who lived about the yeare 685. 6 Segebert King of the East Angles writ an Institution of Lawes in his later dayes became a Monke and was slaine by Penda King of the Mercians in the yeare 652. 7 Cymbertus Bishop of Lindsey in the kingdome of Mercia writ the Annals of that Country lived about the yeare 730 8 Daniel Wentanus a Bishop writ the History of his Province and the Acts of the South Saxons and dyed in the yeare 746. 9 Asserius Menevensis borne in Pembrokeshire Bishop of Salisbury writ the Story of Britaine and the Acts of King Alphred and lived about the yeare 890. 10 Alphredus the great King of the Angles â—ourth sonne of King Ethelwolph writ besides many other workes a Collection of Chronicles and dyed at Winchester in the yeare 901. 11 Osbernus a Benedictine Monke writ the life of the Arch-bishop Dunstan and other workes and lived about the yeare 1020. 12 Colmanâ—us Anglicus writ a Chronicle and a Catalogue of the English Kings and lived about the yeare 1040. in the time of King Harold the first 13 Gulielmus Gemeticensis a Norman and a Monke writ the lives of the Dukes of Normandy to William the Conqueror to whom he Dedicated his Worke and after enlarged it to the death of King Henry the first in the yeare 1135. at which time he lived 14 Marianus Scotus a Monke writ Annals from the beginning of the world to his own time and dyed in the yeare 1086. 15 Alphredus a Priest of Beverly writ a History from the first Originall of the Britaine 's to his owne time and lived about the yeare 1087. in the time of William the Conquerour 16 Veremundus a Spaniard and a Priest but who lived much in Scotland writ the Antiquities of the Scottish Nation and lived about the yeare 1090. 17 Lucianus a Monke and an English writer and lived in the first times of the Normans 18 Ingulphus Abbot of Croyland writ from the yeare 664. to the yeare 1066. and lived in the time of William the Conquerour whose Secretary he had beene 19 Turgotus an Englishman first Deane of Durham and afterward Bishop of Saint Andrewes in Scotland writ a History of the Kings of Scotland also Chronicles of Durham Annals of his own time and the life of King Malcolm and lived in the yeare 1098. in the time of King William Rufus 20 Gâ—lielmus Pictaviensis writ a Treatise of the Life of William the Conquerour 21 Gualterus Mappaeus writ a Booke De Nugis Curialium and lived about the Conquerours time 22 William of Malmesbury a Benedictine Monke writ a History of the English Nation from the first comming of the Saxons into Britaine to his owne time which Worke he Dedicated to Robert Duke of Glocester base Sonne of King Henry the First and lived to the first yeares of King Henry the Second 23 Florentius Bravonius a Monke of Worcester compiled a Chronicle from the Creation to the yeare 1118. in which yeare he dyed his Worke was continued by another Monke to the yeare 1163. 24 Eadmerus a Monke of Canterbury writ the lives of William the Conquerour William Rufus and King Henry the First in whose time he lived 25 Raradocus borne in Wales writ the Acts of the Britaine Kings from Cadwallader to his owne time and lived in the time of King Stephen 26 Gervasius Dorobernensis a Benedictine Monke writ a History of the English Nation lived about the yeare 1120 27 Johannes Fiberius commonly called De Bever writ short Annals of the English Nation and lived about the yeare 1110. in the time of King Henry the first 28 Henry Arch-deacon of Huntington writ a History of the Kings of England to the Reigne of King Stephen in whose time he lived 29 Geoffrey of Monmouth a Benedictine Monke and afterward Bishop of Asaph writ a History of the Britaines and was the first that makes mention of Brute and of Merlins Prophecies for which he is much taxed by divers Authours of his owne time and after he lived about the yeare 1150. in the time of King Stephen 30 William of Newborough borne at the beginning of King Stephens Reigne writ a History of the English Nation and bitterly inveighes against Geoffrey of Monmouth as a Deviser of Fables 31 Sylvester Gyraldus borne in Wales and thereof called Cambrensis after long travaile abroad was called home and made Secretary to King Henry the Second and after was sent Tutour to his Sonne John into Ireland he writ the History of that Nation very exquisitely also an Itinerarium of Wales and Britaine the Life of Henry the Second the Acts of King John and a Chronicle of the English Nation and lived about the yeare 1190. in the times of King Richard the First and King John 32 John of Hagulstad a Towne in the North a Benedictine Monke in Durham writ the most memorable things from the ninth yeare of King Henry the Second to the first yeare of King Richard the first in whose time he lived about the yeare 1190. 33 Roger Hoveden a Priest of Oxford writ the Annals of the Kings of England and the memorable passages under the Romans Picts Saxons Danes and Normans he lived in the time of King Richard the first and dyed in the time of King John 34 Johannes Tilberiensis a secular Priest writ a History of the English Nation and lived in the time of King Richard the first 35 Richardus Canonicus travelled with King Richard the first into Palestine and writ of his Iourney and Acts there 36 Aluredus Rivallensis or de Rivallis a Cistersian Monke in the Diocesse of Yorke writ the Life of Edward King of England and David King of Scots and dyed in the yeare 1166. 37 Simon Dunelmensis a Benedictine Monke writ a History of the English Nation from the death of Venerable Bede to the yeare 1164. and lived in the time of King Henry the second 38 John de Oxenford first Deane of Salisbury and after Bishop of Norwich writ the British History and continued it to his own time wherin he agreeth much with Geoffry of Monmouth and lived about the yeare 1174. in the timâ— of King Henry the second 39 Johannes Sarisberiensis writ an excellent Book De Nugis Curialium and lived about the yeare 1182. in the time of King Henry the second 40 Gulielmus Parvus a Canon Regular in the Province of Yorke writ a History of the Norman Kings and liâ—ed about the yearâ— 1216. in the time of King John 41 Johannes Campobellus a Scotch man writte the History of the Scots from the first Originall of the Nation to his owne time and lived in the yeare 1260. 42 John Breton an Englishman Bishop of Hereford writ a Booke De Juribus Anglicanis and lived in the yeare 1270. in the time of King Henry the third 43 Thomas Wyke an Englishman a Canon Regular of Osney neere Oxford writ a short History from the commâ—ng in of William the Conquerour to his owne time and lived in
then any other King did in Realities so in any distemper of his people he had no other Physicke but to open a veine but we shall do him extreame wrong to thinke that all the blood shed in his time was of his shedding they were the Bishops that were the Draco to make the bloody Laws the Bishops that were the Phalaris to put them in execution the King ofâ—entimes scarce knowing what was done Certain it is when a great Lord put a Gentlewoman the second time on the rack the King hearing of it exceedingly condemned him for such extream cruelty As for Religion though he brought it not to a full Reformation yet he gave it so great a beginning that we may truly say of that he did Dimidium plus toto They who charge him with the vice of lust let them shew such another example of continence as was seen in him to lye six moneths by a yong Lady and not to touch her for so did hee with the Lady Anne of Cleve but this is to make Nosegayes I like better to leave every flower growing upon its staulke that it may be gathered fresh which will be done by reading the Story of his Life Of his Death and Buriall IT is Recorded of him that in his later time he grew so fat and slothfull that engines were made to lift and remove him up and downe but howsoever in the six and fiftieth yeer of his age whither a dropsie or by reason of an ulcer in his leg he fell into a langâ—ishing feaver which brought him into such extreamity that his Physitians utterly despared of his life whereof yet none durst speake a word to him till Master Denny one of his Privy-chamber tooke the the boldnes to goe to him telling him of the danger he was in and withall putting him in mind to thinke of his soules health to which he answered that hee confessed his sinâ—es to be exceeding great yet had such confidence in the mercy of God through Christ that he doubted not of forgivenesse though they had been much greater and being then asked by Master Denny if he would have any Divine brought to him with whom to confer he answered he would willingly have the Archbishop Cranmer but not yet a while til he had taken a litle rest whereupon the Archbishop being then at Croydon was presently sent â—or but before he could come the King was growne speechlesse onely seeming to retain a little memory so as putting out his hand and the Archbishop desiring him to shew some signe of his faith in Christ he then wrung the Archbishop hard by the hand and immediately gave up the Ghost the eight and twentieth of Ianuary in the yeer 1547. the six and fiftieth of his age and of his reigne the eight and thirtieth his body with great solemnity was buried at Windsor under a most costly and stately Tombe begun in copper and guilt but never fiâ—ished Men of note in his time MEn famous for the sword were many in his time and in a manner all that it is hard making choice without being partiall unlesse we shal preferre Dukes of equal valour before others of meaner caling and then wil the Dukes of Norfolke and Suffolk hold worthily the place first and next to them the yong Earl of Surrey who had been more fortunate if he had been lesse valiant Of men of letters in his time there were whole Armies in forraigne parts the most â—amous were Budaeus Ludovicus Vines Iohn Revolin Erasmus Roteradamuâ— Vrsinus Cornarius Sadolet Martin Bucer in England were Iohn Collet Deane of Pauls and Founder of the Schoole there VVilliam Lilly borne aâ— Odiham in Hamshire first Scholmaster of Pauls-Schoole Thomas Linaker a learned Phisitian Iohn Skelton a pleasant Poet VVilliam Horman Vice Provest of Eaten who wrote divers workes Sir Rastalâ— a Citizen and Stationer of London Christopher Saint-Germane an excellent Lawyer Sir Thomas Elyot Iohn Leland a diligent searcher of Antiquities Sir Iohn Bourchier Knight Lord Berners who translated â—he Chronocles of Froysard out of French into English Henry Standish Bishop of Saint Assaph who wâ—ote a book against Erasmus traslation of the new Testament Arnold of London who wrote certain Colections touching Historicall matters Thomas Lupset a Londoner who wrote sundry vertuous Treatises Henry Bradshaw a black Monke who wrote the life of Saint VVerborough and also a certain Chronocle Iohn Palsgrave a Londoner who wrote instructions for the perfect understanding of the French tongue Iohn Sâ—vish a Cornish-man who wrote certaine abbreviations of Chronicles with a Treatise of the wars of Troy Anthony Fitz-Herbert a Judge who wrote an Abridgment of the Law Wilfride Holme who wrot a Treatise of the rebellion in Lincolnshire Thomâ—s Lanquet who wrote an Epitomy of Chronicles and also of the winning of Bulloigne Thomas Soulman of Gernsey who wrote divers notes of History Cutbert Tunstall Bishop of Durham Robert VVhittington who wrote divers Treatises for the instruction of Grammarians Iohn Russell who wrote a Treatise entituled super jure Caesaris et Papae also commentaries in Cantica Simon Fish a Kentish-man who wrote a book called the supplication of Beggars George Bullen Lord Rochford brother to Queen Anne who wrote divers songs and sonets Francis Bigod Knight born in Yorkeshire who wrote a book against the Clergy intitled de Impropriationibus Henry Lord Morley who wrote divers Treatises as Comodies and Tragedies as the life of sectaries and certaine rimes VVilliam Botevile alias Thynne who restored the works of Chawcer Richard Turpin who serâ—ing in the Garrison of Callice wrote a Chronicle of his time and died in the â—eer 1541. Sir Thomas VViat Knight who wrote divers matters in English-meeter and translâ—ted the seven Penitentiall Psalmes and as some say the whole Psalter he died of the pestilence as he was going Embassadour to the Emperour in the yeer 1541. Henry Howard Earle of Surrey who wrote divers Treatises in English-meeter Iohn Field a Londoner who wrote a Treatise of mans Free-will de Servo homiâ—is Arbitrio and Collections of the common Laws of England Robert Shingleton borne in Lancashire who wrote a Treatise of the seven Churches and certaine Prophesies William Parry a Welsh-man who wrote a booke intitled speculum Iuvenam THE REIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE SIXTH IT was now the yeere 1547. when on the eight and twentieth of Ianuary King Henry dying Prince Edward his Sonne by his third wife the Lady Iane Seymour and the onely Sonne he left behinde him as well by right of Inheritance as by his last Will succeeded him in the Kingdome to whom as being but nine yeers old and therefore unripe for Government hee had assigned eight and twenty Councellours a fit number if agreeing amongst themselves too many if at variance and at variance they would soon fall if there were not a moderatour to keep them in concord the first worke therfore necessary to be done in this new world was to make choice of such a man as might be
VERA EFFIGIES EXCELLENTISSIMI PRINCIPIS CAROLI MAG BRITAN FRAN. HIBERNIAE HAEREDIS Viuat ô Viuat Princeps CAROLINUS et Orbi Imperet inÌ„umeris decorans sua sêcla Triumphis Flourish braue Prince out shine thy Glorious Name Triumphant Laurels ever Crowne thy Fame CAROLUS inter Reges ut Lilium inter Flores VEROLAM LINCOâ—â—â— LONDON YORK A ROMAN A SAXON A DANE A NOâ—â—â—â— CHRONICLE OF THE KINGS OF ENGLAND From the Time of the ROMANS Goverment unto the Raigne of our Soveraigne LORD KING CHARLES Containing all Passages of State Church With all other Observations proper for a CHRONICLE Faithfully Collected out of Authours Ancient and Moderne digested into a new Method By Sr R. Baker Knight LONDON Printed for Daniel Frere and are to be sold at his Shop at the Red Bull in Little Brittaine 1643. To the High and Mighty Prince CHARLES Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornewall Eldest Sonne of our Soveraigne Lord CHARLES King of Great Britaine France and IRELAND SIR THE Dedication of Chronicles hath in all times been thought worthy of the greatest Princes Gulielmus Gemiticensis writ a Chronicle of the Dukes of Normandy and Dedicated it to William the Conquerour Thomas Walsingham writ a Chronicle of the Kings of England and Dedicated it to King Henry the sixth And of late time Sir Francis Bacon Viscount Saint Albans and Lord Chancellour of England writ a History of the Reigne of King Henry the seventh and Dedicated it to Your Royall Grand-Father of blessed memory King Iames For indeed as nothing makes Princes more Illustrious then Learning So no Learning makes them more Judicious then History Other Learning may fill their mindes with knowledge This onely with Judgement And seeing it is Judgement that must sit as President over all their Actions it is fit that History should sit as President over all their Studies History gives an Antedate to Time and brings Experience without gray haires Other Knowledges make You but see Quod antepedes est History is the true perspective Glasse that will make You see things afarre off And though it make not men to become Prophets yet it makes their conjectures to be little lesse then Oraclesâ— But most Illustrious Prince there accrues to your Highnesse by this Chronicle a greater benefit then all this For if it were an Excitation of great force to vertue to have it said Et Pater Aeneas Avunculus excitet Hector of how great Force must it needes be when You shall reade the Noble Acts of so many your worthy Progenitors Some Eternized for their valourous Atchievements in Warre Some for their prudent government in Peace Some Renowned for Mercy some for Justice And although the Example of your Royall Father be not amongst them yet it may be sufficient that while you have the Acts of others upon Record you have his under View by which he seemes to say unto you Disce Puer virtutem exme verumque laborem Fortunam ex aliis And if in any of your Progenitors there appeare as it were Maculae in Orbe Lunae will it not invite you to a higher Orbe that Your Actions may shine with the clearer Beames and then how happy will the eyes be that shall see you sitting in your Throne For my selfe I should account it happinesse enough that I have lived to see the dayes of your Illustrious Father if it were not a great unhappines to see them overcast with clouds yet when these clouds shal be dispel'd will it not make him shine with the greater Splendor And this as old as I am I doubt not to live my selfe to see and having once seene it shal then willingly say my Nunc Dimittis and lâ—ave the joy of your glorious times for another Age In the meane time prostrating my self humbly at your feet and wishing to your Highnesse as Dâ—iphobus did to Aeneas I Decus I Nostrum Melioribus utere Fatis Your most humble and most devoted Servant RICHARD BAKER An Epistle to the READER THis Booke I suppose will no sooner come abroad but the question will be asked why any man would take so superfluous a Labour to write that which hath been written by so many by some so copiously by some so elegantly that nothing can be added To which Objection I confesse my selfe unable to make a better Answer then by President For when many excellent men had written the Story of the Roman Emperours both accurately and eloquently yet Suetonius Tranquillus comming after them wanted not his part of Commendation For though he added nothing in the matter or substance yet be altered much in the forme and disposition distinguishing that into Classes and Chapters which the former had delivered in one continued Narration as being both lesse tedious to the Reader like a way marked out by Miles and more plainly Informing where Distinction tooke away confusion Besides many have Written the Reignes of our English Kings copiously indeed but so superfluously that much may justly be pared away Some againe Elegantly indeed but so succinctly that much as justly may be added And this if I have endevoured to doe I cannot be blamed If done it I deserve acceptance Againe where many have written the Reignes of some of our Kings excellently as in the way of History yet I may say they have not done it so well in the way of Chronicle For whilst they insist wholly upon matters of State they wholly omit meaner Accidents which yet are Materials as proper for a Chronicle as the other For my selfe if in some places I be found to set downe whole passages as they are already set downe by others and may seeme rather to transcribe then to write yet this I suppose may be excused as being all of one common stocke and no matter from whence the water comes so it come cleane to the Readers use Lastly for the Worke it selfe I dare be bold to say that it hath beene Collected out of Authours both Ancient and Moderne with so great care and diligence that if all other Chronicles should be lost yet this onely would be sufficient to informe Posterity of all passages memorable or worthy to be knowne which of any other generall Chronicle cannot perhaps be said RICHARD BAKER A CATALOGVE OF VVRITERS BOTH ANCIENT AND MODERNE Out of whom this CHRONICLE hath beene Collected 1 GIldas Britannicus surnamed the Wise was the first writer of our English Nation who amongst other his Workes writ a Treatise De Excidio Britanniae He was borne in the year 493. and dyed in the yeare 580. 2 Nennius a Monke of Bangor writ the Story of Britaine and lived about the yeare 620. 3 Venerable Bede a Saxon and a Priest writ the Ecclesiasticall Story of the English Nation from the comming in of Julius Caesar to the yeare 733. about which time he dyed 4 Ethelwardus a writer next to Bede the most ancient writ a generall Chronicle from the Creation to the end of King Edgar 5 Radulphus de Diceto
him by Baldwyn Earle of Flaunders he tooke the Sea for England where comming to shoare Earle Goodwyn met him and bound himselfe by Oath to be his guide to his Mother Queene Emma but being wrought firme for Harold he led him and his company a contrary way and lodged them at Guilford making knowne to King Harold what he had done who presently committed them all to slaughter sparing onely every tenth man for service or sale Prince Alfred himselfe he sent Prisoner to the Isle of Ely where having his eyes inhumanely put out in griefe and torment he ended his life Some adde a more horrible kind of cruelty as that his belly was opened and one end of his bowels drawne out and fastned to a stake his body pricked with Needles or Poignards and forced about till all his Entrailes were extracted This done he then set upon Queene Emma confiscated her Goods and banished her the Realme And now further to secure himselfe he kept the Seas with sixteene Danish Ships to the maintenance whereof he charged the English with great payments by which if he procured the safety of his Person he certainly procured the hatred of his Subjects This King for his swiftnesse in running was called Harefoot but though by his swiftnesse he out-runne his Brother for the Kingdome yet could he not runne so fast but that death quickely overtooke him For having Raigned onely foure yeares and some moneths he dyed at Oxfordâ— and was buryed at Westminster having never had Wife or Children Of the third and last Danish King in England KIng Harold being dead the Lords to make amends for their former neglect send now for Hardiknute and offer him their Allegeance who accepteth their offer and thereupon taking Sea arrived upon the Coast of Kent the sixth day after he had set saile out of Denmarke and with great pompe conveyed to London was there Crowned King by Elnothus Arch-bishop of Canterbury in the yeare 1040. His first Act was to be revenged of his deceased brother Harold whose body he caused to be digged up and throwne into the Thames where it remained till a Fisherman found it and buryed it in the Church yard of Saint Clement without Temple Barre commonly called Saint Clement Danes because it was the burying place of the Danes as some write But towards his Mother and halfe Brother Prince Edwâ—rd he shewed true naturall affection inviting them both to returne into England where he received them with all the honour that from a Sonne or Brother could be expected But now as the King Harold for his swiftnesse in running was surnamed Harefooâ—e So this King for his intemperance in dyet might have been surnamed Swines-mouth or Boccâ—di Porco for his Tables were spread every day foure times and furnished with all kindes of curious dishes as delighting in nothing but Gormandizing and Swilling and as for managing the State he committed it wholly to his Mother Qâ—eene Emma and to the politicke Earle of Kent Godwyn who finding this weaknesse in the King began to thinke himselfe of aspiringâ— and to make the better way for it he sought by all meanes to alien the Subjects hearts from the Prince amongst other courses he caused him to lay heavy Taxes upon them onely for Ship-money to pay his Danes amounting to two and thirty thousand pounds which was so offensive to the people that the Citizens of Worcester slew two of his Officers Thurstaâ— and Feâ—dax that came to Collect it But this King had soone the reward of his Intemperance For in a Solemne Assembly and Banquet at Lambeth Revelling and Carowsing he suddenly fell downe without speech or breath after he had Raigned only two yeares and was buryed at Winchester His death was so welcome to his Subjects that the day of his death is to this day commonly celebrated with open pastimes in the street and is called Hocks-tide signifying scorning or contempt which fell upon the Danes by his death For with him ended the Raigne of the Danes in England after they had miserably afflicted the kingdome for the space of two hundred and forty yeares though in Regall Government but onely six and twenty Of English Kings againe and first of Edward the Confessour KIng Hardiknute dying without issue as having never beene marryed and the Danish line cleane extinguished Edward for his Piety called the Confessour halfe Brother to the deceased Hardiknute and sonne to King Ethelred by his Wife Queene Emma was by a generall consent admitted King of England and was Crowned at Winchester by Edsyne Arch-bishop of Canterbury on Easter day in the yeare 1042. being then of the age of forty yeares He was borne at Islip neare to Oxford and after his Fathers death for safety sent into France to the Duke of Normandy his Mothers Brother from whence he now came to take upon him the Crowne of England His Acts for gaining the Peoples love were first the remitting the yearely tribute of forty thousand pounds gathered by the name of Danegilt which had beene imposed by his Father and for forty yeares together paid out of all mens Lands but onely the Clergy and then from the divers Lawes of the Mercians West Saxons Danes and Northumbrians he selected the best and made of them one Body certaine and written in Latine being in a sort the Fountaine of those which at this day we tearme the Common Lawes though the formes of pleading and processe therein were afterward brought in by the Conquerour The Raigne of this King was very peaceable Onely in his sixth yeare the Danish Pirates entred the Port of Sandwich which with all the Sea-coast of Essex they spoyled and then in Flanders made merchandise of their prey As likewise the Irish with thirty ships entred Severne and with the assistance of Griffyth King of Southwales burnt or â—lew all in their way till at last Reese the brother of Griffyth was slaine at Bâ—lenden and his head presented to King Edward at Glocester His Domesticall troubles were onely by Earle Gâ—dwyn and his sonnes who yet after many contestations and affronts were reconciled and Godwyn received againe into as great favour as before But though King Edward forgave his Treasons yet the Divine Providence did not for soone after as he sate at Table with the King on Easter Munday he was suddenly strucken with death and on the Thursday following dyed and was buryed at Winchester Some make his death more exemplar as that justifying himselfe for Prince Alfreds death he should pray to God that if he were any way guilty of it he might never swallow downe one morsell of bread and thereupon by the just Judgement of God was choaked by the first morsell he offered to eate In this Kings time such abundance of snow fell in Ianuary continuing till the middle of March following that almost all Cattell and Fowle perished and therewithall an excessive dearth followed Two Acts are related of this King that seeme nothing correspondent to the generall opinion had of his Vertue
the King himselfe was present he was adjudged to have his Lands confiscate and to be deprived of his title of Earle yet after all this was restored to his estate againe and suffered to live in quiet He was more desirous of money then of honour for else he would never have sold his Right to the two great Dukedomes of Normandy and Anjou to the King of France for a Summe of money Yet he was more desirous of honour then of quietnesse for else he would never have contended so long with his Barons about their Charter of Liberty which was upon the matter but a point of Honour His most eminent vertue and that which made him the more eminent as being rare in Princes was his Continency for there is nothing read either of any baâ—e children he had or of any Concubine he kept Of his Death and Buriall THough he had lived a troublesome life yet he dyed a quiet death for he had â—etled Peace in his kingdome and in his Conscience For being at Saint Edmundsbury and finding himselfe not well at ease he made the more hast to London where calling before him his Lords and specially Gilbert de Clare Earle of Glocester he exhorted them to be true and faithfull to his Sonne Prince Edward who was at that time farre from home and therefore had the more need of their care which consisted chiefly in their agreement one with another And then his sicknesse encreasing he yeelded up his Soule to God on the sixteenth day of November in the yeare 1272. when he had lived threescore and five yeares Raigned five and fifty and was buryed at Westminster which he had newly Builded Of Men of note in his time OF Martial men famous in his time there were many but three specially who obscured the rest The first was William Marshall Earle of Pembroke memorable for the great care he had of King Henry in his minority and more memorable for the little care that Destiny had of his Posterity for leaving five Sonnes behind him they all lived to be Earles successively yet all dyed without issue So as the great name and numerous Family of the Marshals came wholly to be extinct in that Generation The second was Richard de Clare Earle of Glocester who in a Battaile against Baldwyn de Gisnes a valiant Fleming imployed by King Henry himselfe alone encountred twelve of his Enemies and having his Horse slaine under him he pitcht one of them by the legge out of the saddle and leapt into it himselfe and continued the fight without giving ground till his Army came to rescue him An Act that may seeme fitter to be placed amongst the Fictions of knights Errant then in a true Narration The third was Simon Montford a man of so audacious a spirit that he gave King Henry the lye to his face and that in presence of all his Lords and of whom it seemes the King stood in no small feare for passing one time upon the Thames and suddenly taken with a terrible storme of Thunder and Lightning he commanded to be set ashore at the next Staires which happened to be at Durham House where Montford then lay who comming downe to meet the King and perceiving him somewhat frighted with the Thunder said unto him Your Majâ—sty need not feare the Thunder the danger is now past No Montford said the King I feare not the Thunder so much as I doe thee Of men famous for Sanctity of life there were likewise many in his time but three more eminent then the rest Edmund Arch-bishop of Canterbury Richard Bishop of Chichester and Thomas Arch-deacon of Hereford All three either Canonized or at least thought worthy to be Canonized for Saints To these may be added Robert Grosshead Bishop of Lincolne who Translated the Testaments of the twelve Patriarchs out of Greeke into Latine which through envy of the Jewes never came to the knowledge of Saint Hierome wherein are many Prophesies of our Saviour Christ. Of men famous for learning there were likewise many in his time of whom some left workes behinde them for testimonies of their knowledge in divers kindes as Alexander Hales a Fryer Minor who wrote many Treatises in Divinity Ralpâ— Coggeshall who wrote the Appendix to the Chronicle of Ralph Niger Randulph Earle of Chester the third and last of that name who compiled a Booke of the Lawes of England Henry Bracton who wrote the Booke commonly called by his name De Consuetudinibus Anglicanis and besides these Hugh Kirkestead Richard of Ely Peter Henham Iohn Gyles and Nicholas Fernham excellent Physitians Richard surnamed Theologus and Robert Bacon two notable Divines Stephen Langthon Richard Fisaker Simon Stokes Iohn of Kent William Shirwood Michael Blaunpaine Iohn Godard Vincent of Coventry Albericke Veer Richard Wich Iohn Basing Roger Waltham William Seningham and others THE LIFE and RAIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE FIRST Surnamed of WINCHESTER Of his comming to the Crowne AS soone as King Henry was dead and buryed the great Lords of the Land caused his eldest Sonne Prince Edward to be proclaimed King and assembling at the New Temple in London they there tooke order for the quiet Governing of the kingdome till he should come home For at this time he was absent in the Holy Land and had beene there above a yeare when his Father dyed But we cannot bring him home without telling what he did and what he suffered in all that time and in his returne for at his first comming thither he rescued the great City of Acon from being â—urrendred to the Souldan after which out of envy to his Valour one Anzazim a desperate Saracen who had often beene employed to him from their Generall being one time upon pretence of some secret message admitted alone into his Chamber with a poysoned knife gave him three wounds in the Body two in the Arme and one neare the arme-pit which were thought to be mortall and had perhaps beene mortall if out of unspeakeable love the Lady Eleanor his Wife had not suckt out the poyson of his wounds with her mouth and thereby effected a cure which otherwise had beene incurable and it is no wonder that love should doe wonders which is it selfe a wonder And now being disappointed of Aides that were promised to be sent him and leaving Garrisons in fit places for defence of the Country he with his Wife Eleanor takes his journey homewards and first passing by Sicilie was there most kindly received by Charles King of that Island where he first heard of his Fathers death which he tooke more heavily farre then he had taken the death of his young Sonne Henry whereof he had heard a little before at which when King Charles marvailed he answered that other Sonnes might be had but â—nother Father could never be had From hence he passeth through Italy where much honour is done him both by the Pope and other Princes and then descends into Burgoigne where by the Earle of Chalboun a stout man
Blake a Lawyer Shortly after the Parliament began called afterward The Parliament that wrought wonders On the first day whereof were arrested as they sate in their places all the Justices but onely Sir William Skipwith as Sir Roger Fulthorpe Sir Robert Belknappe Sir Iohn Cary Sir Iohn Holt Sir William Brooke and Iohn Alacâ—on the kings Serjeant at Law and were all sent to the Tower for doing contrary to an Agreement made the last Parliament Also in the beginning of this Parliament Robert Veere Duke of Irelâ—nd Alexander Nevill Archbishop of York Michael de la Poole Earle of Suffolke and Sir Robert Tresilian Lord Chiefe Justice of England were openly called to answer Thomas of Woodstock Duke of Glocester Richard Earle of Arundell Henry Earle of Darby and Thomas Earle of Nottingham upon certaine Articles of high Treason and because none of them appeared It was ordained by whole consent of Parliament they should be banished for ever and all their landâ— and goods â—eized into the Kings hands their intailed lands onely excepted Shortly after the Lord Chief Justice Robert Tresilian was found in an Apothecaries house in Westminster where being taken he was brought to the Duke of Glocester who caused him the same day to be had to the Tower and from thence drawne to Tyburne and there hanged On the morrow after Sir Nicolas Brember was brought to his Answer who being found guilty was beheaded with an Axe which himselfe had caused to be made for beheading of others After this Sir Iohn Salisbery and Sir Iames Berneys lusty young men were drawne and hanged as also Iohn Beâ—â—champ L. Steward of the Kings house Iohn Blake Esquire and lastly Sir Symon Burley sonne to the great Sir Iohn Burley Knight of the Garter was beheaded on Tower-hill whose death the King tooke more heavily and more heynously then all the rest Also all the Justices were condemned to dye but by the Queenes intercession they were onely banished the Realme and all their lands and goods confiscate onely a small portion of money was assigned them for their sustentation Finally in this Parliament an Oath was required and obteined of the King that he should stand unto and abide such Rule and Order as the Lords should take and this Oath was required also of all the Inhabitants of the Realme In the later end of the Kings eleventh yeere the Earle of Arundell was sent to Sea with a great Navy of ships and men of warre with whom went the Earles of Nottingham and Devonshire Sir Thhmas Percy the Lord Clifford the Lord Camoiâ— Sir William Elmham and divers other Knights to ayde the Duke of Britaine against the king of France but before they came the Duke of Britaine was reconciled to the king of France and so needing not their ayde all this great Fleet returned with doing nothing And it was indeed a yeere of doing nothing unlesse we reckon some petty Inroades of the Scots and that Sir Thomas Tryvet dyed with a fall off his horse and that Sir Iohn Holland the Kings brother by the mother was made Earle of Huntington and that there was Contention in Oxford between the Northerne and the Southerne Scholars which was pacified by the Duke of Glocester In his twelveth yeere Commissioners were appointed to meet at Balingham betwixt Calliâ— and Bulloigne to treat of a Peace betweene the Realmes of England France and Scotland and after long debating a Truce was at last concluded to begin at Midsomer next and to last three yeeres But now the king to shew his plenary authority of being at full age removed the Archbishop of York from being Lord Chancellor and put in his place William Wickham Bishop of Winchester also he removed the Bishop of Hereford from being Treasurer and put another in his place The Earle of Arundell likewise unto whom the Government of the Parliament was committed and the Admiralty of the Sea was removed and the Earle of Huntington put in his roome About this time the Lord Iohn Hastings Earle of Pembrooke as he was practising to learne to Just was stricken about the Privy parts by a knight called Sir Iohn St. Iohn of which hurt he soone after dyed In whose Family it is memorable that for many Generations together no sonne ever saw his father the father being alwaies dead before the sonne was borne The Originall of this Family was from Hastings the Dane who in the Reigne of K. Alured long before the Conquest about the yeere 890. came with Rollo jâ—to England But howsoever in this Iohn Hastings ended the then Honorable Titles of the Hastings for this man dying without issue his Inheritances were dispersed to divers persons The Honour of Pembrooke came to Francis at Court by the kings Gift the Baronies of Hastings and Welford came to Reynold Gray of Ruthin the Barony of Aburgâ—veny was granted to William Beaâ—â—hamp of Bedford About this time Iohn Duke of Lancaster was created Duke of Aquitaine receiving at the Kings hands the Rod and the Cap as Investitures of that Dutchy Also the Duke of York's sonne and heire was created Earle of Richmond In his thirteenth yeere a Royall Justs was Proclaimed to be holden within Smithfield in London to begin on Sunday next after the Feast of S. Michael which being published not onely in England but in Scotland in Almaigne in Flanders in Brabant and in France many strangers came hither amongst others Valeran Earle of S. Poll that had maried king Richards Sister and William the young Earle of Ostervant sonne to Albert de Bavâ—ere Earl of Hollond and Heynoult At the day â—ppointed there issued forth of the Tower about three a clock in the afternoone sixty Coursers apparrelled for the Justs and upon every one an Esquire of Honour riding a soft pace After them came forth foure and thirty Ladies of Honour Froyssard saith threescore mounted on Palfries and every Lady led a knight with a chaine of Gold These knights being on the Kings part had their armour and apparell garnished with white Hearts and Crownes of Gold aboâ—â— their necks and so they came riding through the streets of London unto Smithfield The Justs lasted divers dayes all which time the King and Queen lay at the Bishops Palace by Pauls Church and kept open house for all Commers In his Fifteenth yeere the Duke of Lancaster went into France having in his traine a thousand horse and met the king of France at Aâ—iens to treat of a Peace between the two kingdomes but after long debate a Truce onely was concluded for a yeere About this time also the King required the Londoners to lend him a Thousâ—nd pounds which they refused â—o doe and not onely so but they abused an Italian Merchant for offering to lend it This moved the King to some indignation to which was added the complaint of a Ryot committed by the Citizens against the servants of the Bishops of Saliâ—bury L. Treasurer for that where one of the Bishops servants named Walter Roman had taken a
a King and for a sacrifice than a Priest and he could not choose but dye a Martyr who all his life had beene a Confessor He had one immunity peculiar to himself that no man could ever be revenged of him seeing he never offered any man injury By being innocent as a Dove hee kept his Crown upon his head so long but if he had been wise as a Serpent he might have kept it on longer But all this is not sufficient if we expresse not in particular his severall virtues So modest that when in a Christmas a shew of women was presented before him with their breasts layd out he presently departed saying fie fie for shame forsooth you be to blame So pittifull that when he saw the quarter of a Traytor over Cripplegate he caused it to be taken down saying I will not have any Christian so cruelly handled for my sake So free from swearing that he never used other oath but forsooth and verily So patient that to one who strooke him when he was taken prisoner he onely sayd forsooth you wrong yourselfe more than me to strike the Lords annointed So devout that on principall Holy-dayes he used to weare sackcloth next his skinne Once for all let his Confeâ—â—or be heard speak who in ten years confession never found that he had done or sayd any thing for which he might justly be injoyned Pennance For which causes King Henry the Seventh would have procured him to be Cannonized for a Saint but that he was prevented by deathâ— or perhaps because the charge would have been too great the Canonization of a king being much more costly than of a private person Of men of Note in his time THere were men of valour in this Kings Reigne of extraordinary eminencie as first Iohn Duke of Bedford Regent of France whom when a French Lord upbraided that his sword was of lead he made him answer and made him feel that it was of steele Next him was Thomas Montacute Earle of Salisbury whose very name was a sufficient charme to daunt a whole French Army Then the next was Iohn Lord Talbot so great a terror to the French that when the women would still their children from crying they would use to say Talbot comes Then was Richard Nevill Earle of Warwicke so much greater than a king as that which makes is greater than that it makes and such a one was he Many other besides these not much inferior to these that we may truly say there never was a more heroicall King of England than Henry the Fifth nor ever a King of England that had more heroicall Subjects than Henry the Sixth And though Arms and Letters seem to be of different conditions yet they commonly grow up and flourish together as in this kings Reigne were Iohn Leland sirnamed the Elder who wrote divers Treatises for instruction of Gramarians William White a Priest of Kent professing the Doctrine of Wickliffe for which he suffered Martyrdome by fire Alexander Carpenter who wrote a booke called Destructorium vitiorum against the Prelates of that time Peter Basset Esquire of the Privy Chamber to king Henry the Fifth whose life he wrote Iohn Pole a Priest who wrote the life of St. Walhorayle an English woman Also Thomâ—s Walden alias Netter who wrote divers Treatises against the Wickliffifts Peâ—er Clerke a Student in Oxford and a defender of Wickliffes doctrine for which he fled and was put to death beyond Sea Thomas Walsingham born in Norfolk a diligenâ— Historiographer Thomas Ringstead the younger an excellent Preacher who wrote divers Treatises Thomas Rudborn a Monke of Winchester and an Historiographer Peter Pâ—yne an earnest professor of Wickliffes doctrine for which he fled into â—â—beâ—â—â— Nicholas Vpton a Civilian who wrote of Heraldry of colours in Armory and of the duty of Chivalry Iohn Capgrâ—ve born in Kent an Augustine Frier who wrote many excellent Treatises particularly the Legend of English Saints Humphry Duke of Glocester Protector of the Realm well learned in Astrologie whereof he wrote a speciall Treatise intiâ—uâ—ed Tabula Directionum Iohn Whethamstead otherwise called Frâ—mentariuâ— Abbot of St. Albâ—ns who wrote divers Treatises and amongst others a booke of the Records of things happening whiles he was Abbot which book Holinshead had seen and in some passages of his time followed Roger Oâ—lâ—y accused of Treason for practising with the Lady Elâ—â—nor Cobham by sorcery to make the king away and therof condemned and dyed for it he wrote one Treatise intituled Contra â—â—lgi superstitiones and another De sua Innocentia Henry Walsingham a Carmelite Frier oâ— Norwich who wrote sundry Treatises in Divinity Lidgateâ— Monke of Bury who had travelled France and Italy to learne languages and wrote many workes in Poetry Thomas Beckington Bishop of Bath who wrote against the Law Salique of France Michael Trigurie born in Cornwâ—ll whom for his excellent learning king Henry the Fifth made Governor of the Universitie of Caâ—n in Normandy after he had conquered it Reynold Peacocke Bishop of Chichester who wrote many Treatises touching Christian Religion Robert Fleming who wrote a Dâ—ctionary in Greeke â—â—d Latine and a worke in verse of sundry kindes Nicholas Mâ—ntacute an Historiographer Iohn Stow a Monke of Norwich and Doctor of Divinity in Oxfâ—rd Nichâ—lâ—â— Buâ—geie born in a Town of Norfolke of that name who wrote an History called Adâ—â—â—tiâ—nes Chronicorum Robert â—alsâ—cke who wrote a booke De â—e Militâ—ri Thomas Dâ—â—dâ— a Carmelite Frier of Mâ—rleborough who wrote the life of Alphred king of the West-Saxons Robert Bâ—le â—irnamed the Elder Recorder of London who gathered a Chronicle of the Customs Laws Foundations Changes Offices Orders and publique Assemblies of the Citie of London with other matters touching the perfect discription of the same Citie he wrote other workes also touching the state of the same Citie and the Acts of King Edward the third THE REIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE FOURTH EDWARD Earle of March born at Roane in Normandy sonne and heire of Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke slaine in the battell at Wakefield succâ—eded his Father in the Right but exceeded him in the possession of the Crown of England and that by virtue of an act of Parliament lately made wherein the said Duke of York not only was declared heire apparent to the Crown and appointed Protector of the King and Kingdome but it was further enacted that if King Henry or any in his behalfe should attempt the disanulling of this Act that then the said Duke or his heire should have the present Possession which because his friends attempted to doe therefore justly doth Edward Earle of March his sonne by virtue of this act take possession of the Crown and is Proclaimed king of England by the name of Edward the fourth through the City of London on the fifth day of March in the yeer 1460. But before he could have leasure to be Crowned he was forced once againe to try his fortune in the field by battell For King Henry
Daughter of Richard Beauchamp Earle of Wâ—rwicke deceased Upon this marriage the Earle of Warwicke discovered to hiâ— what hitherto he had concealed concerning his project for the restoring of k. Hâ—nry to which Clarence gave approbation with promise to assist him in it to his uttermoâ—â— At this time Sir Thomas Cooke late Major of London was by one Hawkins appeached of Treason for the which he was sent to the Tower and his place in Londoâ— seized by the Lord Rivers The case was this the sayd Hawkins came to Sir Thomas requesting him to lend a thousand Marks upon good surety who answered he would first know for whom it should be and for what intent and understanding it should be for the use of Queen Margaret he refused to lend a penny The matter rested two or three years till the sayd Hawkins was layd in the Tower and brought to the Brake called the Duke of Exeters Daughter by means of which paine hee confessed amongst other things the motion he had made to Sir Thomas Cookâ— and accused himselfe so farre that hee was put death Sir Thomas Cooke lying in the Tower from Whitsuntide till Michaelmas had his place in Essex named Gyddihall spoyled his Deere in his Parke destroyed and though arraigned upon life and death he were acquitted of the Indictment yet could not be delivered till he had payd eight thousand pounds to the king and eight hundred to the Queen And now the Earle of VVarwicke sendeth to his brothers the Arcbbishop and the Marquesse to prepare all things ready to set on foot the intended revolt from king Edward and to procure some rebellious commotion in the North whil'st he and his new Son in law would provide to goe forward with the worke which they accordingly did in Yorkeshire an occasion being taken for the breach of an ancient custome there to give to the poore people of St. Leonards in the City of Yorke certain quantities of Corn and Grain This commotion the Archbishop and the Marquâ—sse underhand fomented yet to colour the matter the Marquesse opposed the Rebels and cut off the head of Robert Huldorne their Captain but his head being cut off the Rebels got them other Captains Henry Son and heir to the Lord Fiâ—zhugh and sir Henry Nevill Son to the Lord Latimer the one the Nephâ—w the other â— Cozen-germane to the Earle of VVarwicke with whom they joyne the valiant Captaine Sir Iohn Conyers These when they could not enter Yorke came marching towards London all the way exclaiming against king Edward as an unjust Prince and an usurper King Edward hearing of this commotion sends Sir VVilliam Herbert whom of a meane Gentleman two years before he had made Earle of Pembrooke and his brother sir Richard Herbert together with the Lord Stafford of Southwick to suppresse the Rebels and they with an Army of seven thousand most Welchmen march towards them but the Lord Stafford being put from his Inne where he used â—o lodge by the Earle of Peâ—brooke tooke such a distaste at it that he withdrew his Archeâ—s and gave over the businesse yet the Earle of Pembâ—ooke though thus forâ—â—â—en with his own Regiment encountred the Rebels slew Sir Henry Nevill and divers othersâ— when being upon the point of victory one Iohn Clappaâ— a servant of the Eâ—rle of VVarwicke comming in with five hundred rascally fellows and crying aloud a Wâ—rwicke a Warwicke the Welchmen supposing the Earle had beene 〈◊〉 turned presently their backs and fled five thousand of them were slain the Eâ—â—le of Pembrâ—â—ke himselfe and his much lamented brother Sir Richard Herbert a most goodly personage were taken prisoners brought to Banbury where both oâ— thâ—â— with ten other Gentlemen were put to death And now the Northamptonshire men joyning with the Rebels in this fury made them a Captain named Robert Hillaâ—d but they named him Robin of Riddesdale suddenly came to Grafton where they tooke the Earle Rivers father to the Queen and his sonne Sir Iohn Woodvile brought them to Northampton and there without Judgement beheaded them King Edward advertised of these mischances wrote to the Sheriffs of Somerset-shire and Dâ—vâ—â—-shire to apprehend the Lord Stafford of Southwick who had treacherously â—â—â—saken the Earle of Pembrooke and if they could take him to put him to death who being soon after found in a Village within Brentmarsh was brought to Bridgeâ—aâ—er and there beheaded After this battell fought at Hedgecote commonly called Bâ—â—bury field the Northern men resorted to Warwick where the Earl with great joy received them and hearing that king Edward with a great army was comming thither he sent for his sonne in Law the Duke of Clareâ—ce with all speed to repaire â—â—to him who joyning together and using means cunningly by having some coâ—â—â—nication of Peace to make the king secure and to take little heed of himselfâ—â— they took advantage of his security and in the dead of night set on his Campe and killing the watch before the king was aware at a place called Wolney foure miles from Barwick they took him prisoner in his bed and presently conveyed him to Middleham Castle in Yorkeshire to be there in safe custody with the Archbishop of Yorke And now they had the Prey in their hand if they had as well looked to keâ—p it as they had done to get it but king Edward whether bribing his Keepers or otherwise winning them by faire promises got so much liberty sometimes for his reâ—reation to goe a hunting by which he caused Sir William Stanley Sir Thomas of 〈◊〉 and divers of his friends at a certaine time to meet him who took him from hiâ— Keepers and set him againe at liberty whil'st the Earle of Warwicke nothing doubting his brother the Archbishops care in safe keeping him thinking the brunt of the warres to be now past dismist his Army and intended only to finde out King Henryâ— who was kept a prisoner but few men knew where King Edward being now at liberty posteth to York and from thence to Lancaâ—â—eâ— where his Chamberlaine the Lord Hastings had raised some forces with which he marcheth to London aud is there joyfully received The Earle of Warwick likewise sends to his friends and makes preparation for a new army whil'st in the meâ—n time by mediation of divers Lords an enterview in VVestminster-hall is agreed upon and solemn Oath taken on both sides for safety between King Edward the Duke of Clarence and the Earle of Warwicke but each party standing strictly upon terms tending to their own ends they parted as great Enemies as they met and so from thence the K. went to Canterbury the Duke and the E. to Lincolne whither they had preappointed their forces to repaire under the Conduct of Sir Robert Wâ—lâ— Son heir of the L. Wels a man of great valour and experience in the wars K. Eâ—â—â—rd to take off so able a man from the Earles part sends for his Father the L. Wels to come unto him who taking with him his
of himselfe oftentimes of others He had made the White Rose to flourish as long as Henry the Fourth made the Red if he had not made it change colour with too much blood He had been fortunate in his children if he had not been unfortunate in a brother but he was well enough served that would thinke a Wolfe could ever be a good Shepheard He had an excellent art in improving his favours for he could doe as much with a small courtesie as other men with a great benefit And that which was more he could make advantage of disadvantages for he got the love of the Londoners by owing them money and the good will of the Citizens by lying with their wives Of his Death and Buriall WHether it began from his minde being extreamely troubled with the injurious dealing of â—he King of France or from his body by intemperance of dyet to which he was much given he fell into a sicknesse some say a Catarche some a Feaver but into a sicknesse whereof he dyed In the time of which sicknesse at the very point of his death Sir Thomas Moore makes him to make a speech to his Lords which I might thinke to be the speech of a sick man if it were not so sound and of a weake man if it were not so long but it seemes Sir Thomas Moore delivers rather what was fit for him to say than what he sayd the Contents being onely to exhort his Lords whom he knew to be at variance to be in love and concord amongst themselves for that the welfare of his children whom he must now leave to their care could not otherwise be preserved but by their agreement And having spoken to this purpose as much as his weaknes would suffer him he found himselfe sleepy and turning on one side he fell into his long sleep the ninth of April in the yeere 1483. when he had lived one and forty yeeres Reigned two and twenty and one moâ—eth and was buried at Windsor in the new Chappell whose foundation himselfe had laid Of men of Note in his time MEN of valour in his time were many but himselfe the chiefest the rest may be observed in reading his story For men of letters we may have leave at this time to speake of some strangers having been men of extraordinary fame as IohaÌ„nes de Monte Regiâ— Purbachiuâ— and Blâ—â—chinuâ— all great Astronomers Ludovicus Pontanus Paulus Castrensis and Aâ—thonius Rossellanus all great Lawyers Servisanus Savaâ—arola and Barzizius all great Phisitians Bessarion and Cusanus both great Cardinalls Argyrâ—pole Philelphus Datus Leonardus Aretinus and Poggius all great men in humane litâ—rature And of our own Countrimen Iohn Harding an Eâ—quire borne in the North parts who wrote a Chronicle in English verse and among oâ—her speciall points therein touched hath gathered all the Submissions and Homages made by the Scottish kings even from the dayes of King Athelstan whereby it may evideâ—â—â—y appeare how the Scottish kingdome even in manner from the first Establishâ—ng thereof here in Britaine hath been appertaining unto the kings of England and holden of them as their chiefe and superiour Lords Iulian Bemes a Gentlewoman of excellent gifts who wrote certaine Treatises of Hawking and Hunting also a book of the Lâ—wes of Armes and knowledge pertaining to Heraâ—lds Iohn Forâ—â—scue a Judge and Chancellour of England who wrote divers Treatises concerning the Law and Politick Government Rochus a Charterhouse-Monk born in London who wrote divers Epigrams Walter Hâ—nt a Carmelite Fryer who for his excellent learning was sent from the whole body of the Realme to the Generall Counsell hâ—ldâ—â— firâ—â— at Ferrâ—ra and after at Florence by Pope Eâ—genius the fourth where â—e amâ—ngsâ— others disâ—uted with the Greekes iâ— defence of the Order and Ceremoâ—â—es oâ— the Latine Church William Caxton who wrote a Chronicle called Fructuâ— Temporum and an Appendix unto Trevisa besides divers other bookes and translations Iohn Milverton a Carmelitâ— Frier of Bristow and provinciall of his Order who because he defended such of his Order as preached against endowments of the Church with Temporall possessions was committed to prison in the Castle of Saint Angelâ— in Rome where he continued three yeers David Morgan a Welshman who wrote of the Antiquities of Wales and a description of the Country Iohn Tiptoft a nobleman born who wrote divers Treatises but lost of his head in the yeer 1471. Robert Huggon born in Norfolk who wrote certaine vaine Prophesies Thomas Nortoâ— born in Bristow an Alchymistâ— Scogaâ—â— a learned Gentleman and a Student for a time in Oxford who for his plesant wit and merry conceits was called to Court But most worthy of all to be remembred Thomas Littleton a reverend Judge of the Common Pleâ—s who brought a great part of the Law into a Method whicâ— lay before confusedly dispersed and his book called Littletons Tenures THE REIGNE OF KING EDWARD THE FIFTH KING Edward the Fourth being dead his eldest Sonne Edwâ—â—â— scarce yet eleven yeeâ—â— old succeeded in the kingdome but not in the Crown for he was Proclaimed king but never Crowned and indeed it may not so properly be called the Reigne of Eâ—â—â—â—dâ—he â—he fifth as the Tyranny of Richard the Third for from the time of king Edwardâ— death though not in Name yet in effectâ— he not onely ruled as king but raged as a Tyrant Prince Edwaâ—â— when his Father dyed was at Ludlow in Wales where he had lived some time before the better by his presence to keep the Welsh in awe He had about him of his Mothers kindred many but Sir Anthony Woodvile the Earle Rivers his Uncle was appointed his chiefe Counsellour and directour The Duke of Glocester was at this time in the North but had word presently sent him from the Lord Hastings Lord Chamberlaine of his brother king Edwards death who acquainted him withall that by his Will he had committed the young king his Queen and other children to his care and government and thereupon putting him in minde 〈◊〉 necessary it was for him speedâ—ly to repâ—irâ— to London But the Duke of Gloceâ—â—er needed no spurre to set him forward who was already in a full cariere for he had long before projected in his minde how he might come to attaine the Crown and now hee thought the way was made him For as it is said the very night in which king Edward dyed one Misselbrooke long ere morning came in great haste to the house of one Potter dwelling in Red-crosse-streete without Cripplegate where he shewed unto Potter that king Edward was departed to whom Potter answered By my troth man then will my Master the Duke of Glocester be king what cause he had so to thinke is hard to say but surely it is not likely he spake it of nought And now the young king was comming up to London with a strong guard partly to make a first expression of his greatnesse and partly to oppose any disorders that might be offered But the Duke
accompaniâ—d with his sonne in law the Lord Clinton Sir Matthew Browne Sir Iohn Digâ—y Iohn Werton Richard Wetherill and others to the number of fifteen hundred took shipping at Sandwich and passing over to the said Lady Regent did her there great service for which Iohn Norton Iohn Fogge Iohn Scott and Thomas Lynde were knighted and then with many thanks and rewards returned not having lost in all the Journey by warre or sicknesse above an hundred men In the third yeer of King Henryes Reigne one Andrew Barton a scottish Pirate was grown so bold that he robbed English-men no lesse then other Nationsâ— till the King sent his Admirall Sir Edward Howard to represse him who in a fight so wounded the said Barton that he died and then taking two of his ships brought the men prisoners to London and though their offence deserved no lesse then death yet the King was so mecifull as to pardon them all provided they departed the Realme within twenty dayes The King of Scotts hearing the death of Barton and taking of his ships sent to King Henry requiring restitution but King Henry answered his Herauld that he rather looked for thanks for sparing their lives who so justly had deserved death In the third yeer also of King Henryes Reigne the French King made sharpe Warre against Pope Iulius the second whereupon King Henry wrote to the French King requiring him to desist from his Warre against the Pope being his friend and confederate but when the King of France little regarded his request he then sent him word to deliver him his Inheritance of the Dutchy of Normandie and Guyen and the Countryes of Angiou and Mayne as also his Crown of France or else he would recover it by the sword But when the King of France was not moved with this threatning neither King Henry then joyning in league with the Emperour Maximilian with Ferdinand King of Spaine and with divers other Princes resolved by advise of his Councell to make warre on the King of France and to that end made preparation both by Sea and Land This yeer the King kept his Christmas at Greenwich in a most Magnificent manner On New-yeers day was presented one of his Joviall Devises which onely for a Patterne what his showes at other times were I thinke fit to set downe at large In the Hall was made a Castle garnished with Artillery and weapons in a most warlike fashion and on the Front of the Castle was written la Forteresse Dangerense within the Castle were six Ladies clothed in russet Sattin laid all over with leaves of gold On their heads Coyfes and Caps of gold After this Castle had been carried about the Hall and the Queen had beheld it in came the King with five other apparelled in Coates one halfe of russet-Satten with spangles of fiâ—e gold the other halfe of rich cloath of gold on their heads Caps of russet Sattin embrodered with works of fine gold These six assaulted the Castle whom the Ladies seeing so lusty and couragious they were contented to solace with them and upon further communication to yeeld the Castle and so they came downe and daunced a long space after that the Ladyes led the Knights into the Castle and then the Castle suddenly vanished out of their sights On Twelfth day at night the King with eleven more were disguised after the maner of Italie called a Maske a thing not seen before in England They were apparelled in garments long and broad wrought all with gold with Vysors and Caps of gold And after the banket done these Maskers came in with six Gentlemen disguised in silke bearing staffe Torches and desired the Ladyes to dance and after they had danced and communed together tooke their leave and departed The five and twentieth of Ianuary began the Parliament of which was speaker Sir Robert Sheffield knight where the Archbishop of Canterbury shewed the wrong which the King of France did to the King of England in with-holding his Inheritance from him and thereupon the Parliament concluded that Warre should be made on the French King and his Dominions At this time King Ferdinand of Spaine having Warre with the French King wrote to his Sonne in law King Henry that if he would send over an Army into Biskey and invade France on that side he would aid them with Ordnance Horses and all other things necessary whereupon Thomâ—s Gray Marquesse Dorset was appointed to go and with him the Lord Howard Sonne and heiâ—e to the Earle of Sâ—rry the Lord Brooke the Lord Willoughby the Lord Ferrers the Lords Iohn Anthony and Leonard Grey all brothers to the Marquesse Sir Grisseth ap Ryce Sir Maurice Barkeley Sir William Sands the Baron of Bâ—râ—ord and Sir Richard Cornwall his brother William Hussey Iohn Melton William Kingstâ—n Esquires and Sir Henry Willoughby with divers others to the number of ten thousand who taking ship at Southampton oâ— the sixteenth of Maâ—â— the third of Iune they landed on the coast of Biskey whither within three dayes after their arrivall came from the King a Marquesse and an Earle to welcome them but of such necessaries as were promised there came â—one so as the English being in some want of victualls the King of Navarre offered to supply them which they accepted and promised thereupon not to molest his Territories After the Army had lyen thirty dayes looking for aid and provision from the King of Spaine at last a Bishop came from the King desiring theâ— to have patience a while and very shortly he would give them full contentmeâ—t In the mean time the Englishmen forced to feed much upon Garlick and 〈◊〉 drink of hoâ—t Wines fell into such sicknesse that many of them dyed at least eighteen hundred persons which the Lord Marquesse seeing he sent to the King to know his pleasure who sent him answer that very shortly the Duke of Alvâ— should come with a great power and joyne with him and indeed the Duke of Alva came forward with a great Army as if he meant to joyne with him as was promised but being come within a dayes Journey he suddenly turned towards the Realme of Navarre and entring the same chased out the King and Conquered the Kingdom to the King of Spaines use This Spanish policie pleased not the English who finding nothing but words from the King of Spain and being weary of lying so long idle they fell upon some small Townes in the border of Guyen but for want of Horses as well for service as draught were unable to performe any great matter at which time being now October the Lord Marques fell sick and the Lord Howard supplied his place of General to whom the King of Spaine once again sent excusing his present coming and requiring him seeing the time of yeer was now past that he would be pleased to break up his Army and disperse his Companies into Townes thereabouâ— till the nexâ— spring when he would not faile to make good all his promises
the King of France for composing whereof the Cardinall of Yorke was sent attended with the Earle of Worceâ—ter Lord Chamberline the Lord of Saint Iohns the Lord Ferrers the Lord Herbert the Bishop of Duâ—ham the Bishop of Ely the Primate of Armagh Sir Thomas Bullen Sir Iohn Pechye Sir Iohn Hussey Sir Richard Winkfield Sir Henry Guildâ—ord and many other Knights Gentlemen and Doctors On the twelfth of Iuly he arrived at Callice whether came to him the Chaâ—cellour of France and the Count de Palice attended with four hundred horse as Embassadours from the French King and from the Emperour the like with Commissions to treat and conclude of Peace There were also Embassadours from the Pope whom the Cardinall moved to have the Pope be a party also in their League but they wanting Commission Letters were presently sent to Rome about it and in the time till answer might be had the Cardinall went to Bruges to speak with the Emperour with whom having stayed thirteene dayes after most Royall entertainment he returned back to Câ—llice and then fell presently to the treaty of Peace with the French Commissioner but was colder in the matter then he was before as having had his edge taken off by some dealings with the Emperour so as nothing was concluded but that Fishermen of both the Princes might freely Fish on the Seas without disturbance till the end of February following whereof he sent advertisement to both the Princes to the Emperour by the Lord of Saint Iohns and Sir Thomas Bullen to the French King by the Earle of Worcester and the Bishop of Ely During all which time of the Cardinalls stay in Callice all Writs and Paâ—ents were there by him sealed and no Sheriffe could be chosen for lack of his presence having the Great Seal there with him and full power in things as if the King had been there in person Before he returned he made a new League with the Emperour and intimated to the French King that he doubted the King of England would not hereafter be so much his friend as heretofore he had been whereat though the King of France were much offended yet he signifyed by his Letters perhaps dissemblingly that he would continue the King of Englands friend asmuch as ever onely he enveighed against the Cardinall as a man of no truth withdrew many Pensions which he had before given to some English Presently upon this was Tourney besieged by the Lord Hugh de Moncada a Spaniard and though the French King sent great Forces to succour it yet it was rendred up to the Emperour the last of November in the thirteenth yeer of King Henries Reigne This yeer Pope Leo died the first of December suspected to be poysoned by Barnabie Malespina his Chamberlaine whose office was alwayes to give him drinke After whose death Doctor Pace was sent to Rome to make friends in behalfe of the Cardinall of Yorke who was brought into a hope through the Kings favour to be elected Pope but that hope was soon quailed for before Doctor Pace could get to Rome Adrian the sixth was chosen Pope This Doct. Pace was a very learned and religious man yet thorow crosses in his imployment fell mad and dyed in whose place of Imployment succeeded Doct. Stephen Gardyner On the second of February King Henry being then at Greenwich received a Bull from the Pope whereby he had the Title given him to be defender of the Christian Faith for him and his successours for ever which Title was ascribed â—o him for writing a Booke against Luther of which Booke saith Holingsâ—eard I will onely say â—hus much that King Henry in his Booke is reported to rage against the Devill and Antichrist to cast out his foame against Luther to race out the Name of the Pope and yet to allow his Law which Booke Luther aâ—swered with as little respect to the King as the King had done to him In this meane time many displeasures grew between the two Kings of England and France specially two one that French-men seized upon English ships as they passed for remedy whereof one Christopher Cee an expert seaman was sent with six ships to safeguard the Merchants Another that the Duke of Albanye was returned into Scotland contrary to that which was Covenanted by the league which though the King of France denied to be done with his privity yet King Henry knew the Duke of Albanye had Commission from the French King to returne which did the more exasperate him and hereupon were Musters made in England and a note taken of what substance all men were This yeere died the Lord Brooke Sir Edwad Poynings Knight of the Garâ—er Sir Iohn Pechy and Sir Edward Belknappe all valient Captaines suspected to have poysoned at a Banquet made at Ard when the two Kings met last At this time Owen Dowglas Biship of Dunkell fled out of Scoâ—lnad into England because the Duke of Albanye being come thither had taken upon him the whole Government of the King and Kingdome whereupon Clarentiaux the Herald was sent into Scotland to command the Duk of Albany to avoid that Realm which he refusing the Herald was â—ommanded to defie him Thereupon the French King seized all English-mens goods in Burdeaux and impisoned their persons and retained not onely the money to be paid for the restitution of Tourney but also with-held the French Queenes Dower whereof when King Henry understood he called the French Embassadour residing in England to give account thereof who though he gave the best reasons he â—ould to excuse it yet was commanded to keep his house and the French Hostages remayning here for the money to be paid for the delivery of Tourney were restrained of their liberty and committed to the custody of the Lord of Saâ—t Iohns Sir Thomas Lovell Sir Andrew Windsor and Sir Thomas Nevyle each of them to keep one and withall all French-men in London were committed to prison and put to their Fines and all Scots-men much more There were then also sent to sea under the conduct of Sir William Fitz-Williams Viceadmirall eight and twenty great ships and seven more towards Scotland who set fire on many Scottish-ships in the Haven and at length tooke many prisoners and returned King Henry hearing that the Emperour would come to Callice so to passe into England as he went into Spaine appointed the Lord Marquesse Dorsett to go to Câ—llice there to receive himâ— and the Cardinall to receive him at Daverâ— The Cardinall taking his Journey thither on the tenth of May rode thorow London accompanied with two Earles six and thirty Knights and a hundred Gentlemen eight Bishops ten Abbots thirty Chaplains all in Velvet and Sattin and Yeomen seven hundred The five and twentieth of May being Sunday the Marquesse Dorset with the Bishop of Chichester the Lord de Lawâ—re and divers others at the water of Graveling received the Emperour and with all honour brought him to Callice where he was received with Procession by the
the sixth yeer of his reigne which was the yeer before he died he fel sick of the Measels and being well recovered of them he fell after soon into the smal Pox of them also was so well recovered that the summer following he rode a progresse with a greater magnificence then ever he had done before having in his traine no fewer then four thousand horse In Ianuary following whether procured by sinister practise or growing upon him by naturall infirmity he fell into an indisposition of body which soon after grew to a cough of the Lungs Whereupon a rumour was spread abroad by some that a Nosegay had been given him at Newyeerstide which brought him into this slow but deadly consumption by others that it was done by a Glister how ever it was he was brought at last to so great extremity that his Physicians despared of his life and when Physicians could do him no good a Gentlewoman thought to be prepared for the purpose tooke him in hand and did him hurt for with her applications his legges swelled his pulse failed his skinne changed colour and many other symptomes of approaching death appeared The hour before his death he was overheard to pray thus by himselfe O Lord God deliver me out of this miserable and wretched life O Lord thou knowest how happy it were for me to be with thee yet for thy chosens sake if it be thy will send me life and health that I maâ— truly serve thee O Lord God save thy chosen people of England and defend this Realme from Papistrie and maintaine thy true Religion that I and my People may praise thy holy Name for thy Sonne Jesus Christs sake So â—urning his face and seeing some by him he said I thought you had nor been so nigh Yes said Doctor Owens we heard you speak to your selfe then said the King I was praying to God O I am faint Lord have mercy upon me and receive my spirit and in so saying gave up the Ghost the sixth day of Iuly in the yeer 1553. and in the sixteenth yeer of his Age when he had reigned six yeers five moneths and nine dayes It is noted by some that he died the same moneth and the same day of the moneth that his father King Henry the eight had put Sir Thomas Moore to death His body was buried upon the ninth of August in the Chappell of Saint Peters Church in Westminster and laid neere to the body of King Henry the seventh his grandfather At his funerall which was on the tenth of August following his sister Queen Mary shewed this respect to him that though Doctor Day a Popish Bishop preached yet all the service with a communion was in English Men of note in his time THis Kings reigne being short and having but small warres had not many sword-men famous for any acts they did Gowne men there were some as Edward Holl a Councellour in the Law who wrote a notable Cronicle of the union of the two houses of Yorke and Lancaster William Hugh a Yorkeshireman who wrote a notable Treatice called The troubled mans medicine Thomas Sternehold borne in Southampton who turned into English Meeteâ— seven and thirty of Davids Psalmes The Interregnum betweene the death of King Edward and the proclaiming at London of Queene Mary KIng Edward being dead the Duke of Northumberland tooke upon him to sit at the Sterne and ordered all things at his pleasure so two dayes after he with others of the Councell sent to the Lord Major that he with six Aldermen and twelve principall Commons should repaire presently to the Court to whom when they came it was secretly signified that King Edward was dead and that by his last Will to which all the Nobility and Judges had given assent he had appointed the Lady Iane daughter to the Duke of Suffolke to succeede him his Letters Patents whereof were shewed them and therupon they were required to take their Oathes of Allegeance to the Lady Iane and to secure the City in her behalfe which whether dissemblingly or sincerely whether for love or fear yet they did and then departed The next day the Lady Iane in great state was brought to the Tower of London and there declared Queene and by edect with the sound of Trumpet proclaimed so through London at which time for some words seeming to be spoken against it one Gilbert Pot a Vintâ—ers servant was set in the Pilory and lost both his ears Before this time the Lady Mary having heard of her brothers death and of the Duke of Northumberlands designes removed from Hovesdon to her Mannour of Keninghall in Norfolke and under pretence of fearing infection having lately lost one of her houshold servants of the plague in one day she rode forty miles and from thence afterward to her Castle of Framingham in Suffolke where taking upon her the name of Queene there resorted to her the most part of all the Gentlemen both of Norfolke Suffolke offering their assistance but upon condition she would make no alteration in Religion to which she condiscended and thereupon soone after came to her the Earles of Oxford Bathe and Sussex the Lord Wentworth Thomas Wharton and Iohn Mordant Barrons eldest sonnes and of Knights Cornwallis Drury Walgrave Shelton Beningfield Ierningham Suliard Freston and many others The Lady Mary being thus assisted wrote her letters signed the ninth of Iuly to the Lords of the Councell wherein shee claimed the Crowne as of right belonging to her and required them to proclaime her Queene of England in the City of London as they tendred her displeasure To this letter of hers the Lords answered that for what they did they had good Warrant not onely by King Edwards last Will but by the Lawes of the land considering her Mothers divorce and her owne Illegitimation and therefore required her to submit her selfe to Queene Iane being now her Soveraigne This Letter was written from the Tower of London under the hands of these that follow Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury Thomâ—s Elye Chancellour William Marquesse of Winchester Iohn Earle of Bedford Henry Duke of Suffolke Francis Earle of Shrewsbury Iohn Duke of Northâ—mberland William Earle of Pembrooke Thomas Lord Darcey Lord Chamberlin Cobham Rich Huntington Cheyney Iohn Gates William Peter William Ceâ—ill Iohn Clerke Iohn Mason Edward North and Robert Bowes The quarell on both sides being thus begun by Letters is prosecuted by Armes and the Lords for their Generall make choyce of the Duke of Suffolke as a man most likely to be firme and sure in the imployment but the Queen his daughter cannot misse his presence and besides is not willing to hazard his person and thereupon she by intreaties and the Lords by perswasions prevaile with the Duke of Northumbâ—rland to undertake the charge who before his going having conference with the Lords let them know how sensible he was of the double danger he under-went in this enterprize both in respect of the Lady against whom he went and
into the Town their own Army sickly Victualls and Powder failing and that which most of all Sir Francis Drake not bringing the great Ordnance as he promised they departed from the Suburbs of Lisbon towards Cascais a little Town at the mouth of the River Tagus which Town Drake had taken this meane while who excused his not coming to Lisbon by reason of the Flatâ— he must have passed and the Castle of Saint Julian Fortified with fifty pieces of great Ordnance Neer this place they found threescore Hulkeâ— of the Hause towns of Germany laden with corne and all manner of Munition which they took as good prize towards their charges in regard the Queen had forbidden them to carry Victualls or Munition to the Spaniard From hence they set sayle toward Virgo a forlorne Town by the Sea-side and pillaging all along that Quarter returned for England having lost in the Voyage of Souldiers and Marriners about six thousand yet not so much by the Enemy as by eating of strange fruites and distemper of the Climate It concerns the state of England to look at this time into the state of France for while those things were in doing between Spain and England the Popish Princes of France under pretext of defending the Catholike Religion entred into a combination which they called The holy League The purpose whereof was to root out the Protestants and to divert the Right of Succession to the Crown of France For they bound themselves to each other by oath to suffer no person but a Catholike to be King of France which was directly to exclude the King of Navarre and the Prince of Conde if the present King without issue male should fail The head of this League was the Duke of Guise who having given some overthrows to the German Forces that came into France in aid of the Protestants was immeasurably extolled by the Clergie and others and grew to such a height of reputation that entring into Paris he made the King glad to leave the City and in an Assembly at Bloys to make him great Master of the French Cavalery and to consent by Edict to the cutting off the Protestants So as the King standing now in fear of him used means at last even in the very Court to have him murthered and soon after the Cardinall his brother to be strangled Hereupon so great a confusion followed that the people every where disobeyed the Magistrates and spoiled the Kings very Pallace at Paris Some Cities affected a Democrâ—cie others an Aristocracie but few liked of a Monarchy The Confederates in the mean while made a new Seal usurped the Royall Authority seized into their hands the best fortified places intercept the Kings Revenues call in Spanish Souldiers and in all places denounce war and violence against the King And the King in this case being forced to flye to the Protestantâ— for succour they then most wickedly by one Iames Clement a Monk made him away The King being ready to dye Declareth the King of Navarre to be his lawfull successor but the Confederates would exclude him as an open Heretick and yet whom to make choice of they cannot well agree some would have the Duke of Lorraine as being descended from the ancient Kings of France some thâ— Duke of Savoy as borne of the French Kings daughter a Prince Poâ—eâ—t and Couragious others would have the Duke of Guises brother that waâ— murtheredâ— others the King of Spain but the greatest part gave theiâ— voices for the Câ—rdinall of Bourbon who was one degree neerer alâ—yed to the slain King then the King of Navarre his Nephew He therefore was presently proclaimed King of France with the Title of Charls the Tenth but he being a Priest the King of Navarre also was at the same time proclaimed King of France who abode at Diepe a Sea Town of Normandy and doubted not to drive the Cardinall easily out of France The King of Navarre being thus raised in Dignity but weake in means implored Aid of the Queen of England offering to make a League Offensive and Defensive the Queen out of a pious respect to a King of her own Religion sent him presently two and twenty thousand pound sterling in Gold such a summe of Gold as he professed he had never seen at one time before and withall supplyed him with four thousand Souldiers under the command of Peregrine Lord Willoughby for Colonells she appointed Sir Thomas Wilford who was made Marshâ—ll of the Field Iohn Boroâ—ghs Siâ— William Drury and Sir Thomas Baskervyle and gave them a months pay in hand Hereupon the Confederates whom the King had vanquished â— little before at Arques beyond all expectation began to quaile and the day before the Arrivall of the English they vanished away with this addition of Forces the King marcheth to Paris and being ready to enter the Citie causeth a retreat to be â—ounded as loath to have spoile made of a Citie which he hoped shortly should be his own Afterwards by the assistance of the English he wonne many Towns and then having marched at least five hundred miles on foot he gave them leave after a long winters service to returne into England In which Voyage of men of note dyed Captain Hunnings but of a naturall death also Stubbs he whose right hand was cutt off for writing the book against the Queens marriage and Sir William Drury slain by Master Boroâ—ghs in a single Combat where the quarrell was that he being but a Knight would take place of Boroughs that was the younger son of a Baron contrary to the Lawes of the English Gentry About this time Iames King of Scots with Queen Elizabeths good liking Espoused Anne the daughter of Frederick the second King of Denmarke by his Deputy but she afterward sayling for Scotland was by tempest cast upon Norway and there through continuall stormes forced to stay so as the King in the winter season set sayle thither that the marriâ—ge according to his vow might be accomplished within the yeer some were of opinion that those stormes were caused by witch-craft and was confirmed indeed by some witches taken in Scotland who confessed they had raised those stormes to keep the Queen from landing in Scotland and that the Earl of Bothwell had asked Counsell of them concerning the Kings end who was thereupon cast into prison but in a short time breaking loose occasioned new stirs in Scotland This yeer many Noble personages dyed Frances Countesse of Sussex sister to Sir Henry Sidney Sir Walter Mildway Chancellour and Vice-Treasurer of the Exchequer William Somerset Earl of Worcester so numerous in his off-spring that he could reckon more children of both Sexes then all the Earls of England Also Iohn Lord Sturton Henry Lord Compton and at Bruxels the Lord Paget At this time the Queen who was alwayes frugall strained one point of Frugality more then ever she had done before for upon the information of one Caermarden though Burleigh Leicester and Walsingham were
longer served her it was evident by the lifting up of her hands and eyes that her thoughts were fixed upon him And so on the four and twentieth day of March being the last day of the yeer 160â— she yeelded up her soul to God when she had lived threescore and nine yeers six months and seventeen dayes Raigned four and forty yeers four months and seven dayes Her Body was embalmed wrapped in Lead and brought to White-hall from whence on the eight and twentieth of April following in great solemnity it was carried into the Collegiate Church of S. Peters at Westminster and there interred in the Vault of her Grand-father K. Henry the seventh in his magnificent Chappell where our renowned Soveraign K. Iames hath built her a Princely Monument inscribed with Epitaphs to her eternall glory At her Funerall were said to be Mourners in black to the number of onâ— thousand and six hundred persons MEN of NOTE in her time THe Ocean is not more boundlesse then the number of men of note in her time but though all of them cannot be reckoned yet some of them must not be omitted And to begin with Sates-men An exquisite States-man for his own ends was Robert Earl of Lèicester and for his Countries good Sir William Cecill Lord Bâ—rleigh as also Sir Francis Walsingham that great underminer of Conspirators Famous Sea-men were the Earl of Cumberland the Lord Thomas Howard afterward Earl of Suffolk and of meaner Rank Sir Iohn Hawkins Sir Martin Forbysâ—er Sir Walter Raleigh Cavendish Preston Ryman and to name the worthiest last Sir Francis Drake who though he were but a short square bodied man yet his great Acts have made the Spaniards believe that he was some goodly Personage Great Commanders by Land were Robert Earl of Essex the Lord Willoughby the Lord Grey of Wilton Sir Francis Vere Sir Roger Williams Baskervile Savage and the Honour of his Family and our English Nation Sir Iohn Norris Learned Gentlemen and Writers were Sir Thomas Chaloner employed by Queen Elizabeth as her Ligier in Spain who wrote five books of the restoring of the English Common-wealth in elegant Verses while as he said he lived in a Stove in Winter and in a Barn in Summer Roger Askam born in York-shire notably skilfull in the Greek and Latin Tongues who had sometime been School-master to Queen Elizabeth and her Secretary for the Latin Tongue but taking too great delight in Gaming and Cock-fighting he both lived and died in mean estate yet left behinde him sundry Monuments of Wit and Industry Sir Thomas Smith born at Saffron Walden in Essex sometime Secretary to K. Edward the 6 who wrote an imperfect Work of the English Common-wealth a singular Book of the Orthography of the English Tongue and another of the Pronunciation of the Greek the first man that set on foot the Law for serving the Colledges with Provision Sir Henry Savill Provost of Eaton and Reader to Queen Elizabeth who set forth all S. Chrysostomes works in Greek and by translating of Cornelius Tacitus deserved as much of the English Tongue as he of the Latin But above all the admirable sir Philip Sidney who by writing in a light Argument shewed how excellently and beyond all comparison he could have done in a grave Learned Divines were Iohn Iewell born in Devon-shire a Student in Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford in Queen Maries time an Exile by Queen Elizabeth made Bishop of Salisbury who wrote an Apologie for the Protestant Doctrine and died at scarce fifty yeers of age in the fourteenth yeer of Queen Elizabeth Iohn Whitaker Master of S. Iohns Colledge in Cambridge who learnedly answered all the books of Bellarmine Bilson Bishop of Winchester sometimes Fellow of New Colledge in Oxford who amongst his other learned Works hath written notably of Christs descent into hell Richard Hooker Preacher at the Temple who with too much meeknesse smoothered his great Learning yet hath something discovered it in his five Books of Ecclesiasticall Discipline and died in the yeer 1599. Alexander Nowel Dean of Pauls who forbearing deeper Works set forth a Catechism according to the Doctrine of the English Church and died in the yeer 1602. After such men it might be thought ridiculous to speak so Stage Players but seeing excellency in the meanest things deserves remembring and Boscius the Comedian is recorded in History with such commendation it may be allowed us to do the like with some of our Nation Richard Bourbidge and Edward Allen two such Actors as no age must ever look to see the like and to make their Comedies compleat Richard Tarleton who for the Part called the Clowns Part never had his match never will have For Writers of Playes and such as had been Players themselves William Shakespeare and Benjamin Iohnson have specially left their Names recommended to posterity THE RAIGNE OF King Iames. IAMES the fourth King of Scotland marryed Margaret eldest daughter of Henry the 7 K. of England by whom he had Iames the 5 who had one only child Mary Q. of Scots who had one only son Iames the 6 who from Iames the fourth had undoubted right to the Kingdome of Scotlandâ— and from Margaret King Henry the 7 eldest daughter the male line being cleane extinct unquestionable title to the Crown of England whereupon Q. Eliz. being dead about 10 a clock in the morning K. Iames the 6 K. of Scotland was the very same day M. Secretary Cecill himself reading his Title and Q. Eliz. Will proclaimed K. of Eng. Scot. and Ireland by sound of Trumpet first at White-Hall and then in Cheapside in presence of all the Lords and the Counsell and other of the Nobility with a generall acclamation of all sorts of people that we may truly say sorrow was never more deceived than at this time for where upon the death of Q. Eliz. It was expected there would be nothing for a long time but sorrowing and lamenting Now that very sorrow was swallowed up of joy her death bringing with it no other alteration but only of sex in all other points in a manner the same the like wisdome the like learning the like Iustice the like religiousnesse in them both only bettered in this that we changed a Q. of 70 years old whom we could not look to keepe long for a K. of 36 whom we might well hope to enjoy many years Q. Eliz. was not sooner deadâ— but Sir Robert Cary a younger son of the Late L. Hunsdon posted away unsent to K. Iaâ—es in Scotland informing him of the accidentâ— for bringing which news the K. afterwards rewarded him with making him a Baâ—on of the Realm and L. of Leppington But though it were sufficient for the K. information that he heard the news by Sir Robert Carye yet it was not sufficient for the Lords of the Counsell in discharge of their duty if he heard it not from them and therefore within a very few dayes as soon as they could provide fit men they sent
expresse his Character in a word which worthily might be matter for many volumes He was to his wife a most loyall husband to his children a most loving father to his servants a most bountifull Master to his Subjects a most just prince to all Princes neare him a most peaceable neighbour that more justly it may be said of him than of whom it was said Quaete tam laeta telerunt saecula a Prince afâ—eâ— Plato's owne heart for his learning and which is infinitly more worth after Gods owne heart for his Religiousnesse and Piety Oâ— his Death and buriall OF his death there were many scandalous rumours spread and some were so impudentâ— as to write that he was poysoned as the Duke of Richmond and the Marquis Hambleton had been before but King Iames being dead and his body opened there was found no signe at all of poyson his inward parts being all sound but that his Spleen was a little faulty which might bee cause enough to cast him into an Ague The Ordinary high way especially in old bodies to a naturall death Of this ague after a months anguishing notwithstanding all the remedies that could be applyed he departed this life aâ— Thâ—â—balds on the 27 of March in the yeare 1625 in the 59 yeare of his ageâ— when he had Raigned two and twenty years compleat His body for the greater Staâ—e was convayed by Torche light from Theobalds to Denmark house who having tested from the 23 of Aprill to the 7 of May it was carryed to Westminster and there interred in the Chappell Royall with great solemnity but with greater lamentation there being scarce any of the infinite multitude that was present of whom it might not be said Multa gemens largoque humectat flumine Vultum Of Men of note in his time MIlitary Men of Note in a time of Peace as the whole Raigne of King Iames was we have no reason to expect yet if we look amongst the Voluntaries that went to the Schoole of War in the Low-Countryes we shall find a payre of brothers that may stand in comparison with the greatest Souldiers in the most Martiall times S. Francis Vere who as another Hanniball who with his own eye could see more in the Martiall Discipline than common men can do with two and Sir Horatio Vere who as another Philopaemen contained in a very little body a very great both skill and courage But for Men of Note in Learning as being in the time of a most learned Prince there was never greater store of whom these for example In curiousnesse of Preaching there was Doctor Andrewes Bishop of Winchester who hath left to posterity a Century of such golden Sermons that shews he as well deserved the name of Chrysostome as he that had it In multiplicity of Reading there was Doctor Reynolds of Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford who seemed as it were a living Library and one would have thaught his Memory to be a perfect Index of all the Books had ever beene written In knowledge of Law there was Sir Edward Cook Chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench who hath written such excellent Commentaries of the Law that he seemes as another Bartholus or Baldus amongst us In Elegancy of writing there was Sir Francis Bacon Viscount Saint Albans who besides his profounder Books of Novum Organum hath written the Reigne of K. Henry the 7 in so sweet a style that like Manna it pleaseth the tast of all palats In the skil of Antiquities there was William Camden King at Armes who hath set forth the Description of Brittaine and the life of Q. Eliz. in so lively colours that he seems to have brought Brittaine out of darknesse into light and to keep Q. Eliz. alive after her death And to speake it in a word the Trojan Horse was not fuller of Heroick Grecians than K. Iames His Raigne was full of men excellent in all kinds of Learning And here I desire the Reader leave to remember two of my own old acquaintance the one was Mr. Iohn Dunne who leaving Oxford lived at the Iâ—nâ—â— of Court not dissolute but very neat a great visiter of Ladies a great frequenâ—er of Playes a great writer of conceited Verses untill such time as King Iames taking notice of the pregnancy of his Wit was a meanes that he betooke him to the study of Divinityâ— and thereupon proceeding Doctour was made Deane of Paules and became so rare a Preacher that he was not only commended but even admired by all that heard him The other was Sir Woottonâ— mine old acquaintance also as having been fellow pupils and chamber fellows in Oxford divers yeares together This Gentlemen was imployed by K. Iames in Embassage â—o Venice and indeed the Kingdom afforded not a fitter man for maâ—ching the Capriciousnes of the Italian Wâ—â—s a man of so able dexterity with his Pen that he hath done himself much wrongâ— and the Kingdom more in leaving no more of his Writings behind him Of the English Plantation in the Indies that wâ—re iâ— King IAMES his time ANâ— now we are come to a time wherein we may very neare say as much of King Iames as was said of Agustus Caesar Super Garamantus Indos profert Imperium In this better that where Augustus did it by the violent way of Armes King Iames did it by the civill way of Plantations for in his dayes began the great plantation of the English in the Indies and must be acknowledged the proper effect of his peaceable Government The first Plantation of the English in the Indies was that which is now called Virginia in memorie of the Virgin Queen Elizabeth but called before Wingandacoa It was first discovered by Sir Walter Rawlegh in the yeare 1584 to whom the first Letters Patents were granted for making a Plantation there but yet no Colony was sent thither till the yeare 1606. It is a Countrie in America between the degrees of 34 and 45 of the North Latitude but that part of it which is planted by the English is under the Degrees of 37 38 and 39. It is no Island as many have imagined but a part of the Continent adjoyning to Florida The first and chiefe Towne made here by the English is called Iames Towne in honour of the Kings most Eexcellent Majesty It is a Countrie abounding with all sorts of Fish and Fowle so fruitfull that it yeelds thirtie and sometimes fortie Bushells of Corne upon an Acre and that which to us is more strange hath three harvests in a yeare the Corne being sowed ripe and reaped in little more than two moneths Manyâ— Plantations had beene attempted here before but came to nothing the first to any purpose was in the yeare 1607. under the conduct of Captaine Gosnoll Iohn Smith and Mr. Edw. Maria Winkfield who carried a Colonie thither of a hundred persons but of these many dying of sicknesse or slaine by the Savages a new supply came in the yeare 1608. of a hundred and twenty