the Profits and Arrears of the See of Canterbury restored But this restles Prelate taking his time to disturb the Kingdom whilst the old King was in Normandy published the Popes Letters by which Roger Arch-bishop of York and Hugh Bishop of Durham were suspended from their Ecclesiastical Functions for that they had crowned the young King in prejudice to the See of Canterbury and the Bishops of Exeter Sarum and London were cut off from the Church by censure for being Assistants at that Coronation nor would he at the young Kings earnest intreaties but under divers restrictions and hard conditions Absolve them Becket's new insolencies coming to the ear of the old King in Normandy he fell into a great rage and let such words fall that some of his Courtiers interpreting them to intimate the Kings desire to be rid of that proud Prelate contrary to his knowledge Richard Fitzurse William Tracie Hugh Brito and Hugh Norvil passed secretly into England and getting admittance into the Cathedral Church at Canterbury took their opportunity with concealed Weapons to fall upon him as he stood in the Evening Service time before the high Altar and there slew him with a Monk or two that made resistance and thereupon made their escapes This news flying to Rome and the Murther charged upon the King as done by hiâ— order the Pope began terribly to mennace him when he to take off the imputation of guilt not only protested his innocence but offered to purge himself by submitting to the Judgment of such Cardinâ— Legates as the Pope should send upon inquiry intâ— the Fact and the better to quiet the people that began to murmur against him he passed into Irelanâ— with a great Army and finding the several pettâ— Kings divided amongst themselves he made a Conquest of that Kingdom and made himself Lord Ireland Upon the Kings return from the Conquest Ireland he found two Cardinal Legates arrived Normandy by whom he was absolved after giving Oath that he was no ways consenting to the death Becket and declaring his sorrow for having let fâ— words in his anger that might administer any ocâ—sion of committing that crime whereupon the coâ—ditions of his Penance were enjoyned viz. That his own charge for the space of a year he should maâ—tain two huâ—dred Soldiers for defence of the Holy Laâ— That he should revoke all Customs introduced to the 〈◊〉 judice of the Churches Liberties and restore and make up the Possessions of the Church of Canterbury That he should cull home and freely receive all that were in Banishment for Becketg 's cause There were other secret Penances enjoyned which upon his coming over he performed The King notwithstanding the satisfaction he gave the Pope was not at ease for the young King Henry his Son instigated by his Mother the Kings of Scotland and France his two Brothers Richard and Geofry with divers Nobles as well English as Normans raised a Rebellion and seized upon many Towns in Britain and other places But the old Kings Fortune prevailed against them and by Humphry Bohun his High Constable in England he overcame Robert Earl of Leicester which made Lewis of France seek a Truce with him of six Months which was accorded and coming to Canterbury three Miles bare footed as his private Penance he entred the Chapter House of the Monks and humbly prostrating himself on the floor begged pardon and suffered himself voluntarily to be whipped on the back with Rods by all the Brethren of the House so that his stripes amounted to fourscore This confirmed the people of his innocency or at least satisfied their anger so that the Scots invading England were so unanimously opposed that they were defeated and William their King taken prisoner Young King Henry attempting to land was driven back to France by contrary Winds but making some other attempts he died in the expedition Anno 1183 And the next year Heraclius Patriarch of Jerusalem came into England to implore the Kings Aid â—gainst the Infidels that grievously oppressed the Eastern Christians and that he would go thither in person but the Nobles being consulted and not approving it only a supply of Money was granted The King the better to quiet his Son John who was of a turbulent spirit constituted him Lord of Ireland assigning him rents in England and Normandy however he conspired with his Brothers Richard and Geofry against him but before any thing came to perfection Geofry was troden to death under the Horses feet at a Turnament in Paris notwithstanding Richard by the assistance of Philip the French King drove his Father out of Mentz the place of his birth and for which reason he loved it above all other whereupon with tears he declared that seeing his Son had taken from him that day the thing which he most loved in the World he would requite him for from that day he would deprive him of that thing which in him should best please a Child viz. his heart and having a Scrowl of the Conspirators he no sooner found his Son John in the head of them and first in that Scrowl but he curst the hour of his Birth laying God's curse and his own upon all his Sons which he could not be prevailed upon to recal but fretting himself for the unnatural proceedings of his Children and worn out with age and toil he fell sick at Charon and finding the approach of death he caused himself to be carried to the Church and laid before the high Altar where after humble confession and sorrow for his sins he gave up the ghost Anno 1189 and waâ— intered at Font Everard This King Henry the Second was King of England Duke of Normandy Guen and Aquitain eldest Son to Jeffery Plantagenet Earl of Anjou Son to Foulk King of Jerusalem by Maud his Wife eldest Daughter tâ— Henry the First He began his Reign on the 25th oâ— October 1154 and reigned 34 years eight months anâ— eleven days and was the twenty fifth sole Monarcâ— of England he had Issue by his Wife Eleaner Will am who died 1156 Richard Geofry and Philip whâ— died very young John Maud who was married 〈◊〉 Henry sirnamed the Lyon Duke of Saxony Eleanâ— married to William King of Castile Joan married 〈◊〉 VVilliam King of Sicily and afterwards to Ramuâ— the fourth Earl of Tholouze By the lovely Rosamond his beautiful Concubinâ— he had natural Issue viz. VVilliam sirnamed Longspur and Jeffry Arch-bishop of York This Rosamond was Daughter to the Lord Clifford and whilst the King prosecuted his Wars in Normandy and France he caused her to be kept in a Labrinth built at VVoodstock to secure her from his jealous Queen but she finding her by a clew of Thred or Silk which the Fair one had accidentially let fall compelled her to drink Poison of which she died to the unspeakable grief of the King who not only detested his Queen for so much cruelty but raised a stately Monument at Godstow with this Scription Hic jacet in
the next day a Truce was concluded yet Simon de Monfort Earl of Leicester who headed the Baron's Army carrying the King about with him as his Prisoner got into his hands all the strong Holds These Proceedings in England putting a stop to the Pope's Revenue he sent Cardinal Ottobon his Legate to Excommunicate the Barons but they for a while despised it yet soon after falling out amongst themselves many of them came over to Prince Edw. who had taken the Field with an Army so that he enclosed the Earl of Leicester's Camp at Evesham and obliged him to battel where the Earl lost the day with his Life and had his Head Hands and Feet chopped off as a mark of Infamy By this Overthrow the King was rescued and set at liberty when to heal the long Divisions a Parliament was called at Winchester by whose Approbation the King seized the Charters of London and other Cities and Towns that had proved disloyal and the Legate proceeded to excommunicate the Bishops of Winchester London Worcester and Chichester for taking part with the King's Enemies And now Prince Edward with a great Train took a Journey to the Holy Land and the King more firmly to settle the Nation called a Parliament at Marlborough where the Statutes called by the name of the place were enacted but having been at Norwich to quiet a tumult and punish such as had burnt the Priory Church upon his return he fell sick at the Abby of St. Edmund in Suffolk and after a short Languishment dyed Anno 1272. from whence he was conveyed to Westminster and there buried in the Abbey This Henry King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Guyenne and Aquitain was eldest Son to King John his Wife was Eleanor Daughter of Raymond Earl of Provence by whom he had Issue Edward Edmund Richard who dyed young also John William and Henry Margaret married to Alexander the Third King of Scotland Beatrix married to John the First Duke of Bretaigne and Katharine who dyed young He began his Reign the 19th of October 1216. and reigned 56 Years and 28 Days being the 65th Year of his Age he was the 27th sole Monarch of England He was very charitably given and founded many Churches and Religious Houses In his time four Suns appeared from the Rising to the Setting after which followed a great Famine and eighteen Jews were hanged for crucifying a Child and others severely punished for circumcising another that had been christened Thus dyed Third Henry when on England's Stage H 'ad sway'd the Sceptre near a long liv'd Age The longest Reign the Nation e'er beheld Yet Life wound off by time the Cedar's fell'd The Reign and Actions of Edward the First King of England c. KIng Edward at the death of his Father Henry was warring in the Holy Land where he did Wonders in his own Person insomuch that the Sarazens dreading his Prowess the Governour of Damascus under a feigned Friendship sent a Villain to assassinate him who seeming as if he was about to deliver him a Letter stabbed him in three places in the Arm with a poisoned Dagger and had repeated the Wounds but that the Prince struck him down with his Foot whereupon his Guards came in and cut the Wretch in pieces as he lay on the floor yet these wounds by the Chirurgions were accounted mortal unless some one would hazard his own Life by sucking out the Poison but when every one shrunk back Eleanor his Wife who would by no means be persuaded from accompanying him in that tedious Journey chearfully undertook it and effected the Cure without any Injury done to her self for which generous Undertaking he raised Crosses and Monuments to her Memory in England The News of his Father's death no sooner reached him but setling the Affairs of the War he returned to England where together with his Queen he was crowned by Robert Kilwarby Archbishop of Canterbury at whose Coronation 500 Horses were let loose in a large Forest to be possessed by those that first caught them and upon notice the Welsh were in Arms he marched against them overthrew and slew Lewelin their Prince in a great Battel whose Head crowned with Ivy was set upon the Tower and utterly subduing those Mountainiers he made his Son Edward born amongst them at Caernarvon Prince of the Country And going for France he sate as a Peer of that Kingdom in consideration of the Lands and Territories he held there and upon his return banished the Jews to the number of 15000 for bringing in base Money and exacting Extortion Alexander the Third King of Scotland who had married King Edward's Sister being dead and the Lords Bruce and Baliol for want of other Heirs standing in competition for the Kingdom Edward by his Authority became Umpire and adjudged it to the latter promising to support his Right by Arms for which he was to become his Homager but that Prince being in the Throne to please his People who feared the English Greatness might be prejudicial to them hearkened to Proposals with France and suffered his People to enter the North parts of of England with Fire and Sword Edward drove them back with great slaughter entering Scotland and making such terrible Destruction that the Cities and Towns for the most part surrendred the Scotch Nobles sued for Peace and in the Parliament held at Berwick they acknowledged him their King swearing to be true Subjects to him for ever after sealing a solemn Instrument to that purpose whereupon King Edward leaving John de Warren Earl of Surry and Sussex as his Viceroy in that Kingdom sent John Baliol the late King Prisoner to the Tower of London and brought away with him the Crown Sceptre and Cloth of State burning their Records abrogating their Laws altering the Form of their Divine Service and transplanting their learned Men to Oxford He brought likewise the Marble Chair wherein the Kings of Scotland were wont to be crowned from the Abbey of Schone and sent it to Westminster upon which is written this prophetical Distich Ni fallat Fatum Scoti quocunque locatum Invenient Lapidem regnare tenetur ibidem Where'er this Stone the Scot shall placed find There shall he reign for there his Rule 's assign'd This was verified in King James the first upon the uniting the Kingdoms but more of that in his Reign King Edward going into France to recover such places as the French had taken in the latter end of his Father's Reign and refused to restore especially in Gascoign the Scots rebelled and under the leading of one William Wallis fell upon the English at an advantage near Striveling Bridge and put them to the rout killing amongst others Hugh de Cressingham the Treasurer and having flead him divided his Skin in parcels amongst them as a Trophie of their Revenge and committed many other outrages which hastened the King's Return at which time he summoned a Parliament at York giving the Scots a day to appear but they
into the Countrey he was invited to hunt in the Park of one Thomas Burdet Esq where after having caught much Game he by the persuasion oâ— some that were about him killed a white Buck which for its Tameness and comely Form was greatly beloved by the Owner and upon notice it was slain he wished the Horns of it in the Belly of those that advised the King to doe it which being over-heard by some Court Parasites they to curry favour with the King made their Report of it to him with aggravation insomuch that Burdet was tried and cast for High Treason in wishing the King's Death and accordingly beheaded at Tyburn Another Person he caused to be hanged before his own door in Cheapside for saying to a little Youth his Son that if he would mind his Book and be a good Boy he would make him heir to the Crown meaning in all probability his house that bore that Sign c. But now the King worn out with Wars and Women much grieved for the untimely death of his Brother fell sick and sending for the Nobles that were at Court he earnestly desired them to live peaceably together and have regard to his Children in their tender Years forgetting Injuries and Animosities as they tendered the Love of God and their King appointing his Son Edward a Youth of about 12 years of Age to succeed him making the Duke of Gloucester Protectour of his Person during his Minority and then gave up the Ghost on the 9th of Apr. 1483. He had Issue by Elizabeth his Wife Daughter to Richard Woodvile Earl Rivers Prince Edward Richard Duke of Bedford who dyed a Child Richard Duke of York Elizabeth married to Henry VII Ciciâ— married to the Lord Viscount Wells Anne married to Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk Bridget a veiled Nun Mary who dyed 1482. Margaret who dyed an Infant Katharine married to William Courtney Earl of Devonshire his base Issue was Arthur and Elizabeth This Edward was King of England France and Lord of Ireland Son to Richard Plantagenet Duke of York he began his Reign on the 4th of March 1460. and reigned 22 Years 1 Month and 5 Days and was the 36th sole Monarch of England he dyed in the 40th year of his Age and the 23d of his Reign his Body was buried in the new Chapel at Windsor whose Foundation himself had laid Thus after bloudy Toils with restless Fate The Warlike Prince does to the Grave retreat The mighty dead now undistinguished lies Death makes the Monarch and the Slave his prize The Reign and Actions of Edward the V. King of England c. EDward V upon the death of his Father was committed to the Care and Tutulage of Sir Anthony Woodvile with whom were joined sundry of the Queens Relations before her Marriage but Richard Duke of Glocester the deceased King's Brother thirsting after Sovereignty laboured to remove them from the Person of the young King and to that â—nd hearing they were bringing him out of the Countrey whither he had retired to be crowned â—t London with a great Power and Train he so â—ealt with the Queen that she sent express word they should save the charge and trouble of so great 〈◊〉 Concourse and urged as Gloucester had insinuated that it would give the Nobility at London apprehensions of danger and occasion of disturbance or discontent and having made the Duke of Buckâ—ngham the Lord Hastings and others his Confidents he marched to Stonystratford and there took â—ho young King by force from the small Train that attended him arresting the Lord Richard Grey Sir Thomas Vaughan and Sir Richard Hawtre in the King's presence nor could his entreaty prevail for their delivery he made Sir Anthony Woodvile now Lord Rivers Prisoner and soon after sent him and the Lord Grey with a strong Guard to a Castle in the North pretending for his Justification of these proceedings that they had a design upon his Life and the Lives of the ancient Nobility that they might have the power of the King and Kingdom in their own hands and to render the report more plausible caused old Armour and rusty weapons to be shewed to the people in his way to London pretending those were the Instruments intended to doe the business The Queen upon the surprising news began to have mortal Apprehensions of the danger the King and her self were in finding how she had been imposed on by the Protectour in forbidding the strength intended for the Guard of her Son's Person and the better to secure her self she removed with her son Richard Duke of York and her Daughters into the sanctuary at Westminster and people werâ— filled with fear and confusion especially when they found the Thames full of Boats with the servants oâ— Buckingham and Gloucester in them to prevent thâ— escape of any persons that way and to prevenâ— their coming to sanctuary however the Archbishop of York comforted the Queen the best he could delivering up the Broad Seal and telling her if anâ— misfortune came to the King he would crown hiâ— Brother and the Duke of Gloucester caused thâ— Lord Hasting Lord Chamberlain to send a Messagâ— to the Archbishop to assure him all would be well but the Queen declared against that Lord as onâ— that sought the Ruine of her Family however oâ— the fourth of May the King came to Town and waâ— in much Pomp conveyed to the Bishop of London Palace where the Dukes of Gloucester Buckingham and other Noblemen swore Fealty to him and by a second Approbation the first was confirmed Protector of the King's Person and Kingdoms Gloucester having made a prosperous beginning fell to strengthening his Party and held divers Councils to contrive what was farther to be done but he found he had as yet but half his Prey in his hands and thereupon he laboured to get the Duke of York into his possession and to that end Consultations were held in the Stra-chamber where it was resolved that for sundry Reasons he should be with his Brother but the Abbat and Archbishop declaring it was no ways reasonable but alltogether dangerous to make a breach upon the sanctuary the latter was appointed to wait upon the Queen to prevail with her for his peaceable delivery and although she used many pregnant Reasons to the contrary yet understanding the Protectour was resolved to have him by force if fair means failed she with much regret and a floud of sorrow delivered him to the charge of the Archbishop and other Lords that attended saying I deliver him and his Brother into your hands of whom I shall require them before God and the World after which she tenderly kissed and embraced the Infant blessing him and weeping over him as a fatal presage of his Misfortune whilst the Child wept as fast the Protectour having gotten him he took him in his Arms and gave him a treacherous Kiss saying Now wellcome my Lord even with all my heart The Prize thus gotten the Councils were removed
so far prevailed with the easie King that a Reconciliation was made and the Kuke of Somerset who mainly opposed the Yorkists Interest was confined a Prisoner to his house which done the Duke of York dissolved his Army and came to London making great complaints to the King against Somerset of which that Duke had no sooner notice but he came before the King and accused his Accuser Face to Face charging him with High-Treason as having conspired to depose the King and take the Sovereignty on himself whereupon the Duke of York was confined till such time as he swore in St. Paul's Church before a great Concourse of Nobility to continue a true faithfull and obedient Subject to King Henry And about this time by the success of John Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury the Affairs of France began to appear in a better posture for by the prevailing Arms of this valiant man Burdeaux the chief City in Normandy was taken with many other Places of Note but upon his attempting to relieve Castilion charging the Enemy upon unequal Terms he was slain in the Field together with his Son the Viscount Lisle and with him dyed all the English hope of ever recovering what was lost in France for the Duke of York not regarding his Oath An. 1445. took up Arms and broke into the King's Palace and the King to oppose him drew out considerable Forces so that a great Battel was fought at St. Albans where the King was wounded with an Arrow and taken Prisoner and the Duke of Somerset the Earls of Northumberland and Stafford together with the Lord Clifford and divers other Knights and Gentlemen of the Royal Party slain Henry being brought to London a Parliament was called in which the Memories and Honours of Humphrey Duke of Gloucester were restored and those that had taken up Arms under the Duke of York indempnified of the Treason and that Duke created Protectour of England The Earl of Salisbury made Chancellour and the Earl of Warwick his Son Captain of Calais And thus having gotten the Power into their hands they worked out the Counsellours and Favourites of the King placing such in their stead as would stickle for their Interest The Divisions gave the French the boldness to make discents into several places In Kent and Devonshire they burnt some Towns and committed many Outrages which yet abated not the heat and heart-burning of the English one to another for although 〈◊〉 Lords met and concluded a seeming Agreementâ— yet it lasted not long before both side â—â—â—â—med and a mortal Battel was fought on 〈…〉 where the King's Party was worsted And soon after another Battel was fought at Ludlow where the Duke and his Adherents received a great overthrow and the Town of Ludlow laid in Ruines for adhering to the Yorkists and hereupon a Parliament was called wherein the Duke of York the Earls of March Salisbury and Rutland and others were attainted of High Treason and had their Estates confiscated But on the 9th of July 1460. the Scale turned for in a fatal Battel at Northampton the King was overthrown by means of the revolt of the Lord Grey of Ruthen and in this Battel on the King's part there were slain the Duke of Buckingham the Earl of Shrewsbury Viscount Beaumont the Lord Egrinham Sir William Lucy and others and the King himself was made Prisoner and carried to London where in a Parliament begun the 8th of October the Duke of York laid Claim to the Crown and set forth his Pedigree and urged it so far that the Parliament came to a conclusion That Henry should enjoy the Crown during his natural Life but then it should fall to the Duke of York and his heirs and the heirs of Henry to be utterly excluded and accordingly the Duke was proclaimed Heir apparent to the Crown But Queen Margaret who was in the North raising Forces resolved not to stand to what her Husband had been forced to consent to but to maintain the right of her Son Prince Edward but having gathered a considerable Army she marched towards London against her the Duke drew out and near Wakefield a bloudy and doubtfull Battel was faught in which the Duke of York was slain his Forces overthrown his Son the Earl of Rutland killed begging his Life on his Knees and the Earl of Salisbury taken Prisoner and beheaded the Duke's head was cut off and a Paper Crown set upon it by way of derision and thus had ended the fatal Quarrel between the Houses of York and Lancaster had not Edward Earl of March eldest Son to the Duke of York advanced with a great Army gathered in the Marches of Wales and near Mortimer's Cross in Ludlow fought with the Queens Army when at the joining of the Battel three Suns appeared in the Firmament which immediately united into one In this Battel the Queens Forces were overthrown with great Slaughter and Owen Tudor Father in law to King Henry VII being taken Prisoner was together with Sir John Scudemore and his two Sons beheaded but An. 1460. the Queen overthrew the Earl of March in a great Battel at St. Albans rescuing King Henry out of his hands who was brought thither to countenance the Soldiers but the Londoners sided with him and upon the Queens drawing off to the North proclaimed him King of England c. And here Historians put an end to King Henry's Reign though he lived much longer as will appear in the succeeding Reign his Wife was Margaret Daughter to Reynate King of Jerusalem c. by her he had Issue Edward This Henry was King of England and France and Lord of Ireland the onely Child of Henry the Fifth by Katharine his Queen he began his Reign on the 30th of August 1422. and reigned thirty eight Years 6 Months and 3 Days being the thirty fifth sole Monarch of England and was stabbed to the heart in the Tower by Richard Duke of Gloucester Brother to Edward the Fourth on the 20th of May 1471. in the 46th Year of his Age buried first in the Abbey of Chartsey in Surry afterwards removed to Windsor by Henry the Seventh then removed again none knows where In his time many strange Accidents happened portending the Woes and Miscries that befell the Kingdom Thus the good pious King bereft of Crowns Bore patiently the Wreck of Fortune's frowns Yet murtherous minds were not with this content But in a stream of Bloud to Heaven he 's sent The Reign and Actions of Edward the Fourth King of England c. EDward the eldest Son to Richard Duke of York in the beginning of his Reign found great opposition from the Lancastrians who pitying the Misfortune of pious King Henry raised Forces in many parts he was crowned at Westminster but the Citizens who had been the greatest Sticklers for him not finding him answer their expectations in performing the Promises he had made them began to decline his Interest however he marched against the Forces raised in the North giving the Lord
gave those persons leave for the most part to escape and the Earls light Horse-men coming on the Rebels gave back and at length betook them to open flight and were pursued three miles with the slaughter oâ— 3500 of them yet such as had Barrocaded themselves with Carts and Waggons amongst the Ordinance as men in despair resolved to sell their liveâ— at a dear rate but upon offer of Pardon they threw down their Arms crying God save King Edward and the next day Kett being siezed in a Barn was hanged in Chains upon the Castle of Norwich and his Brother William Kett was hanged on Womanhaâ— Steple and Nine others on the Oake of Reformation The pretence of this Rebellion was about throwing open Inclosures which the King by his Proclamation had commanded to be done but it was neglected These Commotions were no sooner over but another Rebellion broke out in the North Headed by Thomas Dale a Parish Clark one Stephenson a â—ost-master and William Ombler a Yeoman pretending to restore Church rights and redress Grievances declaring the power of the Pope above that of the Kings and that the Church had power of â—oth Swords but this feeble Rebellion not exceeding â—000 vanquished upon the Kings sending his Forâ—es and offer of Pardon yet Ombler Dale and four others were on the 12th of September 1549. Execuâ—ed at York as Seducers and Ring-leaders These and the like disturbances qeieted considerable ones began at Court for Thomas Seymour Baron of Sudley High Admiral of England having married Queen Catharine Parr Widow to Henry the Eighth and some words and contest happening between her and the Dutches of Somerset Wife to the Protector for precedences the two Brothers so unadvizedly espoused their Wives Quarel which was fomented by secret Enemies that the Admiral by the Protector 's procurement being accused in Parliament for attempting to get the King's person and Government into his hands c. Upon slender proofs was Sentenced and lost his Head on Tower-Hill on the 20th of March to the great grief of the young King who aboured to prevent it but by Somerset's removing this Brother he stood open to the malice and revenge of his implacable Enemies for soon after by the contrivance of Northumberland and others divers Articles were exibited against him for abusing his Trust Animating the Rebels sowing Sedition amongst the Nobles keeping a Court of Requests in his own house whereupon he was deprived of his Authority and sent to the Tower but the King soon released him yet was he not restored to his Trusts Whilst these heats lasted at Court the Affairs abroad were neglected insomuch that the Scots recovered most of the Town the English had taken and the French attempted to surprize Bullenberg with seven thousand men but were beaten off witâ— the loss of one hundred and fifty and had no better sucsess in their attempts upon Guernsey and Jersey Islands however things not going well at home Bullenberg and Bulloin were surrendred to the Frencâ— upon Conditions and the payment of a large Sumâ— of Mony and now to add to the Calamity thâ— Mortal Disease called the Sweating Sickness raged in England carrying off many thousands pursuing the English into Forreign Countrys where none but they were afflicted with it And now the Duke of Northumberland being grown great at Court laboured to remove the Duke of Somerset and by aâ— Stratagem found an opportunity for the Duke by some of his flatters being perswaded there was aâ— design against his life went privately Armed to the Council but his Gown opening as he sate at the Board it was laid hold of as a design in him to kill some of the King 's Privy Counsellors and that with some light matters being urged with agravation they procured his imprisonment and soon after being tryed and found guilty of Felony though he might have come off by his Clergy yet his Council nor himself not foreseeing to claim it he was on the 22d of February Anno 1550 brought to Tower-Hill and there after having declared his Innocence and made a most Christian Speech he was beheaded which some looked upon as a Judgment for so rigorously persecuting his Brother Upon the Death of this Uncle though Plays and other Devices were made to divert the King he grew Melancholly and the people were greatly Incensed against Northumberland however he taking the occasion from the King's Sickness and Disorder procured him to disinherit his two Sisters Mary and Elizabeth and settle the Crown on Jane Eldest Daughter to the Duke of Suffolk by the Lady Frances Daughter to Charles Brandon and Mary Queen of France younger Sister to King Henry the eighth who was married to Guilford Dudly Fourth Son to Northumberland and to this Will of the Kings the Council Bishops and all the Judges except Sir John Hollis Subscribed and the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of the City of London afterward promised their Assistance and Protection but this was supposed to hasten the King's Death For Northumberland having gotten what he expected viz. The Crown in his own Family removed his Physicians â—nd trusty Friends putting him into the hands of a â—he Doctress who wittingly or unskilfuly brought him to his End on the 6th of July 1553. This good Prince is accounted a second Josia exceeding in Charity and Piety all that went before him having Learning and Understanding far above his years â—nd had he lived a longer Date he had proved more perspicuously the Mirror of Kings This Edward was King of England France and Ireland the only Son of King Henry the Eighth by Jane his third Wife he Reigned six Years five Months and eight Days and was the one and Forâ—ieth sole Monarch of England dying in the 16th of his Age and was buried at Westminster Thus England's Phoenix early left the Stage His Death was much Lamented of the Age Yet he contented dy'd from 's Throne to rise In Angels Arms to everlasting joys The Life and Bloudy Reign of Queen Mary UPon the Death of King Edward according to his Will the Lady Jane was proclaimed in London and elsewhere and confirmed by the Council but Mary Eldest Daughter to King Henry the Eighth being then at Fremingham Castle sent to complain against their Proceedings in giving away her right commanding them to acknowledge heâ— their lawfull Queen but they returned her a very slight answer commanding her to be obedient to Queen Jane her Sovereign whereupon with such Friends as she had about her she prepar'd for London and to her a great many of the Suffolk men repaired offering her their Service in case their Religion might be asured insomuch that by that means and the siezure of several Ships in the Ports out of which she caused the Cannon and Ammuition to be taken she became formidable whereupon an Army of 13000 men under the Command of the Duke of Northumberland marched out against her but by that time the Duke was got as far as Cambridge he had notice that
a great Scarcity of Provision happening he was constrained without performing any memorable Action to make his Retreat nor was the Scots so contented but falling on his Rear not only cut off a great many of his Men but obliged him to leave his Baggage with much Treasure as a Prey to them But now the Pope in favour of England having interdicted Scotland a Truce was concluded between the two Kingdoms for thirteen Years and so ended this tedious War and the King had leisure to make his Progress through the several Counties of York Lancaster and the Marches of Wales punishing such as had been in the former Rebellion and amongst others Andrew de Herkerley was drawn hanged and quartered for taking part with the Scots But now a greater Storm began to gather for young Mortimer making his Escape out at a Window and swimming the River of Thames fled beyond the Seas and joined himself to other Fugitives and banished English and not long after the Spencers oppressing the Kingdom and setting the King against the Queen she under a pretence of Visiting her Father's Court at Paris found means with her Son Edward to get beyond the Seas and refused upon the King 's sending for her to return till she joining with Mortimer her dear Fovourite and other Lords raising a considerable Power and holding Correspondence with the Lords that yet were disaffected in England landed in a hostil manner and marched against the King who was preparing to oppose her seizing upon many considerable Towns The King by this Proceeding finding himself in distress and that the Londoners and many of the Lords had declared against him setting the Prisoners every where at Liberty and recalling those that were banished thought it good to avoid coming to Battel whereupon the Queen with her Forces sate down before Bristol took it and therein Spencer the Elder whom she caused to be cut up alive after being dragged through the Streets for the Satisfaction of the People who mortally hated him And now the King finding himself in a manner forsaken fled into Wales and there for a time lay secret in the Abby of Neath but in the end being discovered and with him the younger Spencer Robert Baldok Chancellour and Simon de Reading the King hereupon was conveyed to Kenelworth Castle and the Lords to Hereford where the Queen lay and there Spencer and Reading being condemned by Sir William Trussel Lord Chief Justice on that occasion they were hanged The Confederates with the Queen having in this manner imprisoned the King and not conceiving it safe to set him at Liberty resolved amongst themselves to make Edward his Son a Prince of about thirteen years of Age King and thereupon sent Sir William Trussel to the Castle where the King was Prisoner to acquaint him with what was intended which put him into a mortal Agony from whence being recovered he greatly lamented and bewailed his hard Fate however Trussel being instructed what to doe proceeded to unking him in these words I William Trussel in the Name of all Men of the Land of England and of all the Parliament Procurator do resign to thee Edward the Homage that was made to thee some time and from this time forward I deprive thee and defie thee of all Power Royal and I shall never be tendent to thee after this time Anno Dom. 1327. And here following the Rule of other Historians we put an End to his Reign though he lived in Captivity as we shall have occasion to mention in the Reign of his Son This Edward the Second was King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Aquitain and fourth Son of Edward the First by Eleanor his Queen he began his Reign the 7th of June Anno 1307. and reigned 19 Years 6 Months and 18 days and was the 30th sole Monarch of England he was murthered Anno 1327. in the 20th Year of his coming to the Crown and the 41st of his Age and afterward buried at Gloucester His Wife was Isabel Daughter to Philip the Fair King of France and by her he had Issue Edward of Windsor John of Eltham Joan married to David Bruce and Eleanor married to Reynold Duke of Guelder In his time there happened a very great Famine throughout England with many strange Sights betokening the Woes and Miseries that after followed c. Thus by misguided Zeal a Monarch fell Vndone by Parasites he lov'd too well Hard Fate of Princes that in time wont see Their Friends from Foes untill they ruin'd be The Reign and Actions of Edward the Third King of England c. EDward the Third though scarcely of sufficient years of Discretion to know what belonged to the Titles or Rights of Crowns and Kingdoms had however more compassion on his afflicted Father than the Queen his Mohter had on her Husband for young as he was when he heard what had happened he greatly bewailed his Misfortune vowing never to take upon him the Government unless the King freely consented to resign without compulsion nor could they constrain him to it but with threats that they would utterly reject the whole Line and chuse a King out of the Nobility though of another Family Upon these Considerations the young King eight days after his Father's Resignation was crowned with the usual Ceremonies but the old King being yet alive and the People compassionating his Captivity his Deposers thought themselves no ways secure especially Mortimer who was suspected to be over familiar with the Queen and from that time they fell to plotting his death in order to which Mortimer procured an express from the young King to remove him under pretences of Friendship and Advantage but indeed that he might put him into such hands as he was sure would dispatch him and thereupon he was conveyed to Berkley Castle when by the way for fear he should be rescued by the People who had yet some remains of Love for him they set him on a Mole-hill in order to shave him for the better disquise and in an insulting manner told him That the Water of the next Ditch should accommodate him for that purpose to which the sorrowfull King replied That there should be warm Water whether they would or not and thereupon sent forth a floud of Tears and being arrived at Berkley Castle in the Custody of Thomas Gurney and John Matravers he was murthered by them or such as they appointed in this barbarous manner viz. being bound to a bed with his face downwards they thrust a hollow Horn into his Fundament and through that to prevent any burning or searing in the outward parts they thrust an Iron Instrument red hot twisting it amidst his Bowels till with horrible pain and torment amidst crys and groans he expired And this Wickedness Historians record to be acted upon Mortimer's sending an ambiguous Sentence prepared by Adam Torleton Eishop of Hereford to such as kept the Castle viz. Edvardum occedere nolite tâ—mere bonum est To kill King Edward refuse to
about sundry Articles of Treason in the compass of which the Lords that stood out might fall he got them subscribed at Nottingham by Robert Trisilian Chief Justiciar Robert Belknap Chief Justice of the Common Pleas John Holt Roger Fulthrop and William Burgh Justiciars as likewise by John Lecton Serjeant at Law whereupon he proclaimed them Traitors and both sides armed but the King finding the Lords too powerfull for him and that they had discovered the Snares he had laid to entrap them thought it no time to oppose his small number against forty thousand men but shut himself up with such Forces as he had in the Tower of London where he had laid up Stores for his Subsistence if things came to farther Extremity The King withdrawn the Lords came to Westminster and there assembling to consult what was to be done they resolved to dispatch a Messenger to let the King know that if he left not the Tower and came quickly to them that things might be better settled and ordered they would proceed to chuse a King that should and would hearken to and the Judgment and Counsel of his Peers This though much against his will constrained him to meet them at Westminster and after some debate consented to remove from his Person Alexander Nevil Archbishop of York the Bishops of Durham and Chichester the Lords Zouch and Beaumont and many others with certain chargeable Court-Ladies who were maintained as Spies upon the Actions of the Nobility and the better to make up the breach a Parliament was summoned in which the Judges were called to an Account for the subscribing of the Articles and other matters and most of them being arrested as they sate in Judgment were sent Prisoners to the Tower but Trisilian took an opportunity to escape yet being apprehended he was in the morning sentenced in Parliament and in the Afternoon pursuant to that Sentence as one that had wheedled in the rest to a compliance he was conveyed to Tyburn and there had his Throat cut by Hand of the common Executioner and many others were put to death as evil Counselours and Betrayers of the People The Estates of the King 's chief Favourites were likewise confiscated but the Scots at the same time invading the Northern Parts the Proceedings were not carried on to the highth as was otherways intended and not long after the Scale turned for another Parliament being called at London the Sanctuary of former Laws and all partscular Charters of Pardon were disannulled and taken away from Thomas Duke Gloucester the Earl of Arundel and others for their Treasonable Practices and Enterprizes and all the Justiciars who stood for the King were cleared from the Danger and Scandal they lay under and the Articles they had signed were ratified and such as had offended against them proclaimed Traitors and Richard Earl of Arundâ—l was beheaded on Tower-Hill as guilty of the breach of them The Earl of Warwick upon the like cause was banished and the Duke of Gloucester arrested and carried to Calais where he was privately made away and the King created himself Earl of Chester and to his Escutcheon Royal added the Armories of Edward the Confessour creating his Cosin Henry Duke of Hereford who was not long after accused by Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk for speaking dangerous words of the King and Mowbray constantly affirming what Hereford denied the Combat was granted them and all things in order to it prepared but when they were entred the Lists and at the point of defying each other to death the King threw down his Warder by that means staying the Combat changed the manner of the Order and banished them the Kingdom the Duke of Norfolk for ever and the Duke of Hereford first for ten Years then for six only constraining them upon pain of death immediately to depart and soon after the Duke of Lancaster Father to the latter and Uncle to the King dying he seized on all his Wealth which was extremely considerable he being looked upon one of the richest uncrowned Heads in Europe Long had not these Things passed before the Irish fell into Rebellion when to quiet them King Richard raised a great Army to supply which he grievously oppressed his Subjects by a heavy Tax which begot no small Hatred amongst the People so that some of the Nobles who favoured Hereford now become Duke of Lancaster sent to him to advertize him of the Discontents letting him know that this was his time to make his Fortune and he not delaying the opportunity with an Army of about 2000 English and Foreigners landed whilst King Richard was busie in Ireland and was immediately joined by the Earl of Northumberland and his Son and declaring as a specious pretence he came for no more than his Dutchy of Lancaster the People in compassion of his wrong flocked about him from all parts so that the Duke of York whom King Richard had left Governour of the Kingdom till his Return from his Irish Expedition not being able to oppose the Torrent was obliged to acquiess and suffer him to take Bristol where Bushy and Green two of the King 's Privy Counselours being made Prisoners they lost their Heads to please the multitude This allarmed King Richard in Ireland and obliged him to hasten for England gathering some Troups in Wales which he joined to those he brought over but few of the Nobles coming to his Assistence and finding himself too weak to oppose the Torrent he suffered them to disband and betook himself with a few of his Followers to Conwoth Castle and from thence sent to demand Honourable Conditions and amongst the rest That if himself and eight more whom he should name might have Allowance becoming their Qualities and an assurance of a quiet Private Life he would be content to resign the Crown to his Cosin the Duke of Lancaster and being promised what what was demanded he put himself into the hands of the Earl of Northumberland and was conveyed to the Tower of London whereupon a Parliament was called in his Name to sit at Westminster who concluding upon his Resignation sent an Instrument to him in order to his subscribing which being accordingly done as likewise seal'd he put his Signet Ring upon the Duke's Finger and after this a definitive Sentence passed in Parliament at which time the Duke of Lancaster rising from his Seat made his Claim and Challenge to the Crown in the following words viz. In the Name of God Amen I Henry of Lancaster claim the Realm of England and the Crown with all the Apurtenances as coming of the Bloud Royal from King Henry the Third and that Justice which God of his Grace doth send me by the help of my Friends for the Recovery of the said Realm which was in point of Perdition through default of Government and breach of Laws After this Claim Henry was acknowledged by all the Estates for King and seated in the Royal Throne which is accounted the end of Richard's
passionately sought for by Buckingham's declaring that none of Edward's Race should Reign over them and therefore they had offered the Crown to him which if he refused they would give to another of a different Family that should be worthy of it Hereupon with a seeming unwillingness he told them seeing they were so bent against the Linage of his dear Brother which he was sorry to hear rather than they should be destitute of a King of the Royal Bloud in the house of the Plantagenets he should be content to submit to their desires and take the Government upon himself These words ended the people cryed King Richard King Richard and from this time is accounted the end of Edwards the Fifths Reign Thus by false seeming Friendship the poor Prince Betray'd and Murther'd in his Innocence Without a Crown goes down into the Grave Yet so had rest which others could not have The Reign and Actions of Richard the Third King of England c. RIchard by the means mentioned in the foregoing Reign having obtained Possession oâ— the Throne and laid his Nephews aside he kepâ— them strict Prisoners in the Tower when calling â— Parliament the Crown was confirmed to him and his Heirs and great preparations were made foâ— the placing it on his Head but fearing the Nobility when gather'd in a body might oppose it he sent for his trusty Friend Robert of Risdale whâ— gathering about 5000 of the Northern Rable came to London as his Guard when at Westminster the Ceremony was performed with great Splendour Queeâ— Ann Daughter to the great Earl of Warwick being Crowned with him who had been contracted to Prince Edward Son to Henry the Sixth and the more to ingratiate with the people he discharged the Arch-Bishop of York and the Lord Standly from their Imprisonment taking his Seat likewise in the Court of King's-Bench and there pronouncing pardon for all Offences committed against him and aâ— the Intreaty of the University of Oxford John Morton Bishop of Ely was delivered into the hands oâ— the Duke of Buckingham who sent him in close confinement to his Castle of Brecknock in VVales and then suffered him to continue upon his Parole King Richard by this time notwithstanding he had Possession found himself but slenderly settled in the Throne whilst the young Princes his Nephews were alive and therefore to make sure he sent his Letter by John Green to Sir Robert Brackenbury Lieutenant of the Tower to make them away privately buâ— he detesting so great a Murther refused it with expressions of the horrour he conceived at such a proposition but this changed not the Usurpers determination rather making him more earnest least the design should be discovered before it was put in practice wherefore being wished by some of his Privados to one Sir James Tirrel a Man of desperate Fortune and wicked Principles he disclosed the Matter to him and he promised if he might have the Keys of the Tower delivered to him for one day he would see it effected hereupon the King Wrote to the Lieutenant on pain of high displeasure to deliver they Keys to this Person and he not daring to refuse least his own Life should go for it unwillingly surrendered them whereupon Tirrel when the young Princes were in Bed and a sleep sent in two of his Hell-hounds viz. Miles Forrest and John Dighton who wraping the innocent Youths close in the Bed-cloaths and clapping a Bolster on their Faâ—es Forrest being a heavy squat Fellow lay upon them whilst the other kept down their Bodys and â—o continued to do for the space of an hour till they found no more strugling life or motion in them at what time Tirrel came in and finding them dead caused their Bodys to be buried under the Stairs deep in the Ground and a great heap of Stones were laid upon them The business being done the Murtherers redelivered the Keys and went to give an account of the Wickedness and receive the Wages of Iniquity but the Usurper in this was mistaken for instead of contributing to his peace it added exceedingly to his disturbance and disquiet for he never after enâ—oyed any content of mind not through any Remorse but through the terrour of a guilty Conscience fearing every one that looked wishfully on him â—ame to kill him and in his sleep he fancied horrible Apparitions of Devils and Spirits came to â—ear him so that he often would start out of his Bed run up and down the Chamber crying out for help As for the Instruments of this Murther Tirrel was beheaded for High-Treason in the Reign of Henry the Seventh Forrest Rotted alive and Dighton dyed miserably beyon the Seas As for the Bodies of the Children they were by Richard's Order taken up and being enclosed in a Leaden Coffin full of holes they were said to be carried to the black deeps in the Thames mouth and there thrown in out of a Fancy that this would appease the Terrour of his Dreams The Duke of Buckingham who had been mainly Instrumental in raising Richard to the Throne soon after this Murther fell into discontent some say for that the King refused him the Duke of Herefords Lands to which he pretended himself rightfull Heir others because he was not looked upon and esteemed at Court as he expected but he declared it was from a Remorse for the Murther of the two Princes of which he could not but conceit himself somewhat Guilty because he had raised one to the Throne that had caused them to be Murthered though he was ignorant of the Fact or its Contrivance and hereupon leaving the Court he retired to his Castle of Brecknock and there conferring with Bishop Morton that crafty Clergy-man to gain his entire Liberty so fed the Dukes Ambition who was naturally of an aspiring Spirit that after having founded his Inclinations he plainly told him that nothing grived him so much since there was so worthy a person allied to the Crown that a Tyrant and Murtherer should sit upon the Throne commending the Duke to be a person of such rare vertues that none merrited to wear the Crown so much as himself and although the Duke excused it in telling him Henry Earl of Richmond had a right before him he was prompt enough to harken to so pleasing a Subject These debates that seemed at first in jest came at last to earnest for Buckingham resolving if possible to displace King Richard Communicated his designs to divers of his trusty Friensd amongst whom it was agreed that the Earl of Richmond Heir of the House of Lancaster should Marry Elizabeth Daughter to Edward the Fourth Heiress to the House of York and by that means unite the two Families Whereupon the Mothers of the Earl and Princess being made acquainted and apropving the Project Bishop Morton was sent with ample Instructions to let the Earl know what was agreed upon and desire him with such Forces as he could raise to come over where he would find his Friends
ready to receive him and joyn their Forces with his These Matters were not carried so privately but the King got notice of them and sent a very kind Message to the Duke of Buckingham to invite him to Court but he excusing it by reason of pretended Indisposition an Express was sent to command him to come or he would fetch him dead or alive by this he knew it was time to stand upon his own defence and returned answer that he would not come to his Mortal Enemy and thereupon sending for Thomas Marquess of Dorset out of a Sanctuary and gathering such power as he could in the North whilst Sir Edward Courtney and his Brother the Bishop of Exeter raised another in Devonshire and Cornwall as likewise did Sir Richard Guilford and other Gentlemen in Kent they resolved to joyn their Forces but before it could be effected the King marched directly against the Duke with a great power whereupon his little Army mostly consisting of Welshmen disbanded and left him to shift for himself so that he was forced to hide him in a poor disguise putting himself into the hands of one Humphrey Bannister that had been his Servant and raised by him to what Estate he had and with him he lived for some time as his Gardener but the treacherous man upon the Kings putting out a Proclamation promising a reward of 1000 pounds to those that could decover him deliver'd him up for the lucre of the Money to the Sheriff of Shrewsbury who siezed this Duke diging in a poor habit and being carried to the King at Salisbury he there without Tryall or Process was beheaded upon which all the Accomplices dispersed and fled many of them beyond the Seas and to this Treachery many attributed the Judgments that soon over-took Bannister and his Family for most of his Children dyed distressed or unnatural deaths his Substance decreased and he dyed in extreme Poverty The measures of the Confederacy thus broken many were imprisoned and put to death and the King fearing an Invasion caused the Sea Coasts to be guarded and fortified and then assembled a Parliament at Westminster wherein the Earl of Richmond and all his Adherents that had fled the Land were attainted and proclaimed Enemies of the Country their Goods and Possessions were confiscated nor did Richard delay to use the same Practices his Brother had done sending his Agents to the Duke of Bretaigne in whose Court the Earl resided with store of Gold and many Presents to persuade that Duke either to send Richmond Prisoner into England or if he refused that to keep him a Prisoner there and missed but a little of succeeding for the Duke lying sick and Peter Landois his Treasurer overcome with the Presents had delivered him into the hands of such as were appointed to receive him had not the Earl had notice of the design and made his Escape but the Duke highly blamed this Action of his Treasurer and discharged him his Office King Richard knowing whilst his Brother's Daughters were alive that his Title was but ill grounded and therefore to strengthen it he proposed though Queen Ann his Wife was living to marry Elizabeth his Niece by that means to cross Richmond's Pretensions and to try in this case how the people stood affected it was given out that his Queen was dead and soon after it proved so that virtuous Lady dying as many conjectured an untimely death The Earl of Richmond having notice of what was intended by the Money he received from England and other Assistence gathered what Forces he could and landed at Milford-Haven with 2000 Men on the 15th of August 1586. and from thence marched to Shrewsbury being joined by the way with a considerable Force under the Leading of Sir Rice Ap Thomas and so marched to Newport where Sir Gilbert Talbot met him sent by the Earl of Shrewsbury with 2000 men and passing from thence he came to Lichfield where he was joyfully received but whilst Richmond's Army gathered King Richard was not idle for raising such Forces as could be got in such a pressing Condition he marched to oppose his Invader and near Market-Bosworth in Leicestershire both Armies met and being encouraged by their Generals with moving Speeches the forward Soldiers rushed on to the Battel and for some time it continued both bloudy and doubtfull nor did Fortune in the first Shock fail to favour King Richard but the Lord Standley who had been intrusted by Richard with a Squadron of Horse revolting in the heat of the Fight and charging upon the allmost tired Soldiers bore down all before him and turned the scale of Victory which King Richard perceiving and resolving not to out-â—ive the loss charged furiously into Richmond's Battallion and with a Courage hightened by despair beat down all before him till over-powered by number and weary with fighting he fell amongst 〈◊〉 thousand Swords and with him fell the Duke of Norfolk the Lord Ferrers Sir Richard Radcliff Sir Robert Berkenburg and about 4000 others of lesser â—ote and Sir William Cateshy with two others of his â—rivado's being taken were two days after beheaded for evil Counsel and other Practices against the Good and Wellfare of the Kingdom and Thomas Howard Earl of Surry and Son to the Duke of Norfolk being made Prisoner and demanded by Henry how he durst bear Arms on the behalf of a Tyrant and Uusurper courageously answered He was my Crowned King and if the Parliamentary Authority of England set the Crown upon a stock I will fight for that stock and as I fought then for him I will fight for you when you are established by the like Authority After this fatal Battel wherein the number of the slain on either side did not greatly differ the Crown that King Richard brought into the Field was found by the Lord Stanley or those that attended him in an Haw-thorn-Bush and by that Lord set upon the Head of the Earl of Richmond in the Field at the sight of which the Soldiers cryed Long live King Henry The Body of Richard being found amongst the heaps of the slain was stripped and spoiled by the Pillagers and laid naked on a Horse behind St. Leiger Pursuvant at Arms and in that contemptible manner carried to Leicester where it was buried in the Grey-Friars Church in a stone Coffin which was afterward made a Trough for Horses to drink in in a common Inn and thus fell the greatness of the Usurper setting in bloud who had so often unjustly shed the bloud of others His Wife was Ann Daughter to Richard Nevil Earl of Warwick and Salisbury called the Make King of those times by her he had Issue Edward Earl oâ— Salisbury created Prince of Wales 1463. and the Crown entailed upon him by Parliament but he dyed by an unfortunate Fall before his Father This Richard stands accounted among the Kings of England c. he was third Son to Richard Duke of York and began his Reign the twenty second day of June
the Revenge of some Courtiers whom he had iâ—jured and they soliciting the King to proceed further he commanded him to leave the Court and retire to York but as he was on his way he was overtaken and arrested by the Earl of Northumberland and his House and Furniture siezed Hiâ— Charge was for speaking Arrogant Words against the King which were interpreted that he meant to take revenge for his disgrace but at Leicester Abby in his way to London taking an Italian Confection to break Wind from his Stomach he dyed not without suspition of Poisoning himself rather than after so great a share of Power and Grandure as he had possessed to fall into the hands of his Enemies His last words were these viz. If I had served my God as faithfully as I have served my King he would not at this time cast me off As for his Birth it was mean being the Son of a Butcher at Ipswich rising from a low degree by his Policie Cuning and prompt Genus About this time Queen Ann was delivered of a Daughter Christened by the name of Elizabeth afterward our renowned Queen of England and two years after of a dead Child but the Popish party at Court perceiving this good Queen strongly to incline to the Lutheran Doctrine and encourage those of the Profession they found an opportunity to strike in with some displeasure of the King 's and accuse her of Incest and Adultery with her Brother the Lord Rochfort which appeared upon no other Foundation than his waiting upon her whilst she was in Bed to inquire of her Health and for joy of her recovery presuming to salute her however she was beheaded on Tower-Hill making a very Pious and Christian-like end and for the same Fact dyed Her Brother in like manner on the 19th of May 1536. and the next day the King gave a greater light into this cruel Execution by Marrying the Lady Jane Seymour Daughter to Sir John Seymour which looked as though the removing one from his Embraces was only to make way for the other Wolsey as is said being dead Thomas Cromwell a Black-smith's Son of Putney who had been an under Favourite of the Cardinals began to rise in the Kings esteem being first made Master of the Jewel-house then Barron of Okeham then Earl of Essex after that great Chamberlain of England and Vicar General of the Spiritualities he was a great favourer of the Reformed Religion and strove what in him lay to promote it but this and his greatness proved his downfall by raising powerfull Enemies at Court against him so that after he had done many great things for the King and Kingdom he was Arraigned Condemned and lost his Head however some change of the Face of the Romish Worship made the Monks and Fryars invite the Plebeans to take up Arms under pretence of redressing Grievances and reforming matters of State and were headed in Lincolnshire by one Mackarel a Monk but being promised by the King their requests should be partly answered they laid down their Arms but it was not long before another rout got together under the name of Pilgrims carrying in their Banner the Picture of Christ with his five Wounds the Chalice Cake and other foolish Devices declaring for Holy Mother Church and a Reformation in State These assembled in Yorkshire to the number of 40000 Commanded by one Diamond a Fisherman who Stiled himself the Earl of Poverty and one Robert Aske yet upon the approach of the King's Forces though they had for a time appeared very formidable being promised as the former some Redress of their Demands and a Pardon for what had passed they dispersed themselves yet upon these and the like stirs several of the Ringleaders were taken and Executed as four Abbots two Pryors three Monks and 3 Priests nor did Captain Mackerel escape this Execution and of Temporal Persons dyed the Lord Dacres Sir Robert Constable Sir Francis Bigod Robert Aske and divers others and now the Churches began to be purged of Images and other Trumpery which greatly inriched the King's Coffors for many of them were of Gold and Silver set with precious Stones and those of Wood were burnt nor were the Monasteries and Religious Houses long delayed of which there were suppressed Monasteries â—645 Colledges 90 Chanceries and Free Chapels â—374 So that the Bible was read in English Register Books appointed and Weddings and Christenâ—ngs Commenced in due order to hinder Clandestine Iniquities for upon their being demolished great numbers of Childrens Sculls and Bones were found which had been Murther'd stopt up in the Walls and other places to hide the Infamy of the Lascivious Nuns and Fryars c. But by this means the Revenues siezed swarms of Monasticks were turned out to shift which made them labour to incense not only many of the Commons but some Noblemen and Gentlemen against the King and the Pope sent a Bull Excommunicating the King but the Bull bearer being taken as he was fixing it upon the Bishop of Londons Palace he was as a Traytor conveyed to Tyburn and there hanged with the Bull about his Neck and the Marquess of Exceter the Lord Montacute and Sir Edward Nevile were Executed at Tower-Hill for Conspiring to depose Henry and place Cardinal Reignald Pool Grand-son to the Duke of Clarence in the Throne The Lady Jane Seymour whom Henry hade made â—his Queen dying in Child-bed with Prince Edward afterward our Edward the Sixth the King Married the Lady Ann Sister to the Duke of Cleve and she being sent over the King no sooner fixed his Eyes on her but he took dislike a to her Person and pretending he had been deceived in the Report of her Beauty the Beding was refrained and a Divorce procured in Parliament barring her the Tittle of Queen and he proceeded to Marry the Lady Catharine Howard Neice to the Duke of Norfolk but she soon after run the same Risque as Ann of Bulloin had done for she had not been Married much above a year before she was accused of Fornication and Adultery the one with Francis Derham before Marriage and the other with Thomas Culpeper after she was Queen for which she together with the Lady Jane Rochfort lost her head on Tower-Hill the latter suffering for Concealing the Fact of the former though the Queen declared to her Confessor to the last she was innocent as for Derham and Culpeper they were Executed at Tyburn nor did the Countiss of Salisbury Daughter to George Duke of Clarence and Mother to Cardinal Pool escape the cruelty of the King for upon a suspition she held Correspondence with her Son she was attainted in Parliament and beheaded upon that Attandure and about the same time the Lord Leonard Grey lost his Head for Treason and for refusing to deny the Pope's Supreamicy and acknowledge the King's upon a Statute acknowledging the King Supream Head in his own Kingdom John Fisher Bishop of Rochester and the famous Sir Thomas Moor Lord Chancellor
Devonshire on the 5 of November 1688. and the Army to the number of 13 or 14000 Landed seized upon Exceter and divers other places whilst the King was prepairing to oppose it causing his Forces and Artillary to march for Salisbury whether he went in person But finding the falling off of part of his Army and afterwards the Nobility and the surprize of sundry strong Towns in the North and other places he returned to White-Hall and upon news of the defeat of a Party set to Guard Reading and Twyford Bridge the King on the 11 of December left White-Hall having the day before sent the Queen away c. but within a day or two he was discovered at Feversham and a Message sent to him from the Lords sitting in Council to return which accordingly he did but afterwards going to reside at Rochester he privately withdrew himself and taking Ship passed into France where the Queen was arrieved some time before Thus fortunes Hand does turn about the Wheele And makes the great as well as feeble Reele Memorable Transactions under the Auspicious Reign of King WILLIAM and Queen MARY c. THE Kingdom left without a Head and th 〈◊〉 Publick Affairs receiving prejudice in man 〈◊〉 particulars after several Addresses and Congratulations on the 25th of December the Lords Spiritual and Temporal assembled at Westminster and humbly besought his present Majesty to take upon him the Administration of of Publick Affairs both Civil and Military and to dispose of the publick Treasury c. till the meeting of the Convention appointed to meet the 22 of January making iâ— their further Request that he would cause his Circular Letters to be Issued out to the Lords And for the Election of Representatives to repair and â—it at Westminster and the next day a great number of Gentlemen who had been Members of Parliament in the Reign of King Charles the Second met at the Commons House who drew up an Address to the â—â—â—ine purpose as the Lords which was presented and very Gratiously received and on the 30 of December a Declaration was Issued out Authorizing Justices of the Peace Sheriffs and other Officers who were in their Offices the 1st of December except Papists to Act in their several Places and Stations And divers Priests and other disaffected persons were seized in sundry Counties and committed to several Prisons and the Circular Letters sent abroad the Papists were commanded to depart the Citys of London and Westminster And many eminent Citizens of London upon notice that the Treasury was Exhausted lent towards the defraying the Charges of the Publick Affairs of the Kingdom about 300000 l which was paid in at Guild-Hall for the use of the Exchequer Nor was the Scots slow in making their Address for Protection which many of the Lords and Commnns did and were kindly received with a promise at their Request of Issuing out Letters for the meeting of a Convention of the Estates on the 14th day of March at Edenburg which gave a general Satisfaction to Scotland On the 22d of January 1688. According to appointment the Convention met at Westminster where the Lord Marquess of Hallifax held the place as Speaker in the House of Lords Henry Powell Esq did the like in that of the Commons And after some Debates and Considerations for the Settlement of Affairs they made an Address of Thanks for the Royal Care and Conduct and at their Intreaty a further continuation of the Administration was Accepted and the days were Appointed for a Publick Thanksgiving for the great Deliverance of these Kingdoms But in Ireland things went not on so prosperously for the Earl of Tyrconnel greatly oppressed the Protestants suffered the Papists to plunder their Houses every where disarming them and putting them out of places of Trust however in several parts of that Kingdom the Protestants under the leading of Noblemen and others gave them notable overthrows But the Popish party relying upon the Succours they expected from France gave not over their Ravages and Outrages However great preparations were made in England to reduce that Kingdom to Obedience and some Stores of Ammunition and Provisions sent from Scotland and care was taken to stop such as were going over and a prohibition was laid on French Goods and Manufactures c. And now the desire of the people being to see their present Majestys on the Throne a great number of worthy persons in the Citys of London and Westminster Petitioned setting forth it was their humble desire it might be speedily done and soon after Her present Majesty upon the earnest Invitation of the Estates Embarqued for England attended by a Squadron of English and Dutch Men of War and arrived safely at White-Hall on the 12th of February 1688. to the inexpressible Joy of the people and was saluted all the way Her Yatch passed by the Forts and Ships in the Road as also by the Tower Guns the Standard being displayed and at Court she received the Complements of all the Nobility present nor did the Lords and Commons delay to prepare for the Proclaiming King WILLIAM and Queen MARY by declaring the Throne Vacant and praying them to accept the Regal Dignities Abrogating the former Oaths of Allegience and Supremacy and Incerting these viz. I A. B. Do sincerely Promise and Swear that I will be Faithfull and bear True Allegience to their Majestys King WILLIAM and Queen MARY So help me God I A. B. Do Swear that I do from my heart Abhor Detest and Abjure as Impious and Heretical this Damnable Doctrine and Position that Princes Excommunicate or deprived by the Pope or any Authority of the See of Rome may be Deposed or Murthered by their Subjects or any other whatsoever and so I declare that no foreign Prince Person Prelate State or Potentate hath or ought to have any Jurisdiction Power Superiority Preeminence or Authority Ecclesiastical or Spiritual within this Realm So help me God Matters prepared in readiness for so great and solemn an Occasion the Lords and Commons on the 13th of February having acquainted them with what they had done and obtained their Consent About Eleven of the Clock they went to White-Hall Gate where the Officers and Serjeants at Arms Trumpets and other persons being present Sir Thomas St. George Knight Garter Principal King at Arms receiving the Proclamation and the Officers at Arms by the Lords being ordered immediately to Proclaim it York Herauld Proclaimed it at White-Hall Gate after the Trumpets had thrice sounded Garter reading it by periods in the presence of the Lords and Commons and a great concourse of people and the satisfaction conceived was manifested by loud shouts and general Acclamations of Joy and in good order they proceeded to Temple-Bar where having informed the occasion of their coming they had the Gates opened and all except the Bailiff of Westminster and his men entred and were received by the Lord Mayor Aldermen Recorder Sheriffs c. When having made a Second Proclamation
Great were the preparations and an Act on the 21st of March passed the Royal Assent for granting their Majestys a present Aide and another Act soon after passed for recviving Actions and Processes depending in the Courts of Westminster discontinued by the omitting Hillary Term with others conducing to the regulation and settlement of Affairs and divers great Officers were made and honours Conferred on sundry persons And now the Coronation day drawing near the Parliament considered of the Coronation Oath and the Royal Assent given to an Act intituled an Act for Establishing the Coronation Oath to be Administred to all the Kings and Queens that shall Succeed to the Imperial Crown of this Realm upon their respective Coronations by one of the Arch-Bishops to be done in Publick so that nothing being wanting to perfect the Royal Ceremony of the Coronation on Thursday the 11 of April the King and Queen landing at the Parliament Stairs went to the Princes Lodgings between 10 and 11 in the Morning and the Peers and Peeresses being in their Robes and having their Coronets their Majestys came to Westminster-Hall the Procession being put in order and there taking their Seats on a Throne under a Cloth of State the Regalia was presented and delivered to those Noblemen by whom it was to be born and the Earl Marshal Kings at Arms and Heraulds having put the Procession in order it passed on through the Guard of Soldiers that made a Lane blew Cloth being spread and scattered with sweet hearbs their Majestys under a Canopy of State in their Royal Robes the King in a Velvet Crimson Cap and the Queen with a Circlet of Gold on her head the Peers and Peeresses in their Robes with their Coronets in their hands and entring Westminster Abby their Majestys Ascended the Throne and the Nobles and others disposed themselves according to their degrees and Places and the Ceremony was performed with great Splendor and Magnificence after which their Majestys with their Crowns on their Heads and the Nobility with their Coronets on returned in the same order they went to Westminster-Hall where a Stately Banquet was prepared and being seated the first course was Marshalled in and the King Champion in Compleat Armour came into the Hall on Horseback and made his Challenge in these words repeated by York Herauld viz. If any person of any Degree whatsoever High or Low shall deny or gainsay our Sovereign Lord and Lady King WILLIAM and Queen MARY King and Queen of England France and Ireland Defenders of the Faith to be Rightfull King and Queen of this Realm of England or that they ought not to Enjoy the Imperial Crown of the same here is their Champion who saith he lieth and is a false Traytor being ready in person to Combate with him and in this Quarrel will Adventure his Life against him on what day soever he shall appoint The Royal Entertainment ended their Majestys returned to White-Hall and the great Guns and Bells proclaimed the Joy together with the peoples shouts and acclamations The Night was spent in Bonfiers and Drinking-healths which in a short time was so ordered throughout the Kingdom and Scotland not to be behind proceeded to Proclaim their Majestys King and Queen of that Kingdom deputing the Earl of Argyle and others to wait upon their Majestys with an offer of the Crown which being Accepted their Majestys have since been so owned that Kingdom with equal demonstrations of Joy The Charges of the Government appearing very great the Parliament agreed upon a Pole Bâ—â— which being brought in and approved it passed the Royal Assent encouraging the lending of 300000 l upon its security till Money can be raised The late King being by this time in Ireland and the French Fleet about to Land more men in that Kingdom were Engaged near Bantry-Bay by an English Squadron under the Command of Vice-Admiral Herbert and three of their great Ships disabled and sunk a great many of their Seamen and Officers killed without the loss of one Ship on our side though much inferiour in number And the French and Irish laying Siege to London-Derry were beaten off by the Besieged under the Command of Colonel Walker Minister of that Place and about 4000 of them slain insomuch that they were obliged to acquit it and draw off And several persons attempting to spread King James his Declarations in the City of London some were seized and committed to Newgate And during these Transactions the late Lord Chancellour Jeffreys and the late Lord Chief Justice Wright dyed one in the Tower and the other in Newgate The Convention of Scotland was turned into a a Parliament the Lord Hamilton made President and an Act passed for asserting their Power and preventing any questions or dispute that may arise about their power to Act as being a Parliament Aud since the Castle is surrendred Thus Reader you may see our chang'd estate And own God's Mercies Wonderfull and Great Whose swift Almighty Hand the Ruin stay'd That Rome's dark Thunder into Bolts had made Aiming 'em at Religion Life and Laws But Heaven defeats where e'er it owns the Cause