a rigorous boldnesse caused a bloody pursute presently to be made when the Lord Marshall his wife children and femelie were put to sharpe dint of sworde and hot broyles of consuming fire saue onely one of his chyldren a proper faire virgin being as then absent from her father and mother brought vp with the Earle of London the Queenes owne brother who after was trayned vp in all honourable education by Queene Katherine whom we will leaue trauelling like banished exiles from their natiue Countrey The Barron after this murthersome conflict returned safe to King Edwardes presence who not onely rewarded his valiant seruice with gold and rich treasures but indewed him with great laudes and reuenewes and besides all which by letter of Deputation he constituted him to guide and gouerne his whole dominions CHAP. 6. ¶ How King Edwardes Concubine the faire Casiope was deliuered of a bastard Sonne and of the secret fauours betweene her and the Barron THE King after all these things were finished as you heard discoursed in the former Chapter promised securety to him selfe princely renowne to his minion Casiope and royal aduancement to his trustie counsellour the Barron of Buckingham yet the loue of Subiectes a guiltles conscience and a good name being the chiefe groundworkes of peace were wanting besides which the King vtterly deceyued in his owne imaginations for that penall shame began euery hower to knocke at his gates stayning his glory with iufamie and dishonour Casiope his amorous Lady being great with childe the which shame heauen had appoynted for the common sort of people continually to talke vpon besides which the Kinges vile affection possessed with leawd lust neuer glutted but dayly shyning in the sea of vaine delectations Casiope on her behalfe with prouident discretion preuented her sodaine downefall for perceiuing the Kinges head tossed with inconstant inclinations his treadinges loose and vnsure on whom she principally depended she iudged that she could not be so safely imbarked as her expectation desired and therefore dayly wished that she had ended well where she had so ill begun Thus tottering vpon a broken bridge by little and little cast her selfe into the loue and good liking of the Barron who vsed many secret contemplations feeding each other with artificiall fauours as opportunitie happely ministred occasion and misspent no one hower in the day without yeelding some amorous fruites King Fdward being vtterly vnaquainted with these vntrustie trickes neuer mistrusted the cunning conueyance of Casiopes leawd life who passed foorth her time so warely without suspition vntill she was deliuered the which being fully expired was to the King a secret solace but an open shame a priuate comfort to him selfe but a publique infamie to the land a man childe was brought foorth into the world the which in processe of time approued the only poyson by which the King was choaked and a Caterpiller through whom the common wealth was gnawne But alas who would regard esteeme of an vnnaturall Bastard borne in a sower crab-stacke and vtterly reiect the good Children of Queene Katherine bred and nourished in the sweete Apple iuyce which was christoned in mourning and sorrowfull teares without any pompe and glory Where contrary wise this Bastard the childe of a Harlot was royally receiued into the Church and christoned by the name of Vallentinus with such sumptuous magnificence as no King could surpasse in such a case for many were the triumphes solemne iustes and costly banquetings that were kept in the English Court in the honour of his name the which for breueties sake I here passe ouer least I should be a hinderaunce to our following discourses No small consolation tooke King Edward in the education and bringing vp of this filthy young venimous vermine Vallentinus who being dazeled in dotage immagined winter stormes ouerpast and the pleasant ariuall of a faire sommer to be at hand yet was he nipt and attached with a priuie disease in his browes by meanes of the new enioyned loue of the Barron and Casiope whose league of friendshyp and falshood of flatterie so blinded the Kings conceites that no mistrustfulnesse of their lewde sportes could arise First sweetning his mouth with the braue beautie of Casiope Secondly reioyceing in the pollecie of the Barron And thirdly allured with the hope and budding foorth of the bastardly blossome Vallentinus the which I compare to three broken Staues whereon the King tooke his chiefest hold What a long relation could I make of the sport and dalliance begunne betweene the wicked Barron and proude Casiope hauing bended the King to their bow commaunding the whole dominion and contrâ—wlyng what so euer seemed best to them selues And whereas in the dayes of vertuous Queene Katherine the Kinges head was diseased and fraughted with the rhewme of â—elousie so now his Darling cunning Counceller gaue him a greater glister beneath for his headaking Kerchife aboue for she yeelded her body loue to the Barrons pleasure When the King was sleeping they would be waking when the King was in his Chamber they were handling prettie toyes in the Closset when the King was in one place they were in another keeping company togither discoursing vpon louers lawes In which pleasure we will leaue them solacing and returne to Queene Katherine and her brother the Earle of London CHAP. 7. ¶ Of Queene Katherines ariuall in Normandie and of her entertainment in Duke Roberts Court AFter the Queene by the pollecie of her brother had escaped the furious intended tyrranie of her foes accompanied with the Lord Marshalles Daughter tending and waighting vpon the Queenes person with great care and indeuour tooke Shippe hauing a merrie winde hoysted vp sayle towardes Normandie into which countrey her young sonne Prince Edmond was before conueyed and ariued The tediousnesse of this iourney was not so much troublesome as the dangerous dashing vpon craggie Rockes hazarded their liues but yet Fortune in the middle of their miseries fauouring them cast them happely vpon a fruitefull Iland bordering vpon the confines of Normandie in which place a right noble Knight inhabited gouerning the people with great wisedome into whose presence being no sooner come but the Earle of London in the name of the Queene and Lord Marshals daughter spake to the Knight as followeth Most worthy man sayd he we being strangers to thy people and Iland by vnhappy misaduentures are compelled hither to make our refuge and to seeke friendshyp among you for I am to let you vnderstande that here is the renowned Queene Katherine of England whose fame I know hath full often sounded in your eares the which distressed Queene long vexed with captiuitie arraigned and condemned to die but yet by good fortune escaping the subtile snares of her enemies hath betooke her selfe to banishment and now hardly auoyding shypwracke committeth her selfe to your mercie She hath not left her natiue soyle for any euill desart leawd behauiour or misgouerning her lyfe for she is a continent and chast Matron bearing the glory
the Combat ended and Trustie Thomas hanged dead in his steele Saddle grouelyng and fooming with his necke broken whereat the people with wonderfull admiration shooted and caused Drummes and Trumpets to be sounded in signe of victorie But a litle before the Combat began the King gaue the Lord Marshall this charge that if the Defendant tooke the foyle his Armour should not be vnbuckled nor the dead coarse discouered except it were in his presence The Marshall as well to accomplish the Kinges pleasure as a full discharge of his office caused the sayd dead body to be transported before the King vpon whose commaundement certayne Dominick Fryers sworne to the same effect immediatly burned the Peasaunts filthy corpes promysing them rich rewardes and great promotions for their faythfull seruice shewed therein CHAP. 4. ¶ How the Duke of Suffolke was banished England and Queene Katherine condemned to die with other thinges that happened ALthough the victorious Duke in plaine troth thought his enemie dead and vanquishe and when that he expected releasement he had his calamities the more increased For the King being sturred vp with indignation against him and fearing least this bace enterprize should be bruted to the eares of the common people to his vtter disgrace and infamie he gaue this requitall to the victorious Cumbitant and committed by vniuersall proclamation that the good Duke should within two dayes be banished not onely the Court but also the boundes and territories of England with all his Lordly possessions landes reuenewes rentes fees inheritaunces but also from his kindred friendes and acquaintance Which heauie and vnprincely iudgement did not onely trouble his thoughtes but greeued the hart of gratious Queene Katherine that although she was not destitute of many singuler good friendes yet bereft of her best friende the onely staffe of her lyfe the losse of whose company stroke such an extreame sorrow vnto her hart that she lyued lyke one without a soule weary of the worlde and all other pleasures which as then did but smally comforther The Duke of Suffolke an houre before the tune of his departure came to the Queenes lodging to take his leaue who gaue him a Hoope of gold round fastened to his necke the Posie about the same was this What earthly place so euer harbours thee Till death depart braue Lord remember mee The which being clasped about his necke with two siluer claspes prepared for the same purpose whereon was very curiously ingraued two bloody Hartes bounde togither with a True-loues-knot with many interrupted sighes and panting stomackes departed they the one from the other to the great griefe of all the beholders there presâ—â—â— But within an houre after the Dukes departure the King directed his letters to the Lord high Marshall that within two dayes following the Queene should be beheaded Which heauie newes and tyrannicall furie displeased the mindes of the whole Countrey for the Kinges vitious lyfe was manifested to euery man besides the common people of England cast their eyes to the multitude of false flatterers which continually haunted the Kinges Court euery man seruing his owne will glutting in pride ambition and whoredome reaching and rouing after stately honour seathering and warming their nesses whistling merry songes in the Kings eare and feeding the world with pleasant delightes besides that many desperate Ruffines were harbored about the Kings person whereby euery man became lawlesse to liue as he lysted yet many noble Lordes vertuous wise and learned Iudges of his Maiesties priuie Counsell inwardly mourned the state and time they liued in by which meanes the commones loues were drawne to the Queenes saueguard so that she wanted no prayers good will nor earnest sute for her deliuerance the more her forrowes encreased the greater was she fauaured The King hereby fell to extreame hatred thorow his vniuersall Dominion and euery man redely held vp his weapon to pull the Princely Scepter out of his handes And whilst he expected the Queenes execution a present message was returned him that she was with childe all which being true yet Ielosie hauing so much power in his vnruly senses that he could neither alter his present purpose nor find a resting place for his vnquiet thoughts nor holsome counsell to eure the dissease of his minde which tiranicall resolution being wholly bent to the confusion of the gratious Queene chiesly incensed through his Concubines smiling beautie on whose poysoned sweetnes he now baighted sed vpon did rather apply with curtesie to her humor then to repriue his Queene from her appoynted execution which resolute purpose when the good Earle of Sommerset vnderstood as well to content sundry other Lordes being partners in the cause as the purchasing of ciuell tranquillety to the Kingdome made this oration to King Edward the effect following ¶ The Earle of Sommersets Oration to King Edward for the Queenes repriue NO greater ornament of glorie most mightie King may adorne your royall Maiestie then to reuert to your Princely estate magnificence Iustice and clemencie the onely standard of protection which all your Subiects must rest vpon therefore let wisedome perswade you to make a conquest of those vices which in the eyes of the word are apparent for your Subiects in generall repute your honourable deare spouse and vertuous Queene but your Princely opinion by flatterers enuie is hardly perswaded which if it be continued will in the end greedely vanquish and leaue you a common â—â—oty to the world And further more your common people grudge that your worthy Queene hath bin so nearely examined wroungfully imprisoned shamefully araigned hatefully handled cruelly condemned and without sparke of fauour adiudged to die Also they report that the good Duâ—â— of Suffolke being victor in the Combat is against law and iustice banished the land All these strange customes most noble Prince is reâ—iculous to your gouernment and offensiue to your people and since your Queene is falsely accused misreported and belyed it were a royall glory onely for hope of posteritie that your vertuous Spouse were repriued If you hacke downe the tree first saue the fruie If you graspe vp the gallant flowers conserue the seedes hereby you regard your dessent royallice your name and familie otherwise you ouerthrow your princely Throne Seate and Scepter for euer As I protest vttering my wordes before the supernall Iudge of heauen that the chast body of Queene Katherine is pure vntouched from all despight of villanie So most noble Prince take her againe into your fauour adorne your princely Throne with her beautifull countenance recouer your royall name weede from your Court these faigned flatterers gaping ambitiously after gaine discouer the morninges light and cut the loftie hilles that ouershadow your pleasant springs Be not perswaded but that the fruite which her body hath formed from your Maiesties loynes first issued is rightly planted and of a perfect of spring considering the Duke of Suffolke vpon waightie affaires was sent Ambassadoure into Normandie in the time of your
I know in that my blood thorow your handes must be imbrued but this is the day which long I haue looked for the which being now come I greatly reioyce that my miseries must be finished and the time of my sorrowes expired But yet a further comfort relieueth my afflicted minde in that young Edmond my Sonne is transported into the handes of the Normaine Duke and my deare daughter Siluia brought vp in the King of Denmarkes Court a Prince of singular vertue and honourable fame their causes being thus solicited by straungers helped of vnknowne men the vigilant eye of fortune cannot chose but be euermore cast vpon them And now for you my Lord Marshall I can but giue thankes for all curtedes and assuered friendshippes approuedly shewed to me in these my heauy woes good my Lord to morrow in the morning when death hastneth vpon me by the execution of your office departing and shaking handes with this life let it not be tedious or ouersmartsome vnto me but rid me quickly from my miferies The Lord Marshall and the vertuous Lady his wife being as then present with the Queene bathing their cheekes with floodes of teares spake to her and sayd in these wordes If that power were in vs fayre Princesse your death should be deferred vntill the appoyntment of the mightie powers whose leasure your enemies should waight vpon but we fearing the vnhappy successe and heauy burthen thereof would lodge vppon our backes and incurre the Kinges tyranicall fury and wrath No no my deare honorable friendes replyed the Queene I do ioyfully prostrate my lyfe to death Why should I hope after lyfe sith my Lord and King desireth my dispatchance If any such accedent take place you my keepers shall taste the sower and feele the smart thereof If I escape some vniust lot will fall vpon you if my lyfe through your good meanes should be saued my enemies would flesh them selues vpon you in contempt Nay noble Queene sayd the Lord Marshall we are not affrayd to aduise our selues in defence of your vertues but shall in time to come rid and dispatch these bloody varlets from the boosome of this land which now is made vnhappy by their cursed flatterie All which could nothing chaung her vertuous intent but was readely prepared in minde to scale the immortall throwne of heauen Her wroungfull imprisonment the false accusations layde agaynst her the vnchast lyfe of the King hir husband the infinite cares which she was wel acquainted with al which gaue full instruction and perswaded her soule to prepare for a heauenly pilgrimage Oh sayd the sorrowfull Queene this lyfe is a wildernes of woe I do abandon my whole reputation honours children friends and worldly estimation as fading shaddowes Oh sayd she my enemies hath charged me with adultry but the Gods know me a blameles innocent as yet neuer staynd with the purple spot of infamie The high Marshall and his wife passing all the whole night in these such like vertuous speaches addressing and framing her minde to the euerlasting voiage where she purposed to rest her vnspotted consience and to weare the celestial crowne of peace prepared for all such chast Ladies wrongfully accused But now speake we againe of the wicked Barron of Buckingham who early in the morning came with a mightie band of warlike Souldiers appoynted to execute the Kinges commaundement besetting the Lord Marshals house round about least the condemned Queene should be reschewed from death and being thus placed in the streets the Earle of London being the Queenes owne brother accompanied with sertayne other Gentlemen of worth all which attired in Friers garmentes craued lisence of the common Souldiers to goe and talke with the Queene touching the estate of her conscience belonging to their function and calling that through their good Counsell she might at the houre of death be well aduised lest either vanquished with impenitencie or throwne downe into desperation another lyfe should be tedious and full of torments These good causes earnestly considered by the Barron and his Souldiers obtayned them a free recourse to the condemned Queene whom they presently chaunged from Princely orniaments into a Friars weede and so concucted her through the whole garrison of Souldiers without examination or suspition and being in this secret and disguysed maner transported to the end of the towne the Earle of London had there prepared a Wagon which speedely caryed her onely in his company far from the daunger of their enemies This renowned possecie do I repute for a vertuous deede in deliuering the guiltlesse Queene from the handes of such tyrants an action worthy to be registred in the golden booke of fame to shine as a mirrour to all ensuing ages Shortly after the Queenes departure thus succoured by her beloued brother the wicked Barron called at the Marshals gate commaunding him to bring foorth his Prisoner shewing him selfe as though he were greatly displeased and stirred vp with impassible choller chasing and fuming as though he would teare her in peeces him selfe saying What doe you daslie with the Kinges commaundement Or doth it grieue her to leaue this transitorie world Is this the patient Queene which with her faigned holynesse hath so craftely crept into the fauour of the common people Bid her not feare to hoyst vp sayle towardes heauen hauing a merrie winde bid her beholde how Angels and celestiall troupes stande here attending safely to conduct her to the Gods them selues These spightfull tauntes giuen against the Queene bred such a furie in the Lord Marshals wife that she could not withhold her anger any longer but desperatly stept foorth and reuiled the Barron in this maner saying Oh thou incarnate Diuell quoth she art not thou content to wreake thy villanous minde by wrongfull accusation against the good Queene but thus rediculously to abuse her miseries She vttered a thousand such dispightful words inforced with deadly furie and fierie choller after the simple sexe of woman kinde as if it had consisted in her power to haue punished the Barron she yeelded so much to wrathful desires that no law could haue tamed her tongue nor restrayned the rage of her irefull indiscretion Goe seeke the gilelesse Queene sayth she it is vnknowne to my Lord and husband where and to what place she hath attayned I verely suppose that she is gon downe into the bottomlesse pit of hell to seeke such a wicked varlet as thou art for in heauen I know she can not finde thee foorth Well sayth the Barron bring her foorth according to the sentence of iudgement or els the smart will fall vpon your shoulders as well for violating the lawes of our land as contenming the Kings will and pleasure Vpon these wordes certaine of his most trustiest Souldiers violently rushed into the Lord Marshals house and with diligent view left no corner vnsearched and at last perceiuing it a manifest trueth that the Queene was secretly conueyed away they brought present word backe to the Barron who in
of vertue in her countenance but yet a cruell and vniust woe chaunced vnto her young dayes to become the nuptiall Spouse of a voluptuous vnchast King who more esteemed the false desembling face of a Harlot then the chast beautie of this vertuous Queene and yeelded more credite to the vniust accusation of a flattering Peere then to the pittifull teares of this honourable Person whose lyfe from her infancie hath hitherto continued without blemish Therefore now we hope that mercy waighteth in the gates of the righteous euer to relieue the distressed trauellers This being sayd the Knight hauing a good lyking to the bright honour which vertuously appeared in their faces vouchsafed to giue them a fauorable entertainement and according to the worthines of honourable strangers he reteiued them with great kindnes who not refusing his willing offer with great humilitie thanked his curtesie esteeming themselues in aduersitie as pilgrimes throwne vppon strange rocks of hard fortune were exceeding glad of friends and friendship This bountifull Knight more to honour their estates commanded the best and wealthiest subiectes within the Iland to attend their persons and to prouide all necessaries for their needfull want besides which the most plesantest buildings within the Iland were appointed for their lodgings who after long recreation refreshing their wearie miseries with good ease they craued libertie to depart But at the time of their abode in the Iland the Knight was grieued with a most strange disease the which most cruelly tormented him through all the parts of his body but Queene Katherine taking a view of the same saide vnto him in these words Your disease good Sir is euidentlie knowne vnto me being already partly acquainted with the nature therof I am no professed Phisition nor Chirurgion but yet if it stand with your good pleasure to aduenture your selfe vppon my simple skill although a stranger yet will I shewe my vttermost experience in the recouery of your health Most renowned Queene replied the Knight I can but thanke you for your curteous offered friendship but if my health may bee recouered by your knowledge I shall obtaine a greater benefit from your good grace then euer yet could bee ministred by any mortall creature I haue to my great cost and charge intertained many good and learned phisitions and chirurgions from sundry famous places of the world yea men of renowned credit haue trauailed vnto me yet hitherto I neuer could neither by wisdome cunning learning policy nor practise be remedied or eased But nowe such was the vertue and grace of this noble Queene that although she was of royall bloud yet the fulsomnesse of the disease neither was lothsome vnto hir neither the daintinesse which her degree might require did cause her to refuse any paines for accomplishment of his health but so she applied her medicines within and without of such vertue effect that in short time the knight recouered not onely his health but liued long after a very perfect and sound man The knight hauing thus made a triall of the incomparable vertue wisedome learning and modest chastertie of this noble Queene caused hir renowne to bee published in many forraigne nations and rewarded her with great treasures likewise appointing a sure ship trusty Marriners with great store of prouision for hir passage into Normandy likewise hee writ a letter to Duke Robert touching hir rare and excellent orniaments of nature yea what a renowned woman his country was like to inioy wishing that his fortune had beene worthy of so blessed and good a creature to haue dwelled amongst his people Thus this good Queene hir deare brother with the residue of her honorable company passed foorth their iourney towards Normandy where and into which countrey she was royally enterteined of Duke Robert his Dutches and principal estates of that nation and receiued fauour of all other sortes of people for hir curteous behauiour In this country her orniaments of skill wortinesse of vertue and studious learning so increased flowed and abounded whereby she was able to dispute talke and reason with the learnedst physicion in the world for she was so much guided by wisdomes lore that many forraine princes came to reuerence her besides common people full of sundry diseases homaged to her person for remedy and ease some for one grife some for another and to conclude there is no disease which this gratious Queene tooke in hand but hir excellent knowledge gaue health and soundnesse Oh how many Princes and great Monarks of the world were content to stoope for health of body to this worthy woman What wonderfull treasures and rich iewels were daily laide before hir sent from all the parts of the earth in respect of hir magnificence renowned same and admirable credite beeing vniuersallie spread through all the dominions of the world CHAP. 8. ¶ How King Edward grew in misliking with his faire minion and her secret friend the wickked Barron and howe by their meanes he was deposed and constrained to forsake his natiue countrey THE fame of Queene Katherines glory obtained in the Dukedome of Normandy did more depresse and martyr her enemies in England then if she had made a conquest of them with forty thousande men of warre the which her good successe abroad being fauored in a forraine nation did not a little fret the cankered stomackes of her foes at home as King Edward her husband Casiope and the Barren of Buckinggam which greatly repented themselues that better forecast had not setled in their heades in the preuention of such mischiefes by the Queenes prosperous euent like to ensue Casiope inioying the lour pleasure and faithful seruice of hir deare friende the Barron beginneth nowe to fadome the deepest waters and to blind the kinges eyes with the foggy mistes of her deceitfull smiles who as an instrument of folly was drawn to what purpose his Minion pleased first framed by the Barrons fraudulent deuises ceassed not more and more to vse their wits in the best manner they could to maintaine their vniust loues and being in a feare least their leude lecherie should come to the kings eares the which not a little tormented their thoughts aduised themselues by priuy consultation togither howe they might best procure their owne safety So by subtile science of wit they inueigled the King to deliuer vp the title of his gouernement and dominion to yong Valentinus his bastard sonne all which being brought to vnhappy passe Casiope and the Barren her louer for recreation sake might the more safer vse their pleasant delights in the Kinges presence without suspition as though no blemish were in beautie nor lewdnesse in loue The King being thus deposed many times sitting like a dizard desolately left to himselfe putting a by receauing onely by the yeare sixe thousand crownes and the wicked Barron appointed the lord Protector of young Valentinus who was brought vp according to his wished desire King Edward now being discharged from the heauy burthen of a crowne early in
we may the better appease homebred mutenies represse the practises of forraigne foes and preuent the pollecies of Queene Katherine and her councellours all which concerneth the establishment of that famous young Prince Vallentinus And whereas you hoping after the loue of Casiope whom you haue long time wrongfully abused and made a poynting stocke for the worlde to wonder at but now repenting of her former amisse she determineth to retyer from infamie and to match in honest marriage with my person being the onely suer staffe of her vertuous life Therfore to be short take this choise vnto your selfe either to depart quietly into some forraigne region or else to liue a priuate life in your owne countrey not once comming within the sight of our royall Court Therefore if wisdome may rightly perswade you I do not then doubt but that you will accept that good ordinary way which shall bring you the best securitie I end By me the Lord Protector of the young Prince Vallentinus AFter King Edward had perused these sawcy and malapert letters he stayed and breathed vpon the Barrons former flatterie and seeing this suddaine change of louers he often times sighed remembring in what ouersight hee was led allured iniuriously defaming and banishing his deare beloued Queene cruelly murthering the Lord high Marshall his wife and children and himselfe vtterly dispoiled ouer much trusting to the trifling pleasures of an harlot and leaning too much to the false allurements of a traiterous flatterer thorough whose wicked perswasions hee sent his naturall children to the aduentures of rouing fortune so also hauing resigned the keyes of his kingdome to a bastardly miscreant the sonne of a wicked strumpet all which did not so much grieue his tormented mind as in that he was made a iesting stocke to the world degenerated from ioyall bloud such was his distresse that his Noble-men graue Councellers and valiant Captains forsooke him and 〈◊〉 him to his misery and his poore and needie Subiectes tried out for due vengeance vpon him Thus finding no consolation in his extremity hee thus conferred with himselfe Oh said King Edward if I stay within the territories of my kingdome euerie man will scorne my wretched plight of whom with reasonable requests it may neither craue mercy nor succour hauing so vniustly wronged my countrey with an euerlasting plague besides that my mified life is offensiue odious and disdainfull to the company of men Howe may I expect safety amongst my countrimen being a King of royal bloud turned from my gouernment bereft from dignities honour and renowne and forced to take a stipend of sixe thousande crownes towards my maintenance payde by the discretion of flattering traytors The King vpon these inwarde piercing sorrowes departed his dominion and natiue countrey and without company like a Pilgrime wandered to what place fortune had appointed and his own follies deserued so trauelling many daies through strange countries it was his chance to ariue in the Dukedome of Brouswick where being destitute of money he was forced to sell all the rings chaines iewâ—â—s and other orniaments of gold whereby in a short time he consumed all that hee had and was compelled through penury and want to craue the good will of well disposed people but euery one beholding his gallant coate vpon his backe his costly hat vpon his head and his embrodered hose vpon his legs esteemed him some stout runnagate which more delighted in wandering wildnesse then in good serture or one that was sent abroad as a Spye to view the commodities of their lande and countrey and therefore would no man extende friendship nor reliefe towarde his comfort Being thus a pretty while pinched with hunger and want and consideting that his iust plague happened through the deserts of his former life he thought with himselfe what good way might be best taken in so extreame a misery either with shame to make knowne what hee was or else to liue in hope of some better chance in time to come and being in a strange countrey he was the lesse ashamed of his foule reproach and farre from acquaintance his calamities became the more hardoned So early in a morning trauelling on his way in hope of a batter recouery he met by chance with an old poore wretched beggar hauing a simple patcht cloake vpon his backe the which the king desired to exchange for his costly vestures a couenant betwixt theÌ„ both quickly concluded being both contented they stripped themselues to their naked skinnes the King putting on the beggars poore patched orniaments and contrariwise the poore beggar addressing himselfe in the Kings costly apparell and so departed one from the other without any further conference Thus after leaue beeing taken the King in his simple weedes laied him downe vpon the greene grasse he opened the begâ—ars budget or scrip and found such good store of browne breade hard cheese and bacon that he very well relieued his terrible hunger after which good banquet he arose vp went vnto a cleere spring neere adioyning drunke such an insatiable drought as though it had beene some Horse or Muse after dry prouender Thus after King Edward had well refreshed his hunger and satisuÌ„ed his greedy guts almost clunged together for lacke of foode and sustenance he passed further into the countrey continuing still this course of life and trauelling from place to place he was at last according to the straight lawes of that countrey apprehended and taken for a vagarant runnagate where beeing brought before the Maiestrates he was imprisoned whipped rigorously punished About some two months after these sharpe conslicts and grieuous punishments a vertuous gentleman of that countrey resorting by chance vnto the common prison to relieue the wretched estate of miserable Captiues hee by fortune cast his eye vpon the King which as then lay fast fettered in chaines of whom he demanded what countrey man he was who answered that he was an English man borne imprisoned neither for treason murther nor theft but only because he being a stranger was inforced to craue reliefe of well disposed people The Gentleman perceiuing King Edward well qualified in learning and seeming to bee ready and perfect in the Latine and Greeke tongues he was content to obtaine his inlargement and freely to set him at liberty if hee within his house would become a Schoolemaister for the bringing vp of his children The King being ioyfull of this offer and hoping after some better daies he yeelded to the Gentlemans request where after long seruice in the trade of a Schoolemaister so painefully imploying his diligence to the profit of his schollers that he obtained the well liking high fauour of his Maister Mistris and was loued of the whole family and in continuance of time by these good occasions offered he made open confession to his maister that he was the royall King of England the which being vnderstoode by the Gentleman forthwith as much as his ability would serue he safely conueied him
THE Famous Historie of Albions Queene VVherein is discoursed King Edwards Ielosie Queene Katherines chastetie the Duke of Suffolkes loyaltie and the Barron of Buckinghams treacherie Imprinted at London by VV. VVhite for T. PAVIER and are to be sold at his shop in Corne-hill neare to the Exchange at the signe of the Catte and Parrettes 1600. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL EDMVND MVILINEVX ESQVIER health happinesse and prosperitie THE generall report right Worshipfull of your gallant minde and noble disposition hath imboldned me to presâ—â—â— this my worthlesse labour to the view of your ingenious iudgement and the long desiers of my willing minde being now set on fier with the fame of your bright renowne presageth my mâ—ses good fortune which although it be but barren yet watered with the deaw of your gratious acceptance will hereafter be more fruitfull What the Storie is let your wisedome conceite my Subiect is The Vertues of a chast Queene and the loyaltie of a faythfull Subiect the triumphes of an honorable minde shrowded vnder the habite of a ielous King Accept it sweete Mâ—â—â—tialist with a fauourable countenance and my hopes are aduanced After the thundering alarums of dreadfull Warre Souldiers will sometime recreate themselues with pleasant discourses be you then I beseech you right Worshipfull a kind Patron to an vnworthy witt that I may say vnto my muse Happy is thy chaunce and fortunate thy proceedinges By your diuoted and humble welwiller till death R. G. THE Famous Historie of ALBIONS QVEENE CHAPTER 1. ⧠How King Edward grew ielous of Queene Katherine through the flatterie of the Barron of Buckingham ABout three hundred yeeres before the royall name of great Plantaginet possessed the imperial Diadem of this Mayden Land in which golden age there raigned as then one Edward surnamed the Senior a Prince of most excellent wisedome but yet in the first entraunce of his gouernment crost with many strange calamities through disloyall actions of false subiectes This Edward was not any of those royall Edwardes which liued since the Normayne Conquerour made England happy by his lawful clayme but one linially descended from the Romane Emperors who in the spring time of his blooming youth tooke to wife a most wise and vertuous Queene beautified with many singular good guiftes of nature and princely qualeties beseeming so worthy a Lady which Queene Katherine for so was she called altogeather imployed a dutifull care to adorne and set foorth her husbands Princely house and Scepter with surpassing glorie and rich renowne of vertue and besides that she so worthely defended her owne honour against a number of loose Loueres which dayly practised the conquest of her chastetie But now her betrothed husband King Edward being troubled diuers wayes with the hurly burlies of his Kingdome nothing at all solaced his minde in the company of his vertuous Queene by which he grew in mistrust of her chastety greatly fearing least others should loue that which himselfe liked or that she fauoured that which he falsely suspected his telous minde neuer rested satisfied partly of himselfe led with fond beliefe but chiefly incensed through the faythles falsehood of one George de Combria surnamed the Barron of Buckingam being aduaunced from low and poore parentage to the kings Court and not onely made one of his priuie counsell but placed in all digneties next vnto his person This proude Barron enuying the honour of Queene Katherine closely stuffed the Kings conseated head with false reportes and as it were coniured the sperit of I closie into his minde against the good and gratious Princesse which vniust occations of griefe being setled vnkindnes so deepely graued in his hart that neuer after it could be raced out by any meanes whatsoeuer King Edward being thus suncke into the bottome of dispayre fetched many greeuous sighes and often in great sorrow of hart would breath foorth this or such like lamentations Oh my vntrusty Wife and Lady wherefore hast thou wounded thus my hidden loue and inforced me to complayne of thy trecherous infidelitie Thou hast ingaged my honour discharged my person from renowne and possessed dishonour to my Scepter Oh! I launce foorth into the gulfe of dolorous distresse My marshall staffe of prowesse is broken in peeces and I am ledde into voluntarie seruitude deceitfully bereft from the freedome of my nuptiall life and sacrefized a slaue into the handes of trayterous varlets In this manner many a day King Edward fed his ielous minde with vaine immaginations casting him selfe from the lofty mountaine of passed ioyes into the bottomelesse pit of present woe So on the other side the Barron of Buckingam being hardoned in shamelesse audacities incountred him with a new onset to dyet his smell with a quicker scent and so espying a time to play with the sword of sedition he in presence of many of King Edwardes Lords vomited out this wrongfull accusation that followeth If protesting of loyall duetie to your worthy Maiestie or floods of incessant teares distilling from the cundets of my sorrowfull eyes may make perfect shew of a Subiectes honest minde as yet neuer blemished with the breach of dishonestie or euer touched or found guyltie of trayterous crime in regard of which true obedience most mightie Prince accompt my speaches for a veritie and nearely looke into the wronges of your Marriage bedde which ignorance hath heretofore coutched vp in secresie For beit knowne that the mighty Duke of Suffolke an auntient enemie vnto your Crowne and dignitie is familiarly crept into secret fauour with Queene Katherne your honourable Spouse who vnder shadow of seruiceable dutie bereaueth your Maiestie from the fruite of true continencie and couereth your nuptiall bed with a strayned mantle of blacke infamie Oh what a griefe is this vnto the soules of vs which intirely loue your Maiestie whose liues be wholely consecrated to your good fortunes It is not spight that inforceth me to defame the reputation of your royal Queene vnto whom I stand bound in all humble seruice nor any hate nor proffered miuryes doth inflame my minde to blemish the good Duke of Suffolkes fame with immortall ignobilletie but loue and dutie to my Prince and countrey wherefore most noble King cleare your vnderstanding and weede from your Court such treacherous deceauers that your life be not sodainely intrapped and we vnfortunatly depriued of a wise and puisant Prince And to conclude if I George de Cambria Barron of Buckingam be disproued or polluted with the breach of dishonesty an vtterer of false speaches or be found a flatterer or one that hunteth after Princely fauour proudly aspiring after dignetyes and promotions then let me perish and like a traytor be throwne out as an open shame vnto the world otherwise knit and binde me to your Maiestie in the fast bond of loyallty and haue the reward of a faythfull subiect When the Barron had thus inchaunted King Edwards eares his head burned more hotter with the heate of ielosie then before a dissease so incurable that
being once entered into the mind neuer resteth till it penitrateth into the secret deapth of the hart The King thus catcht in a fooles net neclected honest trueth and was choaked with the sweete baight of flatterie and being vnable to discharge the boyling heate of his stomacke with exstreame outrage called for the Lord high Marshall of England and commaunded him to take a strong Garrison of best tryed marshall Souldiers and to apprehend the Queene and the Duke of Suffolke and keepe them both in safe custody vntill he knew his further pleasure which sharpe commaundement was presently put in execution by the Marshall who in hart greatly lamented the dishonour of so vertuous a Queene But now the King like one being scandalizde by his wiues infidelitie departed into his chamber where many a day he secluded him selfe from all company except the wicked Barron which continually encreased his Ielosie in which hell of lyfe we will leaue him for a space and speake of the Queenes extremitie being imprisoned vnder the Lord high Parshals guard CHAP. 2. ¶ How the three Earles of Westmerland Sommerset and Durham came to visite Queene Katherine being in Prison and what passed betwixt them THe Duke of Suffolke seeing himselfe so wrongfully imprisned and such false accusations layde against the honour of his reputation was stroken into such a sodaine amaze that he could not outwardly bewray his sorrow but as it were inwardly bleed teares of blood to cleare his conscience before the immortall Maiestie of God for such a crime On the other side the noble guiltlesse Queene oppressed with like woe and mortall mishappe beholding her selfe a spectacle of dishonour to the worlde although before the supernall Iudge most cleare and perfect in conscience without either staine or spot of defamation yet being perplexed plexed with sundry thoughtes of griefe procured by the furious frownes of her Husbandes hate in the time of her imprisonment writ these verses vpon the walles with the blood of her marriage finger The spightfull Barrons cursed flatterie Hath wrongd Queene Katherines spotlesse chastetie And leueld out his dartes of lasting shame Against the princely honours of her fame But Trueth in time shall conquer Enuies will Where Fayth shall spring and brightly floorish still Packe hence Dispaire sweete Ioy come ease my smart For constant Fayth doth harbour in my hart My Loue is true my spousall Promise iust Not staind with any crime of lawles lust Then princely EDWARD cease thy cruell hare For Falshood wronges my noble fame and state Deare Spouse despise not thus thy constant Queene Whose loyaltie doth glister bright and greene If euer you tooke pleasure in my youth Let sound beliefe be witnes of my truth No sooner had the Queene finished these bloody lines but there came into the Prison to comfort her three graue Counsellers of King Edwards Court whom she did most louingly entertaine and after some conference passed betwixt them she most kindly kissed her Husbandes liuely Picture which as then hanged about her necke by a faire chaine or rundle of Gold powring out many bitter teares to the wonderful griefe admiration of all that beheld her the which being done she humbly desired pardon of the Lords to vse some words in the defence of her chastetie so that she might not abuse their patience and as she hauing an innocent guiltlesse hart so she might freely discharge her conscience and cleare her selfe from all those vniust accusations layde against her This her vertuous request so highly pleased the three Lords that they presently consented to giue her free authoritie openly to honest her honorable and auncient credite The harmeles Queene in a most seueere and bolde countenance with sundry taire amiable syrtes in her checkes her browes beset like the maiestie of Diana her white iuorte trembling hands like the driuen snow her body euen framed and fashioned of the virgin waxe spake as foloweth If vnmeasurable griefe of hart Right honorable Lords or the noble blood of my predecessors may be sufficient to draw melting pittie from your mindes I doe not doubt but your wisedomes will accompt the accusation of the wicked Barron to be vniust which he hath oppressed me withall who dayly seekes by flatterie to cut the sweete verdure and tender greenesse of my young yeeres therefore most noble Lordes for pitties sake arme me from his hurtes defende and guard me from his dreadfull conspiracies succour and support me with honourable iustice for he doth assault me with miserie he doth vsurpe tirannicall villanie against me he seeketh the ouerthrow of the Seigniorie of our Kingdome he setteth a deuiston betwixt my Lord and me and doth prepare an entraunce for himselfe But I wish a seperation of soule with a thousande tormentes of body if euer I ouerturned my spousall chastetie the which I haue alwayes carefully kept and without violation preterued it to my deare Lord and Husband If then these my wordes may mollefie your hartes to pleade in my behalfe to Kind Edward that he may with discretion consider my â—nnâ—cencie 〈◊〉 repute you mercifull men and sound searchers 〈◊〉 wherefore haue mercie vpon me I say haue mercie vpon a wronged Queene trayterously abused And in speaking this teares so abundantly flowed from the cundets of her eyes that she was forced to be silent These wordes of Queene Katherine so greeued their hartes that they were all perswaded of her vertuous lyfe and that her honourable fame was iniured through the bengance of the aspyring Barron who by flatterie had peruerted King Edwards noble minde therefore to comfort the greeued Queene the worthy Earle of Sommerset in the name of all the rest spake as followeth Your modestie most noble Queene quoth he shall inforce vs to prostrate our selues before his Maiestie that he may fauourably infranchize your lipertie and take you againe to his good grace and well likeing whose head no doubt is fraughted with many fantasies against you but yet since humilitie doth illustrate and aduance your cause with open trueth resolue this a comfort to your princely minde that your enemie which hath so mightely abused your reputation can neuer escape due punishment and the Gods I know will neuer forgiue so vile a wickednesse As for example Camera the Queene of Egypt hauing a hundred thousand sorrowes lodged in her chast minde being by rigorous iustice condemned to be torne a sunder by wilde Horses and so made a dolorous example vnto the worlde But now marke the iudgementes of God vpon the vile betrayers of this vertuous Queene for euen in the hower of her death an hoast or armie of angry Waspes with the sharpe stinges in their tayles in open view destroyed and subuerted her enemies an exployte of worthy warning against all false pertured accusers and sodaine seueritie against such as exercise by tyrranic all fury to flatter Princes eares Let not me forget the noble Egyptian Panteron which made a law that whosoeuer vowed a false oath should be led and
Queene and the Duke of Suffolke were arraigned and condemned of adultrie through false witnesses and what after happened THe very next morning after King Edward had giuen charge for their arraignment were they called foorth before certaine of the honourable Lords of the priuie Counsell and were tryed vpon the proofe of their accusation where the wicked Barron of Buckingam with two other bace Gentlemen of the Kinges Court did sweare by the immortall powers of heauen that the filthy fact of adultrie was committed betweene Queene Katherine and the Duke of Suffolke against the honour of his Maiesties person After which detestable oath falsely protested the good Earle of Sommerset stood vp in open audience and with a dischearefull countenance spake as followeth Oh you wretched betrayers of Innocent blood quoth he although they taste the bitter toâ—mentes in this worlde yet I feare not but they will shortly wander to that celestiall Paradice from whence will descend fierie vengance vpon your heades Oh you Diuels and Feendes of impietie woe worth the time that euer you attempted so vile a periurie for you haue taken a vertuous Queene from vs a Queene that is the merrour of true continencie and onely patterne of a constant woman the lyke clamor and pittifull lamentation was in the whole Countrey rounde about Then in the middest of which sorrowfull moane the Duke of Suffolke desired the Counsellours and Iudges that he might vtter some speaches in his owne behalfe and likewise to discharge his conscience of the vile acte his accuser had layde against his lyfe his speaches were in this maner deliuered I am not ignorant right Honorable assemblie that this my tender body clothed with Innocencie must shortly be discharged from the prison of this worlde and must take my iourney vp to heauen for true protection for this lyfe is nothing but a wandering pilgrimage of woe a mercilesse sea which often times vomiteth vs into the mouth of prying Pirates dashing vs vpon many dangerous Shipwracks and now since my duetie tyeth me to solemnize an honorable memorie of this aflicted Queene deliuer out a true discharge of her chastetie and a preseruation of mine owne honestie For if euer I presumed such a deede against the maiestie of her worthy person let this Ghost of mine be deliuered a pasture for infernall woormes to gnaw vpon or if my senses had been so arrogantly disposed her vertues might haue easely kilde my desiers yea and disclosed the same to my vtter ruine and confusion But I see my proffered diligence lyke a trusty Seruant proffered to her commaundement hath brought this woe vpon vs both therefore if her fame be brought in question through my misusage or if the proude Barron enuiously thirsting for my blood hath thus wrongfully damnified my gratious Princesse let a doble death for her deliuerance be layde vpon my lyfe let my sorrowes be twice imbrewed to deminish her paynes let the ransome of her pictie be layde vpon my body a graue and pit to finish vp her sorrowes Now this I speake as a witnesse of my last will hauing enioyed this worlde twentie sixe yeeres sufficiently proouing the vanities thereof and now willing to resigne this lyfe to a more better hope and as my young forepassed lyfe is free from staine so will I neuer blush nor hide my face as one suspected or blotted with any such crime of which I am now condemned of With these wordes pronounced by the Duke of Suffolke was the Earle of Sommerset depriued of speach and for the inwarde griefe which swelled in his breast he could not vtter any one worde humane sorrow powred downe from his eyes abundant streames of teares manifesting the good will and true affection he bore to trueth and iustice his soule grecued that true honour nursed vp to ripe age should in a short moment be deliuered to a cruell and most vntimely death But the Earle of Westmerland which as then presented the Kinges person hauing somewhat a more chearefull hart stoode vp in the Iudgement seate and spake as followeth Most gracious Queene quoth he and you my honorable Lord the Duke of Suffolke know that we in Iustice cannot release nor helpe your miseries for it behooueth vs to fulfill the Kinges commaundement least we incurre displeasure to our selues hindering vs and nothing furthering you but yet this remedy in my conceite standes with iustice that you my Lord of Suffolke may reobtaine your honourable fame challenging a combat of the wicked Barron and so reueale to the worlde your giltlesse perfection for he in presence of vs all hath spit out most vile wordes of despight blemishing and ouerthrowing your credite euen so noteaÌ„e before the face of men your true intencion and respect to honour and to the same effect frameman humble Supplication to his Maiestie and in doing so we the estates of this land heare present will eternally crownacle your endeuours to after ages And in speaking these wordes the whole Counsell brooke vp court for that day and departed euery one seuerally to their lodginges the Queene and the Duke were conducted againe to their wonted captiuitie whereas the Duke of Suffolke greatly comforted with this counsell thought euery day a yeere vntill he had giuen the challendge and that the Barron was prouoked to the combat so taking pen and incke he writ this knightly petition to his Maiestie The Duke of Suffolkes challenge of combat sent to King Edward IF your royall person most mighty Prince hath bin wronged thorow my counterfeite seruice let me be attached with the scourge of penall iudgment so that reasonable desiers be first fauoured for now honour burning hot in the closure of my hart in tryall of my honesty doth craue this permission at your princely handes that I may combat with the mischieuous varlet and false flatterer the proud Barron of Buckingham in disproofe of his cloaked falsehood If my quarrell be vniust the eternall powers of heauen will not prosper it If his ground-worke be well layde and haue a sure foundation his intent will be expressed the better For he that dares commit these wronges openly will not be abashed to auow them openly He that launcheth in the puddle of discord knoweth a cleare passage how to escape therefore most noble Prince let the holy fountaine of mercifull pittie straine out that it may mooue your Grace to graunt my requestes I ende By me the sorrowfull and dessolate Duke of Suffolke King Edward receiuing this Supplication in the manner of a Challenge thought it a deadly bane prepared against the Barron of Buckinghams lyfe yet he iudged the deniall of it would greatly preiudice his dignitie so desembling an outward respect to honour though inwardly harbouring fraudulent deceipt he with a smiling countenance made motion of the combat to the Barron as well for expressing of fame as publishing of fayth The Barron tendering his owne insufficiencie being loth to performe the Combat was astonished at the Kinges request and stroken into sodaine dumpes like
one that had lost his speach but yet after a great pause and long stay he spake in this maner I will not refuse sayd he the accomplishment of any thing commaunded by your Maiestie although your will and pleasure herein seemeth strange and vniust in that a true Subiecte should hazard his lyfe with a false Traytor The Barron sometimes silent sometimes ouer talcatiue sometimes lusty sometimes a coward so that standing betweene fraude and feare he fayntly represented an offer Vpon this the King procured a day of Combat and publyshed throughout the whole land this proclamation that followeth I EDWARD by long sufferance of diuine fortune King Prince and chiefe Ruler of all the partes of England c. Whereas the determined purpose of the noble and hardy Gentleman the Lord Barron of Buckingam is to defende himselfe against the miserable and condemned catiue the Duke of Suffolke a fable for the worlde to gaze vpon an infamous wretch of notable dishonour harbouring in his hart long Treasons against our Person Subiectes and dominion in excuse of his leawde lyfe for his best aduantage challengeth open warre against my good Subiect the Lord Barron vnto whose request in fauour of auntient prowesse I haue yeelded But as touching the trespasse of my Queene no Combat shall preuaile to acquite her disgrace nor no mortall benefites pardone her offences Thus fare you well Edward of England Thus did the King thinke no paynes ill bestowed that might bring her in hatred of the common people and also very much thirsted after her blood through the perswasion of his vnchast Curtizan faire Casiope that euery day sealed his lippes with so many kisses as her sute could neither-be frustrated nor at no time forgotten The Barron and he likewise roued in a vnetie of mischiefes and did priuely hyer a kitchen drudge named Trustie Thomas a slaue full of pouertie yet a lusty tall fellow glad to obtaine the Kinges fauour by accomplyshyng of any exployt for gayue who in receipt of a thousand Crownes tooke vpon him the name and person of the Barron of Buckingam to fight the combat with the Duke of Suffolke being of equall proportion and stature This Trustie Thomas had free libertie to make choyce in the Kinges Armorie fitting him selfe best for his defence in the surest coate of Steele and the like passage into the Kinges Stable for the choyce of the most couragious Courser Thus furnished in most seemely order for the gayne of money was content to commit himselfe to the mallice of fortunes hate The Duke of Suffolke on the other side as well furnished in all respectes nothing doubted the good successe of his aduenture being borne of a Noble famelie valiant and well exercised in the feates of Armes reputed for the goodlyest Gentleman in the vniuersall countrey of England so laying aside his courtly delightes vsed in the blooming time of his youth and putting on inuincible firme and approued magnanimitie of body he came the nyght before the Combat should be tryed to Queene Katherines chamber window being both prisoners in one Tower nothing but a wall betweene their seberall lodginges where as the Duke of Suffolke sung thefe verses folowing Reuenge ring out thy knell let trueth appeare To change my bitter Springes to Waters cleare Goe packe Dispaire thy sight I doe disdaine My Knightly deedes bright Honour shall obtaine Faint Feare dislodge thee from my noble brest Thou art no friende of mine nor wished guest For coward Captaines wins no stately Fortes Nor rotten Barke arriues in pleasant Portes Assurance tels the secrets of my hart That Falsehood shall receaue his due desart Proud Enuie then shall not obscure the light Of Honours brightnesse with his hatefull spight Oh sacred Heauens accomplish my desier That I may quench the heate of enuies fier Whereby my sad and discontented minde May gentle solace and sweete comfort finde This sorrowfull Songue stroke such a passion to the Queenes hart like one despising this vaine lyfe that she desired dolefull death hastely to finish her callamities but yet bearing a Princely minde in some measure to requite the Dukes curtesie she answered hun with these Verses following Queene Katherines Song to the Duke of Suffolke Good lucke conduckt thy minde vnto content To conquer him that is so lewdly bent To set deuision betwixt my Lord and me In spoyling of my blooming chastetie Stay stately Pride climbe vp thy steps no higer But soone disgorge thy hot ambitious fier For if Queene Katherine euer lyued so Let grauelled Graue be cradle for her woe Suspition leaue to vexe such worthy wightes Which spendes their dayes in vertues sweete delightes Nor let the crucltie of spightfull foes Plant vp a Docke vnroote a smelling Rose Victorious pome will shortly seeke to crowne Thy princely browes with garlandes of renowne Which euermore shall spring and florish greene For thus defending of a wronged Queene In this or such lyke maner spent they the night away to the exceeding comfort of each other vntyll the radient beautie of the next morning began to glifter in the easterne worlde which caused them then to take leaue of each other for at that same instant the Lord high Marshall in soueraigne iustice called foorth the Duke of Suffolke to auow his prize of Combat hauing ten olde sage Fathers going before him in mourning Gownes and white Wandes in their handes lyke one that went to fetch away the golden Garland of renowne and comming to the place appoynted he met Trustie Thomas as defendant in stead of the proude Barron vnto whom with a boulde courage he spake as followeth Ah thou false Traytor spoyler of true honour thou vnshamefast butcher of innocent blood Can nothing quench thy insatiate thirst of flatterie but the guyltlesse blood of Queene Katherine and my lyfe I doubt not but thou hast purchased a iust reuenge for thy infamous wickednesse thou at this present seekest after honorable fame but the Gods I hope will cast thy corpes vnto the most vnworthyest vermine of the earth to pray vpon Thou feedest thy selfe with false honour but perpetuall shame shal be thy best reward Doth not thy hart throbbe at this enterprize And doth not thy conscience declare thy impietie It would be a most seemely thing before any blow passe betwixt vs that thou with sharpe penaunce reconcile thy selfe vnto the Gods to haue a comfortable ioy after this lyfe for there is such inumcible manhood sealed in my hart that the reuenge of thy blood shall acquite thy villanie The simple slaue in hearing this knightly resolution was so amazed that with more willingnesse he was ready to deliuer vp his Marshals staffe then defend the enterprise taken in hand But the Duke with valtant magnanimitie hastely bucklde on his enemie blessing him with sound blowes as if he should say now is the time eyther of winning or loosing honour now eyther the spot of dishonour shall blurre me or the shyning light of renowne cleare me for euer Within sixe blowes
Queenes conception long before many weekes after Therfore I doubt not most excellent Prince but these my speaches may â—â—llifie your hart and procure present pittie to appeare and in doing so humanetie curtesie and noble worthinesse shall illustrate your person and with pregnant pollecie odorne your high estate and Imnage a rare blossome sprouting out to the exceeding comfort of all England The King being resolued at this the Earle of Sommersets request with the perswasion of diuers other noble men to graunt her repriuement vntill her deliuerance of childbirth were accomplished so that his desier in putting her to death might not afterward be hindred This her repriuement did not so much reioyce the sorrowfull heartes of the English Lords as it bred anger and discontentment in the Barron of Buckingames breast who imbouldned Casiope the Kinges Concubine to call for the Queenes secret distruction greatly mistrusting that continuall windes would at length shake the Tower of their prosperiites The beautie of this fayre Casiope seemed in the eyes of King Edward a little earthly Paradice which chaunged his inclinations to any way shee pleased for what soeuer he openly promised to his Nobles would he secretly denie before Casiope and what soeuer was obtayned contrary to her good liking was contiually crossed with a bad successe This costly magnificent Lady thus vndermined high mountaines builded bridges ouer mighty Seas and stood as a sure Irone post in the defence and safe conduct of the wicked Barron hir professed friend by art of wordes winding the Kinges mind to her ready bent bow and with beautyfull countenance indooting his concupicence against the whole dominion of England all which as a manifest trueth on a time approuedly fell out for after that sundrey of the Queenes friendes haâ—â—eliuered many pittifull petitions for her enlargement Casiope secretly betweene them selues taunted the King as followeth To what solletary wildernes is the ripenes of your pollecy wandred Shall euery bace Subiect hauing aspired some promosion rather of your goodnes then their owne desartes chaung your inclination as they list For shame my Lord put on a princely mind put off this bace relenting hart let Subiectes penetrate your minds not as they lust but as you please let them euermore seeke and neuer finde the secret depth of your hart let them rather grate vpon hard Irone then soft melting waxe my counsell herein followed and put in practise will bring speaciall welfare to your state and worthy estimation to all those which attende your person Further if Queene Katherine be the pleasant flower that euery one seeketh to smell at doe but vnroote the stalke and all their delightes will perish And to conclude her life will be your death and my dishonour King Edward harkening still to the voyce of this night Rauen which dayly crooked for the sweetlife of the vertuous Queene and spent much commumcation with the King as well for her dispatchance after her deliuerance from childbirth as conuaying the state of the Kingdome to her isshue The which pricks and darts of mortall shot throwne out so inwardly greeued the Lordes of the priuy Counsell that they departed the Kinges court resigned their offices and rich fees and sould their Patrimonies so that the Kingdome and dominion of Brittaine which before abounded in prosperous felicitie with manyfould orniaments of honour was now ruinated with great pouertie wretchednesse and miserie The King neglected the care of his people the people on the other side enuied the person of the King their martchandize and trafficke decayed their husbandry foreslowed ground became barron with out tillage miserable famine ouer spred the whole Countrey the which consumed breede of cattle The gold siluer and treasures was incroached among the wealthiest subiectes who for their better saffety betooke both themselues their riches vnder forraine gouernmentes Presently vppon this hurlie burlie which happened throughout the whole dominioÌ„ the heauens sent this good fortune to Queene Katherine that in the Lord high Marshals house she was deliuered in childbirth of two Twins a Sonne and a Daughter being two children of an excellent beauty which by the Marshall was presented to King Edward who although vtterly despising the Mother yet not altogeather choaked in ill nature toward the infantes speedely celebrated a soliemne Christoning and caused the man child to be called Edmond and the woman child by the name of Siluia the which being performed by officiall Priestes as the manner was in those dayes but yet not in such a royall sort as Princes childred ought to haue been christoned the which being no sooner finished but the King kindled in fuery against the Infantes through the perswasion of fayre Casiope caused young Edmond to be conuayed into the Dukedome of Normandy in which dominion the young Infant in company of his English nurses was most honourably receiued both because that Duke Robert being the first of that name was vnissued as being a Kings child of royal blood thinking that the Infant being naturally brought vp would proue in time to be a louing Prince to his people and a careful gouernour amongst them Further King Edward in the dispoyle of lawfull posterety from his dominion and Kingdome likewise transported fayre Siluia with her English nurses into Denmarke where very honourable intertaynement and comfort was giuen in the Kinges Court who through age and time gayned woonderfull estimation for as nature had rewarded her with excellent beauty so fortune forgot not to replenish her with wealthy prosperety who from her childhood in Princely orniamentes proued the only Parragon of Denmarke where now we will leaue her for a time to her good fortunes and likewise Prince Edmond in the Court of Normandie and discourse of the miseries that happened to Queene Katherine after her deliuery of childbirth CHAP. 5. ¶ How Queene Katherine was deliuered from prison by the pollecy of the Earle of London being her owne brother and what happened to the Lord Marshall after her departure KIng Edward not ending his Ielous fuery in the bannishment first of the Duke of Suffolke the young infant Edmond his ligitimate procreation and fayre Siluia his naturall daughter but with a greater determination of mischeife presently sent letters to the high Marshall giuing him a spetiall charge for the Queenes beheading protesting by the same letters what peace and tranquillety thereby might be purchased to his countrey After receipt of these newes the night before her death anpoynted Lord Marshall entered the Queenes lodging and made relation of his charge giuen by the King for her execution to whom she with a sober countenance answered in this manner My Lord Marshall sayd the Queene be not amazed but accomplish your duty herein nor thinke me displeased either with these newes from my deare husband or with you the messenger for I am fully resolued that my death more greeueth you then my selfe and as you haue been euer carefull in my cause so it is no little sorrow vnto your heart
bastard King that he grew desperate of good happe and being left as a naked man he secretly conueyed himselfe to the Tower and hid himselfe in an obscure den Thus Prince Edmond without any further disturbance quietly entred the Kingdome where he tooke vpon him the possession of the English crowne placing the banished English men in honorable dignities most richly aduanced the Normane souldiers the which being so luckely accomplyshed he caused the bastard to be searched foorth his mouth likewise to be stuffed closed vp with burning Pepper and hanged aliue in chaynes of Iron by the Barron Casiope vpon the top of the Tower as you heard before so vsed Euery thing brought thus to so good a passe England in short time became well unpeopled againe the Realme multiplied in gold siluer noble Famelies adorned with honorable possessions Lords Knights Esquires Gentlemen in semblable degree endowed Marchantes and Artificers well placed for traffique from forraigne regions great vent and tillage and breede of cattle increased learning and liberall artes maintained Marshall prowesse exercised and all things els in most decent maner placed the which we will passe ouer and speake of King Edward lyuing in the King of Denmarks Court. CHAP. 11. ¶ Of the Warres betweene King Edward and his owne Sonne and the successe thereof with other thinges that hapned THese affaires could not be so priuatly handled in England but that King Edward had intelligence thereof in Denmarke who with a resolute determination desired to returne into his natiue Countrey not onely that his olde age might be there comforted but that his daughter Siluia might be ioyned in marriage with Essricke the Prince of Denmarke whose father in the redresse of King Edwards long offlictions caused the second part of all his able men at armes to be mustred vp and prouided rich treasures for Souldiers pay with warlike weapons armour and store of shyppes necessary for such a dangerous exployte and published by Proclamation through all the Prouinces of Denmarke that king Edward was to reclaime his lawfull right in England vniustly vsurped by his owne Sonne with many other incouragements giuen out to animate his Subiectes to proceede with resolution This busie preparation in Denmarke so pierced Sir Perce of Winchesters eares in England that he mistrusted his estate to be dangerous and that his doble dealing would be shortly espied in the preuention whereof the better to protect and defend him selfe he writ this priuie Letter to King Edward as followeth Sir Perce of Winchesters Letter sent to king Edward NOTHING shall intice my hart most Soueraigne Lord to prooue disloyall to your Matestie nor nothing restraine the seruiceable duetie which I owe vnto your Excellence And although I was in my cradle when first you left your naturall Countrey of England but yet now being growne vp to sufficient reason do assemble all my powers of nature what pollecie chiefly may preuayle or practise procure your recouerie For there is nothing that my drouping soule wisheth for more then your happy returne to your former possessions I loue Prince Edmond if he reuerence your Maiestie and I wish him good successe if he shew the duetie of a sonne vnto his father against whom if he lift but his hand in wrath the Gods will wreake iust vengeance and destruction vpon Therefore most noble Lord thinke it not danger to returne for I will counsell him to submission shewing what execrable vengeance is pottended to them which draw the sworde of tyrranie against their owne Fathers I will admonish him to conuerse least his owne wilfull conceite bring him to perdition Thus may I both defend and counsell him without suspition of the world and also therevpon shew fauour and reuerence to your worthy Maiestie Thus fare you well THIS Letter being transported to King Edward into Denmarke was receined as sweete flowers with promised requitall the which refreshed his drouping senses and changed dispaire into perfect assurance and thinking now to recouer his former right by the meanes of Sir Perce vpon whose backe the common wealth of England depended but fearing least his proffered affections should alter he sent this answere to his letters as followeth King Edwards answere to Sir Perce of Winchesters Letter I Neuer dispaired but the Gods which hitherto hath gouerned all my attemptes would at last send some comfort to my miseries and bring me againe to the full perfection of my felicitie which through your wisedome and pollecie must be attained Therefore in most humble sort I do accept your kind proffer and this your loyall enterprise shall in the highest degree be blazed amongst my best friendes and vntill my soule be diuorsed from my body I shall neuer forget the loue of so faythfull a Subiect hencefoorth vowing to put off all feminine affection and vaine delightes which haunt Princes Pallaces and the Courtes of mightie Kinges Haue not I iust cause to render thankes to the immortall Gods that in the middest of my miseries I haue found so prudent and worthy a friend as is your noble selfe whose loyall hart is wholly consecrated to my good fortunes Euery day do I wash my face with teares for the tragicall ruine of my Countrey and euery day do I breath out sorrowfull sighes from the closure of my soule to thinke how the light beames of my princely honours hath been darkened by the falsehood of Casiope and the Barrons cunning craft whereby my poore Subiectes haue bin in â—angâ—râ—â— and my selfe plundged in carefull calamities all which greeueth not my soule so much as that mine owne childe now contrary to the duetifull obedience of a Soune doth vsurpe my Crowne and holdeth vp the sword of sedition against his owne Father But yet I see the Gods will still preserue both my lyfe and honour in that you are appoyuted to remedy my distresse and correct the trâ—yterous trespasse of a wicked Sonne Thus I end assuring my selfe that my fortune shall amount to the loftie turrets of my desire and likwise tread â—owne disgrace and quench the scorching flames of noysome enemies thus wishing you as my selfe I bid you farewell YET for all this King Edward regarded this person but as a prodigall and climbing traytor pâ—ouâ—ly aspyring after princely dignities and therefore entertained and placed in the ranke of false friends vsing him as a shaddow and image of a dead man without either respecting his valloure or trusting to his faigned flatteries But now in the meaue space whilst these things were a working Prince Edmond vnderstood by a priuate friend of Winchesters pestiferous treasons to the reformation whereof he sent foorth a trustie band of Souldiers for his apprehention which newes by Sir Perce was first vnderstood and therefore he fled secretly into Denmarke and disclosed to King Edward all the pollecies practised in England for which he was richly recompenced and rewarded with sumptuous entertainement After whose departure Prince Edmond felt the toundation of his Kingdome to begin to
rule and gouernement the which if it bee vnfortunately brought to passe what other hopes may you then expect but to bee ransacked and dispoyled of all your possessions and wealth your young men put to violent sworde your wiues rauished and your daughters euerie one defloured surely then let troth bee in your hearts stirre vp your valours manifest your noble minds and stretch forth the power and strength of men whereby that they which seeke to winne our ioyes may first bee drowned in a sea of sorrowes and those that will bee honoured with crownes must first in marshal fields obtaine a victorie therefore my louing souldiours if you stedfastly stand I wil sprinkle my heart bloud vpon our English ground before that cowardize shall inforce me to flie or loose one iotte or little portion of my kingdome Be not amazed my friends and country-men either let vs liue to maintaine our states together at liberty or else loose our liues with fame renowne Thus much I trust sufficeth to witnesse the vnfeigned affection the which I beare towards you from whose loue I wil neuer depart till death THis Knightly Oration so reioyced the soldiours harts that they almost willingly offered their liues a sacrifice in Prince Edmonds seruice and made choise rather to fight in defence of their Countrey then to be captiuated with tyrannicall slauery for whereas the English forces were before separated in their seuerall opinions so nowe were they with inseparable heartes knit fast together valiantly resolued to trie the last euent of this dangerous warre Thus whilst Prince Edmond incouraged his followers in this Knightly maner the Denmarke King with King Edward ariued on the coastes of Englande with a mightie band of armed souldiours intermingled with the ayde of many forraine Princes who marched succesfully to a conuenient place in Rent whereas they pitched their forces at the bottome of a high hill in which place the Danish King being a perfect good souldiour a man of a prudent iudgement practised many excellent pollicyes for in the night time he caused a thousand wild horses with hollow rattls of yron fastened to their neckes to be sent forth vpon the English tents without returne this in-rode being so confusedly entered he ordained also an hoast of foure thousand souldiours to pursue them with wilde fire burning brimstone in their handes In this maner entred they vpon the English souldiers as naked men and dispoiled the whole multitude of their liues in which conflict Prince Edmond was taken prisoner who had his head by his owne fathers commandement stroken from his shoulders and pitched vpon the top of a Pikes ende The battle thus ceasing newes by a publike reporte was spread throughout the land of Prince Edmonds death at which report the cities and principall houlds in the countrey were yeelded vp and the forraine souldiours being inforced to shift for themselues escaped away in the night after whose departure King Edward although in vtter hatred of the people yet once againe gloriouslie entered into his kingdome and became their gouernour where after he had setled himselfe and the Denmarke King taken leaue and departed backe into his Eountrey but King Edwarde reposses sing his former estate larde sharpe punishments harde lawes vppon the English-mens backes the which brought him againe into cankered contempt for the people being vnruly with vnbrideled will placed their former malice against him vpon which the King for his better fecuritie resigned his crowne and gouernement to his daughter Silina and vnto Lord Essricke hir husband and so betooke himselfe to priuate pleasure and rest Lorde Essricke and faire Silura with renowned honour thus tooke vpon them the gouernment of the land and because they were vnacquainted with the manners conditions of the people they retained Sir Perce of Winchester to be esperially of their councel and their only Secretarie who cunningly dehaued himselfe that he obtained the faudr and friendship of the common fort winding himselfe more and more into their priuities in such sort that he perswaded the people that Lord Essticke and Lady Siluia were vnnaturall Princes and vnfit to gouerne so souing a people Sir Perce of Winchester thus got into the loue of the common sort winked vppon all transgressions faâ—â—â—â—ed traytors theeues harlots and such dissolute persons and many times hauing a company of simple then in his presents he would speake to them in this maner saying Oh if I were your gouernour the awful sword of Iustice in my hands what liberty theÌ„ should ouershadow your attions for without controusment or punishment then should you freely liue and haue both honour wealth pleasure at your will This practise fecretly came to king Edwards eares who being well acquainted with the driftes of flatterers trembling at the memorie of his former miseries led Winchester by faire wordes vp to the top of a high Tower whereas ouerlooking the same King Edward with other confederates appoynted for that purpose cast him hedlong ouer the wall dashing his bones against the hard ground so brake his necke euen as he craftely crept into the fauour of the common sort so wretchedly with shame and dishonour ended he his life Now King Edward thinking the estate of his kingdome freed from all traitrous complotters gaue him selfe wholly to voluptuous desires and hauing vnchast lust harboring in his â—â—est against all nature he desired incestious concupisence with faire Siluia his owne daughter and being in a secret chamber ready to inforce her to that filthy fact she spake to him in this maner Deare Father remember the honour of your house my alcadance and duetie to my husband and the violating of my nuptiall chastetie all which if you commit your pretended sinne will bring a heauy iudgement and greeuous scourge from God to punish our wicked deed and euermore in this worlde we shal be made a disdaine and open contempt to be gaped at All which perswasions nothing preuayled for the King being drowned in forgetfulnesse of former miseries inforced vehemently the rauishment and deflowring of his daughter Siluiaes honorable chastety the which being no soner obtained and shamefully committed but by the iust iudgement of God he was sodainly stroken with death for in his daughters presence a fearefull flambe of burning fire descended from the celestiall throne of heauen and bereaued him both of speach and lyfe in a moment in the twinckling of an eye Which strange vengeance was no litle vexation to the sorrowfull hart of Lady Siluia yet remembring the duety of a daughter to her father she caused a costly Monument of pure wrought gold to be framed wherein with her husbands consent he was with great honour intombed as though he had left this transitorie world naturally without any such violent end After king Edwards death thus strangely happened Lord Essrick vpon his owne absolute authority bore sway among the people who was not able to gouerne the countrey except it were with mercilesse tyrannie for the