England STephen having now paid his debt to Nature it remained that his Engagements also be discharged to his adopted Heir which in like manner was in a short time performed for Henry Duke of Anjou the Empress Mauds son according to agreement succeeded him in the Throne who with the great applause and generall liking of all men was rightly Crowned at Westminster by the hands of Theobald Arch-Bishop of Canterbury He was also Crowned at Lincolne and Thirdly at Worcester Malcome King of Scots joyning with him confederate He behaved himself wisely in the beginning of his Reigne making election of the wisest men he could get for Counsellers he expelled strangers such as came in hope of rapine especially those of Flanders demolishing the Castles that the Nobility had built at the Connivance of King Stephen which they had often abused to sedition The Laws also that were faulty during the War he reduced to their former integrity The Demeans bestowed by King Stephen on such as were unworthy he took away to himself and so spared his subjects from Tribute and Taxes deeming it safer to offend a few then many Singular was the zeal this King bare to the furtherance of Justice and equity for he divided his Kingdom into six several Circuits and for the better administration of Justice together with the tryal of Causes between man and man and for the greater ease and comfort of his subjects he appoynted severall Judges twice in every year to ride those Circuits which course and order is continually observed to this day He also resumed into his own hands the Province of Northumberland together with the Earldome which David King of Scots and Henry his Son had received Giftwise of King Stephen because they should not further intermeddle in the interest of his Mother Maud the Empress to the Crown In the thirteenth year of his Reign he marryed Geofrie one of his younger sons to Constance the daughter and heir apparent to Conaccus Duke of Britain who dyed not long after and left to them that Dutchie He also affied his younger son Richard unto Adela one of the Daughters of Lewis the King of France and marryed his Daughter Maud to Henry Duke of Saxony Much about this time dyed Maud the Empresse his Mother In the Nineteenth year of his Reign for that the Irish Nation attempted to deprive him of certain Territories in that Island left him by his Predecessors he sailed thither with a mighty Army and fought many victorious Battles against Five Kings which at that time reigned there all which he did subdue and made subject to himself and became sole Lord of all that Country and annexed that Title unto his Crown and returned loaden with honours into this Kingdome If he managed all things wisely hitherto now does he shew as much weakness and infirmity making his Son Henry and his Wife Margaret daughter to the French King to be twice solemnly crowned in the presence of his people himself the second time for that day leaving the Title of a King and serving as a sewer at his Sons Table whereat his proud Son made no wonder but publickly affirmed that his Father was thereby no whit dishonoured for that he was only the son of an Empress but he himself was the son both of a King and also of a Queen In the mean time Lewis King of France his father in Law fell to upbraid his pusillanimity that he being entered into the Government and crowned King would permit his father to be equall with him in the Kingdome contenting himself to be a Titular King only he easily enflamed his youthfull mind too ready to be set on fire with unlawful desires This secret Envy began now to break forth into open hate and the son constantly cavilled at every thing the father did or said Nor was the sons horrible ingratitude unknown to the Father wherefore Messengers were sent to Lewis to oppress and extinguish those so sad beginnings of discord But Lewis instead of doing good offices of reconciliation laught at the Embassadors asking them scornfully why they called him Maâ—ter who had freely delivered up his right to his son But these things ended not thus for many jarrs and quarrels arose betwixt King Henry the Father and Lewis the French King which at length were decided by sharp and bloudy Wars In all which most unnaturally Henry Geofry and Iohn and most undutifully Robert Earl of Leicester and Hugh Earl of Chester together with William then King of Scots took part with the French against the King in all which notwithstanding King Henry by noble courage and princely prowesse did still prevaile and upon submission granted pardon to his sons and all their Complices Yet were his sons after grievously punished by God for Henry dyed before his Father in the prime and flower of his youth and Iohn who after was King was poysoned by a Monk in Swinstead Abbey in Lincolnshire Yet these unnaturall Rebellions of his own Children to whom he had been so indulgent a father moved such a passion in his perplexed mind as it suddenly struck him into a Feaver extream dangerous and hearing that his son Richard had raised a new broyl against him he could no longer sustain the wounds of his spirit but within a day or two breathed out his last when he had reigned almost 25 years and was buryed at Fontenward in Normandy The History of this Kings reign approveth him to have been wise learned just politick and valiant save in that over-indulgence to his graceless children and what not a little addeth to the number and splendour of his commendations was that albeit he were often engaged in business some of them concerning his Wars in France Normandy Anjou Ireland and in other places and some of them respecting his Politick Rule and government at home yet he never imposed upon his subjects any extraordinary Tax or payment whatsoever yet left he unto his Successor more than 900000 pounds in silver and gold besides Plate Jewels houshold-stuff and plentifull provision for the War And though in most things prosperity made him happy yet in three things he was unfortunate The 1. was the unnaturall disobedience and revolt of the fruit of his own Loyns The 2. was his unquenchable lust to his inseperable Concubine the beautious Rosamond who being admirably fair and wantonly condition'd too much estranged his affections from Eleanor his renowned Queen and made his desires subject nay slavish to the others wanton Will The 3. was the irreconcileable dissention betwixt him and Thomas Becket the insolent Arch-Bishop of Canterbury The King is accused of his death by the Pope which he denyes upon oath yet the Pope enjoyns him for pennance 3. years War in person in the Holy Land which he redeemed by erecting 3. houses of Religion and to go from London to Canterbury bare-footed to visit Beckets shrine which he did suffer'd himself to be scourg'd by every Monk Thus this King ended all his troubles
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
and Peers all urg'd it he declin'd it Scotland he first subdu'd and made it reele Vnder the force of his victorious steel France askt him Homage but he told her plain Homage was due to him her Soveraign Let her to Cressey and to Poictiers look And Callice which 'fore Philip's face he took And what does more than this his fame evince He was the father to the brave BLACK PRINCE RICHARD the Second King of England RICHARD the Second being the Son and Heir of the black Prince and aged 11 years and somwhat more was crowned King of England in the year of our Lord one thousand three hundred and seventy seven The Kingdome was in an Eclipse the most part of this Kings Reigne his youth with all the frailties incident thereunto with bad Governours both of his kingdome and person were the main ruines of the King and almost the Realme For in the whole course of his Government he neglected his Nobillity and taxed his subjects to enable him to give prodigally to his Sycophants and ill deserving Favourites He was too too resolute in his wayes and refused to be reformed be they never so indirect He also despised the sage advice and good directions of his best counsellers and wholly plotted all his courses by the wicked gracelesse projects of his base and loose companions whom he raised to more honourable estates than befitted the meannesse of their Conditions so that they fell by their own weight and he himself in the end was enforced to endure the extremity of his hard fortune For being first disgraced by his Cousin Henry Bullingbrook Duke of Lancaster and Son and Heir to his Unkle Iohn of Gaunt he was at length by him with the generall consent of a whole Parliament deposed from his Crown committed to prison and afterwards wickedly murthered as in this discourse of his disorderly government more amply shall appear In the first year of King Richards Reigne Charls the French King presuming much on his minority and being aided by the Spaniard landed in the South-east and South-west parts of this kingdome and ransacked and burnt the Towns of Plymouth Rye Dartmouth Portsmouth and some other Towns and Villages coasting upon the Sea and would have done more mischief if by the Kings Unkle Edmund of Langley Earl of Cambridge and by the Earls of Buckingham and Salisbury they had not been fought with and beaten to their Ships At the same time one Ramsey a Scot cunningly surprised the Castle of Barwick but was soon beaten out again all the desperadoes being put to death but himself Again the French infest the Coasts of England even unto Graves-end whereupon Richard with Poll-money levies an Army and revenged himself which caused after mischief And now fell out a Rebellion in England exceeding hazardous to the whole kingdome occasioned by one Iohn Wall a factious Priest who perceiving the meaner and baser sort of people much murmuring repining at the last Tax took an unhappy occasion to move them to sedition telling them we are all by nature the children of Adam born of one and the same condition and equall worth and that the Laws of this kingdome were unjust to set so great difference between men making some Peers and Potentates and others poor and penurious Thus they begun to grow mad and implacable against the Nobillity for the basest dregs of men commonly being uncapable of honour themselves are envious against those that are Hereupon together with the hope of pilfering arose a formidable tumult who for their Leader took one Watt Tyler and for other chief Officers had Iack Straw Iack Shepheard and the seditious Priest Iohn Wall stiling themselves the Kings men and the Servants of the Common-weal of England They marched towards London beating down and rifling of houses and all before them They make all Knights and Gentlemen forsake their houses which they burn or rifle at lest They send also to the King who then lay in the Tower requiring him to come and speak with them Whereupon the King purposing to prevent mischief went to Graves-end but seeing their rage and madnesse he â—â—ared to put himself into their hands and returned back again to the Tower of Londoâ— Next day came this rabble to Southwark and finding the Bridge fortified and the Gates shut they resolved to kill all the people burn the Burrough but to prevent mischieâ— they were let into the City who were fain to entertain them with gifts and good words Then they rifle thâ— Savoy and kill all they light on they robbed all the Inns of Courâ—s and burnt their Law books nor spared they the Churches but sacrilegiously stole all they could lay hand on Watt Tyler commands his Masters head to be carried before him on a Lance mâ—erly because he had given him some small correction when he was his servant The Rebels send â—o the King who goes to Mile-end Green to them freely pardons them all gives them his Banners for their security whereupon many forsake Tyler who with about 20000 marches into Smithfield resolving to ransack and burn the City Then the King courteously perswades them to desist but Tyler commanded the Esquire that bare the sword before the King to give him his Dagger but the Esq told him it was the Kings Sword and should not be givâ—n to a knave whereat Tyler swore e're he would eat or drink the Esq should lose his head The King loth to have the Esq endangered bid him give him the Sword but the Esq would not then stept in William Wallworth Major of the City and clapt his Dagger to Tilers heart commanding him to submit to the King presently about a thousand armed Citizens came and routed them Thus did the storme blow over by Gods goodnesse and the Majors Courage and ever since the City carry the Dagger in their Escutcheon Ball and Iack Staw were executed the rest pardoned The French prepare a great army purposing to invade England King Richard rayseth a mighty power to conquer Scotland which designes had no good events Mischeife and Misery having sate long abroad began now to hatch at home The insulting Peers and rebellious people bandy the regall Power into hazard The Scots enter England under the Command of Sr. William Dowglasse and are encountered by the Noble Lord Henry Hotspur Dowglasse is slain and Hotspur taking Ireland rebels The King goes against him in person and the mean while loseth his Kingdom which with himself and Crown he is forced to surrender to his Cousin Henry Bullingbrook Son to Iohn of Gant Duke of Lancaster Anno 1400. The true pourtraicture of Richard the 2. King of England and France Lord of Ireland and Prince of Chester he raigned 22 yeres was deposed and murther'd at Pomfraict Cast at the age of 33 yeares Buried first at Langley and 14 yeares after by K. Henry th◠〈…〉 and their waâ— honourably â—uâ—erred Richard the Second son to such a Prince The World has never had his equall
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
the age of 65 yeares after he had raigned 56 yeares and lieth intombed at Westminster 1272. The groaning Kingdome being rid of John Has found his very Image in his Son King Henry the Third nine years of Age Enters a troubled and a doubtfull Stage The Realme he found Rebecca like become With divers Nations strugling in her Womb All which he clear'd at last with promise fair With Oaths Vowes which prov'd nothing but Aiâ— He pill'd his subjects so that at his need Give him they nothing would nor could indeed He marries then with a mean Family And spoyles his Realme to lard their Poverty EDVVARD the First King of England WHen King Henry died Edward his son and heir was in Palestine very intent about the holy war where he underwent a grievous danger having received 3 desperate wounds from his adversary with a poysoned weapon But he was cured by the wonderfull Piety of his Wife who with her mouth in time sucked out the venome from his wounds In his way being made more certain of his fathers death he made great journeyes and travelled in all hast into England where with the generall applause both of his Nobles and Common-people he was crowned King when he was of the age of 35 years At the beginning of his Reigne he used the Nobility well but to abate the insolence of the Clergy he commanded their wealth to be brought into his Exchequer and he afflicted them otherwise and so drew upon himself their envy The Welch rise against him but he luckily intercepts Monfort's daughter espoused to Lluellen their Prince upon surrender of whom that storm blew over and obedience was promised by the Welch to King Edward But within few years three or four at most Lluellen puts an end to his Oath and obedience for his wife Eleoner being dead he breaks forth into new Rebellions also David forgetting the great love of King Edward to him falls off to his brother and so with joynt forces they enter England and does some mischief to Edward both of them wonderfully inflamed by a false prophesie of Merlin whereby the Crowne of Brutus was promised to Lluellen but the battle being set Lluellen was killed by a private Soldier and his Head brought to King Edward his Brother David also was taken and had his Head struck off and with his Brothers it was set upon the Tower of London where it remained a long time after but his four Quarters were sent to four Principall Cities in England to be set up for a terrour to all Traitors hereafter so Edward revenged the Rebellion of the Welch and the death of Alphonsus his first Borne who was slain in the same battle In the eighteenth year of King Edward's Reigne Alexander the King of Scots not having any Issue of his body fell with his horse and unfortunately brake his neck He had three sisters the eldest of which was married to Iohn Balioll Lord of Galloway the second to Robert le Bruse Lord of Valley-Andrew and the third was married into England to Iohn Hastings Lord of Abergavenny amongst these three each of them backed with his best friends sharp bickerings and civill wars arose to the destruction of many worthy persons on all sides Whilst the matter thus was handled King Edward promises the Kingdome of Scotland to Bruse for ever so he would do him homage for it but Bruse refuseth it preferring his Countries Liberty before his own honour Yet Balioll yields to those conditions and so got the Kingdome of Scotland but the ill will of all his Country-men Envy against him increased for refusing Justice upon the death of the Earl of Fife who was slaine for Baylioll exempted Albermeâ—h from punishment that slew him whereupon Baylioll cited before Edward's Tribunall is forced to plead his cause he was angry at this disgrace and denies Homage to Edward and proclaims warre making a Covenant with the French King Hence arose the cause of a most bloudy warre between the two Nations which lasted for three hundred years only some feigned cessations passed between No lesse than four times did this victorious King Edward subdue the false and fraudulent Scots compelling them with extraordinary tokens of subjection and humility to submit themselves to his mercy In the mean time a new warre breaks forth between King Edward and the French King Philip the fair by a controversie between the subjects of either King for Kings that envy one another easily break forth into open Hatred but Edward had other grudges against the French for conniving at the death of his Cousen Henry the Emperors Son Edward therefore when a day was appointed him hath a stipendary to plead his cause before King Philip he refused to appeare whereupon a great Army being raised Philip enters upon the Territories of King Edward in France by force of Armes the King of England by the assistance of neighbour Princes the Earl of Flanders the Duke of Brabant with Adolphus of Nassaw the Roman Emperour presently marches against the King of France but finding the French divided in two parts and defrauded with the Emperours delayes when he had held his winters quarters at Gaunt not without the murmuring of the Citizens and great want of his souldiers At the beginning of the spring truce being made with the French for three years the King tooke Margaret the Dukes sister to wife for Eleoner died in the former Expedition against the Scots And the daughter of Philip being betrothed to King Edwards sonne he retreated for England About the same time Doctor Langton then Bishop of Chester complained grievously to the King upon Edward the young Prince who by the lewd advice of Pierce Gaveston his loose and gracelesse Companion brake forcibly into his Park and made havock of his Game for which the Prince was committed to Prison and Gaveston banished for ever Lastly making an incursion into Scotland he is taken with a Disentery and dies of it and lies buried at Westminster He was very tall of Countenance somwhat sorrowfull of Chastitie like his Father but in fortitude farre before him Religious he was and wise The noble and Victorious Prince EDWARD the first surnamed Long-shanks King of England Duke of Aquitaine Earle of Poictices and Anjou Lo of Ireland c He Conquered Scotland and brought from thence the Marble Chaire He subdued and overcame llewelyn Prince of Wales and made his sonne Edward Prince Hereof he died at the age of 68 yeares 1307. after he had raigned 34 yeares 8 monthes buried at Westminster King Edward Saraceus Head Sholder sunders Where Christ wrought miracles this Prince did wonders His wife with such so pious love abounds She sucks the venome from his poysoned wounds 'T were Treason to their merits to conceal So great a Valour and so sweet a zeal The haughty Welch he soon did over-run And left them Vassalls to his Princely Son And by his sword so weighed down Fortunes scales That Englands heir succeeds stil Prince of
Wales He paid the Scots for all their Treacheries And 4 times brought them on their humbled knees EDVVARD the Second King of England EDward the Second succeeds his Father in the Throne who was too unmindâ—ull of his â—athers commands in his â—ast Will and Testament in which he was enjoyned and solemnly protâ—sted to performe three things especially namely that he should carry his fathers Bones along with him till he had conquâ—red Scotland Secondly that he should expend thirty thousand pounds in the Holy Warre and Thirdly that he should never recall Peirce Gaveston whom for just reasons his Father had banished for Life But he never performed any of these for his fathers bones he did well enough to let them rest but for Gaveston he recalled him and bestowed on him all the money designed to the Holy War longing more to brake his Oath touching him then to take his Coronation Oath The Noble men who perfectly knew how wickedly this Gaveston was enclined perceiving that the King doted on him and that his affections towards him were unlimited being perplexed with inward grief and foreseeing that his insolence would be the ruine of the Realme emboldened themselves to put the King in mind of his Oath But as his conscience nothing troubled him for the breach thereof so their disliking encreased his desires towards Gaveston and to make him great which was the next thing he took in hand and now none but Gaveston must rule all in all frown who would the King cared not Gaveston must and shall be great and therefore first he is Lorded with the Baronie of Wallingford and soon after he is created Earl of Cornwall and if this was not enough to make him rich he is made sole Commander over the Kings Jewells and Treasures in which Oâ—fice so absolute was his power and so cunning his crafty pate to provide in the time of his prosperity for adverse Fortune which might ensue that secretly he conveyed beyond the seas a fair Table and Tressells all made of beaten Gold and many rich and precious Ornaments to the great hurt of the King and dammage of this Realme He also took much pleasure to feed the Kings fancy with great variety of delights and by his example he inured him to excessive banqueting and drunkennesse and his vile and unchast all urements made him carelesse of the bed and society of his Religious and Vertuous Queen Isabel the Daughter of the French King Philip the fair Sister to Charls his successor and trained him to the adulterous Consortship of wanton curtizans and shameless Whores The Queen who sorrowed hereat beyond measure reposed all her means for redresse of those unsufferable wrongs in her prayers to God and her modest wooing for her Kâ—ngs love but all endeavours came to nothing for the beams of her excellent vertues could not pierce the thick clouds of his vanities neither could her pious tears mollifie his heart hardened in too much variety and plenty of loathsome sins The Nobles and those of the Kings Counsell secretly and severall timâ—s enformed the King what notice at offence strangers and his own people even the Vulgar at the lewd and vicious courses of Gaveston and how strangely they spoke of him and of his Government altogether eclipsed by the interposition of his fowle vices betwixt himself and it but all availâ—d nothing with him who was resolved rather to lose his Crown than his Companion Then at the Lords Petition the King sends him into Ireland not as a person proscribed but a President at length the Nobles perceiving the Kings heavinesse for his absence petition his recall in hope of his amendment and to please the King but he growes more insolent theâ— before At last the Barons hopelesse to redresse and unable to support so despised a burthen besiâ—ge this wicked Gaveston in a strong castle win it and cut off his head Then the King to vex his Nobility he entertained into his Society and Counsels the two Spencers father and son men as gracelesse and odious to the Nobles and common people as the other was They advised him to Whores and Concubines and to forsake the sweet Company of his modest and vertuous Queen which made him a scorne to forraigne Princes and all honest men yet the King in spight of his greatest Lords supported the Spencers in all whatever they took in band But this evill Government begets him envy and contempt at home and eneâ—ies abroad â—or Râ—â—liruse being re-crowned in Scotland invades England four or five dayes marcheth with fire and Sword making havock of all before him But King Edward had behavâ—d himself so ill aâ— home in over-favouring his Minions altogether neglecting his Nobles that his â—athers bones could stand him now in little stead for no lesse then three â—imes is he overthrâ—wne by the Scots yea with numbers farre inferiour to his own to the shame of this Realme famous for the best Souldiers in the World At home he became too fortunate for he overthrows his Barons Army beheads 22. Lords by the advice of these villanous perfidious Spencers But the Queen with the Prince her Son saile beyond Sea obtains assistance of her Cousin Sr. Iohn Henault and his friends returns into England and joyning with the Nobles and the City of London overthrowes the Kings Forces and besieging him and the Spencers in Bristoll Castle takes it and them and executes these miscreants the Spencers father and Son and other their Confederates and committed the King to Prison whence he never escaped Then a Parliament is called wherein they consulted to depose the King and to Crown his Son but he was so piously conscientious that he would not accept the Crowne unlesse his father willingly resigned it which he freely did being glad they would Crowne his Son in his stead And not long after he miserably ended his dayes in Barkly Castle by piercing his bowels with a red hot Spit through his fundament and at the Age of 43 he was buried at Gloucester He was tall and comely of Stature but of immoderate dotage on his Minions and given to drunkenness which made him too open of his Counsels too much addicted to lasciviousnesse his own nature being rather corrupted by his vicious Minions than otherwise Edward the 2d. King of England Duke of Aquitaine Earle of Poictou Anjou and Pontieu Lord of Ireland He raigned 19. yeares 7 mo ths and was deposed the 25th of Ianuary 1327. and shortly comâ—â—â—ted to prison in Barkley Castle and there cruelly murdered 〈◊〉 the age of 43 yeares huried at Glocester Edward the Second doth deserve to have All his Remembrance buryed in his grave He lead to Scotland many thousand men And having seen it e'ne came home agen Pierce Gaveston enthralled his jale heart So close that nothing but the axe could part Next come his dearling Spencers to his view Rid of one Rakeshame now he must have two Honour and Princely prudence are thrown down And Dotage takes
the 31 of August 1422. and crowned King of England at Westminster the 6. of Nouember 1429. and of Fraunce the 7 of December 1432. he reigned 38 yeres 6 monthes he died by violence May 21. aged 52. AnoÌ„ 1471. first buried at Chertsey Abbey thence remoued to Windsore wher he was solemhley interd R E. 〈◊〉 Mars begets Clineas Henry a Son That has lost more then all his Father won For he lost Normandy and France put to 't England and Ireland and his Life to boot Twice crown'd and twice depos'd at last he took Deaths fatall Errand from Yorks desperate Duke He was a Prince do Rebels what ye will Like Archimedes drawing Figures still Who not unlike some Gamesters I have seen Winning and losing still the same has been He was not Politick in the Worlds controle But he is wise enough that saves his Soul EDVVARD the Fourth King of England EDward Duke of York having overthrown the King and Queen and having overthrown and executed many of his greatest enemies at Towton field returned triumphantly to the City of London and was proclaimed King of this Realme the 4 of March 1461. and was crowned the 19. day of Iune then next following In the beginning of his Reigne he removed from all Offices all such as oppressed the people and to strengthen his part with powerfull and faithfull friends he creates his two brothers George Duke of Clarence and Richard Duke of Gloucester and Sr. Iohn Nevell brother to the Earl of Warwick he created Lord Montacute and Henry Bourchier who had married the Lady Elizabeth Aunt unto the King and was brother unto Thomas Bourchier Arch-bishop of Canterbury was created Earl of Essex and William Lord Fawcâ—nbridge was made Earl of Kent The Duke of Sommerset and Sr. Ralph Percy with divers others the Kings professed enemies finding no further hope for the house of Lancaster came voluntarily in and submitted to the King and were received to pardon and favour but hearing that the Queen by the assistance of the Scots had raised an Army they slank away and revolted to her and afterwards taken at the battel of Exham were executed The Lord Montacute to whose valour the fortune of that day was ascribed is created Marquess Montacute to whom and others Edward gave great gifts After this Henry is taken in a disguise and sent to the Tower Then Warwick is sent to the Duke of Savoy and prevails for a Match between Edward and Bona the Dukes daughter but Edward in the mean time marries Elizabeth the widow of Sr. Iohn Grey at which Warwick vexed calls to his part his two Brothers and Clarence the Kings Brother and the King at Banbury The King notwithstanding these evill tidings marched confidently against Warwick and his northern Rebels but to prevent mischief many of the Nobillity endeavoured to conclude a peace so that Letters and Heraulds of Armes passed from one Army to the other for both were glad of peace by means of this Parlee King Edward became more carelesse of himself then was fitting whereof when the Earl of Warwick was informed he with some other well appointed rushed into the Kings Army slew his watches and surprised the King in his bed and secretly sent him to Midleham Castle in York-shire there to be safely kept by the Arch-bishop of York his brother who either repenting him of what he had done against the King or being won by large promises of great favour and good rewards suffered him with his Guarders to hunt and hawk by means whereof he made his escape and got to London where between the King and the Rebels another Parlee was had in Westminster Hall in which nothing was done but objections of good deserts and unthankfull requitals were proudly and insultingly urged by the Earl of Warwick in conclusion they departed each from other in great fury the King went to Canterbury and the confederated Lords to Lincolne Armies are raised on both sides they fight and the King wins the field The Lords Clarence and Warwick fly to the King of France who honourably entertains them and aids them with all necessaries for the levying of another Army with which they fight and drive King Edward out of the Kingdome who by the help of the Duke of Burgoyne returns with a small Army into the City of York where he is received upon solemn Oath that he claimed nothing but the Dukedome of York and that he would work no Treason against King Henry now again re-established in his Throne but he presently forfeits his faith and raising another great Army beats Warwick recovers the Crown and re-imprisons King Henry who soon after was murdered by the bloody hands of Richard Duke of Gloucester The King having through much trouble obtained peace betakes himself to dalliance with Iane Shore in the mean while his brother Duke of Clarence is drowned in a Butt of Malmsey The Scots threaten Warre and Richard Duke of Gloucester is sent against them a Peace was procured and King Edward dyed having reigned two and twenty years and is buried at Windsor He was doubtlesse a brave Prince however the clearest day is not without some clouds his perjury at York when he swore to the Citizens he would claim nothing but that Dukedome which was his right by inheritance and that he would in no sort interrupt King Henry's peace all which he falsified which afterward his innocent Sonnes sadly suffered for His lustfull Embraces with Shores wife got him the envy of his owne who was a chast and vertuous Lady in whom he got a good Wife though many enemies and though unfortunate in her Sons yet in her Daughter is composed all the fewd of York and Lancaster The right noble Prince EDWARD the 4th King of England and Fraunce Lord of Ireland He raigned 22. yeares and 5 weekes Died at the age of 52 yeares buried at Windsor 1483. R. Elstracke sculpsit Now sixty years out York obtains the Crowne And Lancaster with all his friends puts down Betwixt which Houses while the difference stood Fell more then fourscore of the Noble Bloud For which but think how many thousands bled And you will Iudge the Roses both were Red. Warwick advances Edward to the Crown And in distast againe he pulls him down But Edward to the Duke of Burgoine flyes And with his aid and his own perjuries Reerowns himself for Kingdomes men will dare A thousand Oaths and count them solemne Aire EDVVARD the Fifth King of England EDward the Fourth being dead his Eldest Son Edward succeeded him but he in his Reign was under Governors Anthony Lord Rivers Thomas Wagham Chamberlain and Richard Grey Knights who being sent for by the Queens Letters came in hast to London with the Prince Then also Richard Duke of Gloucester being at York and hearing of the Kings Death came to London with a small Army and being mindfull to usurp the Kingdome he overtook the young King Edward on his way to London and takes him into his own charge
sending his Tutors Rivers Wagham and Grey to Pomfret Castle to be kept safe all whom by the Practise of the Lord Hastings he soon after caused to be put to death which thing known at London the Queen who well knew the perverse mind of Richard with her other son Richard and her daughters took Sanctuary at Westminster to secure themselves from Richards violence Richard in the mean time came to London with Edward and went to the Bishop of London's house to reside but he not content with Edwards being in his power that he might the more safely look to his businesse endeavors to get the other brother out of Sanctuary from his mother the Queen under a colour of comforting the Kings sorrowfull mind and drawing the Lords to his opinion he sent thither amongst others Thomas Arch-Bishop of Canterbury who with fair speeches mingled with threats brings the poor innocent Child from his Mothers arms When the Arch-bishop had delivered the child into the Protectors hands who with many other Lords attended the Queens answer in the Star-Chamber he before the whole Assembly took him in his Armes hugged him and kissed him again and again protesting upon his soul that no worldly thing his Majesty only excepted was so dear unto him as that young child when as indeed he meant nothing more than the destruction of them both and having brought him to the King who was infinitely joyed with his Company he within few dayes after conveyed them with princely Pomp and Attendance through the City of London to the Tower under the Pretence of an especiall care and Providence that they should there remain in safety untill the troubles of the Common-wealth were appeased and quieted whereas in truth nothing was out of order but himself and his confederacy When he had thus cooped up the King and his brother he draws Buckingham to his Treason but Hastings could not be won therefore he pretended he sought to take away his life with which he charged him to which after a long silence the Lord Hastings as most familiar with him made answer They that so trangress the Law deserve what punishment the Law can inflict upon them and all the Lords ascented thereunto Then quoth the Protector That Sorceress meaning the Queen and that Strumpet Shores wife have conspired together to take away my life by witchcraft and that you may be right well assured it is true Behold I pray you and see how their villany hath allready seized on my body for by it my left arm is already wasted and consumed and therewithall he struck up his sleeve and shew them his arme naked this did he impudently dare to do albeit all there present were well assured it was never otherwise from his mothers womb Moreover no man was so simple to beleeve that if the Queen had intended such a mischief she would have consorted with Shores wife above all other women she having been her husbands Concubine besides this they all knew that the Queen was religious temperate mild charitable and vertuous and not given to revenge The Lord Hastings who after King Edwards death conversed with Shores Wife using her as his concubine and but the same morning left her in his own bed being desirous if he could to appease the Protectors rage to her and in some sort being willing to excuse her replied thus My Lord If the Queen and she have so done and therewithall the Protectors rage waxing intemperate interrupted him thus Thou Traytor quoth he tellest thou me of Iff's and And 's I tell thee they have done it and as he spake those words he clapt his hand rudely upon the Table at the noise whereof the whole chamber was suddenly filled with armed men and one of them struck down the Lord Stanly with a Holbert and the Protector himself did arrest the Lord Hastings and charg'd him of high Treason in generall tearms and forthwith without any proceeding or judgment caused him to be carried out into the Green and his head upon a Logg to be chopped off and it is noted that this execution was done on him the same day and in the same Lawlesse manner that he had commanded to be done to Rivers Grey and Wagham Thus when this impious Protector had murdered those Lords that stood in his way he caused Doctor Shaw a man more learned than vertuous publickly in a Sermon at Pauls Crosse to blaze on his honourable birth and Parentage his valour his vertues and to inveigh against the deceased King for his lasciviousnesse with Shores wife to bastardize all his Children as born in adultery for that King Edward as he affirmed was solemnly contracted unto the Lady Elizabeth Lucie whom he got with child He also accused the Protectors own mother but Shaw was afterward so ashamed of his flattery that for very shame and grief he died soon after Then he sets Buckingham to deal with the City who with many Citizens come to Baynards Castle where the Protector was and chose him for their King desiring him to take the burden upon him which he oft-times refused but was perswaded at last to take it The picture of Edward the 5. who at the age of 13 yeares was deposed and cruelly murdered by the procurement of Richard Duke of Gloucester his vnnaturall vnkle when he had raigned 2. moneths and 11. dayes and obscurely buried in the Tower 1183. Edward the Fifth at thirteen years of Age Is sacrific'd unto his Vncles rage Whose thirst for honour not be withstood Could soarce be slak'd in a whole sea of bloud Poor pritty blossom how thy Fate I pitty Thus to be murther'd in thy Royall City That in the Tower thy soul should be sent hence That ought have been a Tower of thy defence How many mourning dayes did the Queen keep When eyes ne're saw thee could not choose but weep Sure this doth not with heavens direction sute To fell the Tree before we see the fruit RICHARD the Third King of England RIchard having gotten the Ensigns of the Kingdome forthwith Crowns himself and his Wife Anne but still fearing the Londoners he caused Iames Tyrrel to stifle the young King and his Brother which he did and obscurely buried them in the Tower The Childrens death was divulged Richard not being againâ—t it and it was wonderfull how great amazement seized on the minds of all men every one lamented the unhappinesse of the Children with much pity and now they began to say what hopes have we of him that spared not his own near kinsmen but shed their innocent bloud To say nothing of the Mother and her Daughters certainly the immortal God who will not suffer great sins to goe unpunished revenged on the innocent children the perjury of their father committed at York and the Death of the Duke of Clarence whom he wickedly suffered to be murdered But Buckingham Richards former friend now detesting his wickednesse conspires with the Bishop of Ely how to restore Henry Earl of Richmond to
whom of right the Crown belonged as he was descended of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster with these joyned the Duke of Britain with whom Henry then resided Richard in the mean time who had notice of the consultations of Buckingham sent for him again and again to come to him but when he flatly refuses to come to him they fall to their Arms on both sides The Duke presently mustering some Welch Forces came to Gloucester to meet Richard that had a mightier Army with him but the Soldiers he had procured voluntarily rather then for pay all forsook him before he came in sight of the enemy and having none left with him but his Lacky who was forced to flie to shift for himself he went to his servant Humfrey Banisters house who unmindfull of all former favours delivered him afterward to Richard who cut off his head and all the Conspirators presently ran One one way Another another way some to places of refuge and some into Britanny to the Earl Richard in the mean time heard that the Duke did not only not hurt the Earl but had resolved to assist him wherefore he provides a great Fleet to intercept the Earles Landing here Henry in the mean time with forty Ships and five thousand Britains Sails for England but a Tempest arose and scattered his Ships and he almost quit of all his Forces was driven on Cornwall where coming ashore and seeing a great Army he was forced to retire to his Ships and being very pensive when he heard of Buckinghams death void of all Counsell he return'd again to Britanny in France but by the coming of the Nobillity he took heart once more and promised before the Altar to marry Elizabeth King Edwards Daughter if the businesse succeeded according to his mind and so a fresh Oath of fidelity was taken by them all In the mean time Richard did fiercely rage against all such as followed the Earl wheresoever he could lay hold on them Thomas Earl of Dorset who fled to him he banished both by Sea and Land also he made a Covenant with the Scotch King giving his Sister Anne in marriage to his Son Richard layes new Traps for Henry by corrupting the Dukes Treasures with money but he escapes them the matter being detected by Bishop Morton When the fraud was made known to the Duke he was so enraged against the Treasurer that he caused him for that other wicked deeds to be hanged But Richard to hinder Henry's Marriage with Elizabeth partly by flattery partly by fear and partly by promises he prevailed so farre with the Queen that she should entrust her daughters with him and should write her Letters to her son the Marquess of Dorset that was near the Earl that without delay he should return home and leave the society of the Earl Henry that all things were now pacified and their family in favour with the King Richard all this while having gotten the Queens Daughters that he might totally destroy the design of Marriage with Henry resolved himself to marry her his own Brothers Daughter his own Wife being yet alive whom to that end he privately packed away by poyson In the mean while he tryes all wayes he can to make Elizabeth affect him he was also resolved to joyne violence to his prayers if he could not otherwise obâ—aine her but he was so much urged with care and forraigne fear that he had no time for Courtship In the inâ—erim Stanley had a Command to Muster an Army but he must not goe forth before he had given to Henry his Son the Lord Strange for a pledge of his fidelity A fame was also spread abroad on purpose that Henry had implored help of the French in vain and that there was no fear of his coming which made Richard deal somwhat carelesly and unwarily discharging the Navy he had to Scour the English Coasts Henry was advertised how things stood and arrived in England with but two thousanâ— Soldiers in pay presently Rice Thomas and Iohn Savage two of the most Potent men iâ— Wales having collected some forces came to joyne with Henry Pembrook with some other did the like Stanley though he wished well yet for his sons sake delayed his intention tilâ— fit opportunity presented it self Richard all this time was wonderfull sluggish but when he heard how his subjects revolted to Henry he raised what men he could scrape up and went against him he Pitched his Tent in Bosworth field and both sides make ready at last they fall on but Stanley who came late and brought fresh forces joyned with Henry whereby he was not a little animated The King himself after wonderfull tokens of his valour is slain hand to hand by the Earl to whom by Gods blessing that day and Crown fell Richards body all naked and miery is found among the dead and trussed up like a Calf behind a Pursevant is buried at Leicester with as much honour as his Nephews in the Tower under the Stairs The portraict of RICHARD the 3. King of England and Fraunce Lord of Ireland He was slaine at Bosworth feild the 22th of August 1486. and homelye bured at the Graye friers Church in Leicester when he had vsurped 2 yeares 2 monthes and one day Monster of men Thou son of Belial Shall not thy Nephews bloud for vengeance call Shall it think'st thou with them in silence dye No â—hough their mouths be stopt their blood shal cry For which when God shall inquisition make Rocks cannot hide thee nor the Stigean Lake Thou that didst publish all the World before Thy Brother Bastard and thy Mother Whore Thy barbarous hand did take away the Life Of two great Kings and thine own dearest Wife Two Princes thou and many Peers didst murther Had Hel broke loose it could have gone scarce further HENRY the Seventh King of England HENRY both by right and true valour came to the Kingdome and was crowned at Westminster Anno 1486. the day before the Calends of November Then caling a Parliament he is discharged of the Treason that Richard laid to him and he gave honors and rewards to some that were grieved Then according to his Oath and Promise he married the fair and vertuous Lady Elizabeth eldest daughter to King Edward the Fourth thereby joyning in one the two great Families of Lancaster and York betwixt whom for principallity and the Crown infinite contentions and mortall wars had formerly consumed and destroyed many thousands of noble brave and valiant men Now that the State of the Kingdome might be confirmed in its happinesse by the safety of the Kings person and by other requisites King Henry taking example by the Kings of France selected a certain number of warlike men in all places to attend him whom he tearmed the Yeomen of his Crown He elected the most Noble Grave and wise men of this Kingdome to be of his privy Counsell by whose sage directions and advice the Government of this Kingdome was settled in peace
Throne will o're his Nephews neck Although his own in the attempt he break What follow'd this Vsurper at the Helme A three years Curse on him and his whole Realme At last base fears impossibles foresees And to the Pope bends his unprincely knees In Swinstead Abbey death did him besiege In Sacramentall Masse Wassall my Liege Who pities him a safe estate that scorns And wounds his Temples with a Crowne of Thorns HENRY the Third King of England AFter the Death of King Iohn Henry his eldest Son about the age of nine years was Crowned King but not without some controversie of the Nobles some of the Nobility falling off to him who a little before had made a defection and swore to King Lewis Yet Lewis with an Army of twenty thousand men won many Towns till at last he came to the Castle at Lincolne which a certaine Noblewoman did bravely defend and caused him to stop and an Army of the English coming on in the mean time he was repulsed and conquered many of the English Nobility being taken that stood with him besides the Count of Perch that stood with him till the last preferring an honourable Death before a dishonourable Life Yet he did not despair but sent for more Forces out of France which were all almost destroyed in a Fight at Sea By these misfortunes he was forced to take Conditions of a hundred and five thousand Franks in respect of the charge he had been at he renouncing all right to the Kingdome of England And promising faithfully to prevaile with his father to restore all the Provinces in France belonging to the English The King restored to the rebellious Nobility all the Lands belonging to them And Lewis at Dover set Saile for France having warred unhappily in anothers Land Then a Parliament was summoned and Magna Charta ratified also the Court of Wards was revived and a Tax granted the King to Levy an Army under the Conduct of his Brother Richard for the recovery of his Rights in France The Parliament being ended the said Tax with great celerity is collected without any the lest grutch or contradiction so that the Kings Coffers were replenished with Gold and Silver and all requisites were carefully provided and a gallant Army of couragious men of War were assembled and safely transported With which Richard the Kings Brother did almost wonders subduing where he found resistance and seizing upon Lordships Forts Towns Castles and other defenced places quietly and without blowes no Head being made against him so that within few Months such was his valour and good Fortune he recovered both those Provinces wholly for the King and returned with much honour into England But the Kings absence from those Places gave opportunity to the French King to infest them which he unfriendly laid hold on and suddenly led a new Army into Poicters and easily made himself Lord thereof From thence marcht to Perigott and Alverne and other places in Guyan where he did the like But King Henry sent thither an other Army under the Conduct of his Brother Richard Earl of Cornwall with which he encountered the French and fought many sharp Battels in which for the most part his Fortune continued prosperous and all things seemed to promise him the recovering of whatever in his absence had been lost But in the height of all these broyles a friendly peace was concluded betwixt the two Kings and Richard returned safe into England This Richard Earl of Cornwall the Kings Brother at the suit of the Princes of Germany is elected King of the Romans but not long after being charged with insolence and oppression he was put out of the Office and returns to England a poor King that went out a rich Earle And now began those mischievous broyls and turmoyls in this Realm which until the Kings death daily vexed him more and more and the whole Kingdome also for the King lending too ready and pleasing an ear to lewd and evill Officers about him whom above all Officers he loved and favoured and by whose Counsell and advice both himself and his whole Kingdom was ruled and directed made little account of his best Subjects Love And took from them in divers things such Liberties as by the Lawes and Ordinances of this Kingdome they justly claimed and ought to have enjoyed He also pinched his people with many unnecessary and grievous Taxes which by those lewd and bold Officers were levied with much rigour and sharpness to their great distast The King also took to Wife Eleoner Daughter of Raymond Earle of Province whereby there grew no profit to his affairs but rather suffered great detriment by reason of her thread-bare and beggarly Family and her poor kindred flocking from all Parts as Crowes to the Prey which nevertheless were highly entertained by the King and enâ—icâ—t with money and placed in Offices of greatest honour and profit and the English â—hrust ouâ— aâ— which â—he Nobles stormed and the people every where much murmured But whilâ—â— the King goes about to overthrow his Subjects Rights which they labour to preserve all the Nobiliâ—y being offended at the promotion of strangers they enter into a Conspiracy The King calls a Paâ—liament The Nobility refuse to be present unless he would command the Bishop of Winchester Peter de Rupâ—bus and all his Gang to forsake the Court threatening withall that unless satisfaction were made to them they would depose the King and drive away all strangers his adherents and choose another King In fine both Sides King and Barons fall to Armes and with various success fight severall fierce and cruell Battels at length at the battel near Lewis after the fall of twenty thousand men The two Kings and the Prince with many Knights and Gentlemen of great account were all taken prisoners by the Barons Then a peace is concluded between them a Parliament being called the King confirmed the Government of the twelve Peers which by Hand and Seal he had assigned them in a former Parliament at Oxford called the Mad Parliament and Prince Edward who was Hostage for his Father is set at liberty But the Prince not enduring to see his Father thus a titular King raiseth a fresh Army and about Evesham near Worcester fights the Barons whom by reason of a mortall jarre between Leicester and Gloucester their two Generalls he overthrows Then the Kings call another Parliament and repeals and nulls all former Decrees touching the Authority of the twelve Peers and thus the King got again the staffe into his own hand by the vertue and valour of his princely son The King much incensed with the Londoners for taking part with the Barons could hardly be disswaded from burning the City but at last the Prince made their peace and after thâ—t marches with an Army to the Holy Land where the King dyes having reigned fifty six years HENRY the III. King of England Duke of Aquitane Earle of Poic tiers and Anjou Lord of Ireland He died at