resigne his Crowne to his eldest Sonne craâ—tily promising him he should have as good maintenance afterward as ever he had when he was King And contrarily threatning him that if he did it not the people would exclude both him and his Sonne too and mâ—ke a King of another Race By these promises and threatnings the meeke King is drawne to yeeld to the Bishops moâ—â—on but when afterward the Bishop of Hereford and the other Commissioners came and were sate in a place appointed to take his Resignation the King comming forth amongst them in mourning Robes upon a sudden fell downe in a swoundâ— in whom the Earle of Leycester and the Bishop of Winchester had much adoâ— to recover life but then the Bishop of Hereford rising up delivered the cause of their comming as the other Bishops before had done To which â—he King answered that as he much grieved his People should be so hardned against him as utterly to reject him so it was some comfort unto him that they would yet receive his Son to be their Soveraigne After this Thomas Blunt knight Steward of the Kings house brake the Staffe of his Office and William Trâ—ssell Speaker of the Parliâ—ment in name of the whole kingdome pronounced a Forme of Renouncing all Allegeance to Edward of Carnarvan Here Caxton writes that from the time of this Kings Deposing which was in December to the time of his Sonnes Crowning which was not till Candlemas following all Pleas of the Kings Bench were stayed and all Prisoners arrested by Sheriffes commanded to be set at liberty which seemes to have little probability seeing his Sonne Edward presently upon his Deposing was received for King But howsoever so great a Dowre was then assigned to Queene Isabel that scarce a third part of the Revenues of the Crowne is leâ—t for the new King and his Wife And to the late King is allowed a hundred Markes â— moneth for his maintenance with which he lived with his Cousin the Earle of Leycester in good plenty and contentment for a time onely this grieved hâ—m most of all he said that the Queene his Wife would never be gotten to come to see him For he swore most devoutly that from the time he first saw her face he could never like of any other Woman By which it may appeare that neither Gaveston noâ— the Spensers had so debauched him as to make him false to his bed or to be disloyall to his Queene But the Queene being hardned against him and conceiving he had too great Liberty under the Earle of Leycester by advise of her pestilent Counsellour Adam Torleton Bishop of Hereford appoints Thomas Goâ—rney and Ioâ—â— Matrevers knights to take him from the Earle into their owne Custody and to carry him whither they thought good who thereupon take him from Kenelwâ—rth and carry him first to Corfe Castle and from thence to Bristow where they shut him in the Castle till upon knowledge of a Plot laid to get him out and send him beyond Sea they tooke him in the night and carryed him to Bâ—rkeley Castle where by the way they abused him most inhumanely as Sir Thomas de la More a knight of Glocestershire in his Life relateth For to the end he should not be knowne they shaved his Head and Beard and that in most beastly manner for they took him from his Horse and set him upon a Hillocke and then taking puddle water out of a Ditch thereby they went to wash him his Barber telling him that cold water must serve for this time whereat the miserable King looking sternely upon him said That whether they would or no he would have warme water to wash him and therewithall to make good his word he presently shed forth a showre of teares Never was King turned ouâ— of a kingdome in such a manner Many kingdomes have beene lost by the chance of Warre but this kingdome was lost before any Dice were cast no blow strucke no Battell fought done forcibly and yet without force violently and yet with consent both parties agreed yet neither pleased for the King was not pleased to leave his kingdome and the Queene was not pleased to leave him his life it was not safe to leave him a part by which he might afterward recover the whole and therefore this
if his fortune had beene to love good men his owne goodnesse would have made him happy Two Vertues were eminent in him above all his Predecessours Continence and Abstinence So continent that he left no base issue behind him So abstinent that he tooke no base courses for raising of money They who despised him being alive so much honoured him being dead that they could have found in their hearts to make him a Saint Of his Death and Buriall MAny wayes were attempted to take away his life First they vexed him in his dyet allowing him nothing he could well endure to eate but this succeeded not Then they lodged him in a chamber over carion and dead carkasses enough to have poysoned him and indeed he told a workman at his window he never endured so great a misery in all his life but neither did this succeed Then they attempted it by Poysons but whether by the strength of his constitution or by the Divine Providence neither did this succeed At last the pestilent Achitâ—phel the Bishop of Hereford devised a Letter to his keepers blaming them for giving him too much liberty and for not doing the service which was expected from them and in the end of his Letter wrote this line Edwardum Octidere â—â—lite timere bonum est Craftily contriving it in this doubtfull sense that both the keepers might find sufficient warrant and himselfe might find sufficient excuse The keepers guessing at his meaning tooke it in the worst sense and accordingly put it in execuâ—ion they tooke him in his bed and casting heavy bolsters upon him and pressing them hard downe stifled him and not content with that they heated an iron red hot and through a pipe thrust it up into his Fondament that no markes of violence might be seene but though none were seene yet some were heard For when the Fact was in doing he was heard to roare and cry all the Castle over Gourney and Matrevers his murtherers looking for reward had the reward of murtherers For the Queene and Bishop Torleton disavowing the command threatned to question them for the Kings death whereupon they fled beyond Sea and Gourney after three yeares being taken in France and sent into England was in the way upon the Sea beheaded Matrevers flying into Germany had the grace to repent but lived ever after miserably Thus dyed this King in the yeare 1327. more then halfe a yeare after his deposing when he had Raigned almost 19. yeares lived 43. His body was câ—rryed to Glocester and there without any Funerall Pompe buryed in the Monastery of Saint Peter by the Benedictine Fryers Of Men of note in his time IN this Kings time of Martiall men were many whose Acts have beene spoken of in the late Kings life Of Learned men also many as Iohn Duns the great Logician called Doctor Subtilis borne in Northumberland at Emildune a Village three miles distant from Alâ—wiâ—ke though both the Scots and the Irish challenge him for theiâ—s Robert Walsingham a Carmelite Fryer who wrote divers Treatises Robert Baston borne in Nottingham-shire a Carmelite Fryer of Scarborough whom King Edward tooke with him into Scotland to write some Remembrances of his victories but being taken by the Scots was constrained by Robert Bruce to write Remembrances of his overthrowes William Rishanger a Monke of Saint Albans an Historiographer Ralph Baldocke Bishop of London who wrote a History intituled Historia Anglica Iohn Walsingham a Carmelite Fryer who wrote divers Treatises Nicholas de Lyra a Jew by birth who wrote many excellent Treatises in Divinity William Ockam a Fryer Minor who wrote divers Treatises and namely against Iohn Duns and also against Pope Iohn the 23. in favour of the Emperour Lewis of Bavaria Thomas Haselwood a Canon of Leedes in Kent who wrote a Chronicle called Chronicon compendiarium Robert Perscrutator borne in Yorkeshire a blacke Fryer and a Philosopher or rather a Magician and lastly though not least worthy to be remembred Iohn Mandevile the great Travellour a Doctor of Physicke and a Knight THE LIFE and RAIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE THIRD Of his comming to the Crowne and Acts done in his minority EDward of Windsor eldest sonne of King Edward the second by Order of Parliament upon his Fathers Resignation was proclaimed King of England on the five and twentieth day of Ianuary in the yeare 1327. and because he had not yet received the Order of knighthood he was by Henry Earle of Lancaster giâ—t solemnly with the Sword and on the first day of February following was Crowned at Westminster by Walter Reginolds Archbishop of Canterbury and thereupon a generall Pardon is Proclaimed which hath since beene used as a Custome with all the succeeding Kings that at their first comming to the Crowne a Generall Pardon is alwayes granted And because the King was under age scarce fifteene yeares old though Froyssard saith he was then Eighteene there were twelve appointed Governours of him and the kingdomeâ— namely the Arch-bishops of Canterbury and Yorke the Bishops of Winchester Hereford and Worcester Thomas of Brotherton Earle Marshall Edmund Earle of Kent the Kings Unkles Iohn Earle Warren Thomas Lord Wake Henry Lord Percie Oliver Lord Ingham and Iohn Lord Rosse but though these were appointed and bore the name yet the Queen and Roger Mortimer tooke all the authority to themselves The first action that was undertaken was an expedition against the Scots for Robert Bruce though now old and sickly and as was said Leprous yet considering the youth of the new King and the distractions of the kingdome thought it now a â—it time to doe some good upon England and entring the English borders with an Army sent defiance to King Edward whereupon an Army is raised and the Heynaâ—lders whom the Queen had brought over are joyned with the English but a variance falling out betweene the two Nations made the action not successefull For the Kings Army encountring the Scots at Stanhope Parke in Weridall in the Bishopricke of Durham though three times as many as the Scots as being thirty thousand yet through this variance but more through treason of some great men suffered them all to escape their hands and the Scots returned home in safety the English with dishonour and after this the English seeing the Heynaulders could doe them no good sent them away to their owne Countrey In King Edwards second yeare his marriage with Philippa of Heynault is solemnised a dispensation being first gotten because of their nearenesse in bloud and a Parliament is holden at Northampton where the King made three Earles Iohn of Eltham his brother Earle of Cornwall Roger Mortimer Earle of March and Iames Butler of Ireland Earle of Ormond and in this Parliament a dishonourable peace is concluded with the Scots and confirmed by a match betweene David Bruce Prince of Scotland being but seven yeares old and Ioane sister to King Edward not so old at which time by the secret working of Queene Isabell Roger Mortimer and
as the Poictâ—â—ins Xaingtonois and Lymoâ—sins in a sort consented to it yet the Count of Armigniâ—ck the Count of Comminges the Viscount of Carmayn and many others so much distasted it that they complained thereof to the King of France as to their Supreme Lord who upon examination finding their complaint to be just he thereupon by advise of his Councell Summons Prince Edward to appeare in person to answer the complaint whereunto Prince Edw. made answere that if he must needs appeare he would bring threescore thousand men in Armes to appeare with him and had certainely brought his Army that Summer against Paris if he had not fallen into Symptomes of a Dropsie which Walsingham saith was wrought by Enchantments But upon this answer of the Prince King Charles sends defiance to King Edward who thereupon prepares Armes both by Sea and Land to oppose him The French enter upon the Territoriâ—s of the Prince and defeate divers of his Troopes in revenge whereof Iohn Chandos the Princes Lieutenant assaults Terrieres in the Province of Tholouse and takes it The Count of Perigourd aâ—saults Royanville in Querâ—y and puts all the English to the sword in revenge whereof Iames Audeley Seneâ—chall of Poicton assaults the City of Brosse and takes it In the meane time Robert Knols by some called Robin and by others Arnould or Reynold Knoll had drawne Perducas de Albert to the party of the English and thereupon wenâ— and encamped before the Fort of Darcâ—ell in Quercy which Iohn Chandos understanding went also and joyned with him in the Siege but finding they could doe no good there they removed and Besieged the City of Damme and when they could doe no good there neither they marched forward tooke the Fort of Froyus Rochevaudour and Villefranche and that done returned to the Prince at Angoulesme At the same time the Earles of Cambridge and Pembroke having spent nine weekes at the Siege of Bordeille at last tooke it but other Captaines of the English did yet more for they scaled Belleperche in the Province of Bourbon where the Mother of the Duke of Bourbon and of the Queene of France was and take her prisoner About this time Philippa Queene of England King Edwards Wife died and was buried at Westminster but this hindred not the proceeding of the English in France the Earle of Pembroke enters Anjou where he takes many Townes the Duke of Lancaster doth the like about Callice and marching forward plants his Campe before Harfleur with a purpose to burne the King of France his Navy but being watched by the Count Saint Poll was forced to forbeare that designe and so passing other wayes and spoyling all the places where he passed he returned to Callice Winter now was drawing on and Iohn Chandos desiring to recover the Abby of Saint Silvin in Poictou which not long before had beene betraied to the French was in the enterprise discovered and being assaulted by greater forces was slaine in the place to the great griefe of the Prince of Wales and of the English Lords but dying without issue his estate which amounted to foure hundred thousand Franks came to the Prince At this time the Dukes of Anjou and Berry with two great Armies enter upon the Territories of the Prince of Wales whereof the Prince advertised assembles Forces to oppose them but when the newes was brought him of the taking of Limouges he was so much troubled at it by reason of the Bishop of that place was his Gossip and one in whom he specially had affiance that he resolved to recover it at any price and not to spare a man that had any hand in the rendring it up and thereupon taking it by force he commanded to sacke and pillage it and would not be staied by the cries of the people casting themselves downe at his feete till passing through the Towne he perceived three French Captaines who themselves alone had withstood the assault of his victorious Army and moved with the consideration of their valour he then abated his anger and for their sakes granted mercy to all the Inhabitants So much is vertue even in an enemy respected by generous minds In the meane time David King of Scots died without issue and Robert Stuart his Nephew succeeded him in the kingdome and was Crowned at Scone At this time Robert Knolls with a great Army is sent into France where making many attempts with valour enough but with little successe he was comming home though with no gaine yet with no losse till Bertrand de Gueschlyn assaulting him slew the most part of his men and so this great Army on a sudden came to nothing It seemes Knolls his action was the lesse succesfully by reason some young Lords that wenâ— with him scoâ—ning to â—e 〈◊〉 his command as being but a new man and risen froâ— a low estate were refractory to hiâ— directions And indeed what can a Generall do if he have not as well reputation of person as of place And now the Prince of Wales his eldest sonne Edward dying 〈◊〉 Buâ—deâ—â—â— the 〈◊〉 with his wife and his other sonne Richard come over into England at whiâ—â— time the vallant knight Walter de Mâ—â—ny died at Londâ—n and was buried in the Monastery of the Chartreux which he had builded leaving one onely daughter married to Iohn Earle of Pembroke This Earle of Pembroke was soone after sent Goâ—ernour into Aquitaâ—ne but set upon by the way by Spaniards in favour of the Frâ—â—ch was by them taken prisoner and carried with other into Spainâ—â— who being chained together as the manner is one Evans a Welsh Fugitiveâ— who gave â—â—â—selfe out for the right Heire of Wales camâ— unto him foolishly playing upon him with scornfull language as though to insult over another mans misery could sâ—â—le for a coâ—diall to mitigate his owne And now upon the taking of this Earle the Princes Dominions in France are either taken away or â—all away faster then they â—ere gotten Gueschlyâ— enters Poictou and takes Montmâ—rillon Chauvigny Lussâ—â— and Moâ—tâ—ontiâ—r straight after followes the Countrey of Aulnys of Xaintoigne and the rest of Poicâ—ou then Saint Maxenâ— Neele Aulnâ—y then Benaon Marant Surgâ—rs 〈◊〉 and at last they came to Thouars where the most part of the Lords of Poicâ—oâ— that held with the Prince were assembled at which time King Edward with the Prâ—â—ce the Duke of Lancaster and all the great Lords of England set forward to their succour but being driven backâ— by tempest never came to give them assistance so as Thouars yeelded upon composition Yet did this preparation of the King stand him in nine thousand Markes that it may be truly said it cost him more now to lose Townes then it had cost him before to win them so great oddes there is betweene the Spring and Fall of Fortune After this the Duke of Lancaster is sent over with another great Army who passed up into many parts of the Country but King Charles resolved to hazard no
his foure and thirtieth yeare of the King of France three millions of crownes of Gold In his twelveth yeare he had taken from the Priors Aliens their houses lands and tenements for the maintenance of his French warres which he kept twenty yeares in his 〈◊〉 and then restored them againe In his six and thirtieth year was greater twenty sixe shillings eight pence for transportation of every sacke of Wooll for three yeareâ— In the five and fortieth yeare of his Raigne in a Parliament at Westminster the â—lergy granted him fifty thousand pounds to be paid the same yeare and the Laiâ—y as much which was levâ—ed by setting a certaine rate of five pounds fifteene shillings upon every Parish which were found in the 37â— Shires to be eight thousand and sixe hundred and so came in the whole to fifty thousand one hundred eighty one pounds and eight pence but the 181. li. was abated to the Shires of Suffolkâ— and Devonshire in regard of their poverty In his eight and fortieth yeare in a Parliament is granted him a tenth of the Clergy a fifteenth of the Laity In his fiftiâ—h year a Subsidy of a new nature was demanded by the young Prince Richard whom being buâ— eleven years of age the Duke of Lancaster had brought into the Parliament of purpose to make the demand to have two tenths to be paid in one yeare or twelve pence in the pound of all Merchandises sold for one yeare and one pound of silver for every knights Fee and of every Fire-house one penny but instead of this Subsidy after much altercation there was granted another of as new a nature as this that every person man and woman within the kingdome above the age of foureteene yeares should pay foure pence those who lived of Almes onely excepted the Clergy to pay twelve pence of every Parson Beneficed and of all other religious persons foure pence a mighty aide and such as was never granted to any King of England before Of his Lawes and Ordinances HE instituted the Order of the Garter upon what cause is not certaine the common opinion is that a Garter of his owne queene or as some say of the Lady Ioane Countesse of Salisbury slipping off in a Dance King Edward stooped and tooke it up whereat some of his Lords that were present smiling as at an amorous action he seriously said it should not be long ere Soveraigne honour should be done to that Garter whereupon he afterward added the French Morto Honi soit qui maly pense therein checking his Lords sinister suspition Some conjecture that he instituted the Order of the Garter for that in a battell wherein he was victorious he had given the word Garter for the word or signe and some againe are of opinion that the institution of this Order is more ancient and begunne by King Richard the first but that this King Edward adorned it and brought it into splendour The number of the knights of this Order is twenty sixe whereof the King himselfe is alwayes one and president and their Feast yearely celebrated at Windsor on Saint Georges day the Tutelar Saint of that Order The lawes of the Order are many whereof there is a booke of purpose In the five and thirtieth yeare of his Raigne he was earnestly Petitioned by a Parliament then holen that the great Charter of Liberties and the Charter of Forests might be duly observed and that the great Officers of the kingdome should as in former times be elected by Parliament to which Petition though the King at first stood stiffe upon his owne Election and Prerogative yet at last in regard to have his present turne served as himselfe after confessed he yeelded that such Officers should receive an Oath in Parliament to doe justice to all men in their Offices and thereupon a Statute was made and confirmed with the Kings Seale both for that and many other Grants of his to his Subjectsâ— which notwithstanding were for the most part shortly after revoked This King also causeth all Pleas 〈◊〉 were before in Frenâ—h to be made in English that the Subject might understand the course of the Law Also in his time an Act was passed for Purveyours that nothing should be taken up but for ready money upon strict punishment In the next Parliâ—ment holden the seven and thirtieth yeare of his Raigne certaine Sâ—mpâ—uary Lawes were ordained both for apparell and diet appointing every degree of men the stuffe and habits they should weare prohibiting the weaâ—ing of gold and silver silkes and rich furres to all buâ— eminent persons The labâ—â—rer and husbandman 〈◊〉 â—ppointed but one 〈◊〉 dayâ— and what meates he should 〈◊〉 Also in his time at the instance of the Loâ—â—onersâ— an Act was made that no common Whore should weaâ—e any Hood except striped with divers colours nor Furres but Garments reversed the wrong side outward This King also was the first that created Dukesâ— of whom Henry of Bâ—llingbrâ—oke 〈◊〉 of Lancaster created Duke of Lancaster in the seven and twentieth yeare of his Raigneâ— was the first But afterward he erected Cornwall also into a Dutchy and conferred it upon the Prince after which time the Kings eldest sonne used alwayes to be Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester This King altered monies and abated them in weight yet made them to passe according to the former value Before his time there were no other peeces but Nobles and halfe Nobles with the small peeces of Silver called Sterlings but â—â—w Groats of foure pence and halfe Groats of two pence equivalent to the Sterling money are coyned which inhaunsed the prises of things that rise or fâ—ll according to the plenty or scarcity of coyne which made Servants and Labourers to râ—ise their wages accordingly Whereupon a Statute was made in the Parliament now held at Westminster to reduce the same to the former rate Also an Act was made in this Kings time that all Weares Mils and other stoppages of Rivers hindering the passage of Boats Lighters and other Vessels should be removed which though it were most commodious to the kingdome yet it tooke little effect by reason of bribing and corrupting Lords and great men who regarded more their owne private then the publike benefit In a Parliament holden the tenth yeare of his Raigne it was enacted that no Wooll growing within the Realme should be transported but that it should be made in Cloath in Peter-pence are forbidden by the King to be paid any more to Rome The câ—stome of washing poore mens feete on Maundy-Thursday thought to have beene first brought in by this King Affaires of the Church in his time KING Edward upon some displeasure had imprisoned divers Clergy men whereupon Iohn Stratford Arch-bishop of Canterbury writes him a Letter charging him with violation of the Rights of the Church and with the breach of Magna Charta and after much good counsell given him threatens that if he amend not these disorders he must and
among them In this meane time king Henry not acquainted with this Conspiracy caused a Proclamation to bee made intimating that the Earle of March had voluntarily caused himself to bee taken prisoner to the end the Rebels having him in their custody might pretend some colour for their Conspiracy and therefore hee had small reason to take care for his deliverance Hereupon the Percies assisted with a company of Scots and drawing to their party the Earle of Stafford and Richard Scroope Archbishop of Yorke and many other purposed to joyne with the Captain of the Welch but first they framed certaine Articles against the king and sent them to him in writing That hee had falsified his Oath given at his landing swearing that he came but only to recover his Inheritance and would not meddle with the King or with the Crowne That most trayterously hee had taken Armes against his Soveraigne Lord Imprisoned him and then most barbarouusly caused him to be murthered That ever since the death of king â—ichard he had unjustly kept the Crown from his kinsman Edmund Mâ—rtimer Earl of March to whom of right it belonged That upon no occasion hee had imposed divers Taxes upon the people That by his Letters hee procured Burgesses and Knights of the Parliament to bee chosen for which causes and many other they defyed him and vowed his destruction and the restoring of the Earle of March to his right King Henry could not but know that all these Articles against him were true yet seeing the knowing it hindred him not from seeking to get the Crowne when hee had it not it could lesse hinder him from seeking to keep it now that he had it and if he were able being a private man to get it from a King he was likely to bee more able being now a king to keepe it from privatâ— men and as for any objections that Conscience could make he had enough to answere them all For if his Title were good against king Richard by his Resignation it was as good against Mortimer by his swearing Allegiance and upon these grounds with a minde as confident as if all cyrcumstances were of his side he raysed an Army and marched towards the Lords taking care they might by no meanes joyne with the Welch and about Shrewsbury on Saturday S. Mary Magdalens Eve hee encountred them in which fight though the Scots and Henry Hotspur shewed much valour yet the victory rested on the kings side Hotspur himselfe was slayne the Earle of Worcester was taken prisoner together with Sir Richard Vernon Sir Theobald Trussel the Baron of Kinderton and the rest fled On the kings part besides the Earle of Stafford who had that morning revolted from the Conspirators were slaine Sir Hugh Sherley Sir Cliftonâ— Sir Iohn Cockayn Sir Nicholas Gausell Sir Walter Blunt Sir Iohn Calverley Sir Iohn Massie of Puddingtrâ— Sir Hugh Mortimer and Sir Robert Gausell all which had beene but that morning dubbed knights with Sir Thomas Wendsley who died afterwards of his wounds of common Souldiers about sixteene hundred but of the Conspirators above six thousand whereof 36 the king slew with his own hand but was once unhorsed by Dowglasse who in his presence slew Sir Walter Blunt with divers others that day in all things attired like to the king for which exployt Dowglasse being after by the fall of his horse taken prisoner was by the kings command carefully attended and without Ransom set at liberty In this batttell the young Prince Henry though wounded in the face with an Arrow yet was not wounded in his courage but continued fighting still After this victory the king caused publique thanks to bee given to God and then caused the Earle of Worcester to bee beheaded and many others of that Rebellion to bee drawne hanged and quartered and their heads placed on London Bridge And then the king sent his sonne Henry Prince of Wales with his whole Army into that Country but before his comming Owen Glendour was abandoned by all his Company and lurking in the woods was there famished many of his associats were taken and put to death Whilest the Prince was in Wales Henry Percy Earle of Northumberland of his own accord came and submitted himselfe to the king protesting his innocency aâ— not being once acquainted with any intent of Treason and Rebellion whose excuse the king received for the present with gentle language the rather for that hee had the possession of Barwick Castle and other places of strength in his power but yet he wiped not off the score of his misdemeanors out of his minde And now with the fourth yeere of his Reigne ended all the great Troubles of this k. Henry the fourth those that follow are but such accidents as are frequent in all times both abroad and at home The Britans under the leading of the Lord of Castiles spoyled the Towne of Plimouth In revenge whereof the Western-men under the command of William Wilford set forth â— Fleete which arriving in Britaine tooke forty ships laden with Oyle and Wines and burnt forty more Againe the French landed a thousand men in the Wightâ— where they got together a great booty of Cattell but the Islanders comming upon them tooke away their booty and made many of them leave their Carkases for a booty to the â—sland Yet the French would not leave so but a while after as having gotten new spirits they cast Anchor before the Isle of Wight and require no lesse then to have the Island into their possession but a resolute answere of the Islanders frighted them away and made them glad they were gone Soone after this the Duke of Orleance brother to the French king in a vaunting stile sent a challenge to king Henry to meete him in the field each of them to have a hundred in his Company to which the king answered That for his own valour it had sufficiently been tryed and for this challenge of the Dukes neither the Person nor the Cause were worthy of his undertaking Upon this refusall of the kings divers taunts and jeeres were bandied beâ—weene them till at last the Duke in great passion falls upon Vergie a Towne in Guyen but after three moneths assaulting it being valiantly defended by Sir Robert Anâ—field and three hundred Englishmen he was glad to give over with losse and returne into France Presently upon this the Admirall of Britaine accompanied with the Lord du Castile and thirty saile of ships attempted to land at Dertmouth in Devonshire but were repelled and the Lord du Castile and two of his brothers and foure hundred of his men were slaine besides two hundred taken Prisoners of whom the Lord Baquevile Marshall of Britaine was one After this five hundred men of armes five hundred Crosse-bowes and a thousand Flemmings under the conduct of the Earle of S. Paul laid siege to the Castle of Marâ—k three leagues frâ—m Câ—llice but first by Sir Philip Hall Captaine of Callice and after by Sir Richard Aston
Lieutenant of the English pale they were forced to retire and flye The Earle of S. Paul escaped to S. Omers but left many of his men of quality behind him and more taken Prisoners After this Thomas Duke of Clarence the Kings second sonne and the Earle of Kent with competent Forces entred the Haven of Sluce where they burnt foure ships riding at anchour and then returned to the reliefe of Callis besieged at that time by the French and in the way tooke three Carricks of Gâ—noua richly laden and brought them into the Chamber of Rye And these were the troubles of this King abroad But now at home the Reliques of the former Northerne Rebellion began to revive for now Henry Percy Earle of Northumberland Richard Scroope Archbishop of Yorke Thomas Mowbray Earle Marshall the Lords Hastings Fawconbridge and Bardolfe with divers others conspired at a time appointed to meet upon Yorkswould-Downes and there to bid defiance to king Henry Articles of Grievances were framed and set up in all publick places which drew multitudes to be partakers of the enterprize But now Ralph Nevill Earle of Westmeâ—land with the Lord Iohn the Kings third sonne the Lords Henry Fitz-Hughes Ralph Evers and Robert Vmphrevile make head against them and comming into a Plaine in the Forrests of Galltree they sate down right against the Archbishop and his Forces which were twenty thousand and Westmerland perceiving the Enemies forces to be farre more than theirs he used this policie he sent to the Archbishop demanding the reason why he would raise Forces against the king who answering that his Armes were not against the king but for his owne defence whom the king upon the instigation of Sycophants had threatned withall he sent him a scrowle of their grievances which Westmerland read and seemed to approve and thereupon desired a conference with him The Archbishop more credulous then wise perswaded the Earle Marshall to goe with him to the place appointed to conferre the Articles are read and allowed of and thereupon Westmerland seeming to commiserate the souldiersâ— having beene in armour all day and weary wished the Archbishop to acquaint his Party as he would his with this their mutuall agreement and so shaking hands in most Courtly friendship dranke unto him whereupon the souldiers were willed to disband and repaire home which they had no sooner done but a Troâ—p of horse which in a colourable manner had made a shew to depart wheeled about and afterwards returned and being come in â—ight the Earle of Westmerland arrested both the Arcbishop and the Earle Marshall and brought them both Prisoners to the king at Poâ—fret who passing from thence to York the Prisoners likewise were carried thither and the next day both of them beheaded At Durham the Lords Hastings and Fâ—wconbridge with two knights were executed Northumberland with the Lord Bardolfe fled first to Barwick and after into Scotland where they were entertained by David Lord Flemming whereupon the king gave summons to the Castle of Barwick which at first they refused to obey but upon the planting and discharging of a Piece they presently yeelded without composition and here William Greystock Henry Baynton and Iohn Blinkâ—nsop knights and five other were presently put to execution and many others committed to severall Prisons About this time Iames sonne and heire of Robert king of Scotland a childe of nine yeares old attended by the Earle of Orkney as he was sailing into France was taken by certaine Mariners of Norfolk who brought him to the King at Windsor the 30. of March 1408. and the King sent them to the Tower of London Northumberland and Bardolfe after they had been in Wales France and Flanders to raise a Power against King Henry returned back into Scotland and after a yeere with a great Power of Scots entred England and came into Yorkshire making great spoyle and waste as they passed but Sir Thomas Rokesby Sheriffe of Yorke levying the forces of the County upon Bramham-moore gave them battell in which Northumberland was slaine Bardolfe taken but wounded to death and the rest put to flight About this time also Sir Robert Vmphrevile Vice-admirall of England with ten men of warre entred Scotland burnt their Gallyâ—t and many other ships over against Lieth and brought away with him fourteen tall ships laden with corne and other staple commodities which at his returne he sent into the Markets round about and thereby brought down the prizes of all things and purchased to himselfe the name of Mend-market The Prince had been a Student In Queenes Colledge in Oxford under the tuition of his Unkle Henry Beaufort Chancellor of that University afterwards Bishop of Lincolâ—e and Winchester and lastly made a Cardinall by the title of Eusebius From Oxford the Prince was called to Court and the Lord Thomas Percy Earle of Worcester was made his Governour but comming afterward to be at his owne disposing whether being by nature valorous and not yet well stayed by time and experience oâ— whether incited by ill companions and emboldened by the opinion of his owne greatnesse he ranne into many courses so unworthy of a Prince that it was much doubted what he would prove when he came to be Prince Once it is said he lay in wait for the Receivers of his fathers Rents and in the person of a Thiefe set upon them and robbed them Another time when one of his companions was arraigned for felony before the Lord Chiefe Justice he went to the Kings Bench barre and offered to take the Prisoner away by force but being withstood by the Lord Chiefe Justice he stepped to him and struck him over the face whereat the Judge nothing abashed rose up and told him that he did not this affront to him but to the King his father in whose place he sate and therefore to make him know his fault he commanded him to be committed to the Fleete You would have wondred to see how calme the Prince was in his own cause who in the cause of his companion had been so violent for he quietly obeyed the Judges sentence and suffered himselfe to be led to Prison This passage was not a little pleasing to the King to thinke that he had a Judge of such courage and a Sonne of such submission but yet for these and such other pranks he removed him from being President of the Councell and placed in it his third sonne Iohn This made the Prince so sensible of his fathers displeasure that he thought it necessary to seek by al means to recover his â—ood opinion which he endeavored to doe by a way as strange as that by which he lost it for attiring himselfe in a garment of blew Sattin wrought all with Eylet-holes of black silke at every hole the needle hanging by which it was sowed and about his arme a thing in fashion of a hounds collar studded with SS of gold he came to the Court at Westminster to whom the King though not well in health caused himselfe in
hinderance of enjoying it buâ— pretension of the Salâ—que laws which said he was neither according to the law of God nor yet intended at first to that Nation and though his Predecessors by reason of other incumbrances forbore to prosecute their Claime yet he being free from all such incumbrances had no lesse power than right to do it This indeed struck upon the right string of the kings inclination for as he affected nothing more than true glory so in nothing more than in Warlike actions Hereupon nothing was now thought of but the Conquest of France First thereâ—ore he begins to alter in his Arms the bearing of Semy-de-Luces and quarters the three Flower Deluces as the Kings of Fraâ—ce then bare them and that he might not be thought to steale advantage but to do it fairly he sent Embassadours to Charles the sixth then king of France requiring in peaceable manner the surrender of the Crown of Fraâ—ce which if he would yeeld unto then King Henry would take to Wife his Daughter Katherine but if he refused to do it then King Henry would with fire and sword enforce it from him or lose his life The Ambassadorâ— sent were the Duke of Exeter the Archbishop of Dublin the Lord Gray the Lord High Admirall and the Bishop of Norwich with five hundred horse who comming to the Court of Fâ—ance were at first received and feasted with all the honor and shew of kindnes that â—â—ght be but assoone as their message was delivered and that it was knowne what they câ—me about the copy of their entertainment was altered and they were sent away with as little complement as they werâ— before received with honor only told that the king would speedily make Answer to the King their Master by his owne Ambassadors and speedily indeed he did it for the Earle of Vendosme William Bâ—â—â—tier Archbishop of Bourges Peter Fresnel Bishop of Lyseaâ—x with others were arrived in England assoone almost as the Eâ—glish were returnedâ— But being come the Archbishop of Bourges made a long Oration in the praise of Peace concluding with the tender of the Lady Kâ—theriâ—e and 50000 Crowns with her in Dower besides some Towns of no great importance To which King Hâ—â—â—y by the Archbishop of Caâ—terbury made Answer That these offers were trifles and that without yeelding to his demands he would never desist from that he intended and with this Answer the French Ambassadors were dismissed It is sayd that about this time the Dâ—lphiâ— who in the King of France his sicknes managed the State sent to King Henry a Tonne of Tennis Balls in derision of his youth as fitter to play with them then to manage Armâ— which king Heâ—ry tooke in such scorne that he promised with an oath it should not be long ere he would tosse such iron bâ—lls amongst them that the best armes in France should not be able to hold a Racket to râ—turâ—e thâ—m And now all things are prepared and in a readines for the kings journey into France his men shipped and himselfe ready to go on shipbâ—â—rd when sodainly a Treason was discovered against his Person plotted by Richard Earle of Cambridge Hâ—â—â—y Lord Scroope of Masham Lord Treasurer and Thomas Grey Earle of Nâ—â—thuâ—berlâ—â—d and plotted and procured by the French Agents These being apprehâ—â—ded and upon examination confessing the Treason and the money which was sayd to be a Million of Gold by them for that end received were all of them immediately put to death From this Richard Earle of Cambridge second Sonne of Edmund of Lâ—â—gleâ— did Richard afterward Duke of Yorke claime and recover the Crown from the Laâ—castrian Family This execution done and the winde blowing faire king Henry weighs Anchor and with a Fleet of 1200 Sayle Grafton saith but 140 ships but Enguerant saith 1600 attended with six thousand spears and 24000 Fooâ— besides Engineers and labourers he puts to Sea and on our Lady Eve landeth at Caux where he made Proclamation that no man upon paine of death should robbe any Church or offer violence to any that were found â—narmed and from thence passing on he besieged Harâ—lew which when no succour came within certain dayes agreed upon the Town was surrendred and sacked Of this Towne he made the Duke of Exeter Captain who left there for his Lievetenant Sir Iohn Fâ—lstoffe with a Garrison of 1500 men It is said that when king Henry entred Hâ—râ—lew he passed along the streets bare foot untill he came to the Church of St. Martin where with great devotion he gave most humble thanks to God for this his first atchieved Enterprize From thence he marched forward and comming to the River of Soame he found all the Bridges broken whereupon he passed on to the bridge of Sr. Maxenae where 30000 French appearing he pitcht his Campe expecting to be fought with and the more to encourage his men he gave the â—rder of knighthood to Iohn Lord Ferrers of Groby Reynold Graystocke Percy Tempâ—sâ— Christopher Morisby Thomas Pickering William Huddleston Henry Mortimer Iohâ— Hosbalton Philip Hall but not perceiving the Freâ—ch to have any minde to fighâ— he marched by the Town of Aâ—yens to Bowâ—s and there stayed two dayes expecâ—â—ing battell and from thence marched to Corby where the Peasants of the Counâ—ry with certain men of Arms sent from the Dolphiâ— charged the right wing of the English which was led by Hugh Stafford Lord Boâ—rchier and wonne away his Standard but was recovered againe by Iohn Bromeley of Bromeley a Commander in the Loâ—â— Staffords Regiment who with his own hand slew him that had taken the Coloâ—â—â—â— and then taking them up displayed the same with sight whereof the English were so encouraged that they presently roâ—ted the Freâ—ch and put them to flight which valiant exploit the Lord Stafford recompenced by giving to Bromeley an Aâ—â—â—ity of fifty pounds a yeare out of his lands in Staffordshire After this the king marched towards Callice so strictly observing his Proclamation against Church robbingâ— that when one was complained of for having taken a silver Pyxe â—ut of a Church he not only caused the same to be restored but the souldier also to be hanged which point of Discipline both â—ept the reâ—â— from offending in that kinde and drew the people of the Country under hand to relieve his men with all things necessary The French king hearing that king Heâ—ry had passed the River of Sâ—ame by advice of his Councell who yet were divided in opinion sent Montjoy the French king at Arms to defye king Henry and to let him know he should be fought with which king Henrâ— though his Army was much infected with Feavers whereof the Earl of Stafford the Bishop of Norwich the Lords Molines and Burnell were lately deadâ— yet he willingly heard and rewarded the Herald for his meâ—â—age and first having cleered a passage over a bridge where of necessity he was to passe on the 22 of October he passed over with his Army At which time the
all the principall men of the Towne to come before him at their Senate house where some of them for their stubborne refusing the grace he had offered them were adjudged to death and the rest fined the spoyl of the Town was distributed amongst the souldiers The Captaine of the Castle stood out a while but being advertised that the king had sworne to shew no mercy if he did not surrender he gave twelve Hostages that if it were not relieved before the twentieth of September he would then give it up which not comming he performed and so the king had possession both of Câ—en and the Castle And now Charles the new Dolphin being but seventeene yeeres of age and bare of money had got into his possession all the jewels plate and money of the Queen his mother which so incensed her against him that to doe him a spight she placed the Duke of Burgundy in chiefe authority about the king who by reason of his infirmity was uâ—able himselfe to manage the State and the Duke having now the sword in his hands meant first â—o represse the growing boldnesse of the Dolphyn and afterward to repell the common Enemy and the Dolphyn likewise envying the Dukes advancement above him meant first to take down his swelling greatnes and afterward to fall upon the forreigne adversary and thus while private respects were preferred before publique whilest the Duke and the Dolphyn had their first intentions against one another not looking afteâ— king Henry but in the second place after their owne turnes served an easie way was left for king Henries proceedings and hee went on at his pleasure with small opposition Hee sent the Duke of Clarence who tooke in the City of Bayeux as likewise the Duke of Gloâ—cester the City of Lyseâ—x whilst himselfe remayning still at Caen put out of the city the natives that were impotent or yong infants to the number of fifteen hundred in their places put English people and finding a great masse of money and plate deposited by the Citizens in the Castle â—e caused the same upon proofe to bee respectively delivered to the right ownersâ— upon condition they would acknowledge him for their Soveraigne which moderate and just dealing wonne him more hearts then the force of his Armes had wonne him knees specially with the Normans who are easier to bee drawn with gentlenesse and love then forced by violence and compulsion From hence the king marched the first of October to Corfye Castle which within three dayes yeelded The fourth of October he came to Argenton which not relieved by a day agreed upon was likewise surrendred The Towne of Alâ—nson endured eight daies siege but in the end did as other their neighbour Townes had done From Alanson the Earle of Sâ—lisbury was sent to Faleys to view the strength thereof whom the king presently followed where the besieged concluded if it were not relieved before the second of January then to yeelde up the Towne No reliefe comming the Towne was yeelded up and soone after upon the like termes the Castle From hence the king returned to Caen to put in execution a Proclamation he had formerly made That if the inhabitants of Normandy that were fled returned not by a day assigned hee would then grant their Lands to his souldiers and thereupon he gave to the duke of Clarence during life the Vicounties of Aâ—ge Orâ—er and Ponâ—iâ—â— with all the Lands of those that were not returned according to the Proclamation All the Lent the king lay at Bayeux whilest his Navy still kept the Seas and daily tooke many French ships but upon the sixteenth of July such a Tempest took them that they were driven to fall in with Southampton and yet with all their diligence could not so save themselves but that two Ballingers and two great Carricks laden with merchandize were in the very Haven drowned In the meane time the Earle of VVarwick and the Lord Talbot besieged the strong Castle of Dâ—mfront The Duke of Clâ—rence tooke Courtâ—n and Burney and many other being taken as Chaâ—bois Bechelouyn Hâ—rcourt Fantgernon Creâ—enâ—r Anvyllâ—ers Bâ—gles in all of them he placed Captaines and Garrisons and particularly in Fresâ—y Sir Robert Brent lately made Viscount The Duke of Gloâ—cester also with the Earle of March and the Lord of Codnor tooke in all the Isle of Coâ—stâ—â—tiâ—e except Chereburg and then returned to the king but was sent back to take in that City also which after some time when no reliefe came was together with the Castle likewise surrendred although by this time the Duke of Burgâ—â—diâ— and the Dolphyn by mediation of the Pope were reconciled and began to joyne theiâ— Forces to make resistance And now the Duke of Exeter the kings Uncle with a supply of fifteene thousand men out of England came to the king who presently took in the City of Eureux and the Earle of Ryme the strong Castâ—e of Millâ—y le Vesco The next thing attempted was the siege of Roâ—â— a Citie strongly fortified both with walls and diâ—ches and to which there was no convenient passage but by the Citie of Lovieâ— to this Citie therefore he first layes â—iege which when no reliefe came within a time agreed on was surrendred and yet there was another impediment to be removed a stone-bridge which hindred the approach to Roan being exceeding strongly guarded For this King Henry devised floats of wickeâ— covered with beâ—sts hides by which the Duke of Clâ—rence with his quarter passed the River â—nd then laid siege to the Towne on â—hat side and for the other side he had other devises made with hogsheads and pipes fastned to â—irrepoles and Barges with which he passed his men over at pleasure and in the meane time he caused divers of his Souldiers that could swimme to make shew of passing the River three miles off another way with which the French-men being deluded drew all their forces thither â—nd by this meanes the Fort being left unfurnished of sufficient guard was presently forced to surrender and the Souldiers were taken to the Kings grace The bridge being thus gained the Duke of Exeter was sent and with him Windsor the Herald to summon the Citizens to surrender the Towne who not only gave proud answers but also made a sallye forth though with the losse of thirty of their men Upon this obstinacie of theirs the King presently orders his siege his own quarter was the Châ—rteux the Duke of Clarâ—nce at St. Gervays the Duke of Exeter at Port St. Dennis and every great Commander had his quarter assigned so as the Citie was begirt round and a great chaine of iron set upon piles and a strong wooden bridge for passage from one Campe to the other was made over the River At this time the Earle of Kilmayne with sixteen hundred Irish came to the King and had their quarter assigned them who behaved themselves with great valour The Kings Cosen Germane the King of Portugall sent likewise a Navie of
divers of the French Nobility who attended him to the Pallace where the Queen with her Daughters the Dutchesse of Burgoigne and the Lady Katherine gave him Princely entertainment and after some intercourse of complement between the Princes and the Ladies K. Henry tendred to the Lady Katherine a Ring of great value which she not without some blushing received and afterward upon the twentieth day of May she was affianced to him in St. Peters Church and on the third of Iune following the marriage was solemnized and therewithall king Henry was published to be the only Regent of the Realme and Heire apparent to the Crown of France the Articles whereof with all convenient expedition were Proclaimed both in England and in France and the two kings and all their Nobles and other Subjects of account were sworne to observe them and in particular the Duke of Burgoigne And thus was the Salique Law violated and the heire Male put by his Sucession in the Crowne which the Genius of France will not long endure a while it must and therefore the maine endeavour of both kings now is to keep him down whom they had put downe and thereupon on the fourth day of Iune king Henry with the French king Iames king of Scots who was newly arrived the Duke of Burgoigâ—eâ— the Prince of Orenge one and twenty Earles five and forty Barons with many Knights and Gentlemen and an Army consisting of French English Scotish Irish and Dutch to the number of six hundred thousand marched towards the Dolphin and upon the seventh day laid siege to the Towne of Seâ—â—s which sided with the Dolphin which after foure dayes siege was yielded up From thence they removed having the Duke of Bedford in their company who was newly come out of Eâ—glaâ—d with large supplies of men and money to Monstâ—â—â—â— which was taken by Escalado onely the Castle held out still during the siege whereof king Henry creâ—â—ed an Officer of Armes to be king of Heralds over the Englishmen and intitled him Garter whom he sent with offers of mercy to the Castle but was by the Captaine thereof reproachfully upbraided for punishment of which his presumption â— Gibbet was erected and in view of Mounsieur Guitry the said Captaine twelve of his friends were executed whereupon those of the Castle treated for peace but the king in eight dayes together would not grant so much as a parleyâ— so that after six weekes siege they were enforced their lives saved simply to yield From thence the king marched to Melun upon Sein and besieged it the thirtieth of Iuly the Captaine whereof was Barbason a Gascoigne no lesse politick than valiant who countermined some and stopt other Mines made by the English and foâ—ght hand to hand in the Barriers with king Henry yet at last through Famine and Pestilence was forced to yeild but being suspected to have had a hand in the murther of the Duke of Burgoigne he was sent prisoner to Paris and presently thereupon both the kings with their Queens the Duke of Burgoigne and his Dutchesse with a Royall Traine came thither where the French king was lodged in the House of S. Paul and the king of England in the Castle of Loâ—vre And here the three States of France anew under their hands and Seals in most aâ—thenticke manner Ratified the former Articles of king Henries Succession in the Crowne of France the Instruments whereof were delivered to the king of England who sent them to be kept in his Treasury at Westminster And now King Henry began to exercise his Regency and as a badge of his Authority he caused a new Coyne which was called a Salute to be made whereon the Armes of France and England were quarterly stamped he placed and displaced divers Officers and appointed the Duke of Exeter with five hundred men to the Guard of Paris He awarded out Processe against the Dolphin to appeare at the Marble-Table at Paris which he not obeying Sentence was denounced against him as guilty of the murther of the Duke of Burgoigne and by the sentence of the Parliament he was banished the Realme After this the King making Thomas Duke of Clarence his Lievetenant Generall of Fraâ—ce and Normandy on the 6th of Ianuary with his beloved Queen Katherine he left Pariâ— and went to Amyens and from thence to Calliâ— and thence landing at Dover came to Canterbury and afterward through Loâ—doâ— to Westminster where the Queene upon St. Matthews day the fourth of Februâ—ry was Crowned the King of Scots sitting at dinner in his State but on the left hand of the Queen the Archbishop of Caâ—terbury and the Kings Uncle the Bishop of Winchester being on the right hand All were served with covered messes of silver but all the Feast was Fish in observation of the Lent season After this the king tooke his Progresse through the Land hearing the complaints of his poore Subjects and taking order for the administring of Justice to high and low and then met the Queen at Leicester where they kept their Easter In the meane time the Duke of Clarence making a Road into Aâ—joâ— came to the Citie of Ampers where he knighted Sir William Rosse Sir Henry Gâ—dâ—ard Sir Rowlaâ—d Vyder Sir Thomas Beauford his naturall Son and returning home laden with prey was advertised that the Duke of Alanson intended to intercept his passage whereupon he sent the Scout-master Fogosaâ— Lombard to discover the face of the Enemy who being corrupted brought report that their number was but small and those but ill ordered that if he presently charged there could be no resistance The Dukes credulity caused him to draw all his horses together and leaving his bowes and billâ— behinde which were his chiefâ—st strength with his 〈◊〉 only he makes towards the Enemy but the Traitor leading to a straight where by his appointment an ambush was layd thaâ— the Duke could neither retreat nor flee he soone perceived the Treaâ—chery but finding no remedy he manfully set spâ—â— to his horse and charged upon the Enemy but over-layd with multitude and wearied with fight was himselfe with the Earle of Taâ—kervile the Lord Rosse the Eaâ—le of Angus Sir Iohn 〈◊〉 and Sir Iohn Vereâ—d and above two thousand English slaine The Earls of Sâ—â—erset Suffolke and Pearch Sir Iohn Berklâ—y Sir Ralph Nevill Sir Williâ—â— Bâ—wes and 60 Gentlemen were taken prisoners The body of the Duke of Clâ—rence was by Sir Iohn Beauford his base Son the D. dying without other issue convey'd to England and buried at Canterbury besides his Father and this disaster happened upon â—aster-Eve The King was at Beverley when he heard of his brothers death and presently thereupon dispatched away Edmund Earle of Mâ—rtâ—â—gne into Norâ—â—â—dy making hiâ— Lievtenant thereof and then calls his high Court of Parliament to Westminster requiring ayd by money to revenge his brâ—thers death which was readily granted and the king thus provided sent his brother the Duke of Bedford with an Army to Câ—lliâ— consisting of foure
a terrour into the besiegers that they stood like men amazed of whom six hundred were slaine two hundred drowned in the ditches fifty taken prisoners with eighteen Standards and the Constable was glad to quit the place and give over the Siege At the same time also the Earle of Warwick and the L. Scales with seven thousand besieged Ponterson many weekes together but Povâ—sion waxing scant the Lord Scales with three thousand men went a forraging into the Enemies Country and in his returne with plenty of provision was encountred with six thousand French of whom he slew many hundreds tooke above a thousand prisoners and then returned safe into the Campe. About this time also Sir Iohn Falstaffe besieged the strong Towne of Gravile which after twelve dayes offered to render it selfe by a day if it were not relieved The offer was taken and Pledges delivered but before the day came they within â—he Towne had victualled and manned the place and thereupon neglecting their Pledges refused to render the Castle according to agreement whereupon the Pledges were brought before the sight of them within the Castle and there openly put to death And now a conspiracy of the Clergie and Magistrates in Maunts so prevailed that the Marshals of France with five hundred men about midnight came to the Town-walls where the Guard of the English by those that seemed their friends were suddenly massacâ—ed and setting open the Gates made way for the Enemy to enter whereupon the Alarum given the Earle of Suffolk with the surviving English withdrew to the Castle wherein they were sharply assayled by the French who yet had more minde to ransack houses and to make good cheere whereof the Lord Tâ—lbot having intelligence by Captaine Goffe whom he had sent to discover the state of the French he secretly gave notice to the Earle of Suffolk who thereupon sallied forth of the Castle at a time when the Lord Tâ—lbot was ready with his Troopes and on both sides crying St. George a Tâ—lbot they fell upon the carelesse French who lost foure hundred of their best men the rest were all taken the Town re-gained and the Conspiratours thirty Citizens twenty Priests and fifteen Friers condemned and put to execution Whilst these things went on prosperously in France a great disaster fell out in England for the right Noble Thomas Beauford sonne of Iohn of Gâ—uâ—t and Katherine Swiâ—ford Duke of Exeter and Guardian of the King makes king Henry his heire and at East-Greenwich in Kent ended his life whose place was presently supplyed by the Earle of Warwick and the Earles place in France by the Earle of Salisbury who thereupon with five thousand men came to Orleaâ—ce and besieged the City and won from the French the great fort But here happened another great disaster for from an high tower in this fort the Besiegers observed the passages of the Townsmen when the Noble Earle of Salisbury intending to informe himselfe of the state of the Towne unfortunately looking out at a window of the fort with Sir Thâ—â—â—â— Gâ—rgrave a great shot from the Town striking the barres of the window the splinters thereof were driven into his head and face of which wounds within eight dayes he died This was now a second weakning to the English party but in his place the Earle of Suffolk succeeded to whom the Regent sendeth Sir Iohn Falsâ—â—â—â—â— with fresh supplies whom the Lord de la Brets nine thousand strong endeavours to intercept but Sir Iohn resolving to abide the charge placeth his cariages behind the horse next and the foot before lining his bowes with bill-men and pitching stakes behind the Archers who having discharged their first volley retired behind the stakes on which the French forgetting their former defeats by that course ran and goared their horses by which their Vaward being disordered the Battaile made a stand which Sir Iohn perceiving cryeth out St. George Theyâ—â—ie at which words they fled indeed and lost two thousand five hundred of their men with the Lords de la Brets and William Steward eleven hundred were taken Prisoners with whom and a rich booty they came to the Campe before Orleance Hereof the besieged having notice they offered to submit themselves to the Duke of Burgâ—igne who was contented to receive them so as the Regent would consent But the Regent consented not and therefore in the meane time the besieged made meanes to the Duke of Alâ—â—soâ— who furnished the Towne with fresh Forces and Provision which put such spirits into the Citizens that they made a sally out slew six hundred English and adventured upon the Bastile where the Lord Tâ—lbot commanded who repelled them with great slaughter of their men but yet the next day the Earle of Suffolk gave over his siege and dispersed his Army into their Garrisons And now the wheele of Fortune began to turn to the French against the English which once set a going was not easie to be stayed And first the Duke of Alâ—â—soâ— tooke by assault the Towne of Iargeux and in it the Earle of Suffolk and one of his brothers and slew Sir Alexander Pole another of his brothers and many other Prisoners in cold blood by reason of a contention amongst the French to whom the Prisoners should belong Presently upon this â—nother great blow was given the English for the Lords Talbot Scaleâ— and Hungerford going to foâ—tifie the Town of S. Meuâ— were encountred by the said Duke of Alâ—â—son and Arthur of Britaine with three and twenty thousand men with whom the English Lords interchanged some blowes but oppressed with multitude were all three taken prisoners all sore wounded twelve hundred of their company slaine and the rest hardly escaping to Meâ—â— where they fortified themselves the best they could against future assaults These were great blowes given to the English fortune in France Salisbury slaine and now Talbot taken prisoner which though they made her a little to totter yet there must be greater blowes given before she will fall And indeed these disasters were seconded by the perfidous surrender of many Townes and strong Holds to the French king who now encouraged by these successes marcheth into Champaigne where by composition he tooke Troyes the chiefe City of that Province Chaltoâ—s rebelleth and enforceth their Captaine to yield it up by whose example the Citizens of Rhemes doe the like where the French king is anew Proclaimed and with accustomed ceremonies Anointed and Crowned whereupon many Townes submit themselves to him and revolt from the English Upon this the Duke of Bedford to make the French know that all the English strength consisted not in onely Salisbury and Talbot with ten thousand English besides Normans marched out of Paâ—is and sent letters of defiance to the French king affirming that deceitfully and by unjust meanes he had stolne many Cities and places of importance belonging to the Crown of England which he was come to justifie by battell if he would appoint a time and place To which the
Winchester and the Archbishop of Yorke to come aganst him who lay to his charge that he had caused divers persons to be executed contrary to Law wherein though he justified himselfe yet no justification would be heard but to avoyd tumultuary part-taking it was concluded he should be privately convicted and condemned and to this end a Parliament by the procurement of his enemies unwitting to the king is called at Bury to which the Duke of Glocester resorting is on the second day of the Session by the Lord Beamont L. High Constable abetted by the Duke of Buckingham arrested and put in Ward all his followers sequestred from him whereof two and thirty are committed to severall prisons and the next day after his imprisonment he is found in his bed murthered yet shewed the same day as though he had dyed of an Imposthume though all that saw his body saw plainly that he dyed of a violent and unnaturall cause some say strangled some that a hot spit was put up at his fundament and some that he was stifled between two feather-beds His corps the same day was conveyed to St. Albans and there buried Five of his meniall servants Sir Roger Chamberlaine knight Middleton Herbert Arizis Esquires and Iohn Needham Gentleman were condemned to be hanged drawne and quartered and hanged they were at Tiburne let downe quick stript naked marked with a knife to be quartered but then the Marquesse of Suffolk to make a shew as though he had no hand in the businesse brought their Pardon and delivered it at the place of Execution and so their lives were saved It is no unmemorable thing which Sir Thomas Moore writes of the pregnancy of this Duke of Glocester It happened the King comming one time in Progresse to St. Albans a Begger borne blinde as he said at the Shrine of St. Alban obtained his sight which miracle being noised in the Towne the Duke of Glocester being there with the King dâ—sired to see him whom being brought unto him he asked if he were borne blinde who told him yes truly and can you now see saith the Earle yes I thanke God and St. Albon saith the begger then tell me saith the Earl what colour is my gown the begger readily told him the colour and what colour saith the Earle is such a mans gown the begger likewise told him presently and so of divers others Then saith the Earle go you counterfeit knave if you had been borne blinde and could never see till now how come you so suddenly to know this difference of colours and thereupon instead of an Almes caused him to be set in the Stocks But in the death of this Duke the Queene who had a speciall hand in it was either not so intelligent or noâ— so provident as she might have beene for as long as he had lived his Primogeniture would have kept backe the Duke of Yorkes claime to the Crown being but discended from the fifth Sonne of Edward the third where this Duke Humphrey was discended from the fourth And here were the first seeds sowne betweene the two houses of Laâ—caster whose badge was the Red-rose and Yorke whose badge was the White-rose And now upon the death of this Duke of Glocester the Duke of York began amongst his familiars privily to whisper his right and title to the Crown but so politickly carried his intent that all things were provided to further his project before his purpose was any whit discovered And in this time the rich Cardinall and Bishop of Winchester dyes who lying on his death bed as Doctor Iohn Baker his privie Counsellor and his Chaplain writeth used such like words why should I dye saith he having so much riches If the whole Realme would save my life I am able either by policy to get it or by money to buy it Fie will not death be hired will money do nothing and other words to such purpose But he being dead there succeeded in his Bishopricke a more deserving Prelate William Waâ—â—leâ—e called so of the place in Lincolneshire where he was borne though his name was Patterne of the worshipfull family whereof hee was descended And now to the end the Marquesse of Suffolke might not come behinde them in dignity whom he went before in power he is about this time made Duke of Suffolke In France about this time a victory was gotten which proved no better than an overthrow Before the Truce was expired Sir Francis Surâ—ens an Aragonois a man thought worthy to be admitted into the honorable Order of the â—arter taking advantage of the security of the French Garrisons suddenly surprizeth a Frontier Towne called Fougiers belonging to the Duke of Brittaine the Duke advertiseth the French King thereof who by his Ambassadors complaines both to the King of England and to the Duke of Somerset then Regent in France Answer was made it was the fault of the Aragonois who did it without warrant from either the King or the Councell neverthelesse Commissioners are appointed to meet at Louviers to treate of some course for satisfaction but in the time of the Treaty newes is brought to the Regent that the French by a stratagem of a Carter that with a load of Hey comming over the Draw-bridge caused the Axletree to breake and whil'st the Porter was ready to helpe the Carter the Porters braines were beaten out the Towne of Ardes surprized and the Lord Fawcoâ—bridgâ— Captaine thereof was taken prisoner Restitution being required by the English answer is made them in their owne language it was done without warrant from either the French King or any of his Councell so it was but one for another and from thence forward the Truce is broken of both sides and all things grow worse and worse The French King by composition taketh Louviers Gerbury and Verâ—oyle whil'st the Regent stands demurring what were best to be done If he command not obeyed If he counsell not followed as it happens to men once blemished in Reputation to have an ill construction made of all their actions by which means the French go on without resistance get Conâ—â—â—â—ce Guisard Gatiard St. Loe Festampe and many other pieces in Normandy upon notice whereof Maulesson in Guyen surrenders to the Earle of Foiâ— and by their example the City of Roâ—n it selfe takes composition to surrender where the E. of Shrâ—wsbury and the Lord Butler heire to the E. of Ormond were kept pledges till it was performed It is true succours were provided to be sent out of England under the conduct of the Duke of Yorke but a Rebellion happening in Ireland which was thought of more importance to be speedily suppressed diverted him and his forces thither where not only he suppressed the Rebels but so wonne the hearts of that people that it was no small furtherance to his proceedings afterward A fresh supply indeed of fifâ—eene hundred men under the command of sir Thomâ—s Kyriell is sent over but what could a handfull of men do against such
Duke of Somerset is arrested in the Queens great Chamber and sent to the Tower and in a Parliament now convoked appeâ—ched of Treason and many heynous crymes objected against him whereupon the King though weake is brought to London of purpose to dissolve the Parliament and that diâ—solved the Duke of Somerset is presently set at liberty againe and not only so but is made Captaine of Callice and Guysnes the onely remainder the English had in France Upon this the Duke of Yorke and his party with a great power march towards London against whom the King attended with the Duke of Somerset the Duke of Buckingham and his sonne both named Humfry Henry Earle of Northumberland Iames Earle of Wiltshire Iasper Earle of Pembrooke and two thousâ—nd men marcheth forwards at S. Albans both armies meet the Duke in the morning sendâ— a letter to the King protesting his fidelity and synderity onely he desires the Duke of Somerset may be delivered to stand or fall by the Judgement of his Peers and this he would have or dye in the pursuite The King for answer Commands him to disband and submit to his mercy and not expect that he will deliver any in his Army who have shewed their loves in standing to him Herewith the Duke acquaints his friends who hereupon fall every one to his quarter The Earle of Warwick fell upon the Lord Cliffords quarter where the Duke of Somerset hâ—sting to the rescue was slaine and with him the Earle of Northumberland Humfry Earle of Stafford the Lord Clifford and about five thousand others besides many that were hurt the King himselfe shot in the neck with an arrow the Duke of Bâ—ckingham and the Lord Scales in the faces the Earle of Dorset so hurt that he was faine to be carryed home in a Cart The Kings army had been increased after his comming forth to eight thousand but now they are all dispersed or slaine and the King unguarded is left in a poore thatcht house whither to be freed from the danger of arrows he had withdrawn himselfe The Duke of Yorke having notice where the King was goes with Waâ—wick and Salisbury who all three upon their knees present themselves before him making humble petition to him for pardon of what was past and now seeing the common Enemy was slaine they had what they aymed at To whom the King throughly affrighted said Let there be no more killing then and I will doe what you will have me This first battell of S. Albans was fought upon the three twentieth day of May in the three thirtieth year of King Henries raigne The bodies of the Duke of Somerset the Earle of Northumberland and the Lord Glifford were buried in the Chappell there And now the Duke of York in the kings name commands a surcease from â—â—rther hostility and in all reverent manner conveyeth the king to London where they keep the feast of Pentecost together at which time a Parliament is summoned to begin at Westminster the ninth day of July and therein it is enacted that the Duke of Gloâ—cester should be declâ—red publikely a loyall Subject and that none should misreport or dispute the actions of the Duke of Yorke or of any in his company and moreover the Duke of Yorke is mâ—de Protector of the kings Person and of the Realme the Earle of Saliâ—bury is made Lord Chancellor and the Earle of Warwicke Captain of Callis wherein they all carried themselves with unblameable demeanour In this meane time the Queene not well pleased with these proceedings sâ—ekes all meâ—ns to incite the Lords of her party and they as much seeke to incite her to make opposition she puts the Duke of Buckingham in minde that these Traitours had slaine his hopefull Son at S. Albans she tells the now Duke of Somerset that by them his deare Father lost his life And they againe put the Queen in minde of the unsufferable indignity done to her in making her Husband only a king in name setting a Tutor over him as though he were a childe whil'st the Duke of Yorke and his complices manage all Upon which incitation all the enemies of the Yorkshire Faction are assembled by the Queene at Greenwich where it is debated of some course to be taken for restoring the king to his former liberâ—y and Government at length it is concluded that the duke of Yorke should be commaâ—ded to give over his place of Protectorship for that the king was of yeares and discretion sufficient to Rule of himselfe without a Guardian and the Earle of Salisbury to surrender his place of being Lord Chancellor for that the great Seal was never delivered him seeing that which was now used was made since the kings restraint and therefore not sufficient to which conclusion of theirs the king easie to be wrought upon yields his coâ—sent and thereupon they are both discharged from their Offices and summoned to appeare at the Councell Table at Grâ—enwich but the Lords were wiser than to put themselves into their hands and therefore make answer that none had power to displace them nor to command their appearance in any place but in Parliament and so they continued about Londâ—n placing and displacing whom they pleased â—nd by their triumvirat authority tooke Iohn Holland Earle of Exeter out of Sanctuary and sent him prisoner to Poâ—fâ—et Castle These proceedings gave occasion to the licentious multitude to raise commotions and the Prentices of London upon a very slight occasion fall upon out-landish Merchants rifle and robbe their houses and the Major assembling a company of substantiall Citizens to suppresse them the Ring-leader of the disorder flyes to Sanctuary Commissioners are sent to enquire and punish the offence but when the Major and Commissioners were set tydings came that the Commons were up in Arms whereupon the Commissioners left the busines to be proceeded in by the Major who so discreetly ordered the matter that many of the offenders were punished some by death others by fine and all things were quieted and appeased At this time the French having little to do against the English in France would needs be doing something against them in England They set out two Fleets one under the conduct of William Lord Pomyers the other of Sir Peter Bressy the Lord fell â—pon Fulney in the West-Country the knight upon Sâ—â—dwich in Kent where some hurt they did but not of importance to countervaile their Voyage And now the Queen finding the little respect the Londoners bore to her party or the kings perswades the king as for his health and recreation to make a Progresse into Warwickeshire which he did by the way hunting and hawking and the Queen making show of minding nothing but pastimes and this she did with a purpose the easier to entrap the three Lords of Yorke Salisbury and Warwicke to whom shee writ most loving letters earnestly inviting them to be at Coventry by an houre appointed which they not doubting any fraud intended to have done but
by him are all the counsells of the Duke of Yorke discovered which so much discouraged him that he with his young Son the Earle of Rutland fled first into Wales and then into Ireland The Earles of March Salisbury and Warwicke got into Devonshire where by the means of Iohn Dynhâ—m Esquire the same man that afterward by king Henry the Seventh was made Lord Treasurer of England they were shipt from Exmouth to Gernsey and so to Callis All the common souldiers the king Pardons onely makes exemplary punishment of some few Captains sends the Dutchesse of Yorke and her two younger children to the Dutchesse of Buckingham her Sister to be â—afely kept and then having spoiled the Town and Castle of Ludlow he dismist his Armie And now a Parliament is called at Coventry wherein the Duke of Yorke Edward Earle of March his Son Richard Earle of Richardâ—arle â—arle of Warwickeâ— Iohn Lord Clifford and many other the confederates of the Duke of York are convict of Treason and all their lands and goods seized on to the kings use Henry D. of Somerset by the Queens means is made Captain of Callis whither comming to take possession he was by reason of Ordnance shot at him from Rice-banke forced to Retire which the Queen hearing was so incensed that in great passion she gave order to make ready all the kings Ships lying at Sandwich to give assistance to the Duke of Somerset but the forementioned Iohn Dynham out of love to the Earle of March boorded those ships in the harbour and tooke the Lord Rivers designed Admirall for that service and carried both him and the Ships to Callice from whence the Earle sayled to Ireland to the Duke of Yorke who having conferred and concluded what course to take he returned to Callice the new Admirall the Duke of Exeter not daring to stop his course Sir Simon Montford was appointed â—o guard the Cinque Ports having divers ships under his command to barre the Earle of Warwickâ—s entrance but the Earle by his espyalls having perfect intelligence of all passages fell sodainly upon Sir Simon before his ships were ready tooke him prisoner ransackt the Town of Sandwich carried his prisoner and the ships to Callice By the way he understood how much the kentishmen desired his return and longed for his comming whereupon he came the second time to Sandwich to whom presently resorted the Lord Cobham and very many Gentlemen of the Country so as now his army was five and twenty thousand strong with which he marched towards London against whom the Lord Scales was appointed to goe and with some convenient troopes to assure London but the Major directly refused to admit him whereupon he resorted to the Tower from whence afterwards he did the Londoners no small displeasure The Earle of Warwick having notice that his father the Earle of Salisbury was upon march to meet him passeth over his men and without impeachment joyned with him and his friends neer Exeter The King with the Dukes of Somerset and Buckingham with a great Army marcheth towards them and neer to the Town of Northampton both Armies meet The Earle of March with the advice of the Earle of Warwick prepares for the fight The Queen the King more intentive to devotion then fighting did the like the fight continued about two houres wherein were slaine of both sides above â—en thousand men but upon the fall of Humfry Duke of Buckingham the Kings side was discomfited and Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury Thomas L. Egremont Iohn L. Beaumont and some other of account were slaine The Queen with the Duke of Somersâ—t taking with them the young Prince fled to the Bishoprick of Durham The King himselfe was taken and as a prisoner conveyed to London where the Tower is yeelded to the Earle of Warwick The Lord Scales in disguised apparell endeavouring to escape is taken by the water-men and by them beheaded and his Corpes carelesly left upon the sands Thomas Thorpe one of the Barons of the Exchequer in the habit of a Monke his Crown shorne purposing to flie to the Queen is taken and committed prisoner to the Tower and after by the Commons beheaded at Highgate The Duke of Yorke being advertised of this good successe leaveth Ireland and posts to London where in the kings name he summoneth a Parliament which being assembled he in the presence of the Lords in the upper House placeth himselfe in the Imperiall Seate and with great boldnesse layes open his rightfull claime to the Crowne of England as being the Sonne and heire of Anne daughter and heire of Roger Mortimer Earle of March Sonne and heire of Philip the sole daughter and heire of Lyonel Duke of Clarence the third sonne of Edward the third and elder brother of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Father of the usurper Henry the Fourth Grandfather to Henry the Fifth who was Father to him that at this time untruly stileth himselfe king Henry the sixth And after relating the many miseries that had befallen the Realme since the time of this Usurpation he concluded that he would not expect nor desire possession of the Crown except his discent were undisputable and his title without exception This being a businesse of importance required deliberation but in conclusion the Duke having before hand prepared the Lords Spirituall and few of the Nobility being present that were not of his part the Burgesses were easily perswaded and it was generally resolved and enacted accordingly that king Henry during his life should reteine the name and honour of a king that the Duke of Yorke should be Proclaimed heire apparent to the Crown and Protectour of the kings Person his lands and dominions and that if at any time any of king Henries friends allies or favourites in his behalfe should attempt the disaâ—â—lling of this Act that then the Duke should have present possession of the Crown It is not unworthy the noting that while the Earle of March was declaring his title in the upper house it happened in the nether house that a Crowne which hung in the middle of the house to garnish a branch to set lights upon without touch or winde fell suddenly down as likewise at the same time fell down the Crown which stood on the top of Dover Castle a signe as some thought that the Crowne of the Realme should be changed Assoone as the Parliament was dissolved the Duke dispatcheth letters into Scotland requiring in the kings name the Queen the Dukes of Somerset and Exeter and all other of the Nobility that remained in that kingdome with all speed to repaire to his presence in London but they had other worke in hand for having goten together of English and Scots to the number of eighteen thousand they came maâ—ching into Englandâ— against whom went the Duke of Yorke with his younger sonne the Earle of Rutland and the Earle of Salisbury leaving the king in the custody of the Duke of Norfolke and the Earle of Warwick and
be had between king Edward and the Lady Bonâ— daughter to Lewis Duke of Savoy and Sister to the Lady Carlote then Queen of Fraâ—ce a Lady no lesse for beauty and virtuous qualities then for Nobility of blood worthy to be a Queen The Proposition is in Fraâ—ce readily embraced and willingly assented unto on all parts But in the mean time king Edward being hunting in Witchwood Forrest besides Stonystratford he chanced to come to the Manour of Grafton where the Dutchesse of Bedford then lay and where her daughter by Sir Richard Woodvile the Lady Elizabeth Grâ—y widdow of Sir Iohn Grâ—y of Grâ—vy slaine at the last battell of St. Albans became a suitour to him for some lands which her â—usband had given her in Joynture with whose beauty and grâ—cefull behaviour king Edward was so taken that hee presently became a Suitor to her and when he could not obtaine his suit by termes of wanton love he was forced to sâ—eke it by terms of Marriage And here we may well thinke there was no small câ—flâ—ct in King Edwards minde between the two great commanders Love and Honor which of them should bee most potent Honor put him in minde that it was against his Law to take to wife a meaner person than himselfe but Love would take no notice of any difference of degrees but tooke it for his Prerogative to make all persons equall Honour peâ—swaded him that it stood him much upon to make good the Ambassage in which he had sent the Earle of Warwicke to a great Prince but Love perswadâ—d him that it stood him more upon to make good the Ambassage sent to himself from a greater Prince In conclusion it appeared to be true which one observes Improbe â—mor quid non mortalia pectora cogis what is it that love will not make a man to do Whether it be that love brings upon the minde a forgetfulnesse of all circumstances but such as tend to its own satisfaction or whether it be that love is amongst passions as oyle amongst liquors which will alwayes be supreme and at the top Honour may be honoured but love will be obeyed And therefore king Edward though he knew no Superior upon Earth yet he obeys the summons of Love and upon the first day of May marries the sayd Lady Gray at Grafton the first of our kings since the Conquest that married his Subject At which marriage none was present but the Dutchesse of Bedford the Priest two Gentlewoman a yong man to helpe the Priest at Masse the yeare after with great solemnity she was Crowned Queen at Westminster It is not unworthy the relating the Speech which king Edward had with his Mother who sought to crosse this maâ—ch Where you say saith he that she is a widdow and hath already children by Gods blessed Lady I am a Batchelour and have some too and so each of us hath a proofe that nether of us is like to be barren And as for your objection of Bigamy for his mother had charged him with being contracted to the Lady Elizabeth Lucie Let the Bishop saith he lay it to my charge when I come to take Orders for I understand it is forbidden a Priest but I never wist it was forbidden a Prince Upon this marriage the Queens Father was created Earle Rivers and made High-Constable of England her brother the Lord Anthony was married to the sole Heire of the Lord Scales and by her had that Barony her Son sir Thomas Gray was created Marquesse Dorset and married Cicelie heire to the Lord Bonvile It may be thought a hâ—ppy fortune for this Lady to be thus marched but let all things be considered and the miseries accruing to her by it will be found equivalent if not over-weighing all the benefits For first by this match she drew upon her selfe the envy of many and was cause that her Husband fled the Realm and her selfe in his absence glad to take Sanctuary and in that place to be delivered of a Prince in a most unprincely mâ—nner After which surviving her husband she lived to see her two Sonnes most cruelly murthered and for a conclusion of all she lived to see her selfe confined to the Monastery of Berdmondsey in Southwarke and all her goods confiscate by her own Son in Law And nâ—w the Earle of Warwicke at his return found that knot tyed in England which he had laboured to tye in France His Ambassage frustrated the Lady Bona deluded the king of France abused and himselfe made a stale and the disgracefull instrument of all this which although he resented in a high degree yet he had not been a Courtier so long but in that time he had sufficiently learned the Art of dissembling he passed it over lightly for the present but yet carried it in his minde till a fit opportunity and thereupon procures leave to retire himselfe to his Castle of Warwicke King Edward in the meane time having just cause to suspect hee had made the French his enemies seeks to make other Princes his friends He enters into a League with Iohn king of Aragon to whom he sent for a Present a score of Cotsall Ews and â—ive Rams a small Present in shew but great in the event for it proved of more benefit to Spain and of more detriment to England than could at first sight have been imagined And to secure himselfe at home he tooke truce with the king of Scots for fifteen years And where he had married before his two Sisters Anne the eldest to Henry Holland Earle of Exeter and Elizabeth to Iohn de la Poole Duke of Suffolke he now matched Margaret his third Sister to Charles Duke of Burgoigne which proved a greater assistance to him than that which he had lost in France By this time the Earle of Warwickes spleen began so to swell within him that hee could no longer containe it and having with much adoe drawne to his party his two brothers the Archbishop of Yorke and the Marquesse Montacute he seekâ— also to draw in the kings two brothers the Duke of Clarence and the Duke of Glocester but he found Glocester so reserved that he durst not close with him the Duke of Clarence he found more open and to him he addresseth himselfe complaining of the disgrace he had sustained by the king in his employment into France and other wrongs to whom the Duke presently made answer in as great complaint of his brothers unkindnesse to himself saying he had married his Wives brother Anthony to the heire of the Lord Scales and her Son Thomas to the heire of the Lord Boâ—vile but could finde no match of preferment for him being his own brother And upon this agreement in complaints they agree to joyne against king Edward and to make the knot the firmer the Duke of Clarence takes to wife Isabel the Earle oâ— Warwicks Daughter and with her hath assured unto him halfe of the Lands the Eâ—â—l held in right of his Wife the Lady Anne
lay but did not offer to stop him From Wakefield he came to Doâ—caster and from thence to Nottingham where there came to him Sir William Parre and Sir Iames Harrington with six hundred men also Sir Thomas Burgh and Thomas Montgomery with their aydes who caused him to make Proclamation in his own name affirming â—hey would serve no man but a King From Nottingham he came to Leicester where three thousand able men and well armed came unto him From Leicester he came before the wals of Coventry into which City the Earle of Warwick had withdrawn himselfe keeping himselfe close therein with his people being about six or seven thousand men three dayes together king Edward provoked him to come forth to battell but he stayed for more forces and would not doe it whereupon King Edward marched forward to Warwicke eight miles from Coventry thinking thither at least he should have drawne the Earle of VVarwicke but neither would that doe it Indeed the Earle looked for the comming of the Duke of Clarence with twelve thousand men to joyn with him but that expectation proved vaine for the Duke was now fully reconciled to his Brother King Edward and brought all his forces to joyn with him onely he sought to make amity between King Edward and the Earle but though King Edward offered generall Pardon and other faire conditions yet none would please the Earle without restoring of King Henry But now to repaire the defection of the Duke of Clarence there came to the Earle of VVarwick at Coventry the Earle of Oxford the Duke of Exceter and the Marquesse Montacute by whose comming that side was not a little strengthened yet all this ayde would not make the Earle of VVarwick to come to battell whereupon King Edward marched forward towards London Both sides seek to make London their friend the Earle of VVarwicke sends to his brother the Archbishop of York to labour in it who thereupon caused king Henry to mount on hâ—â—seback and to ride from Paâ—ls through Cheape down Walbrooke supposing that this shewing of the king would have allured the Citizens to assist him but this device prevailed little brought not in above seven or eight thousand men a small proportion to withstand king Edward and when the Archbishop of York saw this backwardnes in the Citizens or rather indeed an inclination to king Edward he secretly sent to him to receive him into grace which upon Promise to continue faithfull hereafter he obtained The eleventh of April in the year 1471 and the eleventh of his Reigne king Edward made his entry into the City of London ryding first to Pauls Church and from thence to the Bishops Palace where the Archbishop of York presented himselfe unto him and having king Henry by the hand delivered him to king Edwâ—rd six moneths after his readeption of the Crown and then king Edward being seized of his person went from Pauls to Westminster and there gave God most hearty thanks for his safe return The reasons alleadged hereby Philip Comines for the Citizens receiving of king Edward seeme scarce worthy of so good an Authour one cause saith he was because king Edward being extreamly indebted in the City if they had not received him they should have lost their debt another because he had won the love of many Citizens wives who importuned their husbands to receive him The Earle of Warwicke having intelligence that king Edward was received into Loâ—don and king Henry delivered into his hands marched out and encamped at St. Albanâ— and after some refreshing of his Army removed towards Barnet and in a large plaine there called Glâ—dmore heath pitched his Campe which king Edward hearing on Easter Eve the thirteenth of April he marched forth and came that evening to Barnet where he would not suffer a man of his Army to stay in the town but commanded them all to the field and lodged with his Army more neer to the Enemy then he was aware by reason of a Myst raised some say by one Bungey a Conjurer which made it so darke that it could not be well observed where they were encamped In taking his ground he caused his people to keep as much â—iâ—ence as was possible thereby to keep the enemy from knowing of their approachâ— Great Artillery they had on both parts but the Earle more then the King and therefore in the night time they shot from his Campe almost continually but did little hurt because they still overshot them as lying neerer then was conceived On Easter-day â—arly in the Morning both Armies are ordered for battaile The Earle of Warwick appointed the Command of the Right wing which consisted of Horse to his brother the Marquesse Montacute and the Earle of Oxford The Left wing consisting likewise of horse was led by himselfe and the Duke of Exceter and the main Battell consisting of Bills and Bows was conducted by the Duke of Somerset On the kings part the Vaward was commanded by the Duke of Glocester the battell in which was king Henry was led by king Edward himself and the Lord Hâ—stings brought on the Reere After exhortations for encouragement of their Sâ—uldiers the fight began which with great valour was maintained by the space of six hourâ—s without any apparent disadvantage on either side onely the Earles Vaward by the valiancy of the Earle of Oxford seemed somewhat to over-match the kings which made sâ—me flying towards London to carry news that the Earle of Warwick had wonne the field and he had perhaps done so indeed but for a strange misfortune which happened to the Earle of Oxford and his men for they having a Starre with streams on their liveries as king Edwards men had the Sunne the Earle of Warwicks men by reason of the Myst not well discerning the badges so like shot at â—he Earle of Oxfords men that were on their part whereupon the Earle of Oxford cryed Treason and fled with eight hundred men At length after great slaughter made on both sideâ— king Edward having the greater number of men as some write though other say the contrary caused a new power of fresh men which he had kept of purposâ— to come on which the Earle of Warwick observing being a man of an invincible courage nothing dismaied rushed into the midst of his enemies where he adventured so â—arre that amongst the preasse he was stricken down and slaine Though some write that the Earle seeing the desperate estate of his Army leapt on a horse to fly and comming to a Wood where was no passage one of king Edwards men came to him killed him and spoyled him to the naked skin The Marquesse Montacute thinking to succour his brother lost likewise his life and left the Victory to king Edward On both sidâ—s were slaine as Hall saith ten thousand at the least Fabian saith but fifteen huâ—dred but then he means onely of the kings side Upon the kings part were slaine the Lord Cromwell the Lord Say the Lord Montjoyes Sonne
from Dover to the end he might not seem to surprize him he sent an Herauld named Garter a Norman by birth with a letter of Defiance to the French king so well written saith Coâ—â—â—â—s that he thought it not of any English mans enditing as though Englishmen could not endite aswell as the French Requiring him to yeeld unto him the Crown of Fâ—â—â—ce his unquestionable Inheritance which if he should dare to deny â—e 〈◊〉 then endeavor to recover it by the Sword This letter the French king read thereupon withdrawing himselfe caused the Herauld to be brought to his presenceâ— to whom in private he gave this answer That the Duke of Burgoigne and the Earle of Saint Paul the Constable by whose instigation he knew the king of Eâ—gland was drawn to this Designe would but delude him for that they were Dissemblerâ—â—nd Impostors and therfore said It would conduce more to the honor of the king of 〈◊〉 to continue in League with him though an old Adversary then to hazard thâ— fortune of the warres upon the promised assistance of new-come Decâ—iversâ—â—nd so commend me saith he to the king thy Master and say what I have told â—heâ— and then with an honourable reward of three hundred Crowns dismist him The Herauld promised to doe all that in him lay and beyond his Commission shewâ—d the French king wayes by working upon the Lords Howard and Stanley by which he might enter into a Treaty for Peace which he doubted not would sort to a good Conclusion The French king glad to heâ—r it gave the Herauld besides the other reward â— piece of Crimson Velvet of thirty yards long and withall sent to king Eâ—ward the goodliest Horse he had in his Stable as also an Aâ—â—e a Wolph and a wildâ—â—ore beaâ—ts at that time rare in England and then the Herauld returning to Callice delivered to king Edward the French kings â—nswer And now to make good the French kings aâ—â—egation to the Herauld the Duke oâ— Burgoigne who had promised in the word of a Prince to bring to Callice by this time two thousand Launces and foure thousand Seradiots or â—ight hoâ—se failed to come whereupon the Lord Scales is by king Eâ—ward sent to the Dâ—ke to put him in minde of his promise and to haâ—ten his comming with his promised forces But the journey was to little purpose onely it occasioned the Duke with a small â—roop of horse to come to â—he king formally to excuse himselfe for having been so backward but the cause he said was for that having been imbroiled in the siege of Nâ—z he could not depart thence without infinite disgrace if neither composition nor submission were enforced which now notwithstâ—ndingâ— because he would not too much trespasse upon his patâ—ence he was enforced to doe by the obâ—tâ—nacy of the besieged but promised to supply all defects both with his presence and power and that speedily The Constable likewise by his letter perswades the king of England to proceede in the action and not to doubt both from the Duke and himself to be sufficiently every way accommodated King Edward thus encouraged passeth on but in his way found no performance of promises either on the Dukes or Constables part for the Duke did not accommodate the souldiers at their comming to Peroâ—â—â— with victuals or lodging in such manner as was requisite and expected and the Constable in stead of surrendring up Sain◠〈◊〉 according to agreement made a saâ—ly out upon such as were sent from the king of Eâ—glaâ—d to take possession and plaid upon them with his great Ordinance whereupon k. Edâ—ard began to suspect the truth of the French k. description of the Dukes and Constables conditions and from thence forward stood upon his own guard and gave no further credit to their Protestation which the Duke of Burgoigâ—e resenting pretended occasions for the hasting forward his forcesâ— promising speedy return together with them taketh his leave and departeth which did not a little increaâ—e the kings suspition The French king having intelligence of the Duke of Burgoignes departure forecasting the danger if they should unite their forces resolved with himselfe to 〈◊〉 what might be done to mediate a Peace in the Dukes absence and yet so to 〈◊〉 that if it took not effect he might disclaime the knowledge of the overture whereupon he privately dispatcheth a messenger in â—hew an Herauld but was indeedâ— fellow of no oâ—â—ice or estimation and not known to any of the Kings household but to Villiers the Master of the Horse who only was acquainted with the plot and party This counterfeit Pursuivant at Armâ— with a coate made of a Trumpets Banneâ—towle addressed himselfe to the king of Eâ—glaâ—d and upon admission to his pesence insinuates the French Kings desire which was to have Commissioners on both parts assigned to conferre of the means to reconcile the differences between the two Kings or at least to conclude a cessation from arms foâ— some time And so well this Messenger delivered his errand that it was credited and the kings request grantâ—d and thereupon letters of safe conduct are sent of both sides for such Commissioners as to this purpose should meet at Aâ—yeâ—s For king Edward came the Lord Hoâ—â—â—d Sir Aâ—thoâ—y Seâ—tleger and Doctor Morâ—on after made Lord Chancelour of Eâ—glaâ—d For king Lewis came the Admirall of France the Lord Saint Piers and Hebergâ—â—shop â—â—shop of Eâ—reux After long Conference Articles of Peace were concluded on â—o this effect That the French king should pay presently to the king of Eâ—glaâ—d threescore and fifteen thousand Crowns and from thence forth annually fifty thousâ—nd Crowns during the life of king Edward That within one yeare the French king should send for the Lady 〈◊〉 the king of Englands daughter and joyn her in marriage to the Dolphin That the Lord Howâ—rd and Sir Iohn Cheyney Master of the Horse should remaine in hostage there till the English army had quitted France and â— generall peace for nine yeerâ— wherein the Dukes of Burgoigne and Brittâ—â—â—e are â—â—cluded if they will accept thereof This Conclusion was the more easily compassed by the king of France his following the Herauldâ— Counsell foâ— he distributed sixteen thousand Crowns amongst king Edwards Counsellours and Favorites two thousand Crowns to the Lord Hastings the kings Chamberlaine and to the Lord 〈◊〉 Sir Iohn Cheynâ—y Sir Anthony Sentleger and Moâ—â—gomery the residue besides great store of Plate and Jewels distributed amongst inferiour Officers of the Court The Duke of Glocester onely opposed this accord as not suiting with his designe Neverthelesse it proceeded and notâ—ce thereof is presently sent to the Duke of 〈◊〉 who thereupon onely with fifteen horse comes posting to the English Campe whom king Edward perswades to enter into the peace according to the reservation but he in a great chafe reproacheth king Edward for entring into it himselfe saying that his predecessours had by many brave exploits gotten fame and repâ—tation upon the French and now
of himselfe oftentimes of others He had made the White Rose to flourish as long as Henry the Fourth made the Red if he had not made it change colour with too much blood He had been fortunate in his children if he had not been unfortunate in a brother but he was well enough served that would thinke a Wolfe could ever be a good Shepheard He had an excellent art in improving his favours for he could doe as much with a small courtesie as other men with a great benefit And that which was more he could make advantage of disadvantages for he got the love of the Londoners by owing them money and the good will of the Citizens by lying with their wives Of his Death and Buriall WHether it began from his minde being extreamely troubled with the injurious dealing of â—he King of France or from his body by intemperance of dyet to which he was much given he fell into a sicknesse some say a Catarche some a Feaver but into a sicknesse whereof he dyed In the time of which sicknesse at the very point of his death Sir Thomas Moore makes him to make a speech to his Lords which I might thinke to be the speech of a sick man if it were not so sound and of a weake man if it were not so long but it seemes Sir Thomas Moore delivers rather what was fit for him to say than what he sayd the Contents being onely to exhort his Lords whom he knew to be at variance to be in love and concord amongst themselves for that the welfare of his children whom he must now leave to their care could not otherwise be preserved but by their agreement And having spoken to this purpose as much as his weaknes would suffer him he found himselfe sleepy and turning on one side he fell into his long sleep the ninth of April in the yeere 1483. when he had lived one and forty yeeres Reigned two and twenty and one moâ—eth and was buried at Windsor in the new Chappell whose foundation himselfe had laid Of men of Note in his time MEN of valour in his time were many but himselfe the chiefest the rest may be observed in reading his story For men of letters we may have leave at this time to speake of some strangers having been men of extraordinary fame as IohaÌ„nes de Monte Regiâ— Purbachiuâ— and Blâ—â—chinuâ— all great Astronomers Ludovicus Pontanus Paulus Castrensis and Aâ—thonius Rossellanus all great Lawyers Servisanus Savaâ—arola and Barzizius all great Phisitians Bessarion and Cusanus both great Cardinalls Argyrâ—pole Philelphus Datus Leonardus Aretinus and Poggius all great men in humane litâ—rature And of our own Countrimen Iohn Harding an Eâ—quire borne in the North parts who wrote a Chronicle in English verse and among oâ—her speciall points therein touched hath gathered all the Submissions and Homages made by the Scottish kings even from the dayes of King Athelstan whereby it may evideâ—â—â—y appeare how the Scottish kingdome even in manner from the first Establishâ—ng thereof here in Britaine hath been appertaining unto the kings of England and holden of them as their chiefe and superiour Lords Iulian Bemes a Gentlewoman of excellent gifts who wrote certaine Treatises of Hawking and Hunting also a book of the Lâ—wes of Armes and knowledge pertaining to Heraâ—lds Iohn Forâ—â—scue a Judge and Chancellour of England who wrote divers Treatises concerning the Law and Politick Government Rochus a Charterhouse-Monk born in London who wrote divers Epigrams Walter Hâ—nt a Carmelite Fryer who for his excellent learning was sent from the whole body of the Realme to the Generall Counsell hâ—ldâ—â— firâ—â— at Ferrâ—ra and after at Florence by Pope Eâ—genius the fourth where â—e amâ—ngsâ— others disâ—uted with the Greekes iâ— defence of the Order and Ceremoâ—â—es oâ— the Latine Church William Caxton who wrote a Chronicle called Fructuâ— Temporum and an Appendix unto Trevisa besides divers other bookes and translations Iohn Milverton a Carmelitâ— Frier of Bristow and provinciall of his Order who because he defended such of his Order as preached against endowments of the Church with Temporall possessions was committed to prison in the Castle of Saint Angelâ— in Rome where he continued three yeers David Morgan a Welshman who wrote of the Antiquities of Wales and a description of the Country Iohn Tiptoft a nobleman born who wrote divers Treatises but lost of his head in the yeer 1471. Robert Huggon born in Norfolk who wrote certaine vaine Prophesies Thomas Nortoâ— born in Bristow an Alchymistâ— Scogaâ—â— a learned Gentleman and a Student for a time in Oxford who for his plesant wit and merry conceits was called to Court But most worthy of all to be remembred Thomas Littleton a reverend Judge of the Common Pleâ—s who brought a great part of the Law into a Method whicâ— lay before confusedly dispersed and his book called Littletons Tenures THE REIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE FIFTH KING Edward the Fourth being dead his eldest Sonne Edwâ—â—â— scarce yet eleven yeeâ—â— old succeeded in the kingdome but not in the Crown for he was Proclaimed king but never Crowned and indeed it may not so properly be called the Reigne of Eâ—â—â—â—dâ—he â—he fifth as the Tyranny of Richard the Third for from the time of king Edwardâ— death though not in Name yet in effectâ— he not onely ruled as king but raged as a Tyrant Prince Edwaâ—â— when his Father dyed was at Ludlow in Wales where he had lived some time before the better by his presence to keep the Welsh in awe He had about him of his Mothers kindred many but Sir Anthony Woodvile the Earle Rivers his Uncle was appointed his chiefe Counsellour and directour The Duke of Glocester was at this time in the North but had word presently sent him from the Lord Hastings Lord Chamberlaine of his brother king Edwards death who acquainted him withall that by his Will he had committed the young king his Queen and other children to his care and government and thereupon putting him in minde 〈◊〉 necessary it was for him speedâ—ly to repâ—irâ— to London But the Duke of Gloceâ—â—er needed no spurre to set him forward who was already in a full cariere for he had long before projected in his minde how he might come to attaine the Crown and now hee thought the way was made him For as it is said the very night in which king Edward dyed one Misselbrooke long ere morning came in great haste to the house of one Potter dwelling in Red-crosse-streete without Cripplegate where he shewed unto Potter that king Edward was departed to whom Potter answered By my troth man then will my Master the Duke of Glocester be king what cause he had so to thinke is hard to say but surely it is not likely he spake it of nought And now the young king was comming up to London with a strong guard partly to make a first expression of his greatnesse and partly to oppose any disorders that might be offered But the Duke
the Preacher for abusing his sacred function with so shamefull a Sermon The Tuesday following this Sermon the Duke of Buckingham with divers Lords and Knights came to the Guildhall in London and there before the Major and whole assembly of Citizens made a very solemne and long Oration wherein he recited many grievances of the late King Edwards Government his many unnecessary Taxations and unjust severities thereby to bring his children into hatred and then reâ—embred them of the late Sermon made at Pauls Crosse by a learned Doctor who cleerly shewed the bastardy of King Edwards children and that Richard Duke of Glocester was the onely rightfull and indubitate heire to the Crowne of England which the Lords of the Kingdome having taken into their consideration had thereupon agreed to accept him for their King and now himselfe was come to acquaint them with it and to require their consents Which Oration ended all men stood wondring at the motion but no man offered to speak a word At which the Duke marvelling as supposing the Major had prepared them before he asked the Major privately what this silence meant who answered that perhaps they had not heard or understood what it was he said Whereupon the Duke with a more aâ—dible voice repeated the same matter againe in a more earnest and plain expression yet neither did that move them to shew any inclination to the motion Then the Duke whispering with the Major It was thought that the Citizens being used to have such motions made them by their Recorder they would better it from him and thereupon the Recorder is commanded to move them in it but the Recorder called Fitzwilliams being an honest man and newly come to his place repeated onely as neer as he could the words of the Duke but added nothing of his own so as neither did this move the people to breake their silence At last the Duke seeing their resolved â—ullennesse told them plainly that all the Nobility and Commons of the Realme were agreed to choose the Protectour for their King as the true and undoubted heire so as he needed not to have moved them to it but onely for the great respect they all bare to this honourable City and therefore required them plainly to speak their mindes whether they would joyn with them in this choice or no. At this certaine servants of the Dukes and other of their procuring standing at the lower end of the Hall cast up their Caps and cryed aloud King Richard King Richard whereat though the whole multitude of Citizens marvelled what they meant yet the Duke taking advantage of it as of an unanimous conset A goodly cry saith he and thanked them all for their universall approbation promising he would acquaint the Protectour with the great love they shewed toward him and then requiring the Major and chiefe Citizens to meet him the next morning at Baynards Castle where the Protectour then lay there to joyn with him in Petitioning the Protectour to accept of this their freely profered subjection he tooke his leave and so departed The next morning according to appointment they all meet at Baynards Castle where the Duke of Buckingham sends up word to the â— Protector thâ—â— himself with the L. Major his Brethren were come to present a Supplication to him concerning a busines of great importance but the Protectour though preacquainted with all passages yet made it strange what their Supplication should be and answered that though he suspected nothing which the Duke of Buckingham presented to him yet he desired at least some some slight inâ—imation to what it might tend To this it was answered that the busines they came about was to be made known to himself in Person and therefore humbly besought him of admission in his presence Upon this as if not yet well assured of their well meaning towards him he appeares unto them in an upper Gallery making semblance as though he would prevent all danger by standing something aloofe and in his Fort To whom the Duke of Buckingâ—â—â— in behalfe of the Major and Nobility there present in most respective and reâ—erent manner makes reqâ—est that his Grace would pardon what he should deliver to him and much circumstance he used before he would discover their cause of â—omming but though long first yet at last he told it That in respect of the urgent necâ—ssâ—ties of the Common-wealth they all humbly intreated him to take upon him the Government of the Kingdome as in his own Right to whom they all tendred their Allegiance At which words the Protectour starting back as if he had heard something most unpleasing to him passionately answered I little thought good Cozen that you of all men would have moved me to a matter which of all things in the world I most decline Farre be it from to accept of that which without apparent wrong to my deare deceased brothers sweet children and my own upright Conscience I cannot well approve of And then being about to proceede in his premeditated diâ—â—imulation the Duke in a seeming abrupt passion kneeling upon his knee sayd Your Grace was pleased to give me free liberty to deliver unto you in the name of this worthy assembly the tender of their â—â—tifull obedience to you but I must further adde that it is unanimously resolved on that your late brother King Edwards children as being generally known to be Illegitimate shall never be admitted to the Crown of England and therefore if your Grace shall neither regard your selfe nor us so much as to accept it we are directly determined to conferre it upon some other of the House of Lâ—â—caster that will be more sensible of his own and our good These words wrought so powerfully upon the Protectours passions that with some change of Countenance and not without a seeming reluctation he said Since I perceive the whole Realme is so resolved by no meanâ— to admit my deer Nephews being but children to Reigne over you and seeing the Right of succession belongs justly to me as the indubiâ—ate Heire of Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke my Illustrious Father Wee are contented to condiscend to your importunities and to accept of the Royall Government of the Kingdome and will to the uttermost of my power endeavour to procure and maintain the welfare thereof And having so said he came downe from his Gallery and very formally saluted them all which so pleased the giddy multitude that presently they fell to acclamations Long live King Richard our dread Soveraigne Lordâ— and then every man departed THE REIGNE OF KING RICHARD THE THIRD IT was now the eighteenth day of Iune in the yeer 1483. when Richard Duke of Glocester tooke upon him the Crown so as the imaginary Raigne of Edward the fifth continued but just tenne weeks The next day King Richard with a great train went to Westminster-hall and placed himselfe in the Court of the Kings Bench saying he would take the Crown upon him in that place where the
of the Duke of Clarence but that device had two maine imperfections One that the true Sonne of the Duke was forâ—h-comming and to be shewed openly for convincing the false the other that though the counterfeit had been the true yet he could have laid no claim to the Crown as long as any Daughters of King Edward the fourth were living Now therefore a device is found by which those imperfections were both of them amended for now a Counterfeit was set on foot who pretended to be Richard the younger Sonne of king Edward the fourth so that neither any other could be produced to convince him of being false nor any Daughters of King Edward could hinder his Right for claiming the Crown This device was first forged by Margaret Dutchesse of Burgundie a woman that could never be quiet in her minde as long as king Henry was quiet in his kingdome and by this device she hoped if not to put him cleane out of his seat yet foulely at least to disturbe him in it and this was the purpose of the Plâ—t but by what instrument it was acted by what abeâ—tours fomented and what issue the device had are worâ—hy all to be related The Dutchesse having formerly given out that Richard the younger Sonne of king Edward was not murthred but in compassion spared and sent secretly a way to seek his fortune and having after long search gotten at last a fit Boy to personate a Prince keeps him seretly a good time with her in which time she so throughly instructed him in all Circumstances and he afterward put them so gracefully in practice that even those who had seen and known the young Prince while he lived could hardly perceive but that this was he It is true though he were not King Edwards Sonne yet he was his Godsonne and might perhaps have in him some base blood of the house of Yorke This Perkin Warbeck for so was the youths name called Perkin as a diminutive of Peter when he so perfectly had learned his lesson that he was fit to come upon the Stage she sent him into Portingall that comming from a strange Country it might be thought he had been driven to wander from one Country to another for safeguard of his life at least that she of all other might not be suspected From Portingal she caused him to passe into Ireland where the house of Yorke was specially respected in regard of the great love which Richard Duke of Yorke Father of King Edward the fourth had wonne amongst them by reason whereof this Perkin as esteemed his Grand-childe was well entertained by them and held in great estimation He had not been long in Ireland when the French king sent for him for being at that time at variance with King Henry hee thought he might make good use of Perkin as a pretender against King Henry for the Crown Perkin being come to Paris was entertained in a Princely fashion and for his more honour had a guard assigned him over which the Lord Congreshall was Captaine He had not been long at Paris when there resorted to him Sir George Nevill bastard Sir Iohn Taylour Richard Robinson and about a hundred other English Amongst the rest one Stephen Fryon that had been King Henries Secretary for the French Tongue but discontented fled and became a chiefe Instrument in all Perkins proceedings But this float of Perkins lasted not long for as soon as Peace was concluded between the two Kings the King of France dismissed Perkin and would keep him no longer Then passed he secretly to his first foundresse the Lady Margaret who at his first comming made a shew of suspecting him to be a Counterfeit But causing him in great assemblies to be brought before her as though she had never seen him before and finding him to answer directly to all questions she put unto him she openly professed that she was now satisfied and thought him verily to be her true Nephew and thereupon assigned a guâ—rd of thirâ—y persons cloathed in Murrey and Blew and callâ—d him the White Rose of England Upon report hereof many in England were inclined to take his part and Sir Robert Clifford and Robert Bareley were sent into Flanders to acquaint the Dutchesse with the peoples respect to Perkin and indeed Sir Robert Clifford upon sight and conference with him wrote letters into England wherein he affirmed that he knew him to be true Sonne of king Edward by his face and other Lineaments of his body King Henry hearing of these things sent certaine espials into Flanders that should feigne themselves to have fled to Perkin and by that means the better search out who were of the Conspiracy with him Whose name being returned to the King he caused them â—o be apprehended and brought to his Presence the chiefe of whom were Iohn Râ—tcliffe Lord Fitzwater Sir Simon Montford and Sir Thomas Thâ—â—yâ—â— knights William Dawbeney Robert Ratcliffe Thomas Cressenor and Thomas Astwoâ—d also certaine Priests as William Richford D. of Divinity Thomas Boyns D. William Sutton William Worseley Dean of Pauls Robert Layborne and Richard Lesley of whom some hearing of it fled to Sanctuary oâ—hers were taken and condemed as Sir Simon Montford Robert Ratcliffe and William Dawbeney who were all three beheâ—ded The Lord Fitzwater pardoned of life was conveyed to Calice and there laid in hold where seeking to make escape by corrupting his Keeper hee lost his head Shortly after Sir Robert Clifford returning out oâ— Flanders not as some think sent a spye from the beginning but rather now at last either discerning the fraude or woâ— by rewards and submitted himselfe to the kings mercy discovering unto him as farre as he knew all that were either open or secret abettours of the Conspiracy amongst whom he accused Sir William Stanley Lord Chamberlaine his accusation was this that in Conference between them Sir William had said that if he certainly knew that the young man named Perkin were the Sonne of king Edward the fourth he would never fight nor beare Armes against him These words being considered of by the Judges seemed to expresse a tickle hold of Loyalty for who could tell how soon he might be perswaded that he knew it and upon the matter was to be Loyall to king Henry but for want of better and withall it strook upon a string which had alwaies sounded harsh in king Henries ears as preferring the Title of Yorke before that of Lancaster Sir William being hereupon arraigned whether trusting to the greatnesse of his favours or the smalnes of his fault denied little of that wherewith he was charged and upon confession was adjudged to dye and accordingly on the sixteenth day of February was brought to the Tower-hill and there beheaded after whose death Giles Lord Dawbeny was made L. â—hamberlaine This was that Sir William Stanley who came in to rescue the Earle of Richmond when he was in danger of his life who set the Crowne upon his head and was the cause of
of Terwyn where he strongly fortified his Tents with Ordâ—ance and other Warlike defences In which meane time the Captaine of Bulloigne knowing that many of the Garison of Callice were gone with the King thought to take advantage of â—heir absence and do some great exploit upon Callice and therupon with a thousand men came to Newâ—haâ— Bridge and killing the watchmen tooke it but afterward some of his company going to fetch Booties and coming so neere the walls of Callice that they were descried about sixscore Coopers and other Artificers issued forth and driving them back recovered againe Newnham Bridge and took divers of them prisoners especially when the gate of Callice called Bulloign gate was opened that Colepepper the under Marshal with two hundred Archers issued forth and joyned with them The French prisoners were brought to Callice and there sold in open Market amongst others a Cooper of the Town of Callice bought a prisoner that dwelt in Bulloigne and had of the prisoner for his raâ—some a hundred Crowns when the mony was paid the French man prayed the Cooper to see him safe delivered and to conduct him out of danger the Cooper was content and went himselfe alone with the French man till he came beyond the Cawsey and there would have departed but the French man perceiving that the Cooper was aged and that no rescue was nighâ— by force tooke the Cooper prisoner â—â—d caried him to Bulloigne making him pay two hundred Crownes before hâ— was delivered Whilst King Henry lay thus at the siege of Terwyn on the eleventh of Auâ—â—â—â— the Emperour Maximilian was come to Ayre which King Henry understanding went and met him between Ayre and the Campe where with great complements they saluted each other but their complements were broken off by â—â—e extreame foule weather which happened that day the morrow after the Emperour Maximilian came from Ayre to the Kings Campe wearing a Crosse of Saint George as the Kings Souldier and receiving wages of him for service an honour never done to any King of England before and yet was no disparagement to the Emperour for he was royally received and lodged in a Tent of cloath of gold that as no Emperour before had ever been souldier to a King so no souldier before was ever lodged in such a Tent. At this time the City of Terwyn being in some distresse for want of victualls the French King appointed all his horsemen to the number of eight thousand to see victualls by any means convoyed into it the charge of which Convoy was committed to Monsieur De Priennes but King Henry by advise of the Emperour Maximilian had made Bridges to passe his men over the river to the other side of the Towne where was easiest accesse in such sort that when the French Convoy came with their victualls and thought to have entred the Towne they found the English Army there ready to resist them whereupon a fierce battell was fought between them but in conclusion the French were put to flight and fled so fast that from thence it was called the battell of Spurres for that they used more their spurres in running away then theit Launces in fighting In this battell the Duke of Longuevyle the Lord of Clermont Captaine Bayard and others to the number of twelve score were taken prisoners and all brought to the Kings presence with six Standards that were likewise taken After the battell the King made Sir Iohn Pechye Banneret and Iohn Carre Knight who had both of them done great service in this encounter King Henry having obtained this victory against the French horsemen and hindred the Towne of Terwyn from reliefe of victualls and withall plying his battery more fiercely then before made the Townsmen soone fall to desire composition and upon condition that the souldiers might depart with Horse and Armour they yeelded up the Towne into the Kings hands This was done on the eighteenth of August and the Earle of Shrewsbury entred the Towne the same night and set up the Banner of Saint George in the highest place of it in signe of victory and swore all the Townsmen to be true subjects to the King of England The four and twenâ—eth of August the King himselfe entred the Towne and dined in the Bishops Palace where it was resolved that the Walls and Fortifications of Terwyn should be raced and the Towne burnt all but the Cathedrall Church and the Pallace all the Ordnance was sent to Ayre to be kept there to the Kings use After this it was concluded that the King should lay siege to the City of Tourney whereupon he set forward in three battells the Eeale of Shrewsbury led the Vangard the King and the Emperour the Battaile and the Lord Chamberlaine the Reâ—eward In this order the Kings Army marched forwards towards Tourney by the way he went and visited the yong Prince of Castile and the Lady Margaret Governesse of the Prince in the Towne of Lisle where with all Magâ—ificence or rather indeed Reverence he was entertained and after he had staied there three dayes he took his leave and being gone a mile and somewhat more out of the towne he asked where his Campe lay and no man there could tell the way and guide they had none the night was so darke and mystie by chance at last they met with a victualler comming from the Camp who was their guide and conducted them to it By which we may see to what distresse a great Prince may be brought by a little over-sight On the one and twentieth day of September the King removed his Campe towards Tourney and being come within three miles of the towne he sent Garter king of Armes to summon the towne but they though they had but few men of warre amongst them yet stood upon their guard whereupon the King begin it on all sides and made such firce batteries upon it that though it were written on the gates of the towne graven in stone Iamais tu ne as perdu ton Pucellege thou hast never lost thy Maidenhead yet now they were glad to loose it and in conclusion they sent a trumpet to require a Parley and then sued for mercy and yeelded it up and paid ten thousand pounds sterling besides for redemption of their liberties and then Master Thomas VVoolsey the Kings Almoner calling before him all the Citizens yong and old swore them to the King of England the number of whom was fourescore thousand This done the King entred into Tourney and calling into his presence Edward Guildford VVilliam Fitzwilliams Iohn Dansie VVilliam Tyler Iohn Sharpe VVilliam Hussey Iohn Savage Christopher Garnysh and some other valiant Gentlemen he gave to them the order of knighthood and then remembring the great entertainment the Prince of Castile and the Lady Margaret had given him at Lisle he would not be behinde them in such courtesie and thereupon inâ—ited them solemnly to his citie of Tourney whom at their coming he brought into the towne in great
Margaret Dutchesse of Savoy aunt to the Emperour and the Lady Loyis Dutchesse of Angoulesme Mother to the French King met at Cambray to treat of a Peace between the Emperor the Pope and the Kings of England and France where were present Doctor Tunstall Bishop of London and Sir Thomas Moore then Chancelour of the Dutchie of Lancaster Commissioners for the King of England after long debating through the diligence of the said Ladies a Peace was concluded and was thereof called The Womans Peace and was indeed as fickle as women for it was soone broken and neither of the Princes trusted the other ere the more for it King Henry before this time had beene wholly ruled by the Cardinall and by the Clergie but now growing sensible of that errour he called his high Courâ— of Parliament in which the Commons complained sharply of their grievances against the Clergie specially in six things The first for that they exacted unreasonable summes of money as due fees for the probate of mens last Wils and Testaments in so much that Sir Henry Guildford Knight of the Garter and Comptroller of the Kings House declared openly that he and others being Executers to Sir William Compton payed for the proâ—ate of his Will to the Cardinall and the Archbishop of Canterbury a thousand markes The second the extreame exaction which spirituall men used in taking of corps or mortuaries The third that spirituall men became Farmours of great Granges and Farmes to the prejudice of Husbandmen and Graziers The fourth because many Abbots Pryors and other spirituall men kept Tan-houses and bought and sold wooll cloath and other wares as temporall Merchants The fifth because such Clergy men as had the best livings would take the uttermost of their right and yet live in the Court or in Noble mens or Bishops houses where they spent nothing The sixth because diverse ignorant men amongst them held ten or twelve Benifices to themselves severally and yet lived not upon any one of them but kept great schollers at small pension These things before this time might not be touched because the Bishops were Chancelours and had all the rule about the King but now the King looking better into â—he matter gave way to these complaints whereupon the Burgesses drew up three Bils one of the probate of Testaments another for Mortuaries and the third for Non-residence pluralities and taking of farmes by spirituall men The bill of Mortuaries passed first the House of Commons and was sent up to the Lords within two dayes after was sent up the Bill of probate of Testaments at which the Archbishop of Canterbury and aâ—l the Bishops much frowned but specially Iohn Fisher Bishop of Rochester who rose up and said my Lords you see what Bills come dayly from the Common House and all is to the destruction of the Church for Gods sake consider what a realme Bohemia was and when the Church went downe then fell the glory of that Kingdome Now with our Commons is nothing but downe with the Church and all this mee seemeth is for lacke of faith onely When these words were reported to the House of Commons they tooke the matter very hainously and thereupon sent their spâ—aker Thomas Audeley with thirty of the House to the King complayning what a dishonour to the King and to the whole Realme it was to say that they which were elected for the wisest men of all Shires should be charged to lack faith which was all one as to say they were Infidels and no Chrystians so as what Acts or Laws soever they made should be taken as Laws made by Paynims and Heathen and not worthy to be kept by Christian men And therfore humbly besought his Majesty to call the said Bishop of Rochester before him to give accompt of the words he had spoken Wherupon within few daies after the King sent for the Bishop and acquainted him with the Commons complaint against him who excused himselfe by saying he meant the doings of the Bohemians was for lack of faith and not the doings of the House of Commons of which excuse the King sent word to the House by Sir William Fitz-Williams Treasurer of his houshold but it pleased the Commons nothing at all After divers meetings between the Lords and the Commons about the Bils of probate of Testaments and Mortuaries the temporalty laid to the spiritualty their owne lawes and constitutions and the spiritualty defended them by prescription and usage to whom a Gentleman of Grays-Inne made this answer the usage hath ever been of theeves to robbe on shooters hill is it therefore lawfull whilst these Bils were in debate an Act was passed which released to the King all such summes of money as he had borrowed at the Loane in the fifteenth yeere of his Reigne which Bill at first was much opposed but the most part of the House being the Kings servants it was at last assented to which once knowne in the Country abroad made much murmering and the Parliament to be ill spoken of for every man counted it as a sure debt so as some made their Wils of the money and some turned it over in satisfaction to their creditours To qualifie which grievance the King granted a generall pardon for all offences certaine excepted and was a meanes also to have the three Bils passed one for probate of Testaments another for Mortuaries and the third against plurality of Benefices Non-residence buying and taking of farmes by spiritual persons though this last with some qualifying During this Parliament the King created Viscount Rochford Earl of VViltshire the Vicount Fitz-VVater Earle of Sussex and the Lord Hastings Earl of Huntington By this time the Lords of the upper House had drawne certaine Articles against the Cardinall and sent them downe to the House of Commons the chiefe wherof were these First that without the Kings assent he hath procured himselfe to be made a Legat by reason whereof he tooke away the right of all Bishops and spirituall persons Secondly that in all his writings which he wrote to Rome or to any foraign Prince he wrote Ego et Rex meus I and my King so preferring himselfe before the King Thirdly that without the Kings assent hee carried the great Seale of England with him into Flanders Fourthly that having the French-pox he presumed to come and breath upon the King Fifthly that he caused the Cardinals-hat to be put upon the Kings Coyne Sixthly that he would not suffer the Kings Clerke of the Market to sit at Saint Albanes Seventhly that he had sent infinite store of treasure to Rome for purchasing of his dignity These Articles were read in the House and if not otherwise proved yet confessed afterward under the Cardinals owne hand which added to the former Praemunire all his Lands and goods were seized on to the Kings use This Parliament being ended the King removed to Greenwich and there kept his Christmas with his Queene Katherine in great state for though this
matter of making void the marriage between them was hotly pursued by the King yet abstaining onely from her bed he conversed with her still and they kept Court together in as loving manner as they had done before And now King Henry understanding that the Pope and the Emperour was to meet at Bologna he sent Embassadours thither the Earle of Wiltshire Doctor Stokesley Elect of London and Doctor Lee to declare both to the Pope and to the Emperour the opinions of divers learned men in the matter of his Marriage who all agreed that it was against the Law of God and thereupon requiring the Pope to doe him Justice and shewing to the Emperour that the King moved this matter for discharge of his Conscience onely and to no other end To which the Pope answered that when he came to Rome he would heare the matter disputed and doe the King right The Emperour answered that he would in no case be against the Law of God and if this marriage were Judged such by the Court of Rome he would rest contented with these Answers the Embassadours returned It was now the two and twentieth yeere of King Henries reigne when the Emperour gave to the Master of Saint Iohns of Hierusalem the Island of Maltas in supplying of the Island of Rodes which the Turke sometime before had won from that Order In this yeere the New Testament having beene Translated into English by Tindall Ioy and others was forbidden to be read and many for reading it were sharply punished by command of the Bishops and Sir Thomas Moore then Lord Chancellour but none was more violent in the matter then the Bishop of London who caused all the Bookes to be brought into Pauls Church-yard and there burned King Henry having heard by good information that when Campeius was sent Legat into England he had brought with him a Bull of Diâ—orce but was afterward upon change of the Popes mind commanded to burne it saw plainly by this that the Pope had no meaning of proceeding really in the matter but to keepe it a foot for his owne ends neither to displease the Empour by granting it nor King Henry by not granting it but promising expedition to keepe him in expectance yet using delayes to keepe him in dependance and therefore resolved now to take such a course that he should not need to care whether the Pope granted it or no and thereupon caused a Proclamation to be published that no person of what estate or condition soever should Purchase or attempt to purchase from the Court of Rome any thing prejudiciall to the Jurisdiction or Prerogative of this his Realme upon paine of imprisonment and other punishments at his Graces pleasure and shortly after an Act was made that Bishops should pay no more Annats or money for Buls to the Pope for as much as it was proved there had been paid for Bulls of Bishops since the fourth yeere of King Henry the seventh an hundred and threescore thousand pounds besides what had been paid for Pardons and other dispensations Another Act was then also made that no person should appeale for any cause out of this Realme to the Court of Rome but from the Commissary to the Bishop and from the Bishop to the Archbishop and from the Archbishop to the King and all Causes of the King to be tried in the upper House of the Convocation At this time the Cardinall lying still at Asher and his Adversaries doubting lâ—ast lying so neare the King he might one time or other get accesse to the Kings presence and come againe into favour they using meanes to have him sent further off and thereupon the King appointed him to goe to his Diocesse of Yorke and not to come Southward without speciall licence whereupon in Lent he made great preparation for his journey and having in his train to the number of an hundred and threescore persons by easie journeyes came to Peterborrow and there kept his Easter the weeke after he went to Stamford then to Newark and so to Southwell where he continued most part of all that summer and then rode to Seroby where he staid till Michaelmas and then came to Cawood Castle within seaven miles of Yorke where he kept a plentifull house for al commers and repaired the Castle being greatly in decay having above three hundred Artificers in daily wages At last he determined to be installed at Yorke the next Munday after Alhallan-day against which time great preparation was made and the Cardinall sent to the King to lend him the Miter and Pall which he used to wear at any great solemnity At which pâ—esumption the King marvailed not a little saying to those that were about him what a thing is this that pride should thus reigne in a man that is quite under foot but before the day of Instalment came he was arrested in this manner Sir Walter Walsh one of the Kings Privy-chamber was sent downe to the Earlâ— of Northumberland with whom he was joyned in Commission to arrest the Cardinall whereupon they goe together to Cawood where the Cardinall lay and being entred into the house it was told the Cardinall that the Earle of Northumberland was come and in the Hall then quoth the Cardinall I am sorry wee have dined for I doubt our Officers are not provided of any good cheere With that he went and brought the Earle up welcomming him in a complementall manner as if he had come but onely to visit him but being come into the Chamber the Earle with a soft voyce laying his hand upon the Cardinals arme said My Lord I arrest you of high treason the Cardinall somewhat astonied asked to see his Commission which the Earle denying to shew then saith the Cardinall I will not obey your arrest at that instant Master Walsh came in and kneeled downe to the Cardinall who asked him if he were joyned in Commission with the Earle who answered he wasâ— well then said the Cardinall I trow you are one of the Kings Privie Chamber your name is Walsh I am content to yeeld to you but not to my Lord of Northumberland unlesse I see his Commission the meanest of the Kings Privie-chamber is sufficient to arrest the greatest Peere of the Realme by the Kings commandement without any Commission Then the Earle took the Cardinals keyes from him and put him in custody of his Gentlemen some few dayes after he was conveyed from Cawood to Pomfret and after to Sheffield Parke where he had kinde entertainment and staid with the Earle of Shrewsbury and his Lady eighteene dayes till at last sitting one day at dinner his colour was observed to change and being asked how he did not well saith he I have something suddenly at my stomacke as cold as a whetstone which I know is winde I desire to have something from the Apothecary to breake winde which was brought and the Earle seeing the say taken he tooke it and thereupon broke winde indeed but whether it were he
execution upon a statute of the Sâ—aple and for so much as the said Cook during all the Parliament served the Speâ—ker in tâ—at office he was taken out of execution by priviledge of Parliament the Prerogative of which Court as our learned Counsaile informeth us is so great that all Acts and processes comming ouâ— of any other Court must for the time ceâ—se and give place to it and touching the party himselfe though for his presumption he was worthy to have lost his debt yet I commend your Equity that have restored him to hiâ— debt against him that was the principall when the King had said this Sir Edward Mountacute Lord chiefe Justice rose up and confirmed by many reasons all that the King had said as likwise did all the other Lordâ— none speaking any thing to the contrary It was now the foure and thirtieth yeere of King Henries Reigne when in May he took a loane of money of all such as were valued at fifty pounds and upwardâ— in the Subsidy book the Lord Privy-seale the Bishop of VVinchester Sir Iohn Baker and Sir Thomas Wriothsley were commissioners that the loane in London who so handled the matter that of some chief Citizens they obtained a thousand maâ—kes in prest to the Kings use for which Privie Seales were delivered to repay it againe within two yeeres At this time were many complaints made by the â—â—gliâ—h against the Scots partly for receiving and maintaining diverse English Rebâ—ls 〈◊〉 into Scotland and partly for invading â—he Engliâ—h Borders but still wâ—en the King of Englanâ— was preparing to oppose them the Scottish King would send Embassadours to treâ—t of reconcilement till at last â—fter mâ—nâ— delusory prankes of the Scots the King of England no longer â—nduriâ—g such abuses sent the Duke of Norfolke his Leivtenaâ—â— Generall accompanied with the Earls of Shrewsbury Darby Cumberland Surrey Hartâ—oâ—d Aâ—â—us Rutland the Lords of the North parts Sir Anthony Browne Master of the Kings horse and Sir Iohn Gage Controller of the Kingâ— House with others to the number of twenty thousand men who on the one and twentieth of Ocâ—ober entred Scotland where staying but eigâ—t dayeâ— onely he burnt above eighteen Towneâ— Abbeys and Castles and then without â—aving batâ—aile offered for want of victuals returned to Barwick â—â— soon as â—e was returned comes abroâ—d the King of Scots raiseth a power of fifteen thousâ—nd men and using great threatnings what he would doe invaded the west Borders but the edge of his threatning was soon taken off for the bastard Daâ—â—es with Iack of Musgrave setting upon them with onely an hundred Lightâ—horse and Sir Thomas Wharton with three hundred put them to flight upon a conceiâ— thâ—â— the Duke of Norfolke with all his Army had beene come iâ—to those partâ— where were taken prisonerâ— of the Scots the Earl of Cassill and Glencâ—â—ne the Lord Maxwell Admirâ—ll of Scotland the Lord Flemming the Lord Soâ—erwell the Lord Oliâ—haâ—t the Lord Gray Sir Oliver Sincleeâ—e the Kings Minion Iohn Rosse Lord of Gragy Robert Erskin sonne to the Lord Erskin Car Lord of Gredon the Lord Maxwells two Brothers Iohn Lesloy bastard sonne to the Earl of Rothus George Hame Lord of Hemetton with divers other men of account to the number of above two hundred and more then eight hundred of meaner calling so as some one English mâ—n and some women also had three or foure prisonerâ— in their hands at which overâ—hrow the King of Scots took such grief that he fell into a burning Ague and thereof died leaving behind him one onely daughter and heere King Henry began to apprehend a greater matter then the victory for he and his Counsâ—ile conceived that â—hiâ— daughter would be a fit match for his sonne Prince Edward thereby to make â— perpetuall union of the two Kingdomes and to â—his purpose they conferâ—ed with the Lord whom they had taken prisoners who exceeding glad of the proposition and promising to further it by all the possible meane they could were â—hereupon sâ—t at liberty and suffered â—o return home Comming into Scotland 〈◊〉 acquainting the Earl of Arraine wiâ—h the motion who was chosen Goverâ—our of the young Queen and of the Realme tâ—e matter with great liking was entertained and in Parliament of the three estâ—tes in Scotland the marriage was confirmeâ— and â— peace between the two Reâ—lms for ten yeerâ— waâ— proclaimed and Embassâ—dours sent into England for sealing the conditions But Beton Archbishop of Sâ—int Andrews being Cardinall and at the Popes devotion and therefore an utter enemy to King Henry so crossed the businesse that it came to nothing but ended in a war between the two Kingdomes so as in March the yeere following the Lord Seymour Earle of Hartford with an Army by Land and Sir Iohn Dudley Lord Lisle with a Fleeâ—e by Sea meâ— at New-castle and there joyned together for invading of Scotland with the Earl of Hartford were the Earl of Shrewsbury the Lords Cobham Clinton Conyers Stinton the Lord William Howard with Knights and others to the number of ten thousand with Sir Iohn Dudley the Admirall were two huâ—dred sâ—ile of ships on the fourth of May the whole Army was landed two miles from the Towne of Lieth at a place called Granther Crag and there the Lord Lievtennant puting his men in order maâ—ched toward the Towne of Lieth the Lord Admirall led the foreward the Lievtennant the Battell and the Earl of Shrewsbury the Rearward Before they came to the Towne of Lieth the Cardinal with six hundred â—orse besides foot lay in the way to impeach their passage but they were so assailed by the Harquâ—butars that they were glad to flye and the first man that fled was the Cardinal himself and then the Earls of Huntley Murrey Bothwel hereupon the English made forward to Lieth and entred it without any great resistance the sixth of May they marched towards Edenbrough and as they approached the Towne the provost with some of the Burgers came and offered the keyes of the Towen to the Lord Lievtennant upon condition they might depart with bag and baggage and the Towne to be preserved from fire but the Lord Livetennant told them their falshood had been such as deserved â—o faâ—our and therefore unlesse they would deliver the Towne absolutely without any condition he would proâ—eed in his enterprise and burne the Towne Here wee may see what it is to make men desperate for to this the Provest answered they were better then to stand upon defence and so indeed they did and made the English glad to retire for the Castle shot so fiercely upon them that having burnt onely a part of the Towne they returned to Lieth but whilst they lay there they so wasted the Country that within seaven mileâ— every way of Edenbrough there was not a Towne nor Village nor house tâ—at was left unburnt at Lieth the eleveth day of May the Lord Generall made Knights the Lord Clinton the Lord Conyers Sir William Wroughton Sir Thomas
at Hampton Court created Earl of Essex Sir William Parre knight unckle to them both was made Lord Parre of Horton and Lord Chamberlin to the Queen and on New-yeers-day Sir Thomas Wriothsley the Kings Secretary was made Lord Wriothsley of Tichfield In Iune this yeer Matthew Earl of Lenox fled out of Scotland and came into England whom King Henry received kindly and gave him in marriage the Lady Margaret his Sisters daughter by whom he had Henry Father of our late King Iames of blessed memory Thomas Audley Lord Chancellour being lately dead Thomas Lord Wriothsley succeeded him in the place and now was an Army levied to goe for France the Duke of Norfolke and the Lord Privie Seal accompanied with the Earl of Surrey the Dukes Son the Lord Gray of Wilton the Lord Ferrers of Câ—artley and his Son Sir Robert Devereux Sir Thomas Chainey Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports the Lord Montjoy Sir Francis Byran Sir Thomas Poynings Captaine of Guysnes with many other Knights and Gentlemen about Whitsontide passed over to Callice and marching toward Muttrel joyned with the Emperours forces under the leading of the Count de Buren which two Armies laid siedge to Muttrel wherof Monsseur de Bies one of the Martials of France was Captaine but being then at Bulloign and hearing of the siedg of Muttrel he left Bulloigne and with his forces came thither which was the thing that was desired to draw him from Bnlloign and thereupon was the Duke of Suffolke appointed to passe over with the Kings army accompanied with the Earl of Arundell Marshall of the Field the Lord St. Iohn the Bishop of Winchester Sir Iohn Gage Controlor of the Kings house Sir Anthony Browne Master of the Kings horse with divers others who the ninteenth of Iuly came and incamped before Bulloigne the four and twentieth of Iuly the King in person accompanied with divers of the Nobility came to Callice and the six and twentieth incamped before Bulloign on the north side many batteries and assaults were made so long till at last the Town upon composition yeelded and the Duke of Suffolke entred and tooke possession suffring six thousand French as was agreed with bag and baggage to depart The eight of September King Henry entred the town himselfe and then leaving the Lord Lisle Lord Admirall his Deputy there he returned into England landing at Dover the first of Oâ—tober Many enterprises after this were made by the Dolphin of France and by Monsieur de Bies for recovery of Bulloigne but they were still repulsed and the English kept the towne in spight of all they could doe although at one time there came an Army of eighteene thousand foot at another time an Army wherein were reckoned twelve thousand Lance-knights twelve thousand French foot-men sixe thousand Italians foure thousand of Legionarie souldiers of France a thousand men of Armes besides eight thousand light Horse great Forces certainly to come and doe nothing Whilst these things were doing about Bulloign the ships of the west Country and other places waâ—ted abroad on the Seas and took above three hundred French ships so that the Gray-friers Church in London was laid full of wine the Austin-friers and Black-friers full of herrings and other fish which should have bin convayed in France About this time the King demanded a Benevolence of his Subjects towards his wars in France and Scotland to which purpose the Lord Chancelour the Duke of Suffolke and other of the Kings Counsaile sate at Baynards Castle where they first caled before them the Major and Aldermen and because Richard Read Alderman would not agree to pay as they set him he was commanded to serve the King in his wars in Scotland which the obstinate man rather choose to doe then he would pay the rate he was required but being there he was taken prisoner by the Scots to his far greater damage then if he had agreed to the Benevolence required For at this time Sir Ralph Evers Lord Warden of the Marches after many fortunate Roades into Scotland assembled four thousand men and entring Scotland now againe was encountred by the Earl of Arraigne by whom he and the Lord Oagle and many other Gentlemen were slaine and diverse were taken prisoners of whom Alderman Read was one It was now the seaven and thirtieth yeer of King Henries Reigne when on Saint Georges day Sir Thâ—mas Wriothsley Lord-Chancelour was made Knight of the Garter also Trinity Tearme was adjourned by reason of the warres but the Exchequer and the Court of the Teâ—thes were open At this time the English fleet went before New-haven but being there encountred by a farre greater fleet of French they retâ—rned with whose retreate the French Admirall emboldned came upon the Coast of Sussex where hee landed Souldiers but upon firing of the Beacons was driven back after which he landed two thousand men in the Isle of Wight but was there repelled though reported to have in his ships threescore thousand men In Angust this yeer died the valiant Captaine the Lord Poynings the Kings Lievtenant of his Towne of Bulloigne and the same month also died at Guildford the noble Duke of Suffolke Charles Brandon Lord great Master of the Kings House whose Body was honourably buried at Windsore at the Kings cost About this time the Scots having received aide out of France approached the English Borders but durst attempt nothing whereupon the Earle of Hertford Lievtenant of the North parts raising an army of twelve thovsand men English and strangers entred Scotland and burnt a great part of Mers and Tividale as Kelsay Abbey and the Towne the Abbeys of Medrosse Driborne and Yedworth with a hundred Townes and Villages more when on the sixteenth of September an Army of Scots and French attempted to enter into England on the East borders but in a streight were set upon by the English who slew and tooke of them to the number of seven score amongst whom was the Lord Humes sonne and a principall French Captaine in another roade which they made into the West Borders the Lord Maxwels sonne and diverse other were taken but then at another time such is the chance of war five hundred English entring the West Borders of Scotland were discomfited and the greatest part of them either taken or slaine And now to revenge the presumptious attempts of the French upon the Isle of Wight the Lord Admiral with his fleet approached the Coasts of Normandy landed six thousand men at Treport burnt the Suburbs of that Towne with the Abbey destoryed thirty ships there in the Haven and then returned not having lost above fourteen persons in the whole voyage At this time the Earle of Hartford lying at Bulloigne had in his Army above fourscore thousand men and many skirmishes passed between him and the French till at last by mediation of the Emperour and diverse other Princes a meeting was appointed to treat of a peace between the two Kings of England and France hereupon there
came to Guisnes for the King of England the Earl of Hertford the Bishop of Winchester Sir Iohn Dudley Viscount Lisle Baron of Mawpas and high Admirall of England Sir William Paget the Kings Secretary Doctor Nicholas Wootton Dean of Canterbury For the French King there came to Ard Claude Danebolt Admirall of France the Bishop of Eureux Monsieur Reymond chiefe President of Roan and the Secretary Bouchetell Diverse times they met betwixt Ard and Guisnes and after long debating of matters and diverse breakings offâ— at length the seventh of Iune a Peace was concluded and proclaimed in the City of London on Whitsunday the thirteenth of Iune by sound of trumpet and the same day in like manner at Paris and Roan the chiefe Article of which Peace was this that the French King paying to the King of England eight hundred thousand Crownes within the terme of eight yeeres should have Bulloigne againe restored to him which in the mean time should remain in possession of the King of England as a pledge for assurance of the said money and now for a full establishment of this Peace the Viscount Lisle Lord Admirall with the Bishop of Duresme and divers other Lords were sent into France to take oath of the French King and of the Dolphin as likewise at the same time divers Lords came from the French King to take oath of King Henry who by the way were met by the yong Prince and many Lords and conducted to the King at Hampton-Court In his seven and thirtieth yeere the three and twentieth of November a Parliament began at VVestminsâ—er wherein was granted to the King a Subsidie both of Spiritualty and Temporalty and all Colledges Chanteries and Hospitalls were given to him to dispose of the foure and twentieth of December the Parliament was prorogued on which day the King comming to the Parliament House the Speaker made to him an Oration which the Lord Chancelour was used to answere but at this time the King would answer himselfe the effect whereof was that where Master Speaker had commended him for many excellent qualities that were in him he thanked him for it not that he had them but for putting him in mind how necessary it was he should have them then he thanked the whole House for their Subsidie and for giving him the Colleges and Chanteries which hee promised to see bestowed to the glory of God and good of the Realme lastly he ackowledged their love to himselfe but found fault with want of love to one another for what love where there is not concord and what concord when one calleth another Heretick and Anabaptist and he againe calleth him Papist and Hipocrite and this not onely amongst those of the Temporalty but even the Clergy men themselves preach one against another inveigh one against another without Charity or Discretion some be so stiffe in their old mumpsimus and others so curious in their new sumpsimus that few or none Preacheth truly and sincerely the word of God now therfore let this be amended feare and serve God be in Charity amongst your selves to the which I as your supream Head and Soveraigne Lord exhort and require you and this said the Acts were openly read to some he gave his Royall assent and to diverse assented not Whilst oath for the peace was thus taken by both Kings Bulloigne remaining still in King Henries possession Monsieur de Chatillon Captain of Mont-pleasier began to make a new Bastillion at the very mouth of the Haven of Bulloigne naming it Chatillous Garden hereof the Lord Gray of VVilton as then Deputy of Bulloigne advertised the King by Sir Thomas Palmour requiring to know his pleasure whither he should race it as a thing very incommodious to the Town or let it stand the King asked advice of his Counsail who all agreed that the conditions of the peace ought in no wise to be infringed and therefore to let the Bastillian stand whereupon the King caused his Secretary the Lord Paget to write a letter to the Lord Gray to that purpose but then called Sir Thomas Palmour secretly to him bidding him tell the Lord Gray that whatsoever he had written in his letter yet with all speed possible he should race the fortification to the ground Sir Thomas Palmour replying that a message by word of mouth being contrary to his leter would never be beleeved wel said the King do you tell him as I bid you and leave the doing it to his choice upon the comming back of Sir Thomas Palmour the Lord Gray called a counsaile shewing them thâ— Kingâ— letter and withall Sir Thomas Palmours message and then asked their Advise what in this case he should doe who all agreed without any question that the letter was to be followed and not the message to which the Lord Gray himselfe said nothing but caused the message to be wtitten verbatim from Sir Thomas Palmours mouth and those of the Counsaile to set their hands to it this done the night following he issued forth with a company of Armed men and Pioners aud overthrew the fortification to the ground aâ—d then sent Sir Thomas Palmour with letters to the King who as soon as he saw him asked aloud what will he doe it or no Sir Thomas Palmour delivering his letter said your Majesty shall know by these but then the King halfe angry nay tell me saith he wil he doe it or no being then told it was done and the fortification clean raced he turned to his Lords and said what say you my Lords to this Chatillous Garden is raced to the â—loore whereto one presently answered that he that had done it was worthy to loose his head to which the King streightlâ— replyed that he would rather lose a dozen such heads as his was that so Jâ—dged then one such servants as had done it and therewith commanded the Lord Grays pardon should presently be drawn the which he sent vvith letters of great thanks and promise of reward the cause why the King took this course was this lest if he written the racing of the Fortification in his letter it might have come tâ— the French-mens knowledge before it could have been done and so have been prevented and by this may be taken a scantling of King Henries great Capacitie It is now the eight and thirtieth yeere of his reigne when about Michaelmas Thomas Duke of Norfolke and Henry Earle of Surrey his Sonne and heire upon certaine surmises of treason were committed to the Tower of London and the thirteenth of Ianuary the King then lying at the point of death the said Earle was arraigned in the Guild-hall before the Lord Major the Lord Chauncellour and other Lords there in Commission the speciall matter wherewith he was charged was the bearing of certaine Armes that were said to belong to the King and to the Prince though the Earle justified the bearing of them as belonging to divers of his Ancestours affirming withall that he had the opinion
Daughters which he had by Frances Daughter of Charles Brandon and Mary Queene of France were married at Durham-House the eldest Iane to the Lord Dudleyâ— fourth Soone of the Duke of Northumberland the second Katherine to Henry Sonne and heire to the Earle of Pembrooke the yoâ—gest Mary being somwhat deformed to Martyn Keyes the Kings Gentleman-Porter And then also Katherine the Duke of Northumberlands yongest daughter to the Lord Hastings eldest sonne of the Earle of Huntington And now had the Duke of Northumberland gone a great way in his design it remained to perswade King Edward to exclude his two sisters from succession in the Crowne for that doâ—e his daughter in law the Lady Ianâ— would come to have a right for as for pretenders out of Scotland or any other he made no great matter And now to worke the King to this perswasion being in a languishing sicknesse not farre from death he inculcates to him how much it concerned him to have a care of Religion that it might be preserved in purity not onely in his owne life but as well after his death which would not be if his sister the Lady Mary should succeed and she could not be put by unlesse her other sister the Lady Elizabeth were put by also seeing their rights depended one upon another but if he pleased to appoint the Lady Iane the Duke of Suffolkes eldest daughter and his owne next kinswoman to his Sisters to be his successour he might then be sure that the true Religion should be maintained to Gods great glory and be a worthy Act of his owne religious Providence This was to strike upon the right string of the yong Kings affection with whom nothing was so deere as preservation of Religion and thereupon his last Will was appointed to be drawne contrived chiefly by the Lord chiefe Justice Montague and Secretary Cecill by which Will as farre as in him lay he excluded his two sisters from the succession and all other but the Duke of Suffolkes daughters and then causing it to be read before his Councell he required them all to assent unto it and to subscribe their hands which they all both Nobility and Bishops and Judges did onely the Archbishop Cranmer refused at first Sir Iames Hales a Judge of the Common-Pleas to the last and with him also Sir Iohn Baker Chancellour of the Exchequer And now remained nothing for the Duke of Northumberlands purpose but that the King should dye which soone after he did at Greenwich the sixth of Iuly in the yeere 1553. One point of the Dukes policie must not be forgotten that fearing what troubles the Lady Mary might raise after the Kings decease if she should be at liberty he therefore seeing the King drawing on used all meanes possible to get her within his power to which end Letters are directed to her in the Kings name from the Councell willing her forthwith to repaire to the King as well to be a comfort to him in his sicknesse as to see all matters well ordered about his person whereupon the Lady suspecting nothing addressed her selfe with all speed to the journey till being upon the way she was advertised of the Dukes designe and then she returned to her House at Hoveden and so escaped the snare by whose escape the whole designe of the Duke of Northumberland was disappointed as soone after will be seene Of his Taxations IN no Kings reigne was ever more Parliaments for the time nor fewer Subsidies the greatest was in his last yeere when yet there was but one Subsidie with two fifteenes and tenths granted by the Temporalty and a Subside by the Clergie And indeed to shew how loath this King was to lay Impositions upon his people this may be a sufficient argument that though he were much in debt yet he chose rather to deale with the Foulker in the Low-Countries for money upon loane at the interest of fourteene pounds for a hundred for a yeere But his wayes for raising of money was by selling of Chantrie Lands and Houses given him by Parliament and by inquiring after all Church-goods either remaining in Cathedrall and Parish-Churches or embezeled away as Jewels gold and silver Chalices ready money Copes and other Vestments reserving to every Church one Challice and one covering for the Communion-Table the rest to be applied to his benefit He also raised money by enquiring after offences of Officers in great places in which inquirie one Beamont Master of the Rolles being convinced of many crimes surrendred all his Offices Lands and Goods into the Kings hands also one Whalley Receiver of Yorkeshire being found a delinquent surrendred his Office and payed a great fine besides also the Lord Paget Chancellour of the Dutchie convinced that he had sold the Kings Lands and Timber-woods without Commission and had applied the Kings Fines to his owne use for these and other offences surrendred his Office and was fined at foure thousand pounds which he payed in hand One thing more was done in his time for raising of money twenty thousand pounds weight of Bullion was appointed to be made so much baser that the King might gaine thereby a hundred and forty thousand pounds Of his Lawes and Ordinances IN his third yeere a Parliament was holden wherein one Act was made against spreading of Prophesies another against unlawfull Assemblies In his fourth yeere a Parliament was holden wherein Priests children were made legitimate and usury for the loane of money was forbidden In his fifth yeer it was ordained that the Lawes of England should be administred in Ireland and a king at Armes named Vlster was newly instituted for Ireland whose Province was all Ireland and he was the first fourth king of Armes and first Herauld appointed for Ireland Also in his fifth yeere base monies formerly coyned were cried downe so as the shilling went but for nine pence and shortly after but for six pence the gâ—oat but for three pence and shortly after but for two pence Affaires of the Church in his time IN the first yeeâ—e of this Kings reigne Injunctions were set forth for pulling downe aâ—d removing all Images out of Churches also certaine Homilies were appointed to be made by learned men to be read in Churches for the peoples instruction and at Easter this yeer it was ordered that the Sacrament of the Lords Supper should be ministred to the Lay-people in both kindes also Marriage was allowed to Clergie men Auricular Confession and prayer for the dead were forbidden and it is observable that the very same day that Images were pulled downe at London the great overthrow was given to the Scots at Muâ—kleborough Also at this time by the Archbishop Cranmers means divers learned Protestants came over into England and had here enteâ—tainment as Peter Martyr Martin Bucer and Paulus Fagius of whom Peter Martyr was sent to read a Divinity Lecture in Oxford Bucer and Fagius in Cambridge In this Kings foutth yeer all Altars in Churches were commaâ—ded to be
in the time of King Edward had refused to signe a writing for disinheriting the Lady Mary and the Lady Elizabeth a fact worthy at least of a kinde remembrance from the Lady Mary now Queene yet now for that at a quarter Sessions in Kent he gave charge upon the statutes of King Henry the eight and King Edward the sixth in derogation of the Primacy of the Church of Rome he was first committed to the Kings Bench then to the Counter and lastly to the Fleet where he grew so troubled in minde that he attempted with a Pen-knife to kill himselfe and being afterward recovered of that hurt and brought to the Queenes presence who gave him very comfortable words yet could never come to be quiet in his minde but in the end drowned himselfe in a River not halfe a mile from his house the River being so shallow that he was faine to lye groveling before he could dispatch himâ—elfe of life And now another sprinkling of mercy came from the Queene for the Marquesse of Northampton and Sir Henry Gates lately before condemned to dye were now pardoned and set at liberty The Lady Iane also was allowed the liberty of the Tower not without hope of life and liberty altogether if her father the Duke of Suffolke had not the second time been cause of her destruction About this time also a Synod was assembled for consulting about matters of Religion and the point specially of the reall presence in the Sacrament The Prolocutour was Doctor VVeston and of the Protestant side were Iohn Almer and Richard Cheyney both Bishops afterward in Queene Elizabeths time also Iohn Philpoâ— afterward burnt Iames Haddon and others After long disputation where reasons were not so much weighed as voyces numbred the Papall side as having most voyces carried it and thereupon was that Religion againe restored and the Masse commanded in all Churches to be celebrated after the ancient manner It was now the yeer 1553. when Queene Mary was come to the age of seven and thirty yeers and therefore high time now to thinke of marriage at least if she meant to have issue of her body but a hard maâ—ter it was to finde a husband in all points â—itting for her yet three at this time in common fame at least were taken into consideration one was the Lord Courtney Mâ—rquesse of Exceter a goodly Gentleman and of Royall blood but there was exception against him because inclining as was thought to Lutheranisme another was Cardinal â—oole of a dignity not much inferiour to Kings and by his Mother descended from Kings but there was exception against him also because foure and fifty yeers old as old a Batchelour as Queen Mary was a maid and so the lesse hope of issue betweene them but the third if he might be had was without exception and this was Phillip Prince of Spaine the Emperour Charles his eldest sonne with whom being a Spaniard she was the fitter matched as being by the Mother a Spaniard her selfe And now very oppertunely came in the beginning of Ian. Embassadors into England about it amongst others the Couâ—â— of Egmond Admirall of the Lâ—w Countryes and Iohn of Memorancy Lord of Curryers whose message was so kindely entertained that the marriage in short time was absolutely concluded though it seemed something strange to many that she should now be wife to the sonne who thirty yeers before should have been wife to the father But so it is Queenes are never old so long as they are within yeers of bearing children And indeede the match was concluded with conditions of farre more advantage to Queeâ—e Mary then they were to King Phillip as on the fourteenth of Ianuary Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancelour of England openly in the Presence Chamber at Westminster declared to all the Lords and Gentlemen there present for it was agreed that after the marâ—iage King Phillip should have the Title of all the Queenes Dominions and be assumed into fellowship of the government but yet with reservation to the Queene of all Priviledges and Customes of the Kingdome and free disposition of all Offices and Honours as likewise the Queene should be assumed into the fellowship of all the Kings Dominions and surviving him should have a Joynture of two hundred thousand Pounds a yeer Then for the issue betweene them if she had a Sonne that he should inherit the Low Countryes and Burgundy and King Phillips sonne Charles which he had by a former wife should inherit all his Dominions in Italie and Spaine but if his sonne Charles should fail without issue then the sonne he should have by Queene Mary should inherit his Kingdomes of Italie and Spaine also And the like good provision was also made for daughters But notwithstanding these great â—dvantageâ— of the maâ—ch yet such was the precipitant rashnesse of some that thinking themselves wiser then the Queene and the Councel they sought by all meanes to oppose the match giving out that it â—ended to bring England under the yoke of Spaine and to make the Countrey a slave to strangers This was the generall murmuring of people but the first that shewed himselfe in Armes was Sir Thomas Wyat of Kent who having communicated the matter with the Duke of Suffolke the Lady Ianes father with Peter Caroe a Knight of Devonshire and divers others intended onely to make secret provision but not to stirre till Prince Phillip should be come that so their cause of taking armes might have the better colour On the fifteenth of Ianuary Robert Dudley sonne to the Duke of Northumberland was arraigned at the Guildhall of high Treason who confessed the indictment and had judgement given by the Earle of Sussex to be drawen hanged bowelled and quartered But now in counsels communicated to many it is a hard matter to have counsell kept and Sir Peter Caroe finding that their plot was discovered fled privily into France where lurking for a time he was afterward taken at Bruxells and brought captive into England as likewise at the same time and place Sir Iohn Cheeke King Edwards Schoolmaster was taken who being drawne by terrours to embrace the Papall Religion with very griefe afterward of his errour pined away and dyed Sir Peter Caroe lived many yeers afâ—er and dyed in Ireland though it be falsely recorded they were both burnt for Religion in Iune of this yeer Wyatt hearing of Sir Peter Caroes flight and that all their purpose was discovered was driven before his time to enter into armes giving out for the cause that it was not to attempt any thing against the Queene but onely to remove ill Councellours and chiefly to repell Prince Phillip least by this mariage the Kingdome should come in subjection to the Spaniard With Wyatt were joyned Sir Henry Isley Sir George Harper Anthony and William Knevet and divers other Gentlemen of the County against him were the Lord Abuegaveny Sir Thomas Cheyney Lord Warden of the Ports Sir Sobert Southwell Sheriffe of Kent Sir
spare her Father the Duke of Suffolkes life till his second offence gave her just provocation The goodnesse of her nature might be seene in the badnesse of her fortune who tooke nothing so much to heart as unkindnesse of friends the revolt of Callice and the absence of King Phillip being the two chiefe causes that brought her to her end Of her Death and Buriall THE conceit of her being with childe had kept Physitians to looke into the state of her body so as her distemper at first neglected brought her by degrees into a Dropsie to which was added a burning Feavour brought upon her by a double griefe one for the long absence of King Phillip who had now beene away a yeer and a halfe the other and perhaps the greater for the losse of Callice as she forbore not to say to some about her that if they looked into her Heart being dead they should finde Callice there She began to fall sicke in September and dyed at her Mannour of Saint Iames the seventeenth of Novembâ—r in the â—eer 1558. when she had reigned five yeers four moneths and eleven dayes Lived three and forty yeers Her Body was interred in a Chappell in the Minster of Saint Peters Church at Westminster without any Monument or other Remembrance Men of note in her time OF Men of Valour in her time there were many as may be seen in the Story of her Reâ—gne but to name some for example there was William Herbert Earle of Pembrooke the chiefe assistant of King Phillip in the winning of Saint Quintins there was William Lord Gray of VVilton Captain of Guysnes who though he yeelded the Town yet more out of tendernesse to his Souldiers then out of feare of his Enemies which he would never else have yeelded up and to speake of one of a meaner ranke there was Sir Anthony Ager who in defence of the Town of Callice lost his life but not till he made the Enemie turne their backes and flye Oâ— learned men also there were many as Iohn Rogers borne in Lancashire who Translated the Bible into English with Notes Richard Moryson Knight borne in Oxfordshire who wrote divers Treatises Robert Record a Doctor of Physicke who wrote a Booke of Arithmaticke Câ—â—bert Tunstall of a worshipfull Family in Lancashire though base borne whoâ—e Ancestours came into England with the Conquerour as his Barbour and â—herefore hath three Combs his Armes Bishop first of London and after of Dâ—â—ham who wrote divers learned Workes Richard Sampson Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield who wrote certaine Treaâ—â—ses Lucâ—s Shepheaâ—d borne aâ— Colechester in Essex an English Poet Iane Dudley daughter â—o Henry Gray Duke of Suffolke wrote divers excellent Treatises VVilliam Thomas a VVâ—lshman who wâ—ote the History of Italie and other things Iames Brookes and Iohn Standish both of them writers in defence of the Popes Doctrine VVilliam Peryn a black Fryer who wrote in defence of the Masse and also divers Sermons Henry Lord Stafford sonne to Edward Duke of Buckingham who amongst other things which he wrote Translated a Booke out of Latine into English intituled Differentiaâ— which Booke as some thinke was first compiled by Edward Foxe Bishop of Hereford Iohn Hopkins who translated divers of Davids Psalmes into English Meeter which are to be found amongst those appointed to be sung in the Church THE RAIGNE OF Queen Elizabeth QUeen Mary dying on Thursday the seventeenth of November in the Yeer 1558 her sister the Lady Elizabeth of the age of five and twenty yeers the onely surviving childe of King Henry the eighth by undoubted Right succeeded Her in the Crown which happened in a time of Parliament Nicholas Heath Arch-bishop of York and Lord Chancellor sent to the Knights and Burgesses in the Lower House to repair immediately to the Lords of the Upper House to whom he signified That Queen Mary was that morning dead and therefore required their Assents to joyn with the Lords in proclayming Queen Elizabeth which accordingly was done by the sound of Trumpet first at Westminster and after in the City of London The Queen was then at Haâ—fieldâ— from whence on Wednesday the three and twentieth of November she removed to the Lord North's house in the Charter-house where she stayed till Monday the eight and twentieth of November and then rode in her Chariot thorow London to the Tower where she continued till the fifth of December and then removed by water to Somerset-House in the Strand from whence she went to her Pallace at Westminster and from thence on the twelfth of Ianuary to the Tower and on the fourteenth of Ianuary to Westminster to her Coronationâ— where it is incredible what Pageants and Shews were made in the City as she passed On Sunday the five and twentieth of Ianuary she was Crowned in the Abbey Church at Westminster by Doctor Oglethorp Bishop of Carlile with all Solemnities and Ceremonies in such case accustomed At this time to honour her Coronation she conferred more Honour then in all her life after William Parre degraded by Queen Mary she made Marquesse of Northampton Edward Seymor whose father had been Attaynted she made Earl of Hertford Thomas Howard second son to Thomas Duke of Norfolk she made Viscount Bindon Sir Henry Carie her Cousin German she made Baron of Hunsdon and Sir Oliver St. Iohn she made Baron of Bletsho And now the Queen though she were her self very wise yet would not trust and it was a great point of wisedome that she would not trust to her own wisedome and therefore she chose Counsellors to assist her In which number she took Nicholas Heath Arch-bishop of York William Pawlet Marquesse of Winchester L. High Treasurer Henry Fitz Alan Earl of Arundell Francis Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury Edward Stanley Earl of Derby Wil. Herbert E. of Pembroke Edw. L. Clinton L. Admirall and William L. Howard of Effingham Sir Thomas Cheyney Sir William Peter Sir Richard Sackvyle and Nicholas Wootton Dean of Canterbury all which had been Counsellors to Queen Mary and were of her Religion But then to make a counter-poyse of Counsellors of her own Religion she joyned with them William Parre Marquesse of Northampton Francis Russell Earl of Bedford Sir Thomas Parry Sir Edward Rogers Sir Ambrose Cave Sir Francis Knolles and Sir William Cecill late Secretary to King Edw. the sixth and a little after Sir Nicholas Bacon whom she made Keeper of the Great Seal And having thus provided for her State at home she seeks correspondence with Princes abroad To the Emperour Ferdinand she sent in Embassage Sir Tho. Chaloner to the King of Spain in the Low-Countreyes the Lord Cobham to the Princes of Germany Sir Henry Killigrew Sir Aemygill Wâ—ad to the Duke of Holst and another Ambassadour to the King of Denmark There were also Ambassadours sent to the Pope to the State of Venice and to the French King with whom at this time there was a Treaty of Peace holden at Cambray between the Kingdoms of France England and
his fault shall deserve The Bishop alleâ—dged for himself That he had not violated the Right of â—n Ambassadour Via Iuris but Vâ—â— Factâ— to use his own words and therefore adviseth them not to use harder measure to him then was used to the English Ambassadours 〈…〉 in France Râ—ndoll and Tâ—mwoâ—th in Scotland who had raised Rebellions there and were open Abettors of the same and yet had no greater punishment then to be gone at a time limitted When they began to urge him what the English had testified against him he lovingly requested them to give no credit to itâ— forasmuch as by a received Custome which hath the force of a Law The Testimony of an English man against a Scot or of a Scot against an English man is not to be admitted but after some other altercations the Bishop is led away to the Tower and kept close prisoner At this very season Matthew Earl of Lenox Regent of Scoâ—â—and the Kings Grand-father was by the adverse party set upon at unawares who having yeelded himself to David Spense of Wormester that was then very carefull to defend him together with him was slain by Bell and Câ—ulder when with great industry he had governed the Kingdom for his Grand-childe about fourteen months In whose room Iohn Areskin Earl of Marâ—e by common consent of the Kings Faction was chosen Regent of Scotland who being a man of a quiet disposition through extreme grief of the mâ—ny troubles he sustained in the place departed this life when he had governed thirteen months And now a Parliament was held at Westminster wherein besides a Law for preventing of the treacherous endeavours of seditious subjects another Law was made That if any one during the Queens life by Books written or printed shall expressely affirm That any iâ— or ought to be the Heir or Successor of the Queen besides the naturall Off-spâ—ing of her Body or shall to that purpose publish print or dispersâ— any Book or Schedules he and his favourâ—rs shall for the first offence suffer a yeers imprisonment and the losse of one half of his goods and if they offend again they shall be in a Prâ—munirâ— A Law also was made by which to be reconciled to the Sea of Rome was made Treason and it was pronounced against the Queen of Scots That if she offended again against the Laws of England it might be lawfull to question her as the wife of a Peer of the Kingdom of England But here the Queen interposed her Authority and would not suffer it to be enacted About this time in May a solemn Tilting was performed at Westminster where thâ— Challengers were Edward Earl of Oxford Charles Howard Sir Henry Lee and Chriâ—â—â—pher Hattâ—n Esquire who all did valiantly but the Earl of Oxford best Assoon as the Parliament was dissolved a Consultation was held Wheâ—her Iohn Story Doctor of the Laws the Duke D'Alva's Searcher who somtime before was by a wile brought into England being an Englishman born and having in Braâ—ant consulted with a forâ—aign Prince about the invading of England were to be held guilty of high Treason It was resolved aâ—firmatively whereupon he is called to the Bar and indicted of Treasonâ— That he had consulted with one Presâ—all a Conjurer to make away the Queen That he cursed her dayly when he said Grace at Table That he shewed a way to the Secretary of Duke D'Alva how to invade England c. where he affirming That the Judges had no power to meddle with him for that he bâ—longed not to the Queen of England but was the King of Spain's sworn subjectâ— is neverthelesse condemned by the Foâ—m of Nihil dicit forasmuch as no man can renounce the Country wherin he was born nor abjure his Prince at his own pleasure and finally executed after the manner of Trayâ—ors Ireland at this time was indifferent quieâ— for Sir Iohn Perot President of Munster had brought Iames Fitz Morris to submit himself and crave pardon Sidney the Lord Deputy returned into England and Sir William Fitz Williams who had marryed his sister succeeded in his room It was now the fifteenth yeer of Queen Elizabeths Raign when Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk on the sixteenth day of Ianuary was brought to his Tryall at Westminster-Hall where sate as Commissioners George Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury made High Steward of England for that day Reynold Grey Earl of Kent Thomas Ratcliff Earl of Sussex Henry Hastings Earl of Huntington Francis Russell Earl of Bedford Henry Herbert Earl of Pembrâ—â—k Edward Seymor Earl of Hertford Ambrose Dudley Earl of Warwick Robert Dudley Earl of Leicester Walter Devereux Viscount of Hereford Edward Lord Clinton Admirall William Lord Howard of Effingham Chamberlain William Cecill Lord Burley Secretary Arthur Lord Grey of Wilton Iames Blunt Lord Mountjoy William Lord Sands Thomas Lord Wentworth William Lord Borough Lewis Lord Mordant Iohn Pawlet Lord St. Iohn of Bâ—sing Robert Lord Rich Roger Lord North Edmund Bruges Lord Châ—ndois Oliver Lord St. Iohn of Blâ—tsho Thomas Sackvile Lord Buckhurst and William West Lord de la Ware After silence bidden Sir Owen Hopton Lievtenant oâ— the Tower is commanded to bring the Duke to the Bar and then the Clerk of the Crown said Thomas Duke of Norfolk late of Keningale in the County of Norfolk Hold up thy hand which done the Clerk with a loud voyce readeth the crimes laid to his charge That in the eleventh yeer of the Queens Raign he had trayterously consulted to make her away and to bring in forraign Forces for invading the Kingdom Also That he dealt with the Queen of Scots concerning Marriage contrary to his promise made to the Queen under his hand writing Also That he relieved with money the Earls of Northumberland and Westmerland that had stirred up Rebellion against the Queen Also That in the thirteenth yeer of the Queens Raign he implored Auxiliary Forces of Pope Pius the fifth the Queens professed enemy of the King of Spain and the Duke D'Alva for the freeing of the Queen of Scots and restoring of the Popish Religion And lastly That he sent supply to the Lord Heris and other the Queens enemies in Scotland These Indictments being read the Clerk demanded of the Duke if he were guilty of these crimes or not Here the Duke requested he might be allowed to have Counsell But Catiline chief Justice made answer That it was not lawfull Yet saith the Duke I have heard that Humphrey Stafford in the Raign of K. Henry the seventh in a Cause of Treason had one assigned to plead for him To which Dyer chief Justice of the Common-Pleas made answer That Stafford had Counsell assigned him concerning the Right of Sanctuary from whence he was taken by forceâ— but in the Inditement of Treason he pleaded his own cause After this the Duke yeelding to be tryed by the Peers first Barham Serjeant at Law then Gerard the Queens Atturney and lastly Bromley the Queens Solicitor enforced the crimes objected against him to
his countenance for he was of an extraordâ—â—ary beauty with the husks of green Wall-nuts and when they were halâ— starved went to the houses of the Bellamies neer Harrow on the hill who were great Papists There they were hid in Barns and put into a Counâ—â—ey habit but notwithstanding all their shifting within ten dayes after they were discovered and brought to London The other Complices were soon after taken most of them in the Suburbs of the Citie Salisbury and Travâ—â—se in Cheshire and Iones in Wales who harboured them in his house after he knew they were Proclaimed Traitors Windsor only was never heard of Many dayes were spent in the examination of them who cut one the others throats with their own confessions All this while the Queen of Soits and her servants are so narrowly looked to by Pawlet that she knew nothing of all these passages Assoon as they were apprehended Thomas Gorge was sent to acquaint her with the whole matter which yet he did not do till she was got on horse-back to Ride a hunting and was not then suffered to return buâ— in shew of curtesie was carried up and down to see the Houses of the Gentry thereabouts In which mean while Iohn Manners Edward Acton Richard Bagot and Sir William Waad took Nave and Curle the Queen of Scâ—â—s Secretaries and the rest of her servants and delivered them to Keepers apart that they might have no speech between themselves nor with their Lady the Queen of Scots Then they break open all doors and such Desks and Boxes as they found with any papers in them they set their seals upon and sent them to the Court In which being broken open before the Queen were found a number of Letters from Forreign parts the copies likewise of Letters sent to severall persons and threescore Alphabets at least of private Characters as also Letters to her from some of the English Nobility containing great proffers of love and service which the Queen notwithstanding took no notice of but passed over in silence according to her Motto Video Taceo I see and say nothing Gifford now who had all this while served their turn is sent into France but ere he went hence left an Indenture with the French Ambassador here in England with instructions that he should deliver no Letters to the Queen of Scots or the Fugitives in France but to him that exhibited an Indenture matching with that the which he sent underhand to Sir Francis Walsingham The twentieth oâ— September seven of the forenamed Conspirators were Arraigned and pleading guilty were condemned of High-treason Two dayes after seven other were called to the Bar who pleaded not guilty but notwithstanding were found guilty by their own confessions and condemned Pollie only though he were privie to all passages yet because he had disclosed many things to Walsingham was not called in question The twentieth day of the moneth the first seven in St. Giles Fields where they were wont to meet were hanged cut down instantly their privy members cut off and themselves yet living and beholding it were in cruell manner bowelled and quartered namely Ballard Babington Savage who the roap breaking fell dowd from the Gibbet and was presently taken by the hangman his privie members cut off and bowelled while he was perfectly living Barnwell Tichburne Tilney And Abbington The next day the other seven were drawn to the same place and executed in the same fashion but in a more gentle manner by the Qâ—eens speciall charge who detested the former cruelty for they were to hand till they were quite dead Salisbery first then Dun then Iones Chernoâ—k Traverse Gage and with them Hierome Bellamâ— who had concealed Babington after he was Proclaimed Traytor whose brother being guilty of the same fact had strangled himselfe in Prison When these men were executed Nave a Frenchman and Curle a Scots-man Secretaries to the Queen of Scots were examined concerning the Letters the copies of Letters and priviate Characters found in the Queen of Scots Closet who under their own voluntary subscriptions acknowledged that they were their own hand writings dictated in French by the Queen her self taken by Nave turned into English by Curle and copied out in secret Characters Hereupon Sir Edward Wootton was sent out of hand into France to make known to the King the order of the Treason and to shew him the copies of the Queen of Scots Letters confirmed by the testimony of sundry of the English Nobility that the French King might see what dangerous plots were by Charls Paget and the English Fugitives contrived against the Queen of England And now what should be done with the Queen of Scots was a great consultation wherein the Councellours were not all of one minde some conceived That it were not good to take any rigorous course against her but only to hold her in fast custody both for that she was not Authour of the Treason but only conscious to it and because she was crazie and not likely to live long Others out of a care of Religion were of opinion To have her forthwith Arraigned and put to death according to the Law Leicester thought it better to have her poisoned and sent a Divine to Walsingham to prove it lawfull but Walsingham protested against that course A difference then arose amongst them by what Law to proceed against her Whether by the Law of the 25. of Edward the Third In which they are Pronounced guilty of Treason who plot the destruction of the King or Queen raise War in his Dominions or adhere to his Adversaries Or else by the 27. of the Queen Enacted a year since Their opinion at last prevailed who thought best to proceed against her by this latter Law as being indeed in this case provided Whereupon divers of the Lords of the Privie Councell and other of the Nobility are Authorized by the Queens Letters to enquire by vertue of that Law and passe sentence against all such as raised Rebellion Invaded the Kingdome or attempted any violence against the Queen These Commissioners therefore upon the 11. day of October repaired to Fotheringay Castle in Northamptonshire where the Queen of Scots was then held prisoner and the next day sent unto her VValter Mildmay Pawlet and Edward Barker publick Notary who delivered her the Queens Letters which having with a setled countenance read She sayd It seems to me strangeâ— that the Queen should lay her Command upon me to hold up my hand at the Bar as though I were a Subject seeing I am an absolute Queen no lesse than her selfe but howsoever I will never do any thing prejudiciall to Princes of my degree nor to my Son the King of Scotland After many meetings she standing still upon her innocency and upon her exemption from answering as being an absolute Prince and specially for yeelding to be tryed by the English Laws of which One she sayd had lately been made of purpose for her destruction It was at last told her
his brother Prince Ethelred were then residing he out of his love to both would needs himselfe alone goe visit them where the cruell woman out of ambition to bring her owne Sonne to the Crowne caused one to runne him into the backe with a knife as he was drinking a cup of Wine on horse backe at his departing who feeling himselfe hurt set spurres to his horse thinking thereby to get to his company but the wound being mortall and he fainting thorow losse of much blood fell from his Horse but one foote being intangled in the stirrup he was thereby rufully dragged up and downe through Woods and Lands And lastly left dead at Corfes gate for which untimely death he was ever after called by â—he name of Edward the Martyr He Raigned onely three yeares and â—ix moneths and was Buryed first at Winchester without all Funerall pompe but after three yeares by Duke Alferus removed and with great solemnity interred in the Minster of Shaftsbury Queene Elfrid to expiate this her bloody fact built the two Monasteries of Almesbery and Worwell in the Counties of Wilâ—shire and Southampton in which latter with great repentance she lived till her death After the death of Edward the Martyr dying at the age of sixteene yeares his halfe brother Ethelred at the age of twelve yeares in the yeare 979. was Crowned King at Kingston upon Thames by Dunstan Arch-bishop of Canterbury though much against his will which King by reason of his backwardnesse in Action was commonly called the Unready Before whose time for two and twenty yeares pastâ— the Danes had lived as quiet Inmates with the English but whether weary of so long doing nothing or finding now opportunity of doing something in the second yeare of this King they begin to stirre and inviting from home more forces who in seven Ships arrived upon the Coast of Kent they spoyled all the Country specially the Isle of Thanet and continued this course of forraging the Kingdome sometimes in one part and sometimes in another for eleven yeares together till at last in the yeare 991. the King by advice of his Lords of whom Siricius the now Arch-bishop of Canterbury was chiefe was contented to pay them ten thousand pounds upon condition they should quietly depart the Realme This served the turne for the present but was so farre from satisfying them that it did but give them the greater appetite for the yeare following they came againe and that with a greater Fleet then before against whom the King prepared a competent Navy and committed it to Elfricke Earle of Mercia but he proving treacherous as indeed all other for the most part did whom the King imployed against the Danes as with whom they were allyanced in blood the Danâ—s so prevailedâ— that for the next Composition they had sixteene thousand pounds given them and a yeare after twenty thousand and so every yeare more and more till it came at last to forty thousand by which meanes the Land was emptyed of all Coyne and the English were brought so low that they were faine to Till and Eare the Ground whilest the Danes sate idle and ate the fruite of their labours abusing the Wives and Daughters of their Hosts where they lay and yet iâ— every place for every feare were called Lord-Danes which afterward became a word of derision when one would signifie a lazy Lubber In this distressed state the King at last bethought himselfe of a course He sent forth a secret Commission into every City within his Dominions that at an appointed time they should massacre all the Danes that were amongst them The day was the thirteenth of November being the Festivall of Saint Bricius in the yeare 1002. His command was accordingly performed and with such rigour that in Oxford the Danes for refuge tooke into the Church of Saint Frideswyde as into a Sanctuary when the English neither regarding Place nor Person set the Church on site wherein many of the Danes were burnt and the Library thereof utterly defaced And who would not now thinke but that England by this Fact had cleane shaken off the Danish yoke for ever yet it proved cleane otherwise For the newes of this massacre adding a new edge of revenge to the old edge of ambition made the Danes sharper set against the English then ever they had beene before so as the yeare following their King Sweyne with a mighty Navy entred the Country razed and levelled with the ground the City of Exceter all along from the East Gate to the West against whom the King levyed an Army and made Generall over it the Earle Edricke his great Favourite whom he had created Duke of Mercia and given him his Daughter Edgyth in marriage yet all this great favour could not keepe him from being treacherous for being sent Embassadour to the Danes to mediate for Peace he revealed to them the weaknesse of the Land and treacherously disswaded them from consenting to any Truce Upon this King Ethelred gave order that every three hundred and ten Hydes of Land should build a Ship and every eight Hydes finde a compleat Armour furnished yet all this great preparation came to nothing but onely to make a shew After this the King seeing no end of their invasions nor promise kept upon any composition for three Danish Princes with a great Fleet were now newly arrived He intended to adventure once for all and to commit his cause to God by the fortune of a Battaile To which end he secretly gathered a mightily Power and comming unlooked for when the Enemy was unprepared he had certainely given an end to the Quarrell if the wicked Edricke had not disswaded him from fighting and put him into a causelesse feare by forged tales After this the Danes forraged many Countryes burnt Oxford Theâ—ford and Cambridge and lastly entred Wiltshire which was the seventh shire in number they had laid waste like a Wildernesse The yeare after they make a new Expedition and besiege Canterbury which by treason of a Church-man they wonne tooke Alphegus the Arch-bishop and flew nine hundred Monkes and men of Religion besides many Citizens without all mercy for they Tythed the people slaying all by nines and reserving onely the tenth to live so that of all the Monkes in the Towne there were but foure saved and of the Lay people foure thousand eight hundred by which account Master Lambert collecteth that there dyed in this Massacre three and forty thousand and two hundred persons The Arch-bishop Alphegus for that he refused to charge his Tenants with three thousand pounds to pay for his ransome they most cruelly stoned to death at Greenâ—wich Turkillus the leader of these murtherers tooke into his possession all Norfolke and Suffolke over whom he tyrannized in most savage manner the rest compounding with the English for eight thousand pounds quietly for a while sojourned among them The yeare following came King Sweyne againe and with a great Navy arrived in the mouth of Humber and
landed at Gainsborough to whom the Northumbrians and the people of Lindsey yeelded themselves So that now over all the North from Watlingstreete he Raigned sole King and exacted pledges of them for their further obedience From the North he passed into the South subduing all before him till he came to London where he was so valiantly encountred by the Londoners that he was glad to retire in which retyring notwithstanding he entred Bathe where Ethelmore Earle of Devonshire with his Westerne people submitted himselfe to him Yet after this betweene him and the English was strucke a fierce battaile which had beene with good successe if the treachery of some in turning to the Danes had not hindered it After this the Danes proceeded on victoriously and had gotten most part of the Land and even London also by submission whereupon the unfortunate King Ethelred sending his Wife Emma with her two sonnes Edward and Alfred to her Brother Duke of Normandy himselfe also the Winter following passed thither leaving the Danes Lording it in his Realme Sweyne now as an absolute King extorted from the English both Victuals and Pay for his Souldiers and demanding such a Composition for preserving of Saint Edmunds Monastery in Suffolke as the Inhabitants were not able and therefore refused to pay he thereupon threatned spoyle both to the Place and to the Martyrs bones there interred when suddenly in the middest of his jollity saith Hoveden he cryed out that he was strucke by Saint Edmund with a sword being then in the midst of his Lords and no man seeing from whose hand it came and so with great horrour and torment three dayes afâ—er upon the third of February he ended his life at Thetford or as others say at Gaynsborough And now who would not thinke but this was a faire opportunity offered to the English to free themselves wholly from the Danish yoke but when all was donâ— either crossed by treachery or frustrated by misfortune nothing prospered Iâ— is true upon this occasion of Sweynes death King Ethelred returned out of Normandy but at his comming Canutus the sonne o Sweyne had gotten the peoplâ— of Lindsey to be at his devotion and to find him both Horse and Men against their owne King so as Ethelred was now to encounter as well his owne Subjectsâ— as the Danes which he did so valiantly that he made Canutus glad to returne into Denmarke as utterly hopelesse of any good to be done in England And now one would certainely thinke the Danes had beene removed Roote and Branch out of England and never like to trouble the Land any more and indeed there was all the appearance of probability for it that could be But it is a true saying That which will be shall be let all be done that can be For now Turkill the Dane who had before revolted to King Ethelred growing sensible of his fault which was this or no way to be redeemed and tender of his Countrymens case which was now or never to be helpt with nine of his Ships sailed into Denmarke and first excusing himselfe to Canutus for his former defection as though he had done it of purpose to learne all advantages against the English which now he could discover to him he so prevailed with Canutus once againe to try his fortune that with a Navy of two hundred Ships he set saile for England and landed at Sandwich where he gave the English a great overthrow and passed victoriously through the Counties of Dorset Somerset and Wilts When Ethelred lying dangerously sicke at Cossam the managing of the Warre was committed to Prince Edmund his sonne who preparing to give the Danes battaile had suddenly notice given him that his Brother in Law Edricke meant to betray him into his Enemies hands which made him suspend his proceeding and Edricke perceiving his designe to be discovered cast off the masque and with forty of the Kings ships fled openly to the Enemy and thereupon all the West Countries submitted themselves unto Canutus By this time King Ethelred having recovered his sicknesse prepared to goe on with the Battaile which his sonne Edmund had intended but his Forces being assembled he likewise had suddenly notice given him that his Subjects meant to betray him to the Danes Hereupon he withdrew himselfe to London as the place in which he most confided where falling into a relapse of his former sicknes he ended his unfortunate dayes in the yeare 1016. when he had Raigned 37. yeares and was buried in the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul whose bones as yet remaine in the North wall of the Chancell in a chest of gray Marble adjoyning to that of Sebba King of the East Saxons He had by his two Wives eight Sonnes and foure Daughters of whom his youngest named Goda was marryed to one Walter de Maigne a Nobleman of Normandy by whom she had a sonne named Rodolph which Rodolph had a sonne named Harold created afterward by King William the Conquerour Baron of Sudeley in the County of Glocester and Ancestor to the Barons of that place succeeding and of the Lord Chandowes of Sudeley now being Ethelred being dead his third sonne Edmund called Ironside of his ability in enduring labour but the eldest living at his fathers death succeeded and was Crowned at Kingston upon Thames by Levingus Archbishop of Canterbury in the yeare 1016. A great part of the English both feared and favoured and indeed out of feare favoured Canutus especially the Clergy who at Southampton ordained him their King and sware Feaalty to him but the Londoners stood firme to Prince Edmund and were the principall authors of his Election Canutus before the death of King Ethelred had besieged the City and now with a large Trench encompassed it but the new King Edmund comming on raised the siege and made Canutus flie to the Isle of Sheppey where having stayed the winter the Spring following he assayled the West of England and at Penham in Dorseâ—shire a battaile was fought and the Danes discomfitted After this in Worcâ—stershire at a place called Sherostan another battaile was fought where the Danes were like againe to be discomfited but the traiterous Edrick perceiving it he cut off the head of a souldier like unto King Edmâ—nd both in haire and countenance and shaking his bloody sword with the gasping head cried to the Army of the English Fly ye wretches flie get away for your King is slain behold here is his head but King Edmund having notice of this treacherous stratagem hasted to shew himself where he might best be seen whose sight so encouraged his men that they had gotten that day a finall Victory if night had not prevented them Duke Edrick excused his fact as being mistaken in the countenance of the man and desirous to save the blood of the English upon which false colour hee was received into favour againe After this Canutus secretly in the night brake up his Campe and marched towards London which in a sort was
Earle returning into Brittâ—iâ—e received there the news of the Duke of Buckinghams death and the dispâ—râ—ing of the Confederates forces with which though he was at first much troubled yet was he as much comforted afterward when he saw the Marquesse Dorset and those other Lords and Captaines come unto him soon after whose comming upon Christâ—â—sse day before the high Altar in the great Church of Rheims the Earle of Richmoâ—d gave Oath to marry the Lady Elâ—zabeth as soone as he should be quietly â—eâ—led in the Government of England and thereupon all the Lords and Knights there present did him homage and in the same place each to other Religiously Vowed taking the Sacrament upon it never to cease prosecuting warre against king Richard till either his Deposition or Destruction King Richard being informed of these things makes diligent enquiry after all such as might be suspected to be favourers of Richmonds association of whom Sir George Brown and Sir Roger Clifford with foure other Gentlemen are apprehended and exâ—cuted at London Sir Thomas Sentlâ—geâ— whom mâ—rried Anne the Duke of Excetâ—rs widdow this kings own sister and Thomas Rame Esquire were executed at Exceter Thomas Marquesse Dorset and all such as were with the Earle of Richâ—â—â—d were at a Parliament then holden attâ—inted of Treason and all their Goodâ— aâ—d Lands seized on to the kings use Besides these a poore Gentleman called Câ—lliâ—gborâ—â— for making a small ryme of thâ—ee of his wicked Coâ—nsellours the Lord Lâ—â—â—ll Sir Robert Ratcliffe and Sir William Catesby which ryme was thus framed 〈◊〉 Cat the Rat and â—â—vell the Dog rule all Englaâ—â— under a â—â—og was put to deatâ— â—nd his body divided into foure quarterâ— At this time a Truce is conclâ—ded betwixt England and Scâ—â—land for three yearsâ— and for a seâ—ling a firmer Amity between the two kingdomes a marriage it treatedâ— of between the Duke of Rothsay eldest Sonne to the king of Scots and the Lady Anne de la Poole daughter to Iohn Duke of Suffolk by Anne sister to king Riâ—hard which sister he so much favoured that after the death of his own sonne who dyed some time before â—e caused Iohn Earle of Lincolne her sonne and his Nephew to be proclaimed Heire apparent to the Crown of England And now King Richard to take away the Root of his feare once againe sent Ambâ—â—â—adors to the Duke of Britaine with ordeâ— besides the great gifts they caried with them to make offer that king Richard should yeerly pay and answer the Duke of all the Revenues and Profits of all lands and possessionsâ— as well belonging to the Earle of Richmond as of any other Nobleman or Gentleman that were in his company if he after that time would keep them in continuall prison and restraine theâ— from liberty But the Duke of Britâ—ine being at that time fallen into such infirmity that the Ambassadors could have no audience they addressed themselves to â—eter Landois the Dukes chief Treasurer and he taken with this golden hook faithfully promised to satisfie their Request and had done so indeed but that B. Mortoâ— sojourning then in Flâ—â—ders had by his friends Intelligence of his purpose and presently informed the E. thereof The E. was then at Vaâ—â—eâ—â— who upon the Bps. information taking with him only five servants as though he went but to visit some friend when he was five miles forward on his way suddenly turned into a Wood adjoyning and there changing apparell with one of his servants followed after as their attendant and never rested till by wayes unknown he came to his company abiding at Angiâ—râ— yet was not his departure so secret nor so sudden but that Peter Landois had notice of it who sending Posts after him was so neer overtaking him that he was scarce entred one houre into Francâ— when the Posts arrived at the Conâ—ines and then durst goe no further In the mean time Sir Edward Woodvile and Captaine Pâ—ynings who with their companies were left behinde in Vannes had been in danger of Peter Lâ—ndis his malice but that the Duke being informed by the Chancellour of their case not only protected them but furnished them with all necessaries for their journey to the Earle and was so incensed against Lâ—â—dois for this action of his that for this and some other over-bold preâ—umptions he was afterward hanged The Earle having passed this danger in Britaine and being arrived in France addresseth himselfe to the French king imploring his ayde and hath it promised and performed and in this time Iohn Vere Earle of Oxford who had long time been kept prisoner in the Castle of Hammes so farre prevailed with Iames Blunt Captaine of the Fortresse and Sir Iohn Fortescue Porter of the Town of Callice that not onely they suffered him to be at liberty but accompanied him also to the Earle of Richmâ—â—â— to whom Captain Blunt gave assurance that the Fortresse remained wholly at his devotion At this time also there resorted to the Earle divers young Gentlemen that were Students in the University of Paris profering him their service amongst whom was Richard Fox at that time famous for his learning with whom afterward the Earle advised in all his affaires made him one of his most Privy Counsell and at last Bishop of Winchester But now king Richard having been disappointed of his designe in Britaine hath another way in his head to disapoint the Earle of Richmond of his marriage with the Daughter of Queen Elizabeth and to this end he sent to the Queenâ— being still in Sanctuary divers messengers who should first excuse and purge him of all things formerly attempted and done against her and then should largely promise promotions innumerable not onely to her selfe but also to her sonne Lord Thomas Marquesse Dâ—râ—etâ— by â—orâ—e of which promises the messengers so prevailed with her â—hat noâ— onely she began â—o relent but 〈…〉 was content to submit her selfe wholly to thâ— kingâ— pleasure And thereupon putting in oblivion the murther of her innoâ—â—â—â— Children the butchering of her own Brother and Sonne the infamy of her â—oyâ—ll Huâ—â—and the aspersion of Adulteâ—y cast upon her selfe the imputation of Bastardy laid to her Daâ—â—hterâ—â— forgetting also her Oaâ—h made to the Earle of Richmonds Mothâ—r seduced by flaâ—tering words she first delivered into king Richards hands her â—ive Daughters and after sent letters to the Marquesse her Sonne being then at Pariâ— witâ— the Earle of Richmond willing him by any means to leave the Earle and with all speed to repaire into Englandâ— where for him were provided great Honours and Promotions Assuring him further that all offences on both parts were forgotâ—en â—nd forgiven and both he and she incorporated in the kings favour If we wonder at this credulity in the Queen we may conceive she was moved with the 〈…〉 motives of Feare and hope she feared no doubt that if she denyed the kingâ— request he would presently take some sharpe course both against her and her Dâ—â—â—htâ—rs and she hoped that
if she yeelded to his request he would undoubâ—eâ—ly performe his promise seeing it was as easie for him to keep it as to breake it But now king Richards purpose being to marry one of his brother king Edwards daughters there was one impediment which directly hindred it that he had a wife living and how to be rid of her that he might not bring new aspersions upon hiâ—selfe he could not well tell yet this he resolved that be rid of her he would by some way or other but before he would use extremity he would first try milder wayes and first he absteyned both from her bed and company and complained to divers of her barrennesse which comming to her â—are he hoped might cause her â—o dye with griefe And when this device failed he then caused a rumour to be sâ—â—â—â—d among the people that she was suddenly dead hoping the very conceite thereof would kill her when this device also failed for the Queen hearing of it and mistrustring the worst with a most sorrowfull countenance came unto him demanding what she had done that he should judge her worthy to dye who answered with faire words bidding her be of good cheere for to his knowledge she should have no other cause he then made sure worke for within few dayes after whether by poyson or by what other â—eans it is not certainly known she departed this life and with all solemnity not without some formall tears of king Richard was interred in St. Peters Church at Westminster King Richard now by his wives death having made himself way to marry another 〈◊〉 all the alluring means he can devise to win the love of the Lady Elizabeth his 〈◊〉 but meaning at last to purchase his desire by Rape if he could not otherwiseâ— and had perhaps done it but that the storms threatned from beyond the seas growing every day more strong then other forced him to prorouge the execution of his desires and look to the prevention of his present danger The Lord Stanley is commanded presently to levy forces for the kingsayde as he will justifie his integrity to him but yet is not permitted to goe down into the Country untill he had left George Lord Strange his eldest Son as a Pledge of his Loyalty behinde him And now king Richard being informed though the information was craftily suborned by his Enemies that the Earle of Richmond was out of hope of any great assistance from France dischargeth the ships which he had appointed to guard the seas â—â—d likewise all the souldiers onely order is given for diligent watching of the Beacons At this time one Morgaâ— Kidwelly a Student at the Innes of Court with great haâ—â—d of his life passed over to the Earle Informing him that King Richard by all means laboured to match himself with the Lady Elizabeth which so wrought with the Earle that he saw there was no lingring and the more being by him further informed that Ricâ— ap Thomas and Iohn Savage two powerfull men in their Counâ—râ—es were ready with great forces to assist him Whereupon not having above two thousand Mercenaries and but indifferent shipping to convay him over about the middle of August he put to sea and by the advice of the said Kidwelly steered his course for Wales and on the seventeeâ—â—â— day after his departure from Harflew arrived at Milford Haven and there landing his forâ—es without trouble or impeachment from thence mâ—â—â—hed peacably 〈◊〉 Hereford where by the Inhabitants he was joyfully received Here he receiveth news by Captaine Arnold Butler that the Earle of Pembrooke with all hiâ— retiâ—â—â— was upon the way to joyne with him also thither came to him Râ—chard Griffith and Iohn Morgan with a band of brave Welsh men and the same day Sir Giâ—berâ— Tâ—lboâ— with all the Earle of Shewsburyâ—s Tenants being about two thousand well appointed men came unto him with these he marched towards Shrewsbury at which time word is brought him that Sir Robert Herbert and Rice ap Thomas were ready with a great power to stoppe his passage which somewhat troubled him that his friends so suddenly should revolt but it was but a trick of Râ—ce ap Thoâ—â—â— to make his bargaine the surer for soon after Rice ap Thomas meets him and offers him his service so as the Earle will pledge his faith to performe his promise formerly made which was that having once obtained the Crown he would make Rice sole Governour of Wales which was now assented to and afterward performedâ— At this time the Lord Stâ—â—ley with five thousand men had taken up his lodging at the Town of Leicester but hearing of the Earles march that way he leâ—t Leicester and went to Addeâ—tâ—â— not daring to shew himselfe openly for the Earle for feare the King should put his Sonne the Lord Strange to death whom he had left an Hostage with him All this time King Richard lay at Nottigham and was as it were fatally taken with a spirit of security hearing that the Earle had but small assistance either from France or in England and therefore slighting him as little able to doe any great matter but when he heard that part of his own forces was revolted to him then he began to looke about him and sends present direction to the Duke of Norfolke the Earles of Northumberland and Surry with Sir Thomas Brackenbury Lievetenant of the Tower with all speed to bring their forces to him at Lutterworth from whence upon their arrivall hearing that the Earle was encamped at Lichfield he marcheth thitherward At which time Sir Walter Hungerford and some others withdrew themselves from King Richards part and Sir Iohn Savage Sir Bryan Staâ—ford and Sir Simon Digby with their severall Forces joyned with the Earle King Richard tooke the advantage of a large Plaine neere Bosworth adjoyning to a Hill called Anne Beame where he encamped And observing by his Adversaries manner of approach that they meant to give him battell He the next morning put his Forces in order The Vauntguard was led by the Duke of Norfolk which consisted of one thousand two hundred Bow-men flanked with two hundred Cuyrassiers under the conduct of the Earle of Surrey The Battaile King Richard led himselfe which consisted of a thousand Bill-men empaled with two thousand Pikes The Reereward was led by Sir Thomas Brackeâ—bury consisting of two thousand mingled weapons with two wings of Horsemen containing fifteen hundred all of them cast into square maniples expecting the Lord Staâ—ley's comming with two thousand most of them Horsemen But the Lord Stanley caried himselfe so warily that he might neither give cause of suspition to the King nor yet cause of disadvanâ—tage to the Earle that when early in the morning the Earle sent unto him desiring his preseâ—t repaire he answered that he must looke for no ayde from him till the Battailes should be joyned and therefore advised him with all possible speed to give the Onset This Answer somewhat staggered the Earle because his number did