driven to their Country but not so much discouraged as to hinder their landing in Wales thâ—… next year and there they joyned the poor remaindeâ—… of the Britains But the King being aware had more time to draw his Forces together when giving then battle he overthrew both parties yet not long after thâ—… Danes sacked the Isle of Shippy and were not with out much slaughter expelled This was the Seventeenth King of the West Saxonâ—… and First sole Monarch of England beginning hâ—… Reign as Monarch 819 and reigned Seventeen yearâ—… much improving and increasing the welfare of thâ—… Kingdom Ethelwolf the Second sole Monarch eldest Son â—… Egbert began his Reign Anno 837 and was in hâ—… Fathers time Bishop of Winchester But being in â—… manner constrained to take upon him the Government he resigned his Bishoprick to Swithâ—…n his Tutâ—… and gave a great overthrow to the Danes at Oclâ—… freeing the Church Lands from all Tribâ—…tes and Râ—…gal Services and going to Rome at the Bishop's peâ—…swasion he confirmed Peter-pence and setled a yeaâ—…ly Pension of Three hundred Marks upon the Râ—… man See and continued his Reign about Twenâ—… years Ethelbald succeeded Ethelwolf being his eldest Sâ—… by his Wife Osburge who was his Butlers Daughteâ—…â—… his Valiant Actions sufficiently appeared against tâ—… Danes in his Fathers Reign but that which bloted â—… great Actions was his Marrying Judith Danghter â—… the French King and his Mother-in-law But â—… reigned only two years and was the Third sole Mâ—…narch of the English Men. Ethelbert the second Son to Ethelwofe succeeded â—…is Brother Anno 860 he was continually alarumed â—…y the Danes who finding the pleasantness of the â—…ingdom compared with their Rocky Land came in warms sometimes landing in one place and someâ—…mes in another and destroyed Wâ—…nchester but the â—…ople gathering in great numbers and falling upon â—…em before they could recover their Ships most of â—…em were slain He reigned Five years and then â—…ave place to Ethelred in whose Reign the Danes and Norwigâ—…ans got more and more footing and being Pagans â—…ed all manner of Rapin and Violence deslowring Virgins and ravishing Women not sparing the Veiled Nun but destroyed the Abbies and Monaâ—…eries so that to save their Chastity by the advice â—…f their Abbess the Nuns of Codingham Monastery â—…ut off their Noses and upper Lips to render themâ—…elves deformed and that the frightful spectacle might â—…ay the Lusts of the inslamed Danes but it prevailed â—…ot for the Monsters having first deflowred them â—…ut them to the Sword and set the House on fire â—…nd so proceeded under the leading of Hungar and Hubâ—…a their Commanders in chief to burn the City of â—…ork committing extraordinary Outrages and Vioâ—…ences But Ethelred at length gave them a great overâ—…hrow slaying one of their Dukes or petty Kings with nine Earls and a great many common Soldiers â—…ut about eighteen days after being recruited with â—…sh Forces they put the King to slight at Basing â—…nd about two Months after wounded and overthrew â—…im at Merton of which wound he dyed when he had â—…eigned about Six years and was succeeded by Elfride fourth Son to Ethelwolf who fought seven Battles with various success against the Danes for in â—…is time they sorely oppressed the Land insomuch â—…hat the High-ways were unfrequented and the Ground â—…n most places Untilled and the King himself obliged â—…o flee into Woods and Desart places but in the end weary of that solitude he put himself in the Habâ—… of a Musician under which disguise he discovered tâ—… sluggish security of the Danes in their Camp wheâ—… upon secretly rallying his scattered People he suâ—…prised them in that manner killing a great number â—… them and taking their Standard And more Daâ—… attempting to land in Devonshire under Halden thâ—… Captain the people rise generally in Arms and falliâ—… upon them near Exeter kill'd the Captain and 8â—… of his Followers This King caused all Thieves to banished and divided the Kingdom into Shires Hundred and Tythings he founded the first common Schoâ—… in Oxford which is now called University Colledgâ—… and continued his Reign Twenty nine years Edward the Eldest Son of Elfride succeeded him and began his Reign 901 when soon after he came â—… the Throne his Nephew Ethelwald stirred up â—… Subjects to rebel against him but they were quietâ—… without much trouble yet the Danes were still â—… possession of one part of the Country which maâ—… the King build a strong Castle at Hartford and marâ—… against them when at St. Edmuns Ditch he gave theâ—… Battle but prevailed not however in that Mortâ—… Battle two of their Kings viz. Ethelwald and Crocâ—…cus were slain And soon after he gave them anothâ—… Battle at Wodesfield with a great overthrow killiâ—… two other of their Kings and two Earls with aboâ—… 4000 Common Soldiers He reigned Twenty foâ—… years and gave place to Etheistance who began his Reign 923 his Subject upon his coming to the Crown rose in Mutine undeâ—… Elfrede a Norman but the Ring-leader taken and seâ—… to purge himself they were quieted yet he was â—… jealous of his Brother Edwin that he consented â—… his being murthered which created in him such remorse that he caused his Murtherers to be put â—… death and had like soon after to have been slain â—… his Tent by one Anlafe a Dane but by a lucky râ—…moval he escaped and a Bishop who had pitched â—… â—…ent on the same Ground was assaulted and slain â—…fter he had killed many of the Danes with his own â—…nd as well Nobles as Plebeans and having â—…yed their fury he had leisure to pass into Scotland â—…th a powerful Army and brought that Kingdom â—…o subjection But upon his return he found the â—…nes had strengthened themselves yet he routed them â—…ar VVinchester and in this contest it is reported Guy â—…rl of VVarwick sought with Colbron the Danish Giâ—…t of mighty seize and slew him hand to hand as â—…e Kings Champion in single Combat and so far read the fame of this King that Historians report â—…ut with what credit I know not that Hugh King â—… France greatly desirous of his friendship sent him â—…e Sword of Constantine the Great which had in its â—…ile one of the Nails that fastened Christ to the Cross likewise his Spear which was that with which Loâ—…â—…us peirced his side with a piece of the Thorny Crown â—… wore that Otho the Emperor sent him a Landskip â—… with precious Stones and the King of Norway a â—…ip with guilt Decks and Purple Sails he reigned â—…een years and was the Eldest Son to King Edâ—…d Edmund the fifth Son of King Edward succeeded his â—…other Anno 940. he fought sundry Battels with variâ—…s success against the Danes and his Son Dunmail reâ—…lling against him he caused his Eyes to be put out â—… was Crowned at Kingstone upon Thames his picture â—… memory of it being still preserved in the Church â—…ith many otherâ—… his Successors he made many wholâ—…m Laws but
business inviting many of the Nobles that he thought disaffected to the King he made them Prisoners in his Palace and by that means constrained them to render their Castles as Ransoms for their Persons which much weakened the Interest of the Empress yet Earl Robert burnt Worcester for holding out against her and the like did Ralph Painel one of her Captains to Nottingham The Empress finding her Measures broken by the crafty Bishop of Winchester hasted to Lincoln but the King followed close and besiged that City and took it yet she made her escape so that new Measures being taken her Forces daily increased insomuch that becoming strong in the Field Robert Earl of Glocester and Ralph Earl of Chester gave the King battle near Lincoln which was maintained with great obstinacy and effusion of blood Victory seeming to incline to neither party till such time as the Kings Horse gave way thought to have been done by treachery however the Foot stood manfully to it but being overcharged and trampled down for want of their Horse to cover them they fled likewise leaving the King who chose rather to die than give back to fight the Battle when with a very weighty Battle-Ax like an inraged Lyon he drove whole squadrons before him killing a great number for wherever he struck the blow proved mortal but in the fury of the Fight having broken his Battle-Ax and after that his Sword he was beaten down with a Massiestone thrown at him and by that means brought under and taken Prisoner King Stephen thus made a Prisoner was carried to Glocester where the Empress expected him and from thence sent Prisoner to Bristol whereupon all but the County of Kent acknowledged her as their Soveraign so that going to Winchester in state she there received the Regal Crown and passing to London she was met with Procession and the Acclamations of the people but the Earl of Glocester Brother to the Empress being taken by some of the Nobles that sided with King Stephen and Imprisoned at Glocester searing if any violent Death befel the King he should run the same Risque he so far solicited the matter that an exchange was made and both the one and the other had Liberty after which the Earl went for Normandy which had revolted from Stephen to raise Forces to secure what was gained but whilst this was doing the Londoners being displeased as not receiving the satisfaction they expected and the Nobles thinking themselves slighted by her the restless Bishop of Winchester set the Nation again into a Blaze of dissention making a strong Party for King Stephen besieging the Empress in the Castle of Winchēster seven weeks and then the better to work his advantage feigning a Peace and causing it to be proclaimed set open the City Gates but she and her followers almost starved out with Famine were scarce departed when he caused them to be pursued in which pursuit many were slain and taken Prisoners and amongst them Earl Robert who by this time was returned with a slender Train and others taking Sanctuary in the Nunnery of Worwell were burnt together with the House nor did the Bishop spare Winchester but fired it for taking part with the Empress The Empress escaping this Storm betook her self to the Castle of the Devizes in Wiltshire but being closely pressed by the prevailing party and out of all hopes of relief she contrived a Stratagem to prevent her falling into their hands viz. Inclosing her self in a Coffin and making it known to a few of her Trusty Friends under pretence it was the dead Body of a Person whom the Besiegers knew to be dead in that place procuring a pass for the burial of it with its Ancestors She was in a Horse-litter carried to Glocester and there joyfully received by those of their Party But finding it not safe to continue there she hasted to Oxford where being straightly Besieged by the King in the depth of Winter and the Suburbs gain'd she found her self in no capacity longer to defend the place but taking the advantage of a Snow that had fallen she put on white Garments and by that means in the dusk of the Evening passed alone undiscovered to Abington on Foot and from thence to Wallingford on Horseback the same Night so sweet is a Crown that no Difficulties or Dangers are thought too much to attain it It was indeed strugled for with various success causing a great deal of blood shed as the Partys prevailed with Burnings and Devastations However that he might assure the Succession of his Son Eustuce he called a Council at London commanded Theobald Arch-bishop of Canterbury to Anoint him King but having received the Pope's Mandate to the contrary he refused it for which he was obliged to leave the Land and flie to Normandy yet the King for this refusal seized upon his Possessions But shortly after Prince Eustace dying the King became more inclinable to an agreement with the Empress The death of this Prince is by some Historians thus reported viz. Having set fire to the Corn Fields belonging to the Abby of Bury because the Monks refused to supply him with a sum of Money for his present occasion after that at his first sitting down to Dinner upon the first bit of Bread he touched he fell distracted and died in that fit but this seems a Fable of the Monks to terrifie people from medling with their Diana or the abundance of Treasure they in those days of Ignorance scraped to themselves even from those that had far greater need However the Kings hope dying in this Prince he was content to adopt Henry by some called Fitz Empress though indeed Plantaginet for his Son and Successor to whom at Oxford in the great Assembly held there for that purpose the Peers did Homage as to the undoubted Heir and the Prince acknowledged the King as his Father and after whom he was to Reign nor did Stephen live long when this was done for being afflicted with the Illiack pasio and the Haemorhoids worn out with Labour and continual toil left the Crown which he had worn with so much trouble and variety of Fortune to young Henry dying at Dover Anno 1134 and was Buried at Feversham in Kent though afterward his Body only for the value of the Lead that inclosed it was cast into the River by the covetous Sexton This Stephen was King of England and Duke of Normandy third Son to Stephen Earl of Blois by his Wife Adilicia or Alice Daughter to William the Conqueror he began his Reign the second of December Anno 1135 and Reigned Eighteen Years Ten Months and 20 Days and had Issue by Maud or Matilda his Wife Daughter of Eustace Earl of Bulloigne Brother of Godfry and Baldwin Kings of Jerusalem Baldwin Eustace William Maud and Mary he had likewise two Natural Sons Gervas the younger he made Abbot of Westminster Thus in a Tempest liv'd the Warlike King Small rest he found till death the calm did
Fitz-walter battel at Ferrybridg near Pontefract but not being able to maintain it he was there with most of his men cut in pieces by Henry's Forces when both Armies facing on the Plain between Towton and Saxton on the 28th of March they joined Battel that of Edwards consisting of 48660 men and Henry's of 60000 but by the Lancastrians mistaking Stars for Suns being the Cognizance of each Party and doubting some Treason in the case many of them fled so that those who remained lost the field and in this Battel were slain the Earl of Northumberland the Lords Clifford Neuel Wells Scales Beaumont Dacres Grey Willoughby Fitzhug and other Persons of Quality about 357 and in all 35091 being the most bloudy and obstinate Battel that had been fought upon this Overthrow Henry with his Queen and Son fled into Scotland and were honourably received by King James whose Sister Prince Edward not long after married From Scotland the Queen sailed to France to seek aids in that Court and in mean while King Edward returning to London was a second time proclaimed and calling a Parliament Henry together with his Queen and Prince Edward his Son were disinherited and about fourty three Nobles disinherited and attainted The Queen a Woman of a Martial Spirit by her Interest in France had by this time gotten a considerable number of Men but sailing for Scotland and afterwards making for England her Fleet was scattered by a Tempest so that she and her Husband were left solely to the Aid of the Scots and with what Forces they could gather marched as far as the Bishoprick of Durham but the Forces of the Scots were defeated at Hegely Moor where Sir Ralph Percie dying said in allusion of his Oath to King Henry I have saved the Bird in my Breast And another defeat happening at Hexam Feries Fortune seemed utterly averse and that poor Prince coming out of Scotland into England in disguise was betrayed and apprehended as he sat at Dinner in Wadington-Hall and in an ignominious manner brought to London with his Legs bound under the Horses Belly and secured as a Prisoner in the Tower King Edward by the Imprisonment of Henry conceiving himself more secure sent the Earl of Warwick to woo for him in the Court of Savoy but whilst he earnestly sollicited and had brought the matter to perfection by obtaining the good Will of the Estates News came that King Edward had married the Lady Elizabeth Grey Widow to Sir John Grey slain in the Battel at St. Albans fighting on the part of King Henry with whom he had fallen in Love upon her becoming an humble Suitor to him for her Jointure and because he could not compass his ends without Marriage that vertuous Lady disdaining to be the Harlot even of a puissant King he resolved against the Minds of his Friends to obtain his desires by making her his Wife This so sensibly touched the Earl of Warwick in reflecting upon his Honour in serving a Master of so little Constancy that although he had been mainly Instrumental in helping him to the Kingdom he changed his love into mortal hatred and working upon George Duke of Clarence to favour his design and by secret Practices they stirred up a Commotion in the North where one Robert Huldren headed 15000 of the Commons but he being executed Sir John Conyers undertook to head them Proclaiming as they passed that King Edward was an unjust Prince and unprofitable to the Kingdom when to surpress these disorders he sent an Army under the leading of the Earl of Pembroke who joyned Battel near Banbury and had been victorious had not one John Clapham Esq and Servant to the Earl of Warwick come in the heat of the Fight and displayed his Master's Colours whose Cognisance was the White Bear and by crying a Warwick so dismayed the Welshmen of whom most of the Army was composed that thereby thinking the Earl was come in with his party they threw down their Arms and betook them to flight leaving their General who valiantly fighting was taken Prisoner together with his Brother Sir Robert Herbert and ten other Gentlemen of Note who lost their Heads at Banbury by the Judgment of Conyers and Clapham Anno 1469. The Success of the Northern men occasioned them to rise in great Number and a Party under the Leading of Robert of Ridisdale surprising the King's Manner of Grafton siezed the Lord Rivers the Queens Father together with John his Son whom they beheaded at Northampton which obliged the King to hasten with a great Army but whilst the people were expecting the issue of a bloudy Fight a Truce was concluded which rendering the King more secure than cautious the Earl of Warwick entered his Tent in the dead of Night and with little resistance made him Prisoner and carried him to Warwick Castle and from thence in the Night time conveyed him to Middleham Castle in Yorkshire and there committed him to George Nevil Arch-Bishop of York Brother to the Earl but having Liberty allowed to hunt in the Park and Forrests he was rescued by a Troup of his own Men however Sir Robert Wells with thirty thousand of the Commons disturbed the Country Proclaiming King Henry but encountering King Edwards Forces and himself in a bloudy Battel made Prisoner the Lincolnshire Men of which the Army was mostly composed threw of their Coats with the Earls badge on them in great Confusion left the Field so that from that it was called the battel of Losi-Coaâ—field upon which defeat and the putting Sir Robert with many others to death The Duke of Clarence Earl of Warwick and divers Nobles found themselves obliged to pass the Seas but were refused enterance at Calais of which place VVarwick was Captain by one Vawclear whom he a little before had Substituted his Deputy and for which refusal King Edward made him Captain in VVarwick's stead however they went to the Court at France and were there entertained with much respect where gathering Aids and holding Correspondence with their Friends in England soon after they Landed at Dartmouth and Marched towards London Proclaiming King Henry and commanded all from Sixteen to Sixty years of Age to take up Arms on his behalf against Edward Duke of York whom they termed a Usurper so that all the Land in a manner was in Arms and King Edward perceiving his Fortune utterly averse and that the few forces he had raised were ready to Revolt he thought it no fit time to dispute but rather to reserve himself to a more favourable Fortune whereupon with a few of his Friends he passed the Seas and was received by Charles Duke of Burgundy who had married the Lady Margaret his Sister whilst his Queen took Sanctuary in Westminster where she was delivered of a Son afterwards Christened by the name of Edward and other Sanctuarys were filled with the King's Friends and such as had adhered to him This disorder gave the Kentish men an opportunity to rise in Arms
and do great mischief especially in and about the City of London and had been greater but the Earl entered with his Army and put an end to those disorders and set King Henry at liberty who had been a Prisoner in the Tower for almost the space of Nine years conveying him to the King's Palace in great Triumph where on the 13th of October he was crowned again and went with the Crown on his head to St. Paul's Church the Earl of Warwick bearing up his Train and the Earl of Oxford carrying the Sword before him whilst the people cryed God save King Henry and a Parliament being called to sit at Westminster the 26th of November King Edward was declared a Traitor to his Country and a Usurper of the Crown his Goods and Lands were confiscated and his Adherents were attained The Earl of Worcester for his Cause lost his Head and all the Statutes made by Edward Revoked The Crowns of England and France were entailed to King Henry and his Heirs Male and for default of such Issue to George Duke of Clarence The Earl of Warwick to be Governour of the Land till it could be better settled Thus went the various change of Affairs in England 〈◊〉 the bloudy contest between the houses of York and Lancaster yet continued not the advancement of King Henry for King Edward holding Correspondency in England and gathering some Forces beyond the Seas landed at Ravenspur in Yorkshire where the better to insinuate with the People He at first pretended to come for his right as a private person but finding himself strong enough he siezed upon York and increasing in Power marched till â—he came near to the City of Warwick where his Brother the Duke of Clarence being reconciled to him by the means of a Maid-servant that had lived with the Old Dutches of York desiring the Earl to forsake King Henry's Cause and close with his Brother but that great Man more regarding his Engagement than Life or Interest sent him word that he had rather be an Earl and always like himself than a perjured Duke and that e'er his Oath should be falsified as the Dukes apparently was he would lay down his Life at his enemies Feet which he doubt not should be bought very dear whereupon King Edward hasted to London and was received by the Citizen no ways able to resist him when drawing out his Forces he marched against the Earl and his Accomplicies and on Easter day in the Morning Battel was joyned on Glad-more Heath near Barnet in which bloudy Conflict fortune at first seemed to favour VVarwick but by an unlucky mistake he lost the day for a great Mist falling the embroidered Stars upon the Coats of such as were commanded by the Earl of Oxford being taken for Suns which was King Edward's Cognizance VVarwick's Battallion charged by that Errour upon their Friends and they suspecting it done on purpose crying out Treason quitted the Field which the Earl perceiving and resolving not to out-live the loss of the day charged desperately into the King's Battel killing many with his own Hands but being cut off from the assistance of his own men he there was slain as likewise was his Brother the Lord Montacute in attempting to Rescue him on King Edward's Party dyed the Lords Cromwell Bourchier and Barns with Siâ— John Lisle and on both sides about 10000 of all sorts But thus ended not the Contests for the Crown for Queen Margaret in the right of her Husband and Son raised a strong Power Anno Domini 1471. and gave the King Battel at Tewxbury but Fortune now turned fatally averse to the Queen and her Family for losing the day with the death of John Lord Somerset John Courtney Earl of Devonshire Sir John Delues Sir Edward Hampden Sir Robert Whitingham Sir John Leukner and several others and a great many of lesser note The Queen in this rout fled and betook her self to a religious house for sanctuary but was takan thence and made close Prisoner young Prince Edward her Son was taken in his flight by Sir Richard Crofts who presented him to King Edward who having a while beheld him with a stern countenance demanded how he durst presume with Banners displayed to disturb his Kingdom to which the Prince replied that what he did was to recover his Father's Kingdoms and his most rightfull Inheritance But how dare you continued the Prince being but a Subject display your Colours against your Liege Lord Upon this resolute replie King Edward unworthily struck him on the Mouth with his Gantlet when Richard Duke of Gloucester basely taking the hint stabbed him and the Wound being seconded by some of the Servants the poor Prince fell dead at the King's feet Things being carried at an extraordinary highth Edmund Duke of Somerset the Prior of St. John's with divers Knights and Esquiers who had taken sanctuary were contrary to the Custome of those times taken thence by force and executed at Tewxbury and soon after Richard Duke of Gloucester the King's Brother stabbed the pious King Henry to the heart in the Tower of London and his body was exposed in a Coffin at St. Paul's to convince the People he was dead As for the Queen she continued several years a Prisoner but at length her Father mortgaged most of his Principalities to pay her Ransome and she thereupon was sent over Sea where in much sorrow and perplexity she languished â—ut the rest of her days and by this means the Lancastrians being utterly disabled to make head King Edward more assured in his Throne betook himself to his Pleasure and hearing of the Fame of Jane Shoar Wife to a Goldsmith in Gracechurch-street he sent for her and took her to his Bed upon which her Husband renounced her and for Grief and the Disgrace betook himself to travel beyond the Seas never returning into England He had likewise two other Concubines high in his esteem and being in the Year 1474. in France at an Interview with the French King Lewis told him that he would one day invite him to court the fair Ladies of Paris to which Offer Edward readily consented insomuch that the French King not being pleased with his forwardness whispering to Philip Comines his Bosome Friend told him that he repented of his Offer considering that there had been too many English Princes already at Paris so that the King returned without having any opportunity to prosecute such Amours Anno 1478. by the contrivance of Richard Duke of Gloucester George Duke of Clarence was accused of sundry Crimes and committed to the Tower where soon after he was smothered in a Butt of Malmsey Wine and 't is reported the King consented to so great a Wickedness upon a Prophecy That a G. should succeed an E. which however proved true though he mistook the Man for Richard Duke of Gloucester usurped the Throne and murthered his two Sons as will appear hereafter Two Acts yet more of this King's Cruelty are memorable viz. Going
passionately sought for by Buckingham's declaring that none of Edward's Race should Reign over them and therefore they had offered the Crown to him which if he refused they would give to another of a different Family that should be worthy of it Hereupon with a seeming unwillingness he told them seeing they were so bent against the Linage of his dear Brother which he was sorry to hear rather than they should be destitute of a King of the Royal Bloud in the house of the Plantagenets he should be content to submit to their desires and take the Government upon himself These words ended the people cryed King Richard King Richard and from this time is accounted the end of Edwards the Fifths Reign Thus by false seeming Friendship the poor Prince Betray'd and Murther'd in his Innocence Without a Crown goes down into the Grave Yet so had rest which others could not have The Reign and Actions of Richard the Third King of England c. RIchard by the means mentioned in the foregoing Reign having obtained Possession oâ— the Throne and laid his Nephews aside he kepâ— them strict Prisoners in the Tower when calling â— Parliament the Crown was confirmed to him and his Heirs and great preparations were made foâ— the placing it on his Head but fearing the Nobility when gather'd in a body might oppose it he sent for his trusty Friend Robert of Risdale whâ— gathering about 5000 of the Northern Rable came to London as his Guard when at Westminster the Ceremony was performed with great Splendour Queeâ— Ann Daughter to the great Earl of Warwick being Crowned with him who had been contracted to Prince Edward Son to Henry the Sixth and the more to ingratiate with the people he discharged the Arch-Bishop of York and the Lord Standly from their Imprisonment taking his Seat likewise in the Court of King's-Bench and there pronouncing pardon for all Offences committed against him and aâ— the Intreaty of the University of Oxford John Morton Bishop of Ely was delivered into the hands oâ— the Duke of Buckingham who sent him in close confinement to his Castle of Brecknock in VVales and then suffered him to continue upon his Parole King Richard by this time notwithstanding he had Possession found himself but slenderly settled in the Throne whilst the young Princes his Nephews were alive and therefore to make sure he sent his Letter by John Green to Sir Robert Brackenbury Lieutenant of the Tower to make them away privately buâ— he detesting so great a Murther refused it with expressions of the horrour he conceived at such a proposition but this changed not the Usurpers determination rather making him more earnest least the design should be discovered before it was put in practice wherefore being wished by some of his Privados to one Sir James Tirrel a Man of desperate Fortune and wicked Principles he disclosed the Matter to him and he promised if he might have the Keys of the Tower delivered to him for one day he would see it effected hereupon the King Wrote to the Lieutenant on pain of high displeasure to deliver they Keys to this Person and he not daring to refuse least his own Life should go for it unwillingly surrendered them whereupon Tirrel when the young Princes were in Bed and a sleep sent in two of his Hell-hounds viz. Miles Forrest and John Dighton who wraping the innocent Youths close in the Bed-cloaths and clapping a Bolster on their Faâ—es Forrest being a heavy squat Fellow lay upon them whilst the other kept down their Bodys and â—o continued to do for the space of an hour till they found no more strugling life or motion in them at what time Tirrel came in and finding them dead caused their Bodys to be buried under the Stairs deep in the Ground and a great heap of Stones were laid upon them The business being done the Murtherers redelivered the Keys and went to give an account of the Wickedness and receive the Wages of Iniquity but the Usurper in this was mistaken for instead of contributing to his peace it added exceedingly to his disturbance and disquiet for he never after enâ—oyed any content of mind not through any Remorse but through the terrour of a guilty Conscience fearing every one that looked wishfully on him â—ame to kill him and in his sleep he fancied horrible Apparitions of Devils and Spirits came to â—ear him so that he often would start out of his Bed run up and down the Chamber crying out for help As for the Instruments of this Murther Tirrel was beheaded for High-Treason in the Reign of Henry the Seventh Forrest Rotted alive and Dighton dyed miserably beyon the Seas As for the Bodies of the Children they were by Richard's Order taken up and being enclosed in a Leaden Coffin full of holes they were said to be carried to the black deeps in the Thames mouth and there thrown in out of a Fancy that this would appease the Terrour of his Dreams The Duke of Buckingham who had been mainly Instrumental in raising Richard to the Throne soon after this Murther fell into discontent some say for that the King refused him the Duke of Herefords Lands to which he pretended himself rightfull Heir others because he was not looked upon and esteemed at Court as he expected but he declared it was from a Remorse for the Murther of the two Princes of which he could not but conceit himself somewhat Guilty because he had raised one to the Throne that had caused them to be Murthered though he was ignorant of the Fact or its Contrivance and hereupon leaving the Court he retired to his Castle of Brecknock and there conferring with Bishop Morton that crafty Clergy-man to gain his entire Liberty so fed the Dukes Ambition who was naturally of an aspiring Spirit that after having founded his Inclinations he plainly told him that nothing grived him so much since there was so worthy a person allied to the Crown that a Tyrant and Murtherer should sit upon the Throne commending the Duke to be a person of such rare vertues that none merrited to wear the Crown so much as himself and although the Duke excused it in telling him Henry Earl of Richmond had a right before him he was prompt enough to harken to so pleasing a Subject These debates that seemed at first in jest came at last to earnest for Buckingham resolving if possible to displace King Richard Communicated his designs to divers of his trusty Friensd amongst whom it was agreed that the Earl of Richmond Heir of the House of Lancaster should Marry Elizabeth Daughter to Edward the Fourth Heiress to the House of York and by that means unite the two Families Whereupon the Mothers of the Earl and Princess being made acquainted and apropving the Project Bishop Morton was sent with ample Instructions to let the Earl know what was agreed upon and desire him with such Forces as he could raise to come over where he would find his Friends
interposing as some Authors have it â—…tween two Deuelists he was unfortunately run â—…rough after he had reigned six years Edred succeeding Edmund Anno 946. the Danes beâ—…n to gather courage not without being privately aâ—…mated by some treacherous English and amongst â—…em Weelstan Arch-Bishop of York so that â—… the â—… caused himself to be Crowned King of Northumâ—…rland against whom Edred marched with a great Army but had the Rear of it surprised by the underhand dealing of Woelstan however he made his party good put the Danes to the rout and returned with victory He made St. Germans in Cornwal a Bishops See which was by Canute the Dane translated to Credington and at last setled at Exeter by Edmund the Confessor where â—it at present remains This Edred was Tenth sole Monarch of England and reigned Nine years Edwy succeeded Edred Anno 955 and was crowned at Kingston upon Thames where it is repoted he committed Adultery with a great Lady his near Kinswoman in the sight of his Nobles and afterwards caused her Husband to be slain that he might more freely enjoy her He thrust out the Monks and put married Priests in the places of those that affected a single Life Banished Dunstan who is now stiled a Saint and the same that is reported to have taken a shee Devil by the Nose with a pair of Tongues for disturbing him at his Forge These things turned the Peoples Affections against the King to a degree of laying him aside and swearing Fealty to Edgar which made him pine to death after he had Rul'd Four years and was buried in the New Abby Church at Winchester Edgar began his Reign Anno 159 he recalled Dunstan and outed the married Priests making a Penalty against Drunkenness and the Land at that time being pestered with Wolves he laid a yearly Tribute of three hundred Wolves Heads upon the Prince of Wales and upon the Noble-men and Free-holders according to the largeness of their Possessions so that in a few years they were all destroyed He made it his business once a year to ride the Circuit of his Kingdom to inquire of Abuses done by his Judges in Illegal Actings or those that were done by private Persons one to another inflicting severe punishments on such as he found tardy yet he have himself up to prodigeous Lust insomuch that casting his Eyes upon any Women he liked he would have his satisfaction by fair means or force and killed Ethelwald an Earl and one of his principal Courtiers with a Spear as he was hunting in the Forest because he had married a beauteous Lady Daughter to Duke Orgarus when he had sent him to fetch her for his own use and then took her to Wife He deflowred a Nun called Wolfe-child and got on her a hopeful Brat which was afterwards Sainted by the name of Edith and afterwards another Nun called Ethelflede on whom he begot his Son Edward who succeeded him he had peace except a little bickering with the Welsh all his Reign feared a broad and at home having the greatest Navy of any King before him some Authors reporting it consisted of Three thousand Ships He was crown'd at Kingston upon Thames by Otho Archbishop of Canterbury and reigned sixteen years Edward the Thirteenth sole Monarch of England began his Reign Anno 975 and was usher'd in by a Famine and a Blazing Star with great contentions between the Monks and Married Priests Dunstan taking taking part with the former and Duke Alfarus with the latter and meeting to Dispute in an upper Room the press being great the Flour fell down and many were wounded only Dunstan's Chair stood fixed upon a Post which gave such credit to the Monks who without doubt had contrived the sinking of the Four as appeared by the Chair being fixed that they gained the point and the Married Priests were turned out suffering great necessity no Man daring to entertain or relieve them Soon after this the King going a Hunting and being near the Castle of Queen Elfreda his Mother-in-Law he separated from his Company and went to pay her and her Son a visit But the treacherous Queen to advance her own caused one of her Servants to stab him in the Back whilst he was drinking on Horseback at her Gate whereupon turning his Horse he fled the farther Treachery but not finding his retinue he through lossâ— of blood fainted and falling in the next Wood expired when he had reigned four Years Ethelred the Son of Edgar and Elfreda succeeded Edward who for his slowness in Affairs was Nick-named The Unready he was Crowned at Kingstone upon Thames the ordinary Seat of the Saxon Monarchs and upon his Coronation day a Cloud was seen throughout England half resembling Blood and half Fire and in the third year of his Reign the Danes Landed in divers parts of this Kingdom committing great Outrages and much about the same time a great part of London was laid in Ashes The King not being able to oppose the Torrent of the Danish power compounded a Peace for 10000 Pounds a Year but finding their Advantage they soon raised it to 40000 l which 〈◊〉 heavy upon the Nation and was called Danes Guilt oâ— Danes Money nor did this suffice them but they pillaged and ravag'd the Country so extreamly that the King to free his Sublects from the Oppressions they groaned under gave them private notice on St. Brices day to fall upon the Danes in all the Cities and Towns where they quartered which was done with so much secresie that most of them were cut off this being done on the 13 of November Anno 1002. the News flew into Denmark whereupon new swarms came over under the Leading of Swanus who destroyed all before them with Fire and Sword in such a terrible manner that the People fled to the Woods and Mountains and although the King bought his Peace at the price of 30000 Pounds yet not long after they flew 900 Monks and such as were of Religious Orders in Canterbury and having gotten a great sum of Money from the Archbishop Aphegus for his Ransom they notwithstanding stonâ—d him at Greenwich so that the King perceiving their treachery and cruel dealing and that he was no ways capable of opposing their fury he sent Emma his wise with her two Sons to her Brother Richard Duke of â—â—â—mandy and soon after left the Kingdom to follow them but Swanus being stabbed by his own Meâ— and Canutus his Son set up in his stead Ethelred returned but finding many Treasonable Designs carried on against him by Edricus one of his Dukes and a powerful Enemy in the Land which he was no ways able to oppose he died for grief when he had Reigned thirty seven years and was the fourteenth sole Monarch of England Edmund the Eldest Son of Ethelred Sirnamed Ironside succeeded him Anno 1016. and was Crowned at Kingstone upon Thames by Livingus Arch-bishop of Canterbury though Canute then Reigned as King at Southampton This Edmund
to Confusion and although they perceived their error too late and casting themselves into a Ring stood to it manfully yet the King as he was rallying them being slain with an Arrow that pierced his Brain as likewise his two Brothers Leofin and Grith with most of the English Nobles and 97974 Soldiers the rest threw down their Arms ond submitted to the Conquerer who from that time took upon him the Kingdom This Harrold began his Reign Anno 1065 and Reigned about 9 Months and 9 Days and was buried at Waltham in Essex Thus Fortunes fickle wheel still turning round Does raise to Greatness and again confound The Reigns of the Kings of the Norman Race and first of William usually called the Conqueror THe Normans knew not their own true Original but found themselves a mixed People composed of Norwigeans Sweeds and Danes taking their denomination from that Northern Climate anciently called Cimbrica Chersonesus and Norway but the Country being supposed too little for the people they drew out their Collonies and sent them abroad under divers Captains to seek their Fortunes in planting a more advantageous soil and having made many descents upon the Coasts of Belgia Frizia England and Ireland under Rollo their Captain a Noble Norman they pitched upon this Nation and had great Wars with the Saxon Monarchs till such time as Rollo in a Dream fancying himself upon the highest Hill in France perceived beneath him a most pleasant Country and that a River stowing from his seat watered it whilst little Birds with red Breasts run to drink at the stream and sung melodiously about him This being Interpreted by a Monk That it was the will of Heaven he should go over and settle himself in that part of France he fancied himself to be in and that there he should be victorious Whether this Interpretation was seigned by the Monk to be rid of so powerful an Enemy or by secret Devination revealed to him we determine not however it wrought so powerful with Rollo that he drew his Forces out of England and passing into France during the Reign of Chales the Simple with continual Wars so far indangered that Kingdom that the King was constrained to make an Alliance with him at no less a rate than giving him his Daughter Gilla in Marriage with the Dutchy of Normandy in Dowâ— This Rollo was Great Grandfather to Richard the fifth Duke of Normandy which Richard was Elder Brother to Robert who was Father to William of whom we are now to speak William the first King of England c. usually called the Conqueror his Reign and Actions c. VVIlliam the Conqueror was Natural Son to Robert Duke of Normandy by Arlotte a Beautiful Woman of mean Birth her Father being no other than a Tanner or Skinner however 't is Recorded That being great with Child of this William she Dreamed her Bowels delated and extended all over Normandy and Britain and as soon as the Child was Born being laid on the Floar strewed with Rushes a Custom amongst the Normans to try the Presage of Fortune he instantly grasped the Rushes in his hands and thence they concluded his future greatness and when his Father died he took upon him the Rule of Normandy and gained England as has hath been already related William the Conqueror began his Reign October 14. Anno 1066. and was Crowned the 25th of the following December by Aldred Arch-bishop of York causing the English Bishops and Barrons to swear Allegiance to him taking himself a solemn Oath to defend the Rights of the Church to establish such Laws as were agreeing to the Constitution of the Kingdom and to see them administred with Uprightness and Justice and supposing himself by this means securely setled in the Throne he went a Progress to be more assured of the Southern Parts but as was passing through Kent to Dover Stigand Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Eglesine Abbot of St. Augustines Assembled the Commons to oppose him who placed themselves in a Wood near Swancomb waiting the Conquerors Arrival when perceiving his approach with a slender Train shadowed with Boughs cut down for the purpose they marched against him who supposing himself inclosed with moving Woods was so much surprized that he was neither capable of advancing or retiring but whilst he was considering what it might tend to the Kentish-men now inclosing his Army threw down their Boughs and displayed their Banners when the Bishop and Abbot presented themselves on the behalf of the rest Addressing the Conqueror in the following Speech Most Noble Duke Behold here the Commons of Kent are come forth to meet and receive you as their Soveraign requiring your Peace their own free condition of Estate and ancient Laws if these things be denied they are present to abide the Battle being fully determined rather to die than to part with their Laws or to live servile in Bondage The Conqueror much surprized forbore reply for a time but perceiving the Kentish Men making ready their Weapons and resolute to give Battle knowing himself much Inferiour in number loath to stake a Kingdom upon so small a cast he granted their Demands so that to this day they retain by ancient Custom many Priviledges that other Counties injoy not yet the Conqueror was not so favourable to the English as they expected for after his Coronation he Banished such of the Nobles and Gentlemen as were most likely to oppose him in his Proceedings seizing most of the Estates of the Kingdom and gave them to his Normans whom he most respected or such as had helped towards desraying the Charge of the Expedition depriving Monasteries Bishopricks Cities and Corporations of their Ancient Liberties and Priviledges and then obliged them to redeem them at great Sums of Money constituting new Laws and ordained four Terms when as all Controversies except what was rare and extraordinary were tried in the respective Counties Hundreds or Monthly Moots or Gemotes and to prevent great Meetings which he feared might turn to his prejudice he set out a severe Edict commanding all Persons upon the ringing of a Bell called by the Normans Coverfeu or Coverfire to put out both Fire and Candle exactly at eight of the Clock in the Evening and causing an exact survey of the Lands and Estates of all the people he amerced them accordingly exacting six shillings for every Hide of Land and the Book thus made of every several survey the number of the People and their Abilities is called Doomesday Book nor did he permit any of the English to be in places of Trust and for his pleasure as some will have it though others say it was out of Policy that he might have a Desolate place to Land new Forces out of Normandy if the English should rise in Arms against him he laid waste 36 Parishes with their Churches and made of that Vacancy a large Forrest by him called new Forrest reaching to the Sea-shore and in Circuit 60 Miles he fortified the Tower of London
Richard was no ways dismayed but drawing out his Forces offered the Saladine battle which vvas refused vvhereupon he caused the Army to march towards Jerusalem but by the vvay he vvas diserted by the Duke of Burgundy vvho the French King left as his General vvith part of the Forces and upon no other account as Burgundy himself declared But that it should never be said the English should have the glory of wining Jerusalem vvhich greatly grieved the King that so famous an enterprize should miscarry through malice and emulation and vvhilst he vvas in his melancholly upon this occasion a Knight mounting a high sandy Hill said Come hither Sir and I will show you Jerusalem but the King at these vvords covered his face and fetching a deep sigh said Ah my Lord God I beseech thee that I may not see thy holy City Jerusalem because I am not able to deliver it out of the hands of thine enemies Hovvever he made an honourable peace vvith the Saladine which including that the Christians should quietly enjoy what they possessed and so selling the Isle of Cypruss to the Knight Templers for 30000 Marks he returned with his Army having obtained the nominal Title of King of Jerusalem from Guy of Lusigâ—am the last of the race of the Christian Kings of Jerusalem which Title the King of Spain claims at this day but without power or effect One thing is not lightly to be forgotten viz. that the King above all others that had been in the Holy Land though many great Potentates had been there before him brought terror and dread upon the Sarazens for when at any time their Children cryed they to quiet them would say King Richard is coming and will have you nay when their Horses stumbled they would cry Ha Jade you think King Richard is in the way King Richard as is said returning home with his fair Queen Berengaria was separated upon the Coast of Histria by a storm from the rest of the Fleet and the Ship being broken and in no condition to put to Sea he in disguise of a Merchant or as some say a Knight Templer resolved to pass over Land but being too lavish in his expenses that raised a suspition of his being of great Quality so that near Vienna he was made a prisoner by the order of Leopold the Arch-Duke whose Standard he had thrown down from the Walls of Ptolomais and by him sold to the Emperor Henry the Sixth for 60000 Marks and was ransom'd after sixteen Months imprisonment and very bad usage at 160000 pounds to pay which a great Tax was levyed throughout England yet joyfully disbursed by the people who suffering under such Ministers as were set over them greatly desired the return of their King so that Philip of France having notice he was at large sent to tell John King Richard's Brother who had usurped the Rule during his captivity That the Devil was let loose and although several waits were laid to intrap and retake him after security was given for the Money he landed safe at Sandwich and was joyfully received by Hubert Arch-bishop of Canterbury who had been in the Holy Land with him as likewise by his Subjects but more especially by Queen Eleanor his Mother who by her prudent Conduct and Authority had secured the Kingdom during his absence from the total usurpation of his Brother John who now hasted to meet him and submitting himself was freely forgiven in these words viz. I would that thy faults may be so forgotten of me as thou thy self may keep in memory wherein thou hast offended and thereupon taking him into his favour he restored his forfeited Possessions who from that time became firm to the Kings interest and did him faithful service especially against the French whose King contrary to his Oath he gave King Richard upon his departure from the Holy Land had warred upon his Countries of Normandy Anjou c. stirring up in his absence many discensions and disorders in England when in one of the Skirmishes taking the Bishop of Bevois prisoner compleatly Armed the Pope interceeded by Letter for the delivery of his dear Son as he termed the Bishop when the King in a merry humour sent his Habergeon Curiass and the rest of his Armour he was taken in and order'd the Bearers in the words of Josephs Brethren to say This we found see if it be thy Sons Coat or not To which the Pope earnestly replyed They belonged not to his Son nor to a Son of the Church but to some Imp of Mars and therefore he should free himself as he could for as for his part he would have no further hand in the matter So that the Bishop was obliged to ransom himself with a large sum and soon after the King at Gysors gave the French a great overthrow taking 100 Knights and Servetors on Horseback thirty Men at Arms 200 great Horses whereof 140 had Barbs and Caparisons armed with Plates of Iron killing a great number many of the first Rank and here the King in Person did wonders bearing to the ground with his Lance Matthew d' Monmerancy Alan d' Rusci Foulk d' Giserval and made them Prisoners and after this Victory it was that the King expressed himself in these Words that have since become the Motto of the Arms of England viz. Diu Mondroit Not we say he have gained this Victory but God and our Right But now the fatal time approached that was to eclipse the Glories of this Prince in the shades of Death for hearing the Count of Limogen had found in one of his Lordships a great Treasure of Silver he sent to him for it as properly belonging to the Sovereign but the Count would not yeild to send him above one half which incensing the King he besieged him in his Castle of Chauluz at which Seige he was shot by a square Arrow out of a Steel Bow into the Shoulder yet he took the Castle and the Arcubalaster being brought before him boldly owned the shot alledging That the King with his own hand had killed his Father and two Brethren which incited him to revenge their deaths in an honourable way Whereupon the King perceiving the undaunted confidence of this Bertram d' Guidon not only forgave him the fact but ordered him 100 shillings yet through the unskilfulness of the Chirurgeons the Wound proved Mortal when the King perceiving his end to approach he greatly bewailed his sins and then receiving the Sacrament expired Anno 1199 having before given order that his Bowels should be buried amongst his rebellious Subjects of Poctiou as those that deserved his worst part his heart at Roan which City had always been constant and loyal to him and his Body at Font Everard there to be laid at the Feet of his Father to whom he had been some time disobedient and for which he greatly reproved himself This Richard the First was King of England Duke of Normandy Guin and Aquitain he began his Reign
Exploits and waâ—… succeeded by Kenelem But this Prince was unfortunatâ—… in his Youth for having discovered some close Intreagues between his Tutor and Quindride his Sister the latter to prevent his reproofs caused the formeâ—… to Murther him when he had Reigned about threâ—… Months and Cleolwolf who succeeded him reigneâ—… but a year before he was Expulsed his Kingdom by his Subjects at the Instigation of Bernulf who therâ—… upon stepped into the Throne but being warred upon by the West Saxons and East Angles he was slaiâ—… in Battle the Third year of his Reign Anno 831 anâ—… Ludecan who succeeded him felt the like Fate iâ—… the Second year of his Reign from Egbert the Weâ—… Saxon in Conjunction with the East Angles Witlâ—… the next King of the Mercians was overcome â—… Egbert and forced to flee his Kingdom in the Thirâ—… year of his Reign And now the Danes began to peâ—… plex the Coast having an Eye to the Conquest â—… Britain so that they drove Berthulf who succeedeâ—… Wâ—…laf out of the Mercian Kingdom in the Thirteenth year of his Reign And although Brudreâ—… got the Possession of it Anno 852 yet they kept hiâ—… in continual Alarums and notwithstanding at fiâ—… he was Victorious over them yet they returning witâ—… greater Force he was forced to quit the Kingdom when he had reigned about Twenty years and wâ—… the last of the Saxon petty Monarchs in this Kingdoâ—… of Mercia Thus Kingdoms tost by fickle Fortune's hand Must Rise and Fall yet ne'er are at a stand Great things oppress themselves with their own weight And still must yeild to the Decrees of Fate An Account of the Kingdom of the East Angles with their Succession of Kings c. THis Kingdom so named from the Angles that claimed it for their Portion contained Suffolk Norfolk Cambridge and the Isle of Ely and took upon it the form of a Kingdom Anno 373 continuing â—53 years and had the Succession of Fifteen Kings of whom in their order Uffa was the first King of the East Angles who â—etled and founded the Kingdom but was in his beginning very much opposed by the British Princes He Reigned Seven years and gave place by Death to Titulus who Reigned a longer time for some Authors will have it that he held the Scepter of this Kingdom about 32 years Redwald succeeded him â—nd altho upon his coming to the Throne he was a Christian he turned Idolater he assisted Edwin to gain the Crown of Northumberland by slaying Ethelâ—ride in Battle and reigned over the Angles 8 years Expenwald succeeded him This King professed Chriâ—tianity and not being well setled in his Kingdom â—ne Richebert conspired against him and slew him when he had reigned Twelve years And Sigebert succeeded him being a younger Son of Redwald but being given up to a devout Life he after two years Reign resigned his Kingdom and turned Monk But that place could not secure his Life for he was â—lain by Penda Egrick upon the resignation took up the Scepter yet he reigned but four years before Penda overcome his Country and slew him in Battle Anna succeeded him but after a Twelve years Reignâ—… Penda who was a mortal Enemy to the Angles camâ—… again overcome and slew him Upon the unfortunate falls of these last Kings Eâ—…theibert got into the Throne as a favourite of Penda's but he had not reigned about Two years when Oâ—…win King of the Northcumbers slew him in Battle foâ—… taking part with Penda against him And Edelwaâ—… succeeded in the Throne yet he reigned only Eighâ—… yearâ—… before he gave place to Alduâ—… who reigneâ—… Nineteen years and then Eâ—…swoâ—f succeeded in a Reigâ—… of Seven years Beorn reigned after him Twenty foâ—… years and then gave place to Ethelred who reigneâ—… Thirty five yearâ—… yet there is nothing memorably recorded of their Actions And now these petty Kingdoms growing to a period Etheâ—…bert began his Reignâ—… but having displeased the bloody Quindride Wife tâ—… Offa King of the Mercians she prevailed with heâ—… Husband to send for him under pretence of givinâ—… him one of his Daughters in Marriage but having got him in her power she caused him to be put tâ—… death when he had reigned Forty five years anâ—… was succeeded by Edmund in whose time the Danes camâ—… over in great numbers burning and destroying before them insomuch that the King was obliged to shuâ—… himself up in Framingham Castle and after a lonâ—… Seige surrendred it But the Pagan Danes not regarding their Faith having stripped the poor King finâ—… beat him with Câ—dgels then scourged him and afteâ—… that tying him to a Stake shot him to death with Arrows whilst with much Patience and Devotion he suffered the usage calling upon the name of Jesuâ—… and recommending his Soul to his Redeemer thâ—… years of his Reign are doubtfully mention'd however he began to Reign over the East Angles Anâ—… 794 he was afterwards cannonized a Saint and thâ—… Town of St. Edmunds-bury still remains in remembrance of him Thus you the Saxon Hepterchie may view How first it rise and to a period drew To rise more glorious in what does eusâ—e The Saxon Government under sole Monarchs with the Succession if Kings their Reigns and Actions THe Hepterchie of the Saxons appearing very troublesome in their continual Wars amongst themselves and those of the Danes and British Princes who still held out the chief of the last that â—…pposed them during their petty Kingdoms were â—…ortimer Son of Vortinger who reigned Four years Aurelius Ambrosius who reigned Thirty two years â—…ter Pendragon his Brother who reigned Eighteen â—…ears Arthure of whom the Monks have created so â—…any Fables that the truth of his Actions are doubtful who reigned Twenty six years Constantine Son â—…f Cador Duke of Cornwal and Cousin to Arthur who â—…eigned Three years Aurelius Conatus who reigned Thirty three years Vortiporus who reigned Three â—…ears Malgo Cononus who reigned Five years Careâ—…cus who reigned Three years Cadwan who reigned Twenty two years Gadwallo his Son who reigned forty eight years and Cadwallader who reigned â—…leven years These were the Chief of the British Princes who opposed the Saxons and held â—…eir Kingdom for the most part in Wales and the Marches giving them at sundry times many notable â—…verthrows disputing their Country with the Invaâ—…ers till their Power was wasted and the remainder of â—…heir People compelled to betake themselves to the Mountains and Fastnesses Egberts's Fortune prevailâ—…ng he united the seven Kingdoms into one and beâ—…ame the first sole Saxon Monarch causing himself to â—…e crowned at Winchesier giving the whole Country the Name of England and the People the Epethitâ—… of English In the Fourteen year of his Reign thâ—… Danes with thirty three Ships landed in England tâ—… whom he gave battle with such Forces as on the sudden could be raised but was worsted loosing two Dukes two Bishops and most of the Common Soldiers he hardly escaping the Field yet afterwards thâ—… Danes were