savage Rage fired the City of York and martyr'd St. Edmund King of the East-angles but Ethelred at length gave them a great overthrow slaying one of their Kings nine Earls and an infinite number of common Soldiers but about fourteen days after the Danes put the King to Flight at Basing and giving him Battel again at Merton about 2 Months after they obtained the Victory wounding the King also of which afterwards he died In the third year of this Kings Rule was the fourth general Council of Constantinople under Pope Hadrian the Second This was the eighth general Council of Christendom This Ethelred was the Third Son of Ethelwolf and fifth Sole Monarch of England and began his Reign Anno 866. and reigned 6 years 6. Elfride He fought 7 Battels with the Danes in one year and his Predecessor 9 These Danes so sore oppressed the King that he was forced to fle into the Woods and Desart Places where righting of his Bow and Arrows in a poor Cottage he was sharply blamed by the House-wife for letting a Cake burn on the Hearth for want of turning But after this putting himself into the habit of a Musitian he went playing up and down in the Danes Tents and taking notice of their sluggish Security he returned and gathered together his scattered forces and entring the Danes Tents before they were aware he made a great slaughter of them and took Rafan their Danish Banner which had a Raven of Needle-Work in it that had good Fortune ever attendant And now Halden a Danish Commander landing in Wales was by the Devonshire Men slain at a place near Exeter bearing his name and 818 of his followers after this the Danes sued to the King for Peace which was granted but not long continued This King caused all thieves to be banished and divided his Kingdom into Shires Hundreds and Tythings It is said That Gold-Bracelets were fastned to the Posts in Cross-wayes and that none were so bold as to take them away He is reported to have divided the Natural Day into three parts Eight hours whereof he spent in Prayers and Contemplation Eight hours in the Affairs of the Kingdom and Eight hours in Provision for himself He founded the first Common School in Oxford as Authors affirm which is now called Vniversity Colledge This Elfride was fourth Son of Ethelwolf and the Sixth Sole Monarch of England He began his Reign Anno 872. and reigned 29 years 7. Edward A Rebellion was raised against this King by his Nephew Ethelwald in this King's time one John Patrick Erigena a Britain writ a Book about the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper which was afterwards condemned by the Pope and he received Martyrdom for his Reward This King built the Castle of Hartford and at St. Edmund's Ditch he fought the Danes and was overcome but they lost two of their Kings Ethelwald and Crochricus and encountring again at Wodnesfield there the fortune of the day fell to the King and he slew the two Pagan Kings Cowilfus and Healadinâ—â— and the two Earls Vter and Scurfa and many thousands of the Danes besides Edrick King of the East-Angles was also slain by his own Subjects after this King had vanquished his Army This Edward was the eldest Son of Elfride and the Seventh Sole Monarch of England He began to rule Anno 901. and ruled 24 years 8. Ethelstane He is said to be the first annointed King 〈◊〉 this Island Elfred a Norman rebelling 〈…〉 and sent to Rome to 〈…〉 Edwin the King's Brother was slain the King through some Jealousies consenting thereunto but afterwards Repenting the Fact caused the Procurer thereof to suffer Death And now Anlafe the Dane disguising himself like an Harper entred the King's Tent and returning thought to have surprized the King but getting Intellihence hereof he removed his Tent and a Bishop new come to the Camp pitched there so Anlafe coming at night to surprize the Tent the Bishop hearing started up and so manfully laid about him that he slew five Petty Kings twelve Dukes and a great number of Soldiers but at last pity it was so was slain himself And the King afterwards passing into Scotland he Offers his Knife for good Luck's sake to John of Beverlye Subdues the whole Kingdom of Scotland makes a miraculous Dint in a Stone at Dun-bar with one stroak of his Sword of an Ell deep to testifie his Right to that Kingdom Near Winchester as the Story goes The King was challenged by the insulting Danes to provide a Champion to encounter one COLBRON a Danish Gyant whom they held invincible and none of the King's men daring to fight him he got a Pilgrim from among the Beggars as he was directed in his Sleep that entred the Lists and slew the Gyant and this proved to be Guy of Warwick of whose Vallor and the Faithfulness of his Wife Felice Tradition hath been very prodigal At Long-run the King became Victor of his Enemies and several Kings sent him Presents Hugh King of France sent him the Sword of Constantine the Great which had in the Hilt thereof one of the Nails that fastned CHRIST to the Cross he sent also Constantine's Spear being the same that Longinus pierced CHRIST's side with when he hung on the Cross and with it a piece of the Thorny Crown also And Otho the Emperor sent the King a Lanskip richly set with precious Stones The King of Norway sent him a great Ship richly gilt with purple Sails This King caused the BIBLE to be turned into English This Ethelstane was the eldest Son to Edward and the Eighth sole Monarch of England He began his Reign anno 925. and reign'd 15 years 9. Edmund He was much imployed in warring against the Danes and fought several Battels with them He caused the Eyes of the two Sons of Dunmail to be put out for their Rebellion He was Author of several of those Laws translated by Master Lambert he was Crown'd at Kingstone near London and made King thereof and so were Edwye Edred and Ethelred his Successors But on a time unhappily interposing his Body between two Duellists he was run thorow He bestowed Northumberland on Malcom King of Scotland This Edmund was fifth Son to King Edward and ninth Sole Monarch of England He began his Reign Anno 940 and reigned 6 years 10. Edred In his time Anlafe began to invade England again being animated under hand by Wolstan Arch-Bishop of York and was made King of Northumberland by the Subjects there but after several Skirmishes between Edred and him at length he grew distasteful to the People and so they dis-robed him of his borrow'd Honour and left him in statu quo prius The King in his March to Northumberland against Anlafe spoiled all with Fire and Sword and burnt the Abby of Rippon But at his Return he was basely set upon in the Rear of his Army and several of his Men slain before the rest could face-about which Plot was devised against him by Wolstan
sending forth his spies they were taken and presented to the Duke who caused them to be sent from Tent to Tent and Feasted and then released them And now the Duke entring the plain where the King was sent a Monk to him to demand the Kingdom or otherwise for the avoiding the effusion of much blood to try it by single Combate or else to hold the Kingdom under him Harrold's Answer was It should be tried by more Swords than one So the next day being the 14 of October 1066 on a Saturday They marshalled their Armies and Trumpets sounding to Battel at the first encounter the Normans had the worst of it and the English thinking they had run dis-ranked themselves for persuit which as soon as the Duke perceived he rallied his men and sell in desperately again and then slew the dis-ranked English on heaps among which King Harrold paid his last Breath to the fury of the Conqueror having an Arrow shot into his Brains and with him died Girth and Leofine his two Brothers and most of the English Nobles and 97974 Soldiers the Duke had three Horses slain under him yet received no harm himself In this same place the Conqueror afterwards built an Abby and called it Battel-Abby And now Aldrede Archbishop of York counselled the People to chuse young Edgar Atheling King being the true lawful Heir to the Crown but it came to nothing for with the determination of Harrold's Reign ceased the Royal blood of the Saxons whose Kings made England an Heptarchy and afterwards had reduced it to a glorious Monarchy and had been Kings and Monarchs thereof from Hengists first Possession of the Kingdom of Kent till Harrold's Deaths about 587 years but Authors agree not in the Computation some accounting more and some less This King Harrold was the Son of Goodwine Earl of Kent by his Wife Sitha Sister to Swain the younger King of Denmark he was the 20 sole Monarch of England And began his Reign Anno 1065 and Reigned about 9 Months and nine days he was slain the 14 of October 1066 at Battel-Field in Sussex and was buried at Waltham in Essex CHAP. X. Of England's Conquest by the Normans and first of William the Conqueror THese Normans who by the Sword gained the Diadem of England and were the last Conquerors thereof in whose Line the Monarchy of England is still continu'd were antiently a mixt Nation with the Warlike Norwegians Swedens and Danes and took their Name from that Northern Climate antiently called Cimbrica Chersonesus and Norway but the Country being thought to be too little for these People Rollo a Famous Noble Norman with many others in his Company betook themselves to Sea to seek Fortunes Court and having practised some Piracies upon the Coasts of Belgia Frizia England and Ireland at length they became so fearful to the French that Charles the Simple King of France gave to Rollo his Daughter Gilla in Marriage with the Dutchy of Normandy And this Duke Rollo was Proavus or Great Grandfather to Richard the Fifth Duke of Normandy which Richard was Elder Brother to Robert Father to this WILLIAM the Famous Conqueror of England whose Famous Actions and Memorable Things we shall now proceed to Treat of After the Fight at Battle-Field Duke William hasted towards London wasting as he went the Counties of Kent Sussex Surry Hampshire and Bark-shire he crost Thames at Wallingford and so marched thorow the Counties of Oxford Buckingham and Hartford And at Barkhampstead he made a Stop to which place repaired Aldred Archbishop of York Wolstan Bishop of Winchester Walter Bishop of Hereford the Earls Edwin and Morcar and Edgar Atheling the Heir to the Crown and here did their Allegiance to the Duke And so marching for London he was stopt at St. Albans by Fredrick Abbot thereof On Christmas-day following he was Crowned at Westminster by Aldred Arch-bishop of York And now considering how to secure the Realm from Invasions he thought it expedient first to fortifie the Cinque Ports and so taking his March towards Dover at the Instigation of Stigand Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Eglesine Abbot of Saint Austines he was surprized by the Kentish men who carrying Boughs and Branches of Trees in their hands they seemed like a Walking Wood which sight so afrighted the Conqueror that he granted their Requests to have all their Ancient Customs whereupon they yielded up to him their Earldom of Kent and Castle of Dover The Conqueror was kind also to the Londoners suffering them to injoy their Priviledges they had in Edward the Confessor's time Shortly after this the Conqueror sailed to Normandy to settle his Affairs there taking with him several English Nobles whose greatness he feared in his Absence for Pledges and making his half Brother Otho Bishop of Bayeux Earl of Kent and William Fitz-Osburne Earl of Hereford to whose Trust he left the Government of the Kingdom till his Return In whose Absence the Welsh rebelled and wasted all to the Mouth of Wye these Stirs called the Conqueror back again who at his Return gave the Lands of the English to his Normans And the English thus turned out of their Estates fell so to Rob and Pillage that the High-wayes between one Town and another lay unfrequented The Earls Edwin and Morcar and Edgar Atheling with his Mother and Sister and several other English Nobles fled into Scotland to King Malcolm to whom the Conqueror sent desiring him to send back for England Edgar Atheling but Malcolm having married his Sister denied him and kept him notwithstanding all King William's Threats And now the Conqueror still going on in his Oppressions of the English he caused every House-houlder to put out both Fire and Candle at eight a Clock at Night to which purpose there was a Bell rung in every City Town or Village by the French called Cover few that is Cover Fire In the Second year of his Reign Goodwine and Edmund two of King Harrold's Sons invaded the Realm out of Ireland and took away great Bootys And the year after the English in the North slew 700 Normans but some of the Authors of the Rebellion being taken had some of them their Heads cut off and other their hands And now Swain King of Denmark assisted the English with 300 Sail of Ships fraught with Soldiers who under Command of Osburne Swaine's Brother and his own two Sons Harrold and Canute arriv'd in Humber and marched for York at whose Approach the Yorkists were so dismay'd that they set their own City on fire and the Minster of St. Peters being then consum'd Aldred their Archbishop died with greif At his time were 3000 Normans slain but the King hearing of these Stirs took his March into the North and after he had overthrown the Enemy he was so inraged at the Northern Disturbers that he spoil'd their Country lying all level with the ground for Threescore miles between York and Durham which lying untilled for nine years space caused such a Famine
among them That the People there eat Horses Dogs Cats yea and Man's Flesh Not long after this there was a Decree made by him That no English Scholar should come to any Promotion depriving Stigand Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Eglewine Bishop of the East-angles and several other Bishops for no evident Cause but only to give Place to his Normans He also abrogated the English Laws and set up his own in the Norman Tongue to the great Dammage of the English Hereupon the Earls Edwine and Morcar with Frederick Abbot of St. Albans set up Edgar Atheling again for their General and rebelled against the Conqueror who seeing their daily increase of Forces concluded a Peace with them and Swore To keep inviolable the Antient LAWS of the Land and those of St. Edward But not long after he took from the Abby of St. Albans all the Lands between Barnet and London-Stone and bereaved all the Abbies and Monasteries of England of all their Treasure sparing neither Challices nor Shrines And now Malcolm King of Scots who sided with the English and King William made a League and reared a Stone-Cross on Stain-Moor in Westmerland called the Roy-Cross for a Meer Mark to the Bounds of both Kingdoms And shortly after this the King took his Voyage for Normandy again the People being there in Rebellion but by the Prowess of the English they were quickly brought again to their Obedience Now during this Stay in Normandy the Nobles in England rebell again but at his Return were quickly dismaied So he caused the Eyes of some of them to be put out the hands of others tope cut off and some were hang'd upon Gibbets and those who esceped the best were Banished No sooner were these Troubles over but Swain King of Denmark had manned 200 Sail of Ships for England's Invasion but hearing of the Nobles Overthrow they turned Sail for Flanders In the Year 1075. Walcher Bishop of Durham purchased the Earldom of Northumberland of the King but being an usurping cruel Fellow the Inhabitants slew him the year ensuing the Earth was hard Frozen from the midst of November to the midst of Aprill And the next year after upon Palm Sunday a blazing Star was seen near the Sun and this year Robert King William's Son seized on the Dukedom of Normandy by force And his Father Sailing for Normandy again at Archenbray in Normandy entred Battel with his Son who ran his Father through the Arm bearing him off his Horse and so the King was forced to leave the Honour of the Field with the loss of many men to his Son And returning for England he built the Tower of London Anno 1078. And this year Thurstan Abbot of Glastenbury caused 3 Monks to be slain in his Church and 18 Men to be wounded so that their Blood run down from the Altar to the Steps And this very year also he caused a Survey to be taken of England which is still to be seen in the Book called Dooms day Book kept in the King's Exchecquer of every Hide of Land he exacted the sum of six shillings upon this occasion the English incited Malcolm the Scotch King to invade England who wasted all as far as Monk-chester upon Tine The King sent his Son Robert with an Army against him who at that time laid the Foundation of a Castle at Monk-chester calling it New-Castle and from this the Town there took its Name The King now perceiving himself well Seated in his Throne began to provide for his Pastime and caused in the South from Salisbury to the Sea Towns and Villages and 36 Parish Churches to be pulled down and laid level with the Ground and here he laied the Bounds of his New Forrest for hunting in But this Offence escaped not unpunished for in this Forrest Richard the Kings second Son was goared by a Dear and died and William Rufus his Third Son was slain by Sir Walter Tyrrel by accident and his Grand Child Robert Curtoyse being in pursuit of the Game was strucken by a Bough into the Jaws and died After this Pauls Church was set on Fire and many strange Judgments happened in the Realm In the Twentieth year of the King's Reign such a great Flood happened that the Hills were hereby made soft and consumed and with their fall overwhelmed many Villages to the great amazement of all the people And not long after this some displeasure arising between the King and Phillip King of France he took ship for Normandy and falling sick there hearing of some scoffs put upon him by the French King at his recovery he was so inraged that he spoyled all the West parts of France and set the City Meux or Nauntz on fire By his last will he gave great Riches to the Church of St. Stephens in Normandy which was of his own Founding and among other things he bequeathed his Crown and Regal Ornaments to it He put the distinction between the two Arch-Bishops of Canterbury and York making York Primate of England and Canterbury Primate of all England also he made the Churches of Scotland to be under the Primate of York as the Churches of England were under the Primate of Canterbury At the performance of his Funeral Rights in the Church of St. Stephens in Cane in Normandy being of his own Foundation his Body was denyed Burial by a Gentleman called Ascelinus Fitz-Arther who said that it was the very place of his Fathers house Floor which the Duke in his lifetime violently took from him and upon his Inheritance Founded the said Church Therefore saith he I Challeng this Ground and in God's behalf forbid that the Body of any Dispoiler be cover'd in my Earth neither shall it be inter'd i' th Precincts of my Right Hereupon Henry the Dukes 4th Son gave the Gentleman a hundred pounds weight of Silver to suffer his Fathers Body to be interred Though the Art of Conveyance be much improved since the Conquerors time yet there was then more honesty comprised in a small Charter of an hand breadth than there is now in a Deed of a whole Skin of Parchment This following was one of the Kings Charters I William the third year of my Reign give to thee Norman Hunter to me that art both Leef and Dear The Hop and the Hopton And all the bounds up and down Under the Earth to Hell above the Earth to Heaven From me and mine To thee and thine As Good and as fair As ever they were To witness that this is South I bite the white Max with my Touth Before Jug Maud and Margery And my youngest Son Henry For a Bow and a broad Arrow When I come to Hunt upon Yarrow In the last year of the King's Reign there was found in Wales in the Province called Rose the Sepulcher of Gawen on the Sea-shore who was Sisters Son of Arthur the Great King of the Britains it was in length 14 Foot This William was King of England and Duke of Normandy He was Son to
Robert the Sixth Duke of Normandy begotten on a Beautiful Damosel called Arlet the Daughter to a Tanner as some report He began his Reign on Saturday the 14 day of October Anno 1066 he reigned twenty years ten Months and twenty six dayes and was the twenty one sole Monarch of England he got his Sickness by an over-heat and died on Thursday the 9 day of September in the 56 year of his Dutchy 21 of his Kingdom and sixty fourth year of his Age Anno Domini 1087. CHAP. XI Of King William the second commonly called Rufus WILLIAM Posting to London after the Death of his Father he carried with him Earl Morcar and Wilnoth Son to Harrold being both released from their Imprisonment in Normanay but most of the States stood for Robert his elder Brother and had tried their Titles by the Sword had not Lanfranck and Wolstan two Learned Prelates stayed their hands On Sunday the twenty six of September Anno 1087 William was Crowned at Westminster by Lanfranck Arch-Bishop of Canterbury And now Odo the King's Vncle having been roughly dealt withal by William the Father for Revenge thereof begins to draw the Nobles into sedition against William the Son and further to accomplish his desires he sent Letters to Robert Curtoise the King 's elder Brother and Duke of Normandy to invade England to which Request Robert sent answer according to Odoe's expectation so Odo and the Nobles expecting daily Robert's assistance fell into open Rebellion and made a great spoil in several parts of the Kingdom but Robert not so hasty as was expected in the mean time Bishop Odo is taken and banished not long after Duke Robert enters England with his Normans whereupon the King agreed with him to depart again paying him three thousand marks yearly about this time Langfranck Archbishop of Canterbury dying the King kept the Bishoprick in his hands four years And the year after the King invaded Normandy and forced his Brother Robert to composition with him after the Peace concluded between these two Brothers they both took part against their younger Brother Henry but at length were all reconciled And now Malcolm King of Scots entered England doing much harm and the King marching to oppose him at their meeting a Peace was concluded and he gave Malcolm twelve Villages which he had formerly held under William the querour for twelve marks yearly in Gold At that time the King built Carlisle in Cumberland having been demolished two hundred years before by the Danes And now he makes Anselm a Norman Abbot Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Anno 1093. About this time King Malcolm came to Gloucester to treat with the King again about the Peace of the Nations and taking some distaste at his Reception he returned in a Rage and raising an Army he spoyled all before him as far as Alnewick presently after this Robert Mowbray and William of Ancho with some others conspired to take the King's Life and Crown and to set up Stephen de Albemarle but they were prevented This same year viz. 1093 the King Conquered Wales since which time the English Monarchs have been accounted the chief Governours thereof The next year the King and his Brother Robert fell at odds again but were quickly reconciled And Robert intending for the Holy War did Mortgage his Dukedom to William for 6666 pound of Silver to furnish him with necessaries for the War And now to raise this Sum of Money the King laied heavy Taxes on his Subjects and neither Churches nor Monasteries were Priviledged from this payment This Voyage for the Holy War was taken in the year of our Lord 1099. And the same year the King built new Walls about the Tower and likewise built Westminsterhall being ninety yards long twenty four yards and two Foot broad and yet when he first see it he said It was too little by half and so he would reserve it for a Chamber About this time began the Cestersian Order in Burgandy as some old Authors affirm and it was brought into England about the year 1135 and an Abby built for the Monks of that Order at Rivaulx Now the King going for Normandy to relieve his Subjects there the Winds proving very cross the Pilate desired the King to stay a while for a better Gale but the King no whit daunted commanded to hoise up Sailes with these words Hast thou ever heard that any King was drowned He denied that the Pope had any Authority over any Bishop within his Realm and also denied the Popes power of binding and loosing but paied him Peter-pence granted by his Father he also held it bootless to invocate Saints curbed Anselm Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Taxed the swelling Clergy for their Pride Luxury Idleness and Avarice In the Second year of his Reign a great Earthquake happened and in the fourth year a great Lightning which burnt the Steeple of the Abby of Winchester and rent the Beams of the Roof casting down the Image of our Lady and Crucifix breaking one of the Legs thereof And not long after so great a Wind happened at London that it blew down 60 some say 606 houses and took off the Roof of Bow-Church bearing it a great height into the Air and six of the Beams being twenty seven foot long with the fall ran twenty three foot into the Ground the Streets being then unpaved in the sixth year of the King's Reign was so great a Famine and Mortality that the Quick were scarce able to bury the Dead and in the ninth year of his Reign two blasing Stars with two Bushes appeared and other Stars seemed to shoot Darts one at the other And the last year of his Reign the Sea overflowed its Banks and drowned a great number of People in Kent and overwhelm'd a great deal of Lands which had been Earl Goodwins whose Name they retain to this day being called Goodwin's Sands There was also a Well of Blood which rose up out of the ground for the space of 15 dayes at Finchamstead near Abbington in Bark-shire This William Rufus was King of England but not Duke of Normandy he was Third Son of William the Conquerour by Maud his Wife Daughter to Baldwine the fifth Earl of Flanders He began his Reign on Thursday the ninth of September Anno Dom. one thousand eighty seven and reigned twelve years ten months and twenty three dayes he was the twenty second sole Monarch of England He was shot by Accident in New Forrest by Sir Walter Tyrrel on Wednesday the first day of August Anno Domini 1100. being the thirteenth year of his Reign and the Forty fourth year of his Age he was buried in the Quire of Saint Swythine being the Cathedral Church of Winchester CHAP. XII Of King Henry the first commonly called Beauclark for his Learning KING Henry was Crowned at Westminster by Maurice Bishop of London in the absence of Anselm Arch-Bishop of Canterbury on Sunday the fifth day of August Anno 1100 But before his Coronation the
Parisi Amongst them was distributed Lancashire York-shire Richmond-shire Durham Westmerland and Cumberland 15. Silures Herefordshire Radnorshire Brecknock-shire Monmouth-shire and Glamorgan-shire was their part or share 16. Dimetae These Inhabitants were Lords of Caermeraen-shire Pembrokshire and Cardigan-shire 17. Ottodini They kept Northumberland Teifidale Twedale March and Louthien These 14 sorts of People following were dispersed up and down in Scotland namely 1. Selgovae 2. Novantes 3. Damnii 4. Calledonii Gadini 5. Epidii 6. Vicemagi 7. Vennicones 8. Tezali 9. Cantae 10. Creones Cerontes 11. Carnonacae 12. Carini 13. Cornabii 14. Simertaae Logi Now I shall proceed to give a brief hint at some Remarkable Passages which happened within the times of these thirteen British Princes following who opposed the Romans Conquest and so conclude this Chapter 1. Cassibelan This Prince was Governour of the Trinobants and was Brother to King Lud who at his Death had left behind two Sons Andragius and Temantius and they being young this Man took upon him the Government of the Britains and when his Nephews came at Age he gave to Andragius Trinovant now called London and the Dukedom of Kent and to Temantius he gave the Dukedom of Cornwal But Andragius and his Vncle falling at odds he thereupon sent for Julius Cesar and begged his Assistance against his Vncle who fought Cassibelan and overcame him and caused the Island for his Rebellion to pay three hundred pounds yearly by way of Tribute to Rome Andragius went along at this time with Julius Cesar to Rome and after Cassibelan's Death at York Temantius was King Their Father King Lud built the West-Gate of the City Trinovant and called it Ludgate and the City after his own Name Caerlud which is now the famous City of London 2. Cingitorix Carvil Taximagul and Segonax These were Kings of Kent and withstanding Julius Cesar at the same time Cassibelan stood out they were totally routed their Men slain Cingitorix taken and the other three forced to fly and shift for themselves 3. Senimagues Cegontians Ancalits Bibroses and Cassians These were the States of the Icenians who seeing Cesars Valour and Progress in the Wars against their Neighbouring Princes they thereupon grew faint hearted laid down their Arms and submitted 4. Cunobeline he was King of the Britains and the first man that stamped his Image on his Coin he was Knighted by Cesar and had his Princely seat at Malden in Essex then a famous City in the twenty third year of his Reign our Saviour Christ was born Augustus Cesar in this King's time was three times prepared for War against the Britains but was every time diverted by other business and came not 5. Guiderus This man was Son to Cunobeline and being of an haughty Spirit he denied the Tribute to the Romans at which Caligula the Emperour was much inraged and made a great show of coming into Britain but took up at the Belgieve-Shore and there causes his Army to gather Cockle-shells and rediculously returned Triumphantly with the Spoils as he accounted it of the Ocean but Claudius Drusius the succeding Emperor by his Deputy here in Britain fought Guiderus and overthrew his Britains the King being slain by Hamo as the Story goes who siding with the Romans put on Brittish formalities and by that means got near to the King and slew him whereupon Hamo was pursued by Auviragus the King's Brother to the Sea side and there was slain whence the place took the name of Hamo's haven which is now called Southampton 6. Catacratus Second Son to Cunobeline standing in opposition to Aulus Plautinus Deputy to Drusius the Emperour he was at length overcome with a great slaughter of his Men himself taken and bound and carried to Rome and there led thorow the City in honour of Plautinus 7. Togodumnus This was Third Son to Cunobeline he was slain in Battel against the Romans but had put them into such Fear That Plautius sent for Drusius the Emperour to come over who accordingly came here into Britain 8. Arviragus he was King of the Britains and so stoutly withstood Drusius the Emperour in several Conflicts till at length Drusius concluded a Marriage between Arviragus and Genissa Drusius his Daughter 9. Cogidunus This Man was Ruler over certain Cities bestowed upon him by the Romans 10. Caractacus He was Prince of the Silures and after several Conflicts with the Româ—â—us he was at length brought to shelter himself under the Wings of Cartismandua the faithless Queen of the Britains who delivered him to the Romans and being conveyed to Rome when he beheld the Riches and Glory of the City he reproved the Romans that being Masters of such glorious things they should nevertheless be greedy after the Possessions of the poor Britains 11. Prasutagus This Man being King of the Icenians made the Emperor Nero his Heir leaving his noble Queen Boduo and his two Daughters to the Emperor's Protection who abusing his Trust had 80000 of his Romans slain by the valour of Queen Boduo 12. Venutius King of the Brigantes he was Ruined and overthrown by reason of his Adulterous Queen Cartismandua joining with the Romans 13. Galgacus He was Prince of the Calledonians and was the last that held out against the Romans for with him the whole Island became subject to the Romans about a hundred thirty six years after Cesars first entrance into Brittain And so many years it was before the Romans came to understand that Britain was an Island CHAP. III. Of the Roman Emperors and their Deputies who ruled over and continued the Britains under their Subjection 1. JVlius Cesar first Emperor of Rome after he had made himself Lord of Germany came from thence into England his first Entrance was at Barhamdown in the year of the World 3873. He made the Britains submit three times before his Departure He made Comius his Deputy and at his next coming into Britain he laid on the Tribute of 300 l. per annum on them II. Augustus Cesar This Emperor perpared three times for Britain and still upon their Submission deferred his intended Voyage In the 42 year of his Reign our Saviour JESVS CHRIST was born Anno Mundi 3970 according to some Authors In 〈◊〉 â—mperor's time and in the two succeeding Emperor's Reigns Cunobeline was Deputy here in Britaâ—â— III. Tiberius Cesar He began his Reign in the year of CHRIST the Sixteenth and in the Eighteenth year of his Reign CHRIST was crucified at Jerusalem And Dionisius Areopagita who lived at this time seeing the strange Eclipse of the Sun and Moon at the instant hour of our Saviour's Passion said Aut Deus naturae patitur aut Mundi machina dissolvitur IV. Caius Caligula This Emperor banished Pontius Pilate who was CHRIST's Judge who afterwards in Dispair slew himself Anno Domini 41. in the 39 year of CHRIST this Emperor began his Reign and reigned three years and about 10 months he playned Mountains made Valleys of Hills and built Towers in the deep Sea
reigned 22 years 14. Kenelm He was Murthered by Askbert this Teacher through the instigation of Quendride the Kings own Sister he began his Reign Anno 819 and reigned about 5 months 15. Ceolwolfe By the Instigation of Bernulfe after one year's Rule he was expulsed by his Subjects 16. Bernulfe Having gotten the Kingdom had but little comfort in the injoyment first fighting Egbert the West-Saxon and afterwards the East-Angles by whom he was slain in the third year of his Reign he began to Rule Anno 821. 17. Ludecan He began his Reign 824 and in his second year was slain by Egbert and the East-Angles 18. Witlafe He was also overcome by King Egbert the West-Saxon in the thirteenth year of his Reign which began Anno 826. 19. Berthulf He began his Reign Anno 839 and reigned 13 years And then was forced to leave his Country by the cruel usage of the Danes 20. Burdred He after several fights with the Danes at length became Victor but fresh supplies landing again he was then forced to fly out of the Land he began to Reign 852 and reigned about twenty two years Now we come to the last of the seven Kingdoms which was called the East-Angles This contained Suffolk Norfolk Cambridge and Ely Island It began Anno 575 continued 353 years and ended Anno 914 and had a Succession of 15 Kings as followeth 1. Vffa He began to Rule 575 and reigned 7 years 2. Titulus He began his Reign Anno five hundred eighty three and reigned about thirty two years 3. Redwald See his Actions among the petty Monarchs chap. 6. his Reign began in the year 616 and he reigned 8 years 4. Erpenwald He began his Reign 624 and Reigned twelve years he was brought to the Faith of Christ through the perswasions of Edwine King of Northumberland for which cause he was murthered by one Richebert he was the second Christian King of this Kingdom and Redwald the first 5. Sigebert He began his Rule 636 and Reigned two years he abandoned the Court and Country during his Father Redwald's Reign and afterwards returning out of France he brought the light of the Gospel into his Dominions and after two years Reign shore himself a Monck and resigned his Kingdom he was afterwards slain in Battel by wicked Penda 6. Egrick He began to Reign 638 and reigned four years he was slain by Penda and so was his Successor Anna. 7. Anna Begun 642 Reigned 12 years 8. Ethelbert He was slain in Battel by Oswine King of Northumberland for siding with Penda he began his Reign 654 and reigned about two years 9. Edelwald Began 656 reigned 8 years 10. Aldulfe Began 664 reigned 19 years 11. Elswolfe Began 683 reigned 7 years 12. Beorne Began 690 reigned 24 years 13. Ethelred Began 714 reigned 35 years 14. Ethelbert He was sent for by Offa the Mercian King who promised him his Daughter but instead thereof he gave him Death to Imbrace he being murthered at the instigation of Quindride the Queen He began his Reign 749 and reigned 45 years 15. Edmund He was besieged in Framingham Castle by the Danes and being taken Prisoner by them he was beaten with cudgels and scourged but Edmund still calling on the name of the Lord Jesus it so inraged them that they took him and tied him to a stake and shot him to Death with their Arrows and afterwards they cut off his head and threw it in a Bush he began his Reign Anno 794. And though Authors agree not how long he Reigned yet I shall agree with the ending of him to end this 4 Chapter CHAP. V. Of the British Princes who withstood the Saxons Conquest being accounted 13 as followeth 1. VOrtigern This man being chosen King of the Britains after he had first treacheroufly made away Constantius his Predecessor he intended the like to Aurelius Ambrosius Vter Pendragon who were the Brother of Constantius whereupon they were conveyed to their Friends in Little-Britain for their safety against his Tyranny And now Vortigern being sadly pestered with the Picts and Scots he sends for the Saxons to his Aide and having through their assistance overcome his Enemies Hengist the Saxon Leader getting into favour with the King begged of him so much ground as an Ox-hide would compass which was easily granted so the same being cut into thongs it incircled so much ground that a Fort was built upon it called Thong-Castle where Hengist settled himself And now Hengist hath more of his Friends waiting upon him and amongst the rest comes Rowena his Daughter with whom Vortigern was much taken turns away his lawful Christian Wife and takes Rowena and afterwards his own Daughter begotten on her becomes his Bedfellow on whom he begot a Son called Faustus who is said did weep himself blind for the Abomination of his Parents for those things and his too much kindness to the Saxons after sixteen years Reign he was deposed by his Subjects and his Son Vortigern made King after whose Death he was restored again but falling again into his wicked courses after six years second Reign he with his incestuous Wife were both consumed to Ashes in a Castle of his own founding in Wales which was set on fire by Aurelius Ambrosius his Successour This King began his Reign Anno 438 and reigned in all 22 years 2. Vortimer He reigned prudently 4 years and won four Set-Battels against the Saxons and put them to such a strait that they were forced to betake themselves into the Isle of Thanet the place of their first landing and then petitioned to return into their own Country leaving their Families and Possessions behind them but least this King should prove the utter vanquisher of the Saxons he was by Rowena their favourite poysoned And now Vortigern enters upon his second government and Hengist now returning again the King with his British Nobles makes head against him and a Treaty being agreed upon and Salisbury plain the place appointed there the British Nobles were treacherously slain by Hengist's Souldiers And now the King with his incestuous Wife are taken and immured up in a Castle in Wales as is shewed before 3. Aurelius Ambrosius This Man overcame Hengist the Saxon in York-shire and cut of his head and took his Son Octa Prisoner but afterwards falling sick at Winchster Passentius the yongest Son of Vortigern sent one Eopa in shew of a Physitian who gave him Poyson instead of Physick of which he died and was buried in Coria Gigantum or Stone-henge in Salisbury-plain which he by the help of Merlin's inchantment as it is said brought out of Ireland and placed here in memory of the British Nobles here slain Vter-Pendragon was here buried also Aurelius Ambrosius gave name to the adjacent Town calling it Ambrose-bury now Amesbury This King began his Reign Anno 466 and reigned thirty two years 4. Vter Pendragon He was Brother to Aurelius Ambrosius and encountred the Saxons taking Ebusa and Octa two of Hengest's Sons Prisoners but afterwards
began his Reign Anno 979 and reigned 37 years 15. Edmund He was Sirnamed Ironside He gave the Danes several Battel overthrew them and raised the Siege at London he worsted Canutus 4 times at least in the plain Field and had in all likelihood rid England of him if the Traitor Edrick and others of the Perfidious Clergy and Nobility had not secretly assisted him Edmund fought a single Duel with Canutus the Dane and dangerously wounded him whereupon Canutus desisted and cried out to King Edmund saying What need is there for us thus to indanger our Lives if thou consent to divide the Kingdom between us we shall then be at peace and like two Brothers which thing Edmund consented unto and did accept of Canute for his Co-partner in the Kingdom But not long after Edmund being easing of himself he was by Duke Edrick that Grand Traytor thrust into the Fundament with a sharp Spear and his head cut off and presented to Canute as an acceptable Sacrifice as was hoped but he detesting such Traiterous Villany caused Edricks head to be chopt off and to be advanced upon a Pole above the rest of his Fellows as it was promised him an advancement fit for the betrayers of their King and Country And now the Saxons Monarchy by the Death of Edmund being drawn to a Period and the Standard of their Government overthrown The Danes began to Advance the Banner of their Conquest and after King Edmund's Death displayed it in open Field none being able to withstand them so they made themselves sole Masters of the Island after it had been in Possession of the Saxons about 566 years it was a long time after the Danes first entrance before they became sole Monarchs thereof This Edmund was third Son of Ethelfrid and the fifteenth sole Monarch of England his Reign began Anno 1016 and he reigned about 1 year CHAP. VIII Of the Danes and their Conquest of Britain with the memorable Accidents happening during the time of those three Danish Monarchs who ruled here THE Original of these Danes is thought by some to be from the Scythians but others rather think to come from Scandia an Island scituate Northward not far from the Continent of Denmark As to their Religion it was much alike to that of the Saxons Their first Invasion was about the year 787 and about 230 years after they became sole Masters of England which Sovereignty continued but about twenty four years which they had struggled for above two hundred years Their Succession of Monarchs were these three following 1. Canutus He was Son to Swanus and was Crowned at London by Livingus Arch-Bishop of Canterbury he sent Edward and Edmund the two Sons of Edmund Ironside the last Saxon Monarch to his Brother the King of Sweeden to be made away but he abhorring the Fact transferred them to the King of Hungary And now he marries Emma King Ethelreds Widdow by whose Counsel he wrested 82000 Pounds out of his Subjects to give those lazy Danes that were sent packing to Denmark there being then no more need for them here He called a Parliament at Oxford and enacted several good Lawes which are to be seen in several old Chronicles and too large here to be incerted He is said to be an Enemy to Dissemblers Traytors and Flatterers for on a time he caused himself to be placed in a Chair where the Sea ebbs and flows at Southampton and commanded the Sea that it should not swell so as to wet his Feet but the disobedient Sea the Tide then coming out presently dashed up to his Thighs whereupon he started up and said to the Flatterers who had extoll'd his greatness to be unmatchable You see all the might and power of Kings is but vanity for none is worthy to have the name of King but he that hath allâ— things subject to his Laws And so after that time as some Authors affirm he would never suffer the Crown to come on his head but set it on the Crucifix head at Winchester In the third year of his Reign he went into Denmark and chased from thence the Vandalls who had invaded that Kingdom And at length he went on Pilgrimage to Rome and is Recorded for a very good Man setting aside his intention to have murthered King Edmunds two Sons This Canutus was the 16 sole Monarch of England He began his Reign Anno 1017. and reigned eighteen years he was buried in the old Monastery at Winchester 2. Harrold He was so swift that he was called Harefoot Earl Goodwine was against his coming to the Crown but the Londoners and Lords on the North side of Thames were for him and prevailed he by Treachery of Goodwine afterwards got the two Sons of Emma Edward and Alfride the last of which had his eyes put out and his Belly opened and one end of his Bowels drawn out and fastned to a Stake and then he was pricked with sharp poiniards and forced round about the Stake till all his Intralls were wound out He caused also Queen Emma to be banished and her goods to be confiscate but the Earl of Flandâ—rs received her honourably This Harrold was the Second Son of Canutus and the seventeen sole Monarch of England he began his Reign Anno 1036 he reigned four years and was buried at Westminster as Mr. Stow affirms 3. Hardicanute He was Crowned at London by Elnothus Arch-Bishop of Canterbury He caused the body of his half Brother Harrold to be digged out of his Grave and thrown into the Thames after he had first cut off his Head but some Fishers finding the body buried it decently in St. Clements without Temple Bar this Hardicanute was a great Epicure and had his Tables spread four time dayly and furnished with Dainties for the satisfying of his greedy Appetite through the Perswasions of Earl Goodwine he raised the Sum of 32147 pounds in England for the payment of his Fleet which greatly distasted his Subjects the thing desired by Earl Goodwine two of the Collectors of this Money were slain at Worcester for which offence their City was set on Fire The King Drinking freely at a Wedding in Lambeth got a Surfeit and died some say he was choaked at Dinner there but certain it is he died and with him dyed the Danes Monarchy over England and it fell again to the Saxons for Edward the Seventh Son of Ethelred by Emma his Queen was sent for out of Normandy by the English and was made King which thing was brought about by Earl Goodwines means and Leofrick Earl of Chester This Hardicanute was third Son of Canutus and eighteenth sole Monarch of England He began to Reign Anno 1040 And reigned about two years he was buried at Winchester CHAP. IX Of the Saxons Re-entry again to the Monarchy of England after the Danes Conquest THis new Possession of the Saxons was but of short Continuance till William the Norman Duke came and made a Forceable Entry upon them and though his Entry were
happened such a Raging Fire in London that it consumed a great part of the City from West-Cheap to Algate The next year after being the 34 of the King Duke Robert the King's Brother after 26 years Imprisonment and the putting out of his Eyes died in Prison And this year Worcester and Rochester were burnt This Henry the First was King of England and Duke of Normandy he was the 4th Son of William the Conqueror by Maud his Wife Daughter to Baldwine the Fifth Earl of Flanders He began his Reign on Wednesday the first day of August Anno 1100. and reigned 35 years 4 moneths and 1 day and was 23 Sole Monarch of England He died of a Surfeit with eating Lampreys at the Town of St. Dennis in Normandy on Munday the Second day of December Anno 1135. being the 36 of his Reign 21 of his Dukedom and 65 of his Age. His Body was buried at Redding in Bark-shire in an Abby of his own Founding CHAP. XIII Of King Stephen sometimes called Stephen of Bloyce THis Stephen at his first coming for England landed at Whitsand-Bay with whom came a wonderful Tempest of Thunder His endeavours for the Crown were aided by Henry his younger Brotherthen Bishop of Winchester William Arch Bishop of Canterbury Roger Bishop of Salisbury and Hugh Biggot late Steward to King Henry all which swore him Fealty although they had sworn it before to the Empress King Henry's Daughter who is now by them rejected And crown'd Stephen King at Westminster on the 26 day of December Anno 1135 by William Corbell Arch-Bishop of Canterbury After which he granted his Subjects a Charter of some Immuities Dated under his hand at Oxford Anno Domini 1136 whose Tenour was as followeth That all Liberties Customes and Possessions granted to the Church should stand firm That all Persons and causes Ecclesiastical should appertain only to Ecclesiastical Judges That none but Clergy men should meddle with the vacancies of Churches or any Church mens goods That all bad usages in the Land touching Forrests Exactions c. should be utterly extirpated And lastly That the antient Laws should be restored This year a Fire began at London Stone in the City of London and consumed all before it from thence East-ward to Aldgate and West-ward to St. Pauls Church Not long after this the King caused several Castles to be built in England but by the advice of Henry Fitz Empress shortly after 1115 of them were demolished again And now Baldwine de Redvers Rebelling again the King was taken and banished and a great Battel was shortly after fought against the Welsh but the English lost the day and many of them were led away Captives by the Welsh Women and such a number of them drowned by the fall of a Bridge over Temd that a passage was made over the Water with their dead Carcasses in the year eleven hundred thirty seven Rochester was destroyed with Fire After this David King of Scots invaded England and took Carlisle and New-Castle and the King marching to oppose his further Progress a Peace was concluded between them Afterwards the King in the Third year of his Reign Created Eustance his eldest Son Duke of Normandy This year the Arch-Bishop's Seat in York St. Martyns Church without the Walls and the Hospital with thirty nine Houses and much Riches were burnt The King now paied his elder Brother Theobald two thousand marks yearly for his Right of Normandy and England and to Jeffery Plantaginet Husband to Maud the Empress he paid five thousand Marks yearly for his Right to the Crown Whilest he was in Normandy setling his affairs the Scots again invaded England committing most barbarous Cruelties as ripping up Women with Child and tossing their Infants on their Spear points several of the Peers likewise Revolted and did Fortifie most of the strong Castles in the Realm against the King intending to bring Maud the Empress to the Crown But the King being no sluggard did so hotly pursue his Barrons that he won most of the Castles from them and put them to a stand And with like success did Ralph Bishop of Durham appointed General by Thurstan Arch-Bishop of York the King's Lieutenant of the North go against the Scots who were come as far as Northumberland and manfully forced them to fly the Country And shortly after the King in Person marched into Scotland and a Peace was again concluded between the two Kings And Stephen brought with him into England Henry David's eldest Son and made him Earl of Huntington And now the King began to quarrel with several of his Prelates as Salisbury Lincoln and Ely and demanding the keys of their Castles exacting likewise great summs of money from them About this time Maud the Empress landed in England and was carried into Arrundel-castle by William de Albeny who married the Queen Dowager King Henry's Widdow the King having intelligence thereof hasted to Arundel at whose coming a Woman's Wit being best at a pinch she perswaded him That none to her knowledge or with her consent were come with her but those who did and would owe him Allegiance Hereupon he honourably conveyed her to Bristol from which place she got to Wallingford-Castle and in the mean while Earl Robert her Brother divulged the News of her Arrivage whereupon he got such a number of People together for her cause that they were hard to be numbred The King hereupon forthwith besieges Wallingford-Castle but not able to accomplish his desires he removed his Siege to Malmesbury and in the mean time the Empress got to Lincoln and stored the City with Provision and other Necessaries Hereupon the King withdrew to Lincoln and so straitly begirt the City with his Siege that if the Empress had not made a shift to escape she had been here taken The King possessing himself of Lincoln Earl Robert and Ranulph Earl of Chester went against him with a mighty Army and making over the River pitched their Tents in the King's sight the King ordering his Army Trumpets sounded to Battel and the Armies joined in Fight but the Kings party being overpowred they began to faint and run away leaving the King almost alone who behaved himself so Champion-like that he drove down whole Troops before him until his Battel-Ax broke and his Sword flew into pieces in his hand and then being Weaponless he was struck down with a Stone which was thrown at him and so was seized on but preserved from Violence by Earl Robert's Command and from thence he was carried Prisoner to the Empress to Gloucester from which place he was sent bound to Bristoll And now the Empress Triumphed as sole Sovereign of England all the People save those of Kent doing her Allegiance to Winchester she marched in State and there received the Regal Crown from thence she went to London where she was received with Royal procession And now the reports of Stephen's Imprisonment being got into Normandy his Subjects there began to incline to Jeffery
Pennance was I. That he should at his own proper Charges maintain 200 Soldiers one year for Defence of the Holy Land II. That he should freely suffer Appeals to Rome III. That he should revoke all Customs against the Churches Liberties IV. That he should restore the Possessions of Canterbury And V. Receive all the banished Friends of Becket into England again About this time Silvester Girald a learned Man wrote a Book against the Wickedness of the Monks whereby he stirred up those Hornets against him And now the young King by the Instigation of his Mother sought to depose his Father But after several Battels fought between them and much Blood spilt for the space of Three years at length they were reconciled And after this the King called a Parliment at Northampton and divided England into six Câ—rcuits And appointed three Justices itinerants for every Circuit To this Parliament came the King of Scotland and his Peers Shortly after the calling of this Paâ—iament the young King Henry died And Hâ—raclius the Patriarch of Jâ—râ—salem came to the King to desire his Aid in the Holy Land but was denyed In the 20 of the King's Reign the City of Leicester was burnt by the King's Command the Walls and Castle rased and the Inhabitants dispersed into other Cities for their Disobedience to the King And this year Christ's Church in Canterbury was burnt and about six years after the City of York was burned and in the year 1185. The King bestowed Irelaâ—d upon his Son John And this year the Abby of Glastenbury was consumed with fire and the next year after was a great Earthquake that threw down many Buildings and rent in Pieces the Cathedral Church of Lincoln Chichester also was burnt After this Richard the King's Son by the help of Philip King of France rebelled against his Father and drove him out of the City Mentz in Main which he dearly loved being his Birth-place In the 33 of the King near Oxfâ—rd in Saffolk was taken a Fish having the shape of a Man which Fish was kept by the Governour of Orford-castle six months and above for a Wonder but was never heard to speak a word he would eat all manner of meat gladly but was most gready after raw Flesh or Fish at length he stole away from his Keeper and ran to the Sea again The King had a fair Concubine called Rosamond whom Elianor the Queen poisoned for which Cause and for stirring up his Son against him the King imprisoned her and caused Rosamond to be burien at Godstow near Oxford with this Epitaph over her Hic jacet in Tumba Rosa Mundi non Rosa munda Non Redolet sed Olet quae Redolere solot Within this Tomb lies the World 's chiefest Rose She who was sweet will now offend your Nose Anno 1188. The Town of Beverly with the Church of St. Johns there was burnt This Henry the Second was King of England and Duke of Normandy Guyen and Aquitain He was the eldest Son to Jâ—ffery Plantaginet Earl of Anjou son to Fulk King of Jerusalem by Maud his Wife eldest Daughter to Henry the first He began his Reign on Munday the 25 of October Anno 1154. and reigned 34 years 8 months and 11 dayes and was the 25 sole Monarch of England He died at Chinon on Thursday the 6 of July Anno 1189. and was buried at Font-Everad in Normandy the 25 of the King's Reign Anno 1179. was the third Lateran Council Alexander the III was Pope this was the Eleventh General Council CHAP. XV. Of King Richard the first commonly called Richard Courdelion KING Richard at his Coronation by Balwine Arch-Bishop of Canterbury swore to keep several Articles Administred to him by the Peers which were for the benefit of the Realm in his time were those famous Robbers and Out-Laws called Robin-Hood and Little-John The King 's first attempts were for the Holy War for performance of which Voyage he sold and mortgaged several parcells of his Revenue scarce sparing his City of London from Sale and scruzed eleven hundred pounds Sterling out of Stephen de Turnham his late Fathers Treasurer but before his Expedition William King of Scots came into England and made a League with the King and sâ—nt his Brother David and ten thousand Scots with him for the holy War The King before he took his Journey gave his Brother John six Earldoms Cornwal Dorset Somerset Nottingham Derby and Lancaster he also made William Longchamp Bishop of Ely Governour of the Realm till his return joining with him Hugh Bishop of Durham for his Assistance in the North parts And now having settled his affairs he with several of his Nobles took Shipping for France where he and Philip King of France became sworn Brothers and both set forwards for the holy War King Richard coming to Sicilia assalted the King thereof who had usurped the Kingdom after the Death of William who was Husband to Lady Jane King Richard's Sister making an Agreement with him and gave him twenty thousand ounces of Gold for his Sisters Dowry and twenty thousand ounces more for the Love he bore to the English Nation yet for all this shew of Love he and Philip of France took Council against King Richard Joachin the Abbot expounding the Apocalypse to King Richard at Calabria near Sicily told him that Antichrist was born and then in the City of Rome viz. the Pope The King in his Passage Conquered the Isle of Cyprus and left in it Richard de Camvile and Robert de Tarnham Vice-Royes And the English and French besieged the City Ptolomais and won it shortly after this the French King returned not without great shame to his own Kingdom Whilst King Richard was imployed in the Holy War his Brother John and some others of the Peers deprived William Longchamp of his Command for several Outrages by him committed especially upon Jeffery Arch-Bishop of York the King's Brother The King at his approach to Jerusalem took three thousand Camels and four thousand Horses and Mules of the Salladines coming from Babylon and all the Carriages with their Rich Spoil And now the Duke of Burgandy and his Regiment forsaking King Richard he made a Peace with Saladine for three years and so returned very Pensive that he had neither conquered Jerusalem nor Saladine And intending to have gone through Germany he was taken in Disguise in Vienna and the Duke seized him for his Prisoner The News of the King's Imprisonment coming to England his Mother with other of his fast Friends Swore the Realm to be true to the King and made all the Strong Holds sure for him But the Subjects of Normandy in his Captivity were set upon by the French After this the King regained his Liberty paying to the Emperor 100000 Marks sterling and half so much to the Duke for his Ransom the Emperor afterwards to gratifie the King made him King of Province Philip of France having notice of the King's Releasement sent word to
greedily devoured them half alive by reason of this Famine the Mortality was so great amongst the People that the quick could hardly bury the dead And not long after a great Murrain of kine happened so that the Dogs and Ravens eating thereof were Poysoned and did swell to Death so that no man durst eat any Beef And the next year after this the King calling a Council at Clarendon the Lords refused to appear but they were made Friends again by the Mediation of certain Cardinalls and now the Scots not satisfied with the Honour of their last Victory their King saled into Ireland and there caused himself to be Crowned King but the English there under the Conduct of the Arh-Bishop of Armagh and the Lord Binningham encountr'd the new King who there lost his new Honour with his life to boot and not long after a Truce for two years was concluded between England and Scotland About this time Hugh Spencer upon the Commendation of the Lords was made Lord-Chamberlain and his Father Earl of Winchester and now Dr. Barrenthorp of Oxford taught against the Pope and inveighed against the Deceits and impostures of Anti-Christ after a while the two new Lords Spencers Father and Son grew so insolent that they far exceeded Gaveston alienating the Hearts of the Barrons from the King which caused them to take up Arms against him but not long after the Earl of Lancaster and other 90 Nobles at Borrowbrigs were taken Prisoners and at Pontefract the Earl of Lancaster was Beheaded and other five Barrons hanged and the next day at York the Lords Clifford Mowbray and Deywill were hanged in iron Chains and now the King went against Scotland with an Army but was forced there to escape by night leaving his Treasure and rich Furniture for Pillage and the young Lord Mortimer escaping out of the Tower fled into France and not long after the Queen again sent her complaint to her Father of her ill usage There being now some Troubles in Gascoin the King not going himself sent his Queen into France to Negotiate his Affairs who drew all to agreement upon Condition that her Husband should give Prince Edward his and her Son the Dutchy of Aquitain and Earldom of Pontine for which places the young Prince did Homage to his Uncle the King of France after this the King sending for his Son and Queen home and they refusing to come they were thereupon proclaimed Enemies to the Crown the Queen hereupon without consent either of King or Peers Married the Prince to Philippa the Earl of Hanalt's Daughter and being now fitted for her purpose she raised an Army in Henalt and Germany consisting of 2700 Soldiers and many Forein and English Nobles and sailing for England landed at Orwel in Suffolk the King having notice hereof fled into the West to raise Forces promising a thousand pounds to those who would bring him Lord Mortimers head but the Queen not sleeping in her design pursued her Husband from place to place and at length she got Hugh Spencer the Father whom she caused to be cut-up alive and quartered and the King lying now hid in the Abby of Neath in Wales was there surprized by his Cosen the Earl of Lancaster and Imprisoned in the Castle of Kenelworth young Lord Spencer and the Lords Baldock and Reading being also taken at that time and carried to Hereford where Spencer was hanged 50 foot high and then beheaded and quartered and the Queen gave the bringer of his head to her 1000 pound And now a Parliament being called several Peers to wit 3 Bishops three Earls 2 Barrons 2 Abbots and 2 Justices were sent in the name of the Parliament to the King at Kenelworth to Command his resignation of the Crown to his Son Prince Edward at which message the King fell into a swown amongst the Peers at Kenelworth and afterwards coming to himself seeing no other way resign'd his Diadem Whereupon Sir William Trussel one of the messengers in the name of the whole Realm renounced Homage to the King in these words I William Trussel in the name of all men of the Land of England and of all the Parliament Procurator do Ressign to Thee Edward the Homage that was made to Thee sometimes and from this time forward now following I defie Thee and deprive Thee of all Royal Power and I shall never be tendant to Thee as for King after this time Not long after this the King was taken from Kenelworth and delivered by Indenture to the custody of Thomas Gourny and Sir John Mattravers who shortly after Murthered him by thrusting an hot spit up his Fundament into his Bowels at Barclay Castle for which fact they were forced to fly the Country This Edward the Second was King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Aquitain c. He was the 4 Son of Edward the I. by Ellianor his Queen Sister to Alfonsus King of Castile His Reign began on Friday the seventh of July Anno Domini 1307 he reigned 19 years 6 Moneths and 18 days and was the 30 sole Monarch of England he was murthered as is before declared Anno 1327 being the 20 year of his Reign and 41 of his Age his body was buried at Gloucester CHAP. XX. Of King Edward the Third commonly called Edward of Windsor ABout the beginning of this King's Reign one Nycholas Lyrian a Divine of Oxford wrote a Book de Visione Dei against the Pope now by Advice of the Lord Mortimer the King acquitted the Scots of all his claim and Superiority to their Kingdom and shortly after this the King of France died without Issue and King Edward laid claim to the Crown and now the Queen-Mother being reported to be with Child by the Lord Mortimer who was too familiar with her he was thereupon taken at Nottingham and sent Prisoner to London where he was hanged at Tyburn remaining on the Gallows the space of two days for an Ignomenious Spectacle and presently after the King abridged his Mother of her too large Dowry bringing her to one thousand pounds per Annum Anno 1339. a Sudden Inundation of Water at New-castle upon Tine did bear down part of the Town-Wall where 120 Men and Women were drowned And the year after near Chippingnorton in Oxford-shire was found a Serpent having two Heads and two Faces like Women one Face attired after the New Fashion of Women's Attire and the other Face like the old Attire and Wings like a Batt And Fiends and Devils and strange Apparitions were seen by Men and spake unto them as they travelled About this time Dr. Ockham of Oxford wrote against the Popes John and Clement affirming them to have no Power over Civil Magistrates And now the King assisted Baliol against David Bruse King of Scotland who was forced to fly into France and Baliol procured the Crown and was made King and did Homage to King Edward as his Father had done to King Edward the First The King went four times into
the English were slain amongst whom the King's Brother the Duke of Clarence was one and the Earls of Somerset and Suffolk with other Lords were taken Prisoners the King having notice hereof embarqued again for France and landed at Callis and chased the Dauphin from place to place he not daring to Fight during these proceedings the Queen was brought to Bed at Windsor of a young Prince Henry which news coming to the King's Ears he in a Prophetical way thus spake Good God saith he I Henry of Monmouth shall have but a short Reign and win much but Henry of Windsor shall Reign long and loose all but the Will of God be done Which words of his afterwards proved true And now the King after several brave exploits by him perform'd in this his last expedition into France died appointing by his last Will his younger Brother Humfry Duke of Gloucester Protector of England his Brother John Duke of Bedford Regent of France and Thomas Beaufort Duke of Exceter Guardian of his Son's Body This Henry the V. was King of England and France and Lord of Ireland he was the eldest Son of King Henry the Fourth by Mary his Queen Daughter to Humfry de Bohun Earl of Hereford Essex and Northampton He began his Reign on Sunday the 20 day of March Anno Do. 1412 and reigned nine years five moneths and 10 days and was the thirty fourth sole Monarch of England He died of a Burning Feavor and Flux at Boice de Vincennois in France on Monday the the one and thirty day of August Anno Domini 1422 and was buried at Westminster CHAP. XXIV Of King Henry the Sixth commonly called Henry of Windsor THis King was Crowned at Westminster being but about 8 months old and a Parliament being called and a Subsidy granted that the regal Chair in the House might not stand empty thither the Queen did carry the young Prince and sate with him in her Lap he speaking to the House in anothers Tongue And now the affairs in France were various Fortune sometimes smiling on the French and other sometimes on the English whereupon the Duke of Bedford Regent of France desired to enter Battel with the French which accordingly was performed near the Vernoil where the French were beaten and about 5000 of them slain besides many taken Prisoners During these proceedings in France James the young King of Scots who had casually been taken Prisoner at Sea in Henry the Fifths time was set at Liberty in England thereby to draw the Scots off from Aiding the French not long after Duke Humphry the Protector was married to Jaqueline of Bavaria her Husband being then living which caused the Duke of Burgundy to forsake the Regent in France and now Factions breeding in the Court of England the Regent left France to appease the dangers at home which he happily performed and then with the Lord Talbot and fresh Forces returned again to France From the beginning of April 1428 unto All-Hallon-Tide after fell such abundance of Rain that not only Hay but Corn also was distroyed About this time at the Regent's Return into France Siege was laid unto Orleance where the Earl of Salisbury was slain yet notwithstanding the Siege continued And Charles the young French King being very pensive not knowing how to remedy this Mischief likely to ensue At Chinon a young Maid called Joane of Loraine a sheeperdess appeared to him bidding him be of good Courage for God had sent her to deliver the Realm and so going to Blâ—yce with the Marshal of France and there getting Forces by her Valour the Siege was raised at Orleance the English loosing 600 men at that Brunt and for some short space after this the loosing and taking of Towns was interchangeable but Joan and the Duke of Alanzon still proceeding in their good fortunes near Jergeaux they fought the Lord Talbot taking him and several Nobles Prisoners and killing about 1000 of the English they not loosing above 600. Hereupon several Towns Revolted from the English and Charles himself who before had kept in now Issued out in Armes thinking to have recovered Paris but he was disapointed of his hopes by the Regent and now the English lying Siege to Champaign Joan the Martial Maid coming to it's Rescue was taken and sent to Roan and there Burnt for a Witch which did not a little dismay the French but success proving still various it was thought that King Henry's presence in France would be a great discouragement to the Carrolines hereupon the King with the Company of the two English Cardinals York and Winchester and other Nobles sailed into France Anno. 1432 and at Paris by the Cardinal of Winchester he was Crowned King of France yet Charles esteemed himself not the less a King for all this the King having thus taken possession of France not long after took his farewel of it his Return was by Roan and so over Land to Callis and thence to England again and now the Soldiers beginning to be weary of their Imployment and discontented with their Wages fell to Mutiny at Paris for which the Regent cashiered 110 and chopt of the heads of four of the Principallest of them Anno 1435 the Theames was so frozen that the Merchants which came to the Thames Mouth were forced to be carryed to London by Land And now after several Changeable Successes in France at length the Regent dyed the news of whose death coming to England Richard Duke of York was sent Regent but Paris was lost before his Arrival in France and after several Skirmishes with the English the French proceeded to besiege Callis to which place the new Regent drew his Army but King Henry hearing hereof and fearing the worst sent the Protector with a great Fleet against the French at whose approach they all ran away and so the Protector Settling the State of Callis returned with great honour But this new Regent performing little or nothing in France he Returned for England and Richard Earl of Warwick went in his place but he after a short space dying the Duke of York went again and at his Return into France prossered several times to fight the French King who never durst undertake to joyn Battel with him Not long after this the Duke of Orleance was set at Liberty who had been Prisoner ever since the Battel at Azin Court which was above 26 yeares before his Ransom was 300000 Crowns the Protector was much against his Releasment Anno 1438. All the Lions in the Tower of London dyed and this same year was held the Council at Florence being the 16 General Council Eugenius the fourth being Pope Julythe 18. Anno 1440. The Postern of London by East Smith-field against the Tower of London sunk by Night and about 2 years after a Contest fell between the Duke of Gloucester and the Cardinal his Uncle and the Duke's Lady was accus'd by the Cardinal Henry Chicely Arch-Bishop of Canterbury for Witch-craft as if by Art Magick she
to him such persons as he would name to which the King returned Answer that he and his adherents were all Traytors so the Yorkists assailed the Town and flew 48 Nobles Knights and Esquires amongst whom were the Earls of Somerset Northumberland and Stafford and 5000 Common Soldiers and wounded the King in the neck with an Arrow so he was taken Prisoner The next day the Duke of York and Earls of Salisbury and Warwick marched to London with the King and in his name summoned a Parliament by whose Authority the Duke of York was established Protector of England Salisbury Lord Chancelor and Warwick Captain of Callis but it was not long before they were again displaced The French by reason of these intestine Broils took their Advantage making several inroads on the Coasts of England killing the Mayor Bayliffs and several other Officers of Sandwich and burnt Foway and several other Towns in Devonshire Anno 1458 there was a Fray in Fleetstreet between the men of the Court and the inhabitants of the said Street in which Fray the Queens Attorny was slain for which Fact the King committed the Governours of Cliffords Furnivals and Barnards-Inn to Prison and William Taylor Alderman of the Ward and several others were sent to Windsor Castle The year after being 1459 the Science of PRINTING was found out in Germany at Magunce by a Soldier and was brought into England about 12 years after by one William Caxton a Mercer who practized it at St. Peter's Abby in Westminster for a pretty while And now a seeming reconcilement was concluded on between the King with his Lancastrians and the Yorkists but it had not long continuance for the Yorkists under the pretence of some Afronts offered to the Earl of Warwick by some of the King's Servants drew to an head again but their Intentions being discovered by one Andrew Trollop they all thereupon disperced themselves And shortly after a Parliament being called in it were the Duke of York Earl of March Earl of Warwick Earl of Rutland and Earl of Salisbury with certain others all attainted of High-Treason and their whole Estates consiscared but they neither fearing nor regarding their attainder drew out again from the several places whither they were fled and uniting their forces together consisting of about 25000 men they fought the King at Northampton slaying about ten thousand men with several Nobles as Humfry Duke of Buckingham the Earl of Shrewsbury Lord Egremont and others and taking the King himself Prisoner whereupon the Tower was surrendred and the Lord Scales Lieutenant thereof seeking to escape was murthered by Whirry men on the Thames Now a Parliament again being called the Duke of York coming out of Ireland made his Claim to the Crown deriving his pedigree from Lyonell the 3 Son of Edward the III elder Brother of John of Gaunt Father of King Henry the IV and after great debate in the Parliament at length it was concluded that King Henry should possess it during his life and after his Death then the Crown to remain to Richard Duke of York and his Heirs in general tail During these proceedings the Queen with her Son were in the North raising of Forces whither the Duke of York marched to encounter them reposing himself at Sandal Castle expecting more force to come to his aid but the Queen in the mean time coming before the Castle with a small force laying Ambushes on either side of the Hill before the Castle which the Duke not suspecting rushed out upon the Queen's men whom he had no sooner encountred but the Ambushes presently coming out surrounded him by which means the Duke with several of his Complices and Friends as the Earl of Salisbury and the Earl of Rutland a Child of 12 years old who though begging his life on his knees with tears were slain and about 3000 Soldiers Edward Plantaginet Earl of March Son and Heir to the Duke of York hearing of his Father's Death with an Army of 23000 men intended to Fight the Queen's Army but he found imployment by the way for at Mortimer's Cross near Ludlow he was encountred by the Earl of Pembrook and Earl of Ormond to whom he gave a great Overthrow slaying 3800 of them and taking several Prisoners amongst whom was Owen Tuder who had married Catherine Mother to Henry the VI. whose Head was chopped off in the mean time the Queen was gotten as far as St. Albans where the Londoners fearing their Plunder by her Army together with the King and several Nobles gave her Army Battel she giving them the overthrow and slaying two thousand of their men but Edward Earl of March drawing nigh the King and Queen retired into Scotland leaving the Kingdom to Edward whereupon he entered London giving a Period to Henry's Reign which accounted is but till this time although he lived eleven years after This Henry the Sixth was King of England France and Lord of Ireland he was the only Child of King Henry the Fifth by his Queen Catherine Daughter to Charles the VI. King of France His Reign began on Munday the 31 day of August Anno 1422. he reigned 38 years 6 months and 3 days and was the 35 sole Monarch of England he was stabbed to the Heart in the Tower by Crook-back Richard Duke of York afterwards King of England on Monday the twenty day of May Anno Domini 1471 being the 49 of his Age his body was first buried in the Abby of Chartsy in Surry and afterwards removed to Winsor by King Henry the Seventh and after that again removed none knows to what place CHAP. XXV Of King Edward the Fourth KING Edward was Crowned at Westminster but his Carriages towards the Citizens at his first entrance made them repent their forwardness in his behalf against King Henry and hearing of Henry's preparations in the North he marched toward Pontefrack in York-shire giving the Lord Fitzwalter charge of the passage at Ferry Bridg nigh Pontefract where the said Lord and several of his men were slain shortly after the Armies drew into a plain between the Towns of Towton and Saxton the King's Army consisting of 48660 and Henry's of 60000 men the Fight was bloody and continued 10 hours but at last the Lancastrians not able to gain-stand Edward's Forces they betook themselves to their Heels leaving the glory of the day to King Edward there was slain that day being Palm-Sunday the 29 of March several Nobles as Henry Piercy Earl of Northumberland John Lord Clifford John Lord Nevil and Leonard Lord Wells and several other persons of Quality to the Number of 357 and in all there was slain about 35091. This doleful News coming to Henry he with his Queen and Son fled into Scotland where they were honourably received by King James to whose Sister not long after the Prince was married and now after these passages in Scotland the Queen sailed into France to seek Aide where she got more men then her Coffers would discharge Edward in the
Leicester and from thence to Coventry where Warwick lay but durst not Fight him and so to Warwick whither the Duke of Clarence being come he and Edward became Friends and they marching to London where the Geates were set open every one crying King Edward Here Henry was again taken and sent Prisoner to the Tower the Earl of Warwick perceiving how things went found it was no time to be idle and therefore resolved to win or loose all by Battel and so marched towards London as far as Barnet King Edward pitching his Tents at Gladmore near Barnet to oppose him having at this time King Henry with him on Easter day they joyned Battel and Fortune sided with King Edward the Earl of Warwick and Lord Montacute his Brother were slayn and three Lords on King Edward's side and in all on both sides about 10000 besides several Nobles as the Duke of Somerset the Earls of Oxford and Exceter c. fled and took Sanctuary and afterwards proved Broachers of new Plots And now King Edward rid Triumphantly to London having King Henry still with him and about this very time landed Queen Margaret Henry's Wife and her Son Edward in England but hearing of the loss at Barnet field they took Asylum at the Abby of Ceerne to which place the Lords that fled from Barnet repaired who comforted the Queens heart with future hopes here forces repairing to them they flye from place to place and at length fought King Edward at Teuxsbury where three or four of the Chief of them as the Earl of Devonshire and Somersets Brother were slain and 3000 men besides and Prince Edward heir to Henry was taken and several Lords taking Sanctuary at Tewxsbury were nevertheless haled thence and beheaded and it is reported Prince Edward was basely murthered by the Duke of Gloucester and some of King Edwards Servants for speaking somewhat to boldly in the Kings Presence After this Queen Margaret was taken from Sanctuary and carryed Prisoner to Worcester and shortly after from thence to London after this the Lord Fawconberge Son to the Earl of Kent raised a confused Army of 17000 men for the Aide of King Henry but he was quickly curbed and fled to Sea And shortly after King Henry was stabbed to the heart by Crookt-back Richard Duke of Gloucester who as is shewed before was a main Instrument in Prince Edward's Murther it is recorded of King Henry that he had an honest mind a comely personage and was more like a Saint than a King now Queen Margaret being ransomed by her Father went beyond Seas to him and there languished away her dayes And after this all Henrys Friends being either banished or put to Death Edward was then at quiet and calling a Parliament all King Henry's Laws were Abrogated And about this time the Duke of Burgandy sent to desire King Edward's Assistance against King Lewis of France so the King went in Person with as great an Army as ever went out of England but he did Burgundy little good for he concluded a Peace with France on condition that Lewes should pay King Edward 70000 Ducats for his Charges and 50000 to be paid him yearly and that the Dauphin should marry Elizabeth his eldest Daughter and so returned for England About this time one John Huss suffered the flames on Tower hill for the profession of a good Faith and now all things being setled King Edward followed his pleasure and being on his Progress in Warwickshire he chanced to hunt in the Park of one Thomas Burdet Esq and killing store of Deer among the rest a white Buck was killed which Mr. Burdet hearing of he wished the horns in his belly that Councelled the King to kill him for which words he was beheaded at Tiburn And in those catching times a Jest of a Mercer in Cheapside telling his Son if he would ply his Book he should be Heir to the Crown meaning his own house that had that sign cost him his Life After this the Duke of Clarence being falsely Attainted and Condemned by Parliament he was shortly after drowned in a Butt of Malmsy in the Tower And James King of Scots about this time sent into England to dare King Edward to Fight who sent an Army under the Command of his Brother the Duke of Gloucester whereupon the Scots fainted and concluded Peace upon certain conditions and yielded up Barwick into the hands of the English out of whose possession it had been about 21 yeares After this the French breaking the Articles of Peace by the Dauphin's Marriage to Lady Margaret of Austrich Grand Child to the Emperour Frederick the King hereupon intended War against them but was prevented by Death Of those four Concubines King Edward delighted in Jane Shoare was not the least beloved by him This Edward the Fourth was King of England and France and Lord of Ireland he was Son to Richard Plantaginet Duke of York by his Wife Daughter to Richard Nevil Earl of Salisbury He began his Reign on Monday the fourth day of March Anno 1460. and Reigned 22 years 1 Moneth and 5 dayes and was the 36 Sole Monarch of England He dyed of a Surfeit at Westminster on Friday the 9 day of April Anno 1483 being the 40. year of his Age and 23 of his Reign His body buried at Winsor in the new Chappel whose was foundation himself laid CHAP. XXVI Of King Edward the Fifth THis King was never Crowned for at the very first his Uncle the Duke of Glocester began to think of deposing him drawing to his side the Duke of Buckingham and Lord Hastings they resolve forthwith to remove all the Queen's Friends from the King and to compass their Design they perswade the Queen that her son the King might come to London to his Coronation accompanied only with some few of his friends which she little suspecting what they aimed at easily condiscended unto and now they proceed to the taking of their Prey imprisoning the Lord Rivers the Queens Brother at Northampton they then hasted after the King to Story-Stratford whither he was gone on his way for London and here they made bold in the King's presence to arrest the Lord Richard Woodvile Sir Richard Grey and Sir Thomas Wagham and carried the King and all his company back to Northampton there displacing such of his Servants as they thought fit and putting others whom they pleased in their places Having thus far proceeded in their Design the perfidious Duke of Gloucester took upon himself the Order and Governance of the young King and sent Lord Richard Woodvile and the other two Knights to Pontefract Castle in York-shire where in Conclusion they were beheaded The Queen having notice of these proceedings betook her self with her Children to Sanctuary in Westminster where shortly after the Arch-Bishop of York then Lord Chancelour delivered her the Great Seal but afterwards considering of the Danger he might incur hereby sent for it again And now the Dukes of Gloucester and Buckingham coming to
London with the King his Majesty was received with great Joy and lodged in the Bishop's Pallace where all the Lords were sworn to him and there the subtile Duke of Gloucester behaved himself so reverently towards the King that the next Council he was chosen Protector At this Council the Arch-Bishop of York was reproved for his forwardness in giving up the great Seal to the Queen and was deprived of the Chancellorship and Dr. Russel Bishop of Lincoln put in his place All things thus proceeding according to the Protector 's mind he proceeds further in his wicked Plot making such a cunning Apology to the Council for getting the young Duke of York the King's Brother out of Sanctuary that they all suspecting no harm consented to him and agreed that the Arch-Bishop of York should repair to the Queen to desire her delivery of the young Prince and if denied then to bring him away by force and after a long conference between the Queen and Bishop at length with tears she delivered the Child into their hands from whence he was carried into the Star-Chamber to Gloucester who took him in his Arms with much seeming Joy and gave him a Judas kiss So having got what he desired he and Buckingham made Covenants between themselves that Gloucester should be King and that Buckingham should have the Earldom of Hartford and great part of the King's Treasure and to blind the People of their intentions several Lords from several parts of the Realm were called to devise things for Edward's Coronation at whose appearance the Protector and Buckingham withdrew into Bishops-gate Street to contrive the contrary Soon after several Lords repaired to the Tower to consider further of the Coronation and the time drew so near that all things were in readiness for it but not the Protector comes in amongst them seeming to be very merry excusing himself that he had been so long from them and desired to withdraw a little and about 2 hours after he came in with a sower and frowning Countenance and took his place and after a while he thus spake What are they worthy of saith he that compass and imagine my Destruction to whom Lord Hastings made Answer That they were worthy to be punished as Traytors That is quoth the Duke yonder Sorceress my Brother's Wife meaning the Queen and that other Witch of her Council Shoar's Wife At these words the Lords of the Council were much dismayed and hereupon the Lord Hastings said Surely they would not do so but the Protector answered and said I tell thee they have done so and that I will make good on thy Body Traytor and so giving a clap on the Table with his hand in came as many men in Harness as the Room would hold and all the Lords were conveyed some to one Room and some to another and the Lord Hastings within three hours after was beheaded on a Log before the Chappel Door in the Tower And now sending for several able Citizens into the Tower after Dinner he pretended to them that the Lord Hastings would have destroyed him and the Duke of Buckingham and so dismissed the Citizens and caused Proclamation to be made of the Lord Hastings Treason And not long after the Sheriffs of London were sent to seize of Jane Shoars goods which amounted to 300 marks and she afterward was forced to do Pennance to her great shame and now the Protector fought to strike whilest the Iron was hot and so sent for the Lord Mayor Edmund Shaw and made him acquainted with the Design who in hopes of Honour promised to draw the Citizens that way and means how to accomplish this Design was to get some able Ministers to Preach that King Edward the IV was a Bastard and that all his Children were Bastards and so to set up the praises of the wicked Protector thereby to seduce the People who are naturally apt to listen to Novelties and for this purpose Dr. Shaw the Mayors Brother and Dr. Pincker were the Men pitched upon who performed the Task very dexterously and it is wonderful to think what waverings and doubtings this caused amongst the People but the two Doctors felt God's Judgments for this Offence afterwards These things being thus bruited abroad the Duke of Buckingham shortly after repaired to Guild-Hall in London to which place the Mayor Aldermen and Commons of the City were come where he made a Learned Apology to them for the Election of Richard Protector to be King the People here at were all mute and answered not one word but being asked thrice of their Opinions herein and in a manner threatned to it at length they drew down into the Hall and began to whisper among themselves at which instant a great Company of Apprentices and the Dukes Servants prepared for the purpose rushed in at their Backs Crying King Richard and hereupon it was concluded to be the Cry of the whispering Citizens and so the Assembly being dismissed for this time they were all required to meet Buckingham the next day at Baynards Castle in Thames-Street at which place the Protector then Lodged and after the Assembly was come the Duke of Buckingham made the Protector with their as he said Election of him to be King at which words Richard as though he had been ignorant looked very strangely on them and denied to accept of that he so much coveted the Crown but Buckingham making himself the Mouth of the Assembly told him If he would not accept of it they would make choice of some other Noble man whereupon the Protector seeming as it were to have that forced upon him he most desired accepted of it promising more to the People then in a quarter of an hour than he performed in all his Life And so at this time Edward was deposed and he and his Brother about two months after were murthered in the Tower This Edward the V. though never Crowned was accounted King of England and France and Lord of Ireland he was the eldest Son of King Edward the IV by Elizabeth his Queen Daughter to Sir Richard Woodvile Earl of Rivers by Jaquilana his Wife Dutchess of Bedford He began his Reign on Friday the 9 day of April Anno 1483 and reigned two months and thirteen days and was the 37 sole Monarch of England He with his younger Brother the Duke of York were smothered to Death in their Beds in the Tower with Pillows about the lattter end of July Anno 1483 being the first and last year of his Reign and the 12 of his Age Their Murtherers were Miles Forrest and John Deighton Servants to Sir James Tirrel who was imployed for this purpose by the Duke of Gloucester their Uncle then King of England their Bodies were buried deep in the Ground under a Stare-case in the Tower and being afterwards taken up again none knows where they were laid CHAP. XXVII Of King Richard the Third PResently after his Election as is shewed before a Parliament was called and
he thereby confirmed King and the Crown intailed upon him and his Heirs and Prince Edward his Son made Heir apparent but against his Coronation guilty Consciences accusing themselves he being still in Fear he sent for five thousand Soldiers out of the North under the Command of Robert of Ridsdale to come up to London and before his Coronation which was very glorious he set at Liberty the Arch-Bishop of York and the Lord Stanly but continued Bishop Morton's Imprisonment whereupon the University of Oxford sending a Letter to the King in Bishop Mortons behalf he was thereupon delivered to the Duke of Buckingham who sent him to his Castle of Brecknock in Wales and after the Coronation was over the King took his Progress to Gloucester and from thence sent a Letter by one John Green to Sir Robert Brackenbury Lieutenant of the Tower to destroy the two young Princes who detesting so foul a Murther Sir James Tirrel a Man of small estate for what will not Wealth and Honour prompt a man to being promised great things by the King undertook the Murther and for execution thereof he imployed two Bloody Varlets who about Midnight smothered the two Innocent Princes with pillows and the feather-bed But God's Judgments attended these murderers and the King's mind ever after was fill'd with Horror and Fear having his hand constantly on his Dagger And now the Duke of Buckingham began to dislike the King for he had denied the Duke the Earldom of Hartford which was promised by Richard before he got the Crown whereupon the Duke of whose Intentions Bishop Morton was privy never came to the Court but seeking how to depose him whose main Instrument he was in exalting to bring this business to effect a Marriage was propounded by him and sollicited afterwards by others to the Queen and the Countess of Richmond between Henry Earl of Richmond Heir to the House of Lancaster and Elizabeth the Queens eldest Daughter Heir to the House of York which match was well resented by all parties for hereby the Houses of Lancaster and York being United the Quarrel in which so much Blood had been spilt would be ended Upon this Account Bishop Morton went over into Flanders and did the Earl of Richmond then in Banishment very good Service now the Earl having intelligence of these Proceedings forthwith disclosed it to the Duke of Britain who promised him his Assistance whereupon he sent into England to the Duke of Buckingham to make him acquainted with his preparation for England but in the mean time the King heard some whisperings of this Plot and therefore sent for Buckingham to repair to the Court who refused to go immediately preparing for War against the King at which news the Marquess of Dorset left his Sanctuary and raised an Army in York-shire Sir Edward Courtny another in Devonshire and Cornwal and Sir Richard Guilford one in Kent The King roused up at this news took his march towards Shrewsbury from London intending to encounter the Duke of Buckingham the head first who hearing hereof made out to meet the King accompanied with a great number of Wild Welshmen and intending to pass Severn to join with the Courtnies he was prevented by the River it being then without the Bancks so not being able to get to them nor they to him his Welsh-men hereupon forsook him whereupon the Duke fled to the House of one Humphry Banister formerly his Servant and there in disguise thought to have stayed till he could either have raised new Forces or gotten into Britain to the Earl of Richmond As soon as the other Nobles heard of the misfortune of the Duke they all left their Armies and most of them fled beyond Sea to Henry and the rest took Sanctuary and a Proclamation being made with promise of a thousand pounds to those that could take Buckingham this Judas Banister who had gotten his Estate under the Duke was taken with the Golden Bait and preferring with Judas the money before his Master's Life went and discovered him to the Sheriff of Shrewsbury who took the Duke disguised like a poor Country-man digging in a Grove near Banister's House and carried him to Salisbury where the King then was at which place without Arraignment or Judgment he was beheaded and several Nobles of the Duke's Faction received the like Doom at London and elsewhere But this greedy Banister missing the promised Reward of the King was rewarded with the Judgments of God for not long after his Children came to unfortunate Ends and he himself had got his deserts in a Halter but that he escaped by his Clergy And now the King hearing of Earl Henry's preparation for England he thereupon called a Parliament in which the Earl and all those that had fled to him were Attainted and their Goods Confiscated and the King also to make himself more secure at home made Peace with the Scots and sent great Store of Gold to the Duke of Britain to betray Henry into his hands but the Duke at the Arrival of the Embassadors being so sick that he could not be spoke withal his Treasurer allured with the Gold thought though unknown to his Master to have done the Feat but Earl Henry having notice hereof by Bishop Morton then in Flanders he escaped into France to whom repaired the Earl of Oxford out of the Castle of Hammes with Captain Blunt his Keeper and Sir John Fortescue Captain of Callis being all resolved to take their Fortune with Earl Henry And now the King seeing the Duke of Britain would not be taken with his Bait he begins to solicit the Queen for the delivery of her Daughters to his Custody thinking thereby to prevent the Match of the Earl Henry with the Lady Elizabeth the eldest Daughter and after many sugared and fair flattering Speeches to the Queen she at length resigned them up to him and Queen Ann his Wife being purposely made away as was supposed he now begins to Court his Neese Elizabeth his own Brothers Daughter intending to marry her and to lessen his expences he discharged his Navy commanding the Welsh to keep the shoar where he supposed Earl Henry intended to land yet notwithstanding shortly after he landed at Milford-Haven in Wales with 2000 Britains and marching into England as far as Litchfield several worthy men joyned Forces with him on his March and the King then at Nottingham receiving Intelligence hereof commanded all his Nobles to wait upon him with their Forces and so took his March to Leicester and the next morning pitched his Tents in a plain called Reddmoor neare Bosworth in Leicestershire where he was encountered by the Earl of Richmond where after much Courage and Manhood shown he was slain with some of his Nobles and about 4000 Soldiers and after he was slain he was taken and hung over an horse all naked and besmeared with blood and dirt and so was carryed to Leicester and there lay two days without Burial for a spectacle to the people
and was afterwards interred with great solemnity in the Grey-Fryers in Leicester and at the dissolution thereof the stone-trough wherein his Corps were laid was taken up and is now a drinking trough for Horses at a Common Inn in Leicester After the Fight was over the Lord Stanly found the Crown among the spoiles of the field and set it upon the Earl of Richmond's head in the field at which instant began the Reign of this new King and so an End was put to the bloody Contentions between the Yorkists and Lancastrians there were fought here in England eleven Set-Battels five in Henry the Sixt days as St. Albans Blackheath Northampton Wakefield and Towton and five in Edward the Fourths time as Hexham Banbury Lose-Coat-Field Barnet field and Tewxsbury and lastly Bosworth field which put a period to the to the Reign of the Plantaginets and opened away for the Tewdors to succeed them in these Civil Wars between the Houses of Lancaster and York were slain above one Hundred and Sixteen Thousand Men. This Richard the Third was King of England and France and Lord of Ireland he was a younger Brother to King Edward the Fourth and Son to Richard Duke of York who was Son to Richard Earl of Cambridge who was Son to Edmund Duke of York who was Fifth Son to King Edward the Third his Reign began on Friday the 22 day of June Anno 1483. He reigned two years and two moneths and was the 38 Sole Monarch of England he was slain in the Battel at Bosworth field as is before shewed on Monday 22 day of August Anno 1885. and his Body was buried in the Grey-Fryers at Leicester CHAP. XXVIII Of King Henry the Seventh AFter the Battel at Bosworth field was over the King hasted to London where with great Joy he was received and shortly after Crowned and Edward Plantaginet Earl of Warwick imprisoned in the Tower And now a Parliament being called King Richard was attainted and the Crown intayled on Henry and his heirs for ever About this time was the Sweating-Sickness of which Disease a world of people dyed a new Disease never known in England before And now the King dissolving the Parliament in January after he married the Lady Elizabeth eldest Daughter to King Edward the Fourth who in September after was brought to Bed of Prince Arthur and not long before the King's Marriage was Wheat sold for three shillings per Bushel and Bay-Salt the same price and the Cross in Cheapside was new builded And now the King taking his Progress to York to gain the Love of his Northern Subjects the Lord Lovel with some others that had taken Sanctuary after Bosworth Field raised forces thinking to surprize the King but he with 3000 men under the Conduct of the Duke of Bedford sent either to pardon or Fight them and the Duke proffering pardon the Lord Lovel fled by night and the multitude yeilded without stroak and shortly after Sir Humphry Stafford another Rebel suffered at Tyburn And not long after a new Tumult began upon the Report of one Richard Symon a Priest who broached abroad that one Lambert Symnell Scholar of his was heir to Edward Duke of Clarence who was cast into Prison a little before by Henry and so sailing with him into Ireland he there prevailed so much among the Peers especialy with Thomas Fitz-Girald Lord Chancelor that at Dublin he was Proclaimed and Crowned King and there obtaining some help he returned for England to whom those Lords that favoured the Cause of the Plant aginets joyned themselves although they knew the Fraud among whom the Earl of Lincoln was chief who with the Lord Lovel Sir Thomas Broughton Collonel Swart and Mawrice Fitz Thomas near a little Village about three Miles for Newark called Stoak were all slain by the Kings Army and 4000 Common Soldiers besides and the Counterfeit Symnel with the lewd Contriver of this wicked Stratagem Simon the Priest were both taken and Symnel confessing the business to be forced on him was made one of the King's Falkoners and the Priest Simon was commited to a dungeon and perpetual shackles And shortly after this Battel the King sent Richard Fox Bishop of Exceter and Sir Richard Edgecomb Embassadors to the King of Scots where they to the King 's great Satisfaction concluded a seven years Truce About this time the Duke of Britain sent to the King for his Assistance against France but he unwilling to disoblige either party having been formerly beholden to both sought a reconciliation making himself Umpire between them to which the French seemed to listen but in the mean time prepared for War and at St. Albans gave the Britains a great Overthrow and slew the Lord Woodvile and all or most of his men who was gone to the Duke's aid without King Henry's knowledge hereupon the King prepared to lend his Assisting hand to the Britains but their Duke in the mean time died which put an end to the business And now began some stirs in York-shire where the Earl of Northumberland was slain by the Commons at a place called Cock-Leg near Thirske at the inticement of one John Chambers for demanding the Subsidy granted by Parliament to the King and the Plebeans afterwards made head under the Command of Sir John Egrimont but the King sending an Army against them under the Command of Thomas Lord Howard Earl of Surry they were quickly dissipated and the Ringleadears shortly after received death the due Reward for such Rebels but Sr. John Egrimont escaped to Margaret Dutchess of Britain the common Encorager and Receiver of all King Henry's Enemies About this time the Scots rose in Rebellion against James the Third their King and fought the Army at Bannocks-Burn where in a Mill in the same field he was murthered After this King Henry began to prepare for War against France at the Request of Maximilian the Emperor whom they had basely abused in not only divorsing his Daughter Margaret from the French King but also in making Ann the Heir of the Dukedom of Britain his Wife who had been betrothed to the said Emperor by his Embassadors and the King taking his Voyage for France landed at Callis and marched on as far as Bulloigne and finding the Emperour unprepared upon whose Accounts he had undertaken that War he thereupon made Peace with France and had the sum of 186250 li. granted yearly which was duly pay d during his time and his Son 's until the debt vvas run out After this Voyage Margaret the Dutchess of Burgumdy the King 's grand Enemy obtruded upon the English one Peterkin or Parkin Walbeck by the name of Richard Plant aginet Second Son of Edward the Fourth and many of the Nobility out of Innovation rather than Love knowing it to be a Deceit of the Dutchess sided with him and the Lord Stanly amongst the rest did supply him with Money for which Cause shortly after he lost his Head although formerly he had been a main Instrument