Berkley Thom. Erpinghame Thom. Graye Knights Will. Thirninge Iustice Commissioners for the matters hereafter specified by the Lords spirituall and temporall of the realme of England and the Commons of the said realme representing all the states of the saide Kingdome specially deputed sitting in seate of iudgement and considering the manifold periuries and cruelties and many other crimes and offerces by Richard late King of the saide realme committed and doone contrarie to good gouernement in the realmes and dominions aforesaide during the time of his reigne also considering the articles which were openly â—â—â—bibited and red before the said states which were so publicke notorious manifest and famous that they could nor can by no auoydance and shift be concealed also considering the confession of the saide King acknowledging and reputing and truly vpon his certaine knowledge iudging himselfe to haue been and to be altogether insufficient and vnskilfull for the rule and gouernment of the realmes and Dominions aforesaid and of any parts of them and not vnworthy to be deposed for the notorious demerites by the said Richard first acknowledged and afterward by his will and mandate before the said states published and to them opened and declared in the English tongue Vpon these and other matters which were done concerning the same busines before the said States and vs by the diligent place name and authority to vs in this part committed in aboundance and for a cautele we pronounce decree and declare the saide Richard to haue beene and to be vnprofitable and vnable and altogether insufficient and vnworthie for the rule and gouernement of the said realmes and of the dominions rights and parts of them and in regarde and respect of the premises worthily to be deposed from all kinglie dignitie and honour if any such dignitie and honour remaineth in him and for the like cautele wee doe depose him by our sentence definitiue in this writing inhibiting from hencefoorth expressely all and singular Lords Archbishops Bishops Prelates Dukes Marquesses and Earles Barons Knights Vassalles and all other persons whatsoeuer of the saide realmes and dominions and other places to the said realmes and dominions appertaining the subiects and liege people of the same and euery of them that from henceforth none obey or intend to obey the foresaid Richard as king or Lord of the realmes and dominions aforesaid Then the same Commissioners were by the consent and suffrages of both houses constituted procurators ioyntlye and seuerally for all the states of the realme to resigne and surrender vnto King Richard for them and all other homagers of the realme all the homages and fealties which were both due and doone vnto him as King and Soueraigne and also to declare vnto him al the premises concerning his deposition Now Henrie Duke of Lancaster that he might be reputed or reported at the least not to attaine the kingdom by intrusion and wrong was counsailed by his friends to pretend some lawfull challenge and claime therevnto and being in power it was no sooner aduised what was to bee doone but it was presently deuised how to doe it So a title was drawne from Edmund sonne to King Henrie the third whom they surnamed Crowch backe affirming that he was the eldest sonne of King Henrie and that for his deformitie he was put from his right of succession in the kingdome which was for that cause giuen to his yonger brother King Edward the third to this Edmund the Duke was next of bloud by his mother Blanche sole daughter and heyre to Henrie the first Duke of Lancaster and sonne to the saide Edmund This cunning conceit was perceiued of all men but seeming not to perceiue it was a point of friendship in some and of obedience in the rest therfore the kingdome of England being then thought vacant both by the resignation and also by the deposition of King Richard Duke Henrie arose from his seate and standing in the view of the Lords crossed himselfe on the forehead and on the brest and spake as followeth In the name of God Amen 〈◊〉 Henrie of Lancaster claime the realme of England â—â—â—â—owne with all the appurtenances 〈…〉 of the bloud royall comming from that good Lord K. Henrie the third and through the right that God of this grace hath sent mee with the helpe of my kindred and of my friendes to recouer the same Which kingdome was in point to be vndoone for default of good gouernment and due iustice After these wordes it was demaunded in both houses of the Nobility of the commons which were assembled whether they did consent that the Duke should raigne Who all with one voyce acknowledged and accepted him for their King then the Archbishop of Canterbury tooke him by the hand and placed him in the throane of estate the Archbishoppe of Yorke assisting him and all the assemblie testifying their owne ioy and wishing his Then the Archbishop made an oration and tooke for his theame this place of Scripture See this is the man whom I spake to thee of this same shall raigne ouer my people 1. Reg. 9. 17. After all this he was proclaimed King of England and of Fraunce and Lord of Ireland and the common people which is voide of cares not searching into sequels but without difference of right or wrong inclinable to follow those that are mighty with shoutes and clamours gaue their applause not all vpon iudgement or faithfull meaning but most onely vpon a receiued custome to flatter the Prince whatsoeuer he be Yet least the heate of this humour should allay by delay it was foorthwith proclaimed in the great Hall that vpon the 13. day of September next ensuing the Coronation of the King should be celebrated at Westminster These matters being thus dispatched the King proclaimed arose from his seate and went to White Hall where he spent the rest of the day in royall feasting and all other complementes of ioy notwithstanding there appeared in him no token of statelynesse or pride nor any change in so great a change Vpon Wednesday next following the procurators before mentioned went to the presence of King Richard being within the Tower and declared vnto him the admission of his resignation and also the order and forme of his deposition and in the name of all the states of the realme did surrender the homage and fealty which had been due vnto him so that no man from thence foorth would beare to him faith and obedience as to their King The King answered that he nothing reguarded these titulare circumstances but contented himselfe with hope that his cousen would be gracious Lord and good friend vnto him So vpon the 13. day of October which was the day of the translation of Edward the Confessour the Duke was with all accustomed solemnities by the Archbishoppe of Canterbury sacred annointed and Crowned King at Westminster by the name of king Henry the fourth vpon the very same day wherein the yeere before he had been banished the Realme
he neuer forced to preuent his only remedy was pacience a cold comfort his only reuenge was complaint a weake weapon betweene which two his bitternesse did in this manner breake from him And doe these also said he forsake me doth their faith my fortune end together wel if I had forsaken them in time I had not beene forsaken of others who once loued me better and now are able to harme me more But now I see the blindnesse of my iudgement I plainely see that there is no friendship in flatterie nor treacherie in plaine truth and I would I had as much time to reforme this errour as I am like to haue to repent it but they would not suffer me to be wise when I might and now they haue made me wretched they runne from me they could bee the causes but they will not be companions of my miseries such attendants are Crowes to a carcasse which flocke together not to defend but to deuour it and no sooner haue they layd the bones bare but straight-wayes they are gone Thus the King hauing lost both the feare and loue of his subiects disturbed and distracted in thoughts without comfort councell or courage remained still in Wales as a stranger at home as an exile in his owne kingdome not daring to goe to London nor any man desirous to come to him shifting still from place to place and as it fals out at men distressed amazed fearing all things but most disliking the present The Duke continually pursued him with a mightie armie but the Kings companie was too small to doe any thing by force yet too great to remaine in secrete neither were they in any sort assured vnto him but such as shame and reuerence retained a while bands of small countenance with men fearefull of danger carelesse of credite At the length he came to the Castle of Conweye and there being vtterly destitute both of helpe and hope he stoode deuided in mind what way to bend his course all his followers weare more ready to impugne the opinions of other thē to giue direction themselues as seeing better what to shunne then what to follow and as it alwaies chanceth in desperate causes that way was commonly preferred wherof the opportunitie was already past Some aduised him that it was thē time to think rather of sauing his life then recouering his estate You see said they how greatly how wholly your subiects are set against you it is but in vaine to looke for a suddaine change or without a chaunge to hope that your purposes may preuaile giue place for a time to the currant of this furie let it haue the full sway and when it is at the highest pitch it will turne againe and then you shall haue the tide as strong on your side as it is now against you This motiō or rather commotion of the people is violent and against nature therefore as a stone forced vpward is most stronge at the beginning and the further it passeth the more it weakneth vntil at last it returne to the naturall course againe Therefore giue a little space for the bad to draw backe for the good to put forward treasons preuaile on the suddaine but good counsailes gather forces by leasure You haue example in your noble progenitor King Henry the third against whome the Lords set vp Lewes the French kings sonne conditions were concluded and faith was made that he should be their King but this purpose lasted not the pulling on for before they had possessed him of the kingdom they ioyned togither in armes against him were as fierce to driue him out of the realme as they had beene found to draw him in The like alteration may you likewise not onely hope but assuredly expect for the mindes of men are constant in nothing but inconstancie and perseuer onely in chaunge in dislike of things present they desire new wherwith they rest not long contented but are many times glutted euen with the first sight And indeed how can they long endure the raigne of him who attaining the kingdome onely by their fauour and might shall holde the same in a manner at their courtesie and will for euerie vnpleasant commaund shall be deemed ingratitude euerie suit reiected shal charge him with vnkindnesse Yea if honor be not offered they will be discontented and vppon any occasion of displeasure thinke thēselues as able to displace him as they were to set him vp therefore you may for a time returne againe into Ireland or else passe the seas to your Father in lawe the king of Fraunce you may assure your selfe of his assistance to set vpon your side and recouer your losses Times haue their turnes and fortune her course too and fro like the sea magnanimitie is shewen by enduring not relinquishing when she doth crosse onely loose no point of courage and keepe your person at large reseruing your selfe to that good hope which neuer dieth whilst life endure Others who were enemies to all counsaile whereof themselues were not authors perswaded the King that the nobilitie and commons of the realme had attempted so farre that they would rather dye then desist not so much for hatred to you as for feare to themselues hauing so deadly increased your displeasure against them For it is a hard matter to forgiue and impossible to forget those iniuries and indignities which they haue offered And to omit what some princes haue done what all will promise to doe they will soone find fresh and bleeding examples what you are like to doe The Duke of Gloucester and the Earles of Arundell and of Warwicke did rise in armes against you not to remoue you from your crowne but to remoue certaine persons frō your companie an action more displeasing then preiudiciall vnto you at the last a friendship was made and charters of free pardon graunted vnto them but what followed was euer the breach perfectly made vp did displeasure dye or was it only dissembled ah it grieueth vs to thinke how the present want of their liues hath fully reuenged their deathes for if they had liued their countenance and authority woulde easily haue staied these stirs and the manner of their deaths doth strike an obstinate persistance into all your enemies As for refuge to forren Princes you shall surely receiue of them entertainment and allowance and yet may growe burdensome and at last perhaps faile but it is very hard to draw any Prince into so dangerous a quarrell and more harde by that meanes to preuaile or if you should it is to bee feared that the victorers will hold to themselues the benefit of their conquest and not yeeld it ouer vnto you Few countries but haue bin vnder pretence of ayde by forrenners subdued and this was the only cause which first drew the Saxons into this land who so assisted the Britaines against their enemies that themselues could not be resisted from possessing they◠kingdome Yet we doe not altogither
by the commaundement or conâ—iuence of King Edward the fourth And hee also escaped not free for hee dyed not without many 〈…〉 suspicions of poisonâ— and after his death his two sonnes were disinherited imprisoned and butchered by their cruell Vnckle the Duke of Gloucester who beeing a tyrant and vsurper was lawfully slaine in the field and so in his person hauing no issue the tragedie did end Which are most rare and excellent examples both of comfort to them that are oppressed and of terrour to violent dealers that God in his secret iudgement dooth not alwayes so certainely prouide for our safetie as reuenge our iniuries and harmes and that all our vniust actions haue a daye of payment and many times by waye of retaliation euen in the same manner and measure wherein they were committed And thus was King Richard brought to his death by violence and force as all wrighters agree although all agree not vppon the manner of the violence Hee was a man of personage rather well proportioned then tall of great beautie and grace and comlinesse in presence hee was of a good strength and no abiect spirit but the one by ease the other by flatterie were much abased He deserued many friends but found fewe because hee sought them more by liberalitye then vertuous dealing He 〈◊〉 merueilous 〈◊〉 in all his actions which may verye well bee 〈◊〉 to his negligence and sloath for hee that is not prouident can seldome prosper but by his loosenesse will loose whatsoeuer fortune or other mens 〈…〉 hee was driuen is such distresse that 〈…〉 it as a benefite to bee disburdened of his royall dignitie for which other men will not sticke to put theyr goods and liues and soules in hazarde Hee liued three and thirtie yeares and reigned two and twentie His dead body was embaulmed and 〈…〉 couered with Lead all saue his face and carryed 〈…〉 and in all the chiefe places by the waye his face was 〈…〉 that by viewe thereof no doubt should bee made concerning his death At London hee had a solemne obsequie kept in the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paulâ— the King beeing present and all the chiefe 〈…〉 Then hee was conueyed to Langley Abbey in Bucking ham shire about 〈…〉 myle from London and there obscurely 〈◊〉 by the Bishop of Chester the Abbot of S. Albones and the Abbot of Waltham without presence of noble men without coâ—â—â—uence of the common people and without the charge of a dinner for celebrating the 〈…〉 but afterward on the commaundement of King Henry the fifth his body was taken vp and remooued to Westminster and honourably entombed amongst his auncesters with Queene Anne his wife in expiation as it is like of his Fathers violent and vnfaithfull dealing So hee whose life was alwaies tumultuous and vnquiet could not readily finde rest for his bones euen after death It was not amisse in regard of the common wealth that he was dead yet they who caused his death had small reason to reckon it among theyr good deedes And thus doe these and the like accidents dayly happen to such Princes as will be absolute in power resolute in will and dissolute in life This yeere Hunfrey the sonne and heyre of the Duke of Gloucester dyed of the plague as he returned out of Ireland where King Richard had 〈◊〉 him prisoner and shortly after the Duchesse his mother with violence of griefe ended her dayeâ— this yeere also dyed Thomas Moâ—bray the exiled duke of Norfolke whose death would much haue been lamented if he had not furthered so many lamentable deaths but he ouerliued his honour saw himselfe accounted a person infamed and of no estimation Likewise about this 〈…〉 Duke of Brittaine deceased who had taken to wife Mary daughter to King Edward the third and by her had no issue but by Ioan his second wife he left behinde him three sons Iohn Richard Arthur this Ioan was afterwards maried to K. Henrie as hereafter shall appeare Also this yeere Edmund Duke of Yorke departed this life his honour not stayrred his fame not touched he was a man very circumspect and wary in his cariage not carelesse of a good fame nor greedy after a great of other mens wealth not desirous liberall of his owne and of the common sparing he did not by obstinate opposing himselfe against the current of the time rashly hasten eyther his fame or his fall but by moderation attayned safely that degree of praise and honour which others aspiring vnto by desperate courses wanne with ambitious death without any other profit at all He left behinde him two noble sonnes expresse resemblencers of his integritie Edward who succeeded in his dignitie and before was called Duke of Aumerle and Richard Earle of Cambridge Edward in the change of the state neither constantlye kept his fidelitie nor stoutlie maintained his treason Richard tooke to wife the daughter and heyre of Roger Mortimer whose mother Phillip was sole daughter and heyre to Lionell Duke of Clarence the third sonne of King Edward the thyrd by which title and discent his posteritie claimed the Crowne and kingdome of this realme from the successours of King Henrie as heereafter more at large shall be declared Charles King of Fraunce lost no time all this while in making preparation to inuade England and to that end had now raysed an armie royall which was brought downe into Picardie and in a readinesse to haue beene transported But it is verye like that this hast for the deliuerance of King Richard did the more hasten his death vppon newes whereof the Frenchmen perceiuing their purpose for his restitution to be to no purpose gaue ouer the enterprise some being grieued that the occasion was lost of making spoile of so plentifull a countrie others being well content to be discharged of that hope together with the hazard whervpon it depended Shortlie after the French King sent a solemne Embassage into England to treate or rather intreate that Lady Isabell his daughter who had bin espoused to King Richard might with her dowrie bee restored to him againe King Henrie most honourablie receiued these Embassadours and gaue in answere that he would speedelie send his Commissioners to Calice which should fullye commune and conclude with them both of this and other weightie affayres concerning both the realmes Not long after he sent Edward Duke of Yorke and Henrie Earle of Northumberland to Calice Also the French King sent the Duke of Burbone and certaine others to Bulleine These Commissioners did often meete sometimes at one place and sometimes at another the Frenchmen especially required that Lady Isabell should be restored shewing that King Charles her Father had giuen in charge that this before all matters and without this nothing should be concluded On the other side the Englishmen desired that she might be married to Henry Prince of Wales King Henries eldest Sonne a man answerable to her in equall degree both of bloud and of yeeres but the French King denyed that
men in the other are continually endaungered This then is our case but what is our remedy we haue endured we haue entreated but our pacience hath drawne on more heauie burthens and our complaints procured more bitter blowes by the one our liuings and our liues by the other are dayly deuoured And therfore we are now coÌ„pelled to shake off our shoulders this importable yoke and submit our selues to the soueraigntie of some more moderate and worthy person not so much for the griefe of our miseries which are past nor for the paine of our present distresses as for feare of such daungers as are most like to ensue for the King hath cut away the chiefe of the nobilitie and the commons hee hath pared to the quicke and still hee harrieth vs as a conquered countrie whereby we are layd bare to the hauocke of al our enemies vtterly disabled not onely to recouer that which is lost but also to retaine euen that which is left But to whom should we complaine what succour whose ayde should we desire you are the onely man who in right should and in wisedome can and in goodnesse will we hope relieue vs. For you are neerest to the King in bloud and therfore ought to haue the rule of that which his weakenesse cannot wielde Your yeares are wel stayed from the light conceits of youth and so spent that all your actions haue made proofe of abilitie in gouernment of greatest charge nothing past needeth excuse and feare is vaine for any thing to come The paines and perils which heretofore you haue vndertaken for the benefite of your countrie putteth vs also in good hope that in these extremities you will not forsake vs wee are all as in a ship that is ready to sinke as in a house that is ready to fall doe most humbly craue and call for your helpe now or else neuer shew your selfe in fauour of your countrymen to free vs to free your selfe to free the whole state from these daungers and decayes by taking into your hands the scepter and diademe of the Realme and reducing againe the gouernement thereof to a princely freedome in combining the soueraigntie of one with the libertie of all Omit not this occasion to set forth to the view of the world as in a large field at free scope your vertue and courage by relieuing miserable wretches from their oppressors which action hath beene so highly honoured that many heathen men for the same haue beene accompted as Gods This we are constrained to offer and entreate this is both honorable for you to accept and easie to be performed and so much the more in that no Prince by any people haue bene desired with greater affection nor shall be with more dutie obeyed The Duke entertained this speach with great moderation of mind shewing himselfe neither disturbed thereat nor excessiue in ioy His aunswere concerning the King was respectiue and wel tempered rather lamenting his weakenes then blaming his malice Concerning himselfe hee spake so modestly that he seemed rather worthy of a kingdome then desirous The life quoth he which hitherto I haue led hath alwaies bene free from ambitious attempts and the stayednesse of my yeares hath now setled my mind from aspiring thoughts and experience of former dangers hath bred in me a warie regard in such weightie proceedings for to cast a King out of state is an enterprise not hastely to bee resolued vpon nor easily effected but suppose that matter not impossible and perhaps not hard yet the rarenesse of the like precedents will make the action seeme iniurious to most men and he that shal attaine a kingdome vpon opinion of desert doth charge himselfe with great expectation and how honourably soeuer hee carried himselfe shall neuer want his deadly enuiers besides this in ciuill dissentions the faith of the whole people is fleeting and daunger is to bee doubted from euery particular person so that it is possible that al may fall away and impossible to beware of euery one Therefore I could rather wish to spend the course of my yeares which yet remaine in this obscure yet safe and certaine state then to thrust my selfe vpon the pikes of those perils which being once entred into are daungerous to follow deadly to forsake for in priuate attempts a man may step and stope when he please but he that aymeth at a kingdome hath no middle course betwene the life of a Prince the death of a traytor The Archbishop hearing this did as vainly persist in importuning the duke as he vainly seemed vnwilling straÌ„ge The state sayd he wherein now you stand is not so safe and certaine as you doe conceiue In deed by reiecting our request you shal auoid certaine dignity and therewith vncertaine contingent dangers but you shal procure most certaine destruction both to your selfe and vs. For this secret can not be kept long secret from the king and euen good princes are nice in points of soueraignty beare a nimble eare to the touch of that string and it more hurteth a subiect to be esteemed worthy of the kingdome then it will profit him to haue refused the offer What then will he do who putteth the chiefest surety of his reigne in the basenesse barenesse of his subiects whose head being possessed with eternall ielousy maketh euery presumption a proofe and euery light surmise a strong suspition against them Surely since the generall fauour loue which the people beareth you hath bereaued you of your liberty this their generall desire will not leaue your life vntouched As for vs if we either faint in our intent or faile in the enterprise actum est we shalbe as lambs among lions and no conquest can be so cruell as the Kings reigne will be ouer vs. Certainely we haue gone too far for to go backe and the time is past when you for ambition we for enuy might seeme to attempt against the King the attainment of the kingdome must now be a sanctuary refuge for vs both The like examples are not rare as you affirme nor long since put in practise nor far hence to be fetched The kings of Denmarke and of Sweueland are oftentimes banished by their subiects oftentimes imprisoned put to their fine The princes of Germany about an hundred yeres past deposed Adulphus the Emperour and are now in hand to depose their emperor Wencesâ—aus The earle of Flanders was a while since driuen out of his Dominion by his owne people for vsurping greater power then appertained to his estate The auncient Britaines chased away their owne King Carecious for the lewdnesse of his life and cruelty of his rule In the time of the Saxon Hâ—ptarchic Bernredus King of Mercia for his pride and stoutnes towardes his people was by them deposed Likewise Aldredus Ethelbertus Kinges of Northumberland were for their disorders expelled by their subiects Since the victorie of the Normaines the Lords endeauoured to expell King
most vnsure So betweene the one and the other the multitude did in short time increase to the number of threescore thousand able soldiours The Duke finding this fauour not onely to exceed his expectation but euen aboue his wish he thought it best to followe the current whilst the streame was most strong knowing right well that if fortune be followed as the first doe fall out the rest will commonly succeede Therefore cutting of vnnecessary delaies with al possible celerity hee hastned towardes London to the end that possessing himselfe thereof as the chiefe place within the realme both for strength and store he might there make the seat of the warre In this iourney no signe nor shew of hostility appeared but all the way as he passed the men of chiefest quallity and power adioyned themselues vnto him some vpon heat of affection some for feare others vpon hope of rewarde after victorie euerie one vpon causes dislike with like ardent desire contending least any should seeme more foreward then they In euerie place also where he made stay rich gifts and pleasant deuises were presented vnto him with large supply both of force and prouision far aboue his neede and the common people which for their greatnesse take no care of publique affaires and are in least daunger by reason of their basenes with shoutes and acclamations gaue their applause extolling the Duke as the onely man of courage and saluting him Kiug but spending many contumelious tearmes vppon King Richard and deprauing him as a simple and sluggish man a dastard a meycocke and one altogether vnworthy to beare rule shewing themselues as much without reason in rayling vpon the one as they were in flattering the other Againe the Duke for his part was not negligent to vncouer the head to bowe the body to stretch forth the hand to euery meane person and to vse all other complements of popular behauiour wherewith the mindes of the common multitude are much delighted and drawen taking that to bee courtesie which the seuerer sort accompt abasement When hâ— came to the citty he was there likewise very richly and royally entertained with processions and pageantes and diuers other triumphant deuises shewes the standings in all the streets where he passed were taken vp to behold him and the vnable multitude who otherwise could not yet by their good wordes wishes and wils did testify vnto him their louing affections neither did there appeare in any man at that time any memory of faith and alleagiance towards King Richard but as in seditions it alwaies hapneth as the most swayed all did go On the contrarie side the Duke of Yorke with the rest of his â—ounsaile fell to mustering of men at S. Albones for the King but as the people out of diuers quarters were called thither many of theÌ„ protested that they would doe nothing to the harme and preiudice of the Duke of Lancaster who they said was vniustly expelled first from his country and afterwardes from his inheritance Then W. Scroupe Earle of Wiltshire L. Treasorer Sir I. Bush Sir W. Bagot and Sir Henrie Greene perceiuing the stiffe resolution of the people forsooke the duke of Yorke and the L. Chanceller and fled towards Bristow intending to passe the seas into Ireland to the king These foure were they vpon whom the common fame went that they had taken of the king his realm to farme who were so odious vnto the people that their presence turned away the harts of many subiects yea it was thought that more for displeasure against them then against the king the reuolt was made For being the onely men of credit and authority with the King vnder false colour of obedience they wholly gouerned both the realme him to many mischiefs corrupting his mind in many abusing his name either against his wil or without his knowledge insomuch as he was innocent of much harme which passed vnder his commandement but the patieÌ„ce of the people could not endure that two or three should rule al not by reason they were sufficient but because they were in fauour and the King in that he permitted them whom he might haue bridled or was ignorant of that which he should haue knowen by tolerating and wincking at their faults made them his owne opened therby the way to his destruction So often times it falleth out to be as dangerous to a prince to haue hurtfull and hatefull officers in place and seruices of weight as to be hurtfull and hatefull himselfe The Duke of Yorke either amazed at this sodain change or fearing his aduenture if he should proceede in resistance gaue ouer the cause and preferred present security before duty with daunger giuing most men occasion to misdeeme by his dealing that he secretly fauored the dukes enterprise likewise all the other counsailers of that side either openly declared for the Duke or secretly wished him wel abandoning all priuate direction aduice adioyned themselues to the coÌ„mon course presuming thereby of greater safety Duke Henry in the meane time being at London entred into deliberation with his friends what way were best to be followed At the last hauing considered the forwardnesse of the people the greatnes of the perill whereinto they had already plunged the kings irreconcilable nature wherof he made proofe against the duke of Gloucester the earles of Arundel of Warwicke they finally resolued to expel him from his dignity to constitute duke Henry king in his sted and to that end open war was denounced against the King and against all his partakers as enemies to the quiet and prospenty of the realme and pardon also promised to all those that would submit themselues to follow the present course otherwise to look for no fauour but all extremities None of the nobility durst openly oppose himselfe to these designes some vnwilling to play all their state at a cast kept theÌ„selues at liberty to be directed by successe of further euent others consented coldly and in tearmes of doubtfull construction with intent to interpret them afterwards as occasion should change but the most parte did directly and resolutely enter into the cause and made their fortunes common with the Duke in daunger of the attempt but not in honour among whome the Duke standing vp vsed speach to this purpose I am returned here as you see at your procurement and by your agreement haue entred into armes for the common liberty wee haue hitherto prosperously proceeded but in what tearmes we now stand I am altogether vncertaine A priuate man I am loath to be accompted being designed to be King by you and a Prince I cannot be esteemed whilst another is in possession of the kingdome Also your name is in suspence whether to be tearmed rebels or subiects vntil you haue made manifest that your allegeance was bound rather to the state of the realme then the person of the Prince Now you are the men who haue both caused this doubtfulnes and must cleare
some at this present and many hereafter will accompt my case lamentable either that I hane deserued this deiection if it be iust or if it be wrongfull that I could not auoide it Indeede I doe confesse that many times I haue shewed my selfe both lesse prouident and lesse painfull for the benefite of the common-wealth then I should or might or intended to doe hereafter and haue in many actions more respected the satisfying of my owne particular humour then either iustice to some priuate persons or the common good of al yet I did not at any time either omit dutie or coÌ„mit grieuance vpon natural dulnesse or set malice but partly by abuse of corrupt councellers partly by errour of my youthfull iudgement And now the remembrance of these ouer-sights is so vnpleasant to no man as to my selfe and the rather because I haue no meanes left either to recompence the iniuries which I haue done or to testifie to the world my reformed affections which experience and stayednesse of yeares had already corrected would dayly haue framed to more perfection But whether all the imputations wherewith I am charged be true either in substance or in such qualitie as they are layd or whether being true they be so heinous as to inforce these extremities or whether any other Prince especially in the heate of youth and in the space of two and twentie yeares the time of my vnfortunate raigne doth not sometimes either for aduantage or vppon displeasure in as deepe maner grieue some particular subiect I will not now examine it helpeth not to vse defence neither booteth it to make complaint there is left no place for the one nor pitie for the other and therefore I referre it to the iudgement of God and your lesse distempered considerations I accuse no man I blame no fortune I complaine of nothing I haue no pleasure in such vaine and needlesse comforts and if I listed to haue stood vpon tearmes I know I haue great fauourers abroad and some friends I hope at home who would haue beene ready yea forward on my behalfe to set vp a bloudy and doubtfull warre but I esteeme not my dignitie at so high a price as the hazard of so great valure the spilling of so much English bloud and the spoile and waste of so flourishing a Realme as thereby might haue bene occasioned Therefore that the Common-wealth may rather rise by my fall then I stand by the ruine thereof I willingly yeeld to your desires and am heere come to dispossesse my selfe of all publike authority and title and to make it free and lawfull for you to create for your King Henric Duke of Lancaster my cousin germaine whom I know to be as worthie to take that place as I see you willing to giue it to him Then he read openly and distinctly the forme of his cession wherein he did declare that he had discharged his subiectes from their oathes of fealtie and homage and all other oathes whatsoeuer and of his owne will free motion did abdicate the title dignitie and aucthoritie of a King and rendred vp the possession of the Realme with the vse and title thereof and all the rights thereunto appertaining To this the King subscribed and was sworne and then hee deliuered with his owne hands the Crowne the Septer and the Robe to the Duke of Lancaster wishing vnto him more happinesse therewith then had euer happened vnto himselfe Then he did constiture the Archbishop of Yorke and the Bishop of Hereford his procurators to intimate and declare this his resignation to all the states of the realme which should be assembled together in Parliament Lastly he gaue all his riches and goods to the summe of thee hundred thousand pounds in coyne besides his Iewels plate for satisfaction of the iniuryes that hee had done desiring the Duke al the rest that were present seuerally by their names not altogether to forget that he had beene their King nor yet too much to thinke vpon the same but to retaine of him amoderate remembrance and in recompence of the ease that hee had done them by his voluntarie yeelding to permit him to liue safely in a priuate and obscure life with the sweetenesse wherof he was so possessed that froÌ„ theneforth he would preferre it before any preferment in the world All this was deliuered and done by the King with voyce and countenance so agreeable to his present beauinesse that there was no man to vnmindefull of humane instabilitie which was not in some measure moued thereat insomuch as a fewe secrete teares melted from the eyes of many that were present in whose mindes a confessed and obscure alteration alreadie gâ—nne to beginne So proâ—e and inclinable are mento pitie miserie although they haue procured it and to enuie prosperitie euen that which they haue raysed Vpon Munday next following the Parlament began at Westminster and the Archbishop of Yorke and the Bishop of Hereford the Kings Atturneys for this purpose declared openly to the states there assembled the Kings voluntarie resignation and demaunded whether they would assent and agree therevnto the Barons of the realme by seuerall and particular consent the commons with one generall voyce did expreslye accept and admit the same Then it was thought meet that certaine defects and misdemeanures concerning matters of gouernment should be obiected against the King for which he should be adiâ—dged as vnworthy as he seemed vnwilling to reteine the kingdome To this purpose certaine articles were engrossed and openly read in which was conteyned how vnprofitable the King had bin to the realme how vniust and grieuous to the subiectes contrarie both to his honour and to his oath The chiefest of which articles are these that follow 1 FIrst that King Richard did wastefully spend the treasure of the realme and had giuen the possessions of the crowne to men vnworthy by reason whereof new charges were dayly laide on the neckes of the poore comminaltie 2 Item where diuers Lords as well spirituall as temporall were appointed by the high court of Parlament to commune and treate of matters concerning the state of the realme and the commonwealth of the same they being busied about the same commission he with others of his affinitie went about to impeache them of treason 3 Item that by force and menace he compelled the Iustices of the realme at Shrewsburie to condiscend to his opinion for the destruction of the said Lords Insomuch as he began to raise warre against Iohn Duke of Lancaster Thomas Earle of Arundell Richard Earle of Warwicke other Lords contrarie to his honor and promise 4 Item that he caused his vnckle the Duke of Gloucester to be arrested without lawe and sent him to Calice and there without iudgement murthered him and although the Earle of Arundell vpon his arraignement pleaded his charter of pardon he could not be heard but was in most vile and shamefull manner sodainly put to death 5 Item he assembled certaine
Hee was annoynted with an oyle which a certaine religious man gaue vnto Henry the first Duke of Lancaster Grandfather to the King by the mothers side when he serued in the warres of King Edward the third beyond the seas together with this Prophesie that the Kinges which should be annoynted therewith should bee the champions of the Church Duke Henry deliuered this oyle in a golden violl to Prince Edward the eldest sonne of King Edward the third who locked vp the same in a barred chest within the Tower with intent to be annoynted therewith when he should bee crowned King but the Prince dying before his Father it remained there eyther not remembred or not regarded vntill this present yeere wherein the King being vpon his voyage into Ireland and making diligent search for the iewels and monumentes of his progenitours found this Violl and Prophesie and vnderstanding the secret was desirous to be anoynted againe with that oyle but the Archbishop of Canterbury perswaded him that both the fact was vnlawfull and the precedent vnseene that a King should bee anoynted twice whereupon he brake of that purpose and tooke the Violl with him into Ireland and when hee yeelded himselfe at Flint the Archbishoppe of Canterburye demaunded it of him agayne and dyd receaue and reserue the same vntill the coronation of King Henrie who was the first King of this realme that was anoynted therewith I am not purposed to discourse eyther of the authoritye or of the certaintye of these prophesies but wee may easily obserue that the greatest part of them eyther altogether fayled or were fulfilled in another sence then as they were commonly construed and taken During the raigne of King Henrie the fourth execution by fire was first put in practise within this Realme for controuersies in poyntes of religion in any other extraordinarye mattter hee did as much make the Church champion as shew himselfe a champion of the Church but afterwardes his successours were entytuled Defenders of the fayth and howe in action they veryfied the same I referre to remembraunce and reporte of later times Now it had beene considered that the tytle which was deriued to King Henrie from Edmund whome they surnamed Crouchbacke would bee taken but for a blynde and idle iest for that it was notorious that the sayd Edmund was neyther eldest sonne to King Henry the thyrd as it was plainely declared by an acte of Parlament nor yet a misshapen and deformed person but a goodly Gentleman and valiant commaunder in the field and so fauoured of the King his Father that hee gaue him both the heritages and honours of Sâ—â—one Mountfort Earle of Leicester of Ferrare Earle of Darby and of Iohn Barron of Monmuthe who to theyr owne ruine and destruction had desplaied seditious ensignes against the King And further to aduaunce him to the marriage of Blanch Queene of Nauerne he created him the first Earle of Lancaster and gaue vnto him the county Castle and towne of Lancaster with the Forrestes of Wiresdale Lounsdale Newcastle beneath Linne the Manner Castle and Forrest of Pickering the Manner of Scaleby the towne of Gomecester of Huntendone c. with many large priuiledges and high titles of homour Therefore King Henry vpon the day of his Coronation caused to be proclaimed that he claymed the Kingdome of England first by right of conquest Secondly because King Richard had resigned his estate and designed him for his successour Lastly because he was of the bloud royall and next heyre male vnto King Richard Haeres malus indeed quoth Edmund Mortimer Earle of March vnto his secret friends and so is the Pirate to the Marchant when hee despoyleth him of all that hee hath This Edmund was sonne to Roger Mortimer who was not long before slaine in Ireland and had been openly declared heyre apparent to the Crowne in case King Richard should dye without issue as descended by his Mother Philip from Lionell Duke of Clarence who was elder brother to Iohn Duke of Lancaster King Henries Father and therfore the sayd Edmund thought himselfe and indeed was neerer heyre male to the succession of the Crowne then he that by colour of right clayming it carried it by dynt of force But such was the condition of the tyme that hee supposed it was vaine for him to stirre where King Richard could not stand Whereupon he dessembled eyther that he saw his wrong or that hee regarde it and chose rather to suppresse his title for a time then by vntimely opposing himselfe to haue it oppressed and depressed for euer to this ende hee withdrewe himselfe farre from London to his Lordshippe of Wigmore in the West partes of the realme and there setled himselfe to a priuate and close life Idlenes and vacancy from publike affaires he accompted a vertue and a deepe point of wisedome to meddle with nothing whereof no man was chargeable to yeelde a reckoning In reuenues he was meane in apparell moderate in company and traine not excessiue yet in all these honourable and according to his degree so that they which esteemed men by outward appearance only could see in him no great shew eyther of wit and courage in his minde to be feared or of wealth and honour in his estate to be enuyed And thus whilest a greater enemy was feared he passed vnregarded making himselfe safe by contempt where nothing was so daungerous as a good opinion and raking vp those coales in obscuritie for a time which shortly after set all the realme on fire King Henrie presently after his coronation created his eldest sonne Lord Henrie being then about xiii yeares of age Prince of Wales Duke of Cornewall and Earle of Chester and soone after he created him also Duke of Aquitaine Afterwards it was enacted by consent of all the states of the realme assembled together in the Parlament that the inheritance of the Crownes and Realmes of England and of Fraunce aud of all the dominions to them apperteyning should be vnited and remaine in the person of King Henrie and in the heires of his body lawfully begotten and that Prince Henrie his eldest sonne should be his heyre apparant and successour in the premisses and if he should dye without lawfull issue then they were entayled to his other sonnes successiuely in order and to the heyres of their bodyes lawfully begotten The inheritance of the Kingdome being in this sorte settled in King Henrie and in his line it was mooued in the Parlament what should be doone with King Richard The Bishop of Caerliel who was a man learned and wise and one that alwayes vsed both libertie and constancie in a good cause in his secret iudgement did neuer giue allowance to these proceedings yet dissembled his dislike vntill he might to some purpose declare it therefore now being in place to be heard of all and by order of the house to be interrupred by none he rose vp and with a bould and present spirit vttered his minde as followeth This question right Honourable
any should imagine that they meant of good Princes onely they speake generally of all and further to take away all doubt they make expresse mention of the euill For the power and authoritie of wicked princes is the ordinance of god and therfore Christ told Pilate that the power which he had was giuen him from aboue and the Prophet Esay calleth Cyrus being a prophane and heaâ—â—en Prince the Lords anoynted For God stirreth vp the spirit euen of wicked Princes to doe his will and as Iehoshaphat sayd to his rulers they execute not the iudgement of man but of the Lord in regard whereof Dauid calleth them Gods because they haue their rule and authority immedyatly from God which if they abuse they are not to bee adiudged by theyr subiects for no power within theyr dominionis superior to theirs but God reserueth them to the sorest tryall Horribly and sodainly saith the Wiseman will the Lord appeare vnto them and a hard iudgement shall they haue The law of God commaundeth that the Childe should be put to death for any contumely done vnto the parents but what if the Father be a robber if a murtherer if for all excesse of villanyes odious and execrable both to God and man surely he deserueth the highest degree of punishment and yet must not the Sonne lift vp his hand against him for no offence is so great as to be punished by parricide but our country is dearer vnto vs then our parentes and the Prince is pater patriae the Father of our Country and therefore more sacred and deere vnto vs then our parentes by nature and must not be violated how imperious how impious soeuer hee bee doth he commaund or demaund our persons or our purses we must not shunne for the one nor shrinke for the other for as Nehemiah saith Kinges haue dominion ouer the bodyes and ouer the cattle of their subiectes at their pleasure Doth he enioyne those actions which are contrary to the lawes of God we must neyther wholy obey nor violently resist but with a constant courage submit our selues to all manner of punishment and shewe our subiection by enduring and not performing yea the Church hath declared it to bee an heresie to holde that a Prince may be slaine or deposed by his subiectes for any disorder or default eyther in life or else in gouernment there will be faultes so long as there are men and as wee endure with patience a barren yeere if it happen and vnseasonable weather and such other defectes of nature so must wee tollerate the imperfections of rulers and quietlye expecte eyther reformation or else a change But alas good king Richard what such cruelty what such impiety hath he euer committed examine rightly those imputations which are layde against him without any false circumstance of aggrauation and you shall finde nothing obiected eyther of any truth or of great moment It may bee that many errours and ouersightes haue escaped him yet none so grieuous to be termed tyranny as proceeding rather from vnexperienced ignorance or corrupt counsaile then from any naturall and wilfull mallice Oh howe shall the world bee pestered with tirantes if subiectes may rebell vppon euery pretence of tyranny howe many good Princes shall daylye bee suppressed by those by whome they ought to bee supported if they leauy a subsedy or any other texation it shall be claymed oppression if they put any to death for trayterous attemptes against theyr persons it shall be exclaymed cruelty if they doe any thing against the lust and liking of the people it shall bee proclaymed tyrannie But let it be that without authority in vs or desert in him king Richard must be deposed yet what right had the Duke of Lancaster to the Crowne or what reason haue wee without his right to giue it to him if hee make title as heyre vnto king Richard then must he yet stay vntill king Richards death for no man can succeed as heyre to one that liueth But it is well knowne to all men who are not eyther wilfully blinde or grosely ignorant that there are some now aliue lineally descended from Lionell Duke of Clarence whose ofspring was by iudgement of the high Court of Parlament holden the viii yeere of the raigne of King Richard declared next successour to the Crowne in case King Richard should dye without issue Concerning the tytle from Edmund Crouchbacke I will passe it ouer seeing the authors thereof are become ashamed of so absurde abuse both of theyr owne knowledge and our credulity and therefore all the clayme is now made by right of conquest by the cession and graunt of King Richard and by the generall consent of all the people It is a bad wooll that can take no colour but what conquest can a subiecte pretend against his Soueraigne where the warre is insurrection and the victory high and heynous treason as for the resignation which king Richard made being a pent prisoner for the same cause it is an acte exacted by force and therefore of no force and validity to binde him and seeing that by the lawes of this land the king alone cannot alienate the auncient iewels and ornaments pertaining to the Crowne surely hee cannot giue away the Crowne it selfe and therewithall the kingdome Neyther haue we any custome that the people at pleasure should electe theyr king but they are alwayes bound vnto him who by right of bloud is next successour much lesse can they confirme and make good that title which is before by violence vsurped for nothing can then be freely doone when liberty is once restrained by feare So did Scilla by terrour of his legions obtayne the lawe of Velleia to bee made whereby hee was created dictator for fourescore yeeres and by like impression of feare Caesar caused the law Seruia to be promulged by which he was made perpetuall dictator but both these lawes were afterwardes adiudged void As for the deposing of king Edward the 2. is no more to be vrged then the poysoning of King Iohn or the murdering of any other good and lawfull Prince we must liue according to lawes and not to examples and yet the kingdome was not then taken from the lawfull successour But if we looke backe to times lately past we shall finde that these titles were more stronge in King Stephen then they are in the Duke of Lancaster for king Henry the first being at large liberty neyther restrained in body nor constrained in minde had appointed him to succeed as it was vppon good credite certainly affirmed The people assented to this designement and thereupon without feare and without force he was anoynted King and obtained full possession of the realme Yet Henry Sonne of the Earle of Aniowe hauing a neerer right by his mother to the Crowne notwithstanding his father was a stranger himselfe borne beyond the seas raysed such rough warres vppon King Stephen that there was noe end of
qualitie in high degrees of office and seruice then proclamations were made that if any man had been oppressed by these Lords or by any officers vnder them he should prooue his complaint and receiue recompence It was made a question whether it was not meete that these noble men should be put to death the importunitie of the people and the perswasion of many great men drew that way but policie was against it and especially the opinion of clemencie which seemed needfull to the setling of a new risen state In this parlament also the Lorde Fitzwater appealed the sayd Duke of Aumerle sonne to the Duke of Yorke vpon points of high treason likewise the Lord Morley appealed Iohn Montacute Earle of Salisburie and moe then twentie other appeilants waged battaile but the king purposing to laye the foundation of his realme by fauour and not by force gaue pardon and restitution alike to all vppon sureties and band for their alleageance and in a sweet and moderate oration he admonished and as it were intreated the one part that ould griefes and grudges should not be renued but buried together with the memorie of former times wherein men were forced to doe many things against their mindes the other part he desired to be more regardfull of their actions afterward and for the time past rather to forget that euer they were in fault then to remember that they were pardoned No punishment was laide vppon any saue onely the Earle of Salisburie and the Lord Morley who had beene in especiall grace and fauour with King Richard these two were committed to prison but at the sute of their friends they were soone released the rest the King receiued freelye to fauour but most especially the Duke of Aumerle and the Duke of Excester Lord Gouernour of Calice The Duke of Aumerle was cousen germane to both the kings Iohn Holland Duke of Exceâ—â—â— was halfe brother to King Richard and brother in lawe to King Henrie whose sister the Lady Elizabeth he had taken to wise The greatest matter that was enforced against them was their loyaltie vnto King Richard a grieuous crime among rebels because they did not onlie stomacke and storme at his deiection but stirre also more then others and assaye to raise forces on his behalfe The Dukes bouldly confessed the accusation that they were indeed vnfortunately faithfull to King Richard but as those who once are false doe seldome afterwards prooue soundly firme so they that haue shewed themselues true to one prince may the better be trusted by any other The King did rather admit this as a defence then remit it as a fault affirming that such examples were not to be misliked of Princes so he entred with them into great termes of friendship and put them in place neerest his person endeauouring by courtesie and liberalitie to make them fast and faithful vnto him this fact was diuerslie enterpreted according to mens seueral dispositions some admiring the kings moderation others disliking and disallowing his confidence and indeed although these meanes haue to this purpose preuailed with some yet the common course may mooue vs commonly to coniecture that there is little assurance in reconciled enemies whose affections for the most part are like vnto Glasse which beeing once cracked can neuer bee made otherwise then crazed and vnsound Furthermore to qualifie all preiudice and hard opinion which other princes might chaunce to conceiue King Henrie dispatched Embassadours to diuers countries neere vnto him to make it knowne by what title and by what fauour and desire of all the people he atteyned the kingdome To the court of Rome hee sent Iohn 〈◊〉 Bishop of Hereford Sir Iohn Cheyney Knight and Iohn Cheyney Esquire into Fraunce hee sent Waker Shirlowe Bishop of Durham and Lord Thomas Pearcy Earle of Worcester into Spaine he sent Iohn Treuor Bishop of S. Assaphâ—â— and 〈◊〉 William Parrâ— and into Almaine he sent the Bishop of Bangor and certaine other Most of these Princes as in a matter which little concerned eyther their honour or their harme seemed eyther not to regarde what was doone or easely to bee perswaded that all was doone well But Charles King of Fraunce was so distempeâ—ed at this dishonourable dealing with his sonne in lawe King Richard that by violence of his passion he fell into his oulde panges of phrensie and at the last by helpe of Phisicke returning to the sobrietie of his sences he purposed to make sharpe warre vpon that disloyall people as he termed them for this iniurie against their lawfull and harmlesse Prince Many noble men of Fraunce shewed themselues verye forwarde to enter into the seruice but especially the Earle of Saint Paule who had maryed King Richards halfe Sister So letters of defiance were sent into England and great preparation was made for the warre Likewise the newes of these nouelties much abashed the Aquitanes who were at that time vnder the English subiection and plunged their thoughts in great perplexities Some were greiued at the infamous blemish of the English nation who had disteyned their honour with the spot of such disloyall dealing others feared the spoyle of their goods and oppression of their liberties by the Frenchmen against whose violence they suspected that the realme of England beeing distracted into ciuill factions eyther would not attend or should not be able to beare them out but the Citizens of Burdeaux were chiefely anguished in respect of King Richard partlie fretting at his iniurie and partlie lamenting his infortunitie because he was borne and brought vppe within theyr Cittie And thus in the violence some of theyâ— anger some of theyr griefe and some of their feare in this sort they did generally complaine O good God sayd they where is the world become saintes are turned to Serpents and Doues into diuels The English nation which hath been accompted fierce onely against theyr â—oes and alwayes faithfull to their friends are now become both fierce and faith lesse against their lawfull and louing Prince and haue most barbarouslie betrayed him Who would euer haue thought that Christians that ciuill people that any men would 〈◊〉 haue violated all religion all lawes and all honest and orderlie demeanure And although the heauens blush at the view and the earâ—â— sweat as the burthen of 〈…〉 and all man proclaime and exclaime open shame and confusion against them yet they neither feele the horrour nor shrinke at the shame nor feare the reuenge but stand vpon tearmes some of defence for the lawfulnesse of their dealing and some of excuse for the necessitie Well let them be able to blinde 〈◊〉 worlde and to resist 〈…〉 yet shall they neuer be able to escape 〈…〉 desire to be powred vpon them Alas good King Richard thy nature was too gentle and they gouernement too milde for so stiffe and stubborne a people what King wil euer repose any trust in such 〈…〉 them with lawes as theeues are with 〈◊〉 What 〈◊〉 hee 〈◊〉 can recouer theyr credite What time wyll
Holland his brothers Sonne Duke of Surrey Edward Duke of Aumerle Iohn Montacute Earle of Salisbury Hugh Spencer Earle of Glocester Iohn Bishoppe of Caerliele Sir Thomas Biunt and Magdalen one of King Richards Chappell who in all poyntes both of feature and fauour so neerely resembled King Richard that the Lordes dissembled afterwardes that hee was King Richard indeed These and some others were highly feasted by the Abbot and after dinner they withdrewe themselues into a secret Chamber to counsaile heere the Duke of Exceter who was moste hotly bent eyther to restore or to reuenge the cause of his deposed brother declared vnto the rest the alleageance that they had sworne vnto King Richard the honours and 〈◊〉 whereunto they were by him aduaunced that therefore they were bounde both in conscience by the one and in kindnesse by the other to take his part against all men that king Henry contrary to both had dispoyled him of his royall dignity and vniustly possessed himselfe thereof whilest they stood looking on and shewed neyther the obedience of subiectes nor loue of friendes as though they were men who knewe to doe any thing better then to defend and if neede were to dye for theyr lawfull Prince and louing patron that king Henrie by violent inuading or fraudulent insinuating himelse into the kingdome of his naturall and leige Prince was but a tyrant and vsurper and such a one as it was lawfull for any man by any meanes to throw downe without respect whether he were a good man or euill for it is lawfull for no man vpon pretence and shewe of goodnesse to draw soueraignty vnto himselfe that the lawes and examples of best gouerned common wealthes did not onely permit this action but highly honoured it with statues and garlandes and tytles of nobility and also rewarded it with all the wealth of the suppressed tyrant that this enterprize would be very profitable and almost necessarie to the common wealth by extinguishing those warres which the Scots menaced the Frenchmen prepared and the Welshmen had already begun vpon this occasion and quarrell that he did not distrust but it might be accomplished by open armes but he thought it more sure for them and for the common wealth more safe to put first in proofe some secret policie and to that purpose he deuised that a solemne Iustes should be challenged to be kept at Oxforde in Christmasse holydayes betweene him and twentie on his part and the Earle of Salisburie and twentie on his part to which king Henrie should be inuited and when he was most intentiue in regarding their militarie disport he should sodainlie be surprized by men which without suspition might at that time be assembled both for number and preparation sufficient for the exployt and thereby King Richard presently bee restored both to his liberty and to his state This deuise was no sooner vttered then allowed and applauded of the rest of the confederates and so resoluing vpon the enterprize they tooke an oath vpon the Euangelistes the one to be true and secret to the other euen to the houre and point of death the Lords also made an Indenture sextipartite wherein they bound themselues to doe their best assay for the death of the one king and deliuerance of the other this they sealed and subscribed and deliuered to euery Lord a counter pane of the same and further they concluded what forces should be gathered by whome howe they should be ordred and placed and to whose trust the execution should be committed When all thinges were thus contriued and theyr hungry ambitious mindes were well filled with the vaine winds of hope and desire the Duke of Exceter came to the king at Windsore and desired him for the loue that he bare to the noble feares of Cheualry that he would vouchsafe to honour with his presence the martiall exercise that was appointed betweene him and the Earle of Salisbury and to be the iudge of theyr performances if any controuersie should arise The king supposing that to be intended indeed which was pretended in shew easily yeelded to his request The Duke supposing his purpose now halfe performed departed to his house and so did the other confederates where they busily bestirred themselues in raysing men and preparing horse and armour for the accomplishment of thys acte When the Dutchesse of Exceter king Henries Sister perceiued the drift of the deuise and saw that the Duke was vppon his iourney alas good Lady howe was shee distracted in minde with a sharpe conflicte of her conceiptes one waye she was mooued with nature towardes her brother another waye shee was more strongly stirred with loue towards her Lord and husband and both wayes shee was deuided in dutie And what sayd shee is this loue then against nature or about it shall I bee vndutifull to my Prince or is no dutie comparable to the dutie of a wife heigh ho in what perplexities wretched woman am I plunged to see my two deerest friends in this case of extremitie that it is doubtfull which but certainlie one must be ruined by the other Heerewith such a shower of teares streamed downe her cheekes that it drowned her speech and stopped the passage of further complaint which when the Duke espyed hee stepped vnto her and seazing softlie vppon her hand vsed these wordes What Besse is it kindnesse to me or kindred to your brother that thus hath set your eyes on floate Content your selfe woman for whatsoeuer the euent shall be it cannot bee euill to you nor worse to me then now it is For if my purpose preuaile and my brother bee restored againe to his crowne both of vs shall be sure neuer to decline if it bee preuented and your brother continue still in his estate no harme shall be doone vnto you and I shall be then sure of that distruction which I doe now continually dread the feare whereof in expecting is a greater torment then the paine in suffering When hee had thus saide hee kissed her and so leauing her to the torture of a thousand thornie thoughts he tooke his iorney towards Oxforde with a great company both of Archers and Horsemen There he sound all the rest of his complices well armed and banded except onely the Duke of Aumerle The King also hearing that both the Challengers and defendants were in a readinesse determined the daye following to ride to Oxforde according to his promise and appointment Now the confederates much maruailed at the stay of the Duke of Aumerle some onely blamed his slacknesse others began to suspect it euery man coniectured as he was diuersly affected betweene confidence and feare and in this confusion of opinions they sent vnto him in poste to knowe the certaine truth Before the messenger came to the Duke hee was departed from Westminster towards Oxford not the direct way but went first to see his Father the Duke of York and carried with him his counterpane of the Indenture of confederacy As they sate at dinner the
vgly was presented to the view and terrour of others bodies hewen in peeces heads and quarter of vnfortunate dismeÌ„bred wretches putrifâ—ing aboue ground not al for desert but many to satisfy either the mallice or want of King Henrieâ— friends insomuch as many graue men openly gaue forth that in short time there would be cause to wish King Richard again as being more tollerable to endure the cruelty of one then of many and to liue where nothing then where any thing might be permitted The Abbot of Westminster in whose house and in whose head this confederacy began hearing of these aduentures as he was going betweene his monastery and his mansion fell sodainly into a palsie and hardly after without speech ended his life and although in this enterprize fortune gaue policy the check and by a strange accedent which wisdome could not foresee ouerturned the deuise yet is it certainely affirmed that this Abbot first stirred the stone which rowling a long was like to haue turned king Henry out of his seate The bishop of Caerliel was condemned vpon this treason but the extreamity of his feare and griefe closed vp his daies and preuented the violence and shame of publicke execution And now king Richard after he had abdicated his dignity did but short time enioy that sweet security which he did vainely expect and first all his goods which hee did giue in satisfaction of the iniuries that hee had done were brought to deuision and share amongst his enemies shortly after he was remooued from the Tower to the Castle of Leedes in Kent and from thence to Pomfret to the ende that by often changing hee might eyther more secretly bee dispatched or more vncertainly found heere being kept in streight prison both innocent ignorant of this offence was notwithstanding made a party in the punishment For King Henry perceiuing that the Lords so far preuailed with their late strategeme that if their stomacke had bin answerable to their strength their bloud beginning had not ended in faintnes and sloath they might haue driuen him to a hard hazard caused King Richard to be put to death intending to make sure that no man should cloake open rebellion vnder the colour of following sides nor countenance his coÌ„spiracy either with the person or name of K. Richard whether hee did expressely commaund his death or no it is a question out of question he shewed some liking and desire to the action and gaue allowance thereto when it was doone The most current report at that time went that hee was princely serued euery day at the Table with aboundance of costlie meates according to the order prescribed by Parlament but was not suffered to tast or touche any one of them and so perished of famine being tormented with the presence of that whereof hee dyed for want but such horrible and vnnaturall crueltie both against a King and a kinseman should not proceed from King Henrie me thinke a man of a moderate and milde disposition not yet from any other minde which is not altogether both sauage in humanitie and in religion prophane One wrighter who would seeme to haue the perfect intelligence of these affayres maketh report that King Henrie sitting at his table sad and pensiue with a deepe sigh brake foorth into these wordes Haue I no faithfull friend that will deliuer me of him whose life will breed destruction to me and disturbance to the realme and whose death will bee a safetie and quiet to both for how can I be free from feare so long as the cause of my daunger dooth continue and what securitie what hope shall we haue of peace vnlesse the seede of sedition be vtterly rooted out Vppon this speech a certaine Knight called Sir Pierce of Extone presently departed from the Court accompanyed with eyght tall men and came to Pomfrete and there commaunded that the Esquire who was accustomed to sewe and take the assaye before King Richard should no more vse that manner of seruice and let him quoth he now eate wel for he shall not eate long King Richard sate downe to dinner and was serued without courtesie or assaye whereat he merueyled and demaunded of the Esquire why he did not his dutie the Esquire answered that he was otherwise commaunded by Sir Pierce of Extone who was latelye come from King Henry The King beeing somewhat mooued at this acte and answere tooke the caruing knife in his hand and strucke the Esquire therewith lightly on the head saying the deuill take Henry of Lancaster and thee together with that Sir Pierce entred the chamber with eight men in harneys euery one hauing a byll in his hand Wherevpon King Richard perceiuing their drift and his owne daunger put the table from him and stepping stoutlye to the formost man wrested the bill out of his hand wherewith although vnarmed and alone he manfully defended himselfe a good space and slew sowre of his assailants Sir Pierce lept to the chaire where king Richard was wonte to sit whilest the rest chased him about the chamber At the last being forced towards the place where Sir Pierce was he with a stroake of his Pollax felled him to the ground and foorthwith he was miserably rid out of his miserable life It is saide that at the pointe of his death hee gathered some spirit and with a fainte and feeble voyce groaned foorth these wordes My great grandfather King Edward the second was in this manner deposed imprisoned and murthered by which meanes my grandfather king Edward the third obteyned possession of the crowne and now is the punishment of that inâ—â—trie powred vpon his next successour Well this is right for mee to suffer but not for you to doe your King for a time may ioye at my death and enioye his desire but let him qualifie his pleasures with expectation of the like iustice for God who measureth all our actions by the malice of our mindes will not suffer this violence vnreuenged Whether these words proceeded from a distempered desire or from the iudgement of his foresight they were not altogether idle and vaine For Sir Pierce expecting great fauour and rewards for his vngracious seruice was frustrated of both and not onely missed that countenance for which he hoped but lost that which before he had so odious are vices euen where they are profitable Heerevpon hee grew at the first discontented and afterwardes mightely turmoyled and tormented in conscience and raging against himselfe would often exclaime that to pleasure one vnthankefull person he had made both himselfe and his posteritie hatefull and infamous to all the world King Henrie with great discontentment and disquiet held the kingdome during his life and so did his sonne King Henrie the fifth in whose time by continuall warres against the Frenchmen the malice of the humour was otherwise exercised and spent But his second successour King Henry the sixth was dispossessed thereof and together with his young sonne Henry imprisoned and put to death eyther
spoyling the goods and spilling the bloud of the vnhappy people besides the ruynes and deformities of many Citties and holdes vntill his lawful inheritance was to him assured It terrifieth me to remember how many florishing Empires and Kingdomes haue bin by meanes of such contentions eyther torne in peeces with detestiue diuision or subdued to forren Princes vnder pretence of assistaunce and ayde and I neede not repeate howe sore this realme hath heertofore beene shaken with these seuerall mischieues and yet neyther the examples of other countries nor the miseries of our own are sufficient to make vs to beware O English men worse bewitched then the foolish Galathians our vnstayed mindes and restlesse resolutions doe nothing els but hunt after our owne harmes no people haue more hatred abroad and none lesse quiet at home in other countries the swoord of inuasion hath been shaken against vs in our owne land the fire of insurrection hath bin kindled amongs vs what are these innouasions but whetstones to sharpen the one and bellowes to blowe vp the other Certainely I feare that the same will happen vnto vs which Aesope fableth to haue been fallen vnto the Frogges who beeing desirous to haue a King a beame was giuen vnto them the first fall whereof did put them in some feare but when they saw it lye still in the streame they insulted thereon with great contempt and desired a king of quicker courage then was sent vnto them a Storke which stalking among them with stately steps continually deuoured them The mildenesse of king Richard hath bred in vs this scorne interpreting it to be cowardise and dulnes of nature the next heyre is likewise reiected I will not say that wyth greater courage we shall finde greater cruelty but if eyther of these shall heerafter be able to set vp theyr side and bring the matter to tryall by armes I do assuredly say that which part soeuer shall carry the fortune of the field the people both wayes must goe to wracke And thus haue I declared my minde concerning this question in more wordes then your wisedome yet fewer then the weight of the cause doth require and doe boldly conclude that wee haue neyther power nor policy eyther to depose king Richard or to elect Duke Henrie in his place that king Richard remaineth still our Soueraigne Prince and therefore it is not lawfull for vs to giue iudgement vpon him that the Duke whom you call king hath more offended against the king and the relame then the king hath done eyther against him or vs for being banished the realme for ten yeeres by the king and his counsaile amongst whome his owne Father was chiefe and sworne not to returne againe without speciall lycense he hath not onely violated his oath but with impious armes disturbed the quiet of the land and dispossessed the Kyng from his royall estate and now demaundeth iudgement against his person without offence proued or defence heard if this iniury and this periury doth nothing moue vs yet let both our priuate and common dangers somwhat withdraw vs from these violent proceedings This speach was diuerslie taken as men were diuersly affected betweene feare hope and shame yet the most parte did make shew for king Henrie and therevpon the Bishop was presently attached by the Earle Marshall and committed to prison in the Abbey of S. Albones Whose counsaile and coniecture then contemned was afterwardes better thought vpon partly in the life time of king Henrie during whose raigne almost no yeare passed without great slaughters and executions but more especially in the times succeeding when within the space of xxxvi yeares twelue set battailes vpon this quarrell were fought within the realme by English men only and more then foure score Princes of the royall bloud slaine one by another Then it was concluded that king Richard should be kept in a large prison with all manner of Princely maintenance and if any persons should conspire to reare warre for his deliuerance that he should be the first man who should suffer death for that attempt Then the Actes of the Parlament holden at Westminster in the xi yeare of King Richard were reuiued and the Parlament houlden the xxi yeare of king Richard was wholy repealed and they who were attainted by that Parlament were restored againe to their fame and honour and to their landes without suing lyuerie and to such goods whereof the King was not answered except the rents and issues which had beene receiued out of their lands in the meane time Herevpon Richard Earle of Warwicke was deliuered out of prison and the Earle of Arundelles sonne recouered his inheritance many others also that were banished or imprisoned by King Richard were then fullye restored againe to their Countrie libertie and estate It was further prouided that none of those which came in ayde of King Henrie against King Richard should for that cause be impeached or troubled Also the King gaue to the Earle of Westmerland the Countie of Richmond and to the Earle of Northumberland he gaue the Ile of Man to be houlden of him by the seruice of bearing the sworde wherewith he entred into England Diuers other of his followers he aduaunced to offices of highest place and charge some vpon iudgement and for desert but most part to win fauour and perhappes proiecting a plot for friends if times should change for in many actions men take more care to preuent reuenge then to leade an innocent and harmlesse life It was further agreed that the procurers of the death and murther of Thomas late Duke of Gloucester should be searched out and seuerelie punished And iudgement was giuen against the appellants of the Earle of Warwicke and the Earle of Arundell that the Dukes of Aumerle Sussex and Exceter the Marquesse of Dorset and the Earle of Gloucester who were present should loose their degree of honour for them and their heyres that they should likewise loose all the Castles Mannors Lordshippes c. then in their hands which sometimes apperteined to those whom they did appeale and that all the letters patents and charters which they had concerning the same should be surrendred into the ChaÌ„cerie and there be cancelled that for all other their Castles Mannors Lordships possessions and liberties they should be at the grace and mercie of the King that they should giue no liueries nor keepe any retinue of men but onely such officers as were meerelie necessarie for their degree that if any of them should adhere to Richard the deposed King in giuing him ayde or encouragement against the iudgement of his deposition then he should incurre the paines and forfeitures of high treason And because it was a clamorous complaint among the common people that many officers had committed greeuoâ—s extoruons and wrongs eyther by the open maintenance or secret conâ—itiuence of these Lords First those officers were remoâ—ued and that corruption taken away with integritie which briberie hâ—d wrought in placing for money men of bâ—d