and tranquillity He bountifully recompenced the Duke of Britaine for all his former love and kindnesse to him and also repaid unto him all such sums of mony as at any time he had disbursed for him for his maintenance and relief The like he did to the French King and so redeemed his Hostages the Lord Marquesse Dorset and Sir Iohn Bourchin whom he left there But while King Henry was thus carefull to please all men and to preserve peace a Rebellion is raised in the north by Francis Lord Lovel Humfrey Stafford and Thomas his Brother but the King with great celerity marches against them and their Leaders hearts failing them they steal from their Army by night Lovell was shrouded by Sir Thomas Broughton and the two Staffords took Sanctuary but because no Sanctuary could protect malefactors in case of high Treason they were pulled out by violence and arraigned condemned and Humphrey the elder brother executed but the other was pardoned by the Kings favour it being supposed he did it not out of malice but was drawn in by his unpeaceable brother But this flame being quenched a greater is kindled For a certain Priest named Symond erected a mock Prince called Lambert who joyning with the Dutchesse of Burgoyne and the Irish invaded England but was routed and being taken Lambert was put into the Kings Scullery who not long after was made chief Faulconer to the King Then was the Kings wife with all honour and princely solemnity crowned Queen and Thomas Bourchier Arch-Bishop of Canterbury dying he is succeeded by Iohn Morton Bishop of Ely who was also made Lord Chancelour of this Kingdome and not long after he was dignified with the Hat and Habit of a Cardinall by Pope Alexander the sixth A difference falls between the French and the Britains the King having been beholding to both mediates a peace but in vain they fall to Arms and the King aids the Duke of Britain with eight thousand men for maintenance whereof a Parliament gives the King the tenth penny of all moveable goods and chattels but the Duke dyed and those wars ended But this Tax begot a Rebellion for the rustick swads about York and Durham would not pay a penny of the Tax but being numerous they rifled severall places where they came and barbarously murdered the Earl of Northumberland imployed by the King to levy the tax but the King soon routed them and executed the Ringleaders of them in severall places The French King by his gifts corrupts the attendants of the Duke of Britains Daughter heir of the Dukedome and though affianced to the Emperors Daughter before yet he returns her to her father and marries the Young Heir of Britain wâ—o was contracted to the Emperour making both contracts void and nullities by proclamation But the Emperor scorning to be thus disgraced sends to King Henry and craves aid whereupon the King partly for love he bare to the Emperour and partly because he saw the French King was become Lord of Britain and endeavoured to subject the low Countries also under him promised his assistance for support of which he spared the poor and got great sums from the Nobles and richer sort The King sends a well appointed Army over under the conduct and command of the Duke of Bedford and the Earl of Oxford whom the King in person followed with a Royall Army but the French King sues for peace and gave him for his charges in that expedition almost two hundred thousand pounds Sterling so Henry and his Army returned safe into England having concluded an honourable and profitable Peace But the Kings ancient enemy the Dutchesse of Burgoyne with another upstart counterfeit named Perkin Warbeck whom she pretends to be Richard Duke of York Edward the Fourth's Second son The Burgoyns Irish French and Scots favour him some out of mischief others out of mistake which begets great troubles to King Henry but he is taken imprison'd and for endeavouring an escape is executed The Scots invade England under pretence of aiding Perkin he drives them out and another Tax is levied which begets a rebellion which the King overthrows and hangs up the Heads of it Prince Arthur about this time married Katharine Daughter to Ferdinand King of Aragon King Henry's eldest Daughter marries the King of Scots Iames the Fourth but Prince Arthur five months after his Marriage died to his Fathers great grief about his latter end he grew covetous but repented of it He died soon after and was buried at Westminster in his own Chappel he died at 52. years old and reigned 23. years The most Mighty and Prudent Prince Henry the seaventh by the grace of god King of England Fraunce and Ireland As after a sharp Winter Birds do sing Encomiums to a Comfortable Spring So did this Kingdome entertain with joy Great Lancaster and sung Vive le Roy. Henry from Britain came and claim'd his due By Vertue Valour and by Title true And that he might becalme all stormy weather He joyn'd the White Rose and the Red together He was a prudent Prince and govern'd well But that to be too Covetous he fell At last he much restor'd and gave among The poor which mercy cancel'd all his wrong HENRY the Eighth King of England KIng Henry the Eighth being of the age of eighteen years began to Reigne the two and twentieth day of April in the year of our Lord God 1509. And being dispensed with by the Pope he married the Lady Katharine Daughter to Ferdinando King of Aragon Aunt to Prince Charls of Castile who afterwards was Emperour whenas not long before she had been his brother Prince Arthur's Wife by which match much trouble afterwards ensued In the beginning of his Reigne he was very gracious and tender to his people in rescuing them from the greedy Jaws of their oppressors that toward the end of his Fathers Reigne had so vexed and tormented them and the more freely to content such as had been justly offended by those extreamities he caused the Heads of those two devouring Caterpillars Empson and Dudley to be stricken off at the Tower Hill and the rest of that rascall rabble were disgracefully corrected by the Stocks and Pillories in sundry places of this Realme Thus when the King had well buâ—ied himself in the settlement of his Kingdome for the first two years of his Reigne he was by his wifes father Ferdinando King of Aragon entreated to assist him against the Moores but by reason of a cessation of those Jarres returned out of Spain having been rudely entertained and spent all About the same time the King of France invades Italy making great havock but Henry in favour of the Pope led an Army into France Maximilian the Emperour fighting under the English Banner and took many prisoners and Towns In the mean time the Scots upon the French account infest the North parts of England with sixty thousand men but the Earl of Surrey encountered them with six and twenty thousand and
slew Iames their King with many Lords and Earls totally routing all that vast Army Henry returning out of France Surrey for his good service was created Duke of Norfolk and Thomas Wolsey a man of mean parentage was made Bishop of Lincolne and at last was made a Cardinall At this time the Pope sent to Henry a Cap of maintenance a Sword and the Title of Defender of the Faith which Grace Henry received with Tiltings and great Pomp. Cardinall Wolsey is made Chancellour of England Charls the Emperor comes to London and is received with great honour and graced with the Order of the Garter But Behold Henry who had lived lovingly with his Wife Katharine 20 years began now to find a scruple in his Conscience whether he might without incest live with his brothers wife Judges were chosen to end this question but Wolsey not having dealt prudently for Henry had all his authority taken away and his estate was confiscate but at last other new dignities being granted him his great losse was somwhat repaired Then a Parliament was called and he was charged with many faults among the rest that he was wont to write I and my King and had stamped the Cardinalls Hat on the Kings Coyne of which he was convicted and again deprived of all honour and Estate a wonderfull example of the inconstancy of humane affairs he that but lately ruled all and the King too as he pleased made Laws swayed Courts of Justice taxed the people oppressed both Clergy and Laity he is now cast down from the high Pinnacle of honour and which is worst hated by all afterwards sent for to make his personal answer at Court he died by the way 't is thought with poyson In the mean time Henry not abiding the Popes delayes with the advice of Divines divorceth his Wife Katharine and marries Anna Boloyne and being angry with the Pope for this disoffice he abollisheth forthwith all his authority over the Church of England and takes Oath of the thanks of England and Ireland to acknowledge himself next under Christ supreame Head of the Church for refusall whereof Sir Thomas More Lord Chancelour of England and Iohn Fisher of Rochester lost their heads Henry now using his own Authority invades the goods of the Church and expels the Monks out of the Monasteries Nor was he herewith content but he cuts off the heads of his second Wife Annae Boloyne together with her Brother the Lord Rochfort on suspicion of incest between them Then he married Iane Seymer who died in child-birth of Edward the sixth Then he divorced from him Anne of Cleve newly married and for her sake he beheaded Thomas Cronewell who made that match this was a man fortunately risen from a mean to a vast estate also Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk had his head chopt off for privily marrying Margaret daughter to the King of Henry's Neece Henry now marries his Fifth Wife the Lady Katharine Howard whom he shortly afterward beheaded for her lasciviousnesse At that time Henry was stiled King of Ireland of which before he was but Lord. About this time the Scotch King dies leaving Mary Stewart a child of eight dayes old heir of his Kingdome whom Henry endeavours to espouse to his Son Edward but the Cardinall of St. Andrews so prevailed that she was married to the Dolphin whereat Henry enraged burns Leith Then he married his sixth Wife Katharine Latimers widow who was brought in danger of her Life but by her prudence and humility escaped Henry next makes an expedition into France and wins Bononia which was redeemed with eight hundred thousand Crowns The Duke of Norfolk and the Earl of Surrey are accused of Treason and the father lost his head Henry died presently after having reigned 38. years he was buried at Winsor The most high and mightie Prince HENRY the VIII by the grace of God King of England France and Ireland Henry the Eighth began his Reigne so well Few Predecessors were his Parallel Empson and Dudley he did soon dismisse Those Engines of his Fathers Avarice A comly Prince he was but him I fear The Hangman made too oft a Widower Many for no desert he would exalt And ruine them as quickly for no fault He never spar'd if you my Author trust Man in his wrath or Woman in his Lust. And yet his vices did not so prevaile But that his Vertues still did Even the Scale EDVVARD the Sixth King of England HENRY the Eighth being deceased Edward his Son succeeded him in hiâ— Throne Ianuary 28. 1547. He was all the Issue Male of King Henry who had six Wives whereof two were beheaded two divorced and Iane Seymer mother to King Edward dyed in Travell This King began his Reigne in the ninth year of his age and the same day that he was publickly proclaimed King in London he came from Enfield to the Tower as perhaps for other reasons so chiefly that according to the manner of the Kings of England he might passe in solemne and magnificent sort from thence to Westminster where he was to be inaugurated The day following the Lords to whose care the deceased King had committed his Son and heir by Will assemble themselves to consult of the affairs of State they all with one consent appoint Edward Seymer Earl of Hertford the Kings Uncle Protector of the Kings person and Governour of his Majesties Realms untill the King came of age mature enough for to hold the Reins of Government hereof publick proclamation was made through London and Westminster The first Act of this Lord Protector after his investiture was that he created the King Knight who remained then in the Tower and he rising up took the same Sword of the Earl of Hertford and conferred the same honour upon Henry Hoblethorne Lord Major of the City of London February the 15. the funeralls of King Henry are solemnized in all princely sort and his Body entombed in the midst of the Quire of the Cathedrall Church of Windsor and two dayes after certain of the Peers are adorned with new Titles of Honour Seymer Lord Protector and Earl of Hertford is created Duke of Somerset William Par Earl of Essex created Marquesse of Northampton Dudly Viscount Lisle Lord high Admirall of England created Earl of Warwick and high Chamberlain of England Sir Thomas Wriothsley Lord Chancellour was created Earl of Southampton Sir Thomas Seymer Brother to the Lord Protector was advanced to be Lord Sudley and also high Admirall of England for as much as the Earl of Warwick was contented to resigne Sir Richard Rich was made Lord Rich and Sir William Willoughby Lord Willoughby of Parham and Sir Edmund Sheffeild was made Lord Sheffeild of Butterwike Now was great provision made for the Kings Coronation who rode with great Royalty and splendor through the City of London to Westminster the â—4 of Feb. and the day following was in due form and order inaugurated by Cranmer Arch-Bishop of Canterbury About four years since in
the age of 65 yeares after he had raigned 56 yeares and lieth intombed at Westminster 1272. The groaning Kingdome being rid of John Has found his very Image in his Son King Henry the Third nine years of Age Enters a troubled and a doubtfull Stage The Realme he found Rebecca like become With divers Nations strugling in her Womb All which he clear'd at last with promise fair With Oaths Vowes which prov'd nothing but Aiâ— He pill'd his subjects so that at his need Give him they nothing would nor could indeed He marries then with a mean Family And spoyles his Realme to lard their Poverty EDVVARD the First King of England WHen King Henry died Edward his son and heir was in Palestine very intent about the holy war where he underwent a grievous danger having received 3 desperate wounds from his adversary with a poysoned weapon But he was cured by the wonderfull Piety of his Wife who with her mouth in time sucked out the venome from his wounds In his way being made more certain of his fathers death he made great journeyes and travelled in all hast into England where with the generall applause both of his Nobles and Common-people he was crowned King when he was of the age of 35 years At the beginning of his Reigne he used the Nobility well but to abate the insolence of the Clergy he commanded their wealth to be brought into his Exchequer and he afflicted them otherwise and so drew upon himself their envy The Welch rise against him but he luckily intercepts Monfort's daughter espoused to Lluellen their Prince upon surrender of whom that storm blew over and obedience was promised by the Welch to King Edward But within few years three or four at most Lluellen puts an end to his Oath and obedience for his wife Eleoner being dead he breaks forth into new Rebellions also David forgetting the great love of King Edward to him falls off to his brother and so with joynt forces they enter England and does some mischief to Edward both of them wonderfully inflamed by a false prophesie of Merlin whereby the Crowne of Brutus was promised to Lluellen but the battle being set Lluellen was killed by a private Soldier and his Head brought to King Edward his Brother David also was taken and had his Head struck off and with his Brothers it was set upon the Tower of London where it remained a long time after but his four Quarters were sent to four Principall Cities in England to be set up for a terrour to all Traitors hereafter so Edward revenged the Rebellion of the Welch and the death of Alphonsus his first Borne who was slain in the same battle In the eighteenth year of King Edward's Reigne Alexander the King of Scots not having any Issue of his body fell with his horse and unfortunately brake his neck He had three sisters the eldest of which was married to Iohn Balioll Lord of Galloway the second to Robert le Bruse Lord of Valley-Andrew and the third was married into England to Iohn Hastings Lord of Abergavenny amongst these three each of them backed with his best friends sharp bickerings and civill wars arose to the destruction of many worthy persons on all sides Whilst the matter thus was handled King Edward promises the Kingdome of Scotland to Bruse for ever so he would do him homage for it but Bruse refuseth it preferring his Countries Liberty before his own honour Yet Balioll yields to those conditions and so got the Kingdome of Scotland but the ill will of all his Country-men Envy against him increased for refusing Justice upon the death of the Earl of Fife who was slaine for Baylioll exempted Albermeâ—h from punishment that slew him whereupon Baylioll cited before Edward's Tribunall is forced to plead his cause he was angry at this disgrace and denies Homage to Edward and proclaims warre making a Covenant with the French King Hence arose the cause of a most bloudy warre between the two Nations which lasted for three hundred years only some feigned cessations passed between No lesse than four times did this victorious King Edward subdue the false and fraudulent Scots compelling them with extraordinary tokens of subjection and humility to submit themselves to his mercy In the mean time a new warre breaks forth between King Edward and the French King Philip the fair by a controversie between the subjects of either King for Kings that envy one another easily break forth into open Hatred but Edward had other grudges against the French for conniving at the death of his Cousen Henry the Emperors Son Edward therefore when a day was appointed him hath a stipendary to plead his cause before King Philip he refused to appeare whereupon a great Army being raised Philip enters upon the Territories of King Edward in France by force of Armes the King of England by the assistance of neighbour Princes the Earl of Flanders the Duke of Brabant with Adolphus of Nassaw the Roman Emperour presently marches against the King of France but finding the French divided in two parts and defrauded with the Emperours delayes when he had held his winters quarters at Gaunt not without the murmuring of the Citizens and great want of his souldiers At the beginning of the spring truce being made with the French for three years the King tooke Margaret the Dukes sister to wife for Eleoner died in the former Expedition against the Scots And the daughter of Philip being betrothed to King Edwards sonne he retreated for England About the same time Doctor Langton then Bishop of Chester complained grievously to the King upon Edward the young Prince who by the lewd advice of Pierce Gaveston his loose and gracelesse Companion brake forcibly into his Park and made havock of his Game for which the Prince was committed to Prison and Gaveston banished for ever Lastly making an incursion into Scotland he is taken with a Disentery and dies of it and lies buried at Westminster He was very tall of Countenance somwhat sorrowfull of Chastitie like his Father but in fortitude farre before him Religious he was and wise The noble and Victorious Prince EDWARD the first surnamed Long-shanks King of England Duke of Aquitaine Earle of Poictices and Anjou Lo of Ireland c He Conquered Scotland and brought from thence the Marble Chaire He subdued and overcame llewelyn Prince of Wales and made his sonne Edward Prince Hereof he died at the age of 68 yeares 1307. after he had raigned 34 yeares 8 monthes buried at Westminster King Edward Saraceus Head Sholder sunders Where Christ wrought miracles this Prince did wonders His wife with such so pious love abounds She sucks the venome from his poysoned wounds 'T were Treason to their merits to conceal So great a Valour and so sweet a zeal The haughty Welch he soon did over-run And left them Vassalls to his Princely Son And by his sword so weighed down Fortunes scales That Englands heir succeeds stil Prince of
Wales He paid the Scots for all their Treacheries And 4 times brought them on their humbled knees EDVVARD the Second King of England EDward the Second succeeds his Father in the Throne who was too unmindâ—ull of his â—athers commands in his â—ast Will and Testament in which he was enjoyned and solemnly protâ—sted to performe three things especially namely that he should carry his fathers Bones along with him till he had conquâ—red Scotland Secondly that he should expend thirty thousand pounds in the Holy Warre and Thirdly that he should never recall Peirce Gaveston whom for just reasons his Father had banished for Life But he never performed any of these for his fathers bones he did well enough to let them rest but for Gaveston he recalled him and bestowed on him all the money designed to the Holy War longing more to brake his Oath touching him then to take his Coronation Oath The Noble men who perfectly knew how wickedly this Gaveston was enclined perceiving that the King doted on him and that his affections towards him were unlimited being perplexed with inward grief and foreseeing that his insolence would be the ruine of the Realme emboldened themselves to put the King in mind of his Oath But as his conscience nothing troubled him for the breach thereof so their disliking encreased his desires towards Gaveston and to make him great which was the next thing he took in hand and now none but Gaveston must rule all in all frown who would the King cared not Gaveston must and shall be great and therefore first he is Lorded with the Baronie of Wallingford and soon after he is created Earl of Cornwall and if this was not enough to make him rich he is made sole Commander over the Kings Jewells and Treasures in which Oâ—fice so absolute was his power and so cunning his crafty pate to provide in the time of his prosperity for adverse Fortune which might ensue that secretly he conveyed beyond the seas a fair Table and Tressells all made of beaten Gold and many rich and precious Ornaments to the great hurt of the King and dammage of this Realme He also took much pleasure to feed the Kings fancy with great variety of delights and by his example he inured him to excessive banqueting and drunkennesse and his vile and unchast all urements made him carelesse of the bed and society of his Religious and Vertuous Queen Isabel the Daughter of the French King Philip the fair Sister to Charls his successor and trained him to the adulterous Consortship of wanton curtizans and shameless Whores The Queen who sorrowed hereat beyond measure reposed all her means for redresse of those unsufferable wrongs in her prayers to God and her modest wooing for her Kâ—ngs love but all endeavours came to nothing for the beams of her excellent vertues could not pierce the thick clouds of his vanities neither could her pious tears mollifie his heart hardened in too much variety and plenty of loathsome sins The Nobles and those of the Kings Counsell secretly and severall timâ—s enformed the King what notice at offence strangers and his own people even the Vulgar at the lewd and vicious courses of Gaveston and how strangely they spoke of him and of his Government altogether eclipsed by the interposition of his fowle vices betwixt himself and it but all availâ—d nothing with him who was resolved rather to lose his Crown than his Companion Then at the Lords Petition the King sends him into Ireland not as a person proscribed but a President at length the Nobles perceiving the Kings heavinesse for his absence petition his recall in hope of his amendment and to please the King but he growes more insolent theâ— before At last the Barons hopelesse to redresse and unable to support so despised a burthen besiâ—ge this wicked Gaveston in a strong castle win it and cut off his head Then the King to vex his Nobility he entertained into his Society and Counsels the two Spencers father and son men as gracelesse and odious to the Nobles and common people as the other was They advised him to Whores and Concubines and to forsake the sweet Company of his modest and vertuous Queen which made him a scorne to forraigne Princes and all honest men yet the King in spight of his greatest Lords supported the Spencers in all whatever they took in band But this evill Government begets him envy and contempt at home and eneâ—ies abroad â—or Râ—â—liruse being re-crowned in Scotland invades England four or five dayes marcheth with fire and Sword making havock of all before him But King Edward had behavâ—d himself so ill aâ— home in over-favouring his Minions altogether neglecting his Nobles that his â—athers bones could stand him now in little stead for no lesse then three â—imes is he overthrâ—wne by the Scots yea with numbers farre inferiour to his own to the shame of this Realme famous for the best Souldiers in the World At home he became too fortunate for he overthrows his Barons Army beheads 22. Lords by the advice of these villanous perfidious Spencers But the Queen with the Prince her Son saile beyond Sea obtains assistance of her Cousin Sr. Iohn Henault and his friends returns into England and joyning with the Nobles and the City of London overthrowes the Kings Forces and besieging him and the Spencers in Bristoll Castle takes it and them and executes these miscreants the Spencers father and Son and other their Confederates and committed the King to Prison whence he never escaped Then a Parliament is called wherein they consulted to depose the King and to Crown his Son but he was so piously conscientious that he would not accept the Crowne unlesse his father willingly resigned it which he freely did being glad they would Crowne his Son in his stead And not long after he miserably ended his dayes in Barkly Castle by piercing his bowels with a red hot Spit through his fundament and at the Age of 43 he was buried at Gloucester He was tall and comely of Stature but of immoderate dotage on his Minions and given to drunkenness which made him too open of his Counsels too much addicted to lasciviousnesse his own nature being rather corrupted by his vicious Minions than otherwise Edward the 2d. King of England Duke of Aquitaine Earle of Poictou Anjou and Pontieu Lord of Ireland He raigned 19. yeares 7 mo ths and was deposed the 25th of Ianuary 1327. and shortly comâ—â—â—ted to prison in Barkley Castle and there cruelly murdered 〈◊〉 the age of 43 yeares huried at Glocester Edward the Second doth deserve to have All his Remembrance buryed in his grave He lead to Scotland many thousand men And having seen it e'ne came home agen Pierce Gaveston enthralled his jale heart So close that nothing but the axe could part Next come his dearling Spencers to his view Rid of one Rakeshame now he must have two Honour and Princely prudence are thrown down And Dotage takes
and Peers all urg'd it he declin'd it Scotland he first subdu'd and made it reele Vnder the force of his victorious steel France askt him Homage but he told her plain Homage was due to him her Soveraign Let her to Cressey and to Poictiers look And Callice which 'fore Philip's face he took And what does more than this his fame evince He was the father to the brave BLACK PRINCE RICHARD the Second King of England RICHARD the Second being the Son and Heir of the black Prince and aged 11 years and somwhat more was crowned King of England in the year of our Lord one thousand three hundred and seventy seven The Kingdome was in an Eclipse the most part of this Kings Reigne his youth with all the frailties incident thereunto with bad Governours both of his kingdome and person were the main ruines of the King and almost the Realme For in the whole course of his Government he neglected his Nobillity and taxed his subjects to enable him to give prodigally to his Sycophants and ill deserving Favourites He was too too resolute in his wayes and refused to be reformed be they never so indirect He also despised the sage advice and good directions of his best counsellers and wholly plotted all his courses by the wicked gracelesse projects of his base and loose companions whom he raised to more honourable estates than befitted the meannesse of their Conditions so that they fell by their own weight and he himself in the end was enforced to endure the extremity of his hard fortune For being first disgraced by his Cousin Henry Bullingbrook Duke of Lancaster and Son and Heir to his Unkle Iohn of Gaunt he was at length by him with the generall consent of a whole Parliament deposed from his Crown committed to prison and afterwards wickedly murthered as in this discourse of his disorderly government more amply shall appear In the first year of King Richards Reigne Charls the French King presuming much on his minority and being aided by the Spaniard landed in the South-east and South-west parts of this kingdome and ransacked and burnt the Towns of Plymouth Rye Dartmouth Portsmouth and some other Towns and Villages coasting upon the Sea and would have done more mischief if by the Kings Unkle Edmund of Langley Earl of Cambridge and by the Earls of Buckingham and Salisbury they had not been fought with and beaten to their Ships At the same time one Ramsey a Scot cunningly surprised the Castle of Barwick but was soon beaten out again all the desperadoes being put to death but himself Again the French infest the Coasts of England even unto Graves-end whereupon Richard with Poll-money levies an Army and revenged himself which caused after mischief And now fell out a Rebellion in England exceeding hazardous to the whole kingdome occasioned by one Iohn Wall a factious Priest who perceiving the meaner and baser sort of people much murmuring repining at the last Tax took an unhappy occasion to move them to sedition telling them we are all by nature the children of Adam born of one and the same condition and equall worth and that the Laws of this kingdome were unjust to set so great difference between men making some Peers and Potentates and others poor and penurious Thus they begun to grow mad and implacable against the Nobillity for the basest dregs of men commonly being uncapable of honour themselves are envious against those that are Hereupon together with the hope of pilfering arose a formidable tumult who for their Leader took one Watt Tyler and for other chief Officers had Iack Straw Iack Shepheard and the seditious Priest Iohn Wall stiling themselves the Kings men and the Servants of the Common-weal of England They marched towards London beating down and rifling of houses and all before them They make all Knights and Gentlemen forsake their houses which they burn or rifle at lest They send also to the King who then lay in the Tower requiring him to come and speak with them Whereupon the King purposing to prevent mischief went to Graves-end but seeing their rage and madnesse he â—â—ared to put himself into their hands and returned back again to the Tower of Londoâ— Next day came this rabble to Southwark and finding the Bridge fortified and the Gates shut they resolved to kill all the people burn the Burrough but to prevent mischieâ— they were let into the City who were fain to entertain them with gifts and good words Then they rifle thâ— Savoy and kill all they light on they robbed all the Inns of Courâ—s and burnt their Law books nor spared they the Churches but sacrilegiously stole all they could lay hand on Watt Tyler commands his Masters head to be carried before him on a Lance mâ—erly because he had given him some small correction when he was his servant The Rebels send â—o the King who goes to Mile-end Green to them freely pardons them all gives them his Banners for their security whereupon many forsake Tyler who with about 20000 marches into Smithfield resolving to ransack and burn the City Then the King courteously perswades them to desist but Tyler commanded the Esquire that bare the sword before the King to give him his Dagger but the Esq told him it was the Kings Sword and should not be givâ—n to a knave whereat Tyler swore e're he would eat or drink the Esq should lose his head The King loth to have the Esq endangered bid him give him the Sword but the Esq would not then stept in William Wallworth Major of the City and clapt his Dagger to Tilers heart commanding him to submit to the King presently about a thousand armed Citizens came and routed them Thus did the storme blow over by Gods goodnesse and the Majors Courage and ever since the City carry the Dagger in their Escutcheon Ball and Iack Staw were executed the rest pardoned The French prepare a great army purposing to invade England King Richard rayseth a mighty power to conquer Scotland which designes had no good events Mischeife and Misery having sate long abroad began now to hatch at home The insulting Peers and rebellious people bandy the regall Power into hazard The Scots enter England under the Command of Sr. William Dowglasse and are encountered by the Noble Lord Henry Hotspur Dowglasse is slain and Hotspur taking Ireland rebels The King goes against him in person and the mean while loseth his Kingdom which with himself and Crown he is forced to surrender to his Cousin Henry Bullingbrook Son to Iohn of Gant Duke of Lancaster Anno 1400. The true pourtraicture of Richard the 2. King of England and France Lord of Ireland and Prince of Chester he raigned 22 yeres was deposed and murther'd at Pomfraict Cast at the age of 33 yeares Buried first at Langley and 14 yeares after by K. Henry th◠〈…〉 and their waâ— honourably â—uâ—erred Richard the Second son to such a Prince The World has never had his equall
since Instead of aiming at anothers Crown As did his Father tamely yeelds his own Has Mars begot Clineas then O strange Sure all the world is moulded up of Change And to the Waves we may compare them well One threatens Heaven another sinks to Hell Such is the State of sublunary things Nothing is fixt no not the Throne of Kings Peace out of doubt would be perpetuall But that our sins our sins for battels call HENRY the Fourth King of England THe Crowne of England Richard the deposed King dying without issue did rightfully descend upon Edmund Mortimer Earl of March the Son and Heir of Edmund Mortimer by Philip his Wife who was the Daughter and Heir of Lionel Duke of Clarence the third Son of Edward the Third Yet his Cousin Henry Bullingbrook Duke of Hartford and Son and Heir of Iohn of Gaunt younger brother unto the said Lionel was elected and crowned King forthwith he created his Eldest Son Henry Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester and summoned his high Court of Parliament in which an order was taken for the safe keeping and honourable attendance and maintaining of Richard the late King but his deposing imprisonment and all former proceedings against him were in the same assembly publickly condemned and reproved by Iohn Bishop of Carlile as hatefull unto God traiterous towards the King and infamous among good men for he averred boldly that if he were not a good King yet more wrong was done to him then ordinarily is done to theeves and murtherers because they are not as he was condemned before they had made their answer to the Crime objected before Judges who were indifferent and pronounced their Judgment upon good proof But so soon as he had ended his speech he was attached by the Earl Marshall and committed to strait prisonment in the Abbey of St. Albans and then among many other things in the same Parliament done the Crown of England was entailed to King Henry and his Heirs for ever No sooner was this Parliament ended but a conspiracy of some of the greatest Lords that outwardly made much shew of joy for the high dignity and advancement of King Henry The Confederates were the Kings Cousin Edward Plantaginet Duke of Aumarle and Heir apparent to Edmund of Langley Duke of York Thomas Holland Duke of Surrey and Iohn Holland his Brother Duke of Exeter both which were halfe Brothers to King Richard Iohn Montague Earl of Salisbury Hugh Spencer Earl of Glocester Sr Thomas Blunt and one Magdalen who was somtime a Chamber-waiter to the deposed King and who both in Stature and in Countenance and Behaviour was not much unlike him The Plot was to take away the Kings Life at solemne jests held at Oxford whither the King was invited and promised there to be present because he supposed that triumph was appointed only for his honour and delight The Treachery was cunningly contrived by the Conspirators who by Indentures under their hands and seals bound themselves each unto other both for secrecy and for the resolute effecting and performing thereof to their utmost power all which they solemnly confirmed by their Oaths The Conspirators all mâ—t at the time and place appointed but the Duke of Aumarle who being at dinner his Father perceiving a Lay-bill hang out of his Bosome took hold of it and drew the whole writing out which being he takes Horse and hasts to the King but the Duke his Son bâ—ing bâ—avely mounted and perceiving his imminent danger posts after and geâ—ting to the King fiâ—st confessed the conspiracy and obtains his pardon The King being thus certified of the Treason turns his journey to the Tower of London where he prepares for his defence He levies a strong power and marcheth against the Traitors But when the Conspirators understood that all the Plot was revealed they attired the said Magdalen in Royall Robâ—s and caused him to affirm himself King Richard and with him and all their Troops which were very warlike and strong they resolve to oppose themselves to the King in the open field But the King speedily marching towards them with 20000 men at the noise of whose approach the Companies under command of the Conspirators cowardly forsook them and left them a prey to the King who took and executed them in severall places some few escaped but over-oppressed with fear and sorrow soon after died The French King his Father in Law resolves to redeem him from imprisonment but ascertained of his death desists Yet for all this King Henry still distrusting the weaknesse of his usurped Title and endeavouring to support it with a more firm foundation entreats Charls the French King to give in marriage his Daughter Isabel somtime King Richards Wife unto his eldest Son Henry Prince of Wales But her Father observing that marriages betwixt Eâ—gland and France were seldome fortunate denied the Kings request whereupon she was honourably sent back into France The Welch and Scots rebell and are overthrown by the Piercies who take many Noble Prisoners which the King demands and is denied In the 3. year of his Reigne the King demands the Scotch Prisoners of the Piercyes but is denied whereupon unkindnesse arose and they extended to joyne with Glendor They get the Earl of Stafford the Arch-Bishop of York a great company of Scots English to joyne with Owen Glendor but before they proceed to Battel they publish an accusation against the King consisting of severall Articles 1. That he usurpt the Crown and murdered the King 2. He unjustly detained the Crown from Edm Mortimer 3. That without any need he oppressed the people with grievous Taxes 4. No justice was to be expected from him who contrary to his coronation oath had in sundry Shires forestalled Elections and procured Burgeships and bestowed them on his own creatures Lastly that he would not release his Cousin Mortimer from Prison For which Treasons they defied him as a Traytor The King with a strong Army fights the Conspirators near Shrewsbury where the King wins the day and the Prince marching against Glendor is forsaken by his Welch and dies of famine in the woods where he hid himself The Duke of Burgoyne attempts to regain Callicâ— in vain Presently another conspiracy is plotted detected and the Traytors executed Lastly the Earl of Northumberland and Lord Bardolph rebelled and are taken and beheaded Thus was King Henry's Reign a majesticall misery and a soveraignty of sorrow so having reigned 13. years and 6. months wanting 5 dayes he died and was royally buried at Canterbury The right noble Prince Henry the 4th King of England and Fraunce Lord of Ireland c. Who died at tâ—e age of 46 yeares in Anno 1413. after he had raigned 13 yeares 6 moneths and 4 dayes and lieth buried at Canterbury Was 't not enough thy Cousin's Crown to take And it a prey to thy ambition make But that his Bloud his Royall Bloud must be A Sacrifice too to thy jealousie
the 31 of August 1422. and crowned King of England at Westminster the 6. of Nouember 1429. and of Fraunce the 7 of December 1432. he reigned 38 yeres 6 monthes he died by violence May 21. aged 52. AnoÌ„ 1471. first buried at Chertsey Abbey thence remoued to Windsore wher he was solemhley interd R E. 〈◊〉 Mars begets Clineas Henry a Son That has lost more then all his Father won For he lost Normandy and France put to 't England and Ireland and his Life to boot Twice crown'd and twice depos'd at last he took Deaths fatall Errand from Yorks desperate Duke He was a Prince do Rebels what ye will Like Archimedes drawing Figures still Who not unlike some Gamesters I have seen Winning and losing still the same has been He was not Politick in the Worlds controle But he is wise enough that saves his Soul EDVVARD the Fourth King of England EDward Duke of York having overthrown the King and Queen and having overthrown and executed many of his greatest enemies at Towton field returned triumphantly to the City of London and was proclaimed King of this Realme the 4 of March 1461. and was crowned the 19. day of Iune then next following In the beginning of his Reigne he removed from all Offices all such as oppressed the people and to strengthen his part with powerfull and faithfull friends he creates his two brothers George Duke of Clarence and Richard Duke of Gloucester and Sr. Iohn Nevell brother to the Earl of Warwick he created Lord Montacute and Henry Bourchier who had married the Lady Elizabeth Aunt unto the King and was brother unto Thomas Bourchier Arch-bishop of Canterbury was created Earl of Essex and William Lord Fawcâ—nbridge was made Earl of Kent The Duke of Sommerset and Sr. Ralph Percy with divers others the Kings professed enemies finding no further hope for the house of Lancaster came voluntarily in and submitted to the King and were received to pardon and favour but hearing that the Queen by the assistance of the Scots had raised an Army they slank away and revolted to her and afterwards taken at the battel of Exham were executed The Lord Montacute to whose valour the fortune of that day was ascribed is created Marquess Montacute to whom and others Edward gave great gifts After this Henry is taken in a disguise and sent to the Tower Then Warwick is sent to the Duke of Savoy and prevails for a Match between Edward and Bona the Dukes daughter but Edward in the mean time marries Elizabeth the widow of Sr. Iohn Grey at which Warwick vexed calls to his part his two Brothers and Clarence the Kings Brother and the King at Banbury The King notwithstanding these evill tidings marched confidently against Warwick and his northern Rebels but to prevent mischief many of the Nobillity endeavoured to conclude a peace so that Letters and Heraulds of Armes passed from one Army to the other for both were glad of peace by means of this Parlee King Edward became more carelesse of himself then was fitting whereof when the Earl of Warwick was informed he with some other well appointed rushed into the Kings Army slew his watches and surprised the King in his bed and secretly sent him to Midleham Castle in York-shire there to be safely kept by the Arch-bishop of York his brother who either repenting him of what he had done against the King or being won by large promises of great favour and good rewards suffered him with his Guarders to hunt and hawk by means whereof he made his escape and got to London where between the King and the Rebels another Parlee was had in Westminster Hall in which nothing was done but objections of good deserts and unthankfull requitals were proudly and insultingly urged by the Earl of Warwick in conclusion they departed each from other in great fury the King went to Canterbury and the confederated Lords to Lincolne Armies are raised on both sides they fight and the King wins the field The Lords Clarence and Warwick fly to the King of France who honourably entertains them and aids them with all necessaries for the levying of another Army with which they fight and drive King Edward out of the Kingdome who by the help of the Duke of Burgoyne returns with a small Army into the City of York where he is received upon solemn Oath that he claimed nothing but the Dukedome of York and that he would work no Treason against King Henry now again re-established in his Throne but he presently forfeits his faith and raising another great Army beats Warwick recovers the Crown and re-imprisons King Henry who soon after was murdered by the bloody hands of Richard Duke of Gloucester The King having through much trouble obtained peace betakes himself to dalliance with Iane Shore in the mean while his brother Duke of Clarence is drowned in a Butt of Malmsey The Scots threaten Warre and Richard Duke of Gloucester is sent against them a Peace was procured and King Edward dyed having reigned two and twenty years and is buried at Windsor He was doubtlesse a brave Prince however the clearest day is not without some clouds his perjury at York when he swore to the Citizens he would claim nothing but that Dukedome which was his right by inheritance and that he would in no sort interrupt King Henry's peace all which he falsified which afterward his innocent Sonnes sadly suffered for His lustfull Embraces with Shores wife got him the envy of his owne who was a chast and vertuous Lady in whom he got a good Wife though many enemies and though unfortunate in her Sons yet in her Daughter is composed all the fewd of York and Lancaster The right noble Prince EDWARD the 4th King of England and Fraunce Lord of Ireland He raigned 22. yeares and 5 weekes Died at the age of 52 yeares buried at Windsor 1483. R. Elstracke sculpsit Now sixty years out York obtains the Crowne And Lancaster with all his friends puts down Betwixt which Houses while the difference stood Fell more then fourscore of the Noble Bloud For which but think how many thousands bled And you will Iudge the Roses both were Red. Warwick advances Edward to the Crown And in distast againe he pulls him down But Edward to the Duke of Burgoine flyes And with his aid and his own perjuries Reerowns himself for Kingdomes men will dare A thousand Oaths and count them solemne Aire EDVVARD the Fifth King of England EDward the Fourth being dead his Eldest Son Edward succeeded him but he in his Reign was under Governors Anthony Lord Rivers Thomas Wagham Chamberlain and Richard Grey Knights who being sent for by the Queens Letters came in hast to London with the Prince Then also Richard Duke of Gloucester being at York and hearing of the Kings Death came to London with a small Army and being mindfull to usurp the Kingdome he overtook the young King Edward on his way to London and takes him into his own charge
sending his Tutors Rivers Wagham and Grey to Pomfret Castle to be kept safe all whom by the Practise of the Lord Hastings he soon after caused to be put to death which thing known at London the Queen who well knew the perverse mind of Richard with her other son Richard and her daughters took Sanctuary at Westminster to secure themselves from Richards violence Richard in the mean time came to London with Edward and went to the Bishop of London's house to reside but he not content with Edwards being in his power that he might the more safely look to his businesse endeavors to get the other brother out of Sanctuary from his mother the Queen under a colour of comforting the Kings sorrowfull mind and drawing the Lords to his opinion he sent thither amongst others Thomas Arch-Bishop of Canterbury who with fair speeches mingled with threats brings the poor innocent Child from his Mothers arms When the Arch-bishop had delivered the child into the Protectors hands who with many other Lords attended the Queens answer in the Star-Chamber he before the whole Assembly took him in his Armes hugged him and kissed him again and again protesting upon his soul that no worldly thing his Majesty only excepted was so dear unto him as that young child when as indeed he meant nothing more than the destruction of them both and having brought him to the King who was infinitely joyed with his Company he within few dayes after conveyed them with princely Pomp and Attendance through the City of London to the Tower under the Pretence of an especiall care and Providence that they should there remain in safety untill the troubles of the Common-wealth were appeased and quieted whereas in truth nothing was out of order but himself and his confederacy When he had thus cooped up the King and his brother he draws Buckingham to his Treason but Hastings could not be won therefore he pretended he sought to take away his life with which he charged him to which after a long silence the Lord Hastings as most familiar with him made answer They that so trangress the Law deserve what punishment the Law can inflict upon them and all the Lords ascented thereunto Then quoth the Protector That Sorceress meaning the Queen and that Strumpet Shores wife have conspired together to take away my life by witchcraft and that you may be right well assured it is true Behold I pray you and see how their villany hath allready seized on my body for by it my left arm is already wasted and consumed and therewithall he struck up his sleeve and shew them his arme naked this did he impudently dare to do albeit all there present were well assured it was never otherwise from his mothers womb Moreover no man was so simple to beleeve that if the Queen had intended such a mischief she would have consorted with Shores wife above all other women she having been her husbands Concubine besides this they all knew that the Queen was religious temperate mild charitable and vertuous and not given to revenge The Lord Hastings who after King Edwards death conversed with Shores Wife using her as his concubine and but the same morning left her in his own bed being desirous if he could to appease the Protectors rage to her and in some sort being willing to excuse her replied thus My Lord If the Queen and she have so done and therewithall the Protectors rage waxing intemperate interrupted him thus Thou Traytor quoth he tellest thou me of Iff's and And 's I tell thee they have done it and as he spake those words he clapt his hand rudely upon the Table at the noise whereof the whole chamber was suddenly filled with armed men and one of them struck down the Lord Stanly with a Holbert and the Protector himself did arrest the Lord Hastings and charg'd him of high Treason in generall tearms and forthwith without any proceeding or judgment caused him to be carried out into the Green and his head upon a Logg to be chopped off and it is noted that this execution was done on him the same day and in the same Lawlesse manner that he had commanded to be done to Rivers Grey and Wagham Thus when this impious Protector had murdered those Lords that stood in his way he caused Doctor Shaw a man more learned than vertuous publickly in a Sermon at Pauls Crosse to blaze on his honourable birth and Parentage his valour his vertues and to inveigh against the deceased King for his lasciviousnesse with Shores wife to bastardize all his Children as born in adultery for that King Edward as he affirmed was solemnly contracted unto the Lady Elizabeth Lucie whom he got with child He also accused the Protectors own mother but Shaw was afterward so ashamed of his flattery that for very shame and grief he died soon after Then he sets Buckingham to deal with the City who with many Citizens come to Baynards Castle where the Protector was and chose him for their King desiring him to take the burden upon him which he oft-times refused but was perswaded at last to take it The picture of Edward the 5. who at the age of 13 yeares was deposed and cruelly murdered by the procurement of Richard Duke of Gloucester his vnnaturall vnkle when he had raigned 2. moneths and 11. dayes and obscurely buried in the Tower 1183. Edward the Fifth at thirteen years of Age Is sacrific'd unto his Vncles rage Whose thirst for honour not be withstood Could soarce be slak'd in a whole sea of bloud Poor pritty blossom how thy Fate I pitty Thus to be murther'd in thy Royall City That in the Tower thy soul should be sent hence That ought have been a Tower of thy defence How many mourning dayes did the Queen keep When eyes ne're saw thee could not choose but weep Sure this doth not with heavens direction sute To fell the Tree before we see the fruit RICHARD the Third King of England RIchard having gotten the Ensigns of the Kingdome forthwith Crowns himself and his Wife Anne but still fearing the Londoners he caused Iames Tyrrel to stifle the young King and his Brother which he did and obscurely buried them in the Tower The Childrens death was divulged Richard not being againâ—t it and it was wonderfull how great amazement seized on the minds of all men every one lamented the unhappinesse of the Children with much pity and now they began to say what hopes have we of him that spared not his own near kinsmen but shed their innocent bloud To say nothing of the Mother and her Daughters certainly the immortal God who will not suffer great sins to goe unpunished revenged on the innocent children the perjury of their father committed at York and the Death of the Duke of Clarence whom he wickedly suffered to be murdered But Buckingham Richards former friend now detesting his wickednesse conspires with the Bishop of Ely how to restore Henry Earl of Richmond to
Throne will o're his Nephews neck Although his own in the attempt he break What follow'd this Vsurper at the Helme A three years Curse on him and his whole Realme At last base fears impossibles foresees And to the Pope bends his unprincely knees In Swinstead Abbey death did him besiege In Sacramentall Masse Wassall my Liege Who pities him a safe estate that scorns And wounds his Temples with a Crowne of Thorns HENRY the Third King of England AFter the Death of King Iohn Henry his eldest Son about the age of nine years was Crowned King but not without some controversie of the Nobles some of the Nobility falling off to him who a little before had made a defection and swore to King Lewis Yet Lewis with an Army of twenty thousand men won many Towns till at last he came to the Castle at Lincolne which a certaine Noblewoman did bravely defend and caused him to stop and an Army of the English coming on in the mean time he was repulsed and conquered many of the English Nobility being taken that stood with him besides the Count of Perch that stood with him till the last preferring an honourable Death before a dishonourable Life Yet he did not despair but sent for more Forces out of France which were all almost destroyed in a Fight at Sea By these misfortunes he was forced to take Conditions of a hundred and five thousand Franks in respect of the charge he had been at he renouncing all right to the Kingdome of England And promising faithfully to prevaile with his father to restore all the Provinces in France belonging to the English The King restored to the rebellious Nobility all the Lands belonging to them And Lewis at Dover set Saile for France having warred unhappily in anothers Land Then a Parliament was summoned and Magna Charta ratified also the Court of Wards was revived and a Tax granted the King to Levy an Army under the Conduct of his Brother Richard for the recovery of his Rights in France The Parliament being ended the said Tax with great celerity is collected without any the lest grutch or contradiction so that the Kings Coffers were replenished with Gold and Silver and all requisites were carefully provided and a gallant Army of couragious men of War were assembled and safely transported With which Richard the Kings Brother did almost wonders subduing where he found resistance and seizing upon Lordships Forts Towns Castles and other defenced places quietly and without blowes no Head being made against him so that within few Months such was his valour and good Fortune he recovered both those Provinces wholly for the King and returned with much honour into England But the Kings absence from those Places gave opportunity to the French King to infest them which he unfriendly laid hold on and suddenly led a new Army into Poicters and easily made himself Lord thereof From thence marcht to Perigott and Alverne and other places in Guyan where he did the like But King Henry sent thither an other Army under the Conduct of his Brother Richard Earl of Cornwall with which he encountered the French and fought many sharp Battels in which for the most part his Fortune continued prosperous and all things seemed to promise him the recovering of whatever in his absence had been lost But in the height of all these broyles a friendly peace was concluded betwixt the two Kings and Richard returned safe into England This Richard Earl of Cornwall the Kings Brother at the suit of the Princes of Germany is elected King of the Romans but not long after being charged with insolence and oppression he was put out of the Office and returns to England a poor King that went out a rich Earle And now began those mischievous broyls and turmoyls in this Realm which until the Kings death daily vexed him more and more and the whole Kingdome also for the King lending too ready and pleasing an ear to lewd and evill Officers about him whom above all Officers he loved and favoured and by whose Counsell and advice both himself and his whole Kingdom was ruled and directed made little account of his best Subjects Love And took from them in divers things such Liberties as by the Lawes and Ordinances of this Kingdome they justly claimed and ought to have enjoyed He also pinched his people with many unnecessary and grievous Taxes which by those lewd and bold Officers were levied with much rigour and sharpness to their great distast The King also took to Wife Eleoner Daughter of Raymond Earle of Province whereby there grew no profit to his affairs but rather suffered great detriment by reason of her thread-bare and beggarly Family and her poor kindred flocking from all Parts as Crowes to the Prey which nevertheless were highly entertained by the King and enâ—icâ—t with money and placed in Offices of greatest honour and profit and the English â—hrust ouâ— aâ— which â—he Nobles stormed and the people every where much murmured But whilâ—â— the King goes about to overthrow his Subjects Rights which they labour to preserve all the Nobiliâ—y being offended at the promotion of strangers they enter into a Conspiracy The King calls a Paâ—liament The Nobility refuse to be present unless he would command the Bishop of Winchester Peter de Rupâ—bus and all his Gang to forsake the Court threatening withall that unless satisfaction were made to them they would depose the King and drive away all strangers his adherents and choose another King In fine both Sides King and Barons fall to Armes and with various success fight severall fierce and cruell Battels at length at the battel near Lewis after the fall of twenty thousand men The two Kings and the Prince with many Knights and Gentlemen of great account were all taken prisoners by the Barons Then a peace is concluded between them a Parliament being called the King confirmed the Government of the twelve Peers which by Hand and Seal he had assigned them in a former Parliament at Oxford called the Mad Parliament and Prince Edward who was Hostage for his Father is set at liberty But the Prince not enduring to see his Father thus a titular King raiseth a fresh Army and about Evesham near Worcester fights the Barons whom by reason of a mortall jarre between Leicester and Gloucester their two Generalls he overthrows Then the Kings call another Parliament and repeals and nulls all former Decrees touching the Authority of the twelve Peers and thus the King got again the staffe into his own hand by the vertue and valour of his princely son The King much incensed with the Londoners for taking part with the Barons could hardly be disswaded from burning the City but at last the Prince made their peace and after thâ—t marches with an Army to the Holy Land where the King dyes having reigned fifty six years HENRY the III. King of England Duke of Aquitane Earle of Poic tiers and Anjou Lord of Ireland He died at
a League concluded between England and Scotland and upon the discharge of some Scotch Lords Prisoners in the Tower of London a marriage was promised between Edward and the young Heir of Scotland which afterward was falsified and she married to the French King whereupon the Duke of Somerseâ— with a well provided Army enters Scotland and fought the Scots at Musselburgh and slew of them mâ—re than 14000 amongst whom besides the Lord Lohemore and the Lord Fleming fell almoâ—t all the young Nobillity of Scotland There were taken in fight Earl Huntley Chancellour of Scotland The Lords Hester Hobbey and Hamilton and 1500 more of good account possessing themselves of many strong Forts and Castles with abundant spoile and then betaking themselves homewards they not a little recreated the minds of the dejected Scots by their departure While these things thus fell out in Scotland there happened great alteration in the Ecclesiasticall State at home divers of the Kings Tutors being earnestly bent to a Reformation of Religion and especially the Lord Protector himself and it was therefore Resolved by the Kings Tutors and Counsell that whatsoever King Henry had enacted for the abrogating of the Popes authority should stand in full force and authority whereby the English Church became purged of Popery And what is very memorable the same day that Images and Superstition were thrown out of the Church news was brought of the great victory atchieved upon the Scots at Musselburgh The Popishly affected Stephen Gardiner and bloudy Bonner are committed to the Tower About this time fell out an unlucky difference betwixt the Protector and his Brother which proved the ruine of them both for they both lost their heads This Year Bishop Ridley preached before the King and in his Sermon took occasion to discourse of the necessity of Alms-deeds which the King earnestly attending and laying to heart sent for the Bishop after Sermon and entered into private communication with him causing him to set down in a chair and whether he would or not to put on his hat about relief The King to shew his wonderfull charity appointed severall Hospitalls to which he gave Lands to the value of 600 pounds per annum which had belonged to the Savoy and 4000 Marks a year in mony beside About the beginning of the next year the King fell into lingring sicknesse then into a Hectick Feaver whereof together with a consumption of the Lungs he died at length not without suspicion of poyson And now Northumberland began to devise how he might gain the Crown of England to his posterity he therefore imparts the businesse to the Duke of Suffolk requesting his eldest Daughter Iane to be given in marriage to his son Gilford Dudley then he takes upon him to perswade the King not only to disinherit his two sisters but also by Will to constitute his Cousin the Lady Iane Queen after him which accordingly the good King yeilded preferring the true worship of God before all naturall respects A few dayes before things were thus ordered King Edward not yet 16. years of age sent forth his blessed soul at Greenwich to wit the sixt day of Iuly when he had held the Kingdome under Governours six years five months and nineteen dayes shewing forth even in that tender age blossoms of vertue together with singular piety towards God constancy of mind love of right and an incredible study of Learning Not above three hours before he expired thinking no body had been by he uttered this Prayer Lord God deliver me out of this miserable and wreâ—ched life take me among thy chosen howbeit not my will but thy will be done Lord I commit my spirit to thee O Lord thou knowest how happy it were for me to be with thee yet for thy Chosens sake if it be thy will send me life and health that I may truly serve thee O my Lord blesse thy people and save thine inheritance O Lord God save thy chosen people of England O my Lord God defend this Realme from Papistry and maintain thy true Religion that I and my people may praise thy holy Name Soon after he cried out I faint I faint Lord have mercy upon me and take my spirit and so yielded up the Ghost The high and Mighty Monarch Edward the VI. by the grace of GOD King of Great Brittaine France and Ireland Defendor of the Earth etc To thee Great King it was a gain to dye Whose death was crown'd with immortality Nor does he erre whoever takes thee for Edward the Saint the Second Confessor Thou that in pious Paths so Even hast trod Art Enoch like translated by thy God Who as thy death does evidently show Lov'd thee too well to leave thee long below Whos 's every act the Vniverse convinces And is a pattern to succeeding Princes When thou of Popery didst the Temple purge Thy Scepter turn'd into thy Saviours scourge MARY Queene of England MARY so soon as she heard of her Brothers death posted to Framingham Castle in Suffolk to whom resorted divers Lords who had formerly compacted to preserve the Romish Religion Then she sent to the Senate of London that they should proclaim her Queen but the Lords in the name of all the people made answer That by the Testament of King Edward Iane was to succeed and they asserted that Maryes mother was divorced whereupon they fly to Arms. The Earl of Northumberland with a small Army marches against Mary but as he proceeds but slowly Maryes Forces increase mightily also Edward Hastings who was set with six Ships to prevent Maryes escape into France revolted to her by which losse the Lords and Londoners were not a little dismayed and grew at odds one with the other and the Londoners proclaimed Mary Queen and Northumberland when he was certain of his friends falling from him that he might not run the hazard alone calls a Counsell at Cambridge and himself for want of an Herauld proclaims Mary Queen of England c. casting his Cap up in token of joy But that did not at all help his Cause for the Earl of Arundell who a little before did not decline to venture his life for Iane now coming to Cambridge in Maryes name takes the Duke and Casts him into Prison he in vain intreating for his life Iane at the Command of the Duke of Suffolk her father when the Case was thus altered layes down the Ensigns of the Kingdome with much more cheerfullnesse then ever she took them up The Queen coming to London met her Sister Elizabeth with 1000 Horse and Thomas of Norfolk Edward Contener Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and Somersets Wife which she received into Grace giving them her hand to kisse Then entering upon the Church affairs she abollished those Bishops and Ceremonies that Edward had confirmed setting up others in their roome the people not a little offended at it and then she punished severely all those that were enemies to the Church of Rome In the interim