slew Iames their King with many Lords and Earls totally routing all that vast Army Henry returning out of France Surrey for his good service was created Duke of Norfolk and Thomas Wolsey a man of mean parentage was made Bishop of Lincolne and at last was made a Cardinall At this time the Pope sent to Henry a Cap of maintenance a Sword and the Title of Defender of the Faith which Grace Henry received with Tiltings and great Pomp. Cardinall Wolsey is made Chancellour of England Charls the Emperor comes to London and is received with great honour and graced with the Order of the Garter But Behold Henry who had lived lovingly with his Wife Katharine 20 years began now to find a scruple in his Conscience whether he might without incest live with his brothers wife Judges were chosen to end this question but Wolsey not having dealt prudently for Henry had all his authority taken away and his estate was confiscate but at last other new dignities being granted him his great losse was somwhat repaired Then a Parliament was called and he was charged with many faults among the rest that he was wont to write I and my King and had stamped the Cardinalls Hat on the Kings Coyne of which he was convicted and again deprived of all honour and Estate a wonderfull example of the inconstancy of humane affairs he that but lately ruled all and the King too as he pleased made Laws swayed Courts of Justice taxed the people oppressed both Clergy and Laity he is now cast down from the high Pinnacle of honour and which is worst hated by all afterwards sent for to make his personal answer at Court he died by the way 't is thought with poyson In the mean time Henry not abiding the Popes delayes with the advice of Divines divorceth his Wife Katharine and marries Anna Boloyne and being angry with the Pope for this disoffice he abollisheth forthwith all his authority over the Church of England and takes Oath of the thanks of England and Ireland to acknowledge himself next under Christ supreame Head of the Church for refusall whereof Sir Thomas More Lord Chancelour of England and Iohn Fisher of Rochester lost their heads Henry now using his own Authority invades the goods of the Church and expels the Monks out of the Monasteries Nor was he herewith content but he cuts off the heads of his second Wife Annae Boloyne together with her Brother the Lord Rochfort on suspicion of incest between them Then he married Iane Seymer who died in child-birth of Edward the sixth Then he divorced from him Anne of Cleve newly married and for her sake he beheaded Thomas Cronewell who made that match this was a man fortunately risen from a mean to a vast estate also Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk had his head chopt off for privily marrying Margaret daughter to the King of Henry's Neece Henry now marries his Fifth Wife the Lady Katharine Howard whom he shortly afterward beheaded for her lasciviousnesse At that time Henry was stiled King of Ireland of which before he was but Lord. About this time the Scotch King dies leaving Mary Stewart a child of eight dayes old heir of his Kingdome whom Henry endeavours to espouse to his Son Edward but the Cardinall of St. Andrews so prevailed that she was married to the Dolphin whereat Henry enraged burns Leith Then he married his sixth Wife Katharine Latimers widow who was brought in danger of her Life but by her prudence and humility escaped Henry next makes an expedition into France and wins Bononia which was redeemed with eight hundred thousand Crowns The Duke of Norfolk and the Earl of Surrey are accused of Treason and the father lost his head Henry died presently after having reigned 38. years he was buried at Winsor The most high and mightie Prince HENRY the VIII by the grace of God King of England France and Ireland Henry the Eighth began his Reigne so well Few Predecessors were his Parallel Empson and Dudley he did soon dismisse Those Engines of his Fathers Avarice A comly Prince he was but him I fear The Hangman made too oft a Widower Many for no desert he would exalt And ruine them as quickly for no fault He never spar'd if you my Author trust Man in his wrath or Woman in his Lust. And yet his vices did not so prevaile But that his Vertues still did Even the Scale EDVVARD the Sixth King of England HENRY the Eighth being deceased Edward his Son succeeded him in hiâ— Throne Ianuary 28. 1547. He was all the Issue Male of King Henry who had six Wives whereof two were beheaded two divorced and Iane Seymer mother to King Edward dyed in Travell This King began his Reigne in the ninth year of his age and the same day that he was publickly proclaimed King in London he came from Enfield to the Tower as perhaps for other reasons so chiefly that according to the manner of the Kings of England he might passe in solemne and magnificent sort from thence to Westminster where he was to be inaugurated The day following the Lords to whose care the deceased King had committed his Son and heir by Will assemble themselves to consult of the affairs of State they all with one consent appoint Edward Seymer Earl of Hertford the Kings Uncle Protector of the Kings person and Governour of his Majesties Realms untill the King came of age mature enough for to hold the Reins of Government hereof publick proclamation was made through London and Westminster The first Act of this Lord Protector after his investiture was that he created the King Knight who remained then in the Tower and he rising up took the same Sword of the Earl of Hertford and conferred the same honour upon Henry Hoblethorne Lord Major of the City of London February the 15. the funeralls of King Henry are solemnized in all princely sort and his Body entombed in the midst of the Quire of the Cathedrall Church of Windsor and two dayes after certain of the Peers are adorned with new Titles of Honour Seymer Lord Protector and Earl of Hertford is created Duke of Somerset William Par Earl of Essex created Marquesse of Northampton Dudly Viscount Lisle Lord high Admirall of England created Earl of Warwick and high Chamberlain of England Sir Thomas Wriothsley Lord Chancellour was created Earl of Southampton Sir Thomas Seymer Brother to the Lord Protector was advanced to be Lord Sudley and also high Admirall of England for as much as the Earl of Warwick was contented to resigne Sir Richard Rich was made Lord Rich and Sir William Willoughby Lord Willoughby of Parham and Sir Edmund Sheffeild was made Lord Sheffeild of Butterwike Now was great provision made for the Kings Coronation who rode with great Royalty and splendor through the City of London to Westminster the â—4 of Feb. and the day following was in due form and order inaugurated by Cranmer Arch-Bishop of Canterbury About four years since in
the 31 of August 1422. and crowned King of England at Westminster the 6. of Nouember 1429. and of Fraunce the 7 of December 1432. he reigned 38 yeres 6 monthes he died by violence May 21. aged 52. AnoÌ„ 1471. first buried at Chertsey Abbey thence remoued to Windsore wher he was solemhley interd R E. 〈◊〉 Mars begets Clineas Henry a Son That has lost more then all his Father won For he lost Normandy and France put to 't England and Ireland and his Life to boot Twice crown'd and twice depos'd at last he took Deaths fatall Errand from Yorks desperate Duke He was a Prince do Rebels what ye will Like Archimedes drawing Figures still Who not unlike some Gamesters I have seen Winning and losing still the same has been He was not Politick in the Worlds controle But he is wise enough that saves his Soul EDVVARD the Fourth King of England EDward Duke of York having overthrown the King and Queen and having overthrown and executed many of his greatest enemies at Towton field returned triumphantly to the City of London and was proclaimed King of this Realme the 4 of March 1461. and was crowned the 19. day of Iune then next following In the beginning of his Reigne he removed from all Offices all such as oppressed the people and to strengthen his part with powerfull and faithfull friends he creates his two brothers George Duke of Clarence and Richard Duke of Gloucester and Sr. Iohn Nevell brother to the Earl of Warwick he created Lord Montacute and Henry Bourchier who had married the Lady Elizabeth Aunt unto the King and was brother unto Thomas Bourchier Arch-bishop of Canterbury was created Earl of Essex and William Lord Fawcâ—nbridge was made Earl of Kent The Duke of Sommerset and Sr. Ralph Percy with divers others the Kings professed enemies finding no further hope for the house of Lancaster came voluntarily in and submitted to the King and were received to pardon and favour but hearing that the Queen by the assistance of the Scots had raised an Army they slank away and revolted to her and afterwards taken at the battel of Exham were executed The Lord Montacute to whose valour the fortune of that day was ascribed is created Marquess Montacute to whom and others Edward gave great gifts After this Henry is taken in a disguise and sent to the Tower Then Warwick is sent to the Duke of Savoy and prevails for a Match between Edward and Bona the Dukes daughter but Edward in the mean time marries Elizabeth the widow of Sr. Iohn Grey at which Warwick vexed calls to his part his two Brothers and Clarence the Kings Brother and the King at Banbury The King notwithstanding these evill tidings marched confidently against Warwick and his northern Rebels but to prevent mischief many of the Nobillity endeavoured to conclude a peace so that Letters and Heraulds of Armes passed from one Army to the other for both were glad of peace by means of this Parlee King Edward became more carelesse of himself then was fitting whereof when the Earl of Warwick was informed he with some other well appointed rushed into the Kings Army slew his watches and surprised the King in his bed and secretly sent him to Midleham Castle in York-shire there to be safely kept by the Arch-bishop of York his brother who either repenting him of what he had done against the King or being won by large promises of great favour and good rewards suffered him with his Guarders to hunt and hawk by means whereof he made his escape and got to London where between the King and the Rebels another Parlee was had in Westminster Hall in which nothing was done but objections of good deserts and unthankfull requitals were proudly and insultingly urged by the Earl of Warwick in conclusion they departed each from other in great fury the King went to Canterbury and the confederated Lords to Lincolne Armies are raised on both sides they fight and the King wins the field The Lords Clarence and Warwick fly to the King of France who honourably entertains them and aids them with all necessaries for the levying of another Army with which they fight and drive King Edward out of the Kingdome who by the help of the Duke of Burgoyne returns with a small Army into the City of York where he is received upon solemn Oath that he claimed nothing but the Dukedome of York and that he would work no Treason against King Henry now again re-established in his Throne but he presently forfeits his faith and raising another great Army beats Warwick recovers the Crown and re-imprisons King Henry who soon after was murdered by the bloody hands of Richard Duke of Gloucester The King having through much trouble obtained peace betakes himself to dalliance with Iane Shore in the mean while his brother Duke of Clarence is drowned in a Butt of Malmsey The Scots threaten Warre and Richard Duke of Gloucester is sent against them a Peace was procured and King Edward dyed having reigned two and twenty years and is buried at Windsor He was doubtlesse a brave Prince however the clearest day is not without some clouds his perjury at York when he swore to the Citizens he would claim nothing but that Dukedome which was his right by inheritance and that he would in no sort interrupt King Henry's peace all which he falsified which afterward his innocent Sonnes sadly suffered for His lustfull Embraces with Shores wife got him the envy of his owne who was a chast and vertuous Lady in whom he got a good Wife though many enemies and though unfortunate in her Sons yet in her Daughter is composed all the fewd of York and Lancaster The right noble Prince EDWARD the 4th King of England and Fraunce Lord of Ireland He raigned 22. yeares and 5 weekes Died at the age of 52 yeares buried at Windsor 1483. R. Elstracke sculpsit Now sixty years out York obtains the Crowne And Lancaster with all his friends puts down Betwixt which Houses while the difference stood Fell more then fourscore of the Noble Bloud For which but think how many thousands bled And you will Iudge the Roses both were Red. Warwick advances Edward to the Crown And in distast againe he pulls him down But Edward to the Duke of Burgoine flyes And with his aid and his own perjuries Reerowns himself for Kingdomes men will dare A thousand Oaths and count them solemne Aire EDVVARD the Fifth King of England EDward the Fourth being dead his Eldest Son Edward succeeded him but he in his Reign was under Governors Anthony Lord Rivers Thomas Wagham Chamberlain and Richard Grey Knights who being sent for by the Queens Letters came in hast to London with the Prince Then also Richard Duke of Gloucester being at York and hearing of the Kings Death came to London with a small Army and being mindfull to usurp the Kingdome he overtook the young King Edward on his way to London and takes him into his own charge
a League concluded between England and Scotland and upon the discharge of some Scotch Lords Prisoners in the Tower of London a marriage was promised between Edward and the young Heir of Scotland which afterward was falsified and she married to the French King whereupon the Duke of Somerseâ— with a well provided Army enters Scotland and fought the Scots at Musselburgh and slew of them mâ—re than 14000 amongst whom besides the Lord Lohemore and the Lord Fleming fell almoâ—t all the young Nobillity of Scotland There were taken in fight Earl Huntley Chancellour of Scotland The Lords Hester Hobbey and Hamilton and 1500 more of good account possessing themselves of many strong Forts and Castles with abundant spoile and then betaking themselves homewards they not a little recreated the minds of the dejected Scots by their departure While these things thus fell out in Scotland there happened great alteration in the Ecclesiasticall State at home divers of the Kings Tutors being earnestly bent to a Reformation of Religion and especially the Lord Protector himself and it was therefore Resolved by the Kings Tutors and Counsell that whatsoever King Henry had enacted for the abrogating of the Popes authority should stand in full force and authority whereby the English Church became purged of Popery And what is very memorable the same day that Images and Superstition were thrown out of the Church news was brought of the great victory atchieved upon the Scots at Musselburgh The Popishly affected Stephen Gardiner and bloudy Bonner are committed to the Tower About this time fell out an unlucky difference betwixt the Protector and his Brother which proved the ruine of them both for they both lost their heads This Year Bishop Ridley preached before the King and in his Sermon took occasion to discourse of the necessity of Alms-deeds which the King earnestly attending and laying to heart sent for the Bishop after Sermon and entered into private communication with him causing him to set down in a chair and whether he would or not to put on his hat about relief The King to shew his wonderfull charity appointed severall Hospitalls to which he gave Lands to the value of 600 pounds per annum which had belonged to the Savoy and 4000 Marks a year in mony beside About the beginning of the next year the King fell into lingring sicknesse then into a Hectick Feaver whereof together with a consumption of the Lungs he died at length not without suspicion of poyson And now Northumberland began to devise how he might gain the Crown of England to his posterity he therefore imparts the businesse to the Duke of Suffolk requesting his eldest Daughter Iane to be given in marriage to his son Gilford Dudley then he takes upon him to perswade the King not only to disinherit his two sisters but also by Will to constitute his Cousin the Lady Iane Queen after him which accordingly the good King yeilded preferring the true worship of God before all naturall respects A few dayes before things were thus ordered King Edward not yet 16. years of age sent forth his blessed soul at Greenwich to wit the sixt day of Iuly when he had held the Kingdome under Governours six years five months and nineteen dayes shewing forth even in that tender age blossoms of vertue together with singular piety towards God constancy of mind love of right and an incredible study of Learning Not above three hours before he expired thinking no body had been by he uttered this Prayer Lord God deliver me out of this miserable and wreâ—ched life take me among thy chosen howbeit not my will but thy will be done Lord I commit my spirit to thee O Lord thou knowest how happy it were for me to be with thee yet for thy Chosens sake if it be thy will send me life and health that I may truly serve thee O my Lord blesse thy people and save thine inheritance O Lord God save thy chosen people of England O my Lord God defend this Realme from Papistry and maintain thy true Religion that I and my people may praise thy holy Name Soon after he cried out I faint I faint Lord have mercy upon me and take my spirit and so yielded up the Ghost The high and Mighty Monarch Edward the VI. by the grace of GOD King of Great Brittaine France and Ireland Defendor of the Earth etc To thee Great King it was a gain to dye Whose death was crown'd with immortality Nor does he erre whoever takes thee for Edward the Saint the Second Confessor Thou that in pious Paths so Even hast trod Art Enoch like translated by thy God Who as thy death does evidently show Lov'd thee too well to leave thee long below Whos 's every act the Vniverse convinces And is a pattern to succeeding Princes When thou of Popery didst the Temple purge Thy Scepter turn'd into thy Saviours scourge MARY Queene of England MARY so soon as she heard of her Brothers death posted to Framingham Castle in Suffolk to whom resorted divers Lords who had formerly compacted to preserve the Romish Religion Then she sent to the Senate of London that they should proclaim her Queen but the Lords in the name of all the people made answer That by the Testament of King Edward Iane was to succeed and they asserted that Maryes mother was divorced whereupon they fly to Arms. The Earl of Northumberland with a small Army marches against Mary but as he proceeds but slowly Maryes Forces increase mightily also Edward Hastings who was set with six Ships to prevent Maryes escape into France revolted to her by which losse the Lords and Londoners were not a little dismayed and grew at odds one with the other and the Londoners proclaimed Mary Queen and Northumberland when he was certain of his friends falling from him that he might not run the hazard alone calls a Counsell at Cambridge and himself for want of an Herauld proclaims Mary Queen of England c. casting his Cap up in token of joy But that did not at all help his Cause for the Earl of Arundell who a little before did not decline to venture his life for Iane now coming to Cambridge in Maryes name takes the Duke and Casts him into Prison he in vain intreating for his life Iane at the Command of the Duke of Suffolk her father when the Case was thus altered layes down the Ensigns of the Kingdome with much more cheerfullnesse then ever she took them up The Queen coming to London met her Sister Elizabeth with 1000 Horse and Thomas of Norfolk Edward Contener Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester and Somersets Wife which she received into Grace giving them her hand to kisse Then entering upon the Church affairs she abollished those Bishops and Ceremonies that Edward had confirmed setting up others in their roome the people not a little offended at it and then she punished severely all those that were enemies to the Church of Rome In the interim
the age of 65 yeares after he had raigned 56 yeares and lieth intombed at Westminster 1272. The groaning Kingdome being rid of John Has found his very Image in his Son King Henry the Third nine years of Age Enters a troubled and a doubtfull Stage The Realme he found Rebecca like become With divers Nations strugling in her Womb All which he clear'd at last with promise fair With Oaths Vowes which prov'd nothing but Aiâ— He pill'd his subjects so that at his need Give him they nothing would nor could indeed He marries then with a mean Family And spoyles his Realme to lard their Poverty EDVVARD the First King of England WHen King Henry died Edward his son and heir was in Palestine very intent about the holy war where he underwent a grievous danger having received 3 desperate wounds from his adversary with a poysoned weapon But he was cured by the wonderfull Piety of his Wife who with her mouth in time sucked out the venome from his wounds In his way being made more certain of his fathers death he made great journeyes and travelled in all hast into England where with the generall applause both of his Nobles and Common-people he was crowned King when he was of the age of 35 years At the beginning of his Reigne he used the Nobility well but to abate the insolence of the Clergy he commanded their wealth to be brought into his Exchequer and he afflicted them otherwise and so drew upon himself their envy The Welch rise against him but he luckily intercepts Monfort's daughter espoused to Lluellen their Prince upon surrender of whom that storm blew over and obedience was promised by the Welch to King Edward But within few years three or four at most Lluellen puts an end to his Oath and obedience for his wife Eleoner being dead he breaks forth into new Rebellions also David forgetting the great love of King Edward to him falls off to his brother and so with joynt forces they enter England and does some mischief to Edward both of them wonderfully inflamed by a false prophesie of Merlin whereby the Crowne of Brutus was promised to Lluellen but the battle being set Lluellen was killed by a private Soldier and his Head brought to King Edward his Brother David also was taken and had his Head struck off and with his Brothers it was set upon the Tower of London where it remained a long time after but his four Quarters were sent to four Principall Cities in England to be set up for a terrour to all Traitors hereafter so Edward revenged the Rebellion of the Welch and the death of Alphonsus his first Borne who was slain in the same battle In the eighteenth year of King Edward's Reigne Alexander the King of Scots not having any Issue of his body fell with his horse and unfortunately brake his neck He had three sisters the eldest of which was married to Iohn Balioll Lord of Galloway the second to Robert le Bruse Lord of Valley-Andrew and the third was married into England to Iohn Hastings Lord of Abergavenny amongst these three each of them backed with his best friends sharp bickerings and civill wars arose to the destruction of many worthy persons on all sides Whilst the matter thus was handled King Edward promises the Kingdome of Scotland to Bruse for ever so he would do him homage for it but Bruse refuseth it preferring his Countries Liberty before his own honour Yet Balioll yields to those conditions and so got the Kingdome of Scotland but the ill will of all his Country-men Envy against him increased for refusing Justice upon the death of the Earl of Fife who was slaine for Baylioll exempted Albermeâ—h from punishment that slew him whereupon Baylioll cited before Edward's Tribunall is forced to plead his cause he was angry at this disgrace and denies Homage to Edward and proclaims warre making a Covenant with the French King Hence arose the cause of a most bloudy warre between the two Nations which lasted for three hundred years only some feigned cessations passed between No lesse than four times did this victorious King Edward subdue the false and fraudulent Scots compelling them with extraordinary tokens of subjection and humility to submit themselves to his mercy In the mean time a new warre breaks forth between King Edward and the French King Philip the fair by a controversie between the subjects of either King for Kings that envy one another easily break forth into open Hatred but Edward had other grudges against the French for conniving at the death of his Cousen Henry the Emperors Son Edward therefore when a day was appointed him hath a stipendary to plead his cause before King Philip he refused to appeare whereupon a great Army being raised Philip enters upon the Territories of King Edward in France by force of Armes the King of England by the assistance of neighbour Princes the Earl of Flanders the Duke of Brabant with Adolphus of Nassaw the Roman Emperour presently marches against the King of France but finding the French divided in two parts and defrauded with the Emperours delayes when he had held his winters quarters at Gaunt not without the murmuring of the Citizens and great want of his souldiers At the beginning of the spring truce being made with the French for three years the King tooke Margaret the Dukes sister to wife for Eleoner died in the former Expedition against the Scots And the daughter of Philip being betrothed to King Edwards sonne he retreated for England About the same time Doctor Langton then Bishop of Chester complained grievously to the King upon Edward the young Prince who by the lewd advice of Pierce Gaveston his loose and gracelesse Companion brake forcibly into his Park and made havock of his Game for which the Prince was committed to Prison and Gaveston banished for ever Lastly making an incursion into Scotland he is taken with a Disentery and dies of it and lies buried at Westminster He was very tall of Countenance somwhat sorrowfull of Chastitie like his Father but in fortitude farre before him Religious he was and wise The noble and Victorious Prince EDWARD the first surnamed Long-shanks King of England Duke of Aquitaine Earle of Poictices and Anjou Lo of Ireland c He Conquered Scotland and brought from thence the Marble Chaire He subdued and overcame llewelyn Prince of Wales and made his sonne Edward Prince Hereof he died at the age of 68 yeares 1307. after he had raigned 34 yeares 8 monthes buried at Westminster King Edward Saraceus Head Sholder sunders Where Christ wrought miracles this Prince did wonders His wife with such so pious love abounds She sucks the venome from his poysoned wounds 'T were Treason to their merits to conceal So great a Valour and so sweet a zeal The haughty Welch he soon did over-run And left them Vassalls to his Princely Son And by his sword so weighed down Fortunes scales That Englands heir succeeds stil Prince of
whereto he does incline The God of Warre and not the God of Wine He claims his right sues for Charls his daughter Whilst the proud French retort with scorn laughter In short he did their Towns and Towers so batter The French soon found it was no laughing matter They sue for Peace and the fair Katharine bring Who more then all their weapons wounds the King They are espous'd and so conclude the jarrs Where Mars Venus are auspicious Stars HENRY the Sixth King of England NOt yet was Henry the sixth nine months old when his father died yet was he so fortunate in his beginning that his youth and Government were worthily supported by his three Uncles Humfrey Duke of Gloucester who when the King was crowned was made Protector both of his Person and Realme Iohn Duke of Bedford who was established Regent of France and Thomas Duke of Exeter who graced all his actions with much wisdome and great valour And needfull it was that the new Protector and the Regent should make the utmost tryall of their sufficiencies to the World for whereas in the end of the Kings Fathers days the Nobillity of France incorporated themselves to the English Nation and heartily envied the Dolphin King Charls about this time died and the unconstant French men began to play an Irish Game For on a sudden many of the hypocriticall French renounced their Duty and Obedience to King Henry and utterly neglecting all their Oaths of Allegiance made unto him revolted to Charls their new King endeavoring all that in them lay totally to extirpate the English root them out of France The Protector at home seeing this supplies the Regent with store of Soldiers Silver and Gold The Regent in the mean while levies a strong Army and on the other side Charls the new King was as active to do the like in so much that nothing but war tyranniz'd and tore up the entralls of France And to begin these troubles the French King sent the Lord Grandevile against Pont. Melance which he surprised and slew the most part of those he found there which place is again retaken by the valour of Thomas Mâ—ntacute the Noble Earl of Salisbury together with the Lord Grandevile who by solemne Oath promises faithfull and perpetuall service to King Henry but no sooner is this false French man released but he revolts About this time the Regent renews a League with the Dukes of Burgoyne and Britaine and marries the Lady Anne of Burgoyne whereupon Paris revolts and is reduced Then the Earl of Salisbury wins a great victory before Cravant and is made Vice-regent of France c. The Protector at home for a small matter ransometh Iames the young King of Scots and marries him to the Kings Cousin Germane but he proved a right Scot false and treacherous In the mean while the French gain by fraud what the English regain by force In England the Dutchesse of York is accused of witch-craft by the proud Cardinall her husbands Brother and unjustly suffers for it Now by the intercession of Christian Princes they began to treat of peace between the French and the English peace was not ratified but a cessation was granted for eighteen months In the mean time the Earl of Suffolk by his own authority contracted a marriage between King Henry and Margaret Daughter to the Duke of Angiers boasting much of the Ladies beauty and dowry at last he perswaded the King though he had passed his word to the daughter of the Duke of Britaine This Matrimony contracted gave but small help to the English affairs when for commutation great part of Normandy was yielded to the French and the Duke of Britaine in revenge of his wrong drove all the English out of Aquitane Now the hatred of Sommerset and York began again to bud he by fraud and injustice deposed York from the Authority of Vice-Roy and made himself Vice-Roy in his place York being not a little offended at it for the King did nothing lesse then mind his Kingdome All the authority was between Margaret and the Marquesse of Suffolk also by the contrivance of his enemies the Duke of Gloucester called the good Duke was put out of his place and unknown to the King a Parliament being privily called they question him for his Life he was cast into prison and the next day how it is not known miserably murthered In the mean time all goes to wrack by the negligence of Sommerset all Normandy in a manner lost and revolted and all France made good to Charls except Callice Now the King wants his two good Uncles the Dukes of Bedford and Gloucester to stand by him But Sommerset is called to account found guilty and banished for 5 years but being upon the Seas is beheaded and his body left on the shore The Duke of York who now should help the English in France is fain to goe to still the Irish that were up he quickly pacified them whereby he won the peoples hearts and much augmented his own affairs thus he began to end the difference between the White Rose and the Red and for a beginning of his own right to the Crown for he descended from Lionel Duke of Clarence King Henry being wholly unfit for the Government by whose foolish negligence France and Normandy was lost the men of Kent vote for Iohn Mortimer by Yorks perswasion and with a well appointed Army they march toward London Mortimer being their Commander between Eltham and Greenwich they stay and send up their complaints to the King and Parliament amongst the rest they Petition that York Buckingham and Exeter may be restored to their places and the Kings savour The King sends Forces against the Kentish-men Mortimer overthrows the Kings Forces whereupon the King flies to Killingworth in Warwickshire but Mortimer comes to London and displeasing the City by his arrogance they rise upon him and he is slain his men forsaking him The Duke of York raiseth an Army to bring Sommerset to a triall he is defended by the King but the Duke raiseth a greater Army and now in open field claims the Crown and having assembled to him the Earls of Salsbury and Warwick and others Trollop and Blunt fly to the Kings Army and discover all The Duke and Lords are proclaimed Traitors but the Armies meet near Northampton the King is overthrown and taken but the Queen with the Duke of Sommerset flies The Tower of London is delivered to the Lords A Parliament is called which pronounced York heir apparent to the Crown and Henry to continue the Title of a King during life and York to be Protector of King and Kingdome but the Queen comes with an Army York meets her near Wakefield but in vain expecting his Son is overthrown and slain His Son the new and brave Duke of York fights the Queens Army at Towton and wins the day and Crowne HENRY the VI borne at Windsor being of the age of eight Monthes beganne his reigne
and tranquillity He bountifully recompenced the Duke of Britaine for all his former love and kindnesse to him and also repaid unto him all such sums of mony as at any time he had disbursed for him for his maintenance and relief The like he did to the French King and so redeemed his Hostages the Lord Marquesse Dorset and Sir Iohn Bourchin whom he left there But while King Henry was thus carefull to please all men and to preserve peace a Rebellion is raised in the north by Francis Lord Lovel Humfrey Stafford and Thomas his Brother but the King with great celerity marches against them and their Leaders hearts failing them they steal from their Army by night Lovell was shrouded by Sir Thomas Broughton and the two Staffords took Sanctuary but because no Sanctuary could protect malefactors in case of high Treason they were pulled out by violence and arraigned condemned and Humphrey the elder brother executed but the other was pardoned by the Kings favour it being supposed he did it not out of malice but was drawn in by his unpeaceable brother But this flame being quenched a greater is kindled For a certain Priest named Symond erected a mock Prince called Lambert who joyning with the Dutchesse of Burgoyne and the Irish invaded England but was routed and being taken Lambert was put into the Kings Scullery who not long after was made chief Faulconer to the King Then was the Kings wife with all honour and princely solemnity crowned Queen and Thomas Bourchier Arch-Bishop of Canterbury dying he is succeeded by Iohn Morton Bishop of Ely who was also made Lord Chancelour of this Kingdome and not long after he was dignified with the Hat and Habit of a Cardinall by Pope Alexander the sixth A difference falls between the French and the Britains the King having been beholding to both mediates a peace but in vain they fall to Arms and the King aids the Duke of Britain with eight thousand men for maintenance whereof a Parliament gives the King the tenth penny of all moveable goods and chattels but the Duke dyed and those wars ended But this Tax begot a Rebellion for the rustick swads about York and Durham would not pay a penny of the Tax but being numerous they rifled severall places where they came and barbarously murdered the Earl of Northumberland imployed by the King to levy the tax but the King soon routed them and executed the Ringleaders of them in severall places The French King by his gifts corrupts the attendants of the Duke of Britains Daughter heir of the Dukedome and though affianced to the Emperors Daughter before yet he returns her to her father and marries the Young Heir of Britain wâ—o was contracted to the Emperour making both contracts void and nullities by proclamation But the Emperor scorning to be thus disgraced sends to King Henry and craves aid whereupon the King partly for love he bare to the Emperour and partly because he saw the French King was become Lord of Britain and endeavoured to subject the low Countries also under him promised his assistance for support of which he spared the poor and got great sums from the Nobles and richer sort The King sends a well appointed Army over under the conduct and command of the Duke of Bedford and the Earl of Oxford whom the King in person followed with a Royall Army but the French King sues for peace and gave him for his charges in that expedition almost two hundred thousand pounds Sterling so Henry and his Army returned safe into England having concluded an honourable and profitable Peace But the Kings ancient enemy the Dutchesse of Burgoyne with another upstart counterfeit named Perkin Warbeck whom she pretends to be Richard Duke of York Edward the Fourth's Second son The Burgoyns Irish French and Scots favour him some out of mischief others out of mistake which begets great troubles to King Henry but he is taken imprison'd and for endeavouring an escape is executed The Scots invade England under pretence of aiding Perkin he drives them out and another Tax is levied which begets a rebellion which the King overthrows and hangs up the Heads of it Prince Arthur about this time married Katharine Daughter to Ferdinand King of Aragon King Henry's eldest Daughter marries the King of Scots Iames the Fourth but Prince Arthur five months after his Marriage died to his Fathers great grief about his latter end he grew covetous but repented of it He died soon after and was buried at Westminster in his own Chappel he died at 52. years old and reigned 23. years The most Mighty and Prudent Prince Henry the seaventh by the grace of god King of England Fraunce and Ireland As after a sharp Winter Birds do sing Encomiums to a Comfortable Spring So did this Kingdome entertain with joy Great Lancaster and sung Vive le Roy. Henry from Britain came and claim'd his due By Vertue Valour and by Title true And that he might becalme all stormy weather He joyn'd the White Rose and the Red together He was a prudent Prince and govern'd well But that to be too Covetous he fell At last he much restor'd and gave among The poor which mercy cancel'd all his wrong HENRY the Eighth King of England KIng Henry the Eighth being of the age of eighteen years began to Reigne the two and twentieth day of April in the year of our Lord God 1509. And being dispensed with by the Pope he married the Lady Katharine Daughter to Ferdinando King of Aragon Aunt to Prince Charls of Castile who afterwards was Emperour whenas not long before she had been his brother Prince Arthur's Wife by which match much trouble afterwards ensued In the beginning of his Reigne he was very gracious and tender to his people in rescuing them from the greedy Jaws of their oppressors that toward the end of his Fathers Reigne had so vexed and tormented them and the more freely to content such as had been justly offended by those extreamities he caused the Heads of those two devouring Caterpillars Empson and Dudley to be stricken off at the Tower Hill and the rest of that rascall rabble were disgracefully corrected by the Stocks and Pillories in sundry places of this Realme Thus when the King had well buâ—ied himself in the settlement of his Kingdome for the first two years of his Reigne he was by his wifes father Ferdinando King of Aragon entreated to assist him against the Moores but by reason of a cessation of those Jarres returned out of Spain having been rudely entertained and spent all About the same time the King of France invades Italy making great havock but Henry in favour of the Pope led an Army into France Maximilian the Emperour fighting under the English Banner and took many prisoners and Towns In the mean time the Scots upon the French account infest the North parts of England with sixty thousand men but the Earl of Surrey encountered them with six and twenty thousand and