executed 1551. A Millers sonne fayning himselfe to be King Edward executed 1556. Foure Rebelles executed at Saint Edmundsburie 1557. The blessed protection of almighty God in preseruing the Lady Elizabeth in her manifold daungers and troubles The troubles of Lady Elizabeth in Queene Maries tyme. The historie of Lady Elizabeth Sir Richard Southwell Sir Edward Hastinges and Sir Thomas Cornwalles sent to fetch vp Lady Elizabeth The vnmannerlinesse of the Knights A straite Commission from the Queen to bring the Lady Elizabeth either quick or dead The gentlenesse of Queene Marie to send her horse Lytter to bring her Sister to trouble Lady Elizabeth taketh her iourney toward the Queene Lady Elizabeth brought vp to London Sir William Sentlowe cōmitted to the Tower Lady Elizabeth charged with Sir Thomas Wiats conspiracie Lady Elizabeth charged with the busines of Sir Peter Carew Lady Elizabeth threatned to goe to the Tower Lady Elizabeth purgeth her selfe to the Lordes Lady Elizabeths seruaunts remooued from her The Queenes men and women attendaunt vppon the Lady Elizabeth The hard dealing of a certaine Lord with the Lady Elizabeth The Earle of Sussex gentle to the Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth writeth to the Queene but it would not serue Lady Elizabeth sent to the Tower The wordes of Lady Elizabeth entring the Tower The christian prayer of Lady Elizabeth The Lord of Sussex speaketh for Lady Elizabeth The Bishop of Winchester enimie to Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth examined by the Bishop of Winchester The freendlie speech of the Earle of Arundel to Lady Elizabeth Sir Iames Acroft examined touching the Lady Elizabeth These were not the Officers of the Tower but such as went in white greene Lady Elizabeths seruaunts restrained from bringing her diet to the Tower Displeasure betweene the Lord Chamberlaine and the Lady Elizabeths men Lady Elizabeths wayting men in the Tower Variaunce betweene the Lord Chamberlaine Lady Elizabeths seruaunts Lady Elizabeth denied the lybertie of the Tower Lybertie graunted to Lady Elizabeth to walke in a garden Suspicious heads A young childe examined for bringing flowers to Lady Elizabeth The Constable of the Tower discharged of his Office and Sir Henrie Benifield with his cōpany placed about the Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth both in great feare and doubt of her lyfe Lady Elizabeth in doubt of Sir Henry Benifield Lady Elizabeths prayer Lady Elizabeth remooueth from the Tower to Woodstocke Lady Elizabeth secluded from her seruaunts Lady Elizabeth in dispayre of her selfe Lady Elizabeths Vsher talketh with the Lord of Tame The gentle heart of the Lord of Tame to Lady Elizabeth Tanquam ouis Like a sheepe to to the slaughter Lady Elizabeth honourablie receiued and beloued of the people The gentle entertainement of Lady Elizabeth at the Lord of Tames house Sir Henrie Benifield grudged at the gentle entertainement of Lady Elizabeth The rude and vngentle behauiour of Sir Henrie Benifield Lady Elizabeth commeth to Woodstocke The strait watch kept at Woodstocke A merie storie concerning the straite keeping of the Lady Elizabeth The straitnesse of Sir Henrie Benifield merily noted Lady Elizabeth with much adoo suffered to write to the Queene The cruell dealing of Sir Henrie Benifield to the Lady Elizabeth reproued The Letters of Lady Elizabeth carried to the Queene Doctor Owen Doctor Wendie Queene Maries Phisitions sent to Lady Elizabeth The popish Prelates repined against the Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth requested to submit her selfe to the Queene Councell of the Papists to marie the Lady Elizabeth to a Spaniard Wicked councell giuen against Lady Elizabeth Spaniardes more fauourable to Lady Elizabeth then some English men Lady Elizabeth in daunger of fyre Lady Elizabeth in daunger of kylling An other conspiracie of murder against Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth preserued by the Lordes prouidence from execution in the Tower Winchesters platforme ouerthrowne Verses written by Lady Elizabeth in the glasse windowe Lady Elizabeth not suffered to come to the Lord of Tames house Lady Elizabeth wisheth her selfe to be a Milke maide The Lord William Haward gentle and fauourable to Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth requested by Winchester to submit her selfe to the Queenes mercie Lady Elizabeth standeth to be tryed by the lawe Talke againe betweene Winchester and Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth denieth to confesse any fault doone to the Queene Lady Elizabeth sent for to the Queene Lady Elizabeth brought to the Queenes bed Chamber Talke betweene the Queene and Lady Elizabeth Small comfort at the Queens hand toward her Sister King Phillip thought to be a freend to Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth by Gods prouidence set at lybertie Sir Henrie Benifield discharged Mistresse Ashley sent to the Fleet. Three gentlewomen of Lady Elizabeths sent to the Tower Note the wonderfull working of the Lordes prouidence in sauing of Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth delyuered by the death of Stephen Gardiner How the Lord heere beganne to worke for Lady Elizabeth Lady Elizabeth proclaymed Queene the same day that Queene Marie died The Lord make England thankefull to him for his great benefites Consideration of the hardnesse of the time then and the cruell dealing against Lady Elizabeth Consideration of the wonderfull patience of Lady Elizabeth Consideration of the present helpe of God at all times to Lady Elizabeth Rebelles executed at Durham 1570. Rebelles executed at Yorke Rebelles executed at Berwicke The Nortons executed Conspiracie in Norfolke Iohn Felton executed in Paules Churchyard in London 1571. Doctour Storie executed at Tyborne 1572. Kenelme Barney Edward Mather and Henry Rolfe executed for treason The Duke of Norfolke condemned for high treason and beheaded on the Tower hyll The Earle of Northumberland beheaded at Yorke for high treason Iohn Hall and Oswald Wilkinson executed 1573. Thomas Woodhouse executed 1574. Cuthbert Mayne executed 1577. Iohn Nelson executed Thomas Sherwood executed 1578. William Lacie Kirkman executed at Yorke Euerard Haunse executed Edmund Campion Ralphe Sherwin and Alexander Briant executed 1581. Thomas Foord Iohn Shert and Robert Iohnson executed Luke Kirbie William Filbie Thomas Cottā and Lauraunce Richardson 1582. Iohn Slade and Iohn Body executed Edward Arden executed in Smithfield 1583. William Carter executed Haddock Fenne Hemerfoord Nutter and Mūden executed Frances Throckmorton executed 1584. God sharply scourgeth al traitours who practise any euyll against their Prince England hath beene greatly endaungered by traiterous practises The cause of an euyll cut off the effect can take no place No greater enimies to the safetie of England then Papists The common speech of Traytours at theyr death It is the duety of euerie good subiect to haue a speciall care of the safety of his Prince The first conclusion of such as hold al the Popes doctrine to be true The second conclusion of such as expect theyr Golden day The third conclusion of such as would ouerthrow theys Countrey for theyr Idolatrous Religion The fourth conclusion of such as can not be wun to loue her Maiestie The fift conclusion of the property of papistry The sixt conclusion of such Papistes as
Doctour of Diuinitie auouched that in the quarrell of King Richard who was deposed for his euill gouernement and was likewise dead he would fight against any man euen to the death for which traiterous wordes he was condemned drawne and hanged in his religious habite and wéede And not long after Sir Roger Claringdon Knight with him an Esquier and a Yeoman were beheaded and eight Gray Friers hanged and headed at London and two at Leicester all of them executed for trayterous wordes against the King Thomas Percy Earle of Worcester Sir Richard Vernon the Baron of Kinderton with diuers other rebellious persons put themselues in Armes against the King néere vnto Shrewesburie in a place called Olde Feeld alias Bull Feeld but the Earle of vvorcester the Baron of Kinderton and Sir Richard Vernon were taken and beheaded at Shrewesburie Henrie Percie Earle of Northumberland Richard Scrope Archbishop of Yorke Thomas Mowbray Earle Marshall Thomas Lord Bardolphe and other conspired against the King and caused the Cittizens of Yorke to take part with them in their rebellion but the Kinges power following them forced the Earle of Northumberland and the Lord Bardolphe to take their flight into Scotland but the Archbishop of Yorke and the Earle Marshall were taken and beheaded at Yorke A Squire of VVales named Rice ap Dee who had long tyme rebelled against the King was brought to London and there was drawne hanged and quartered In the raigne of King Henrie the fift THe King kéeping his Christmasse at his Manour of Eltham seuen miles from London was giuen to vnderstand that certaine had conspired against him eyther to haue taken or suddenlie haue slaine him and his brethren on Twelfth day at night wherevpon the King sent word to the Mayor of London that he should arrest all suspicious persons The Maior foorthwith caused euery Alderman in his Warde to kéepe great watch and about ten of the clock at night went himselfe with a strong power to the signe of the Axe without Bishops gate where he apprehended the man of the house named Iohn Burgate Carpenter and seuen other and sent them to Eltham where they confessed before the King that they were confederat with Sir Iohn Oldcastel to fight against him and his Lords in S. Gyles Féeld aboue Holbourne On the morrowe after Twelfth day the King remooued priuilie to UUestminster and with a great Armie kept the Féeld by Saint Gyles for he was warned that Sir Iohn Oldcastell and Sir Roger Acton would be in the same Féeld on the next daye following with fiue twentie thousand people and the same night were taken more then foure score men in Armour of the same faction Also the King being tolde of an Ambushment in Harengay Parke sent thither certaine Lordes who tooke many of them among whome was one VVilliam Murle a ritch Mault man or Brewer of Dunstable who had his two horsses trapped with golde following him and a payre of gylt Spurres in his bosome for he thought to haue béene made Knight on the morrowe The twelfth day of Ianuarie thrée score and nine of them were condemned of treason at VVestminster and on the morrowe after seuen and thirtie of them were drawne from the Tower of London to Newgate and so to Saint Gyles and there in a place called Fickettes féeld were all hanged and seuen of them burnt gallowes and all The ninetenth day of Ianuarie were drawne and hanged Sir Iohn Beuerley Priest Iohn Burgate Carpenter a text writer in Saint Iohns stréete and a Glouer on London Bridge and shortlie after Sir Roger Acton Knight was taken who on the tenth of Februarie was drawne hanged and buried vnder the gallowes On the last of Iulie was discouered a great conspiracie against the King by thrée Lordes in whome aboue all the rest he reposed greatest trust and confidence the chéefest of them was Henrie Scrope Lord Treasorer the second was Richard Earle of Cambridge brother to Edwarde Duke of Yorke and the third was Sir Thomas Grey a Knight of the North. These thrée had caused Edmund Earle of March to sweare vppon a Booke not to disclose their councell and then they tolde him that they intended to kyll the King and to make the saide Edmund King the which if he refused to take vpon him they would likewise kyll him The Earle prayed them to giue him one houres space to take aduisement what he were best to doo which being graunted him the Earle went secretlie and told the King thereof who caused them foorthwith to be apprehended and brought before him where they confessed the treason for the which on the sixt of August they were arreigned in the Kinges presence and the same day all thrée beheaded The Earle was buried head and all but the other two headdes were sent the one to Yorke and the other to New Castell vpon Tine to be set vp Iohn Bennet Woolman who had scattered about London diuers Scedules full of sedition was drawne hanged and beheaded on Michaelmas daye and the eight daye of October a Parchment-maker of Trylmell stréete was drawne hanged and headed for harbouring Sir Iohn Oldcastell contrarie to the Kinges commaundement In the raigne of King Henrie the sixt AT Abington were gathered together a great many of lewde and rebellious persons who sought to make a great vprore in the Realme but the Lord Protector rode thether with his company and arrested there the Bayliffe of the Towne named William Mandeuill a Weauer who was appointed for their Captaine and he had named himselfe Iacke Sharpe of Wigmers Lande in Wales When he was examined he confessed that he meant to haue doone many mischéefes especiallie against Priests so that he would haue made their heads as cheape as Shéepes heads that is to saye thrée for a penny or as some write ten for a penny he was drawne hanged and headed at Abington and his head was sent to London and set on the Bridge the rest of his company were executed in diuers other places for example to other The thirtéenth day of Iulie following one Richard Russell Wooll-man was drawne hanged and quartered for that he would haue made Dukes and Carles at his owne pleasure Roger Bolingbrooke a great Astronomer with Thomas Southwell a Chanon of Saint Stephens Chappell at VVestminster were taken as conspiratours of the Kinges death for it was saide that the same Roger should labour to consume the Kinges person by waye of Necromancie and the saide Thomas should say Masses in the Lodge of Harnesey Parke beside London vppon certaine Instruments with the which the saide Roger should vse his craft of Necromancie against the Faith and was assenting to the saide Roger in all his workes And the fiue and twentie day of Iulie being Sunday Roger Bolingbrooke with all his Instruments of Necromancie that is to say a painted Chayre wherein he was wunt to sit vpon the fowre corners of which Chayre stoode fowre swordes and vpon
what he meant to vse her so vncomfortablie séeing she tooke him to be her comforter and not to dismay her especiallie for that she knewe her trueth to be such that no man should haue cause to wéepe for her but foorth she went into the prison The doores were locked and bolted vpon her which did not a little discomfort and dismay her Grace at what time she called to her gentlewoman for her Booke Desiring God not to suffer her to build her foundation vpon the sandes but vpon the rocke whereby all blastes of blustring weather should haue no power against her The doores being thus locked and she close shut vp the Lordes had great conference how to kéepe warde and watch euerie man declaring his opinion in that behalfe agréeing straitlie and circumspectlie to kéepe her Then one of them which was the Lord of Sussex swearing saide My Lordes let vs take héede and doo no more then our Commission will beare vs whatsoeuer shall happen héereafter And further let vs consider that she was the King our Maisters Daughter and therefore let vs vse such dealing that we may aunswere vnto it heereafter if it shall so happen for iust dealing quoth he is alwaies aunswerable Wherevnto the other Lordes agreede that it was well saide of him and therevpon departed Being in the Tower within two daies commaundement was that she should haue Masse within her house one Maister Young was then her Chaplaine and because there was none of her men so well learned to helpe the Priest to saye Masse the Masse staied for that day The next day two of her Yeomen who had gone long to schoole before and were learned had two Abcies prouided and deliuered them so that vpon the Abcies they should helpe the Priest One of the saide Yeomen holding the Abcie in his hand pretending ignoraunce at Kirieleyson set the Priest making as though he could aunswer no furder It would make a pittifull and a straunge storie héere by the way to touch and recite what examinations and rackinges of poore men there were to finde out that knife that should cut her throat what gaping among my Lords of the Clergie to sée the day when they might wash their goodlie white Rochets in her innocent blood But especiallie the Bishop of Winchester Stephen Gardiner then Lord Chaūcellour ruler of the roste who then within fewe dayes after came vnto her with diuers other of the Councell and examined her of the talke that was at Ashridge betwixt her and Sir Iames Acroft concerning her remoouing from thence to Dunnington Castell requiring her to declare what she meant thereby At the first she being so suddenlie asked did not wel remember any such house but within a while well aduising her selfe she said In deede quoth she I doo now remember that I haue such a Place but I neuer lay in it in all my life and as for any that hath mooued me therevnto I doo not remember Then to enforce the matter they brought foorth Sir Iames Acroft the Bishop of Winchester demaunded of her what she saide to that man She aunswered that she had little to say to him or to y e rest that were then prisoners in the Tower But my Lords quoth she you doo examine euerie meane prisoner of me wherein me thinkes you doo me great iniurie If they haue doone euill offended the Quéenes Maiestie let them aunswer to it accordingly I beseech you my Lords ioine not me in this sort with any of these offendours And as concerning my going to Dunnington Castell I doo remember that Maister Hobby and mine Officers and you Sir Iames Acroft had such talke but what is that to she purpose my Lords but that I may go to mine owne houses at all times The Lord of Arundel knéeling downe saide Your Grace sayth true and certainlie we are verie sorie that we haue so troubled you about so vaine matters She then saide My Lords you doo sift me verie narowly but well I am assured you shall doo no more to me then God hath appointed and so God forgiue you all At their departure Sir Iames Acroft knéeled downe declaring that he was verie sorie to sée the daye in which he should be brought as a witnesse against her Grace But I assure your Grace said he I haue béene meruailouslie tossed and examined touching your Highnesse which the Lord knoweth is very straunge to me For I take God to record before all your Honours I doo not knowe any thing of that crime that you haue laide to my charge and will thervpon take my death if I should be driuen to so straite a triall That day or there about diuers of her owne Officers who had made prouision for her diet brought the same to the vtter gate of the Tower the common rasall soldiours receiuing it which was no small gréefe to the gentlemen the bringers therof wherfore they required to speake with the Lord Chamberlaine being then Constable of the Tower Who comming before his presence declared vnto his Lordship that they were much afraid to bring her Graces diet and deliuer it to such common desperate persons as they were which did receiue it beséeching his Honour to consider her Grace and to giue such order that her viands might at all times be brought in by them which were appointed therevnto Yea Sirs saide he who appointed you this office They aunswered her Graces Councel Councel quoth he There is none of them whith hath to doo either in that case or any els within this place and I assure you for that she is a prisoner she shalbe serued with the Lieuetenaunts men as other prisoners are Whereat the gentlemen saide that they trusted for more fauour at his hands considering her personage saying that they mistrusted not but that the Queene her Councell would be better to her Grace then so and therewith shewed themselues to be offended at the vngratefull words of the Lord Chamberlaine towards their Lady and Mistresse At this he swore by God striking himselfe vpon the breast that if they did either frowne or shrug at him he would set them where they should sée neither Sunne nor Moone Thus taking their leaue they desired God to bring him into a better minde towards her Grace and departed from him Upon occasion whereof her Graces Officers made great sute vnto the Queenes Councell that some might be appointed to bring her diet vnto her and that it might no more be deliuered vnto the common soldiours of the Tower Which being reasonablie considered was by them graunted and therevppon were appointed one of her Gentlemen her Clerke of her Kitchin and her two Purueiours to bring in her prouision once a day all which was doone the warders euer waiting vpon the bringers thereof The Lord Chamberlaine himselfe being alwaies with them circumspectlie and narrowlie watched and searched what they brought gaue héede that they should haue no talke with any of
Lordes Knightes and other to the number of thrée score and fiue were taken All these were condemned by the iudgement of Andrew Herkeley Earle of Carlile and on the two and twentie of March following Thomas Earle of Lancaster was beheaded and Warin de Lile William Tochet Thomas Manduit Henrie Bradbourne William Fitzwilliam the younger and William de Cheyney Barons were hanged and quartered at Pomfret Iohn Mowbray Roger Clifford and Goceline Deynvile were drawne and quartered at Yorke Bartholmew Badlesmere at Canterburie Henrie de Mountfort and Henrie Willington at Bristow Iohn Clifford and Roger Elinbrough at Glocester William Kerdife and Henrie Chies at London Frances de Aldham at VVindsore Thomas Culpeper at VVinchelsea The rest of their complices were bestowed in diuers prisons Andrew Herkeley Earle of Carlile vnder colour of peace feigned a mariage which by the King his Nobles was reputed for Treason wherevpon he was apprehended by his trustie fréend Sir Anthonie de Lucy and afterward was disgraded of the Earledome by the taking the swoord from him and cutting off his spurres then was he hanged and quartred at Carlile his head being sent to London and his quarters to foure partes of the land Hugh Spencer the elder and Hugh Spencer his sonne were verie troublesome persons to the Realme and caused many seditious treasons to arise daily but the Father was taken at Bristowe where he was drawne to the Gallowes in his Armour and so hanged then was he taken downe and beheaded and his body hanged vp againe and after foure daies his body was cutte in péeces and cast to the Dogges to be eaten but his head was sent to Winchester Hugh Spencer his sonne was brought to Hereforde where he was condemned without aunswere and was drawne and hanged vpon a paire of Gallowes thirtie foote hie and afterward was headed and quartered Simon Reading and Robert Baldocke Bishoppe of Norvvich and the Kinges Chauncelour who were pertakers with them in their traiterous rebellions the saide Simon Reading was drawne and hanged on the same Gallowes but ten foote lower and Robert Baldocke died in Newgate with many tormentes And many of their confederates were executed in other places so that but fewe of them escaped without punishment In the raygne of King Edward the thirde ROger Mortimer for consenting to the murthering of the Kings Father and many other notorious treasons was condemned at VVestminster in the presence of the whole Parliament and afterward was drawne to the Elmes and hanged on the common Gallowes where he hanged two dayes and two nightes by the Kinges commaundement there were hanged with him Sir Simon de Burford Knight Sir William Burford that was Iustice and Iohn Deuerel Esquier who was desirous to haue made open confession of the Kinges Fathers cruell death but he could not be suffered The Londoners sought to kill Iohn of Gaunt the Kings Sonne Duke of Lancaster for a word which he had spoken against their Bishoppe wherevpon the King deposed the Mayor and Aldermen of London and appointed other in their places and Sir Iohn Minsterwoorth Knight with others were drawne and hanged for the same In the raigne of King Richard the seconde BY the wicked perswasions of Iohn Ball a seditious Préest the Commons of Kent and Essex rebelled against the King chusing for their Captaines in their rebellion Watte Tiler and Iacke Strawe They came to Blacke Heath and so on to London and entred the Cittie on Corpus Christi day where they destroyed many goodly places of the Nobles and others as the Sauoy Saint Iohns by Smithféeld the Manour of Highburie by Yseldon and the Temple where the Prentises of the Lawe were lodged for the increase of their Studie They tooke out of the Tower of London where the King was then lodged Simon Sudburie Archbishop of Canterburie Lord Chauncelour of England Robert Halles Priour of Saint Iohns and Treasorer of England William Apelton a Frier Minor the Kinges Confessour and Iohn Legge a Seriant of the Kinges and beheaded them all on the Tower Hyll They beheaded diuers other in many places as Sir Iohn Cauendishe Lord chéefe Iustice of England the Priour of S. Edmundes-burie and other Richard Lions a famous Lapidary of London was drawne out of his house and beheaded in Chepe They beheaded all men of Lawe as well Prentises and vtter Barresters as Iustices and all Iurers that they might get into their hands They spared none whome they thought to be learned were it neuer so lyttle especiallie if they found any to haue pen and inke they pulled off his hoode and cried out all with one voice hale him into the stréetes and cut off his head The King to pacifie their furie offered them peace on condition they would cease from burning of houses and slaughter of men which the Essex men tooke and returned home but the Kentish men remained burning and killing styll as before Wherevpon the King sendeth Sir Iohn Newton Knight to Wat Tiler their Captaine to intreate him to come talke with him about his owne demaundes the Knight hauing doone his message Wat Tiler mallepartlie aunswered that he would come at his owne pleasure neuerthelesse he followed softlie after the Knight and when he came néere Smithféeld where the King tarried his comming the same Knight was sent againe to méet him and vnderstand his requests Wat Tiler séeing the Knight come néere vnto him on horse backe proudlie saide it had become him better to be on foote in his presence the Knight aunswered that it was no harme sith himselfe was also on horsebacke therewith Wat Tiler drew his Dagger and offering to strike called the Knight Traiteur wherevpon the Knight drew his dagger too and aunswered him that he lyed The King séeing the Knight in daunger commaunded him to alight on foote and to deliuer his Dagger to Watte Tyler whose proude minde would not be so pacified but would néedes run on the Knight wherevppon there came to the King William Walwoorth the Mayor of London and many other Knightes and Esquiers who affirmed that it would be a shamefull reproch if they should suffer the Knight to be murdred At last the King commaunded the Mayor to arrest the Rebell which Mayor being a man of verie valiaunt courage arrested Wat Tyler on the head with such a mighty stroke as he caused him to fall downe greatly astonied then a number more enuironed the Rebell round about and gaue him so many woundes as he had no life left in him c. Iacke Strawe being likewise taken when at London he should lose his head by the iudgement of the Maior confessed as followeth The same time sayth he that we came to Black Heath when we sent for the King we purposed to haue murdred all Knightes Esquiers and Gentlemen that should haue come with him and to haue led the King royallie vsed vp and downe that with the sight of him all men especiallie the common people might
is by and by going to the place that they all preach of But this shall I desire you to remember that the one part of you is of my blood the other of my alyes and eche of you with other either of kindred or affinitie which Spirituall kindred of affinitie if the Sacraments of Christes Church beare that weight with vs as would God they did should no lesse mooue vs to charitie then the respect of fleshly consanguinitie Our Lord forbid that you loue together the wurse for the selfe cause you ought to loue the better and yet it happeneth and no where finde we so deadlie debate as among them who by nature and lawe ought most to agrée together Such a pestilent Serpent is ambition and desire of vaineglorie and soueraigntie which among States where he once entreth créepeth so farre foorth till with deuision and variaunce he turneth all to mischéefe first longing to be best afterward equall with the best and at last chéefe aboue the best Of which immoderate appetite of worship and thereby of debate and discention what losse what sorrowe what trouble hath within these fewe yéeres growne in this Realme I praye God as well forgette as we well remember which thinges if I could as well haue foreséen as I haue with my more paine then pleasure prooued by Gods blessed Lady for that was euer his oath I would neuer haue wunne the courtesie of mennes knées with the losse of so many heads But séeing thinges past cannot be called againe much ought we the more beware by what occasion we haue taken so great hurt before that we est soones fall not in that occasion againe Nowe is all these gréefes past and all is God be thanked quiet and likely right well to prosper in wealthfull peace vnder your Couzins my children if God send them life and you loue of which two thinges the lesse losse were they by whome though God did his pleasure yet should the Realme alway finde Kinges and peraduenture as good Kinges But if you among your selues in a Childes raigne fall at debate many a good man shall perishe and happilie he too ere this Land finde peace againe Wherefore in these last wordes that euer I looke to speake with you I exhort you and require you all for the loue that you haue euer borne to me for the loue that I haue euer borne to you for the loue that our Lord beareth vnto vs all from this time foreward all gréefes forgotten eche of you loue other which I verilie trust you will if you any thing regard either God or your King affinitie or kindred this Realme your owne Countrie or your owne suretie And therewithall the King enduring no longer to sitte vp laide him downe on his right side his face towardes them and none was there present that could refraine from wéeping But the Lordes recomforting him with as good wordes as they could and aunswering for the time as they thought to stand with his pleasure there in his presence as by their wordes appeared eche forgaue other and ioyned their handes together when as it after appeared by their déedes their heartes were farre a sunder The young King after the decease of his Father came towardes London when the Duke of Glocester his Unckle began greatlie to thirst for the kingdome and wexed very enuious that so young a Prince should reigne whervpon he depriued the young King of them that were néerest about him and whome he thought would hinder his aspiring minde First Sir Anthonie Wooduile Lord Riuers and brother to the Quéene who had the gouernaunce and ordering of the young King he caused to put him in duraunce and afterward euen in the Kinges presence he procured a quarrell to be picked with the Lord Richard Grey the Kings other Brother by the Mother and arrested him and Sir Thomas Vaughan Knight and so farre procéeded he in his determination by the aide of the Duke of Buckingham and others as the Lord Riuers the Lord Grey Sir Thomas Vaughan were sent into the North partes to sundrie prisons but afterward were all beheaded at Pomfret Then did he take vpon him the gouernance of the young King and was called the Lord Protectour when hauing the King in his custodie he could not be yet contented except he had the other brother too and therefore by meanes of the Lord Cardinall he preuailed in his purpose and brought the other Childe to the King his Brother into the Bishops Pallace at Paules and from thence through the Cittie honourablie into the Tower out of the which after that day they neuer came abroade When the Protector had both the Children thus in his custody he opened his intent more boldly both to certaine other men as also chéefelie to the Duke of Buckingham that he would néedes be King himselfe in all the haste and he should haue the Dukes aide to make him King besides the Protectors onelie lawfull Sonne should marie the Dukes daughter and that the Protectour should graunt him the quiet possession of the Earledome of Hertforde and beside these requestes of the Duke the Protectour promised him of his owne minde a great quantitie of the Kings Treasure and of his houshold stuffe In bréefe the Protectour taketh vpon him to be King and so preuailed that he was crowned King but when he remembred that his two Nephewes were liuing in the Tower and one of them the right King in déede he perswaded himselfe as verie well he might that men would account him to haue no right to the Realme therefore he thought to dispatch them out of the way as though the killing of his kinsemen could amend his cause make him a kindlie King Upon this he sent one Iohn Greene whome he specially trusted to Sir Robert Brakenburie Constable of the Tower with a letter credence also that the same Sir Robert should in any wise put the two Chyldren to death but when Iohn Greene had doone his errand to Sir Robert he plainlie aunswered that by no meanes he would put them to death When King Richard perceyued he could not preuaile that way he brake the matter to Sir Iames Tirrell whome he found verie tractable to his intent wherefore he sent him on the morrowe with a Letter to Sir Robert Brakenburie by which Letter he was commaunded to delyuer to Sir Iames all the keies of the Tower for one night to the ende he might there accomplish the Kinges pleasure in such thinges as he had giuen him commaundement After which Letter deliuered and the keies receiued Sir Iames appointed the night ensuing to destroy the two young Princes deuising before and preparing the meanes The Prince so soone as the Protectour had lefte that name and tooke vpon himselfe to be King was thereof infourmed that he should not reigne but his Unckle would haue the Crowne At which wordes the Prince being greatlie abashed fetching a heauie sigh saide Alas I would mine
found with the Almightie who when all helpe of man and hope of recouerie was past stretched out his mightie protection and preserued her Highnes and placed her in this Princelie seate of rest and quietnesse wherin now she sitteth and long may she sit the Lord of his glorious mercie graunt we beséech him In which storie if I should set foorth at large and at full all the particulers and circumstaunces therevnto belonging and as iust occasion of the historie requireth besides the importunate length of the storie discoursed peraduenture it might mooue offence to some being yet aliue and trueth might gette me hatred Yet notwithstanding I intend by the grace of Christe therein to vse such breuitie and moderation as both may be to the glorie of God the discharge of the storie the profite of the Reader and hurt to none suppressing the names of some whome héere although I could receite yet I thought not to be more cruell in hurting their name then the Quéene hath béene mercifull in pardoning their liues Therefore now to enter into the discourse of this tragicall matter first héere is to be noted that Quéene Marie when she was first Quéen before she was crowned would goe no whether but would haue her by the hand and send for her to dinner and supper but after she was crowned she neuer dined nor supped with her but kept her aloofe from her c. After this it happened immediatly vpon the rising of Sir Thomas Wiat that the Ladie Elizabeth and the Lord Courtney were charged with false suspition of Sir Thomas Wiats rising Wherevpon Quéene Marie whether for that surmise or for what other cause I knowe not being offended with the Ladie Elizabeth her Sister at that time lying in her house at Ashridge the next daye after the rising of Wiat sent to her thrée of her Counsaylours to wit Sir Richard Southwell Sir Edward Hastings then Maister of the Horse and Sir Thomas Cornewalles with their retinue and troupe of Horsemen to the number of two hundred and fiftie Who at their suddaine and vnprouided comming found her at the same time sore sicke in her bedde and verie weake féeble of body Whether when they came ascending vp to her Graces priuie Chamber they willed one of her Ladies whome they met to declare vnto her Grace that there were certaine come from the Court which had a message from the Quéene Her Grace hauing knowledge thereof was right glad of their comming howbeit being then verie sicke and the night farre spent which was at ten of the clock she requested them by the messenger that they would resort thither in the morning To this they aunswered and by the same messenger sent word againe that they must néedes sée her would so doo in what case so euer she were Wherat the Lady being agast went to shew her Grace their wordes but they hastilie following her came rushing as soone as she into her Graces chamber vnbidden At whose so sudden comming into her chamber her Grace being not a litle amazed saide vnto them Is the haste such that it might not haue pleased you to come to morrowe in the morning They made answer that they were right sorie to sée her in that case And I quoth she am not glad to sée you héere at this time of the night Whervnto they answered that they came from the Quéene to doo their message duety which was to this effect that the Quéenes pleasure was that she should be at London the seuenth day of that present month Wherevnto she saide Certes no creature more glad then I to come to her Maiestie being right sorie that I am not in case at this time to waite on her as you your selues doo sée and can well testifie In déed we sée it true quoth they that you doo say for which we are verie sorie Albeit we let you vnderstand that our Commission is such and so strayneth vs that we must néedes bring you with vs either quicke or dead Whereat she being amazed sorrowfullie saide that their Commission was verie sore but yet notwithstanding she hoped it to be otherwise not so straite Yes verelie said they Whervpon they called for two Phisitions Doctor Owen and Doctor Wendie and demaūded of them whether she might be remooued from thence with life or no. Whose aunswer and iudgement was that there was no impediment to their iudgement to the contrarie but that she might trauaile without daunger of life In conclusion they willed her to prepare against the morning at nine of the clocke to goe with them declaring that they had brought with them the Quéenes Litter for her After much talke the messengers declaring how there was no prolonging of times and daies so departed to their Chamber being entertained and chéered as appertained to their worshippes On the next morrowe at the time prescribed they had her foorth as she was verie faint and féeble and in such case that she was ready to swound thrée or foure times betwéene them What should I speake héere that cannot well be expressed What an heauie house there was to behold the vnreuerent and dolefull dealing of these men but especially the carefull feare and captiuity of their innocent Ladie and Mistresse Now to procéede in her iourney from Ashridge all sicke in a Litter she came to Redborne where she was garded all night From thence to S. Albones to Sir Ralphe Rowlets house where she taried that night both féeble in body and comfortles in minde From that place they passed to Maister Doddes house at Mymmes where also they remained that night and so from thence she came to Highgate where she being verie sicke taried that night and the next day During which time of her abode there came many Pursuiuants Messengers from the Court but for what purpose I cannot tell From that place she was conueied to the Court where by the way came to méete her many Gentlemen to accompany her Highnesse which were verie sorie to sée her in that case but especiallie a great multitude of people there were standing by the way who then flocking about her Litter lamented and bewailed greatlie her estate Now when she came to the Court her Grace was there straite waies shut vp and kept as close prisoner a fortnight which was till Palme Sundaie séeing neither King nor Quéene nor Lord nor fréend all that time but onelie then the Lord Chamberlaine Sir Iohn Gage the Uicechamberlaine who were attendaunt vnto the doores About which time Sir William Sentlowe was called before the Councel to whose charge was laide that he knew of Wiats rebellion Which he stoutlie denied protesting that he was a true man both to God and his Prince defying all Traitours and Rebelles but being straitly examined he was in conclusion committed to the Tower The Friday before Palme Sunday the Bishoppe of Winchester with ninetéene other of the Councel who shall be héere namelesse
her Graces waiting seruaunts and so warded them both in and out At the saide sute of her Officers were sent by the commaundement of the Councell to waite vppon her Grace two Yeomen of her Chamber one of her Robes two of her Pantrie and Ewrie one of her Buttry an other of her Seller two of her Kitchin and one of her Larder all which continued with her the time of her trouble Heere the Constable being at the first not verie well pleased with the comming in of such a company against his will would haue had his men to haue serued still with her Graces men which her seruaunts at no hand would suffer desiring his Lordship to be contented for that order was taken that no stranger should come within their Offices At which aunswer being sore displeased he brake out into these threatning words Well saide he I wil handle ye well enough Then went he into the Kitchin and there would néedes haue his meat rosted with her Graces meat and saide that his Cooke should come thither and dresse it To that her Graces Cooke aunswered My Lord I will neuer suffer any straunger to come about her diet but her owne sworne men so long as I liue He saide they should But the Cooke saide his Lordshippe should pardon him for that matter Thus did he trouble her poore seruaunts very stoutlie though afterwardes he were otherwise aduised they more courteouslie vsed at his hands And good cause why for he had good chéere fared of the best her Grace paid wel for it wherfore he vsed himselfe afterward more reuerentlie toward her Grace After this sort hauing béen a whole moneth there in close prison and being verie euill at ease therewithall she sent for the Lord Chamberlaine and the Lord Shandoyes to come speake with her Who comming she requested of them that she might haue libertie to walke in some place for that she felt her selfe not well To the which they aunswered that they were right sory that they could not satisfie her Graces request for that they had commaundement to the contrarie which they durst not in any wise breake Furthermore she desired of them if that could not be graunted that she might walke but into the Quéenes lodging No nor yet that they aunswered could by any meanes be obtained without a furder sute to the Quéene and her Councell Well saide she my Lordes if the matter be so hard that they must be sued vnto for so small a thing and that fréendshippe be so straite God comfort me and so they departed she remaining in her olde dungeon still without any kinde of comfort but onelie God The next day after the Lord Shandoyes came againe vnto her Grace declaring vnto her that he had sued vnto the Councell for furder libertie Some of them consented thervnto diuers other dissented for that there were so many prisoners in the Tower But in conclusion they did all agrée that her Grace might walke into those lodginges so that he the Lord Chamberlaine and thrée of the Quéenes gentlewomen did accompany her the windowes being shutte and she not suffred to looke out at any of them wherewith she contented her selfe and gaue him thankes for his good will in that behalfe Afterwardes there was libertie graunted to her Grace to walke in a little garden the doores and gates being shutte vp which notwithstanding was as much discomfort vnto her as the walke in the garden was pleasant and acceptable At which times of her walking there the prisoners on that side were straightlie commaunded not to speake or looke out at the windowes into the garden till her Grace were gone out againe hauing in consideration therof their kéepers waiting vppon them for that time Thus her Grace with this small libertie contented her selfe in God to whome be praise therefore During this time there vsed a little boie a mans childe in the Tower to resort to their chambers and many times to bring her Grace flowers which likewise he did to the other prisoners that were there Wherevpon naughtie and suspicious heads thinking to make wring out some matter thereof called on a time the childe vnto them promising him Figges and Apples and asking of him when he had béene with the Earle of Deuonshiere not ignorant of the childes wunted frequenting vnto him The boye aunswered that he would goe by and by thether Further they demaunded of him when he was with the Lady Elizabethes Grace He aunswered euerie day Furthermore they demaunded of him What the Lord of Deuonshiere sent by him to her Grace The childe said I will goe know what he will giue me to carrie to her Such was the discretion of the child being yet but foure yéeres of age This same is a craftie boie quoth the Lord Chamberlaine How say you my Lord Shandoyes I praie you my Lord quoth the boie giue me the Figges you promised me No marie quoth he thou shalt be wipped if thou come any more to the Lady Elizabeth or to the Lord Courtney The boie aunswered I will bring my Lady my Mistresse more flowers Whervpon the childes father was commaunded to permitte the boie no more to come vp into their chambers The next day as her Grace was walking in the garden the childe péeping in at a little hole in the doore cried vnto her saying Mistresse I can bring you no more flowers Whereat she smiled but saide nothing vnderstanding thereby what they had doone Wherefore afterwards the L. Chamberlaine rebuked highlie his Father cōmaunding him to put him out of the house Alas poore Infaunt quoth the Father It is a craftie knaue quoth the Lord Chamberlaine but let me sée him héere no more The fift day of Maie the Constable was discharged of his Office of the Tower and one Sir Henrie Benifield placed in his roome a man vnknowne to her Grace and therefore the more feared which so sudden mutation was vnto her no little amaze He brought with him an hundred Soldiours in blew coates wherewith she was meruailouslie discomforted and demaunded of such as were about her whether the Ladie Ianes Scaffold were taken away or no fearing by reason of their comming least she should haue plaied her part To whome aunswere was made that the Scaffold was taken away and that her Grace néeded not to doubt of any such tirannie for God would not suffer any such treason against her person Wherewith being contented but not altogether satisfied she asked what Sir Henrie Benifield was And whether he were of the conscience or no that if her murdering were secretlie committed to his charge he would sée the execution thereof She was aunswered that they were ignorant what manner of man he was howbeit they perswaded her that God would not suffer such wickednesse to procéede Well quoth she God graunt it be so for thou O God canst mollifie all such tirannous hearts and disappoint all such cruell purposes And I
beséech thée to heare me thy creature which am thy seruaunt and at thy commaundement trusting by thy grace euer so to remaine About which time it was spread abroade that her Grace should be carried from thence by this new iollie Captaine and his Soldiours but whether it could not be learned which was vnto her a great gréefe especiallie for that such a companie was appointed to her garde requesting rather to continue there still then to be led thence with such a sort of rascalles At last plaine aunswere was made by the Lord Shandoyes that there was no remedie but from thence she must néeds depart to the Manour of Woodstocke as he thought Being demaunded of her for what cause for that quoth he the Tower is like further to be furnished She being destrous to know what he meant thereby demaunded wherwith with such matter as the Quéene and the Councell were determined in that behalfe wherof he had no knowledge and so departed In conclusion on Trinitie Sunday being the ninetéene day of Maie she was remooued from the Tower the Lord Treasurer being then there for the lading of her Cartes and discharging the place of the same where Sir Henrie Benifield being appointed her Gaoler did receiue her with a company of rakehelles to garde her beside the Lord of Darbyes band wafting in the Countrie about for the Moone-shine in the water Unto whome at length came my Lord of Tame ioyned in Commission with the saide Sir Henrie for the safe guiding of her to prison and they together conueied her Grace to Woodstocke as héereafter followeth The first day they conducted her to Richmond where she continued all night being restrained of her owne men which were lodged in out Chambers and Sir Henrie Benifieldes Soldiours appointed in their roomes to giue attendaunce on her personne Whereat she being meruailouslie dismaied thinking verilie some secrete mischéefe to be working towardes her called her Gentleman Usher and desired him with the rest of his company to pray for her for this night quoth she I thinke to die Wherewith he being stricken to the heart saide God forbid that any such wickednesse should be pretended against your Grace So comforting her as well as he could at last he burst into teares went from her downe into the Court wher were walking the Lord of Tame and Sir Henry Benefield Then he cōming to the Lord of Tame who had proffered to him much fréendshippe desired to speake with him a word or two vnto whom he familiarlie said he should with all his heart Which when Sir Henrie standing by heard he asked what the matter was To whome the Gentleman Usher aunswered No great matter Sir saide he but to speake with my Lord a woord or two Then when the Lord of Tame came to him he spake on this wise My Lord quoth he you haue béene alwaies my good Lord and so I beséech you to remaine The cause why I come to you at this time is to desire your Honour fréendlie to declare to me whether any daunger is meant to my Mistresse this night or no that I and my poore fellowes may take such part as shall please God to appoint for certainlie we will rather die then she should secretlie and innocentlie miscarie Marie saide the Lord of Tame God forbidde that any such wicked purpose should be wrought and rather then it should be so I with my men are ready to die at her foote also And so praised be God they passed that dolefull night with no little heauinesse of heart Afterward passing ouer the water at Richmond going towards VVindsor her Grace espied certaine of her poore seruants stāding on the other side which were verie desirous to sée her Whome when she behelde turning to one of her men standing by she saide Yonder I sée certaine of my men goe to them and say these wordes from me Tanquam ouis So she passing forward to VVindsore was lodged there that night in the Deane of VVindsores house a place in déede more méet for a Priest then a Princesse And from thence her Grace was garded and brought the next night to Maister Dormers house where much people standing by the waie some presented to her one gift and some an other so that Sir Henrie was greatlie mooued therewith and troubled the poore people verie sore for shewing their louing hearts in such a manner calling them Rebels and Traitours with such like vile wordes Beside as he passed through the Uillages the Townsemen rang the Belles as being ioyfull of her comming thinking verilie it had béene otherwise then it was in déede as the sequell prooued after to the said poore men For immediatlie the said Sir Henrie hearing the same sent his Soldiours thether who apprehended some of the Ringers setting them in the stockes and otherwise vncourteouslie misusing othersome for their good willes On the next morrowe her Grace passing from Maister Dormers where for the time of her abode there was a straite watche kept came to the Lord of Tames house where she laie all that night being verie Princelie entertained both of Knightes and Ladies gentlemen and gentlewomen Whereat Sir Henrie Benifield grunted and was highlie offended saying vnto them That they could not tel what they did and were not able to aunswer their dooinges in that behalfe Letting them to vnderstand that she was the Quéenes Maiesties prisoner and no otherwise aduising them therefore to take héede and beware of afterclappes Wherevnto the Lord of Tame aunswered on this wise That he was well aduised of his dooinges being ioyned in Commission as well as he adding with warrant that her Grace might should in his house be merie The next day as she should take her iorney from Kichmond toward VVoodstocke the Lord of Tame with an other Gentleman being at the Tables playing and dropping vye Crownes the Lady Elizabeth passing by staied and saide she would sée the game plaide out which Sir Henrie Benifield would scarce permit The game running long about and they playing drop vye Crownes Come on sayth he I will tarie sayth she and will sée this game out After this Sir Henrie went vp into a Chamber where was appointed for her Grace a Chayre two Cushions and a foote Carpet very faire and Princelike wherein presumptuouslie he sate and called one Barwicke his man to pull off his Bootes Which as soone as it was knowne among the Ladies and Gentles euerie one mused thereat and laughed him to scorne obseruing his vndiscrete manners in that behalfe as they might verie wel When Supper was doon he called my Lord willed him that all the Ladies and gentlemen should withdraw them selues euerie one to his lodging meruailing much that he would permit there such a company considering so great a charge committed to him Sir Henry quoth my Lord content your selfe all shall be voided your men and all Nay my Soldiours quoth Sir Henrie shall watch all night The Lord
if it could be prooued by me For I knowe my selfe I thanke God to be out of the daunger thereof wishing that I were as cléere out of the perill of mine enimies and then I am assured I should not be so locked and bolted vp within walles doores as I am God giue them a better minde when it pleaseth him About this time was there a great consulting among the Bishoppes and gentlemen touching a mariage for her Grace which some of the Spaniardes wished to be with some Stranger that she might go out of the Realme with her portion some saying one thing and some an other A Lord who shall be heere namelesse being there at last saide That the King should neuer haue any quiet Common wealth in England vnlesse her head were stricken from her shoulders Wherevnto the Spaniardes aunswered saying God forbid that the King their Maister should haue that minde to consent to such a mischéefe This was the courteous aunswere of the Spaniards to the Englishe men speaking after that sort against their owne Country From that day the Spaniardes neuer left off their good perswasions to the King that the like honour he should neuer obtaine as he should in deliuering Lady Elizabethes Grace out of prison whereby at length she was happilie released from the same Héere is a plaine and euident example of the good clemencie and nature of the King and his Councellers towardes her Grace praised be God therefore who mooued their heartes therein Then héerevpon she was sent for shortlie after to come to Hampton Court But before her remoouing from VVoodstocke we will a little stay to declare in what dangers her life was during this time she there remained First thorowe fire which began to kindle betwéene the boordes and seeling vnder the Chamber where she laie whether by a sparke of fire gotten into a creuis or whether of purpose by some that meant her no good the Lord dooth knowe Neuerthelesse a woorshipfull Knight of Oxfordshiere which was there ioyned the same time with Sir Henrie Benifield in kéeping that Lady who then tooke vp the boordes and quenched the fire verilie supposed it to be doon of purpose Furthermore it is thought and also affirmed if it be true of one Paule Peny a kéeper of VVoodstocke a notorious Ruffian and a butcherlie wretch that was appointed to kill the Lady Elizabeth who both sawe the man being often in her sight and also knewe thereof An other time one of the priuie Chamber a great man about the Quéene and chéefe darling of Stephen Gardiner named Maister Iames Basset came to Blandenbridge a mile from UUoodstocke with twentie or thirtie priuie coates and sent for Sir Henrie Benifield to come and speake with him But as God would who disposed all thinges after the purpose of his owne will so it happened that a little before the saide Sir Henrie Benifield was sent for by a Poste to the Councell leauing straite worde behinde him with his brother that no man whatsoeuer he were though comming with a Bill of the Quéenes hand or any other warrant should haue accesse to her before his returne againe By reason whereof so it fell out that Sir Henrie Benifieldes brother comming to him at the Bridge would suffer him in no case to approch in who otherwise as it is supposed was appointed violentlie to murder the innocent Lady At what time likewise that the Lady Elizabeth was in the Tower a Writ came downe subscribed with certaine handes of the Councell for her execution which if it were certaine as it is reported Winchester do doubt was deuiser of that mischeuous drift And doubtlesse the same Achitophell had brought his impious purpose that day to passe had not the fatherlie prouidence of Almightie God who is alwaies stronger then the deuill styrred vp Maister Bridges Lieuetenaunt the same time of the Tower to come in haste to the Quéene to giue certificate therof and to know further her consent for her Sisters death Wherevppon it followed that all that deuise was disappointed and VVinchesters deuillishe platforme which he saide he had cast through the Lordes goodnesse came to no effect Where moreouer is to be noted that during the imprisonment of this Lady and Princesse one Maister Edmund Tremaine was on the Racke and Maister Smithwike and diuers other in the Tower were examined and diuers offers made them to accuse the guiltlesse Lady being in her captiuitie Howbeit all that notwitstanding no matter could be prooued by all examinations as she the same time lying at Woodstocke had certaine intelligence by the meanes of one Iohn Gayer who vnder a coullorable pretence of a Letter to Mistresse Cleue from her Father was let in and so gaue them secretlie to vnderstande of all this matter Wherevppon the Lady Elizabeth at her departing out from VVoodstocke wrote these Uerses with her Diamond in a glasse windowe Much suspected by me Nothing prooued can be Quod Elizabeth prisoner And thus much touching the troubles of Lady Elizabeth at VVoodstocke Wherevnto this is more to be added that during the same time the Lord of Tame had laboured to the Quéene and became suretie for her to haue her from vvoodstocke to his house and had obtained his graunt thereof wherevpon preparation was made accordinglie and all thinges ready in expectation of her comming But thorowe the procurement either of Sir Henry Benifield or by the dooing of vvinchester her mortall enimie Letters came ouer night to the contrarie whereby her iourney was staide Thus this woorthy Lady oppressed with continual sorrowe could not be permitted to haue recourse to any fréendes she had but still in the handes of her enimies was left desolate and vtterlie destitute of all that might refreshe a dolefull heart fraught full of terror and thraldome Wherevpon no meruaile if she hearing vpon a time out of her garden at vvoodstocke a certaine Milke maide singing pleasauntly wished her selfe to be a Milke maide as she was saying That her case was better and life more merier then hers was in that state as she was Now after these thinges thus declared to procéede further where we left before Sir Henrie Benifield and his Soldiors with the Lord of Tame and Sir Ralphe Chamberlaine garding and wayting vppon her The first night from vvoodstocke she came to Ricotte In which iourney such a mightie winde did blowe that her seruauntes were faine to holde downe her cloathes about her in so much that her Hood was twise or thrise blowne from her head Whervpon she desirous to returne to a gentlemans house there néere could not be suffered by Sir Henrie Benifield so to doo but was constrained vnder a hedge to trim her head as well as she could After this they iourneied the next night to Maister Dormers and so to Colbrooke where she laye all that night at the George And by the way comming to Colbrooke certaine of her Graces Gentlemen and Yeomen mette
her to the number of thrée score much to all their comfortes who had not séene her Grace of long season before notwithstanding they were commaunded in the Quéenes name immediatlie to depart the Towne to both their and her Graces no little heauines who could not be suffered once to speake with them So that night all her men were taken from her sauing her gentleman Usher three gentlewomen two Groomes and one of her Wardroppe the Soldiours watching and warding round about the house and she close shut vp within her prison The next day following her Grace entred Hampton Court on the backe side into the Princes lodging the doores being shut to her and she garded with Soldiours as before lay there a fortnight at the least or euer any had recourse vnto her At length came the Lord William Haward who meruailous honourablie vsed her Grace whereat she tooke much comfort and requested him to be a meane that she might speake with some of the Councell To whome not long after came the Bishop of vvinchester the Lord of Arundell the Lord of Shrewesburie and Secretarie Peter who with great humilitie humbled themselues to her Grace She againe likewise saluting them said My Lords quoth she I am glad to sée you for me thinkes I haue béen kept a great while from you desolately alone Wherefore I would desire you to be a meane to the King and Quéenes Maiesties that I may be deliuered from prison wherein I haue béene kept a long space as to you my Lordes it is not vnknowne When she had spoken Stephen Gardiner the Bishoppe of vvinchester knéeled downe and requested that she would submit herselfe to the Quéens Grace and in so dooing he had no doubt but her Maiestie would be good vnto her She making aunswer That rather then she would so doo she would lie in prison all the dayes of her life adding That she craued no mercie at her Maiesties hand but rather desired the lawe if euer she had offended her Maiestie in woord thought or déede And besides this in yéelding quoth she I should speake against my selfe and confesse my selfe to be an offendour which neuer was towards her Maiestie by occasion whereof the King and Quéene might euer héereafter conceiue of me an euill opinion And therefore I say my Lords it were better for me to lie in prison for the trueth then to be abroad and suspected of my Prince And so they departed promising to declare her message to the Quéene On the next day the Bishop of VVinchester came againe vnto her Grace and knéeling downe declared that the Quéene meruailed that she would so stoutlie vse her selfe not confessing to haue offended so that it should séeme the Quéenes Maiestie wrongfullie to haue imprisoned her Grace Nay quoth the Lady Elizabeth it pleaseth her to punish me as she thinketh good Well quoth Gardiner her Maiesty willeth me to tell you that you must tell an other tale ere that you be set at libertie Her Grace aunswered that she had as liefe be in prison with honestie and trueth as to be abroade suspected of her Maiestie and this that I haue saide I will saide she stand vnto for I will neuer belye my selfe VVinchester againe knéeled downe and said Then your Grace hath the vauntage of me and other of the Lordes for your so long and wrong imprisonment What vauntage I haue quoth she you know taking God to record I séeke no aduauntage at your hands for your so dealing with me but God forgiue you and me also With that the rest knéeled downe desiring her Grace that all might be forgotten and so departed she being fast locked vp againe A seuen-night after the Quéene sent for her Grace at ten a clocke in the night to speake with her for she had not séene her in two yéeres before Yet for all that she was amazed at the so sudden sending for thinking it had béene wurse for her then afterwardes it prooued and desired her gentlemen and gentlewomen to praye for her for that she could not tell whether euer she should sée them againe or no. At which time Sir Henrie Benifield with Mistresse Clarencius comming her Grace was brought into the garden vnto a stayres foote that went into the Quéenes lodging her Graces gentlewomen waiting on her her gentleman Usher and her Groomes going before with Torches where her gentlemen and gentlewomen being commaunded to staie all sauing one Woman Mistresse Clarencius conducted her to the Quéenes bed Chamber where her Maiestie was At the sight of whome her Grace knéeled downe desired God to preserue her Maiestie not mistrusting but that she should trie her selfe as true a subiect towardes her Maiestie as euer did any and desired her Maiestie euen so to iudge of her and saide that she should not finde her to the contrarie whatsoeuer report otherwise had gone of her To whome the Quéene aunswered You will not confesse your offence but stande stoutlie to your trueth I praie God it may so fall out If it dooth not quoth the Lady Elizabeth I request neither fauour nor pardon at your Maiesties handes Well saide the Quéene you still stiflie perseuer in your trueth belike you will not confesse but that you haue béene wrongfullie punished I must not saye so it it please your Maiestie quoth she to you Why then saide the Quéene belike you will to other No if it please your Maiestie quoth she I haue borne the burden and must beare it I humbly beséech your Maiestie to haue a good opinion of me and to thinke me to be your true Subiect not onelie from the beginning hitherto but for euer as long as lyfe lasteth And so they departed with verie fewe comfortable wordes of the Quéene in Englishe but what she saide in Spanishe God knoweth It is thought that King Phillip was there behinde a cloath and not séene and that he shewed himselfe a verie fréend in that matter c. Thus her Grace departing went to her lodging againe and the seuenight after was deliuered of Sir Henrie Benifield her Goaler as she tearmed him and his Soldiours and so her Grace being set at libertie from imprisonment went into the Country and had appointed to goe with her Sir Thomas Pope one of Quéene Maries Counsaylors and one of her gentlemen Ushers Maister Gage And thus straitlie was she looked too all Quéene Maries time and this is the discourse of her Highnesse imprisonment Then there came to Lamheyre Maister Ierningham and Maister Norris gentleman Usher Quéene Maries men who tooke away from her Grace Mistresse Ashley to the Fleete and three other of her gentlewomen to the Tower which was no little trouble to her Grace saying that she thought they would fetch away all at the end But God he praised shortlie after was fetched away Gardiner by occasion of whose oportune decease the life of this excellent Princesse the wealth of all England was preserued
For this is credible to be supposed that the saide wicked Gardiner of VVinchester had long laboured his wits and to this onelie most principall marke bent all his deuises to bring this our happie and deere Soueraigne out of the waie as both by his wordes and dailie dooinges sufficientlie appeared But such was the gratious and fauourable prouidence of the Lord to the preseruation not onelie of her Royall Maiestie but also the miserable and wofull state of this whole Iland and poore Subiects of the same whereby the proude platformes and peeuishe practises of this wretched Achitophell preuailed not but contrarywise both he and all the snares and trappes of his pernitious councell laide against an other were turned to a nette to catch himselfe according to the Prouerbe Malum consilium consultori pessimum After the death of this Gardiner followed the death also and dropping awaie of other her enimies wherby by little and little her ieopardie decreased feare deminished hope of comfort beganne to appeare as out of a darke clowde And albeit her Grace as yet had no full assuraunce of perfect safetie yet more gentle entertainement did dailie growe vnto her tyll at length to the moneth of Nouember seuentéene day of the same thrée yéeres after the death of Stephen Gardiner followed the death of Quéene Marie After whose deceasse succeeded her foresaide Sister Lady Elizabeth into her right of the Crowne of England who after so long restraintment so great daungers escaped such blustering storms ouerblowne so many iniuries digested and wrongs susteined by the mightie protection of our mercifull God to our no small comfort and commoditie hath beene exalted and erected out of thrall to libertie out of daunger to peace and quietnesse from dread to dignitie from miserie to Maiestie from mourning to ruling breefelie of a prisoner made a Princesse and placed in her throne Royall proclaimed now Queene with as many glad heartes of her Subiectes as euer was any King or Queene in this Realme before her or euer shall be I dare saye heereafter the Lord long holde his hand ouer her and send her to rule many and happy yeeres I beseech him Amen In this pittifull and rufull Historie thou hast O England three especiall thinges to consider First the hardnesse of the time then being and the vnmercifulnesse of those mens hearts who prepared all their deuillishe pollicies and inuented a world of wyles and deceites whereby they might gaine oportunitie to destroy this woorthy and famous Lady whose innocencie could not appease their blood thirstinesse nor whose vertues could not asswage their cruell dealing but euen as the wicked Iewes cried death against our Sauiour euen so these vnnaturall men did their vttermost against this Noble Lady Secondlie thou art to note her woonderfull patience her assured trust in God who neuer fayled her and euen when death was most of all threatned to her and that many occasions was giuen for her to doubt the same her patience was not any iote the more mooued but being confident in God to whom she referred the state of her innocencie and extremitie of their rigorous intentes she passed through all those agonies with a cheerefull and vndaunted heart and their practises to feare her was not so horrible but her patience in suffering was as admirable Thirdlie thou must remember the ready working hand of God for her in all her daungers how gratiouslie he preuented their deuises and had such an especiall care ouer his Daughter as no extremitie whatsoeuer could preuaile against her For which exceeding loue towardes thee how highlie thou art bound to his heauenlie Maiestie the manifold happy blessinges thou hast and doost receiue by her can sufficientlie tell thee But as I haue heeretofore giuen thee to vnderstand the punishment of Treason and tretcherous practises in the raignes of the Kinges before passed so likewise I must craue leaue a little to speake of such matters as hath happened since the raigne of our Soueraigne Lady and Quéene and then will we procéede on with the rest of our intent ¶ Since the raigne of our most gratious and Soueraigne Lady Queene Elizabeth THe fourth and fift day of Ianuarie did suffer at Durham to the number of thrée score and six Constables and other who were pertakers in the rebellion in the North with the Lordes of Westmerland and Northumberland amongst whome an Alderman of the Towne and a Priest called Plometree were the most notable Then Sir George Bowes Marshall finding many to be faultors in the foresaide rebellion did sée them executed in euerie markette Towne and other places betwixt Newcastell and Wetherbie about thrée score miles in length and fortie miles in breadth On good Fridaie the seuen and twentie daie of March Simon Digbie of Askew Iohn Fulthorp of Isilbecke in the Countie of Yorke Esquiers Robert Peneman of Stokesley Thomas Bishoppe the younger of Poklinton in the same Countie of Yorke Gentlemen were drawne from the Castell of Yorke to the place of execution called Knaues-myre halfe a mile without the Cittie of Yorke and there hanged headed and quartered their foure heads were set on the foure principall gates of the Cittie with foure of their quarters the other quarters were set in diuers places of the Countrie Oscolph Clesbe was with them drawne to the gallowes and returned againe to the Castell One Hillyard the Earle of Northumberlands man and a vagraunt person named William Godswher were taken among the other rebelles and were brought to Bervvicke where they were executed the foure and twentie day of Maie The seuen and twentie day of Maie Thomas Norton and Christopher Norton of Yorkeshiere being both condemned of high treason for the late rebellion in the North were drawne from the Tower of London to Tiborne and there hanged headed and quartered A conspiracie was made by certaine Gentlemen and other in the Countie of Norfolke whose purpose was on Midsommer day at Harlestone Fayre with sound of Trūpet and Drum to haue raysed a number and then to proclaime their deuillishe pretence against Straungers and other This matter was vttered by Thomas Kete one of the conspiracie vnto Iohn Kensey who foorthwith sent the same Kete with a Constable to the next Iustice before whome and other Iustices he opened the whole matter Whereupon Maister Dreugh Drewrie immediatlie apprehended Iohn Throckmorton and after him many Gentlemen of the Cittie of Norwich and the Countie of Norfolke who were all committed to prison And at the next Sessions of Gaole deliuerie at the Castell of Norwich the seuentéene of Iulie before Sir Robert Catlin Knight Lord cheefe Iustice Maister Gilbert Gerrard the Queenes Attourney generall and other Iustices ten of them were endighted of high Treason and some others of contempt diuers of them were condemned and had iudgement the one and twentie of August and afterward thrée of them were hanged bowelled and quartered which were Iohn Throckmorton of
the poysoning of him at length the giuing the Land to the French Kinges sonne the inuading thereof by the Dolphin of Fraunce his so long possessing a great part of it the rebellion of the Barons to take the French mens part all the mischéefes that fell in all this whyle were they not the good workes of Popes and Papistes The great deuision of the two noble houses of Lancaster and Yorke which cost so much Englishe blood that there remayneth no house of high or meane Nobilitie that hath not smarted for it So many foughten fieldes within the Realme so long and so great vncertaintie which side were true men and which were Traitours and for how many dayes or howres they should be so estéemed such desolation and miseries to whome are they to be imputed but to the Popishe Clergie and Papists and among other to Thomas Arundell Archbishoppe of Canterburie that trayterouslie practised the deposing of his lawfull Soueraigne Lord King Richard the second But come yet to later times Howe was the Quéenes Maiesties most noble Father assaulted by the Pope and Papistes His Realme was interdited and giuen away to him that could catch it Legates and one notable English traitour were sent about to perswade Christian Princes to inuade England to destroye and depose King Henrie and to take the Realme in reward for their labour When Charles the late Emperour was setting forward against the Turke Cardinall Poole being sent by the Pope made a solemne Oration to him which is yet extant in print to perswade the Emperour to turne his prepared power from inuading the Turke and to bend it against King Henrie the eight as one wurse then any Turke What turmoile was then raised by the Northren Rebelles against him whereof some by his clemencie a good example haue liued to this day to raise a new rebellion How troubled they her Maiesties most excellent Brother with vnhappy seditions How vexed they and how endaungered they the Realme and the Quéenes own person in her Sisters time as in the Storie before rehearsed you may reade at large What might Charles the Emperour haue doone for recouery and enlarging of Christendome if his force that way intended had not by the Popes practise béene peruerted sundrie wayes and times to â—â—â—in shedding of christian blood and wasting of Christendome and to the ouerthrowe of his victorious course What tempests hath the late conspiracie of Trent blowne vp in Christendome that cannot yet be quieted and all because the Pope hath instilled an opinion into his Papistes that Princes if he dispence with them are not bounde to kéepe faith and promise no not the word of a King wherby no peace can be assured Whereof yet ryseth one good admonition to trust them no more and to be well ware of them and speciallie to thinke of this one particular that wicked persons who haue giuen occasion of daungerous rebellions against the Quéenes Maiestie their chéefe and onelie succour and refuge will neuer be withholden by any respect from attempting or procuring to be attempted any most high and heinous treason and mischéefe against our Soueraigne Ladies safetie if an auauntageable oportunitie may serue them so long as such persons are infected with Papistrie and can thinke the Pope able to pardon or rather willing to reward them yea so farre as they shall suppose themselues not onely to winne the Kingdome of England therby but also the kingdome of Heauen It is perillous to thinke what traiterous rage may doo being armed with drunken superstition It is a sore thing to consider the impotencie of ambition specially when it is ioyned with the furie of reasonlesse loue The common experience is how daungerous those knottes of théeues be where there is a woman in the company Thus is it plaine that for as much as the Pope claymeth such wrongful vsurpation and tiranny ouer Kings Realmes and sith Papists holde that he sayth true and claymeth but his right and cannot erre in discerning it all such Papists are Traitours to all Kinges and Kingdomes As for the second Conclusion which accuseth Englishe Papistes of treason to the Quéenes Maiestie it is sufficientlie prooued for that it is a perticular within a generall included in the former Yet for the speciall confirmation of it it hath certaine priuate and seuerall reasons It is well knowne and you haue read the whole discourse before how they sought her Graces death in her Sisters time what practises what fetches were vsed for it what examinations what searchinges were to finde couller of her destruction yea how farre without couller they procéeded if God had not miraculouslie kept her to the preseruation of this Realme and the comfort of all Christendome But to make some demonstration of their hatred to her Maiestie by reason after to discend to the examples and practises let vs examine the causes Whereas the Papistes holde that the Pope is head of Gods vniuersall Church and that such authoritie as the Quéene claimeth in England ouer Ecclesiasticall persons and in Ecclesiasticall causes as due to her Highnesse in right of her Crowne is not due to her but belonging to the Pope in so saying they must saye that her Maiestie claymeth an vniust tyrannicall power And who so euer shall so saye though not in the same sillables is an vniust and an errant traitour and cannot loue her that hath pul led him downe whome they call head of their Church Where the Pope hath accurssed the Quéenes Maiestie as an Heretique and Scismatique all those Papists which suppose that the Pope hauing the disposition of Gods sentence and the thunderbolte of excoÌ„munication in his hand cannot erre doo also suppose that the Quéenes Highnesse our Quéene Elizabeth I meane is not lawfull Quéene of England as many of them haue not spared to saye for so must all Papistes holde that holde the Pope to say true for the Pope dooth not so accept her And Papistes haue published that Gospellers whome they call Heretiques ought not to haue any office among Gods people much lesse a Kingdome And this point is well to be considered that they which take from the Quéenes Maiestie the Supremacie ouer Ecclesiastical persons and causes doo transferre the same iurisdiction to the Pope for they neuer yet vouchsafed to giue it to any other And yet I am sure that after so many examples of Bées and Beastes and other thinges they will not nowe haue any perticular Church headlesse and destitute of a supreme Gouernour either vniuersal like a Monarch as they would haue it or speciall vnder God of eche Kingdome or Dominion as Gods good disposition hath forced it If then the Pope haue in their opinion any Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction in England he must haue I us excommunicandi lawfull power and authority to excoÌ„municate in England without which the Ecclesiasticall power cannot stand Which power if he iustlie haue hath excommunicated and accurssed her Maiestie
common wealth All men are bound in duetie to defend their Countrie Herodotus in his Booke called Clio which is the first Booke of his Story The whole hody being out of quiet the members must needes fare the wurse The marke that these Traytours ayme at may be easily discerned The prosperity of the Prince is the safety of her Kingdome The eare of the Princes safetie concerneth the verie meanest Subiect much more the Magistrate to whome she hath giuen office of honour The safetie of her Maiestie a thing most pretious to all good Subiectes The Queens Maiesties gouernement ought with heedefull care to be considered The Queens Maiestie a Iuell of most high estimation to the Realme of England Res est solliciti plena timoris amor The Realme of England neuer so long tyme together more godly and quietly gouerned William Fitz Osbert got him a trayterous cōpany and rebelled against the King 1196. A Scholler of Oxford attempted to kyll the King 1239. Iohn Poydras a Tanners sonne of Excester claimed to be King 1316. Edward de Bruis for vniustly crow ning himselfe King of Ireland was beheaded 1317. They that betraied the Towne of Berwick were hanged for theyr labour 1317. Thomas Earle of Lancaster beheaded for rebelling against the King and many of his confederates executed 1321. Andrew Herkeley Earle of Carlile hanged and quartered 1322. The two Spencers very trouble some traytors to the Realme in the ende had theyr iust deserts 1326. Roger Mortimer and others executed for consenting to the murdering of the Kings Father 1330. The Mayor and Aldermen of London deposed because the Londoners sought to kyll the Kinges Sonne 1377. The Commons of Kent Essex rebelled against the King theyr Captaines being Iacke Strawe and Watte Tyler 1381. The King offereth the rebelles peace The King sent to Wat Tyler Note the pride of a traytour Wat Tyler arrested by the Mayor of London and afterward slaine The confession of Iacke Strawe One of the Rebelles cast into the fire by his fellowes Two and thirtie of the Rebelles mured vp in a Seller The Rebelles murder one an other Iohn Ball Priest the comforter of the Rebelles hanged 1382. The names of the Rebelles that would haue made themselues Kinges Iohn Wrawe one of the leaders of Rebels hanged 1383. The Noble men rebelled against King Henrie the fourth and priuilie conspired to murder him 1399. The people of the Towne fought against the Rebelles and tooke the cheefest of them and beheaded them King Henrie escapeth a great daunger 1401. A Priest a Prior and a Doctor of Diuinitie being a Gray Frier were all executed for treason 1403. The Earle of Worcester Sir Richard Vernon and the Baron of Kindertō beheaded for rebelling against the king 1404. The Archbishop of Yorke and the Earle Marshall beheaded for rebelling against the King 1406. A Welch Rebell executed 1412. A secrete conspiracie against the King according as it is set downe by I. Stowe King Henrie kept the Feeld by Saint Giles aboue Holbourne Many of the Rebelles hanged burnt in Fickets feeld and others executed soone after for the same offence 1414. Three Noble men whome the King best trusted and made great account of conspyred his death 1416. Iohn Bennet executed for scattering seditious Lybelles in London 1417. William Mandeuill Captaine of a lewde company of rebellious persons at Abingtō executed there and others of his company in diuers other places 1433. Richard Russell executed Conspiratours of the Kings death by Necromancy Roger Bolingbrook executed 1442. A Combate betweene a Maister and his seruaunt who appeached him of treason 1447. The Duke of Glocester arrested died soone after but fiue of his men were hanged and after pardoned 1448. Blew beard hanged for raising rebellion 1450. The Commons of Kent rebelled Iacke Cade being their Captaine 1451. Walter Walker beheaded for wordes against the King 1461. The Mayor of Canterbury and other executed for rebellion The Bastarde Faulconbridge lost his head 1472. Thomas Burdet beheaded for treason 1478. The Lord Marques Dorset and the Lord Hastings great enimies Note the care of a Prince for his Countrie The daunger where flattery is more esteemed then true and faithful dealing A speciall note for all traitours Ambition a pestilent and deadly Serpent whose infection where he commeth turneth all to mischeefe The remembraunce of misfortunes past ought to teach vs to be fearefull of the lyke A good note for this present tyme of peace The Lord Riuers put in warde The Duke of Glocester caused the Lord Riuers the Lord Grey and Sir Thomas Vaughan to be beheaded The young King and his Brother brought to the Tower The Protector crowned King by the name of King Richard the third King Richard sendeth to haue the two young Princes put to death in the Tower The young Prince informed that his Vnckle would be King and his aunswere to the same The Prince his Brother shut vp close prisoners Sir Iames appointed who should murder the Princes The young King and his Brother murdered King Richard thanketh Syr Iames for murdering the Princes Myles Forrest rotted in peeces to death Dighton in good forwardnes to be hanged Syr Iames Tyrrel beheaded for treason King Richard himselfe slaine in the feeld Certaine persons executed for making seditious slaunderous Lybelles against the King 1494. Peter Werbecke a Flemming named himselfe King Edwardes second Sonne for which diuers of his company were executed in sundry places 1497. A commotion against the King by the commons of Cornewall vnder the conduct of the Lord Audley and Michael Ioseph a Blacke Smith 1498. A Shoomakers sonne hanged for fayning him selfe to be the Earle of Warwicke 1499. Perkin Werbeck hanged 1500. Edward Duke of Buckingham cōdemned for treason beheaded 1522. Conspiracie at Couentrie to haue taken the Castell of Killingwoorth and to make warre against the King 1524. The holy Mayde of Kent other executed 1535. Certaine Charterhouse Monks and other executed for treason 1536. Charterhouse Monkes executed for treason Bishop Fisher Syr Thomas More beheaded 1536. The Earle of Kyldare and fiue of his Vnckles executed Rebellion in Yorkeshiere An other conspiracie Lincolneshier rebelles executed at Tiborne 1537 A commotion in Sommersetshiere and diuers of them executed 1538. Frier Forrest hanged burnt 1539. Abbots of Reading and Glastēburie executed 1540. The Lord Cromwell beheaded Six Priests three burnt and three hanged Seuen executed at Tyborne for treason 1541. A new rebellion in Yorkeshiere The Lord Leonard Grey beheaded A Welch minstrell hanged 1542. Germaine Gardner and other executed 1544. A commotion in Sommersetshiere 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Commotion in Cornewall and Deuonshiere Certaine executed for ayding the Rebelles The Rebelles in Norfolke and Susfolke encamped themselues Robert Ket Captaine of the Rebelles taken and many of them slaine and executed Commotion in Yorkeshiere The Rebelles refusing the Kings Pardon were shortlie after executed at Yorke Captaines of the Deuonshiere rebelles executed Bell a Suffolke Rebell executed 1550. Rebelles of Kent