savage Rage fired the City of York and martyr'd St. Edmund King of the East-angles but Ethelred at length gave them a great overthrow slaying one of their Kings nine Earls and an infinite number of common Soldiers but about fourteen days after the Danes put the King to Flight at Basing and giving him Battel again at Merton about 2 Months after they obtained the Victory wounding the King also of which afterwards he died In the third year of this Kings Rule was the fourth general Council of Constantinople under Pope Hadrian the Second This was the eighth general Council of Christendom This Ethelred was the Third Son of Ethelwolf and fifth Sole Monarch of England and began his Reign Anno 866. and reigned 6 years 6. Elfride He fought 7 Battels with the Danes in one year and his Predecessor 9 These Danes so sore oppressed the King that he was forced to fle into the Woods and Desart Places where righting of his Bow and Arrows in a poor Cottage he was sharply blamed by the House-wife for letting a Cake burn on the Hearth for want of turning But after this putting himself into the habit of a Musitian he went playing up and down in the Danes Tents and taking notice of their sluggish Security he returned and gathered together his scattered forces and entring the Danes Tents before they were aware he made a great slaughter of them and took Rafan their Danish Banner which had a Raven of Needle-Work in it that had good Fortune ever attendant And now Halden a Danish Commander landing in Wales was by the Devonshire Men slain at a place near Exeter bearing his name and 818 of his followers after this the Danes sued to the King for Peace which was granted but not long continued This King caused all thieves to be banished and divided his Kingdom into Shires Hundreds and Tythings It is said That Gold-Bracelets were fastned to the Posts in Cross-wayes and that none were so bold as to take them away He is reported to have divided the Natural Day into three parts Eight hours whereof he spent in Prayers and Contemplation Eight hours in the Affairs of the Kingdom and Eight hours in Provision for himself He founded the first Common School in Oxford as Authors affirm which is now called Vniversity Colledge This Elfride was fourth Son of Ethelwolf and the Sixth Sole Monarch of England He began his Reign Anno 872. and reigned 29 years 7. Edward A Rebellion was raised against this King by his Nephew Ethelwald in this King's time one John Patrick Erigena a Britain writ a Book about the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper which was afterwards condemned by the Pope and he received Martyrdom for his Reward This King built the Castle of Hartford and at St. Edmund's Ditch he fought the Danes and was overcome but they lost two of their Kings Ethelwald and Crochricus and encountring again at Wodnesfield there the fortune of the day fell to the King and he slew the two Pagan Kings Cowilfus and Healadinâ—â— and the two Earls Vter and Scurfa and many thousands of the Danes besides Edrick King of the East-Angles was also slain by his own Subjects after this King had vanquished his Army This Edward was the eldest Son of Elfride and the Seventh Sole Monarch of England He began to rule Anno 901. and ruled 24 years 8. Ethelstane He is said to be the first annointed King 〈◊〉 this Island Elfred a Norman rebelling 〈…〉 and sent to Rome to 〈…〉 Edwin the King's Brother was slain the King through some Jealousies consenting thereunto but afterwards Repenting the Fact caused the Procurer thereof to suffer Death And now Anlafe the Dane disguising himself like an Harper entred the King's Tent and returning thought to have surprized the King but getting Intellihence hereof he removed his Tent and a Bishop new come to the Camp pitched there so Anlafe coming at night to surprize the Tent the Bishop hearing started up and so manfully laid about him that he slew five Petty Kings twelve Dukes and a great number of Soldiers but at last pity it was so was slain himself And the King afterwards passing into Scotland he Offers his Knife for good Luck's sake to John of Beverlye Subdues the whole Kingdom of Scotland makes a miraculous Dint in a Stone at Dun-bar with one stroak of his Sword of an Ell deep to testifie his Right to that Kingdom Near Winchester as the Story goes The King was challenged by the insulting Danes to provide a Champion to encounter one COLBRON a Danish Gyant whom they held invincible and none of the King's men daring to fight him he got a Pilgrim from among the Beggars as he was directed in his Sleep that entred the Lists and slew the Gyant and this proved to be Guy of Warwick of whose Vallor and the Faithfulness of his Wife Felice Tradition hath been very prodigal At Long-run the King became Victor of his Enemies and several Kings sent him Presents Hugh King of France sent him the Sword of Constantine the Great which had in the Hilt thereof one of the Nails that fastned CHRIST to the Cross he sent also Constantine's Spear being the same that Longinus pierced CHRIST's side with when he hung on the Cross and with it a piece of the Thorny Crown also And Otho the Emperor sent the King a Lanskip richly set with precious Stones The King of Norway sent him a great Ship richly gilt with purple Sails This King caused the BIBLE to be turned into English This Ethelstane was the eldest Son to Edward and the Eighth sole Monarch of England He began his Reign anno 925. and reign'd 15 years 9. Edmund He was much imployed in warring against the Danes and fought several Battels with them He caused the Eyes of the two Sons of Dunmail to be put out for their Rebellion He was Author of several of those Laws translated by Master Lambert he was Crown'd at Kingstone near London and made King thereof and so were Edwye Edred and Ethelred his Successors But on a time unhappily interposing his Body between two Duellists he was run thorow He bestowed Northumberland on Malcom King of Scotland This Edmund was fifth Son to King Edward and ninth Sole Monarch of England He began his Reign Anno 940 and reigned 6 years 10. Edred In his time Anlafe began to invade England again being animated under hand by Wolstan Arch-Bishop of York and was made King of Northumberland by the Subjects there but after several Skirmishes between Edred and him at length he grew distasteful to the People and so they dis-robed him of his borrow'd Honour and left him in statu quo prius The King in his March to Northumberland against Anlafe spoiled all with Fire and Sword and burnt the Abby of Rippon But at his Return he was basely set upon in the Rear of his Army and several of his Men slain before the rest could face-about which Plot was devised against him by Wolstan
Earl of Chester and Prince of Wales and caused the Nobles to swear him Fealty about this time the famous Dr. John Wickliff of Oxford maintained sundry learned points against the Church of Rome This Edward the Third was King of England and France Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain c. he was eldest Son of King Edward the second by Isabel his Queen Daughter to Philip the Fair King of France he began his Reign on Saturday the 25 day of January Anno 1329 and reigned 50 years 4 months and 26 days and was the 31 sole Monarch of England He died on Sunday the 21 day of June Anno 1377 being the 51 year of his Reign and about the 65 of his Age his Body was buried at Westminster CHAP. XXI Of King Richard the Second commonly called Richard of Bourdeaux IN the beginning of this King's Reign the French invaded England and burnt the Town of Rye the Scots the Town of Rocksbrough And after this the French took the Isle of Wight and forced the Inhabitants to pay them a hundred marks not long after they burnt the Town of Hastings All these Advantages being taken by reason of the King 's tender years upon the Occasion of these daily Rapines one Sir John Philpot of London seeing the remissness of the Lords at his own proper costs and charges manned out a Fleet to scour the Seas which Fleet shortly after took 15 Rich Spanish Ships which well recompenced Sir John for his charges About this time Barwick was surprized by the Scots who killed Sir Robert Boynton the Governour and about nine days after it was regained by the Earl of Northumberland the Scots being all put to the Sword And now a Parliament being called at London for Manning of those Services a Subsidy was granted to the King by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal the Commons at that time being exempted from it Shortly after this Sir John Arundel and several other valiant Knights and Esquires being sent to the Duke of Britain for his aid against the French were all drowned But the King sending more Forces after these as the Duke of Lancaster Buckingham Warwick and Stafford with others of the cheif of the Nobility they landed safely at Callis and went through France to Britain spoiling Countries burning Towns and killing People the French not daring to oppose them About this time Vtred Bolton John Ashwerby Walter Brute John Ashton and Peter Pateshall were persecuted some by perpetual Imprisonment and some by Banishment for Preaching and maintaining Dr. Wickliffs Doctrine After this the King calling another Parliament at Northampton they granted him Poll-money of Twelve pence per head of every one above such an Age. The next year after this the Commons of Kent Essex Surry Suffolk Norfolk and Cambridge rebelled and under the Conduct of Wat Tyler and Jack Straw marched suriously to London burning the Priory of St. John's without East Smithfield and turning also the Savoy and the Bishop of Canterbury's House in Lambeth into Ashes Beheading Simon Tybald the Archbishop Sir John Hales Lord Prior with others And now they sent a malicious arrogant Petition to the King whose Tenor the King durst not deny his Person being then in manifest Danger of them But Wat Tyler cavelled at the conditions of Peace Suggesting strange Hopes of high matters to himself hereupon he was desired to ride to the King which accordingly he did and there behaved himself so insolently that he offered to kill Sir John Newton one of the King 's Attendants for the omission of some Punctilio of respect to him But the insolent Traytor for this affront received his Death's Wound from the hand of Sir William Walworth Lord Mayor of London And the Lord Mayor presently raising a thousand Citizens surprised the headless Monster and caused them to beg their Lives of the King John Lister the Dyar who headed the Rabble in Suffolk was also taken by Henry Spencer Bishop of Norwich and there was executed of this rebellious Rabble in London and elsewhere about 1500. Now these Plebean Furies being over the King took to Wife Anne Daughter to the Emperour Charles the IV and shortly after John Duke of Lancaster was accused of Treason touching the King's Person but the Accusers Reward was Death which he hoped and intended for the Duke's Lot After this the Duke sailing into France concluded a Truce for about two years space and then a Parliament being called at London the Laity sought to depose the Clergy of their Estates but the King answered their Request in these words I will saith he maintain the English Church in the quality of the same Estate or better than I found it when I came to the Crown At this Parliament was Robert de Vere Earl of Oxford Created the first Marquess of Dublin This year also the Duke of Lancaster set Sail for Spain to regain the Kingdom of Castile to which by Right of his Wife he laid claim to Within a while after several Lords rebeled against the King and were all pardon'd before they came to their Tryals yet notwithstanding the King's Clemency they still kept together and raising great Forces they did not stick to charge the King with several misdemeanours and now the Duke of Lancaster returning for England again Peace was concluded between him and Spain and the King thereof gave him 200000 Nobles towards the defraying of this charges he had been at at whose return the King made him Duke of Aquitain After this the King desiring of the Londoners the Loan of a thousand pounds it was denied him whereupon he seized on their Liberties and dissolved their proper Magistracy turning out their Mayor John Hind and John Shadworth and Henry Wanner their Sheriffs and appointed Sir Edward Dallingredge Warden of the City And about two years after the King having a desire to go for Ireland had a Subsidy granted him four years Truce being then concluded with France but after this he with the Company of the Duke of Lancaster and Earl of Gloucester sailed into France where he espous'd the Lady Isabel Daughter to Charles King of France this Journey besides Losses at Sea cost him 4000 marks At his return from France certain Peers revolted from him making Forces removing such Officers from the King as they thought fit whereupon the Earl of Arundel one of the Rebells had his Head lopt off and the Earl of Gloucester was smothered with Pillows and Feather Beds at Callis and shortly afterwards the King made himself Earl of Chester and created several Dukes and Earls at that time And not long after this the River between Swelston and Harleswood near Bedford stood still and divided it self so that the Bottom remained dry about three miles space And now the King extorting Money and taking up Carriages and other Necessaries intending for Ireland to suppress the Rebells there who had slain Lord Mortimer Lord Lieutenant there And the Duke of Lancaster dying about this time the King seized his
mean time road Victoriously to London and was again Proclaimed King and a Parliament shortly after being called They disinherited Henry his Queen and Son and about 43 Nobles and others and now the Queen returning into Scotland with her French Fleet and afterwards making for England her Fleet was Scattered by a Tempest so that her Husband and She were left solely to the Aide of the Scots who marching into England as far as the Bishoprick of Durham King Edward prepared to meet them but making an halt at York he sent the Lord Montacute with forces to oppose them who was encountered on Hedgley Moore by the Lords Hungerford Roâ—'s and Sir Ralph Peircy to whom the Lord Montacute gave the foyl taking Sir Ralph Percy and several others being slain and growing proud of this Victory he assail'd King Henry's Camp at Hexham where after great slaughter he took the Duke of Somerset and other three Lords and one Knight which were all beheaded whereupon Henry fled into Scotland and afterwards coming into England in disguise he was taken and having his feet tyed to the stirrups and his guilt spurs taken off his heels he was then committed Prisoner to the Tower of London Shortly after King Edward called a Parliament and Enacted several good Laws especially against pride in Apparrel and now he begins to think of a wife whereupon the Earl of Warwick was sent to sollicite a Marriage between the King and Lady Bona Daughter to Lewes Duke of Savoy and all things being well approved of by the Lady and her Friends the Earl Returned before whose Return the King had set his Affections on the Lady Elizabeth Gray here in England whose Mother was Jaquelline Daughter to Peter Earl of St. Pauls to whom shortly after he was Married The Earl of Warwick took great distast thereat thinking himself hereby abused and endeavoured afterwards to uphold King Henry's Cause drawing to his Assistance some Nobles and Forein Princes and upon these discontents some of the Commons rose under the Command of one Robert Hildern intending to gave seized on York from which place they were beaten back by the Lord Montacute president thereof and their Leader beheaded Yet the Commons not dismai'd hereat chose Henry Lord Fitzhughs Son and Sir Henery Nevil Son to the Lord Latimer but they being but young made choice of Sir John Coniers a valliant Knight and intended their march for London of which the King having notice he made William Lord Herbert Earl of Pembrook General and Sir Richard Herbert his Brother assistant to him And now the Northern forces drawing near Northampton the Lord Stafford and Sir Richard Herbert with 2000 Horse fell in the Rear of them but were repulsed and lost most of their Men afterwards the Armies meeting near Banbury some distast being then taken by the Lord Stafford at the Earl of Pembrook the Kings General he thereupon withdrew his Archers upon which occasion Pembrook lost the field and had 5000 men slain and the Earl with his Brother and other ten Gentlemen were taken and carryed to Banbury and there beheaded After this Victory some Commons under the Leading of Robin of Ridsdale hasten to Grafton the King's Mannour house and there surprized Earl Rivers the Queens Father and his Son John and at Northamton beheaded then and now the King set forth with an Army himself and pitched at Wolny four Miles from Warwick whose Guards were not so vigilant as they should have been the King being at that time animated with some hopes of peace of which the Earl of Warwick taking advantage he entered the King's Camp Treacherously by night and took him prisoner when he never dreamt upon it from whence they conveyd him with easie journys by night to the Castle of Midleham in Yorkshire and there left him to the keeping of George Nevil Arch-Bishop of York Warwicks Brother from whom the King not long after escaped and came to York where the Citizens received him lovingly and so raising an army he past from thence to London not long after this Sir Robert Wells Son to the Lord Wells raised 30000 plebeans in Lincolnshire and pitched near Stanford whereupon the King caused the Lord Wells Sir Roberts Father and Sir Thomas Dimmoâ—k his Kinsman to be beheaded which was against the King's Oath and promise to them and then marched to fight Sir Robert who with Sir Thomas Deland were taken Prisoners and Lincolnshire men cast of their Coats and run away whereupon that Battel was called Loss-Coat field there were slain that day about 10000. this Newes made the Duke of Clarence and Earl of Warwick flye to sea and casting Anchor before the Town of Callis they were there denyed Entrance by the Lord Vanclere who was the Earl of Warwicks Deputy there for which good service he was by King Edward made Captain of Callis and Warwick discharged as a Traytor yet nevertheless he was welcome to the French where the Queen of King Henry at that time was with whom Warwick joyned whose Daughter at that time was betrothed to Prince Edward King Henrys Son and they all sollicited for Forces which was granted and the Earl landing in England with a great Army proclaimed King Henry to whose Aide great store of People flocked the Lord Fawconberge in the West and the Earl of Pembrook in the North doing the like And the Earl of Warwick now taking his March towards London King Edward Commanded his Lords to attend him in the War but several of them disowned his Mandates which he perceiving with some few Nobles in his Company hasted towards Nottingham there to determine what was best to be done but his Foes greatly increasing Bon-fires burning Bells ringing and all the people crying up King Henry for very fear King Edward with his Brother the Duke of Gloucester took shipping at Lyn and sailed into Flanders to Charles Duke of Burgundy and his Queen took Asylum at Westminster where she was delivered of Prince Edward afterwards King of England and at this time several of the Kings Friends took Sanctuary Edward being fled Warwick took King Henry out of the Tower where he was prisoner and Riding in Tryumph through the Streets of London great were the Acclamations of the People crying God save King Henry And now a Parliament being called Edward was declared Traytor and his with all his Adherent's Goods confiscated and the Crown Intayled to the Heirs Males of Henry's body and for default thereof to the Heirs Males of George Duke of Clarence and finally all the Statutes made by King Edward were Abrogated But King Edward having gotten some small Forces of about 12000 men of his Brother in Law the Duke of Burgundy he returned for England as a Subject and proclaimed King Henry deluding the People and so got to York which he making them believe that he came but to look for his own Inheritance surprized and assumed to himself leaving a Garison in it and from hence he marched to Nothingham and so to
reigned 22 years 14. Kenelm He was Murthered by Askbert this Teacher through the instigation of Quendride the Kings own Sister he began his Reign Anno 819 and reigned about 5 months 15. Ceolwolfe By the Instigation of Bernulfe after one year's Rule he was expulsed by his Subjects 16. Bernulfe Having gotten the Kingdom had but little comfort in the injoyment first fighting Egbert the West-Saxon and afterwards the East-Angles by whom he was slain in the third year of his Reign he began to Rule Anno 821. 17. Ludecan He began his Reign 824 and in his second year was slain by Egbert and the East-Angles 18. Witlafe He was also overcome by King Egbert the West-Saxon in the thirteenth year of his Reign which began Anno 826. 19. Berthulf He began his Reign Anno 839 and reigned 13 years And then was forced to leave his Country by the cruel usage of the Danes 20. Burdred He after several fights with the Danes at length became Victor but fresh supplies landing again he was then forced to fly out of the Land he began to Reign 852 and reigned about twenty two years Now we come to the last of the seven Kingdoms which was called the East-Angles This contained Suffolk Norfolk Cambridge and Ely Island It began Anno 575 continued 353 years and ended Anno 914 and had a Succession of 15 Kings as followeth 1. Vffa He began to Rule 575 and reigned 7 years 2. Titulus He began his Reign Anno five hundred eighty three and reigned about thirty two years 3. Redwald See his Actions among the petty Monarchs chap. 6. his Reign began in the year 616 and he reigned 8 years 4. Erpenwald He began his Reign 624 and Reigned twelve years he was brought to the Faith of Christ through the perswasions of Edwine King of Northumberland for which cause he was murthered by one Richebert he was the second Christian King of this Kingdom and Redwald the first 5. Sigebert He began his Rule 636 and Reigned two years he abandoned the Court and Country during his Father Redwald's Reign and afterwards returning out of France he brought the light of the Gospel into his Dominions and after two years Reign shore himself a Monck and resigned his Kingdom he was afterwards slain in Battel by wicked Penda 6. Egrick He began to Reign 638 and reigned four years he was slain by Penda and so was his Successor Anna. 7. Anna Begun 642 Reigned 12 years 8. Ethelbert He was slain in Battel by Oswine King of Northumberland for siding with Penda he began his Reign 654 and reigned about two years 9. Edelwald Began 656 reigned 8 years 10. Aldulfe Began 664 reigned 19 years 11. Elswolfe Began 683 reigned 7 years 12. Beorne Began 690 reigned 24 years 13. Ethelred Began 714 reigned 35 years 14. Ethelbert He was sent for by Offa the Mercian King who promised him his Daughter but instead thereof he gave him Death to Imbrace he being murthered at the instigation of Quindride the Queen He began his Reign 749 and reigned 45 years 15. Edmund He was besieged in Framingham Castle by the Danes and being taken Prisoner by them he was beaten with cudgels and scourged but Edmund still calling on the name of the Lord Jesus it so inraged them that they took him and tied him to a stake and shot him to Death with their Arrows and afterwards they cut off his head and threw it in a Bush he began his Reign Anno 794. And though Authors agree not how long he Reigned yet I shall agree with the ending of him to end this 4 Chapter CHAP. V. Of the British Princes who withstood the Saxons Conquest being accounted 13 as followeth 1. VOrtigern This man being chosen King of the Britains after he had first treacheroufly made away Constantius his Predecessor he intended the like to Aurelius Ambrosius Vter Pendragon who were the Brother of Constantius whereupon they were conveyed to their Friends in Little-Britain for their safety against his Tyranny And now Vortigern being sadly pestered with the Picts and Scots he sends for the Saxons to his Aide and having through their assistance overcome his Enemies Hengist the Saxon Leader getting into favour with the King begged of him so much ground as an Ox-hide would compass which was easily granted so the same being cut into thongs it incircled so much ground that a Fort was built upon it called Thong-Castle where Hengist settled himself And now Hengist hath more of his Friends waiting upon him and amongst the rest comes Rowena his Daughter with whom Vortigern was much taken turns away his lawful Christian Wife and takes Rowena and afterwards his own Daughter begotten on her becomes his Bedfellow on whom he begot a Son called Faustus who is said did weep himself blind for the Abomination of his Parents for those things and his too much kindness to the Saxons after sixteen years Reign he was deposed by his Subjects and his Son Vortigern made King after whose Death he was restored again but falling again into his wicked courses after six years second Reign he with his incestuous Wife were both consumed to Ashes in a Castle of his own founding in Wales which was set on fire by Aurelius Ambrosius his Successour This King began his Reign Anno 438 and reigned in all 22 years 2. Vortimer He reigned prudently 4 years and won four Set-Battels against the Saxons and put them to such a strait that they were forced to betake themselves into the Isle of Thanet the place of their first landing and then petitioned to return into their own Country leaving their Families and Possessions behind them but least this King should prove the utter vanquisher of the Saxons he was by Rowena their favourite poysoned And now Vortigern enters upon his second government and Hengist now returning again the King with his British Nobles makes head against him and a Treaty being agreed upon and Salisbury plain the place appointed there the British Nobles were treacherously slain by Hengist's Souldiers And now the King with his incestuous Wife are taken and immured up in a Castle in Wales as is shewed before 3. Aurelius Ambrosius This Man overcame Hengist the Saxon in York-shire and cut of his head and took his Son Octa Prisoner but afterwards falling sick at Winchster Passentius the yongest Son of Vortigern sent one Eopa in shew of a Physitian who gave him Poyson instead of Physick of which he died and was buried in Coria Gigantum or Stone-henge in Salisbury-plain which he by the help of Merlin's inchantment as it is said brought out of Ireland and placed here in memory of the British Nobles here slain Vter-Pendragon was here buried also Aurelius Ambrosius gave name to the adjacent Town calling it Ambrose-bury now Amesbury This King began his Reign Anno 466 and reigned thirty two years 4. Vter Pendragon He was Brother to Aurelius Ambrosius and encountred the Saxons taking Ebusa and Octa two of Hengest's Sons Prisoners but afterwards
began his Reign Anno 979 and reigned 37 years 15. Edmund He was Sirnamed Ironside He gave the Danes several Battel overthrew them and raised the Siege at London he worsted Canutus 4 times at least in the plain Field and had in all likelihood rid England of him if the Traitor Edrick and others of the Perfidious Clergy and Nobility had not secretly assisted him Edmund fought a single Duel with Canutus the Dane and dangerously wounded him whereupon Canutus desisted and cried out to King Edmund saying What need is there for us thus to indanger our Lives if thou consent to divide the Kingdom between us we shall then be at peace and like two Brothers which thing Edmund consented unto and did accept of Canute for his Co-partner in the Kingdom But not long after Edmund being easing of himself he was by Duke Edrick that Grand Traytor thrust into the Fundament with a sharp Spear and his head cut off and presented to Canute as an acceptable Sacrifice as was hoped but he detesting such Traiterous Villany caused Edricks head to be chopt off and to be advanced upon a Pole above the rest of his Fellows as it was promised him an advancement fit for the betrayers of their King and Country And now the Saxons Monarchy by the Death of Edmund being drawn to a Period and the Standard of their Government overthrown The Danes began to Advance the Banner of their Conquest and after King Edmund's Death displayed it in open Field none being able to withstand them so they made themselves sole Masters of the Island after it had been in Possession of the Saxons about 566 years it was a long time after the Danes first entrance before they became sole Monarchs thereof This Edmund was third Son of Ethelfrid and the fifteenth sole Monarch of England his Reign began Anno 1016 and he reigned about 1 year CHAP. VIII Of the Danes and their Conquest of Britain with the memorable Accidents happening during the time of those three Danish Monarchs who ruled here THE Original of these Danes is thought by some to be from the Scythians but others rather think to come from Scandia an Island scituate Northward not far from the Continent of Denmark As to their Religion it was much alike to that of the Saxons Their first Invasion was about the year 787 and about 230 years after they became sole Masters of England which Sovereignty continued but about twenty four years which they had struggled for above two hundred years Their Succession of Monarchs were these three following 1. Canutus He was Son to Swanus and was Crowned at London by Livingus Arch-Bishop of Canterbury he sent Edward and Edmund the two Sons of Edmund Ironside the last Saxon Monarch to his Brother the King of Sweeden to be made away but he abhorring the Fact transferred them to the King of Hungary And now he marries Emma King Ethelreds Widdow by whose Counsel he wrested 82000 Pounds out of his Subjects to give those lazy Danes that were sent packing to Denmark there being then no more need for them here He called a Parliament at Oxford and enacted several good Lawes which are to be seen in several old Chronicles and too large here to be incerted He is said to be an Enemy to Dissemblers Traytors and Flatterers for on a time he caused himself to be placed in a Chair where the Sea ebbs and flows at Southampton and commanded the Sea that it should not swell so as to wet his Feet but the disobedient Sea the Tide then coming out presently dashed up to his Thighs whereupon he started up and said to the Flatterers who had extoll'd his greatness to be unmatchable You see all the might and power of Kings is but vanity for none is worthy to have the name of King but he that hath allâ— things subject to his Laws And so after that time as some Authors affirm he would never suffer the Crown to come on his head but set it on the Crucifix head at Winchester In the third year of his Reign he went into Denmark and chased from thence the Vandalls who had invaded that Kingdom And at length he went on Pilgrimage to Rome and is Recorded for a very good Man setting aside his intention to have murthered King Edmunds two Sons This Canutus was the 16 sole Monarch of England He began his Reign Anno 1017. and reigned eighteen years he was buried in the old Monastery at Winchester 2. Harrold He was so swift that he was called Harefoot Earl Goodwine was against his coming to the Crown but the Londoners and Lords on the North side of Thames were for him and prevailed he by Treachery of Goodwine afterwards got the two Sons of Emma Edward and Alfride the last of which had his eyes put out and his Belly opened and one end of his Bowels drawn out and fastned to a Stake and then he was pricked with sharp poiniards and forced round about the Stake till all his Intralls were wound out He caused also Queen Emma to be banished and her goods to be confiscate but the Earl of Flandâ—rs received her honourably This Harrold was the Second Son of Canutus and the seventeen sole Monarch of England he began his Reign Anno 1036 he reigned four years and was buried at Westminster as Mr. Stow affirms 3. Hardicanute He was Crowned at London by Elnothus Arch-Bishop of Canterbury He caused the body of his half Brother Harrold to be digged out of his Grave and thrown into the Thames after he had first cut off his Head but some Fishers finding the body buried it decently in St. Clements without Temple Bar this Hardicanute was a great Epicure and had his Tables spread four time dayly and furnished with Dainties for the satisfying of his greedy Appetite through the Perswasions of Earl Goodwine he raised the Sum of 32147 pounds in England for the payment of his Fleet which greatly distasted his Subjects the thing desired by Earl Goodwine two of the Collectors of this Money were slain at Worcester for which offence their City was set on Fire The King Drinking freely at a Wedding in Lambeth got a Surfeit and died some say he was choaked at Dinner there but certain it is he died and with him dyed the Danes Monarchy over England and it fell again to the Saxons for Edward the Seventh Son of Ethelred by Emma his Queen was sent for out of Normandy by the English and was made King which thing was brought about by Earl Goodwines means and Leofrick Earl of Chester This Hardicanute was third Son of Canutus and eighteenth sole Monarch of England He began to Reign Anno 1040 And reigned about two years he was buried at Winchester CHAP. IX Of the Saxons Re-entry again to the Monarchy of England after the Danes Conquest THis new Possession of the Saxons was but of short Continuance till William the Norman Duke came and made a Forceable Entry upon them and though his Entry were
Lugdunence Gregory the X being Pope which is accounted the fourteenth general Council In the III of the King's Reign upon St. Nicholas day were very Terrible Thunders Earth-Quakes and Lightning and a great Draggon and blazing Star which put many People in great fear and in the year 1288 the Summer was so hot that many Persons died with the extremity thereof and yet Wheat that year was sold for two shillings eight pence the Quarter and all other Corn at very low-prices but the year following Wheat was raised to Twenty shillings the quarter by reason of the great Rains that fell that year which dearth of Corn continued about 40 years to the end of King Edward the Second's Reign saith my Author so that in process of time a Bushell of Wheat was at Ten shillings The King the 19 of his Reign banished all the Jews out of England making all their Goods Confiscate the number of them that were Banished is reckoned to be 15000 and 9 persons The King also inflicted great Fines upon his Judges and other Officers for their Corruption the sum imposed upon Eleven of them was 236000 Marks About this time Dr. Scotus called Dr. Subtilis by some preached against the abuse of the Keys and that Transubstantiation could neither be proved by Scripture nor sound Reason Not long after this Alexander King of Scotland dying without Issue great Contentions arose between the Lords Bruse and Baliol about the Crown but King Edward being Umpire between them gave Judgment for Lord Balioll who was Crowned King and did Homage to Edward for his whole Kingdom After this the Scotch King seeking to shake off his Homage again he and his Kingdom were all Conquered by King Edward and all the Scotch Nobles swore to be true to Edward ever after acknowledging him for the King Baliol late King was sent Prisoner to London to the Tower and John de Warren Earl of Surry and Sussex was left Vice Roy in Scotland and at this time the King brought the Chair out of Scotland which is now in Westminster Abby in which our Kings are Crowned and with it was also brought the Crown Scepter and Cloth of Estate The Scots not long after falling into a fresh Rebellion were again subdued by the King with the slaughter of 60000 of their men Shortly after this the King took to Wife the King of France his Sister by which means there was a firm Peace concluded between England and France And now Edward the King 's eldest Son was by his Father made Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester and now the Scots desirous still of Liberty revolted again under the Command of the Lord Bruse but they were quickly reduced to their former Obedence after this getting Heart again they stood for the regaining of their Kingdom and King Edward marching to give them Battel died in his march and commanded in his last Will that his Son should carry his Bones with him till he had marched through all Scotland in his life-time he utterly renounced Pope Beniface's Supream Authority and on his Death-bed charged his Son to continue the Banishment of Pearce of Gaveston and to convey his Heart to be buried in the Holy-Land The year 1299 the King's Palace at Westminster with the Buildings of the Monastery adjoining to it were all burnt This Edward the First was King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Aquitain c. He was eldest Son to Henry the III by Ellianor his Queen Second Daughter to Raymond Earl of Province He began his Reign on Wednesday the 16 of November Anno 1272 and reigned 34 years 7 moneths and 21 days and was the 29 sole Monarch of England He died of a Dissenterie at Burgh upon Sands in his March to Scotland on a Fryday the 7 of July Anno 1307. in the 35 year of his Reign and 69 of his Age he was buried at Westminster CHAP. XIX Of King Edward the Second commonly called Edward of Carnarvan AT his first entrance he recalled Pearce of Gaveston Earl of Cornwal out of Banishment although he were forbidden it by his Father's last Will. Shortly after he married Isabel Daughter to the King of France after this calling a Parliament they sadly complayned of Gavestons Insolence and so far prevailed with the King that he yielded to his Banishment whereupon they granted to the King a Subsidy of the 20 part of their goods but Gaveston not long after was recalled again by the King and was married to the Earl of Gloucesters Sister and received into greater favour than ever the King not at all regarding his Father's Command nor his own Oath to his Nobles This Gaveston now grew so high and was so lavishing of the Kings Treasure alienating him also from the Queens Bed that she complained hereof to her Father the King of France Hereupon the Nobles again complain of Gaveston to the King and prevailed for his Banishment with a Proviso that if he returned again to suffer Death About this time Anno 1311. the Order of the Templers was expelled Christendom and this year Clement the V. being Pope was the Council at Vienna being the 15 general Council The next year after Gaveston being returned for England he was taken by the Earl of Warwick at the Castle of Scarborough and with the consent of the Earls of Lancaster and Hereford was carried to Warwick Castle and there Beheaded hereupon the King was greatly inraged but upon Condition that all things belonging to Gaveston should be rendred to him He Pardoned the Lords Anno 1314 the King caused his Writs to be published for Victualls That no Ox stalled or corn-fed should be sold for more than 24 shillings no Grass-fed Ox for more than 16 shillings a fat stalled Cow at 12 shillings another Cow at ten shillings a fat Mutton Corn-fed at 20 pence another fat Mutton at 14 pence a Fat Hog of two years old at ten groats a Fat Goose at two pence half-penny and in the City three pence a Fat Capon at two pence in the City two pence half-penny a Fat Hen a penny in the City three half-pence 4 Pigeons for a Penny 24 Eggs a penny in the City twenty Eggs a penny After this a Tanners Son of Exceter called himself the Son of Edward the first and would needs prove the King a Changling but his claim was quickly strangled with a halter at Northampton And now the Queen was delivered of Prince Edward and the Parliament shortly after granted the King a Fifteenth and the King going against Scotland the Earls Lancaster Surry Warwick and Arundel refused to attend him at this time he received a great overthrow from the Scots he and Lord Spencer being both forced to fly and several Lords with seven hundred Knights and Esquires were slain Anno 1318 The Famine in England was so Raging that Horses Dogs and Children were stoln for Food and the Thieves that were in Prison did pluck in pieces those that were newly brought in amongst them and
greedily devoured them half alive by reason of this Famine the Mortality was so great amongst the People that the quick could hardly bury the dead And not long after a great Murrain of kine happened so that the Dogs and Ravens eating thereof were Poysoned and did swell to Death so that no man durst eat any Beef And the next year after this the King calling a Council at Clarendon the Lords refused to appear but they were made Friends again by the Mediation of certain Cardinalls and now the Scots not satisfied with the Honour of their last Victory their King saled into Ireland and there caused himself to be Crowned King but the English there under the Conduct of the Arh-Bishop of Armagh and the Lord Binningham encountr'd the new King who there lost his new Honour with his life to boot and not long after a Truce for two years was concluded between England and Scotland About this time Hugh Spencer upon the Commendation of the Lords was made Lord-Chamberlain and his Father Earl of Winchester and now Dr. Barrenthorp of Oxford taught against the Pope and inveighed against the Deceits and impostures of Anti-Christ after a while the two new Lords Spencers Father and Son grew so insolent that they far exceeded Gaveston alienating the Hearts of the Barrons from the King which caused them to take up Arms against him but not long after the Earl of Lancaster and other 90 Nobles at Borrowbrigs were taken Prisoners and at Pontefract the Earl of Lancaster was Beheaded and other five Barrons hanged and the next day at York the Lords Clifford Mowbray and Deywill were hanged in iron Chains and now the King went against Scotland with an Army but was forced there to escape by night leaving his Treasure and rich Furniture for Pillage and the young Lord Mortimer escaping out of the Tower fled into France and not long after the Queen again sent her complaint to her Father of her ill usage There being now some Troubles in Gascoin the King not going himself sent his Queen into France to Negotiate his Affairs who drew all to agreement upon Condition that her Husband should give Prince Edward his and her Son the Dutchy of Aquitain and Earldom of Pontine for which places the young Prince did Homage to his Uncle the King of France after this the King sending for his Son and Queen home and they refusing to come they were thereupon proclaimed Enemies to the Crown the Queen hereupon without consent either of King or Peers Married the Prince to Philippa the Earl of Hanalt's Daughter and being now fitted for her purpose she raised an Army in Henalt and Germany consisting of 2700 Soldiers and many Forein and English Nobles and sailing for England landed at Orwel in Suffolk the King having notice hereof fled into the West to raise Forces promising a thousand pounds to those who would bring him Lord Mortimers head but the Queen not sleeping in her design pursued her Husband from place to place and at length she got Hugh Spencer the Father whom she caused to be cut-up alive and quartered and the King lying now hid in the Abby of Neath in Wales was there surprized by his Cosen the Earl of Lancaster and Imprisoned in the Castle of Kenelworth young Lord Spencer and the Lords Baldock and Reading being also taken at that time and carried to Hereford where Spencer was hanged 50 foot high and then beheaded and quartered and the Queen gave the bringer of his head to her 1000 pound And now a Parliament being called several Peers to wit 3 Bishops three Earls 2 Barrons 2 Abbots and 2 Justices were sent in the name of the Parliament to the King at Kenelworth to Command his resignation of the Crown to his Son Prince Edward at which message the King fell into a swown amongst the Peers at Kenelworth and afterwards coming to himself seeing no other way resign'd his Diadem Whereupon Sir William Trussel one of the messengers in the name of the whole Realm renounced Homage to the King in these words I William Trussel in the name of all men of the Land of England and of all the Parliament Procurator do Ressign to Thee Edward the Homage that was made to Thee sometimes and from this time forward now following I defie Thee and deprive Thee of all Royal Power and I shall never be tendant to Thee as for King after this time Not long after this the King was taken from Kenelworth and delivered by Indenture to the custody of Thomas Gourny and Sir John Mattravers who shortly after Murthered him by thrusting an hot spit up his Fundament into his Bowels at Barclay Castle for which fact they were forced to fly the Country This Edward the Second was King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Aquitain c. He was the 4 Son of Edward the I. by Ellianor his Queen Sister to Alfonsus King of Castile His Reign began on Friday the seventh of July Anno Domini 1307 he reigned 19 years 6 Moneths and 18 days and was the 30 sole Monarch of England he was murthered as is before declared Anno 1327 being the 20 year of his Reign and 41 of his Age his body was buried at Gloucester CHAP. XX. Of King Edward the Third commonly called Edward of Windsor ABout the beginning of this King's Reign one Nycholas Lyrian a Divine of Oxford wrote a Book de Visione Dei against the Pope now by Advice of the Lord Mortimer the King acquitted the Scots of all his claim and Superiority to their Kingdom and shortly after this the King of France died without Issue and King Edward laid claim to the Crown and now the Queen-Mother being reported to be with Child by the Lord Mortimer who was too familiar with her he was thereupon taken at Nottingham and sent Prisoner to London where he was hanged at Tyburn remaining on the Gallows the space of two days for an Ignomenious Spectacle and presently after the King abridged his Mother of her too large Dowry bringing her to one thousand pounds per Annum Anno 1339. a Sudden Inundation of Water at New-castle upon Tine did bear down part of the Town-Wall where 120 Men and Women were drowned And the year after near Chippingnorton in Oxford-shire was found a Serpent having two Heads and two Faces like Women one Face attired after the New Fashion of Women's Attire and the other Face like the old Attire and Wings like a Batt And Fiends and Devils and strange Apparitions were seen by Men and spake unto them as they travelled About this time Dr. Ockham of Oxford wrote against the Popes John and Clement affirming them to have no Power over Civil Magistrates And now the King assisted Baliol against David Bruse King of Scotland who was forced to fly into France and Baliol procured the Crown and was made King and did Homage to King Edward as his Father had done to King Edward the First The King went four times into
Scotland to the Relief of King Baliol for which he was very liberally gratified and at length had the Interest of the whole Kingdom of Scotland granted to him by King Baliol he reserving only a yearly Pension to himself About the year 1340. the Isle of Man was conquered by William Montacute Earl of Salisbury who thereupon was honoured with the Title of King of Man Not long after this the King created his eldest Son Edward surnamed the Black Prince Earl of Chester and Duke of Cornwall and being now wholly intent upon his French War the Scots daily revolted from King Baliol and David the banished King and his Queen returned again into Scotland And now the King having taken his Voyage for France took upon him the Title of King of France causing the Flower de Luces of France to be quartered with the Lions of England and at this time burnt and spoiled the North parts of France as far as Turwin and so returned for England and confirmed MAGNA CHARTA having received liberal Aides from his Subjects for the maintenance of the French War Now the French hearing of the King 's Second Preparation had a Fleet of 400 Ships ready in the Sluse in Flanders to intercept which the King having notice of set sail thither and fought their Fleet killing about 30000 of their Men and sinking about 200 of their Vessels And after this good Fortune at Sea the King entred France and at the Siege of Turney sent to the French King a Challenge who refused to fight About this time Dr. Bradwardine of Oxford wrote 3 Books in Defence of God's Grace against Free-Will Now after the Siege of Turnye the Armies of England and France intending to fight it but by the Mediation of Lady Jane Mother in Law to King Edward and Sister to the King of France a Truce was concluded for a short time and being afterwards drawn out for Fight again a new Truce by the Intercession of two Cardinals was concluded for the space of three years And the King returning into England shortly after made it High Treason for any Strangers to enter upon any place spiritual in England by the Pope's Authority This King it was that ordained the most Noble Order of the Knights of the GARTER upon the occasion of the Countess of Salisbury loosing her Garter before the King as she was Dancing saith Mr. Camden which the King taking up and seeing some of the Nobles smile he looked on them and said HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE The number of this Order is to be XXVI whereof the King is to be one After this the King returning again for France he mustered there twenty five hundred Horse and thirty thousand Foot his Son Edward the Black-Prince being with him who in the French Wars merrited Immortal Glory near Cressy the King pitched for Battel marshalling his Army into 3 Battalions and barracading them up behind to prevent their flying causing them all to put away their Horses so that they thereby all became Foot Soldiers Philip the French King came to the Field bravely appointed with a gallant Army and joining Battel after a sore Fight the French were Vanquished and the Honour of the day fell to the English the French King and his Soldiers flying the Field the gallantry of this day was solely attributed to the Prince King Edward never coming in with his Forces there being no necessity for it in this Battel the French lost 2 Kings 2 Dukes 7 Earls and 1500 Barrons Knights and men of Arms and about 30000 Soldiers and the next day were several Prisoners taken From hence the King went to lay Siege against Callice and after a strait Siege for a time the Town at last yielded and the King placed there Collonics of English in the Town Now during these Stirs in France David King of Scotland by the French King's procurement entered England supposing all the Nobles to be in France and that none but Priests and Sheppards were left in England but to his no small Damage he found the contrary the greatest part of his Army being slain near Durham and himself also taken Prisoner by one Copland to whom the King gave 500 pounds per annum at Vlverston in Lancashire and David the Scotch King was carried Prisoner to the Tower in London At the King's return from France there happened so cruel a Plague that in one year there was buried in one Church-yard in London 50000 about this time Dr. Orum of Oxford Preached before Pope Vrban at Rome condemning the Papacy and writ the Epistle from Lucifer to the Clergy thanking them for sending so many Souls to Hell After this Henry Earl of Lancaster was Created the First Duke thereof by King Edward and now the Prince of Wales took Ship for France there to defend his Right to the Dutchy of Aquitain and taking great Store of Towns and Prisoners he returned with the spoil to Burdeaux But John the French King promising himself letter fortune than his Father made bold to encounter Prince Edward who though the French were 3 to one by his great valour obtained a great Victory killing 52 Lords and 1700 Knights and Esquires besides 6000 common Soldiers and taking the King of France and Philip his Son one Arch-Bishop 10 Earls and about 200 Knights Esquires and Gentlemen Prisoners after this the Prince having well refreshed himself and Soldiers he hoised Sail for England where he was Joyfully received and the Prisoners courteously used the French King and his Son being kept in the Savoy under a safe Guard and others secured in other places And now David the Scotch King after eleven years Imprisonment at the incessant Suit of Joan David's Queen and King Edwards Sister was set at Liberty paying 100000 marks stirling and after him John King of France after four years imprisonment through the interceeding of Simon Langres the Pope's Legate was also set at liberty paying for the same 3000000 of sutes of Gold which amounteth to 500000 pounds Sterling About this time Dr. Killington of Oxford wrote several Books against the Monks and Fryers and some 5 years before Richard Fitz-Ralph Arch-Bishop of Armagh and Chancelour of Oxford wrote against begging Fryers and about the year 1362 Anno 37 of the King it was ordained that Lawyers should plead in their Mother Tongue Now after the Releasing of the King of France as is before shewed the King created Prince Edward Duke of Aquitain where he and his Wife went and remained at Burdeaux And now Anno 1366 Peter-pence was ordained to be paid no more MAGNA CHARTA was 12 times confirmed during this King's Reign who calling a Parliament in the 50 year of his Reign they laied several complaints and Accusations to the charge of Alice Peers the King's Concubine and against Lord Latimer the King's Chamberlain and during the sitting of this Parliament the Mirrour of Princes Edward the Black-Prince of Wales died whereupon the King made Richard Prince Edward's Son
conduct but they refused to go which caused the King with the Prince and other Nobles to march towards them as soon as Piercy Hot-spur discovered the Royal Standard he drew out his Army consisting of about 14000 to try the Fortune of War which at that time proved very averse to him for he and the Earls of Worcester Douglas Sir Richard Vernon Barron of Kinlaton and several others with 200 Esquires and Gentlemen of Cheshire that day or the next loss their Lives with an Incredible number of common Soldiers and on the King's party were slain the Earl of Stafford and ten new Knights all made that morning and many Esquires and Gentlemen and about 500 common Soldiers the Battel ended the King marched to York whither he commanded the Earl of Northumberland to come who obeyed his Command and had pardon of Life but was abridged in Estate Whiles things were thus setling in the North news came that Wales was still in Rebellion so the Clergy at the motion of their Metropolitan granted the King a Subsidy for Maintenance of his Army and William de Wilford also being in the King's Service on the narrow Seas brought some assistance to his Indigencies by taking 40 Prizes laden with Iron Oyl Sope and Rochel Wines to the number of one thousand Tuns And not long after a Parliament being called another Subsidy was granted and the Earl of Northumberland was again restored to his Possessions presently after this came a Troop of Western men who brought to the King three forein Lords and 20 Knights of note Prisoners from Dartmouth where they also slew the Lord of Castile and several of his men which Lord formerly had burnt Plimouth and thinking to have done so here was by these Plebeans put by his purpose for which good Service the King gave them store of Gold And now the King calling Three Parliaments one after another for Money could get none the chief Opposer was Thomas Mowbray Earl Marshal who drew Richard Scroop Archbishop of York into a Conspiracy against the King and the Earl of Westmerland pretending to side with them ensnared them both in his Gin and presented them to the King who caused both their Heads to be struck off although Westmerland had promised them their Lives And now the King began again to pursue the Earl of Northumberland and Lord Bardolf who were supposed privy to Earl Marshals Conspiracy with an Army of 37000 Men whereupon they fled into Scotland the King seeing this took Barwick by battering down a Tower in the Wall with a great Gun the first that was used in England and took Alnwick and all other Castles belonging to the Earl of Northumberland And from hence marching to Wales he expected the like good Fortune there but such a sudded Rage of Waters in Wales came so fast down upon his Army that he was forced to return 50 Waynes laden with Treasure and other Carriages being destroyed by the Rage thereof After this another Parliament being called they granted a Subsidy being rather wearied with the King's Importunity than out of any good Will to him Anno 1407. being the next year after there was so great a Plague in England that in short space it destroyed 30000 in London and multitudes elsewhere in the Realm and the year after was a great Frost that held 15 Weeks All this while Glendour continuing his Rebellion in Wales The Earl of Northumberland and Lord Bardolf leaving Wales into which they had escaped and coming to raise Forces in the North were met and encountred by Sir Thomas Rookby the Sheriff of York-shire who flew the Earl and gave the Lord Bardolf a wound of which he died After this the Duke of Burgundy sending to the King for Aid against the Duke of Orleance had his Request answered and presently after Orleance sending for Aid against Burgandy and promising greater matters than the other it was granted to him also to the great wonder of many and now the Lord Hail Marshal of France laying a Siege to a certain strong place in Gascoign with other Lords and about 4000 Men of Arms were driven from thence by Sir John Blunt with 300 Soldiers and 12 of the Principallest and about 120 Gentlemen were then taken Prisoners but the King lived not to see the Fortune and Carriage of these Wars In this King's Reign through Arch-Bishop Arundells Procurement William Sawtree William Swinderby and William Thorp suffered Martyrdom for their Faith being all worthy Divines This Henry the Fourth was King of England and France and Lord of Ireland he was the eldest Son of John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster by Blaunch his Wife Daughter and Heir to Henry Plantaginet Duke of Lancaster Son to Edmund Sir-named Crouch-back he began his Reign on Munday the 29 day of September Anno 1399 and reigned 13 years 5 months and 19 days and was the 33 sole Monarch of England He died at London of an Apoplexy on Sunday the 20 day of March Anno 1412. and was buried at Canterbury CHAP. XXIII Of King Henry the Fifth commonly called Henry of Monmouth HE was Crowned at Westminster by Thomas Arundel Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and at his first entrance dismissed all his youthful Companions and made choice of grave men for his Councellors He was wont every day after dinner for the space of an hour to receive Petitions of the oppressed who with great equity he relieved he was so zealous towards the Clergy hating Lollards or Wickliffians that he caused Sir John Old-Castle Lord Cobham who was the cheif that held that opinion then to be Imprisoned but he afterwards escaping for Wales 37 of his Faction as it was then thought to be being taken were all condemned and seven of them viz. Lawrence Redman David Sawtree William James Thomas Brightwell William Haulam Ralph Greenburst and John Schut were burnt and strangled in St. Gyles's Fields after this the King restored the Son of Lord Piercy Hot-Spur to his Blood and Grandfather's Honour of Earl of Northumberland and presently after sent Embassadors to France to demand the Dutchies of Normandy Aquitain Guyen and Anjou but in derision to his Demands the Dauphin of France sent him a Tun of Tennice Balls as Bullets most fit for his tender hands The King disgusted hereat preparing for Warrs the French made the Scots their Friends to invade Englands marches which accordingly they did in such a violent manner that the King scarce knew which Kingdom to begin with first but at length it was concluded for France the Clergy giving a Tenth and the Temporal Lords their Aid of 346 Men at arms and 552 Archers and about some 10 Ships and to keep back the Scots Sir RobertVmsreivil was sent against them who in a Skirmish took 360 of them Prisoners and great spoil The news of the proceedings here in England flying into France Charles the French King sent his Embassadours to England with offer of money and some Territories of France but none of the best and the
Princess Catherine in Marriage to King Henry but these proffers found no Acceptance for Antelope the Pursevant at Arms was sent to the French King with Letters of Defiance Hereupon Charles sent a million of Gold out of France to the Lords Scroop Gray and Cambridge all three in especial favour with King Henry to betray or murther him before he arrived in Normandy which they O the prevalency of Gold intended to have put in execution but being discovered the Night before the King intended to have put to Sea they were all three beheaded And so the King embarked for France and landed near Harflew commanding his Army that they should do no violence to Churches Church-men Women or Children and so advanced towards the Town and laid Siege to it which shortly after was yielded to him and he turned out the French and Peopled the Town with English Artizans from hence he marched with 2000 Horse and 13000 Foot through the Countries of Caux and Ewe towards Callis but finding so many Obstacles in his way the French having plased shed Woods pulled down Bridges and carried all Victuals out of the Country where he intended to pass and his Soldiers growing sick and faint for want of Victuals he therefore resolved to march back to Callis The French upon this Advantage thinking to surprize the King near Azin Court pitched their Banner Royal their Host consisting of 150000 Horse and 10000 Men at Arms Princes Noblemen and Knights King Henry considering the faintness of his Soldiers through want of Victuals and that the French were six to one desired a Peace but was denied the French making themselves so sure of the Victory as that they had disposed of Court-places and other preferments in England among themselves each knowing his place but this day proved more fatal to them than they expected for King Henry seeing no way but one encouraged his Men and entered Battel obtaining a most glorious Victory with the loss of Edward Duke of York the Earl of Worcester and some few others but of the French fell that day 4000 Princes Nobles Knights and Esquires besides 10000 Common Soldiers and so many Prisoners taken that they far exceeded the Conquerors wherefore the King Commanded to kill them all least they should rise up against them From thence the King marched to Callis and so took Ship for England landing at Dover where he was received with great Triumph and at his entrance into London was presented with 1000 pounds in Gold and two Gold Basons worth 500 pounds Not long after Sigismond the Emperor arrived in England desiring a Peace between England and France which would not be granted and so concluded a Peace between himself and England and received the honourable Order of Knight-hood of the Garter from King Henry he returned And now the King of France having a Navy wasting on the Seas with many Bravadoes the English Fleet under the Command of John Duke of Bedford battered sunk and took the most of them and sent the three great Carracks of Genoa to England But Burgundy now siding with France against England the King thereupon called a Parliament and a Subsidy and tenth was granted him for the maintenance of the Wars against France but all not being sufficient for defraying so vast a charge he was forced to pawn his Crown and sell his Jewells for raising more moneys And being now well prepared he made his Brother John Duke of Bedford Protector of England and so made his second Expedition for France and arrived in Normandy whose Terrour was such that 25000 Families fled out of the Country upon his Arrival His first Attempt was against Conquest the strongest Castle in Normandy which he presently took and bestowed it on his Brother Thomas Duke of Clarence and the Castle of Aumbelliers on the Earl of Salisbury with that of Lovers on the Earl Marshal and presently after Cane was also taken by him About this time the Scots laying Siege against Barwick and Roâ—ksborough they were all scared away with fear when they heard that the Lord Protector and Arch Bishop of York with other Nobles were drawing near them with an Army Presently after a Parliament was called by the Protector 's Authority for raising Money for the Wars in which Parliament Sir John Old-Castle Lord Cobham who held the opinion of Dr. Wickliff was condemned and hanged in St. Giles's Fields being burnt also whilest he was hanging The King at this time laid against the Town and Castle of Fallais which after a while was surrendred upon certain Conditions and after this he divided his Army into several parts under the Command of Himself and Nobles who wan several Castles here and there he with his party laid Siege to Roan which after six months Siege was forced to Surrender there being famished in the Town during the Siege 50000 and 12000 Starvelings turned out of the Town who died in Ditches He caused the Burgesses there to pay him 356000 Crowns towards his Expences in the Siege and likewise to swear Fealty to him and his Successors This place had been about 215 years in the possession of the French from the time that King John of England lost it Presently after the Surrender of this place about 40 other Towns and places of note did yield themselves to the King and now the Duke of Burgundy sought to make Peace but it was denyed King Henry following on now to make an absolute and entire Conquest which shortly after he effected a Flood-Gate being opened unto him for accomplishing of the same by reason of some affronts offered by the Dauphin to his Mother the Queen who impatient of wrongs raised Forces and with the help of the Duke of Burgundy became Regent of France which civil Broils made well for King Henry for Peace being sought with him it was granted with these Conditions that the Crown of France and all its Rights after the Death of the French King Charles and his Queen should remain to King Henry and his Heirs for ever whereupon he married Lady Catherine Daughter to King Charles and so the Sallique Law of France at this time was made void but the Pope being sollicited to confirm Henry King of France would not condescend to it Upon the Sealing and Swearing the above mentioned Articles Philip Duke of Burgundy did Homage to King Henry who was then Stiled and Proclaimed Regent of France and kept his Court at Paris for a time Parliaments being then called which confirmed all things the Nobles all swearing to be true to King Henry except the Dauphin and his party who were in Rebellion and in the last Parliament had Sentence of Disinheritance pronounced against him and in the Court of Chancery in Paris all things were sealed with the Seal of King Henry And now all things thus confirmed the King with his Queen came for England who was no sooner out of France but the Scots hasted thither to the Aid of the Dauphin and in a Skirmish several of
London with the King his Majesty was received with great Joy and lodged in the Bishop's Pallace where all the Lords were sworn to him and there the subtile Duke of Gloucester behaved himself so reverently towards the King that the next Council he was chosen Protector At this Council the Arch-Bishop of York was reproved for his forwardness in giving up the great Seal to the Queen and was deprived of the Chancellorship and Dr. Russel Bishop of Lincoln put in his place All things thus proceeding according to the Protector 's mind he proceeds further in his wicked Plot making such a cunning Apology to the Council for getting the young Duke of York the King's Brother out of Sanctuary that they all suspecting no harm consented to him and agreed that the Arch-Bishop of York should repair to the Queen to desire her delivery of the young Prince and if denied then to bring him away by force and after a long conference between the Queen and Bishop at length with tears she delivered the Child into their hands from whence he was carried into the Star-Chamber to Gloucester who took him in his Arms with much seeming Joy and gave him a Judas kiss So having got what he desired he and Buckingham made Covenants between themselves that Gloucester should be King and that Buckingham should have the Earldom of Hartford and great part of the King's Treasure and to blind the People of their intentions several Lords from several parts of the Realm were called to devise things for Edward's Coronation at whose appearance the Protector and Buckingham withdrew into Bishops-gate Street to contrive the contrary Soon after several Lords repaired to the Tower to consider further of the Coronation and the time drew so near that all things were in readiness for it but not the Protector comes in amongst them seeming to be very merry excusing himself that he had been so long from them and desired to withdraw a little and about 2 hours after he came in with a sower and frowning Countenance and took his place and after a while he thus spake What are they worthy of saith he that compass and imagine my Destruction to whom Lord Hastings made Answer That they were worthy to be punished as Traytors That is quoth the Duke yonder Sorceress my Brother's Wife meaning the Queen and that other Witch of her Council Shoar's Wife At these words the Lords of the Council were much dismayed and hereupon the Lord Hastings said Surely they would not do so but the Protector answered and said I tell thee they have done so and that I will make good on thy Body Traytor and so giving a clap on the Table with his hand in came as many men in Harness as the Room would hold and all the Lords were conveyed some to one Room and some to another and the Lord Hastings within three hours after was beheaded on a Log before the Chappel Door in the Tower And now sending for several able Citizens into the Tower after Dinner he pretended to them that the Lord Hastings would have destroyed him and the Duke of Buckingham and so dismissed the Citizens and caused Proclamation to be made of the Lord Hastings Treason And not long after the Sheriffs of London were sent to seize of Jane Shoars goods which amounted to 300 marks and she afterward was forced to do Pennance to her great shame and now the Protector fought to strike whilest the Iron was hot and so sent for the Lord Mayor Edmund Shaw and made him acquainted with the Design who in hopes of Honour promised to draw the Citizens that way and means how to accomplish this Design was to get some able Ministers to Preach that King Edward the IV was a Bastard and that all his Children were Bastards and so to set up the praises of the wicked Protector thereby to seduce the People who are naturally apt to listen to Novelties and for this purpose Dr. Shaw the Mayors Brother and Dr. Pincker were the Men pitched upon who performed the Task very dexterously and it is wonderful to think what waverings and doubtings this caused amongst the People but the two Doctors felt God's Judgments for this Offence afterwards These things being thus bruited abroad the Duke of Buckingham shortly after repaired to Guild-Hall in London to which place the Mayor Aldermen and Commons of the City were come where he made a Learned Apology to them for the Election of Richard Protector to be King the People here at were all mute and answered not one word but being asked thrice of their Opinions herein and in a manner threatned to it at length they drew down into the Hall and began to whisper among themselves at which instant a great Company of Apprentices and the Dukes Servants prepared for the purpose rushed in at their Backs Crying King Richard and hereupon it was concluded to be the Cry of the whispering Citizens and so the Assembly being dismissed for this time they were all required to meet Buckingham the next day at Baynards Castle in Thames-Street at which place the Protector then Lodged and after the Assembly was come the Duke of Buckingham made the Protector with their as he said Election of him to be King at which words Richard as though he had been ignorant looked very strangely on them and denied to accept of that he so much coveted the Crown but Buckingham making himself the Mouth of the Assembly told him If he would not accept of it they would make choice of some other Noble man whereupon the Protector seeming as it were to have that forced upon him he most desired accepted of it promising more to the People then in a quarter of an hour than he performed in all his Life And so at this time Edward was deposed and he and his Brother about two months after were murthered in the Tower This Edward the V. though never Crowned was accounted King of England and France and Lord of Ireland he was the eldest Son of King Edward the IV by Elizabeth his Queen Daughter to Sir Richard Woodvile Earl of Rivers by Jaquilana his Wife Dutchess of Bedford He began his Reign on Friday the 9 day of April Anno 1483 and reigned two months and thirteen days and was the 37 sole Monarch of England He with his younger Brother the Duke of York were smothered to Death in their Beds in the Tower with Pillows about the lattter end of July Anno 1483 being the first and last year of his Reign and the 12 of his Age Their Murtherers were Miles Forrest and John Deighton Servants to Sir James Tirrel who was imployed for this purpose by the Duke of Gloucester their Uncle then King of England their Bodies were buried deep in the Ground under a Stare-case in the Tower and being afterwards taken up again none knows where they were laid CHAP. XXVII Of King Richard the Third PResently after his Election as is shewed before a Parliament was called and
and was afterwards interred with great solemnity in the Grey-Fryers in Leicester and at the dissolution thereof the stone-trough wherein his Corps were laid was taken up and is now a drinking trough for Horses at a Common Inn in Leicester After the Fight was over the Lord Stanly found the Crown among the spoiles of the field and set it upon the Earl of Richmond's head in the field at which instant began the Reign of this new King and so an End was put to the bloody Contentions between the Yorkists and Lancastrians there were fought here in England eleven Set-Battels five in Henry the Sixt days as St. Albans Blackheath Northampton Wakefield and Towton and five in Edward the Fourths time as Hexham Banbury Lose-Coat-Field Barnet field and Tewxsbury and lastly Bosworth field which put a period to the to the Reign of the Plantaginets and opened away for the Tewdors to succeed them in these Civil Wars between the Houses of Lancaster and York were slain above one Hundred and Sixteen Thousand Men. This Richard the Third was King of England and France and Lord of Ireland he was a younger Brother to King Edward the Fourth and Son to Richard Duke of York who was Son to Richard Earl of Cambridge who was Son to Edmund Duke of York who was Fifth Son to King Edward the Third his Reign began on Friday the 22 day of June Anno 1483. He reigned two years and two moneths and was the 38 Sole Monarch of England he was slain in the Battel at Bosworth field as is before shewed on Monday 22 day of August Anno 1885. and his Body was buried in the Grey-Fryers at Leicester CHAP. XXVIII Of King Henry the Seventh AFter the Battel at Bosworth field was over the King hasted to London where with great Joy he was received and shortly after Crowned and Edward Plantaginet Earl of Warwick imprisoned in the Tower And now a Parliament being called King Richard was attainted and the Crown intayled on Henry and his heirs for ever About this time was the Sweating-Sickness of which Disease a world of people dyed a new Disease never known in England before And now the King dissolving the Parliament in January after he married the Lady Elizabeth eldest Daughter to King Edward the Fourth who in September after was brought to Bed of Prince Arthur and not long before the King's Marriage was Wheat sold for three shillings per Bushel and Bay-Salt the same price and the Cross in Cheapside was new builded And now the King taking his Progress to York to gain the Love of his Northern Subjects the Lord Lovel with some others that had taken Sanctuary after Bosworth Field raised forces thinking to surprize the King but he with 3000 men under the Conduct of the Duke of Bedford sent either to pardon or Fight them and the Duke proffering pardon the Lord Lovel fled by night and the multitude yeilded without stroak and shortly after Sir Humphry Stafford another Rebel suffered at Tyburn And not long after a new Tumult began upon the Report of one Richard Symon a Priest who broached abroad that one Lambert Symnell Scholar of his was heir to Edward Duke of Clarence who was cast into Prison a little before by Henry and so sailing with him into Ireland he there prevailed so much among the Peers especialy with Thomas Fitz-Girald Lord Chancelor that at Dublin he was Proclaimed and Crowned King and there obtaining some help he returned for England to whom those Lords that favoured the Cause of the Plant aginets joyned themselves although they knew the Fraud among whom the Earl of Lincoln was chief who with the Lord Lovel Sir Thomas Broughton Collonel Swart and Mawrice Fitz Thomas near a little Village about three Miles for Newark called Stoak were all slain by the Kings Army and 4000 Common Soldiers besides and the Counterfeit Symnel with the lewd Contriver of this wicked Stratagem Simon the Priest were both taken and Symnel confessing the business to be forced on him was made one of the King's Falkoners and the Priest Simon was commited to a dungeon and perpetual shackles And shortly after this Battel the King sent Richard Fox Bishop of Exceter and Sir Richard Edgecomb Embassadors to the King of Scots where they to the King 's great Satisfaction concluded a seven years Truce About this time the Duke of Britain sent to the King for his Assistance against France but he unwilling to disoblige either party having been formerly beholden to both sought a reconciliation making himself Umpire between them to which the French seemed to listen but in the mean time prepared for War and at St. Albans gave the Britains a great Overthrow and slew the Lord Woodvile and all or most of his men who was gone to the Duke's aid without King Henry's knowledge hereupon the King prepared to lend his Assisting hand to the Britains but their Duke in the mean time died which put an end to the business And now began some stirs in York-shire where the Earl of Northumberland was slain by the Commons at a place called Cock-Leg near Thirske at the inticement of one John Chambers for demanding the Subsidy granted by Parliament to the King and the Plebeans afterwards made head under the Command of Sir John Egrimont but the King sending an Army against them under the Command of Thomas Lord Howard Earl of Surry they were quickly dissipated and the Ringleadears shortly after received death the due Reward for such Rebels but Sr. John Egrimont escaped to Margaret Dutchess of Britain the common Encorager and Receiver of all King Henry's Enemies About this time the Scots rose in Rebellion against James the Third their King and fought the Army at Bannocks-Burn where in a Mill in the same field he was murthered After this King Henry began to prepare for War against France at the Request of Maximilian the Emperor whom they had basely abused in not only divorsing his Daughter Margaret from the French King but also in making Ann the Heir of the Dukedom of Britain his Wife who had been betrothed to the said Emperor by his Embassadors and the King taking his Voyage for France landed at Callis and marched on as far as Bulloigne and finding the Emperour unprepared upon whose Accounts he had undertaken that War he thereupon made Peace with France and had the sum of 186250 li. granted yearly which was duly pay d during his time and his Son 's until the debt vvas run out After this Voyage Margaret the Dutchess of Burgumdy the King 's grand Enemy obtruded upon the English one Peterkin or Parkin Walbeck by the name of Richard Plant aginet Second Son of Edward the Fourth and many of the Nobility out of Innovation rather than Love knowing it to be a Deceit of the Dutchess sided with him and the Lord Stanly amongst the rest did supply him with Money for which Cause shortly after he lost his Head although formerly he had been a main Instrument
in advancing the King to the Crown About this time Wheat was sold for six pence per Bushel and Bay-Salt at three pence half peny Nantwich salt six pence per Bushel white Herring six shilling per Barrel red Herring three shilling per Cade Sprats six pence per Cade and Gascoign wine six pound per Tun. And now this Psendo Richard was discovered to the King to be but Perkin Warbeck by one Sir Robert Clifford a great actor for Perkin beyound Sea but afterwards won to the King with Gold for Perkin's sake all the Flemmings were banished the Realm and several of his Complices here discovered by the said Sir Robert Clifford were put to death And now Perkin coming on Shoar in Kent expecting a great Relief receiving in lieu therof great distress for being encountred by the Mayor of Sandwich and the Kentish men five of his Cheif Captains and 164 of others were taken and shortly after executed whereupon he fled back into Flanders and from thence fled into Ireland but expecting little help from so poor a Nation at last he betook himself into Scotland and the King of Scots being taken with Courtly cariage believed his Reports and Married him to Catharine Gourden the Earl of Huntly's Daughter and then the King in Person with a great number of Scots came with him against the Marches of England doing great harm and Proclaiming much favor and immunity to such as would joyn with Perkin and â— 1000 pounds to such as could take King Henry but all this working no Impression upon the Peoples minds the Scotish King thereupon returned into Scotland esteeming the less of his new Cozen because none would rise in his behalf Upon this Account a Subsidy of 120 thousand pound was granted to the King for maintenance of the War against Scotland and the Lord Dawbnye sent General but on his March was called back to suppress some Cornish Rebells who withstood the Collectors of the Subsidy under the Command of one Thomas Flemmock a Lawyer and Michael Joseph a Black-Smith these marching for Kent expecting more Aid at Well the Lord Awdly joyned with them who together with the other two Leaders were taken at Black-Heath in Kent and their Forces Routed three hundred being slain and 1500 taken Prisoners and afterwards the Lord Awdly was beheaded at the other two hanged and quartered at Tyburn for their Rebellion During these Stirs the King sent the Lord Howard Earl of Surry to defend the parts in the North aganst the Scots who were then doing great Damage in the Borders but before he got thither the Scots withdrew yet notwithstanding he marched into Scotland and after some Booty taken he returned again for a time And now Hialus the Spanish Embassador coming into Scotland he concluded a Peace between the two Kings And about this time Anno 1497 fell Hail-Stones at St. Needs in Bedfordshire of eighteen Inches about now upon the Conclusion of the Peace aforesaid Perkin's main Hope being gone his last Refuge were the Cornish men of whom he had a great Army but the King marching against him and he not daring to trust to his Cornish followers he thereupon fled by night and took Asylum at Bewdly which when his Followers perceived they all yielded themselves to the King's Mercy And not long after Perkin their Leader did the like and was carried to London and conveved through the Streets on horse-back for People to gaze at and afterwards attempting to escape from his Guard he was pursued and retaken and set in the Stocks upon a Scaflold a whole day before Westminster-Hall and another day in Cheap-side in London and after sent Prisoner to the Tower About this time one Ralph Wilford a Shoo-makers Son of London was hanged for assuming unto himself the name of Edward Earl of Warwick who was then close Prisoner in the Tower and not long after Perkin was hanged at Tyburn and Edward Plantaginet the Earl of Warwick beheaded for seeking to make their escape out of the Tower this Earl was Son to George Duke of Clarence who was Brother to King Edward the Fourth and was the last Heir of the Plantaginets Shortly after this there happened such a devouring Plague that the King and Queen left London and fled to Callis in France and after the Plague abated they returned again about which time the Lady Catherine of Spain arrived in England and was presently after married to Prince Arthur who injoyed her Bed not long for about five months after being then in Wales he was cut off by Death an and the next year after James the IV King of Scotland married the Lady Margaret the King 's eldest Daughter and not long after the Queen died and Henry the King 's second Son was made Prince of Wales and by the Pope's Indulgence took to Wife the Lady Catherine of Spain his Brother Arthur's Widow And now the Earl of Suffolk being fled and intending a Rebellion certain of his Adherents being discovered were thereupon taken and suffered Death as Courtney Earl of Devonshire the King's Brother in Law William de la Pool Brother to the Earl of Suffolk Sir James Tirrel King Richard's Wicked Instrument in the Murther of Edward the V. and his Brother and Sir John Windham and others all these with the Earl and the rest of his Faction were by Authority of the Pope's Bull Proclaimed at Paul's Cross to be accursed After this the Earl fled to Philip Duke of Austria who afterwards by the Right of his Wife coming to be King of Spain as he was on his Voyage thither was by Tempest driven into England where he was Royally entertain'd by King Henry and at their parting it was agreed between them that the Earl of Suffolk should be delivered up to King Henry upon Condition that no Violence should be offered to his Person and so he was only imprisoned but in Henry the Eighth's time lost his Head Now the King having dissipated all his Enemies he began to extort Money from his Subjects two Lawyers Empson and Dudly being the cheif Instrument herein by calling People in question for the breach of old moth-eaten Penal Statutes but the King's Death shortly after ensuing These beginning Oppressions were thereby also brought to a Period before they attained to that maturity which was feared by some but wished for by others especially by Empson and Dudly During this King's Reign there were about some nine Persons Men and Women that suffered the Flames for the Profession of a good Faith besides several others that did Pennance with a Faggot on their Backs and some were burnt in the Cheek with a hot Iron This Henry the Seventh was King of England and France and Lord of Ireland he was son to Edmund Tewdor Earl of Richmond by Margaret his Wife Daughter and Heir to John Beaufort Duke of Sommerset Grand Child to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster he began his Reign on Monday the 22 day of August Anno 1485 and reigned 23 years
forthwith sent their Mandates to the respective Governors of the Sea-port Towns Prohibiting them to obey any of the King's Orders unless they were confirmed by them hereby they weakned the King's Authority more than all their former Proceedings had done which the King might easily have prevented in time if he had put Soldiers into the said Towns to have kept them for himself And not long after this they took into their hands most Sea-Port Towns of Concernment among which Hull was one which denied to the King and delivered to them And now the King seeing the harsh proceedings of the Parliament he writ to them from Windsor protesting his Innocency whereupon they sent Messengers to him to desire his return to London but he refused upon which occasion the Lower-House drew up an Humble Remonstrance as they called it whose Propositions were so unreasonable that the House of Peers would not consent to them till they saw the Commons uniting themselves against them and then Messengers were sent to the King with the Remonstrance who with some Reservation yielded to part of it and denied the other part yet this would not satisfie them but they proceeded further to Petition the King That the accused Members might be free and clear from all Guilt which was granted them but now those who favoured the King's Cause fearing the event of these proceedings part of them left England and part repaired home leaving the Parliament so that there were not above 25 in the Upper-House and scarce 80 in the Lower-House and shortly after hardly 16 in the upper House and the Queen about this time left England accompanying her Daughter to her Husband the Prince of Orange to whom she was Espoused and the King caused all Priests to be banished out of the Realm and severe Statutes to be published against the Papists And now all things growing worse and worse the Parliament began to take the boldness upon them to accuse the King of harkning to a Change in Religion and that he had given Cause to the Uproars in Ireland but especially those that were most powerful with him secretly bespotting the Queen the King to remove these Aspertions Published his Declarations to the People of his Innocency but they taking no effect he with his Son Prince Charles the Palsgrave and Duke of Richmon took their Journy for York Resolveing to oppose Force against Force And now the King after several Passages between him and the Parliament called all the Knights of the Garter and all others that held of the Crown to Repair to York the Parliament on the contrary made it death for any to go yet notwithstanding several Members went over to the King upon this Account And now people fearing the worst the Men of Kent Petitioned the Parliament on the behalf of the King That nothing might be done without the King's Consent that the Liturgy might not be altered That the Bishops might be restored whom they had Excluded the Lords House That they would not suffer the Fundamental Laws of the Land to be Antiquated without the Kings permission Nor Arms to be raised without his Command That some good means might be found out to make a Reconcilement c. This Petition was ill taken and the bringer therof together with the Earl of Bristol the Receivers of it were both Imprisoned for their Pains and Somersetshire men afterwards preferring a Petition to the Parliament they Commanded it to be burnt by the Common Hang-man And now after Thwartings and Discontents between the King and Parliament he at last Commanded all the York-shire men to meet him at a certain place called Howard Moor near York who accordingly appeared being about Threescore Thousand men and the King with the Prince and some Lords about six hundred horse met them there and with about twenty thousand men went back to York and Commanded them all to repaire to their Houses in the mean time the Parliment borrow'd a great Sum of money of the Londoners on the Publick Faith as they called it and Raising an Army of ten thousand Foot and two thousand Horse they sent them towards York in the Interim the King assailed Hull but was withstood by Sir John Hotham and having this bad Success at first he thereupon sent to the Parliament to Conclude a Peace and promised forthwith to repair to them if they would leave London and make choice of some other place to Sit in but they Refused it whereupon the King proclaimed all men guilty of Treason that should Assist the Houses either with Money or other Supplyes and also threatned to deprive the Londoners of their Priviledges if they offended herein and the King having fortified Newark and Barwick sought again to obtain Hull but in vain and now the Parliament Proclaimed open War making the Earl of Essex General and the King set up his Standard at Nottingham and now it being come to open War the Victory was doubtful sometimes one Side sometimes the other geting the better with no small loss of blood and the Life of many a gallant man and the Prince when he saw his Fathers Affairs in a desperate Condition took Shipping for the Scillyes from whence he was Invited by the Parliament to return to London but he thought it not safe for his Person to do so and so sailed to the Hague to his Sister the Princess of Orange where he remained till the Sad News of his Father's Murther was brought to him Now although there be several Book in print treating at large of the several Skirmisses Battells Sieges c. which happned between the King and Parliament during the seven years unhappy Dissentions between them yet partly to Satisfie the Reader whose Purse affords him not Mony to buy them or multitude of business time to peruse them I have here Incerted a brief Catalogue of the most considerable of them as followeth 1642. Apr. Sir John Hotham denyed the King Entrance into Hull for which he was proclaimed Traytor Aug. The King's Standard set up at Nottingham and a little before 20 of his men slain and a Colour taken by a Sally out of Hull Sept. Portsmouth Besieged by Sir John Merrick and yeilded to him Lord Byron set upon near Bracklye got off again with some loss marched to Worcester secured it for the King and the Parliament Forces attempting the Town were set upon in the Rear at Wickfield near Worcester by Prince Rupert and Routed but the Earl of Essex afterwards advancing thither Worcester was then yeilded to the Parliamentarians Octob. The signal great Fight at Edge-hill about 5000 slain Banbury and Broughton-House surrendred to the King after which he entered Tryumphantly into Oxford with an 150 Colours taken in Fight Novemb. Brantford Fight about 200 of the Parliament party slain besides several drowned and some 15 pieces of Ordnance sunk in the Thames Decemb. Marborough taken for the King by Lieutenant General Wilmot and Tadcaster by the Earl of New-Castle and Winchester and Chichester delivered
for this good Service with a thousand pounds At this time the King with his Brother the Duke of York were at Callis ready to have wasted over if this business of Sir George Booths had taken effect And now Lambert began to harbour some conceptions of assuming to himself the Government Oliver having chalked him out the way and so turned out the Rump Parliament again for so the people called this Fragment of the old Parliament and then erected a New-nothing of his own called a Committee of Safety all this made well still for the King's Cause and now Lambert takes his March into the North as far as Newcastle intending to Fight General Monk and so become sole Lord and Master of all but when he came there his men were unwilling to Ingage and in the mean time the Rump had gotten together again seven times a worse Devil then before and dissolved his Committee of Safety and within a short space they inticed all his Soldiers to desert and leave him so that he was left to shift for himself And the Rump now invited General Monk to March with his Army to London which accordingly he did and was received with much joy but he was no sooner come but the Rump set him on work to put some Violences upon the City which he with great danger and peril performed this gave the Citizens great occasion to think That he from whom they expected so much good would prove their Ruin but he soon gave them proofs of the contrary by drawing his Troops into the City in the quality of a Friend and declaring himself for a free Parliament which revived their hearts His first business was to restore the secluded Members to their places in the House of Commons upon which the Assembly dissolved it self and Writs were Issued out for a new Parliament but with such reservation that people were doubtful what the Event would prove for no Recusant Cavallier nor Cavalleir's Son was to sit in the Parliament This healing Parliament for so it was called presently after they were set began to vote for the King and great Debates there were about it but at length it was carry'd for the King and so the States Arms were pulled down every where and the Kings Arms set up and his Majesty on Tuesday the 8 day of May Anno 1660. was proclaimed King at Whitehall-gate and in the City with great Pomp Bells ringing Bonefires burning and the Conduits flowing with wine as the Peoples hearts did with gladness And now News was carryed and Commissioners were sent to the King to desire his return to his Kingdoms and Crown he being then at Breda in Holland shortly after which he prepared for England and on the 29 day of May 1660. landed at Dover accompanied with his two Brothers James Duke of York and Henry Duke of Gloucester and some Lords and Gentlemen of his Attendance he was met by General Monk and other Nobles and the General kneeling down upon the ground the King took him up and dignified him with the George and Garter himself putting the George about the Generals Neck and the Dukes of York and Gloucester tying on the Garter and so marching to Black Heath in Kent his Majesty was attended on from thence by the Lord Monk's Army all armed and Swords drawn and the Nobles and Gentry in Cloth of Silver and other rich Apparrel and the Lord Mayor of London and Aldermen and a great Number of Cittizens in Velvet Coats and Gold Chains about their Necks and so in a most glorious manner he was conducted through London to Whitehall and that night several Bonfires were made which made the night shine like another day but that at Westminster was most remarkable where the Effigies of Oliver Cromwell was set up upon a Pole with the Common Wealth 's Arms an hour or two and then cast down into the fire and burnt And now the Parliament being infinitely Satisfied with the King 's happy Arrival did order that a Bill should be prepared for keeping a perpetuall Aniversary for a day of Thanksgiving to God for his great Mercy and Blessing to these Nations in the happy Resturation of his Majesty and that the 29 day of May should be set appart every year for that purpose And now began the Judgements of God to overtake many of those Capital Traitors whose hands had been deeply Imbrewed in the late King's blood and in October following 26 of the them were found guily of high Treason and nine of them were executed the same Month to wit Thomas Harrison Adrian Scroope John Carew John Jones Gregory Clement Thomas Scot John Cooke Hugh Peters and Daniel Axtell so that though divine Vengeance hath many times Leaden feet yet when it comes it hath Iron hands no sooner scarce was the King restored to his Crown but his chiefest care was to restore the Church to its purity of worship and so Bishops were again setled in every Diocess and the Common Prayer restored And now Mary Princess of Orange being come over to visit the King her Brother fell sick of the small pox and dyed which was no little grief to the King In January after the King was restored to his Kingdoms one Venner a wine Cooper with his Phanatick Proselytes Rebelled and with a desperate Intention sought to destroy all those that were not of their Opinion killing a man in Pauls Church-yard and an Head-borough in Beach Lane and after other Mischiefs done they marched into Cane-wood and about 3 days after returned and fell desperately upon the City and being opposed 22 of the Kings Liege People were slain and 22 of them and the rest with much ado were taken and dispersed and Venner their Leader with 11 more of them were executed in several places in the City And upon the 30 day of this same Moneth the Carkasses of Oliver Cromwell John Bradshaw and Henry Ireton were digged up out of their Graves and were drawn on Hurdles to Tyburn and there hanged and their Carkases being buried under the Gallows their heads were choped off and were fixed upon Poles and set up upon Westminster Hall not long after this dyed the most prudent Prince Henry Duke of Gloucester the King's Brother to the great grief of all true English men and upon the 23 day of Aprill Anno 1661 being St. George's day his Majesty King Charles the Second was Crowned at Westminster with great Splendor and Solemnity having the day before made a Magnificent passage from the Tower through the City of London to Whitehall And now by God's blessing having proceeded so far as the Title of this Epitomy makes mention I shall here Conclude with Saint Peter Fear God and Honour the King And so God grant King Charles the Second a long and happy Reign And he that will not say Amen with me Lord let Hugh Peter's Lot his portion be FINIS A Table of the Kings A Catalogue of the British Kings and Princes that opposed the Conquest and
could not draw the Scots to a Field Battel presently transported over the Fife 1600 Foot and 4 Troops of Horse who with the help of Lambert and Okey routed Sir John Brown's Forces took him and several other persons of Quality Prisoners and slew two thousand upon the place and took near 120 Prisoners Now the King seeing the English preval so fast thought it best to acquit Scotland and so marched for England beginning his march the last day of July Anno 1651 Cromwell seeing this sent Lambert after them with a select party of Horse to fall upon their Rear and himself with the rest that could be spared followed and the Parliament also hearing of the King's March interdicted all Aid and Assistance either of men or money to be given to his Majesty under the penalty of High-Treason and they also caused numerous Forces to be raised in most Counties in England The King's Army now in England carryed themselves very civilly yet for all that the People were so besorted that they came very slowly into his Assistance for few or none came during this tedious march saving the Lore Howard's Son of Estrich with a Troop of Horse and now Lambert with his Men having been guided over the Dales and Moors in York-shire got the Advantage of the King's Army in their March and instead of following them got before them and thought to have stopt the King's Army at Warrington-Bridg but after an hot Dispute and the loss of some men the King at length gained the passage over the Bridg and coming to Tong Norton he sent a Trumpeter with his Summons to Collonell Humphry Mackworth Governour of Shrewsbury to render up the Town but he sent the King a flat denial giving him the Title only of Commander in chief of the Scottish Army in the Superscription of his Letter he sent back from hence the King marched on to Worcester where he entered the Town the Earl of Derby a little before had brought him a supply of 250 Foot and 60 Horse out of the Isle of Man and was gon into Lancashire in hopes to have gotten more Forces there but was routed there by Lilborn and most of his cheif Commanders slain as the Lord Withrington Sir Thomas Tilsly Collonel Trollop and Collonel Bointon and some others taken This misfortune was imputed to the disappointment his Lordship received in Lancashire to which place his Majesty had ordered him to repair with assurance that the Presbyterians would frely join with him in order to his Majesties Restauration but coming thither he found it otherwise and that they did all they could to hinder any Conjunction unless he would take the Covenant which refusing to do he was forced upon that Engagement before mentioned in Wiggon-lane where he behaved himself with all possible bravery and Col. Massy also had his part in the Honor of this occasion His Majesty all this time was busie in fortifying of Worcester in the mean time Major General Lambert gained the Pass at Vpton where the Bridg was cut down by causing the Troopers to swim the River upon their Horse-backs taking their Pistols out of the Holsters and carrying them in their hands to save them from wet and this Attempt was principally undertaken for saving the Lives of 40 or 50 desperate Fellows who had got over the Bridge upon a pole of Wood and were forced into the Church close nigh the Bridg by Major General Massy's men where they had all been cut off if the Troopers had not swum the River who thereby not only saved the said men but also put Major General Massy and his men to the Retreat and so the Royallists were forced to quit the Town and leave the pass to the Parliamentarians who quickly made a Bridg of Boats over the River and now Cromwel joining with the rest of the Forces against the King after some Sallies out of the Town against them at length the King in the Front of his men sallied out of the Town on the third day of September Anno 1651 and so valiantly charged Cromwell's Life Guard that they were forced to retire till seconded by fresh Forces and then they put the Royal party to the Retreat and the King had his Horse twice shot under him and not able to rally again they were forced to fly into the Town where the Cromwellian party entered pell mell with them and then the Cry went Save the King Save the King And now the King seeing all gone with some Nobles and Servants with much difficulty got away and coming to a Farmers House in the Borders of Staffordshire there he disrobed himself and for want of a pair of Scissars had his Hair cut off with a Knife and so he with the Company of one Friend who brought him Provision towards Night betook himself into a Wood about 4 miles from Woolverhampton where he made an Oak his Pallace and the Soldiers all this while were hunting about like Blood-hounds for the King a Thousand pound being the promised Reward of those that could take him But some few dayes after he was conveyed to the House of one Mris Jane Lane who proved a faithful and loyal Subject to him and was a chief Instrument in his conveyance beyond Seas which after many Dangers past he at length attained landing at new-Haven in France In the Battel at Worcester it is supposed there was about 3000 slain and 700 taken Prisoners The Parliament to manifest their joy for this Victory caused dayes of Publick Thanksgiving to be made and hung up all the Scotch Colours in Westminster-Hall and not long after this the Earl of Derby was beheaded at Bolton in Lancashire And now the King being safely gotten to Paris from thence after a while the King removed to St. Germains and did confer with the Duke of Lorrain for the recovery of his Kingdom of Ireland but it came to nothing so the King returning again to Paris during his abode there his Brother the Duke of Gloucester who had a long time been detained by the Parliament of England in the Isle of Wight came to visit him accompanied from the Hague with Sir Marmaduke Langdale and Sir Richard Greenvile And not long after his Quandam Preserver Mris Jane Lane being escaped out of England arrived in France and sent Letters to his Majesty certifying him of her Arrival who presently sent Coaches to conduct her to Paris where his Majesty gave her a large demonstration of his Princely Favour and Bounty Now whil'st the King was passing away his time thus in France in the mean time Oliver Cromwel the 20 of April 1653 dissolved the long-lived Parliament which had sate twelve years six months and seventeen days and in derision they were cryed about the Streets Parliament men Four a peny And in this year and the year preceeding were five bloody Ingagements at Sea between the English and the Dutch after the long Parliament dissolved Oliver called another Juncto who after they had sate
some small time to little purpose they resigned up their Power again into his hand from whom they received it And now about the 16 of December Anno 1653. Oliver Cromwel was sworn Lord Protector of England Scotland and Ireland c. and so the Government was now again in a single Person against which they had all sworn and in April after the Protector concluded a Peace with the Dutch whose Aid and Assistance the King had strongly sollicited against him The King seeing this he sought a Reconciliation between France and Spain hoping thereby to further his own Interest he left France and departed for Germany accompanied with his Cosin Prince Rupert taking his first Residence at the Spaw whither his Royal Sister the Princess of Orange came to visit him now during these passages Oliver Protector had discovered a Plot in England against his Authority and some of the Plotters were taken and two of them viz. Collonel Gerrard and Mr. Vowel suffered Death Indeed the Protector had a cunning way in discovering of Plots for he had his Inveaglers in several parts of England who feigned themselves great Favourers of the King's Cause prickt Gentlemen on into Conspiracies against the Protector and when they were come to any head and that the chief were inrolled and sworn and the day appointed for putting their Intentions in Execution then forthwith were they discovered to the Usurper and so their Estates became Preys to his Coffers and their Persons to his Mercy which was but small their heads being usually their ransoms to this man of Might upon which account several worthy Gentlemen lost their Lives for no man could say his Life was his own if once Oliver did but frown upon him for his Will was his Law and this his Rule Sic volo sic jubeo stat pro Ratione voluntas This is my Will and this I do Command What man is he that dare the same withstand Great indeed was the Awe the People stood in during his Usurped Authority for he carried MAGNA CHARTA in his Sword-Hilt and the Peoples Liberty in his well tempered Blade and now they began to stir in Scotland again and the Earl of Glencarn Menro and Middleton having gotten some Forces together intended again to have prosecuted the King's Cause but they were routed by General Monk and Collonel Morgan During these Stirs his Majesty in the Company of his Royal Sister had left the Spaw and taken his Journy to Collen where he and his Sister were Royally entertained and shortly after they were Invited by the Duke of Newburgh to his Pallace at Dunsel Dorf where they were Nobly Feasted and here the King and his Sister parted she returning for Holland and his Majesty to Collen During these passages the Protector discovered another plot which should have been a general Rising all over England whereupon several were taken and executed and abundance transported beyond Seas and sold for Slaves And now the King with his Brother the Duke of Gloucester and his Royal Sister the Princess of Orange with several other Lords and Ladys took their Progress to see the Fair at Franckford and at Conningstein near Franckford Christina Queen of Sweeden and the King gave one the other a Visit and his Majesty having made his Abode at Franckford during so long time as he thought good he then returned again for Câ—llen from whence he was shortly after invited into the Low Countrys by Don John de Austria Governor thereof whither his Brother the Duke of York came to him Cromwell now according to conditions sent over 6000 foot Soldiers to aid the French King in his Wars against Flanders and the English were to have Dunkirk in consideration therof which afterwards was delivered to them after some difficulty passed But during these Stirs beyond Seas Oliver by an Assembly whereof Sir Thomas Witherington was Speaker was invested with Purple Robes and installed in Westminster Hall after which he Established a Pageant house of Lords most of them of his own Creation such as John Lord Hewson and the like and not long after this he discovered another Plot and Sir Henry Slingby Dr. Hewit Mr. Aston Mr. Stacy and Mr. Betly suffered death the two first beheaded and the other three hanged drawn and quartered for being in the said Plot as Oliver pretended Now great was the Pomp and State this Protector of England assumed to himself and as great the state of his Son Henry whom he had made Lord Deputy of Ireland he had also appointed Commissioners in most Eminent places in England for Approbation of Ministers and given them power to eject Ignorant Scandalous and Insufficient Ministers and Schoolmasters under which notion of Ignorance many worthy Divines were thrown out of their livings when the Truth was Loyalty on their sides and Covetousness on the Adverse side was the principal cause of their Ejectment Hugh Peters the Minister was in great favour with the Protector and served him in place of his Jester among those Parliaments that were called by this Protector one of them consisting most of Mechanicks Enacted that no persons should be Married but by the Justices of Peace and first to be asked in the Church or else proclaimed in the Market And now the Usurped Power and Authority of Oliver drawing to a Period his Glass being run at length this Conquerour of Three Kingdoms on the Third day of September Anno 1658. was forced to yield himself Prisoner to death who following his own example admitted neither of bail nor ransom but made him pay his last breath to his Will and so in a great Wind he was hurried away into another World After his death he was laid in State at Somerset house in the Strand till the 23 of November after and then his Funeral was celebrated at a vaster Charge then hath formerly been used for the best Kings in the best of times he was Inhumed in the Abby at Westminster but his Resurrection followednot longafter for he with Bradshaw who condemn'd King Charles the First were both of them digged out of their Graves and hanged in Chains at Tiburn that year the King was restored to his Kingdomes Anno 1660. Oliver being now gone Richard his eldest Son succeed him whose head being thought to light and his shoulders to weak for the Supportation of so weighty a Government he was quickly thrust out again from his Protectorship and now Fletwood and Lambert the chief Instruments in outing of Richard with the rest of the Army called the old Parliament turned out by Oliver to their Places again who willingly assumed them whilest these proceedings were in hand the Gentlemen in Lancashire and Cheshire about harvest time 1659 rose under the Conduct of Sir George Booth in defence of their Priviledges and cause of the King but Lambert being sent against them by the Parliament he routed them and Sir George Booth was shortly after taken and sent Prisoner to the Tower and Lambert was gratified by the Parliament