whereto he does incline The God of Warre and not the God of Wine He claims his right sues for Charls his daughter Whilst the proud French retort with scorn laughter In short he did their Towns and Towers so batter The French soon found it was no laughing matter They sue for Peace and the fair Katharine bring Who more then all their weapons wounds the King They are espous'd and so conclude the jarrs Where Mars Venus are auspicious Stars HENRY the Sixth King of England NOt yet was Henry the sixth nine months old when his father died yet was he so fortunate in his beginning that his youth and Government were worthily supported by his three Uncles Humfrey Duke of Gloucester who when the King was crowned was made Protector both of his Person and Realme Iohn Duke of Bedford who was established Regent of France and Thomas Duke of Exeter who graced all his actions with much wisdome and great valour And needfull it was that the new Protector and the Regent should make the utmost tryall of their sufficiencies to the World for whereas in the end of the Kings Fathers days the Nobillity of France incorporated themselves to the English Nation and heartily envied the Dolphin King Charls about this time died and the unconstant French men began to play an Irish Game For on a sudden many of the hypocriticall French renounced their Duty and Obedience to King Henry and utterly neglecting all their Oaths of Allegiance made unto him revolted to Charls their new King endeavoring all that in them lay totally to extirpate the English root them out of France The Protector at home seeing this supplies the Regent with store of Soldiers Silver and Gold The Regent in the mean while levies a strong Army and on the other side Charls the new King was as active to do the like in so much that nothing but war tyranniz'd and tore up the entralls of France And to begin these troubles the French King sent the Lord Grandevile against Pont. Melance which he surprised and slew the most part of those he found there which place is again retaken by the valour of Thomas Mâ—ntacute the Noble Earl of Salisbury together with the Lord Grandevile who by solemne Oath promises faithfull and perpetuall service to King Henry but no sooner is this false French man released but he revolts About this time the Regent renews a League with the Dukes of Burgoyne and Britaine and marries the Lady Anne of Burgoyne whereupon Paris revolts and is reduced Then the Earl of Salisbury wins a great victory before Cravant and is made Vice-regent of France c. The Protector at home for a small matter ransometh Iames the young King of Scots and marries him to the Kings Cousin Germane but he proved a right Scot false and treacherous In the mean while the French gain by fraud what the English regain by force In England the Dutchesse of York is accused of witch-craft by the proud Cardinall her husbands Brother and unjustly suffers for it Now by the intercession of Christian Princes they began to treat of peace between the French and the English peace was not ratified but a cessation was granted for eighteen months In the mean time the Earl of Suffolk by his own authority contracted a marriage between King Henry and Margaret Daughter to the Duke of Angiers boasting much of the Ladies beauty and dowry at last he perswaded the King though he had passed his word to the daughter of the Duke of Britaine This Matrimony contracted gave but small help to the English affairs when for commutation great part of Normandy was yielded to the French and the Duke of Britaine in revenge of his wrong drove all the English out of Aquitane Now the hatred of Sommerset and York began again to bud he by fraud and injustice deposed York from the Authority of Vice-Roy and made himself Vice-Roy in his place York being not a little offended at it for the King did nothing lesse then mind his Kingdome All the authority was between Margaret and the Marquesse of Suffolk also by the contrivance of his enemies the Duke of Gloucester called the good Duke was put out of his place and unknown to the King a Parliament being privily called they question him for his Life he was cast into prison and the next day how it is not known miserably murthered In the mean time all goes to wrack by the negligence of Sommerset all Normandy in a manner lost and revolted and all France made good to Charls except Callice Now the King wants his two good Uncles the Dukes of Bedford and Gloucester to stand by him But Sommerset is called to account found guilty and banished for 5 years but being upon the Seas is beheaded and his body left on the shore The Duke of York who now should help the English in France is fain to goe to still the Irish that were up he quickly pacified them whereby he won the peoples hearts and much augmented his own affairs thus he began to end the difference between the White Rose and the Red and for a beginning of his own right to the Crown for he descended from Lionel Duke of Clarence King Henry being wholly unfit for the Government by whose foolish negligence France and Normandy was lost the men of Kent vote for Iohn Mortimer by Yorks perswasion and with a well appointed Army they march toward London Mortimer being their Commander between Eltham and Greenwich they stay and send up their complaints to the King and Parliament amongst the rest they Petition that York Buckingham and Exeter may be restored to their places and the Kings savour The King sends Forces against the Kentish-men Mortimer overthrows the Kings Forces whereupon the King flies to Killingworth in Warwickshire but Mortimer comes to London and displeasing the City by his arrogance they rise upon him and he is slain his men forsaking him The Duke of York raiseth an Army to bring Sommerset to a triall he is defended by the King but the Duke raiseth a greater Army and now in open field claims the Crown and having assembled to him the Earls of Salsbury and Warwick and others Trollop and Blunt fly to the Kings Army and discover all The Duke and Lords are proclaimed Traitors but the Armies meet near Northampton the King is overthrown and taken but the Queen with the Duke of Sommerset flies The Tower of London is delivered to the Lords A Parliament is called which pronounced York heir apparent to the Crown and Henry to continue the Title of a King during life and York to be Protector of King and Kingdome but the Queen comes with an Army York meets her near Wakefield but in vain expecting his Son is overthrown and slain His Son the new and brave Duke of York fights the Queens Army at Towton and wins the day and Crowne HENRY the VI borne at Windsor being of the age of eight Monthes beganne his reigne
the 31 of August 1422. and crowned King of England at Westminster the 6. of Nouember 1429. and of Fraunce the 7 of December 1432. he reigned 38 yeres 6 monthes he died by violence May 21. aged 52. AnoÌ„ 1471. first buried at Chertsey Abbey thence remoued to Windsore wher he was solemhley interd R E. 〈◊〉 Mars begets Clineas Henry a Son That has lost more then all his Father won For he lost Normandy and France put to 't England and Ireland and his Life to boot Twice crown'd and twice depos'd at last he took Deaths fatall Errand from Yorks desperate Duke He was a Prince do Rebels what ye will Like Archimedes drawing Figures still Who not unlike some Gamesters I have seen Winning and losing still the same has been He was not Politick in the Worlds controle But he is wise enough that saves his Soul EDVVARD the Fourth King of England EDward Duke of York having overthrown the King and Queen and having overthrown and executed many of his greatest enemies at Towton field returned triumphantly to the City of London and was proclaimed King of this Realme the 4 of March 1461. and was crowned the 19. day of Iune then next following In the beginning of his Reigne he removed from all Offices all such as oppressed the people and to strengthen his part with powerfull and faithfull friends he creates his two brothers George Duke of Clarence and Richard Duke of Gloucester and Sr. Iohn Nevell brother to the Earl of Warwick he created Lord Montacute and Henry Bourchier who had married the Lady Elizabeth Aunt unto the King and was brother unto Thomas Bourchier Arch-bishop of Canterbury was created Earl of Essex and William Lord Fawcâ—nbridge was made Earl of Kent The Duke of Sommerset and Sr. Ralph Percy with divers others the Kings professed enemies finding no further hope for the house of Lancaster came voluntarily in and submitted to the King and were received to pardon and favour but hearing that the Queen by the assistance of the Scots had raised an Army they slank away and revolted to her and afterwards taken at the battel of Exham were executed The Lord Montacute to whose valour the fortune of that day was ascribed is created Marquess Montacute to whom and others Edward gave great gifts After this Henry is taken in a disguise and sent to the Tower Then Warwick is sent to the Duke of Savoy and prevails for a Match between Edward and Bona the Dukes daughter but Edward in the mean time marries Elizabeth the widow of Sr. Iohn Grey at which Warwick vexed calls to his part his two Brothers and Clarence the Kings Brother and the King at Banbury The King notwithstanding these evill tidings marched confidently against Warwick and his northern Rebels but to prevent mischief many of the Nobillity endeavoured to conclude a peace so that Letters and Heraulds of Armes passed from one Army to the other for both were glad of peace by means of this Parlee King Edward became more carelesse of himself then was fitting whereof when the Earl of Warwick was informed he with some other well appointed rushed into the Kings Army slew his watches and surprised the King in his bed and secretly sent him to Midleham Castle in York-shire there to be safely kept by the Arch-bishop of York his brother who either repenting him of what he had done against the King or being won by large promises of great favour and good rewards suffered him with his Guarders to hunt and hawk by means whereof he made his escape and got to London where between the King and the Rebels another Parlee was had in Westminster Hall in which nothing was done but objections of good deserts and unthankfull requitals were proudly and insultingly urged by the Earl of Warwick in conclusion they departed each from other in great fury the King went to Canterbury and the confederated Lords to Lincolne Armies are raised on both sides they fight and the King wins the field The Lords Clarence and Warwick fly to the King of France who honourably entertains them and aids them with all necessaries for the levying of another Army with which they fight and drive King Edward out of the Kingdome who by the help of the Duke of Burgoyne returns with a small Army into the City of York where he is received upon solemn Oath that he claimed nothing but the Dukedome of York and that he would work no Treason against King Henry now again re-established in his Throne but he presently forfeits his faith and raising another great Army beats Warwick recovers the Crown and re-imprisons King Henry who soon after was murdered by the bloody hands of Richard Duke of Gloucester The King having through much trouble obtained peace betakes himself to dalliance with Iane Shore in the mean while his brother Duke of Clarence is drowned in a Butt of Malmsey The Scots threaten Warre and Richard Duke of Gloucester is sent against them a Peace was procured and King Edward dyed having reigned two and twenty years and is buried at Windsor He was doubtlesse a brave Prince however the clearest day is not without some clouds his perjury at York when he swore to the Citizens he would claim nothing but that Dukedome which was his right by inheritance and that he would in no sort interrupt King Henry's peace all which he falsified which afterward his innocent Sonnes sadly suffered for His lustfull Embraces with Shores wife got him the envy of his owne who was a chast and vertuous Lady in whom he got a good Wife though many enemies and though unfortunate in her Sons yet in her Daughter is composed all the fewd of York and Lancaster The right noble Prince EDWARD the 4th King of England and Fraunce Lord of Ireland He raigned 22. yeares and 5 weekes Died at the age of 52 yeares buried at Windsor 1483. R. Elstracke sculpsit Now sixty years out York obtains the Crowne And Lancaster with all his friends puts down Betwixt which Houses while the difference stood Fell more then fourscore of the Noble Bloud For which but think how many thousands bled And you will Iudge the Roses both were Red. Warwick advances Edward to the Crown And in distast againe he pulls him down But Edward to the Duke of Burgoine flyes And with his aid and his own perjuries Reerowns himself for Kingdomes men will dare A thousand Oaths and count them solemne Aire EDVVARD the Fifth King of England EDward the Fourth being dead his Eldest Son Edward succeeded him but he in his Reign was under Governors Anthony Lord Rivers Thomas Wagham Chamberlain and Richard Grey Knights who being sent for by the Queens Letters came in hast to London with the Prince Then also Richard Duke of Gloucester being at York and hearing of the Kings Death came to London with a small Army and being mindfull to usurp the Kingdome he overtook the young King Edward on his way to London and takes him into his own charge
Henry look back and in his Tragick Scene There thou shalt see what all thy troubles mean Nor did it though thou thoughtst it faster stood Cemented to thy Temples with his Bloud You that your Lives your Souls what dearest is Venture for Thrones do but consider this Princes descend unto the shades beneath And pyle their Crowns up at the Gates of Death HENRY the Fifth King of England THe King was inaugurated with wonderfull applause and desire of the Lords and Commons and he not willing to disappoint his subjects of the hope they conceived of him gave them a signe of his excellent Government sending from him those Ministers of lascivious youth his former associates And not willing his valiant heart should give place to sloath claims his right in France First he sent Heraulds and demanded his Kingdome from King Charls promising to marry the Lady Katherine his Daughter and threatened also that if he denied he would take his patrimony by force Charâ— laughed at his Embassadors whereby he so enraged King Henry that he musters a mighâ—y Army with about 120. Ships he sailed into France First he takes Harefleet and after many skirmiges with the French fought that memorable battel at Agencourt to the eternall honour of the English which done he and all his Army on their knees gave praise to God for their glorious Victory About this time Sigismund the Emperor came into England to Treat of Peace between the French and English nor was Henry slow in the business but when the French besieged Harefleet he was so angry that he sent the Duke of Bedford to raise the siedge with the Earl of Marsh Oxford and others and 200 ships and fought a bloudy fight in the Haven of Harefleet with Burbon the French Admirall where the English wan the day sinking 500 of the French ships and so relieved the Town But the Emperour perceiving the perfidiousnesse of the French made a firm League with the English against all opposers and so returned back into Germany The French in the mean time hired great ships of Genoa and again besiedging the Haven of Harefleet endeavoured to hinder all provision from coming to the Town but the Earl of Huntington suddenly vanquished them He took the Duke of Burbone a bastard and so returned Conquerour for England Then the King with his Nobility sailed into Normandy and took the Fort Tueha whilst the Earl of Salisbury wan Abervile which place the King freely gave to him and his Heirs Afterwards he wan Caen and for their obstinacy punished some of the principall with death and gave the plunder of the City to his Souldiers Then he sent the Duke of Clarence to beleager the Town of Bayon which he quickly wan thence he removed to Corfen and in three dayes became Master thereof then he subdued Argentaniam after that Aleucon Falesia and returned victor to Caen. In the mean while the Earl of Warwick conquered the Castle of Dumfrise and Clarentius mastered Curton and many other Towns Then the King layes siege to Roan and forced the Citizens to submit which Town being the Chief was an example for the rest to follow so that shortly he wan all Normandy lost by the carelessnesse of his Predecessors The Duke of Burgundy perceiving all things to succeed to K. Henery's mind procured a meeting between him and the Queen of France for King Charls her husband doted yet there was nothing done The Queen brought with her her most beautifull daughter Katharine purposely to ensnare the Kings mind with her allurements nor was it in vaine for the King no sooner saw her but he was wonderfully taken with her elegant beauty and when they departed doing nothing the King charged the Duke of Burgundy to do his best to satisfie his desires for unlesse all he demanded together with the Lady Kathariâ—e were granted him he would by force take from the Duke his Dukedome and from the King his Kingdome The French were so frighted with these threats that they fell to a new Parlie but now the Dolphin caused the Duke of Burgundy to be basely slain presently after though he begged his life on his knees and so the slaughter of the Duke of Orleance committed before by Burgundy was expiated Nor is peace yet concluded till the French were constrained by another losse to seek it seriously A meeting is appointed at Trecas and there was Katharine betrothed to Henry and the right of succession confirmed to him aâ—ter the decease of Charls whereupon all the Nobillity of France swear to be loyall to him and so the salique Law is broken The Dolphin also is cited to appear before the Marble Table in Paris and not coming is banisht Henry also caused money to be coyned with the Arms of France and England which he called the Soveraigne Then leaving the Duke of Clarence Governour of France and Normandy he returned for England with his Queen whom in February following he crowned at Westminstor with great solemnity and much honour But the Duke of Clarence making an Expedition against Anjou and taking great spoils as he came back laden with prey was betrayed by one Andrew Forgusa a treacherous Lombard and although he fought valiantly yet was he slaine by the Duke of Alenson with the chief Nobillity and 2000 English men the Earl of Somerset Suffolk and other Lords are taken Prisoners The King to revenge his brothers death lands in France with a mighty Army and freed Chartres from a siedge of the Dolphin whom he pursues from place to place but cannot overtake him though he take all Towns in his way So that in a short time he joyned all the Island of France to the rest In the mean time the Queen is delivered of a Son at Windsor named Henry of whose birth the King said to the Lord Fitz Hugh his Chamberlain I Henry born at Monmouth shall remaine but a short time and gain much but Henry born at Windsor shall Reign long and lose all About this time the Dolphin besiedges those of Narbon Henry goes to their relief but in his overmuch hast takes a feavor of which he dies having dispatched the Duke of Bedford who not only frees Narbon but drives the Dolphin into Aquitane who in mockery was called King of Aquitane While he lay sick he made his Brother the Duke of Bedford Regent of Normandy and France and his Brother the Duke of Gloucester he made Governour of England He died at 36 years old reigned 9 years 5 months and 24 dayes HENRY the v. began his reigne the 20 of March and was crowned at Westminster the 9 of Aprill following 1413. He reigned gloriously 9 yeres 5 monthes he died in the Castle of Boys Vincent by Paris the 1. of September 1422. and lieth intombed in the Abbey of St Peters at Westminster being of the age of 36 yeares when he departed this world R. E. sculp His Royall head no sooner Henry Crowns But his debaucht associates he disowns He showes them now
Florus Britannicus Or an Exact EPITOME OF THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND From WILLIAM the Conquerour to the Twelfth Year of the Reign of his Sacred Majesty CHARLS the Second now flourishing Illustrated with their perfect Portraictures in exact Copper Plates very delightfull to the Reader As also every King and Queens Elegie with a Panegyrick under the last Plate upon his Majesties happy Returne By Mathew Stevenson Gent. Regis ad exemplum totus componitur Orbis LONDON Printed by M.S. and are to be sold by Thomas Ienner at the South Entrance of the Royall Exchange 1662. To the every way accomplisht Gentlewoman my ever Honoured Cousin Mrs Grace Killingbeck of Baroughby Grange near Weatherby in York-shire here and hereafter happinesse DVring the time Dearest Cousin I had the happinesse for some years not long since through your more then generous goodnesse to call your house my Home I could not but take notice how much you were addicted to History out of a noble desire of acquaintance with former times insomuch that the vast bulk of Mr Fox his Martyrologie a volume to be Chronicled for its unweildinesse Sr Walter Ralegh's History of the World Purchas his Pilgrimage a Book Treating of all the Religions Lawes and Customes of every Nation under Heaven together with severall other large and tedious Authors could not deterre your eager eyes but into these they would venter though as into Groves and Labyrinths without Ariadne's clew inextricable Books that like China dishes or the walls of Jericho are begun in one Century and scarce gone through with in the next or as it is in curious and long-breath'd Romances or Sr Sidney's ingeniously insinuating Meanders the fancy Travels all day in the paths of expectation and at night cannot rest on the bed of satisfaction In consideration whereof worthy Cousin and at present not being able to serve you with other devoire I thought good to offer something though but a mite in order to acknowledgment of your innumerable favours to wit this Epitome of the Annalls of England being as it were a glance upon the Reigns of all the Kings with the two Queens of this Realme from William the Conquerour to the twelfth year of the Reigne of his sacred Majesty Charls the Second God be thanked now flourishing together with the exact and lively Portraicture of every King and Queene in Copper Plates As also their severall Elegies in twelve verses which indeed contein as it were a summary and Compendium of the Epitome all which not without much pains I have drawn within the Circle of your eye so that at once you may read both Lines and Lineaments which cannot but be of great advantage to your memory without which reading is but like a mans beholding his face in a glasse and turning his back to forget what manner of person he was To avoid therefore prolixity both ingratefull to the Reader and destructive to the Memory I have perused and compared many vast and voluminous Authours such as were the most authentick and best approved and out of them have presented you here Truth as she ought to be naked and by leaving behind those various dresses the Wardrobe of her needlesse ornaments that her Authors had set her forth with I shall render her to you though not so glorious yet more memorable In a word I have here presented you with much in a little Homers Illiads in a nut-shell or if I may say so the Pater Noster in a penny Chronicle in Shorthand you have the Marrow the Graine the Kernell let who will take the bones the husks and the shells There is nothing remarkable but I touch it so farre as the narrow confine of half a sheet will permit which is enough to enforme and satisfie concerning truth and in vaine are many words where one will suffice for let the Proverb say what it will The furthest way about is not the nearest way home Moreover this advantage accrues to our concisenesse That before you can read the circumstantialls of one Kings Life in a volumne you may here run over the atchievments of them all since the Conquest and thereof give a landable account But least whilst I thus complement with your patience in illustrating the advantages of brevity I forget my self and let my so much talkt of Epitome like that little City run out at the Gates of my Dedication I will shut up all and make this an Oblation to your memory not your merit which is so vast and unfathomed it would swell it self into such a volumne of obliges that my whole work would scarce look big enough to become an Epistle to it To summe up all your particular goodnesses and my severall engagements were to baffle Arithmetick with the Sands and to lay the first stone of a work of eternity for I know neither where to begin nor where to end but as with many acknowledgment of former favours is a tacit begging of future so it is with me while I stalk with one courtesie for another making my gratitude for what I have a Preface to what I would have In plain English I thank you for your first kindnesse and betray you to a second which is That you would pardon me in that I have unknown to you presumed to make this Book publick under the honour of your name â—hich if you shall vouchsafe I am all gratitude and assure your self when any thing more worthy your judicious view shall issue from our riper Genius 't is vow'd to you by Your ever gratefull Votary Kinsman Mathew Stevenson From my study in F. Sreet London Mar 12. 1661. WILLIAM the Conquerour EDward the Confessor ere he dyed promised the Kingdome of England to William Duke of Normandy after his deceas in regard he was his Kinsman near of bloud to him howbeit William was a Bastard begot of one Arlot a Country Maid in respect of which the abused English to this day call light Wenches Harlots only adding an aspiration to Arlot But Harold the Son of Goodwin Earle of Kent a bold man and a good Souldier possessed himself by force of the Kingdome during the Inter Regnum not waiting the consent of the Nobility though his Brother Tosto strove against him all he could and waged War with him But at York Tosto lost his life in a pitcht battel in the mean while William Duke of Normandy depending on his right raised an Army and came for England to the South Saxons Harold hearing of his arrivall though his Souldiers were tired in the late fight sets up his Standard against his new Enemy William Not far from Hastings they fought a sore Battel but Fortune turning against the English Harold driven forward with a warlike fury riding into the midst of his Enemies and fighting valiantly was slaine and a great number of his men fell with him William the Conquerour presently brings his conquering Banners to London and is proclaimed King by the people that remained having got a Kingdome by
off the memory of his former plighted Vowes and Engagements whatsoever and forthwith usurps the Kingdome and was Crowned at Westminster by William Corbel Arch-Bishop of Canterbury for the which his whole Reigne was continually infested with forraigne and domestick troubles But he was not to learn the pollicy of his Progenitors who having attained soveraignty by unjust and foul attempts have endeavoured by all fair means to settle their tottering Diadems upon their doubtfull Heads so did this King by wisdome and pollicy endeavour to lay a sure foundation to his estate And because riches are the strength of Kings and sinews of War He therefore to enrich himself seized upon the great and vast Treasure of his Uncle the late deceased King which he closed not up in Chests or in Bags as idle Archers doe their Arrows in Quivers but with a munificent hand he bountifully disposed of them among such as by Armes or by Counsell he judged most like to stand him instead at his need Then advancing the Nobility and remitting Dane-gelt to the Vulgar and honouring the Clergy he won the hearts of all granting liberty to hunt to the Nobility and Clergy Moreover to win the good Will of strangers he obtained for his Son Eustace Constance the Daughter of Lewis King of France yet did he not more by this marriage than by treasures strengthen himself in the Kingdome of which he spent not luxuriously but to levy Soldiers with and wage war which he too soon had occasion for Scarce was he Crowned before he was forced to fall to his Armes for David King of Scotland striving to assert the interest of Maud the Empresse proclaimed War against him and possessed himself of the Towns of Carlile and New-Castle but Stephen presently marched against him with a great Army and granting Cumberland to David and the County of Huntington to his son he put by a great storm without any bloud-shed at all Yet notwithstanding not long after in pursuance of Maud his Neeces Quarrell he again enters and resists the Northern Parts of this Kingdome with fire and sword but in the end he was encountered by Thurston Arch-Bishop of York who compelled him being pursued with unspeakable dangers to fly into Scotland and leave behind him dead upon the ground more then ten thousand of his Army Scarce had he composed domestick Commotions but he is saluted with an Alarum from abroad from Maud the Empresse who accompanied with Robert Earl of Gloucester her base brother landed with an Army in England and was quickly strengthened and emboldened in her enterprise by the wonderfull access of many of the English and of Raynulph Earl of Chester with a lusty Crew of bold and foâ—ward Welch-men Hereupon the King thinking it neither safe nor for his credit to make any demurre or delay forthwith levied a strong Army and marches resolutely against the Empress and her Forces who greeted him with such Musick as Warlike Troops are wont so that a cruell and a bloudy battel for many hours was fought between them Victory hovering with doubtfull wings not knowing where to light But at length the Kings Common Soldiers wearied with battel begun to cast about for their own escape and plainly run away and left their King who with his Nobles and Gentry scorning to run away fought Gallantry expressing wonderfull tokens of their high spirits and puissant valour till in the end the King was taken The Victory thus falling to Maud Stephen is brought before her and committed to Bristoll Castle and she in the mean while possesseth the Kingdome and as Conqueresse the enters London in Triumph But Mathilde the Wife of Stephen humbly beseeches the Empress to let her live a private life with her husband for she was weary of the Government The Londoners also require their ancient Lawes they enjoyed under the Confessor but the Empresse would grant neither Whereupon Mathilde not enduring the high â—tomach of the Empresse and detesting ignoble servitude calls Eustace her Son with a choyce Company of Souldiers out of Kent to London who joyning with the Londoners that were wonderfully offended that their suit was denyed also fortifying himself with the Bishop of Winchester they fall upon the Army of the Empresse which fled privately to Oxford and asked not in vain help of David King of Scotland by whose assistance she besieged Winchester but the Queen with her Son Eustace falling on her fortress overcame the Queen in a pitcht Battel and took Robert Son to the Empress but she her self eâ—caped A Treatie for Peace followed this Fortune whereby Robert on the one hand and Stephen on the other are set at Liberty There was another condition agreed upon whereupon Stephen now being free besieges the Empress in Oxford who escapes through his Army by night aparrelled in White by reason of much Snow newly fallen In the mean while Ieffery Husband to the Empresse dyes and leaves to his Son Henry the Dukedome of Anjou and Aquitane who befoâ—e had with his Wife Eleanor the County of Poictiers This Henry besieged Malmsbury but in vaine Not long after Henry is again invited over by some of his friends and comes with a gallant Army bravely conducted by noble Captains King Stephen and his Son had an Army in readiness to encounter them Great was the confidence on both sides somwhat they did but little But now happens a thing much to be wondered at amongst drawn Swords peace began to shew her self for in this expedition Eustace the only Heir of King Stephen is unfortunately drowned which overcame the King with infinite sorrow but it made a quiet end of this quarell For now the King wanting an heir to succeed him was pleased to accept the proffer of a friendly peace thereupon he adopted Prince Henry for his son and heir of his Crown gave him many Kingly gifts and assured him of his unchangeable love The Princes and all his followers return into Normandy with all imaginable Joy and next year King Stephen dyed when he had reigned nineteen years lacking one Month He dyed at Dover and was buried at Feversham in Kent Stephen a Valiant Prince sonne to Stephen Earle of Blois Charters and Champaigne and of Adela daughter to William ⧠Conquerour Vsurped the Kingdome of England which caused him to bâ— vexed with continuall warres He raigned 18 yeares 11 months died at the age of 49 yeares and lieth buried at Feversham 1154 Stephen next usurps the throne for when he drew His Sword he cut the Gordeon in two Valiant he was but vitiously inclin'd He is too strong a man Oaths cannot binde Maud had the Right Stephen Power Princes take Any advantage when a Crowns at stake He made no Laws he so in Wars did live He seemed rather to receive then give At last his Son dies now all storms blow fair Whilst Stephen adopts his enemy his heir What War could not a happy peace hath done This has a Kingdome got and that a Son HENRY the Second King of
Throne will o're his Nephews neck Although his own in the attempt he break What follow'd this Vsurper at the Helme A three years Curse on him and his whole Realme At last base fears impossibles foresees And to the Pope bends his unprincely knees In Swinstead Abbey death did him besiege In Sacramentall Masse Wassall my Liege Who pities him a safe estate that scorns And wounds his Temples with a Crowne of Thorns HENRY the Third King of England AFter the Death of King Iohn Henry his eldest Son about the age of nine years was Crowned King but not without some controversie of the Nobles some of the Nobility falling off to him who a little before had made a defection and swore to King Lewis Yet Lewis with an Army of twenty thousand men won many Towns till at last he came to the Castle at Lincolne which a certaine Noblewoman did bravely defend and caused him to stop and an Army of the English coming on in the mean time he was repulsed and conquered many of the English Nobility being taken that stood with him besides the Count of Perch that stood with him till the last preferring an honourable Death before a dishonourable Life Yet he did not despair but sent for more Forces out of France which were all almost destroyed in a Fight at Sea By these misfortunes he was forced to take Conditions of a hundred and five thousand Franks in respect of the charge he had been at he renouncing all right to the Kingdome of England And promising faithfully to prevaile with his father to restore all the Provinces in France belonging to the English The King restored to the rebellious Nobility all the Lands belonging to them And Lewis at Dover set Saile for France having warred unhappily in anothers Land Then a Parliament was summoned and Magna Charta ratified also the Court of Wards was revived and a Tax granted the King to Levy an Army under the Conduct of his Brother Richard for the recovery of his Rights in France The Parliament being ended the said Tax with great celerity is collected without any the lest grutch or contradiction so that the Kings Coffers were replenished with Gold and Silver and all requisites were carefully provided and a gallant Army of couragious men of War were assembled and safely transported With which Richard the Kings Brother did almost wonders subduing where he found resistance and seizing upon Lordships Forts Towns Castles and other defenced places quietly and without blowes no Head being made against him so that within few Months such was his valour and good Fortune he recovered both those Provinces wholly for the King and returned with much honour into England But the Kings absence from those Places gave opportunity to the French King to infest them which he unfriendly laid hold on and suddenly led a new Army into Poicters and easily made himself Lord thereof From thence marcht to Perigott and Alverne and other places in Guyan where he did the like But King Henry sent thither an other Army under the Conduct of his Brother Richard Earl of Cornwall with which he encountered the French and fought many sharp Battels in which for the most part his Fortune continued prosperous and all things seemed to promise him the recovering of whatever in his absence had been lost But in the height of all these broyles a friendly peace was concluded betwixt the two Kings and Richard returned safe into England This Richard Earl of Cornwall the Kings Brother at the suit of the Princes of Germany is elected King of the Romans but not long after being charged with insolence and oppression he was put out of the Office and returns to England a poor King that went out a rich Earle And now began those mischievous broyls and turmoyls in this Realm which until the Kings death daily vexed him more and more and the whole Kingdome also for the King lending too ready and pleasing an ear to lewd and evill Officers about him whom above all Officers he loved and favoured and by whose Counsell and advice both himself and his whole Kingdom was ruled and directed made little account of his best Subjects Love And took from them in divers things such Liberties as by the Lawes and Ordinances of this Kingdome they justly claimed and ought to have enjoyed He also pinched his people with many unnecessary and grievous Taxes which by those lewd and bold Officers were levied with much rigour and sharpness to their great distast The King also took to Wife Eleoner Daughter of Raymond Earle of Province whereby there grew no profit to his affairs but rather suffered great detriment by reason of her thread-bare and beggarly Family and her poor kindred flocking from all Parts as Crowes to the Prey which nevertheless were highly entertained by the King and enâ—icâ—t with money and placed in Offices of greatest honour and profit and the English â—hrust ouâ— aâ— which â—he Nobles stormed and the people every where much murmured But whilâ—â— the King goes about to overthrow his Subjects Rights which they labour to preserve all the Nobiliâ—y being offended at the promotion of strangers they enter into a Conspiracy The King calls a Paâ—liament The Nobility refuse to be present unless he would command the Bishop of Winchester Peter de Rupâ—bus and all his Gang to forsake the Court threatening withall that unless satisfaction were made to them they would depose the King and drive away all strangers his adherents and choose another King In fine both Sides King and Barons fall to Armes and with various success fight severall fierce and cruell Battels at length at the battel near Lewis after the fall of twenty thousand men The two Kings and the Prince with many Knights and Gentlemen of great account were all taken prisoners by the Barons Then a peace is concluded between them a Parliament being called the King confirmed the Government of the twelve Peers which by Hand and Seal he had assigned them in a former Parliament at Oxford called the Mad Parliament and Prince Edward who was Hostage for his Father is set at liberty But the Prince not enduring to see his Father thus a titular King raiseth a fresh Army and about Evesham near Worcester fights the Barons whom by reason of a mortall jarre between Leicester and Gloucester their two Generalls he overthrows Then the Kings call another Parliament and repeals and nulls all former Decrees touching the Authority of the twelve Peers and thus the King got again the staffe into his own hand by the vertue and valour of his princely son The King much incensed with the Londoners for taking part with the Barons could hardly be disswaded from burning the City but at last the Prince made their peace and after thâ—t marches with an Army to the Holy Land where the King dyes having reigned fifty six years HENRY the III. King of England Duke of Aquitane Earle of Poic tiers and Anjou Lord of Ireland He died at
a League concluded between England and Scotland and upon the discharge of some Scotch Lords Prisoners in the Tower of London a marriage was promised between Edward and the young Heir of Scotland which afterward was falsified and she married to the French King whereupon the Duke of Somerseâ— with a well provided Army enters Scotland and fought the Scots at Musselburgh and slew of them mâ—re than 14000 amongst whom besides the Lord Lohemore and the Lord Fleming fell almoâ—t all the young Nobillity of Scotland There were taken in fight Earl Huntley Chancellour of Scotland The Lords Hester Hobbey and Hamilton and 1500 more of good account possessing themselves of many strong Forts and Castles with abundant spoile and then betaking themselves homewards they not a little recreated the minds of the dejected Scots by their departure While these things thus fell out in Scotland there happened great alteration in the Ecclesiasticall State at home divers of the Kings Tutors being earnestly bent to a Reformation of Religion and especially the Lord Protector himself and it was therefore Resolved by the Kings Tutors and Counsell that whatsoever King Henry had enacted for the abrogating of the Popes authority should stand in full force and authority whereby the English Church became purged of Popery And what is very memorable the same day that Images and Superstition were thrown out of the Church news was brought of the great victory atchieved upon the Scots at Musselburgh The Popishly affected Stephen Gardiner and bloudy Bonner are committed to the Tower About this time fell out an unlucky difference betwixt the Protector and his Brother which proved the ruine of them both for they both lost their heads This Year Bishop Ridley preached before the King and in his Sermon took occasion to discourse of the necessity of Alms-deeds which the King earnestly attending and laying to heart sent for the Bishop after Sermon and entered into private communication with him causing him to set down in a chair and whether he would or not to put on his hat about relief The King to shew his wonderfull charity appointed severall Hospitalls to which he gave Lands to the value of 600 pounds per annum which had belonged to the Savoy and 4000 Marks a year in mony beside About the beginning of the next year the King fell into lingring sicknesse then into a Hectick Feaver whereof together with a consumption of the Lungs he died at length not without suspicion of poyson And now Northumberland began to devise how he might gain the Crown of England to his posterity he therefore imparts the businesse to the Duke of Suffolk requesting his eldest Daughter Iane to be given in marriage to his son Gilford Dudley then he takes upon him to perswade the King not only to disinherit his two sisters but also by Will to constitute his Cousin the Lady Iane Queen after him which accordingly the good King yeilded preferring the true worship of God before all naturall respects A few dayes before things were thus ordered King Edward not yet 16. years of age sent forth his blessed soul at Greenwich to wit the sixt day of Iuly when he had held the Kingdome under Governours six years five months and nineteen dayes shewing forth even in that tender age blossoms of vertue together with singular piety towards God constancy of mind love of right and an incredible study of Learning Not above three hours before he expired thinking no body had been by he uttered this Prayer Lord God deliver me out of this miserable and wreâ—ched life take me among thy chosen howbeit not my will but thy will be done Lord I commit my spirit to thee O Lord thou knowest how happy it were for me to be with thee yet for thy Chosens sake if it be thy will send me life and health that I may truly serve thee O my Lord blesse thy people and save thine inheritance O Lord God save thy chosen people of England O my Lord God defend this Realme from Papistry and maintain thy true Religion that I and my people may praise thy holy Name Soon after he cried out I faint I faint Lord have mercy upon me and take my spirit and so yielded up the Ghost The high and Mighty Monarch Edward the VI. by the grace of GOD King of Great Brittaine France and Ireland Defendor of the Earth etc To thee Great King it was a gain to dye Whose death was crown'd with immortality Nor does he erre whoever takes thee for Edward the Saint the Second Confessor Thou that in pious Paths so Even hast trod Art Enoch like translated by thy God Who as thy death does evidently show Lov'd thee too well to leave thee long below Whos 's every act the Vniverse convinces And is a pattern to succeeding Princes When thou of Popery didst the Temple purge Thy Scepter turn'd into thy Saviours scourge MARY Queene of England MARY so soon as she heard of her Brothers death posted to Framingham Castle in Suffolk to whom resorted divers Lords who had formerly compacted to preserve the Romish Religion Then she sent to the Senate of London that they should proclaim her Queen but the Lords in the name of all the people made answer That by the Testament of King Edward Iane was to succeed and they asserted that Maryes mother was divorced whereupon they fly to Arms. The Earl of Northumberland with a small Army marches against Mary but as he proceeds but slowly Maryes Forces increase mightily also Edward Hastings who was set with six Ships to prevent Maryes escape into France revolted to her by which losse the Lords and Londoners were not a little dismayed and grew at odds one with the other and the Londoners proclaimed Mary Queen and Northumberland when he was certain of his friends falling from him that he might not run the hazard alone calls a Counsell at Cambridge and himself for want of an Herauld proclaims Mary Queen of England c. casting his Cap up in token of joy But that did not at all help his Cause for the Earl of Arundell who a little before did not decline to venture his life for Iane now coming to Cambridge in Maryes name takes the Duke and Casts him into Prison he in vain intreating for his life Iane at the Command of the Duke of Suffolk her father when the Case was thus altered layes down the Ensigns of the Kingdome with much more cheerfullnesse then ever she took them up The Queen coming to London met her Sister Elizabeth with 1000 Horse and Thomas of Norfolk Edward Contener Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and Somersets Wife which she received into Grace giving them her hand to kisse Then entering upon the Church affairs she abollished those Bishops and Ceremonies that Edward had confirmed setting up others in their roome the people not a little offended at it and then she punished severely all those that were enemies to the Church of Rome In the interim
the age of 65 yeares after he had raigned 56 yeares and lieth intombed at Westminster 1272. The groaning Kingdome being rid of John Has found his very Image in his Son King Henry the Third nine years of Age Enters a troubled and a doubtfull Stage The Realme he found Rebecca like become With divers Nations strugling in her Womb All which he clear'd at last with promise fair With Oaths Vowes which prov'd nothing but Aiâ— He pill'd his subjects so that at his need Give him they nothing would nor could indeed He marries then with a mean Family And spoyles his Realme to lard their Poverty EDVVARD the First King of England WHen King Henry died Edward his son and heir was in Palestine very intent about the holy war where he underwent a grievous danger having received 3 desperate wounds from his adversary with a poysoned weapon But he was cured by the wonderfull Piety of his Wife who with her mouth in time sucked out the venome from his wounds In his way being made more certain of his fathers death he made great journeyes and travelled in all hast into England where with the generall applause both of his Nobles and Common-people he was crowned King when he was of the age of 35 years At the beginning of his Reigne he used the Nobility well but to abate the insolence of the Clergy he commanded their wealth to be brought into his Exchequer and he afflicted them otherwise and so drew upon himself their envy The Welch rise against him but he luckily intercepts Monfort's daughter espoused to Lluellen their Prince upon surrender of whom that storm blew over and obedience was promised by the Welch to King Edward But within few years three or four at most Lluellen puts an end to his Oath and obedience for his wife Eleoner being dead he breaks forth into new Rebellions also David forgetting the great love of King Edward to him falls off to his brother and so with joynt forces they enter England and does some mischief to Edward both of them wonderfully inflamed by a false prophesie of Merlin whereby the Crowne of Brutus was promised to Lluellen but the battle being set Lluellen was killed by a private Soldier and his Head brought to King Edward his Brother David also was taken and had his Head struck off and with his Brothers it was set upon the Tower of London where it remained a long time after but his four Quarters were sent to four Principall Cities in England to be set up for a terrour to all Traitors hereafter so Edward revenged the Rebellion of the Welch and the death of Alphonsus his first Borne who was slain in the same battle In the eighteenth year of King Edward's Reigne Alexander the King of Scots not having any Issue of his body fell with his horse and unfortunately brake his neck He had three sisters the eldest of which was married to Iohn Balioll Lord of Galloway the second to Robert le Bruse Lord of Valley-Andrew and the third was married into England to Iohn Hastings Lord of Abergavenny amongst these three each of them backed with his best friends sharp bickerings and civill wars arose to the destruction of many worthy persons on all sides Whilst the matter thus was handled King Edward promises the Kingdome of Scotland to Bruse for ever so he would do him homage for it but Bruse refuseth it preferring his Countries Liberty before his own honour Yet Balioll yields to those conditions and so got the Kingdome of Scotland but the ill will of all his Country-men Envy against him increased for refusing Justice upon the death of the Earl of Fife who was slaine for Baylioll exempted Albermeâ—h from punishment that slew him whereupon Baylioll cited before Edward's Tribunall is forced to plead his cause he was angry at this disgrace and denies Homage to Edward and proclaims warre making a Covenant with the French King Hence arose the cause of a most bloudy warre between the two Nations which lasted for three hundred years only some feigned cessations passed between No lesse than four times did this victorious King Edward subdue the false and fraudulent Scots compelling them with extraordinary tokens of subjection and humility to submit themselves to his mercy In the mean time a new warre breaks forth between King Edward and the French King Philip the fair by a controversie between the subjects of either King for Kings that envy one another easily break forth into open Hatred but Edward had other grudges against the French for conniving at the death of his Cousen Henry the Emperors Son Edward therefore when a day was appointed him hath a stipendary to plead his cause before King Philip he refused to appeare whereupon a great Army being raised Philip enters upon the Territories of King Edward in France by force of Armes the King of England by the assistance of neighbour Princes the Earl of Flanders the Duke of Brabant with Adolphus of Nassaw the Roman Emperour presently marches against the King of France but finding the French divided in two parts and defrauded with the Emperours delayes when he had held his winters quarters at Gaunt not without the murmuring of the Citizens and great want of his souldiers At the beginning of the spring truce being made with the French for three years the King tooke Margaret the Dukes sister to wife for Eleoner died in the former Expedition against the Scots And the daughter of Philip being betrothed to King Edwards sonne he retreated for England About the same time Doctor Langton then Bishop of Chester complained grievously to the King upon Edward the young Prince who by the lewd advice of Pierce Gaveston his loose and gracelesse Companion brake forcibly into his Park and made havock of his Game for which the Prince was committed to Prison and Gaveston banished for ever Lastly making an incursion into Scotland he is taken with a Disentery and dies of it and lies buried at Westminster He was very tall of Countenance somwhat sorrowfull of Chastitie like his Father but in fortitude farre before him Religious he was and wise The noble and Victorious Prince EDWARD the first surnamed Long-shanks King of England Duke of Aquitaine Earle of Poictices and Anjou Lo of Ireland c He Conquered Scotland and brought from thence the Marble Chaire He subdued and overcame llewelyn Prince of Wales and made his sonne Edward Prince Hereof he died at the age of 68 yeares 1307. after he had raigned 34 yeares 8 monthes buried at Westminster King Edward Saraceus Head Sholder sunders Where Christ wrought miracles this Prince did wonders His wife with such so pious love abounds She sucks the venome from his poysoned wounds 'T were Treason to their merits to conceal So great a Valour and so sweet a zeal The haughty Welch he soon did over-run And left them Vassalls to his Princely Son And by his sword so weighed down Fortunes scales That Englands heir succeeds stil Prince of