others also Nor did the Queen do lesse at Bristol killing Hugh Father to Spencer who was ninety years old causing him to be dragged to Execution pulling his heart out alive Then she sent part of her Army to finde out the King Henry Earl of Lancaster being the chief and Rice Paulinus a Welshman who because he knew every passage of the Countrey exactly he lead the Earl to the Monastery of Neth where the King hid himself where presently both he with Spencer Robert Baldoch and Simon Redyng is delivered into the hands of his Enemies and is left to the Custody of the Earl of Leicester who entertained him with all respect as it was fit a captive King should be But Edmund Earl of Arundel John Daniel and Thomas Micheldem are beheaded at the request of Mortimer But Spencer who was now Earl of Glocester is now with Simon Redyng drawn to Execution and being first hanged they were afterwards beheaded and quartered and their Heads set up on London Bridge the quarters were sent to the chief Cities but Baldoch was famished to death in prison Then a Parliament is called wherein they consulted to depose the King and to Crown the Prince his Sonne Edward But he being farre more Religious than his Mother would not accept the Crown unlesse his Father would resign it willingly Some are sent to perswade this miserable King and the unhappy man did yeeld easily to it A day is set for the delivering up his Title and Edward cloathed in black comes into the Chamber where they were gathered together that should receive his Abdication but he scarce saw the provision made for his renunciation but he sunk down half dead in a swound and with much ado being refreshed by the Earl of Leicester and the Bishop of Winchester he came to himself But when he heard the cause of the Assembly he answered That as it was displeasing to him that his Subjects were so much offended at him so he was well pleased that they had made his Son Edward King in his stead and so the Solemnities being rightly performed the business was at last accomplished Then an allowance being granted to Edward he remained in the Custody of the Earl of Leicester and was well used Also so great a stipend was granted to the Queen-Mother that there was scarce any thing left for the King and Queen Nor was the furious woman yet pleased but went about to infringe the Liberty her Husband enjoyed with the Earl of Leicester and by the counsel of Adam Torleton Bishop of Hereford power is granted to two Knights Thomas Gorney and John Matrevers to carry the King to some other place They hewed him filthily cutting his hair most ridiculously and his heard also that he might not be known at last they brought him to Barclay-Castle After he had lost his Kingdom they consult concerning his Life First They thought by unwholsome food to destroy him then by filthy stinks of carcases and lastly by poyson but neither prevailed Then the Letters of the Bishop of Hereford the most wicked Counsellour were sent to his Keepers by which he checks them heavily for dealing so well with him that was not fit to be so kindly used adding in the end Doe not fear to kill Edward 't is good which was interpreted by them as they pleased who thereupon fell upon the miserable King in his Bed and strive with the Blankets to strangle him Nor were they content with this but they thrust a hot Iron into his Fundament and so burned his Bowels a most hideous Example of Cruelty and destroyed him in a dolefull manner But these Parricides when they looked for a Reward for their Villany they received a just Reward of it For being called in question for their Lives they were banished Afterwards Gorney lost his Head Matrevers after a long banishment at last died miserably This King was of an excellent Stature of Body wonderfull strong but too much given to drunkenness and so not secret of his Counsels he was immoderate toward those he loved For Love if it be with Moderation is a most noble affection of the soul and if that be wanting it is the worst passion of all the rest He was more unhappy than unfortunate He exceeded all in Chastity for he left no Bastards behinde him In Moderation for he used no unjust wayes to pole his Subjects of their Moneys As his Subjects hated him in his life time so his memory was dear unto them after his Death EDWARD the third King of England and France Anno 1328. HIs Father being deposed Edward was saluted King sirnamed Windsor not yet having passed his fifteenth year and therefore he had Governours that should Rule the Kingdome in his Name But the chief Power remain'd in the Queen and Mortimer either the Nobility winking at it or allowing it The first care was to fall upon the Scotch for Robert Bruise despising the young King entred the Borders of England with his Army whereupon an Army is raised joyning those of the hanse Towns which the Queen brought with her But when divers people hardly could be held together in respect of the diversity of their Manners there grew in a short time a great discord between both Nations so nothing succeeding well they came back again and afterwards the English consented to base Conditions of Peace A Marriage being contracted between David Prince of Scotland and Joan Sister to Edward Also Edward Married his Wife that was promised him Philippa the Earl of Hannonia's Daughter being yet in their Nonage Then the Souldiers of Hannonia who caused the Discord are sent home And Edmund Earl of Kent accused of Treason because he had endeavoured to restore the Kingdom to his Brother Edward was condemned and lost his Head But the great Revenues of the Queen which she had drawn to her self by a Grant of Parliament were restrained to a thousand per annum and she was imprisoned in a Castle and Mortimer being convicted of Adultery with her and being taken in the act was presently hanged In the mean while Philip the Fair King of France died and the Kingdom was devolved to his Sonnes Henry Lewis and Charls the Fair who all reigned in their turns but Charls dying without an Heir-male lawfull Succession failed in him Edward who was of kinne by the Sister of Charles who was the Daughter to Philip the Fair supposing that the Kingdom fell by descent to him found Philip Valesius Brother to Philip the Fair to be his enemy for women by the common rule of France are excluded by the Salique Law Wherefore Philip was prefer'd before Edward and the King of England was forced to do him Homage for the Lands he possessed in France But these things gave cause afterwards for a grievous Warre and a sharp Contention In the mean time Edward Baily Son to John affecting the Kingdom of Scotland descending from his Ancestors Robert Bruse being now dead made Warre upon the Scots and by a
successfull fight or else helped by the Forces of Edward brought almost the whole Nation under him whilst David a young King trifled the time away in France and so doing Homage to the King of England he held it as from him in Chief In the said time the Isle of Man is Conquered by William Montacute Earl of Salisbury who therefore was honoured with the Title of King of Man Edward now come to age by the Instigation of Robert Atrebas who was fled out of France into England intends a Warre with France making a Confederacy with the Dukes and Earls of Gelderland Gulic Cleave and the Hanse Towns and of Brabant The French also foreseeing this Tempest made friendship with the Bishop of Leige John King of Bobemia the Earl of Lutzenburg the Palatine Albertus Otho of the House of Austrich and Amesius Earl of Genoa Wherefore Edward sail'd into Flanders bearing the Title of the King of France those of Flanders being the cause of it and then he entred the Borders of France Philip also invaded Aquitan and though the Armies of both Kings were in sight one of the other and ready to fall on yet they both departed without fighting Edward in the mean while to see to his business at home returned for England leaving William Montacute and the Earl of Suffolk to take care of the Warre both of them behaved themselves valiantly yet were taken and brought to Paris But Edward supposing it was in vain to stay at the report of this news provided for his return for France and finding a strong Navy of King Philips in the Haven of Sluse he collecting a great Fleet set upon the French and utterly destroyed their Navy killing then 30000 French with those that were drowned and came to their ends other waies Then he laid siege to Tourney which Town was so well defended by the Duke of Burgundy and the Earl of Armeniac that his whole Army being dispersed he lost about 4000 men Edward was much enraged with this loss and challenged Philip to fight a Duel with him but the business came not so farre because it was taken up Yet the befieging of Turney was no whit neglected and Philip did what he could to free the City but Robert King of Sicily interceding and especially Joan Valois Philips sister there is a cessation made for two years In the interim the Scots that were enemies to Bayly's Government calling their King David out of France they make Warre upon Edward and invading Northumberland with a strong Army they miserably destroy all by fire and sword sparing no sex nor condition But at the sudden approach of William Montaente they are afflicted with some loss and being frighted at the coming of Edward sounding a retreat they returned for Scotland but Edward following their Armies overtook them and wearying them with some light skirmishes he forced them to a cessation for two years John Earl Montfort whilst he strives to make good his Title to Britany is taken by King Philip but his Wife seeking help from King Edward easily procured it Mary the Kings Daughter being espoused to the Earls Son the care of that expedition was first committed to Gualter Mani a valiant Gentleman and then to Robert Atrebas In the mean time Baily being driven out of his Kingdom of Scotland and by Edward made Governour of Barwick tels Edward that the Scots had not kept their Covenants whereupon Edward moves suddenly with an Army against the Scots but there was nothing done but the cessation of Arms renewed In the interim Robert Atrebas with Gualter Mani and some other Nobles after a great tempest and Sea-fight arrived at a Town of Britain which is commonly called Vannes and going on Land set on the City that was a Garrison in a Hostile manner and suddenly became Masters of it but by the desperate violence of some of the Nobility the French wan it again and wounded Robert whereof he died shortly after in England But Edward himself moving into Britany laid a new siege to the Vannes and John Duke of Normandy coming suddenly they both make themselves ready for Battell but by the intercession of Pope Clement the sixt Truce was made for some few moneths yet it lasted not who was the cause of it is uncertain they again prepare for their Arms by which means Henry of Lancaster subdued many Towns in Guyan and in other Provinces and then he removed to Burdeaux for his Winter Quarters Philip that he might not lose his Countrey by sloth levying a great Army regained Miremontium a Franc Town and Engolesm But when Lancaster was too weak for the great Army of Philip Edward came to his assistance with more Forces bringing with him his Sonne Prince of Wales that was yet in his Nonage for he was scarce 15 years old that he might be trained up in the Warres who presently took many Towns and then he marched toward Picardy and Pontium and he either vanquished or destroyed all places in the way Then he passed over Somes a wonderfull example of his Valour the enemy looking on and he discomfited Gondemar more by fear than force In the mean time Philip stay'd with his Army at the Temple of St Germans and being enraged with so great a loss of his men sets Edward a day to sight with him in Battell he had pitched his Camp at Cressen expecting with his Ensignes Philip his enemy The Armies both meet and the Trumpets sound to Battell wherein appeared the wonderfull courage of Edwards both Father and Sonne that day the English got the Victory and the French were routed and ruined the King hardly escaped himself and there were found slain about 30000 men the chief whereof were John King of Bohemia Charles Alencon and other chief Nobles 1500. Another loss fell after this Victory upon the Archbishop of Roan who lost about 7000 Souldiers Nor was this the end of their Victories for it went successively in England against the Scots in the Kings absence their King David with the greatest Noble men were taken prisoners and 15000 Souldiers were slain in the fight and the rest were dispersed Nor did the General Thomas Dagovort fight with less good fortune in Britanie for the Countess of Montfort the principal of the French Nobility being taken and killed Edward being more high by so many and great Victories neglecting Amiens and the Town of Abbas he laid siege to Calais that was of great moment and most convenient for the English affairs whilst Lancaster over-ran all Guyan vanquished those of Xanton and Poictiers and being loaded with the spoil he returned to Burdeaux In the mean while Philip going about to relieve those of Calais drew near with his Forces and when he had in vain provoked Edward to Battell having done nothing he returns toward Paris So they of Calais being out of hopes of relief began to treat for Conditions and it was agreed upon on both sides that six of the principall Citizens should come with
Norman Kings STEPHEN King of England Anno 1136. HEnry being dead Stephen upon a doubtfull Title and his elder Brothers delaying first possessing succeeded He won the English partly by promises partly by benevolence to which was added his Title of Inheritance Having laid hold on the Kingdom by promises he endeavours to make it good by courtesie He took off the heaviest Taxes and granted his own right to the Clergy which the former Kings kept to themselves Also he would that Church-men should be free from yielding obedience to the temporal Magistrate Thus he won the people and the Church-men and the Nobility by granting them free leave to Hunt and liberty to build Castles His Brother Theobald who by his Birthright was next to the Crown he pacified by a yearly Pension Moreover to win the good will of strangers he obtained for his Sonne Eustachius Constance the Daughter of Lewis King of France yet he did not more by that Marriage than by Treasures strengthen himself in the Kingdom of King Henry which he spent not luxuriously but to leavy Souldiers and to wage Warre with He was scarce Crowned before he was forced to fall to his Arms for David King of Scotland striving to assert the Interest of Maud the Empress proclaimed Warre against Stephen and possessed himself of the Towns of Carlile and New-castle Stephen marched against him with a great Army and granting Cumberland to David and the County of Huntington to his Sonne he put by a Tempest that was coming on without any blood-shed at all Not long after he was shaken with Civil Commotions greater than before for when he was sickly he was reported by some to be dead whereupon the Nobles abusing their Castles to the Kings ruine conspired together and endeavour to get the Kingdom into their own power Stephen least by delay the danger should get strength partly by his Captains partly with his own hand he subdued the boldness of the Rebels He marched against Baldwin the ring-leader of the Conspirators and driving him out of Oxford he pursues him as farre as the Isle of Wight and forcing him from thence he enjoyned him perpetuall banishment He was scarce quiet at home but a Warre from abroad puts him to further trouble For Jeffrey Plantagenet relying on the Title of Maud his Wife invades Normandy with offensive Arms and strives to possess himself of his Grandfathers Territories Stephen quickly levying an Army hastens thither they having fought in divers small skirmishes come to an agreement namely that Jeffrey should abstain from all Title and Right Stephen paying to him an annuity of 35000 Franks When he returned he found the Kingdom full of Warre and Tumults for the Nobility enter upon a Conspiracy because the King kept not his promises and every one of them makes Warre in his own Dominions Also David King of Scotland forgetfull of his Covenant enters upon Northumberland and miserably made havock of all by fire and sword he neither spared women nor innocent children he kils the Priests before the Altars the sacred Virgins are ravished in the Churches The King to oppose himself against the greatest danger first bends his forces against the Scots But the Warre during long giving command to Thurstin Archbishop of York to wage Warre with the Scots he returned home that he might tame the rest of the Rebels which by force of Arms by Promises and by his Benevolence he at last reclaimed Thurstin in the mean time joyning Battell subdued the Scots and slew them with a great slaughter for eleven thousand Scots were slain in the fight besides those that ran away and were killed in the pursuit The King being made more bold by this success enters now with Arms upon Scotland and afflicted David with a sore loss and compelled him to beg for peace which at last he yielded to Stephen taking Henry the Son to David for Hostage Stephen returning laid siege to Ludlow the receptacle for the Conspirators and with his own hand he freed Henry whom he had taken for a pledge The most cruel tempest followed this fortune for Maude requiring her Right arrived in England Stephen hearing this laies siege to Arundel Castle where by chance she harboured her self but in this desperate siege water being all spent Maude delivers up the Castle having leave given her to retire towards Bristol In the mean while he quickly removes to Lincoln taken by Randulph Sonne to Robert Earl of Glocester and environs it with a siege The Earls of Chester and Glocester endeavouring to free the City fight with Stephen hand to hand in which fight Stephen is taken prisoner after that he had given wonderfull arguments of his prowess and he is brought before Maud who sent him toward Bristol to be imprisoned and she in the mean while possesseth the Kingdom entring London as Conquerour in Triumph But Maude or Mathilde the wife of Stephen hearing of the Kings misfortune humbly intreated Maud that she being of a long time weary of the Government might have liberty to live with her Husband a private life Also the Londoners they require their antient Laws which they enjoyed under Edward the Confessor but Maud would grant neither Maud not enduring the high stomack of Mathilde and detesting ignoble servitude cals for Eustachius her Sonne with a select company of Souldiers out of Kent to London who joyning with the Londoners that were wonderfully offended that their suits were denied them also fortifying himself with the help of the Bishop of Winchester they fall upon the Army of Mathilde which fled privately to Oxford and asked not help in vain of David King of Scotland by whose assistance her Army being increased she besieged Winchester But the Queen with her Sonne Eustachius falling on her fortress overcame Mathilde in a pitched Battell and took Robert Sonne to Mathilde but Mathilde her self escaped luckily A Treaty for Peace followed this fortune whereby Robert on the one hand Stephen on the other are set at liberty but there was no other condition agreed upon wherefore the Trumpet sounds again to Warre and Stephen being now free besieges Mathilde at Oxford but she despising danger passed through his Army in the night Yet she was so frighted with the present danger that she ever after forbare to make Warre with him leaving the charge of the whole business to her Son Henry In the mean while the City of Lincoln was valiantly defended against the King But at last the Earl willingly yielded to the King desiring reconciliation yet Stephen entertained him not so courteously but spoil'd the miserable Earl of all his Estate by which perjury he did not a little alienate the mindes of his subjects Henry by the death of his Father Jeffrey having got the Dukedom of Aniou and of Aquitan and with his Wife Eleonar the County of Poicteirs by a fresh attempt but with a few Souldiers sails for England hoping at last to regain his Grandfathers Kingdom He was no sooner landed but his friends
John and sets him a day of hearing to appear before him as one that ought him Homage But John refusing he entred his Territories by Arms and in short time he subdued all Normandy as it were in the face of John who staied sluggishly at Roan and afterwards doing nothing he returned into England the Nobility gnashing their teeth at it in vain To this may be added the second and third loss for Eleconer the Kings Mother died who did the Kingdom as much good by her vertues as the King did mischief by his vices Hubert Archbishop of Canterbury followed her who was another Ornament of the Kingdom And now John seemed to be in possibility to recover his loss so his subjects would bring Subsidies to help him to wage Warre which they strove who should do it most So he marcheth toward Portsmouth and suddenly set sail not waiting for the Noblemen that came after him but he had no sooner left the shore but he presently returned and upbraiding the Nobility because they followed him not with sluggishness and disobedience he fined them with a vast summe of money and so being the richer by his double Usury neglecting the War he returned home Philip in the mean while that he might expell all the English out of his Kingdom takes Chinon by force and he had quickly put an end to the Warre unless Guido the Husband of Constance falling off from Philip had joyned with John by whose help he levied a new Army whereby he took Mountalbans a Town otherwise impregnable with wonderfull celerity in fifteen daies and after that storming Aniou he gave the Plunder to his Souldiers rasing the Wals of the Town but he repented it afterwards and perchance because he was born in that City he built it again more firm and beautifull than it was And now Philip and John were in Arms now on this side now on that the Army expected the word to fall on and nothing but blood and slaughter was to be expected but at the Intercession of friends a Cessation was granted for two years John therefore returns for England but upon his return he enters the borders of the Scotch and kils multitudes of them and brought King Alexander to his obedience and those Irish that he found to have revolted he sailed with his Fleet thither and easily brought them under So he made the Rebel Welsh upon his return become Subjects taking eight and twenty Noble-mens children for pledges which when the Welsh rose again he commanded to kill them all So much prevails unadvised desire of wrong though sometimes it may oppose good examples to unsatisfied cruelty and so John was more cruel and valiant against none than toward his own Subjects He returned afterward into France that as we said he might repair the wals of Aniou when those of Poictou revolted to him But Lewis the sonne of Philip mustering an Army presently not only mastered and punished the Rebels but also put all Johns Army to flight and destroyed them taking the chief Nobility by which losse he was brought to desperation yet making peace he returned for England to vex his Subjects and to pour forth all his malice on the innocent In the mean time the Nobility of England because they could obtain from the King no release of their burdens conspiring together wage warre against him The King when he was too weak for them attempted to proceed by subtilty and calling the Nobility together granted them their requests But afterwards being discharged by the Pope from his promises he takes up armes against them and spoiling almost all England he threw down the Castles and Forts of all the Conspirators every where There was a Bull sent from the Pope against all the Nobility that disobeyed his Commands The Nobility being too weak for the King in Arms they commit an unjust and hainous wickednesse calling in the sonne of the French King to their assistance and promising obedience to him as to their King He stayed not but sailed for England with a Navy of six hundred ships The conspired Nobility joyn'd with him and so joyning their forces they came for London where Lewis with a fair speech wone the Citizens to his side Also the Scotch entred England with a mighty Army destroying all things in the way whereby Lewis as also by the other Forces being strengthned overruns all England with ease John in the mean time least he should seem to do nothing gathering together a great many vagabonds spoils miserably the Lands of his Subjects at last in the passing of some Rivers not a few of his followers being drown'd and being overweakned for want of help falling thereby into grief of minde and so into a Feaver he died within a few dayes Great controversies arose between the King and the Pope during his Raign in Church-matters about the choice of some Bishops The Pope got the upper-hand and made the King do him homage after that the businesse of the Church had stood still six years and three moneths He was immoderate in blasphemies and execrations Also he is thought to have sought aid from Mirammula King of Africa whilest he was in his troubles promising to him the Kingdom of England if he conquer'd and to renounce the Christian Faith He was sad and dark of countenance he was tall and fat sluggish and idle of Nature he seldome conquered the enemy but by force being inconstant in adverse fortune he was easily dejected He was false in his promises burdensom to his Subjects troublesom to his neighbours and hated of all HENRY the third King of England Anno 1517. AFter Johns decease his first born sonne Henry not yet passed nine years old obtain'd the Kingdom not without some controversie of the Nobles Some of the Nobility falling off to him who a little before had made a defection and swear to King Lewis yet Lewis with those that followed him from London with an Army of twenty thousand men wone many Towns till at last he came to the Castle at Lincoln which a certain noble woman did manly 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 who preferred an honourable death before a dishonourable life yet he did not despair but sent for new forces out of France which were all almost destroyed in a fight at Sea By these misfortunes he was forced to take Conditions whereby there were granted to King Lewis in respect of his charge he had been at a hundred and five thousand franks he renouncing all Right to the Kingdom of England and promising faithfully to prevail with his Father to restore all the Provinces in France that belonged to the English But the King restored to the Rebel Nobility all the Lands that belonged unto them and so Lewis leaving England set sail at Dover for France having waged war unhappily in
small Summe of money from the Londoners by threats and violence And then turning to the Nobility he asked a Subsidy of them in vain and he found his Church-men as backward with whom he could do little or nothing Then enterprizing an Expedition to the holy Land to free the King of France he called an Assembly of his Bishops and Peers from whom when he could not obtain one mite of money being like a mad man he drove them all out of the Chamber The Bishop of Ely for that injury was excepted against by him At last some help was afforded him whereupon he was forced to confirm solemnly Magna Charta but that money which he had appointed for the holy Warre was quickly wasted partly by gifts partly by banquetting and other frauds invented for his own destruction Also he had upon a vain hope redeemed the Kingdomes of Sicily for his son Edmund paying a great summe of money to the Pope In the interim the Welsh vexed with great injuries fall away from the Prince and to suppresse these and reduce them to obedience he stood in need of a new supply of money which at last by neat devices and inventions he wrung from them In the mean while Richard Earl of Cornwall the Kings brother at the suit of the Princes of Germany is chosen King of the Romans but shortly when he grew insolent with importunate oppressions and revenges he was put out of the place and returned for England a poor Emperour who went out a rich Earl But Henry that he might make up that money which the Pope had wiped him of by a vain boast of the Kingdom of Sicily he asks once more a Subsidy from his Nobles who refusing stifly and the King pressing for it they fall to odds afterwards calling a new Parliament which the Lords had procured for the safety of the Kingdom he was compelled by Oath and his Son also to confirm it At which time it was Enacted that the Kings Brother with the men of Poictiers that remained in England should presently depart the Kingdom But a contagious pestilence arising either naturally or by some venom these strangers scattered when they departed Many of the Nobility died whereupon many were put to death out of bare suspicion some are cast into prison and some are banished Nor did less evils for this afflict the English for they that had the charge of correcting the errors of others did with all cruelty weed up the miserable English that now so many Lords as there were so many Tyrants there were and the servants were grown like their Masters And that they might stirre up the envy of the subjects against the King they cast all the fault upon him which he endeavoured to free himself from by his publick Writ but all in vain when he was compelled in a solemn Parliament to give that power he had given to twenty four chosen men before to the Earls Montfort and of Glocester and to Spencer taking an Oath to confirm it unto them In the mean while Richard King of the Romans being landed in England Henry growing bolder by the return of his Brother though he were poor first demands a discharge of his Oath from the Pope then he opposed himself against the insolency of the Nobility He flies to help from the French King who is chosen Umpire between Henry and his Nobles to end the controversie but when he did nothing they break forth on all sides into open Warre The Count of Leicester drives forth the Earl of Glocester and storms his Castle and laid a great fine upon the Citizens Then he took the Fort at Worcester and afterwards the Isle of Ely and the Castle of Windsor But the King fearing least he should come so farre as London thought it concerned him to make peace with him They agreed at last on these conditions That all the Castles should be delivered up to the Lords and all strangers at a day appointed should forthwith depart the Kingdom only those excepted who had a Licence given them to stay But the King calling a new Parliament he drew some of the Nobility especially his own sonnes to his party to whom John Comminus Bayly Robert Bruse and others from Scotland joyn'd themselves with these being not a little confirmed he denounceth Warre against the Earls of Leicester and Glocester who did not at all excuse themselves who seeing the King daily increase in Forces levying a sudden but farre less Army oppose the King and here fraud supplied the parts of vertue for setting their Banners behinde without Souldiers they made a shew of a greater Army than they had And fortune helped a good cause for the Kings Forces being dispersed the greatest part of them was oppressed and slain the rest saved themselves by flight But the King the Prince and Earl of Cornwall and his Sonne Henry and all the Scotch Nobility fell into the enemies hands There had been an end of the King and his fortune least a contention arising between the Earls of Leicester and Glocester had given cause to a hot contest and afterwards to a sharp Warre where Leicester being too weak yet fell valiantly with wonderfull glory By the same fortune Simon and Guide Montforts the Sonnes of the Earl of Leicester were banished one into Italy the other into France where afterwards they gave their name to most illustrious families Also their Mother a gallant woman being gone a little before into France ended her life in a Nunnery A new contention being risen amongst the Nobles they sound the Trumpet to Battell again also the Welsh who had helped Earl Monifort are remanded to be slain But peace being confirmed on all sides this trouble abated without blood Rest now obtained at home Edward Prince of Wales at the request of the French King goes forth toward the Warre in Palestina but Richard once King of the Romans died in the mean time whom Henry himself followed shortly after whilst he studied to repair the losses he sustained by Warre EDWARD the first King of England Anno 1272. WHen Henry died Edward staied in Palestina being intent about the holy Warre where he underwent a grievous danger having received three wounds from his adversary with a poisoned weapon But he was cured by the wonderfull piety of his wife who with her mouth in time sucked out the venom from the wounds In his way being made more certain of his Fathers death he came at last over-land into his Country and was inaugurated King At the beginning of his Reign he used the Nobility well but he to abate the insolence of the Clergy commanded their wealth to be brought into his Exchequer and he afflicted them by other means and so drew upon him their envy The Welsh whose custom it was on all occasions to make new Commotions now afresh under their Leader Lionel rise up against Edward and rage with wonderfull pride but this tempest soon vanished for Eleoner the Daughter of Simon Monifort
espoused to Lionel whilst she came out of France by Sea to her Husband was taken in the way whom he was forced to redeem at a great ransom promising also to Edward continual Homage and granting his Brother David to the English who was highly esteemed by Edward But Lionels obedience lasted not above three years for his Wife Eleoner being dead he breaks forth into new rebellions Also David forgetting the great love of King Edward to him fell off presently to his Brother and so with joynt Forces they enter England and did some mischief to Edward both wonderfully inflamed by a false Prophesie of Merlin whereby the Crown of Brutus was promised to Lionel But the Battell being set Lionel was killed by a private Souldier and his Head was brought to the King who caused it to be fastned on a pole and to be Crowned with joy and set up on the Tower of London The lot of David was like to his Brothers who being taken in Wales was drawn with a Horse to the place of execution and there beheaded and his Head set by his Brothers and his four quarters were sent to the four principall Cities of England So Edward revenged the Rebellion of the Welsh and the death of Alphonsus his first born who was killed in the same Battell But a greater cloud hung over his head from Scotland For Alexander the third King of Scotland whilst he rode the Great Horse fell with him and so died leaving his Daughter Margaret to inherit but she shortly after her Father died also leaving the Kingdom to ten Corrivals who strove for it Edward was chosen Umpire by them all to search their Titles but he reduced all their pretences to two especially namely John Bayly and Robert Bruse who with equal right affected the Kingdom whilst the matter sticks between them Edward sets on Bruse promising to him the Kingdom of Scotland for ever so he would do him Homage for it But Bruse refused it preferring his Countries Liberty before his own Honour but Baily yielded to those conditions and so gained the Kingdom 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 slain for Baily exempted Albermeth that slew him from punishment whereupon Baily was cited to appear before Edwards Tribunal was forced to plead his cause He was angry for this disgrace and returns to his Kingdom and afterwards denied Homage to Edward and proclaimed Warre making a Covenant with the French King Hence arose the cause of a most bloody Warre between the two Nations which lasted for 300 years only some feigned cessations passing between Armies are Mustered on both sides and the English giving the first onset on the Scotch slew abundance of them and won many Cities and Castles by which loss Brusius was constrained to beg for Peace which was granted but he himself was carried Captive into England and being afterwards set at liberty he ended his daies in France expecting in vain the restitution of his goods And so Edward returned for England leaving after him John Varamius Earl of Sussex his Embassador and Hugh Chrysingamius his Treasurer to take care of the Scotch business But a little after this the Scotch when the King was gone into France making head against the Kings Ministers having William Valla for their Captain they killed Hugh Chrysingamius and with him 6000 English But the King came back for England commanded that his Court should be held at York and presently levying an Army he assaulted the Scotch afresh at Fonkirk and though he himself were dismounted from his Horse that was frighted with the hollow of the enemy and was dangerously wounded two ribs being broken in his body yet he made a great slaughter amongst them 40000 Horse and Foot of them being slain Only Vallas with a small handfull of men escaped by flight from the fury of the enemy All the Noble mens goods are made forfeit to the English and they were all made Tributaries and to swear the third time to be true to King Edward But the false Scot kept his word but a very short time for Brusius the Son of Robert being made King in a Turbulent manner new commotions arise for he fearing the power of John Cuminus caused him wickedly to be murdered in the Temple of Dumfrise When Edward heard this he was wonderfully incensed Presently having raised a gallant Army he marcheth into Scotland not meaning to cease till he had brought down the usurper of that Kingdom The Earl of Pembreke who was marched before with his Brigade lighting suddenly on Bruse destroyed all his men from whose hands the King himself hardly escaped he led a dishonourable llfe in Caves Dens and Crags of Mountains seeking his fortune in other matters His Brothers falling into the power of the enemy were put to extream tortures as Traytors The King fierce with the madness of Revenge spared no mans life but slew all he met withall The Earl of Athol also though he were of the Kings blood was sent to London and hanged there so and by such like waies were the followers of Bruse punished Yet Bruse though he wanted almost any to follow him did not give out but collecting a handfull of souldiers he sets upon the Earl of Pembroke suddenly and put him to the worst with great loss and slaughter and he drove the Earl of Glocester into the Castle of Ayrs and besieged him there untill Edward coming to his relief he was forced to fly to his old sculking holes In the mean time a new Warre breaks forth with the French King Philip the Fair by a controversie between the subjects of either King and arising from pretended injury for Kings that envy one the other do easily break into open hatred The King of England also was justly angry and sought all occasions of wrong greedily by reason that Henry his Cousin Son to Richard the Emperour was killed by the Earl Montfrots Son at which wickedness the French connived In a fight at Sea first a great destruction was brought upon the French at the entrance of the River Sion and elsewhere And Edward when a day was appointed for him as a stipendiary to plead his cause before King Philip he refused to appear and the Homage he did willingly before he now refused to do whereupon a great Army being raised Philip enters upon the Territories of Edward in France by force of Arms. The King of England by the assistance of neighbour Princes the Earl of Flanders the Duke of Brabant and others to which was joyned â—he help that came from Adolphus of Nassaw the Roman Emperour who had promised it presently marched against the King of France but finding the French divided into parts and defrauded of the assistance promised them by the Emperour when he had held his Winter Quarters at Gaunt not without murmuring of the Citizens and great want amongst his Souldiers at the beginning
York when his Adversary was dead commands his Followers to abstain from fighting and goes with the King to London Then a Parliament was called and he is freed from all fault and made Protector of the King and Kingdome The Earl of Sarisbury was made Chancellour and Warwick Governour of Callis For procuring which places every one was very watchfull But the Queen not enduring the Authority of York she never left urging Buckingham with the Death of his Son and young Sommerset with the Death of his Father and when she had sufficiently incensed them she goes to Greenwich and there she holds a Councel commanding York and his Confederates to renounce their Places But they refused to do it Then with subtilty mingled with flattery she intercepts them and did all the mischief she could but all in vain yet they least they might give cause of greater troubles retire themselves some to one place some to another But sending Messengers one to another they came all to London with their Forces provided and by the Mediation of the Archbishop of Canterbury and others there was an Act of Oblivion granted for all that had been done and Peace was concluded on both sides and all is confirmed with a solemn Shew of Religion Yet they held not long for occasion being taken from a quarrel that happened between one of the Kings and of the Earl of Warwicks Servants they endeavoured to lay hold on Warwick but he fore-seeing the danger with Post-horse makes haste to York to the Duke and to his Father Earl of Sarisbury whom he acquainted with the business but he going on board the Navy that was ready by the shoar for he was Admiral of the Sea made haste to Callis In the mean time Sarisbbury goes to the King with 5000 souldiers that he might acquaint him with the injury done to his Sonne and of the inveterate hatred of the Queen which was now apparent But Audley who at the command of the Queen and of the Duke of Buckingham had raised an Army of 10000 men went against him and was beaten 2400 were slain the rest fled to save themselves York supposing it was in vain to dally any longer raising an Army with the Earls of Sarisbury and of Warwick he provides for Warre but a Treaty being had between both sides and a pardon granted by the King for all faults many forsook the Dukes and all the Counsels of the Conspirators were detected with which York was brought to desparation and fled with his younger Sonne Earl of Rutland first into Wales then into Ireland When the private souldiers had procured pardon the Earls of Marsh Sarisbury and Warwick took their voyage for Callis but some of the principall were put to death and a Parliament being called they were all convinced and condemned for Treason Also Sommerset at the Queens intercession was made Governour of Callis but when he thought to enter upon his Government he was shot at from the Town and was forced to betake himself to some other place The Queen hearing this began to rage and commanded all the Ships that were in Sandwich-Haven to be fitted for Callis But John Dynham for the Earl of Marsh his sake took them all and with Riverius their Admiral brought them to Callis The Earl of Warwick also sail'd into Ireland to York and consulting with him returned safe for Callis Simon Montfort was Warden of the Cinque-ports and guarded all the Inrodes that Warwick might not come into England but he being admonished of it by the Spies he had fastning upon his Navy not yet ready he plundered Sandwich and brought Simon with a great booty to Callis And when he understood that the Kentish men desired his presence he came the second time to Sandwich where the Lord Cobham with a great multitude of the Nobility joyned with him Wherefore being appointed with an Army of 25000 Men be marched presently to London and possessed himself of the Tower whereby he afterwards did the Londoners a great deal of mischief But hearing that his Father the Earl of Sarisbury was coming on he passed over the Thames and joyned with him The King with the Dukes of Buckingham and Sommerset and a well appointed Army marches against them at Northampton he came in sight of the Enemy The Battel began on both sides and they fought vehemently Humphrey Duke of Buckingham with John Talbot the Earl of Shrewsbury Thomas Lord Egremont John Bellomont and others were slain and on one and the other side ten thousand men This was in the year 1460. The Queen escaped with the Duke of Sommerset and his Sonne but the King more mindfull of his prayers than of the Battel was taken and brought prisoner to London Warwick presently got possession of the Tower and Scales the Lieutenant whilest he thought to get away crossing the Thames in a disguise was discovered taken and beheaded The Duke of York receiving Message of this Success leaving Ireland came Post for London where at a solemn meeting he layes open his Right to the Crown of England deriving his Pedigree from Lyonel the third Son of Edward the third the elder brother of John of Gaunt the Father of Henry the fourth the Usurper But he desired not the Kingdom unless his Right were made clear to all men Wherefore a Councel being held the Title of a King is granted to King Henry so long as he lived and York is named to succeed him The Queen all this while mustering an Army in Scotland invades England daily York with his younger Sonne of Rutland and with the Earl of Sarisbury went against her leaving for a Guard to King Henry the Earls of Warwick and Norfolk but he being circumvented by treachery was slain and 3000 of his Souldiers with him nor did she spare the Earl of Rutland a childe of twelve years old though he begged for his life with tears Sarisbury who was taken alive and as many as were taken with him were by the fury of a Woman all beheaded This was the end of Richard Plantaganet Duke of York The Earl of Marsh hearing of his Fathers death managed his business with more vehemency now than before raising an Army of 23000 Men he overcame the Earls of Pembroke and Ormont alive he took Owen Tewdor alive who had married Katharine Mother to Henry the sixth and chopped off his Head But the Queen insulting at the death of the Duke of York marched toward London with her Forces and was met by the Duke of Norfolk and the Earl of Warwick who durst have given her Battel but by the treachery of their followers that forsook them they were forced to flie for to save themselves King Henry by that Victory came again into the Queens Power But in the mean time Edward Earl of Marsh by the general Vote of all Orders was crowned King according as it was enacted in Parliament and gathering a great Army at Tanton he met the King and the Queen and joyning Battel with them he
overcame their Forces the most valiant fell in the fight the rest fled to save their lives The King and Queen escaped into Scotland leaving the Kingdom to Edward the fourth of that Name EDWARD the fourth King of England and France Anno 1461. EDWARD having got the Crown at last could not peaceably enjoy it For Henry that had fled into Scotland by the assistance of the Scots makes a new Warre upon him Edward meets him with equal Forces and fought him at Exham putting Henry and his Souldiers to their heels thirty thousand men were slain on both sides Edward giving the Command to spare none The Duke of Sommerset who formerly had fallen from Henry to Edward despairing of the success presently changed his minde at the report of so great an Army and revolted to Henry was taken and beheaded Henry again retires for Scotland waiting for another opportunity for his busines But afterwards returning for England in a disguise he was taken by the English and delivered up to Edward and by him that the state of the Kingdom might be the more quiet he was cast into prison In the mean time Edward took care of his houshold affairs and he married his Sister Margaret to Philip Duke of Burgundies Sonne Charles the Earl of Warwick being not a little mad at it who hated Burgundy worse than the plague whence and from other causes a grievous quarrel rose between them For Warwick hating the King drew to his faction his Brothers the Archbishop of York and the Marquess Montacute by a set speech and after that George Duke of Clarence the Kings Brother marrying his Sister to him and with the Duke he takes his voyage toward Callis for he was yet Governour of the City giving order to his Brothers in his absence to raise Tumults in Yorkshire They carefully observed what they had in charge and quickly causing a Tumult the common people as it usually happens in a blinde rage though they be raised against the innocent march to London armed that there they might seek for remedy of mischiefs they knew not what Edward hearing of this sedition sends William Herbert Earl of Pembroke hoping to subdue the people who was no sooner come but they put him to flight In the mean while Warwick upon this rumour with the Duke of Clarence arrived in England from Callis and so with joynt Forces they provide for another Battel Edward no way dismayed with the first loss sends Pembroke again with a new Army to fight them But when they fought his Army was beaten and he was taken prisoner and he was beheaded at Warwick with the other Nobility that fell into their hands Then there was a Treaty of Peace and Messengers being sent on both parts the King being animated with hopes of Agreement dealt the more securely which Warwick was not ignorant of and therefore falling upon the Kings Tents at night killing the Guard he takes the King prisoner who never dreamt of it and sends him first to Warwick then into Yorkshire to Middleham Castle to be secured But the King flattering the Keepers and bribing them with money by their connivance shortly came to York where the Citizens received him lovingly and so raising an Army by the assistance of Hastings he came safe to London Then there began a Treaty at London for Peace whither Warwick and the Duke of Clarence were come but this had no effect For they being stomackfull and very furious the matter could not come so farre as Peace wherefore all being left undone they depart and Warwick musters new Forces of which he makes Robert Wells sonne to Richard Commander in Chief But the King when he found he must engage again in Battel besides his expectation sent for Roberts Father Richard and his Kinsman Thomas Dimoke Knight to come to him who came upon the Kings promise of free Conduct The King commanded them to call off Robert from taking Arms and mustering Forces suddenly he goes against them with Thomas and Richard and when they were come to the Enemy and found that Robert would not hearken to his Fathers admonitions but held up his Arms still he contrary to his promise a most wicked example causeth both the Father and Kinsman to lose their Heads They fell to fighting and Roberts Forces were discomfited he himself was taken alive and immediately was beheaded Warwick at the news hereof with the Duke not knowing what course to steerâ— presently sailed into France to King Lewis who entertained him magnificently Queen Margaret Wife to Henry came also presently with Prince Edward who took counsel together and made a Covenant between the King the Earl and the Queen Edward in vain dehorting from it and Warwicks Daughter was betrothed to Edward and promise made on both sides that they would never cease untill the Kingdom should be restored either to Henry or to Edward his Sonne A mighty Army is raised and a vast Fleet rode at Anchor in the mouth of the Sienna Warwick invited by Letters from his friends with part of his Army and a Navy prepared with the Earls of Oxford and Pembroke came safe to Dartmouth The Queen who was not yet ready was to follow when she heard good news though the Duke of Burgundy observed his motion So soon as he was landed and it was published that he was arrived 't is wonderfull what multitudes of people ran to him with which being fortified he presently moves toward London But Edward not expecting an Enemy and leaving the care of raising Forces till another time with his Brother Richard Duke of Glocester took shipping at Lyn a Sea Town and sailed into Flanders to Charles of Burgundy to his own great disadvantage Queen Elizaboth being near to her travell fled to Westminster and made that her Asylum where she was deliverd of her Sonne Edward Warwick in the interim without any opposition came to London and marching to the Tower set King Henry at liberty and clothing him in his Kingly Ornaments attending him through the midst of London to St Pauls Church after thanks given to God he sets him in his Throne Then a Parliament was called and all King Henry had Enacted was ratified and the Acts of King Edward were maid void Edward with his followers was banished as an enemy of the Kingdom Edward in the mean time nothing dismay'd at this change raising an Army by the help of Charles of 12000 Men and with 18 Ships landed in Yorkshire His Army was so small that he durst attempt nothing only sent to perswade the people there but all in vain for they either by fear or for respect to Warwick would not falsifie their promise but when he gave out that he was come not for the Kingdom but to recover his Patrimony the Dukedom of York many running to him he grew somewhat stronger and so goes to York But the Towns men being warned by Letters from Warwick would not let Edward come in He spake fairly to the Citizens and desired
Warre especially by Sea and in the West-Indies and Portugal the English did mischief to the Spaniard and received the like The Queen when those Clouds of a Tempest at hand were dispersed caused a publick Thanksgiving to be made unto God who had delivered her and in Triumphant manner she rid through London She was not for all this free from Troubles but by the Queens Wisdome and Masculine Valour they were even strangled in the birth and England was made the receptacle of persecuted and afflicted men who fled by companies out of France and Holland by reason of the Wars there In the mean while Sir Francis Drake was sent toward Hispaniola who made the Spaniard work enough in those parts taking Cape Verde wasting Hispaniela and he skirmished in divers small fights with the Spanish Forces But when there was no occasion for a fight on the continent he returned home with the spoil and honour The next year also the said Sir Francis Drake burnt and took six and thirty Spanish Ships laden with great riches that lay in the Haven at Callis and brought them for England With the same Success almost the Earl of Essex with a vast Fleet of English and Dutch wasted the Coasts of Spain and landing his men wan Gades and plundering the City and burning thirty Ships that rode in the Harbour he came back for England laden with the spoil After that the English Fleet watching the Spanish Navy that came fraught with rich Merchandize that came from the West-Indies was disappointed by their flying into the Isle Tercera France being involv'd in troubles the Queen was pleased to assist the King of France with men and money The King of France having reduced his Subjects to their Obedience endeavours to mediate a Peace betwixt the Spaniards and the Queen the Queen to satisfie the French Kings desires sent an Embassadour into France to consult about it But the States of Holland sent Embassadours to Queen Elizabeth to dehort her from the Peace In the year 1598. Philip King of Spain died in the seventieth year of his age He aimed at great matters but was unfortunate in most of them whereupon it came to passe that the three Keys of the Spanish Empire which his Father so called and willed him above all things to keep diligently to wit 1. Gulet in Africa Flushing in Holland and Cadez in Spain were neglected The first taken in by the Turkes the second by the Confederates of the United Provinces the third much impaired in its strength and impoverished by the English which his Father fore-seeing in his life time admonished to make Peace with the English and the United Provinces Anno 1599. died that Reverend and famous Divine Mr Richard Hooker a man moderate temperate meek and virtuous even to the best imitation and left behinde him a living monument of his real worth his Book entituled Ecclesiastical Polity Then Peace was confirmed between the Spaniard and the French but the English and the United Provinces refused to be comprehended in it because they held it disadvantagious to their business but making a Covenant with joynt Forces they invade Spain The Spaniard stirs up the Earl of Tyrone who made a great rebellion in Ireland Essex was sent thither to subdue the Rebels and to make them conformable but he scurvily neglected an opportunity of conquering the Enemy and beyond his Commassion treats with the Rebels concerning Peace He was therefore called home and commanded to answer for his fault by his submission he found the Queens favour Afterward prompted on either by shame or his ambition of the Kingdom he raised an Army and entred London and when he purposed to have forced the Queen his Forces ran away from him and he was taken prisoner accused of High-Treason and lost his Head for it Charles Blunt was sent in his place who in divers fights wonderfully subdued the Forces of the Rebels though the Spaniard had sent many supplies to relieve them In a set Battle he overthrew Tyrone and the Auxiliary Spaniards and then made Conditions driving them out of Ireland Tyrone afterwards when he tried all wayes submitted and humbly intreated the Queens Pardon In the mean time Richard Levison and William Monson with eight great Ships and some small ones went and spoiled the Spanish Coasts and meeting the Spaniards Fleet coming from America with abundance of wealth he set upon them but was too weak for them for he was disappointed After that he mastered a very great rich Ship riding at Anchor in Portugal and burning some lesser Ships he returned for England with her At that time the Seminaries of the Church of Rome and chiefly the Jesuites were banished out of England because they caused croubles and could not live quietly At last the Queen being feeble with age and hot disease she died in the year 1602. and she departed a very good Christian having named King James of Scotland Sonne to Mary Stuart to be her Successour when she had raigned fourty four years and four Moneths A Queen that was most endowed with all the Benefits of Nature a comely Person for her Body but more comely in her Soul she was an excellent Scholar to be commended for her Goodnesse and Justice She was a Mother to her Subjects and a Subject to the Laws JAMES King of Great-Brittany France and Ireland Anno 1602. THe loss that England sustained by the death of Elizabeth was abundantly recompensed by her Successour King James and the union of the two Kingdoms England and Scotland He was inferiour to her neither for Religion nor any thing else and by new rejoycings he extinguished that grief the Subjects had conceived He was a King the more happy because he obtain'd a Kingdom by lawfull succession that was no wayes embroyled with Warres and Tumults but setled in exceeding great Peace But as in the calmest weather ofttimes clouds rise suddenly and it fals to thundering and lightning so the affairs of Brittany though most peaceably were endangered by the malice and conspiracy of some The Ring-leaders were Henry Cobham and George his Brother Thomas Gray of Wiltshire Walter Raleigh and others Their purpose was to kill the King but newly crowned to change Religion to raise Tumults to let in Forrainers A terrible design But this flame vanished into smoke the principall being either put to death or condemned to perpetual imprisonment or having their pardons granted to them But least Peace should be disturbed by new Warres he made Peace with the King of Spain who was a sworn Enemy to the English Nation it was solemnly confirmed on both sides Though Peace were settled abroad yet there was occasion for new Troubles at home For when the King had called a Parliament a very horrible Conspiracy was detected the chief Authour of it was one Catesby a Roman Catholick He having hamper'd some other men in the same business endeavoured at one stroke to root out all the English Nation as it were by Lightning
stood for a Divorce of Queen Katharine The Pope in the mean time gave his Judgement for Katharine But Henry who had now Divorced Katharine by the Authority of many Divines and of those at Paris who were as it is supposed corrupted by money married Anne of Boloyne privately and being thereupon angry with the Pope he abolished all his Power over the English Church making it high Treason for any man to preferre the Popes Authority before the Kings or should pay Tribute to him which he had no right unto and caused them to be denied unto him for the future and made it a penalty for their life if any man should maintain the Pope to be the supream Head Then he made all the Churches of England and Ireland take an Oath to him that they should acknowledge him to be Head of the Church next under Christ The Discipline was thus changed but nothing in the Doctrine which he confirmed by a Synod called at London For he put to death many of those that followed Luther and Swinglius So Henry behaved himself in the rest of his life that had the Popes not been unjust against him he would willingly have submitted himself under their power The Pope being offended that he had lost his Authority sending out his Writings or Bull as they called it he Excommunicated Henry King of England but when it was known that it was procured by Queen Katharine it was the less regarded and she shortly after being deprived of friends lost her life for her contumacy In the mean time Sir Thomas More once Chancellour of England and John Fisher Bishop of Rochester who both refused to take the Oath of the Kings Supremacy lost their Heads Henry now using his own Authority invaded the goods of the Church and expelled the Monks out of their Monasteries Nor was he content with that but he cut off the Heads of his second Wife Anne of Boloyne Daughter to Thomas Bolen Earl of Wilshire accusing her for Incest and Adultery together with the Lord Rochsfort her Brother and others that were of the Kings Bed-Chamber Then he married Jane Semare who died afterwards in Childe-birth of Edward the sixth of that name who succeeded King Then he Divorced from him Anne of Cleve newly married and for her sake he beheaded Thomas Cromwell who made the match who was risen from a mean estate to a vast power by the success of Fortune Also Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk had his Head chopt off being charged of Treason because he had privily married Margaret Daughter to the King of Scots and Henries Neece Margaret was first detained then she was set free after that she was married to Matthew Earl of Leven King James his Grandfather In the mean time seditions arose in the North parts of England here and there by reason of the change made of Church Ceremonies some were punished for it some were sent home and some were subdued by force of Arms the troubles were happily asswaged yet not without some danger for it was a matter of great concernment to keep all quiet under new customs Henry now married his fifth Wife Katharine Howard but her he beheaded shortly after with the Lord of Rochsfort condemning her for Lasciviousness At that time Henry had the Title of King of Ireland when as before he was called only Lord of it In the interim Arthur Plantagenet bastard to Edward the fourth is accused of Treason but when he was proved not guilty he was received into the Kings favour but Arthur took so much joy at it that he died the next night of meer rejoycing The Scotch now entring the Frontiers of England and spoiling them compell Henry to take Arms who sent the Duke of Norfolk with an Army into Scotland who ruined many Villages and Houses and not seeing any enemy he returned to Barwick The Scot would not suffer this violence to be unrevenged but musters an Army suddenly and fals into England but his men being scattered and killed the Scot fell into such grief of minde and then into a Feaver that he quickly died of it leaving Mary Stewart his Daughter but eight daies old Heir of the Kingdom Henry to put an end to so great dissentions by the union of these two Nations dealt with the captive Lords to Espouse this Inheritrix of Scotland to his Son Edward who were set at liberty to press the business But by the mediation of the Cardinal of St Andrews this Treaty was made void the Daughter being married to the Dolphin Henry was enraged at this and sent a valiant Army into Scotland and burnt Leeth which pacified his wrath Then he made peace with Charles the fifth the Emperour and he married his sixth Wife Katharine Latimers Widow who was brought in danger of her life upon suspition of the change of her Religion but by her prudence and humility she escaped Now Henry by his Covenant with the Emperour proclaims Warre against the French King and sent an Army unto Callis under the command of John Wallop which joyning with the Forces of Charles besieged the City Landreice But the French making shew of a Battell called the Emperour off from the siege and when he had brought provision into the City he retreated having deluded Charles Then Henry mustering a mighty force sails himself into France and besieging Bononia won the place In the mean time the English Ships which they had taken from the French are filled with provision at London but the English had bad success in their fight in Scotland and Henries men were vanquished by which Victory and new forces they had recruited themselves with from France the Scots grew insolent and invade England But the English by the good success of the Earl of Hereford destroyed an innumerable company of Villages in Scotland and returned home Conquerours though otherwise they sustained a mighty loss by the Scots The Admirall of England with a Fleet did mischief on the coasts of Normandy and destroyed a multitude of the enemy but shortly after there was a Treaty made between the French and the English and the conditions of agreement were that the French should redeem Bononia with eight hundred thousand Crowns In the mean time Thomas Duke of Norfolk and Henry Earl of Surrey his Son are accused of Treason because they had engraven something in their Coats of Arms that seemed to be peculiar to the King and though they did defend their Titles very abundantly yet the Earl lost his Head But the Duke was kept in prison till the Reign of Queen Mary Henry died about this time in the year 1547 when he had reigned 38 years and was 56 years old He was a Prince adorned with all gifts of Nature and in whom had he not too much loved his pleasure there was no defect He was a great favourer of Learning EDWARD the sixth King of England France and Ireland Anno 1547. HENRY dying left his Sonne Edward born of Seymer by his Will to succeed him