plausible ende to succede by our sturre otherwise we vndoe our selues For perceiuinge at our entrie y t our myndes runne of spoile who wil not rather resist vs abide the adueÌ„ture of that wherof we beare them in hande then to be in certeine to be spoyled by vs And I see no cause whye you shoulde doubte of want of money seinge ye knowe that suche gentlemen as are confedered with vs keping appointment their souldiours shall come redie furnished to beare theire owne charges for .ix. dayes and our happe shall be verie harde if we be not at London shortlye after we stirre and that with so great a company as shal be oute of daunger to be stopped by any of the shire vpon suche a soden or letted of entrie into London finding halfe the frindes there as we thinke to haue Wyates rekening of y e spoile of the tower and London And being ones in London hauinge the tower in our haÌ„des I trust you thinke we shall not lacke money longe after if any be to be had there or in the Aldermens coffers To that saied the other that hadde spoken as yet neuer a worde I knowe commoners in London that haue more redy money then some of the Aldermenne Softe quod Wyat I praye you in any wyse forbeare all suche talke till we come to y e place wher we would be In mean time let vs worke secretly and by all tokens and signes shewe our selues to fauoure and mainteine oure pretence of straungers only Such and the lyke coÌ„munication was betwene Wyat and two other the mondaye before his rysing Wherby is euident that theire finall entent was to aduaunce them selues by spoyle of other menâ—es goodes although they pretended otherwise And to coloure the same Wyat so fell out with this geÌ„telman for riffling the lorde Chauncelours house that he made a number beleue he woulde haue hanged him out of hande had not Bret and other entreated for him When thei had lien in Southwarke a day or two and fouÌ„de them selues deceiued in LondoÌ„ whiche by the greate diligence and politike handlinge of that worthye and faiethfull knighte the lorde William Haward Admiral of England The Lorde WilliaÌ„ Haward admiral of Englande that had the speciall charge therof with the aide of sir Iohn Whight knight maiour of LondoÌ„ his brethern and citezens was so well preserued as the traitours therby were disappointed of that they loked moost certenly for Wyat as a man desperate and setting all the sixe and seuen aduenturing the breaking downe of a wall out of an house ioyning to the gate at the bridge foote Wyates coÌ„â—minge into the porters lodge at y e bridge fote wherby he moughte enter into the leades ouer the gate came downe into the lodge aboute a leauen of the clocke in the night where he founde the porter in a slomber Care away and his wife with other wakinge watchinge a cole But seing Wyat they began sodenly to start as greatly amased Whist quod Wyat as you loue your lyues sit you still you shal haue no hurt Gladde were they of that warrant pardye What should they do people better accustomed with y e tankerd of beere to passe furth the night then acquainted with target and speare to indure to fight Wyat a fewe with him went furthe as farre as the drawe bridge on the further side wherof he sawe the lorde Admirall the lorde Maiour sir Andrewe Iudde and one or two other in consultation for ordering of the bridge wherunto he gaue diligent eare a good time and not seene At length conceiued by their talke moore then he could digest perceauinge the great ordinaunce there bent retorned saiynge to his mates this place is to hotte for vs. And when he was come to his colleges and declaringe vppon this exployte what he had hearde and seene they then altogether fell to a newe counsell what was to be done The rebels at their wittes ende Some woulde then retourne to Grenewiche and so passe by water into Eliex wherby their company as â—hey thought shoulde encrease and inter into London by Algate And some woulde to Kingston vpon Teames and so further West And some of the whiche Wyat him selfe was chiefe wold retourne into Kent to meâ—te with the Lorde Aburgauenâ—e the Lorde Warden the shyreffe sir Thomas Moyle sir Thomas KeÌ„pe sir Thomas Finch that were at Rochester coÌ„ming on Wyates backe w t a great coÌ„â—pany wel appoynted falsly persuading him selfe y t he shuld find amonge them mo frendes then enemies But whether his desyre to returne into Kent grew vpon hope he hadde to fynde ayd there or whether it was to shifte him selfe awaye it was much doubted of his owne companye And some of them that knewe him well excepte they were muche deceyued reported not longe before their execution that his desier to retire into Kent was onelye to shyfte hym selfe ouer the sea The Lorde Warden beynge nowe come to Rochester as ye hearde The Lorde Wardens beinge at Rochester towardes Wyat. and verye honourably furnished with horse and men well appoynted to no smale nuÌ„bre enteringe in consultation with suche gentlemen as were there for the better procedynge in their seruice shewed a great desier to accelerate the onset vpon the traitours least malice shuld impute both his former present staye rather to want of forwardnesse then to good policie Wherefore he desyred to pursue after them with all expeditioÌ„ Whervnto y e gentlemen then being in armes with him sayde As for your Lordshyps contation hetherto it shal be weyed not as fooles by fansye malice deme but as wyse meÌ„ shall measure it by theyr discretion of wisdom We see not but vnaduised hardinesse preproperous haste in moste matters haue these two coÌ„panions Errour in the beginning Repeâ—tauÌ„ce in y e end And for this our case who so vnderstandeth the same can not but confesse your lordships deliberate forbearing to haue proceded of great wysdome as wherin hast coulde litel preuayle And wheras your lordshippe is so dâ—sirous to pursue after Wyat and his bande you see howe they haue lyen in Southworke and within four miles of London these foure dayesâ— and yet not medled with by the queenes armie beyng so nere Which is neither for want of men nor of forwardnesse in that noble gentleman the earle of Penbroke the queenes leiuetenant The earle of Penbroke the quenes leuetenaunt but vpon greate policie further respecte no doubt then we seeme to conceyue Wherfore your lordshippe may doe better to pause and fyrst to aduertise the queenes maiestie and the lord leiuetenaunt both what your lordeshyppe vpon graue and depe consideration hath conceyued in this doubtfull time and also in what readinesse your lordshippe is and other gentlemen with you whose pleasures knowen we maye then happelye procede in seruice bothe with good conteâ—â—tacion to them aboue and best suertie for our selues Otherwise if fortune shoulde not fauour our iourneye
diÌ„med with such a fond mist. For if they ment to resist straÌ„gers as thei mind nothing lesse thei wolde theÌ„ prepare to go to the sea coastes not to the quenes most roial person with such a coÌ„pany in armes weapoÌ„ Ye can coÌ„sider I trust this noble geÌ„tlemaÌ„ the lord Aburgaueny here preseÌ„t being of an auÌ„cieÌ„t great pareÌ„tage born amoÌ„g you such other gentlemeÌ„ as you se here which be no straÌ„gers vnto you my selfe also although a pore geÌ„tlemaÌ„ who I trust at no time hath abused you hath soÌ„what to lose aswel as thei wold be as loth to be ouer run with staÌ„gers as thei if any such thing were ment But for that we know most certeÌ„ly that ther is ment no maner of euil to vs by those straÌ„â—gers but rather aide profit coÌ„fort against other strangers our auÌ„cient enemies with whoÌ„ they as most arraÌ„t degenerate traitors do in dede vnkindly vnnaturally ioine we in her graces defeÌ„se wil speÌ„de both life what we haue beside to the vtter most peny against theÌ„ Wel I can no more now sai vnto you but vnderstaÌ„ding y e quenes highnes as a most merciful priÌ„cesse to be ones again determined to pardon as many as by their traiterous deceitfull proclamatioÌ„s other illusioÌ„s wer allured to this last treasoÌ„ so they repaire to their habitations within xxiiii houres after her graces proclamation read become true subiectes to her graâ—e to aduise such as hath taken part with those traitours or haue withdraweÌ„ them selues coÌ„trary to their allegiauÌ„ce froÌ„ the aiding seruing of their soueraigne accordiÌ„g to their duties against her enemies thaÌ„kefullye to accept imbrace her most gracious pardoÌ„ vse meanes of theÌ„ selues to apprehend those arrant and principall traitours and make a present of them to the quenes highnes or leaue theÌ„ to theÌ„ selfes as most detestable traitors who beiÌ„g once so graciously mercifully forgeueÌ„ could not but cary the clemâ—â—cie of the same in their hartes to the furtherance of all obedience whiles thei liued if ther had been any spark of grace in theÌ„ And further I haue to say vnto you y t as these traitors by their proclamatioÌ„s w tout authoritie haue moued you to styr against the quene your soueraigne apointed you placê wher to mete coÌ„sult for y e furtheraÌ„ce of their traiterous purpose to briÌ„g with you such aid as you caÌ„ so shal I require you in her graces name charge you that be here present not to come there but that you such as be absent taking knowledge herby repair to such places as I the quenes shireffe officer shal appoint you with such ayde as you can bring for the better seruice of the quene the shyre where you shal be assured to receyue comforte thankes and honestie to th ende of your liues and your posteritie And thother waye but endles shame and vtter vndoinge to you and yours whiche shall be worste to your selues and yet a greate griefe to vs your neyghbours whose aduise in al other your priuate causes you haue been content to folowe nowe in this waightiest that hathe or maye happen to you wyll refuse vs and folow them that hathe euer abused you to your and thei vtter confusion At Mallynge the seuen and twenteth daye of Ianuarye Anno Mariae primo God saue Queene Marye and all her well wyllers The shiriffe reading this exhortation caused one Barrham a gentilman and seruaunt to the lord Aburgauâ—ny to pronounce it as he reed it so loude and soo distinctlie as the people assembled rounde aboute him to a verie great nomber in maner of a ring mighte easlie here and vnderstand euerie word proceding froÌ„ Barrham who of his owne head cried out vnto them You maye not so muche as lyfte vp your finger against your kinge or quene And after the people had heard the Shiriffes exhortation cried God saue quene Marie whiche they did moost hertely spending therin a conuenient tyme the shiriffe vsed these wordes vnto them Maisters quod he althoughe I alone did speake vnto you yet what wordes were spoken too you by me were also spoken to you by the lorde Aburgauenye and all the gentilmen here present The shâ—riffes spech to the multitude in whose persons I then spake and now require at your handes a plaine and resolute aunswere Will you nowe therfore ioyne with suche as you sâ—e euidentlie to be arraÌ„t traitors orels with the lorde Aburgauenie and suche gentilmen as you see here present that wil lyue dye with you in defense of oure rightfull quene againste these traitors The people with one voice defied Wyat and his complices The peoples aÌ„sweeâ— to the sheriffe as arrant traitours and saied that they nowe well espied they hadde but abused them Wherfore in defense of quene Marie they woulde dye vpon them expressinge their mindes with suche earnest shoutes and cries as shewed to procede vnfainedly froÌ„ their hartes which after was confirmed by a better experience the day folowing as ye shall anone here But by the waye ye shall vnderstande that Wyat heringe of this proclamation saied I knowe that Barram well Wyates promise of barrams rewarde but yet I neuer tooke him to haue so wyde a throte if I lyue I maye happen to make him crowe a higher note in a nother place What trowe ye should then haue become of the authour In the Sundaye followinge the lorde Aburgaueny the shiriffe and the rest of the gentilmen were determined to haue merched in the morninge earelye towardes Rochester to haue aided the duke of Norfolke and sir Henrye Gerningham captain of the garde then being at Grauesend towardes Wyat with a certain bande of whitecotes to the nomber of .vi. C. sent vnto them froÌ„ London The duke of Norf sir Henrye GerniÌ„ghaÌ„s comminge to Grauesende wherof Breet and others were their captaines Roger Apâ—ulton and Thomâ—s Swaâ—â—rustie geÌ„tilmeÌ„ Roger Appulton gentilman was also at Grauesende with the duke attendant to serue where in lykewyse was Thomas Swan gentilman This satterdaye at night the lorde Aburgaueny suspectinge that Wyat and hys complices liynge within foure myles of them and beinge so muche prouoked in that they were in the day so rightly set forthe in their coloures at Malling would for reueÌ„ge worke some anoyauÌ„ce to theÌ„ or his bande y t nighte either by a caÌ„masado or by some other meane did therfore to preuent the same set a strong watche in in the market place at Malling and other partes of entrie into the towne The lorde Aburgaueny set the watch iÌ„ persone and gaue the watch word him selfe before he would take any rest But betwene one two of the clocke in the night when euerie bodye was taken to rest sauing the watche there happened a larom A larom at Malling sundry cryeng treason treason we are all betraied in such a sort that such as were
fiue captaynes Bret chiefe captain of y e whitcotes who with theyr bande beinge sixe hundred all in whight cotes taryed behinde at a hyll called Spittell hyll 〈◊〉 vnto strowde whiles the Duke went to strowde to see the planting of the ordinaunce Whiche beinge readye charged and bent vpon the towne of Rochester and perceyuynge Wyat and the other traytours by hangynge out of theyr flagges vpon the bridge wall to be in great brauerieâ— whiche consideryng the miserable state they were in the nyght before coulde not be hadde they not receyued some newe comforte by some trayterous meane the Duke commaunded one of the peces to be fired for shotte into Rochester And as the gunner was fyeringe the piece syr Edwarde Braies eldest sonne came in all the hast to the duke saying Sir did not I tell your grace this morninge â—hat yondeâ— false wretches wold deâ—â—iue youâ— How knowe you that quod the Duke why syr que Braye you maye see them as false trayrours bent against you And immediatly Bret and other captaines of the whitcoates with their bande beinge vpon the hyll and at the backe of the Duke made greate and loude shoutes sundrie times criynge The reuolt of the captaines to y e whight cotes theyr bande we are all Englishe men we are al Englishe men fashionynge them selues in araye readie bent with their weapons to set vpon the Duke if he had made any resistaunce Wherevpon the Duke and the Captaine of the Garde commaunded the pieces that were bent vpon the towne to be tourned vpon Bret and hys â—ande But vpon further consiâ—â—â—ation the shotte was spaâ—â—dâ— And the Dukes grace with the câ—ptayne of â—he garde syr Henâ—â—e Geâ—â—ingham consideriâ—g not without bleding hearâ—â—s their â—hiefe strengthe thus â—â—â—ened vppon them so that they were now inuironed both behindâ— anâ— before with tâ—ayterous enemies shâ—fted tâ—em selues awaye as did alsâ— their â—â—mpaâ—ie After whose departure Wyat accompanied with 〈◊〉 or thâ—â— and not many moe came oâ—t of Rochester halfe a mile from the towne aâ— the left to mâ—te the sixe captaines of the whyt coatâ—s Amongest whome was Harper Harper retourned to his olde mate notwithstandinge his crouchynge and knelinge before the Duke and faire prâ—mises that he wouldâ— vndertake that Wyat shoulde haue yelded Who fâ—tinge afore the other captaynes with his sworde drawen sayde to Wyat. I promised you a good tourne and saye not nowâ— but I haue paâ—â—ed it Who had sâ—en the imbraâ—ynge â—â—â—ippynge and congratulaâ—iâ—n vâ—ed at thiâ— metynge from traytour to traytour mightâ— iustlye wonder therat Shortly after they had wel claweâ— one another they went together like them selues into Rochester When this of all other mosâ—e infortunate channce came to the knowledge of the Lorde Aburgauenyeâ— the shâ—reffe their frendes they weâ—e not a lytle troubled with the straungenes of the case muchâ— doubtinge that the people whiâ—â—â— before seemed to be brought to good frame woulde be impaâ—â—ed by this alteration and suche as were afore euill disposed â—oulde not be greatlye amâ—â—ded thereby The shireffe beinge the same night at Maydstone The shireffes being at Maydston that had come the â—ame daye from Oâ—â—orde fourtene myles distaunt â—o mete with Thomas Guilsâ—â—de Steuen Dorrell Edâ—â—â—d Horden Iohn Robartes and Iohn Finche Esquiers to matche towardes the Duke and in the mornynge so farre from any mistrust of that whiche folowed the same dayâ— at Rochester as hauinge no sure place to conueye the prisoners taken the dai before in the skirmishe with Isleye He left the chiefest and trustiest of his seruauntes and frendes bothe gentlemen and yomen of al his bande at Malling for the sauegarde of the prisoners where also laye the Lorde Aburgauenye and his bande doubtinge that Isleye and the rest that escaped woulde haue made some meane that night to haue recouered the prisoners sundrye of them being men of good welth and well frended and liynge within foure miles of Wyat. The sheriffes secrete returne to Mallinge Upon these newes whether it were for the absence of the lord Aburgaueny and his strength or mistrusting false measure in the towne or moued with example of the reuolte of the whitcotes he thought it shuld seeme Maydston no meâ—e place for him to make any abode nor yet good policie al partes coÌ„sidered to disclose the time of his remouynge but iudginge playnly him selfe thonly marke of these partes whereat the traitours shotte or falling any wayes into their handes so newly after the case of the duke one part of y e tragedie to be theÌ„ ended he retourned to his strength geuing knowledge to the gentlemen remayninge in Maydstone to repaire to his house for consultation what was to be done for the redubbinge of that vnhappie chaunce In whiche consultation there did rise so manye different opinions some saying they would to the Queene and some to the Earle of Penbroke being her graces LeuetenauÌ„t that y e shiriffe without further debatinge intreating the lorde Aburgaueny and certen gentilmen to remaine and entertaine suche of their bandes as they coulde holde till his retourne whiche he promised shoulde bee without delay went to the couÌ„sell for knowledge of their pleasure where he taried vneth two houres but retourned in post y e same night And at his coÌ„ming the lord Aburgaueny and he assembled as many of their force as they could call together The traitours and their frendes were growen as men reuiued from deathe to life flattering them selues that a thynge so farre aboue mennes expectation coulde not haue happened to them so fortunatlye but by Gods miraculous prouision as fauouring greatly their case so blewe it abrode as well by winde as by writinge the more parte of the people being ready to beleue it as the case in the heades of the multitudes was woÌ„derfully chaunged bothe for strength and opinion Wyat aduertised by his letter the duke of Suffolke of his victorie by Gods prouision as he termed it Wya◠〈…〉 â—o the 〈◊〉 of Suff. Whose letter was intercepted in Essex as the messenger passed the ferie by a seruaunte of sir Robert Southwels and brought to the counsell He wrote also to the duke of Norffo but in another stile his letters being open importing suche matter as foloweth Be it knowen to al men and speciallye to the duke of Norffolke that I haue taken nothing in hand Wyats letter to the Duke of Norffolke but that I will maintaine with the exspense of my life which before it departe out of my body shal be folde full dere et ce An inuictiue against y e neuters Such of those partes as honge in the wind as neuters wherof were no small nomber that had lurked in caues al the tempest watching but where shold become the victorie that for example of the euill were nothing inferiour to the arrantest traytours but rather for a number of respectes muche worse began to appeere verie cherefull geuing them selues great thankes for handling the matter so finely
being his leude guyde â—e marcheth forward coÌ„meth within the power of sir WilliaÌ„â—erberd earle of Penbroke being that daye the queenes leiuetâ—uant generall in y â— fieâ—de Who yet with diuers other noble meÌ„ and faithfull subiectes beynge tâ—en in armes with him prest and readie to receaue so impudent a race of traytourous rebels to their deserued breakefâ—st vnderstandinge partlye by â—ure spiall partly by their owne vewe that the rebels exceded not the numbre of foure thousande and most of them naked voyde of al policie and skyl considering with al that thei could not set vpoÌ„ Wyat his whole band but great effusioÌ„ of bloud shoulde folowe the queenes armie beinge so gredie to be reueÌ„ged the other so impotent to â—esist determined rather by pollicie to atcheue the victorie then by bloude shedde to confounde the rebels Wherin they shoulde please God aunswere the quenes mercifull expectation and purâ—hase vnto theÌ„ selues moste renowne and honour of that dayes seruice Upon these resolutions they permitted Wyat with the fore part of his bande to passe quietlye alonge and throughe betwene the queenes maiesties horsmen the lord Clynton being marshall of the â—â—eâ—de and captayne of the barâ—ed horses and dimilaunces on the South side Iacke of Musgraue beinge captayne of the â—ighte horsemen on the Northe side The great ordinaunce beâ—â—ge charged to shute full vpon the breast of the rebels coÌ„ming â—â—stwarde The earle of Penbroâ—e with the maine battell of fotemen aswel for handgunnes morishe pikes bowes and byls standyng in goodly aray on the â—ortheast syde behind the sayd â—â—eat ordinaunces ready to set vpon the rebels in the face comâ—â—ing towardes Holborne Wyâ—â— comminge in the forefront of his bande perceiuinge that he was thus beset with horsemen on bothe sides the great ordinauÌ„ces and the fotemen before his face Northeastward so that he could no wayes escape but necessarilye muste fall into their handes althoughe for pollicie he was suffered and a greate part of his men to passe so farre quietlye and with out resistauÌ„ce through the horsmen he sodenlye forsooke hys waye intended thorowe Holborne with might maine as faste as they coulde he and his mates ranne down vnderneth the parke wal of bricke adioyninge to the Queenes manour house called sainte Iames. The lorde Clinton obseruinge his time firste with hys dimylaunces brake their araye deuided Wyates bande in .ii. partes Then came â—he light horsemen who so hardly persued the tayle of his baÌ„de tâ—at they slewe many hurte more and toke moost of them Whiles the sayd horsmen were â—â—us in fyght with the â—aile of his bande Wyat him selfe and v. C. men or there aboute peked on still all alonge vnder sainte Iâ—mes parke wall vntill he â—â—me to Charinge crosse where dâ—â—ers of the queenes houshold sâ—ruauntes and others fought wâ—th them and in the ende killed .xvi of the rebelles Neuertâ—elesse Wyat hauinge escaped with a part of his company mercâ—inge a longe in battaile raye â—â—tred into Fletstrete and came 〈◊〉 Flete brigge toward Ludgâ—te And althoughe noman resâ—â—â—ed his passage throughe the â—â—râ—etes thus farre yet when at length he perâ—eiued that he had no helpe of frendes in London and the suburbes as he loked for lefte his men standinge still in battail araye and rode backe as â—arre as the teÌ„ple barre gate with a naked sword in his haÌ„de the hiltes vpwarde as some report at whiche gate he woulde haue gone throughe towardes Charinge crosse to the residue of his meÌ„ but he was then stopped by force of the queenes true subiectes who wolde not suffer him to passe with out teÌ„ple bar At the length came one sir Morryce barkley knight vnto him requâ—â—ed him to consider that he coulde not preuaile in thys wicked pourpose and that hys men weare all taken and slayne in the filde and therfore willed him to cease of froÌ„ any further ocâ—asion of bloude shed exhorâ—ing him to yelde him selfe prisoner to stande to the queenes mâ—rcie Whiche to doe Wyat refused and saied that he woulde rather be slain then yelde to any â—an And yet neuerthelesse as it chaunced there came a Harrold of armes immediatlye ryding in the quenes coote Armor to this place to whose cote shortlye after Wyat submitted hym selfe prisoner so went to the court at West minster and ther was brought before the priuye Counsell shortlye after with in one houre sent from thense to the Tower of LondoÌ„ prisoner Amongest other thinges this is to be remeÌ„bred that whiles the saied Wyat and certein of his men as afore saied were cominge thus towardes Flerestrete a certein Captayne of the said rebelles with diuers of his souldiers retourned from Charinge crosse downe to the court gate at white halle and gaue a larme before the gate and shorte diuers arrowes into the saied courte the gate being open in so muche that one maister Nicolas Rockewood being a gentilman of Lyncolnes inne and in armour at the said court gate was shorte throughe his nose with an arrowe by the rebelles For the comminge of the said rebelles was not loked for that way but thought that the Queenes Armye shoulde haue ioyned battell with them in the 〈◊〉 accâ—rding to promise mad◠〈◊〉 theÌ„ sayd Wyat on this hehalf 〈◊〉 promised that he would 〈◊〉 to the quenes fotebattel 〈◊〉 with theÌ„ pyke against pyke 〈◊〉 maÌ„ to man Which when it 〈◊〉 to the verie point he refuâ—â—d â— shranke a bye way by saiâ—t â—â—mes parke walle for his reâ—â—ge as you haue heard before where many of them were slain 〈◊〉 horsemen so that they came â—ot â—â—e the quenes power of the 〈◊〉 battel Which increased some â—â—sperate boldnes in the despaiâ—ing rebelles not without great disâ—oÌ„â—eâ—ure to all the court the â—â—tie of London perceiuing that he was himselfe and so many rebeles with him come through the 〈◊〉 armye thus farre wheruâ—oÌ„â—rewe great admiration amoÌ„gest who will not deceaue me And 〈◊〉 dede shortlye after newes 〈◊〉 all of victorie howe that â—yat was taken Thâ—s daye the Iudges in the â—â—men Place at Westminster 〈◊〉 in armoure The Maiour â—ldermen and the housholders 〈◊〉 the Citie by .iiij. of the clocke 〈◊〉 the morning were in armor The lorde Wyllyam Hawarde â—â—ghe Admirall being emongest 〈◊〉 Who as I haue tofore said â—â—s by the Quenes maiestie â—â—pointed Captaine generall â—iuetenaunt for the time to coÌ„â—â—â—re in counsell and ioyne in â—â—ecution with the lorde Maiour his brethren for the sure and spedie gardinge and warding of the Citie to the preâ—erâ—â—tion whereof the Queenes 〈◊〉 ensigne of God whâ—◠〈◊〉 â—ede alone gaue this victoâ—â— and alone with out pollycie 〈◊〉 might of man ouerthrewe her â—â—nemies Yet so that he therw t â—â—â—â—ared his special fauor pleaâ—â—â—â—e towardes his seruauÌ„t that â—â—ble knight the Erle of Penâ—â—â—ke in appointing him cheife â—â—â—mpion this daye to defende 〈◊〉 chosen and electe virgin â—hose faieth hath not bene waâ—â—ring in this catholike religion nor his truth seruice doughtâ—â—ll
at any time towardes hys prince Wyat as is said was coÌ„â—mitted to the Tower So were diuers other gentlemen as sone â—fter was Henrye Graye duke of Suffolke his .ii. bretherne the duke being so hardly pursued by the lord Hastinges erle â—â—â—tingdon was by him apprâ—â—hended in Leycetershire The duke of Suffolkes apprehension by the Erle of HuÌ„tiÌ„gdon wherby he declared him selfe as wel in honour and vnspotted loyaltie as in parentage patrimonie to sucâ—ede his great grandfather y e lord Hastinges whose fidelite and stedfast trueth towardes kinge Edwarde the fourthe and his chyldren the Cronicles reporte to his immortall honâ—ure Of the common people there were suche a numbre taken in the chase by the Earle of Penbroke that besides the vsuall gailes sundrie churâ—hes in Lonâ—don were made places for their sauâ—garde tyl order was taken for their enlargement The duke was arrayned by his Perres and by verdit fouÌ„de â—â—â—tie of treâ—son before the duâ—◠〈◊〉 Norff. beinge lorde Cunstaâ—â—â— and that daye his Iudge 〈◊〉 he and his brother Thoâ—â—s at seuerall dayes made 〈◊〉 ende at Tower hyll by 〈◊〉 of their heades Sundrie 〈◊〉 of Wyates complices beâ—â—ge arrained and condemne◠〈◊〉 their confession of treaâ—â—â— suffered in diuerâ— partes of 〈◊〉 â—hyre aâ— Henâ—ye 〈◊〉 â—â—â—ghte Thomas Iâ—leye hys 〈◊〉 and Water Mantel at 〈◊〉 where Wyat firste 〈◊〉 his sâ—anderde 〈◊〉 â—â—eueâ— William his broâ—â—â—r with another of the 〈◊〉 â—t Seuenockes Bret at 〈◊〉 haâ—â—inge in â—haynes◠〈◊〉 of the common sorte verye 〈◊〉 were executed saue onely 〈◊〉 he â—â—slyked the saâ—e and 〈◊〉 howe â—enitent and sâ—rowâ—â—â—â— he was therfore Certayne wordes proceding from Wyat at hys arraynemâ—â—t My Lordes I muste confesse my selfe giltie as in the ende trueth must â—â—forse me to saye and that I 〈◊〉 iustly plagued for my siÌ„nes 〈◊〉 mâ—st greuouslye I haue 〈◊〉 agaynâ—t God who 〈◊〉 suffeâ—ed me to fal into this beastlye brutiâ—hâ—nesse and horriâ—â—e offense of treason And loe in me the like ende as all sorthe that haue atteÌ„pted like enterprises from the beginning haue 〈◊〉 For peruse the Cronicles throughout and you shal finde 〈◊〉 rebellioÌ„ neuer from the beginning 〈◊〉 â—nderâ—â—andyng the greâ—◠〈◊〉 â—â—nour and suerty 〈◊〉 this realmâ— shall receyue 〈◊〉 maâ—â—â—ge if it shal please 〈◊〉 Queâ—nâ— to be mercyfull to 〈◊〉 â—hâ—re is no man liuing thâ—◠〈◊〉 more trustie and saythâ—â—â—â—◠〈◊〉 â—â—rue her grace no no◠〈◊〉 râ—â—die to die at her highâ—â—â—â—â—oteâ— what so euer the quâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 â—hus â—â—rre touchinge Wyâ—â—s wordes at his arrayneâ—â—â—t I thought not superâ—â—uâ—â—â— hereto reporte to the ende thâ—t all other blindly fallen intâ—â—he â—â—â—â—e errour woulde by the example of Wyat 〈◊〉 also â—â—th â—im to repentaunce aswel â—â—â—â—ssâ—nge to the worlde with â—â—en voyce their detestable miscâ—â—â—fe as also from the verâ—e â—â—rge suche as were in prison in 〈◊〉 countrey for that offense â—â—inge of no smale numbre but â—nd to compouâ—de by their disâ—â—â—tion with the offenders accordinge to the qualitie of their offenses Which maner of order â—â—ing not hard of in y â— like case or at the leaâ—t verye rarelye declared a singular clemencie and â—enignitie in the queene that â—eing folowed so cruelly wolde yâ—t be so moued with pitie as tâ— vouchsafe to answere them with suche lenitie in the executinge of so fewe in comparison to so great a nuÌ„bre so large a â—ause beinge all in her graces mercy to dispose at her plesure â— beside suffre the rest to escape with so smale abashement of â—heir countenaunce after so hainous â—ffense 〈◊〉 thâ—t shall peruse this storye diligentlye and coâ—sider al partes therof exactlye with remembraunce of thinges past sithence the beginning of the queenes moste happye raygne must of force recogniâ—e of what condition so euer he be the magnificence mercie and fortitude of this moste noble princesse as from time to time with such pacience to indure so great malice of her owne subiectes with suche lenitie to forbeare the reuenge of so intollerable outrage with suche mercie in the ende to pardon and remit â—o haynous and great offendours Happie was it w t those haynous offendours that her graces moste worthie and honourable counsell were so agreable to her vertuous inclination as inclined rather to pursue mercifull pardon for continuaunce of life then to prosecute reuenge by â—xecution of death It is to be wâ—â—hed by all good men with one assent that prouoked with so great clemencie these degenerates reforme theÌ„ selues and forbeare thus to attempt so gracious a princesse vnto whom by gods authoritie the sworde is not vaynly committed leste thereby they procure to theÌ„ selues damnation in sekinge by suche outrage theyr owne deathe and confusion From the desier wherof we see by a numbre of euident argumentes the queenes highnes and her honourable counsell to be so farre as by all meanes they can imagine they seeke tâ— eâ—â—hewe that they by moste wylfull and malicious meanes folowe to their subuersion ¶ An earnest conference with the degenerates and sedicious for the searche of the cause of their greate disorder HEre I purpose to shut vp this tragicall treatise touchinge the displayinge of Wyat and hys aduenture and yet not to ende my trauel concerninge the same but shall gladlye debate and conferre with thee louinge countreeman suche speciall and necessarie matter as further riseth therof tending as well to our mutual comfort presently as also to a generall doctrine to indure to oure posteritie not without presente terror to the wicked race whose hertes broile in desire to rebel Al which pointes this present storie doeth pleÌ„teouslye performe to him that listeth to learne Wherby first y â— good and godly may be comforted as by this experimente to consider howe God alwayes defendethe his chosen and electe vessell our moost gracious and mercifull princesse against the malitious and cruell assaultes of her ennemies be they neuer so craftie neuer so stronge And secondlye a generall doctrine therewith taughte or rather by newe experience renued so many times taughte before that the ineuitable end of rebellion is certein confusion to the rebel Of these two y e thirde necessarely springeth as a terrible prohibition in the heartes of the â—â—cked neuer after to attempte â—â—e lyke villanie against Gods â—â—noynted wherof they can at â—o tyme skamble other part theÌ„ small confusion linked to perpetuall infamie And to make perfite impression herof in your â—eartes you degenerates that â—annot satisfie your selfes with so vertuous a priÌ„cesse but thus â—rom time to time moleste her highnes w t seditious rumours vprores and rebellion I here â—ppeale to you chiefly require you to enter into the secrete cloâ—et of your owne heart and to â—onder with me in egall ballaunce of due consideration the incomparable vertue mercie and benignitie of this most worthy princesse oure queene with your owne mischiefe crueltie and intollerable malice And then let truth giue sentence whether this disorder groweth of â— lack in y e head or of a malicious corruptioÌ„ iÌ„ the meÌ„bres Can
that conueing theÌ„ selues out of the waie by their pollicie could auoide charge and perell so wittely And as they met w t suche as had serued faiethfully with whoÌ„ they durst be fraÌ„ke thei spared not to opeÌ„ their mouthes largely powring out such language as coulde be but lamentable or rather odible to euerie true eare tunderstande any subiecte so farre peruerted from his allegiauÌ„ce and duetie that for gaine or securitie of their owne persones would reioyce in sittinge still as indifferent where the crown is a â—â—rtie or to persuade securitie to them selues be they neuer in so stronge a holde where their soueraigne is in perill Which all thinges rightly weyed semed a straunge persuasion taccompte either gaine or sauinge in sparing some parte of the accidentes by sitting still to aduenture the losse of the principal whervpon life the wholle depeÌ„deth or by affecting a litle corruption inordinatly to lose bothe honest fame and good opinion of his countree whiche euerie honest man oughte to seke to preserue as tenderly as the wel doinge of him selfe and his wholle posteritie Thus maye we euidentlye se the diuers effectes of diuers inclinations accordinge to trueth vntrueth of perfite obedience preuailing in mennes heartes These neuters or couÌ„terfetes that woulde be neither open foes nor adueÌ„turous frendes but as wyly vultures houeringe in the winde to catch and gripe some parte of the pray althoughe they would no parte of the fray persuaded them selues to saue that whiche in their opinion the true heartie subiecte should lose by geuing suche aduenture that was securitie of bodie goodes whiche graunt they saued yet in the iust iudgemente of the honest they deserued therby the same blotte of infamie that is due to the open enemies On thother side the true and faiethful whose hartes and handes such dimme colour of vnthankefull policie coulde not witholde froÌ„ the vtteraunce of nedefull seruice in such generall case of daunger thought it rather a gaine to aduenture bodye and goodes wherby either to preserue the heade and the wholle which was cruelly pursued or at least by defense of the same to purchace vnto them their names the honest opinion of vnspotted membres and the imortalitie of good fame wherwith trueth alwaies rewardeth vnfained seruice For such an in comparable vertue is faiethfull loyaltie so muche abhorring all corruptible allurementes that whose hartes shee hathe in gouernaunce with suche neither sauour of gaine nor hope of securitie neyther persuasion of frendeshippe ne other intisement can so muche preuaile as for any respect they wil digresse from the right course of true seruice Where the contrarie wanting that perfection to tast the gaine of fortunes corruptible membres wherafter they gape to obtaine quiet to the restyue carcase and lucre to theÌ„ selues the thinge they onlye seke are easly drawen to Runne a cleane contrarie race This naughtie broode therefore of counterfetes of al other not tollerable in a common weale are speciallye to be loked to in their beginninge leaste their euill example by long sufferaunce growe to suche a president at the last that the common saiynge Good to slepe in a whole skinne beinge espied to escape without daunger or reprehension be taken vp for a pollicye A consultation of the rebels after the reuolte by the whit cotes and thereby outeweye the iuste pâ—ize of bounden duetye After this moste vnhappye chaunce the traytours wyth their newe adiunctes fell to a great and solemne counsel that same nyghte at Rochester for their procedinge in their pretensed treason In discourse whereof proceded suche vnsittinge talke as well towardes the Queenes highnes as her honorable counsell tendyng to the alteratioÌ„ of the whol state as abhorred the eares of some of the selfe traytours that vnderstandynge by that talke the ende of their purpose whereof before they were ignoraunte wished them selues vnder the earthe for beynge so vnhappy as to be so much as acquainted with so damnable an enterprise Such an opinioÌ„ had thei as they demed very fewe counsellers or officers of authoritie or of nobilty within the realme worthie the place wherevnto they were called And persuadinge great choyse to be amongest them selues for the suppliynge of that want suche ouerweninge had they oâ— them selues and made so sure a rekeninge of the victorye as they disposed the honourable offices of the realme amoÌ„g theÌ„ selues Wyat thought him selfe now so sure of the victory as seing him that offered to sell his spones and all the plate he had rather then his purpose should quaile and suppe his potage with hys mouth warranted him that he shoulde eate hys potage wyth siluer as he did England when good counsâ—ll shoulde stande it in moste auaylable stede neded no better counselours then such as they were yf they had halfe the witte they thought them selues to haue coupled with grace and honestie But what they had in dede their actes declare playnly to their owne confusioÌ„ as it hath alwaies euer herafter shall to as many as be of like disposition One of them that had some witte in dede althoughe he wanted grace perceyuing by theyr talke in what fonde frensie they were entred to interrupte them therein he sayde that suche matters were good to be treated of at further oportunitie But for the present it were mete to diuise vpon their nexte iourneye and whether it shoulde be good policie in them mindyng to march towardes London to leaue the Lorde Aburgauenye and the shireffe at libertie that annoyed their frendes by al likelyhode woulde not so ceasse as they maye or dare at theyr blacke beinge left at large One of them takinge vpon him firste to answere thought nothinge more necessarie then their sequestration And if his aduise myght haue ben heard in y e beginning the shireffe should haue been in hold as I haue heard before any thing shuld haue been atteÌ„pted A deuise to apprehende the shyreffe But the captaynes to the whitcotes mete couÌ„selours for suche an enterprise hauyng the spoyle of London in theyr eyesâ— woulde not dispute that was paste but for the present they persuaded cleane contrarye to the former opinion saiyng that their goynge aboute thapprehension of the shireffe shoulde be but a losse of time For London sayde they longed soore for theyr commynge The misrekening of y e rebels vpoÌ„ London whyche they coulde by no meane protracte without bredynge great peryll and wâ—ikenes to them selues And hauing London at their commaundement wherof they wer in no maner of doubt yf it were not loste by their slouth their reuenge to the lord Aburgaueny the shireffe with other their enemies wold easly folow Wyat sauoring ful well their disposition vnderstanding their meaing by their argâ—â—mentes and knowing also that without his assentynge therevnto he coulde not longe haue 〈◊〉 companye yelded to their coâ—nsell And so beyng out of mâ—asure exalted into hault corage and pryde by the reuolt of the white cotes he marched the daye after beyng Twesday in great
pompe and glory cariyng with him vi pieces of ordinauÌ„ce whiche they had gotten of the quenes besides their owne to Cowling castle a holde of the Lorde Cobhams foure myles distant from Rochester and not much out of their way towards London where the lord CobhaÌ„ was Wyat at his comming to Cowling castle bent his ordinaunce against the gate with great and sundry shottes fyre â—rake and burned vppe a waye â—hrough the gate The Lorde Cobham defended his castle as stoutly as any man might do hauing so fewe against so great a numbre and so litle munition him selfe discharging his gunne at suche as approched the gâ—te right hardely And in that assault two of his own men were slaine After this assault talk with the lorde Cobham Wyat marched to Grauesende where he reposed that night wyates marchiÌ„g to Dartforde From Grauesende he his bande marched the wednesday nexte after to Dartford where he reposed that night whether came sir Edwarde Hastinges maister of the Quenes horse and sir Thomas Cornewalles knightes The comming of the maister of the horse sir Thomas Cornewalles to Wyat. both of her graces honorable preuie counsell sent froÌ„ the qnene to Wyat tunderstand the cause of his commotion and â—lso as it was sayde finding any repentant submissioÌ„ in him to promise pardon or at the lest great hope therof Wyat vnderstaÌ„ding their coÌ„ming taking with him certen of his baÌ„d weÌ„t to the weast ende of the towne where he had planted his ordinauÌ„ce at the lighting of maister Hastinges sir Thomas Cornewalles froÌ„ their horsse Wyat hauing a parte sin in hys haÌ„d aduanced him selfe soÌ„what afore suche gentlemen as were with him Pridâ—â— vsing but litle reuerence due froÌ„ a subiect to couÌ„selours traced nere them to whoÌ„ the maister of the horsse spake in substaunce as foloweth The quenes maiestie requireth to vnderstand the very cause wherfore you haue thus gathered together in armes her liege people whiche is the part of a traitour and yet in your proclamations and persuasions you call your selfe a true subiecte which can not stande together I am no traitor quod Wyat the cause wherfore I haue gathered the people is to defend the realme froÌ„ oueruÌ„ning by straungers whiche muste folowe this mariage takinge place why ê™ the queenes agentes there be no strangers yet come whome eyther for power or nuÌ„bre ye nede to suspect But if this be your only quarrell because ye mislike the mariage wyl ye come to communication touching that case and the quene of her gracious goodnes is content ye shal be hearde Wyates arrogant aunâ—â—â—â—â—â— To whom Wyat shaped 〈…〉 declare his malicious entent traiterous heart to the quenes owne person and royall estate I yelde therto quod Wyat but for my suertie I wyl rather be trusted then trust And therfore I demaunde the custodie of the tower her grace in the tower the displacing of certen couÌ„sellers and placing other in their rowmes as to me shall seeme best Upon this leude answere long stout coÌ„ference was betwene them In so muche that the maister of the horsse said vnto him with a sâ—out corage wyat before thou shalt haue that thy traiterous demauÌ„de grauÌ„ted thou shalt die and xx M. with thee Shortly after the maister of y e horsie with maister Cornewalles finding him an arrant traitour desperatly set to al mischiefe retourâ—ed to the quenes maiestie The coÌ„moÌ„ people being with him calling to their remeÌ„brance how Wyat in al apparance made his whol matter of styr for straÌ„gers no waies against the quene perceiuing how vnreuerently he vsed him selfe aswel to y â— quenes harrold at Rochester as to y â— priuie couÌ„sel at Dartford coÌ„sidering w t theÌ„ selues also that he wold suffer none of the quenes proclamatioÌ„s to be read amoÌ„g them their heartes began to rise against him And among theÌ„ selues suÌ„drie of theÌ„ much murmured wisshinge with the losse of al thei had thei had neuer been acquainted with Wyat nor his doinges and in dede sought as â—any waies as thei could to be rid of him Whiche perceiued by â—â—at and his mates they deuisâ—d a brute to be sounded in his hande that the lorde Aburâ—aueny A craftie policie the shireffe did cause to be hanged as many as they câ—â—lde take coming froÌ„ Wyates â—â—nde Wherewith the people sâ—â—â—â—ing in a great mase what tâ— do were wonderfullye perâ—â—â—â—ed The queene vnderstanâ—â—â—â— by the master of the horsse â—nd sir Thomas Cornewalles the arrâ—gancie of Wyat and â—otwithstanding that she perceyued her merciful inclination rather to prouoke him then otherwise yet semed she nothing willinge euen then by violence and force as she easly mought tâ— suppresse him But yet a longer time to suffer and abide by delay and mercy her enemy mought be wonne to reconciliation The nobilitie whiche werâ— at that time with her grace The suit of the nobles to the quene peâ—â—ceiuinge such surmounting mercie rather to increase then anyâ— wayes to abate courage malice in the insolent and proudâ— heart of thâ— traytours and further vnderstandinge that the traitours demed the conâ—ation or forbearing to procede ratheâ— of debilitie feare then oâ— mercye and clemencye counselled with her grace that wiâ—â— her gracious leaue and licence they mought seâ— vpon him and his baÌ„de before he should passâ— Blacke heath declaring that to suffre suche an arrogant traytour beinge but a meane â—â—mâ—er to approche thus contempâ—â—â—uslye so nere her royall perâ—on as it were in defiaunce of â—er grace her true subiectes â—houlde greatlye redounde to their dishonours in the opinion of all faithfull men thoroughout the world The Quenes answer to the nobles The quene gaue them all moste heartie and louing thankes sayinge that she nothinge doubted of their true heartes towarde her Yet was she lothe to make anye profe or triall therof in suche quarell as shoulde be with losse of bloude For to represse them with violence and subdue them by the sworde coulde not haue so happie successe but manye of my pore subiectes quod she should derelye bye it with the losse of their liues Wherfore she determined to suffer as longe as she mought and to forbeare that practise tyl there were no other hope ne remedie For albeit in the capitall traytours therâ— coulde be but great default yet in the multitude she was persuaded to be no malice but onlye misled by their captaynes and rather seduced by ignoraunce then vpon any euyl purpose ment to her grace Wherfore she desired them to be contented for she was fully determined to continue her mercifull sufferaunce and other her gentle meanes soo longe as shee mought and vanquish her enemies without the sword if any sparâ—le of obedience or naturall zeale remaine in their heartes Notwithstanding she required 〈◊〉 to prepare and retayne 〈◊〉 force in a readines if their â—â—â—â—e heartes should driue her 〈◊〉 vse extremitie But her highnes