English fugitiues did much vrge him and the Pope promise a Cruciata in this Warre as in the holy Warre was vsed The King of Spaine was so wholly defixed vpon Portugall that nothing could remoue him from that resolution Now when it was knowne that Stucley and all his Italians in Mauritania were slaine and that the Spanyard thought of nothing but Portugall the English Navy that watched for Stucley vpon the Irish Seas was called home and all was quiet in England and Ireland By this Pageant we may obserue how zealous these holy Fathers of Rome are not to win soules to Christ but to winne Kingdomes to their Bastards Two Popes proceed in the same course of malice and malediction against Queene Elizabeth one English fugitiue makes them both fooles But our part is to remember who governeth the world and turneth the wise and politike counsells of all the enemies of his Church into foolishnes We giue God the prayse and remember these things for no other end but to giue the glory to him CHAPTER V. IN the next place comes vp Nicholas Sâ—nders that in the defence of the Roman visible Monarchy ecclesiasticall had written But finding that he could doe no good by writing he falleth now vnto another course to be the firebrand of a Rebellion in Ireland Iames fitz Morice being pardoned for a former Rebellion withdrew himselfe into France promising the French King that if he would send helpe he would ioyne all Ireland to the French Scepter and restore the Romane Religion in the I le But being wearied with delayes and finding himselfe derided from France he went to Spaine and promised the same to the Spanyard Who sent him to the Pope From the Pope at the earnest suâ—e of Nicholas Sanders an English Priest and one Alan an Irish Priest he obtained a little money And to Sanders authoritie Legatine was granted he got forsooth a consecracrated Banner and Letters of commendation to the Spanyard and so returned into Spaine From Spaine he came into Ireland with those Priests three shippes and a small company of souldiers He landed at Smerwick in Kirria a Chersones in Ireland about the first of Iuly An. 1579. Where when the place was first orderly consecrated he raised a fort and withdrew his shippes Which shippes were presently surprised and carried away by Thomas Courtney an English Gentleman who with a warre ship stayed by chance in a neare haven and so excluded the Spanyards from the benefit of the Sea Iohn Desmond and Iames brethren to the Earle of Desmond speedily ioyne themselues to their cousin fitz Morice The Earle himselfe who heartily favoured the cause counterfeiting the contrary called his men together in shew to resist them but craftily caused the Earle of Clanriâ—ket to withdraw himselfe who was comming to helpe him against the rebells The Lord Deputy vnderstanding by certaine messengers that the enemies were landed sent Henry Dauil an English Gentleman a man of valour and who had good acquaintance with the Desmonds to the Earle of Desmond and to his brethren commanding them presently to set vpon the fort which the enemies had raised But that they reâ—used to doe as a thing full of dangers And as Dauil returned Iohn Desmond followeth him and overtaketh him at Trally in an Inne And in the night time having corrupted the host came into his chamber with some other cut-throats having drawnâ— swords in their hands where Dauilus slept in securitie with Arthur Carter an old souldier a man of worth Deputy-governour of Monmuth But being awaked with the tumult when he saw Iohn Desmond with a naked sword rushing towards him What is the matter my â—onne quoth he for so was he wont familiarly to call him nay said Desmond I am no more thy sonne nor thou my father for thou shalt die And presently thrust him and Carter which lay with him through with many woundes and killed them both Dauilus his foot-boy defended his Master with his naked body receiving many wounds to saue his Master if he could Then he killed all Dauils servants which lay scattered in diverse places And returning to the Spanyards all imbrued in bloud he gloried of the slaughter which he had made Let this said he be to you a pledge of my faith to you and to the cause Doctor Sanders commended this action as a sweet sacrifice before God Iames fitz Morice blamed the manner of the slaughter he would haue had it rather in the way then in their bed The Earle when he heard of it vtterly detested it When the Spanyards saw but a few Irish ioyne themselues with them and they poore and vnarmed farre otherwise then fitz Morice had promised they began to distrust to cry out they were vndone to bewaile their fortunes seeing all wayes was shut vp so that they saw no meanes to escape by Sea or Land Fitz Morice exhorts them to expect with patience a while he told them great forces were comming to helpe them And himselfe tooke a iourney to the holy crosse of Tippararia pretending to performe a Vow which he made in Spaine but in truth to gather together the seditious of Conach and Vlster Whilst he was thus in iourney with a few horse and twelue foot as he passed by the land of William á Burg his kinsman and taking some horses from the Plow because his horses tyredâ— the husbandmen made Hue and Cry and raised the neighbourhood to recover the horses Amongst these that went to recover the horses were the sonnes of William á Burg forward young men who pursued them so sharply that they overtooke them Fitz Morice seeing Theobald á Burg and his brethren who had indeed in a former rebellion taken part with fitz Morice Cosins quoth he let vs not striue for two or three paltry lades I doubt not but if you knew the cause why I am returned into Ireland you would ioyne your selues with me Theobald answered It repenteth me my Father and all our friends of the last rebellion But now we haue sworne our fealtie to our most gracious Princesse who hath granted to vs our liues and we will keepe our faith and alleagance and therefore restore the horses or I will make thee restore them And withall he ran vpon him with his Speare They sought a while together Theobaldus and another of his brethren with some other were slaine Fitz Morice also himselfe being runne through with a Spâ—are and his head shot through with a Buller was slaine with divers of his men Queene Elizabeth hearing of this chance wrote Letters full of sorrow and loue to William á Burg comforting him for the death of his sonnes She honored him with the title of Baron of Conell Castle and rewarded him with a yearely Pension The old man being over-â—oyed with such vnexspected fauours dyed not long after Sir William Drury then Lord Deputy came neare to Kilmaloch and sent for the Earle of Desmond who comming to him promised his faith and alleagance to
his Prince and sweare that himselfe and his men should fight against the rebells Wherevpon he was dismissed to gather his companies and to returne to the Lord Deputy Iohn Desmond the Earles brother who was by the rebells put in the place of Fiâ—z Morice lying in ambush did intrap Herbert Prise with the bandes which they led and killed them Himselfe being hurt in the face Some supplyes came out of England and Perrot was sent with six warre-ships to defend the coast the Lord Deputy grew so sicke that he was forced to withdraw to Waterford for his healths sake and appointed Nicholas Malbey governour of Connach a famous and approued Souldier to follow the Warres And worthy Sir William Drury soone after died Malbey sent to the Earle of Desmond and often admonished him of his dutie and promise and seeing it not good to linger in such a businesse he brought his forces into Conil a woody Country against the rebells There was Iohn Desmond who in battell array and with the Popes consecrated banner displayed received the forces of Malbey It was sharply fought on both sides But the vertue of the English prevailed Iohn Desmond fled first away and left his men to the slaughter Among them was found Alan the Irish Priest who exhorting them to the battell had promised them the Victory Malbey by a messenger sent for the Earle to come and his forces with him and when he in vaine expected him foure dayes he came to Rekell a towne of Desmond Here the Earle began to shew himselfe plainly for the rebells after that he had a long time vsed dissimulation in his wordes and countenance The same night the rebells set vpon Malbey his tents in the darke but finding them well fortified they went away and did no harme After the death of Sir William Drury William Pelhâ—m was sent Loâ—châ—eâ—e Instice into Ireland with the authoritie of a Deputy vntill a Deputy should be sent the Earle of Ormond was made goueâ—nour of Munster who sent Desmonds sonne which he had with him as a pledge to be kept at Dublin Pelham chiefe Iustice commeth to Munster sends for Desmond but he sending Letters by his wife excuseth himselfe Wherevpon the Earle of Ormond was sent to him to admonish him to deliver into the handes of the Lord chiefe Iustice Sanders the Priest the forrain souldiers and the Castles of Carigofoil and Asketten and to submit himselfe absolutely and turne his forces against his brother and the other rebells Which thing if he would doe he might obtaine pardon of his rebellion otherwise he was to be declared a traytor and enemy to his Country Whilst he held off with delayes and delusions he was declared a traytor in the beginning of December An 1579. That he had dealt with forrain Princes for invading and subverting his Countrey That he had retained Sanders and fitz Morice rebells That he had helped the Spanyards after they were gone out of the fort at Smerwick That he had hanged the Queenes faithfull subiects had advanced the banner of the Pope against the Queene that he had brought strangers into the kingdome After this proclamation the chiefe Iustice appointed the warres against Desmond to be prosecuted by the Eaâ—le of Ormâ—nd The Earle of Ormond with his forces destroyed Conilo the onely refuge which the rebells had he draue away their Cattell and gaue them a prey to be devided among his souldâ—ers He hanged the Balife of Yonghall before hiâ— dore because he had reâ—used to take a band of English into the Towne And then began to besiege the Spanyards in Strangiâ—all but they fearing such a thing had conveyed themselues out of danger Yet the English followed them and killed them all And every way through Munster pressed the rebells most sharply Desmond and his brethren were so hard driven hiding themselues in their lurking holes that they wrote to the chiefe Iustice signifying that they had taken vpon them the patronage of the Catholike faith in Irelanâ— and prayed him to take part with them This shewed their cause was desperate they had no hope vnlesse he that was come purposely against them would helpe them The Chiefe Iustice laughing pleasantly at the motion went to Munster and called the Nobles to him and kept them neither would dismisse them vntill they had given pledges and promised their helpe against the rebels to ioyne with him and the Earle of Ormond They therevpon deviding their bandes sought out the rebells They forced the Baron of Lixnaw to yeeld himselfe they besiegeâ— Carigoâ—oil-Castle which Iulius an Italian with a few Spanyards maintained and breaking the walls by the force of great Ordnance they entred and killed or hanged all that kept the place with Iulius also At this time came Arthur Lord Grey Lord Deputy into Ireland An 1580. Soone after his comming about seaven hundred Italians and Spanyards sent from the Pope and King of Spaine vnder the gouernment of San-Iosephus an Italian came into Ireland vnder the pretence of restoring the Roman Religion but the purpose was to divert the Queenes forces and call her from other cares to Ireland onely They tooke land without any trouble at Smerwick in Kirria for Winter that had a good while stayed in that coast with ships waiting for them was now returned to England thinking they would not come in winter They made the place strong and called it fort del or But as soone as they heard that the Earle of Ormond was comming towards them by the perswasion of the Irish they left the fort and betooke themselues into the valley Glamingell which was compassed about with high mountaines and woods The Earle tooke some of them who being questioned of their number and purpose they confessed that 700. were come that so much armour is brought that may serue 5000. that mo are daily expected out oâ— Spaine that the Pope and King of Spaine are resolved to draw the English out of Ireland that for that end they haue sent an huge sâ—m of money which they haue delivered into the handes of Sanders the Popes Nuntio of the Earle of Desmond and Iohn his brother That night the Italians Spanyards were much to seeke not knowing what way to turne themselues not knowing to hide themselues as the Irish doe in dens and bogs and therefore in the darke they went backe to their Fort neare to which the Eâ—rle of Ormond had pitched but being vnprovided of Ordnance and other things needfull for oppugnation he stayed for the comming of the Lord Deputy Who soone after came accompanied with Zouch Ralegh Denie Maâ—worth Achin and other Captaines At that time came Winter out of Englanâ— with warre shippes much blamed for withdrawing himselfe when there was need of his service The Lord Deputy sent a trumpetter to the â—ort to demand what they were What businesse they had in Ireland Who sent them Why they had fortified a place in the Queenes Kingdome And withall to command them presently to depart
time was rather spent in taking of booties and friuolous parlies then in any memorable exploit The one looking still for fitter opportunities and the other expecting daily his promised succours from Spaine To spare the shedding of bloud the Queene commanded her Commissioners the Treasurer and chiefe Iustice to conferre with Tyrone who complained of wrongs offered to him by Sir Henry Bagnall Marshall and thereupon exhibited a petition in humble manner containing that himseâ—fe and all his followers might be pardoned and be restored to their former estates that they might freely exercise their Romish Religion that no Garrison souldiers Shirriffe or other officer should intermeddle within the iurisdiction of his Earledome that the company of fifty Horsemen with the Queenes pay might be restored to him in the same state that formerly he had led them that the spoilers of his Countrey and people might be punished and that Sir Henry Bagnall should pay him a thousand pound promised in dowry with his Sister whom Tyrone had married and who was now deceased Others also laid out their grieuances conceiued such were Odonell Brian Mac Hugh ogâ— Mac Mahun and Euer Mac Conly They receiued reasonable answers to their demands But vnto them the commissioners proposed certaine Articles That they should forthwith lay downe their Armes disperse their forces submâ—ssiuely acknowledge their disloialties admit the Queenes Officers in their gouernment re-ediâ—ie the forts they had defaced suffer the Garrison to liue without disturbance make restitution of spoiles tâ—ken confesse vpon their oathes how far they had dealt with forraine Princes and renounce all forraine aid These propositions the Rebels liked not but departed with a resolution to maintaine their owne demands Which moued Generall Norrice aided with the Lord Deputy to march with his Army to Armagh when Tyrone heard of his approach in great perplexity he forsooke the Fort of Blacke-water set on fire the villages about and plucked downe the towne of Dungannon with part of his owne house bewailing his state to be past reâ—ouery The countrey thus wasted and no victuals to be had Norrice set a Garrison in the Church of Armagh strengthned Monahan and proclaimed Tyrone Traitor in his owne territories Tyrone to gaine time presented to him a fained Petition signed with his owne hand cast himselfe downe at the Queenes Pictures feet vngirâ—â—s sword and craued pardon vpon his knees And in the meane time dealt for aides out of Spaine wherein hee preuailed so farre that King Philip sent messengers with capâ—tulations that at a praefixed time hâ—â— would send him a competent Armie to ioyne with the Irish that all conditions of Peace with the English should be reiected and that the Rebels should be furnished with munition from Spaine Hereupon though there was a cessation from Armes he began to hurry and wast the country and burne villages and driue away booties And hauing done this put on the vizard of dissimulation againe sued for pardon which to effect hee sent the Letters of King Philip his promises to the Lord Deputy with the causes of his owne discontents so he shuffled that by his dissimulation or by the negligence of others most part of Connaught and all Vlster were reuolted and in a rebellion In which estate Thomas Lord Burrough was sent Lord Deputy into Ireland he was no sooner arriued but Generall Norrice being crossed at the Court or discontented died as was thought through griefe The Lord Deputy set presently forward to meet with the Rebels whom hee encountred at Moiry and defeating them tooke the Fort of Black-water The enemies seeking to rescue it were defeated by the Earle of Kildare but Tyrone thinking all his hope was gone if he lost that Fort beleaguerd it The Lord Deputy preparing straightway to rescue the place was suddenly taken with sicknesse and died Tyrone lay still before the Fort of Blacke-water for the raising of his siege Sir Henry Bagnall was sent with fourteene Ensignes of the choisest troupes These the Earle met neare to Armagh being most eagerly bent against S â— Henry by his exact care and diligence or by the others negligence he got the victory wherein Sir Henry lost his life the English had not receiued such an ouerthrow since their first setting foot in Ireland 15. Captaines were killed and 1500. Souldiers were routed and put to flight The Garrison of Blacke-water hereupon surrendred and the Rebels were thereby furnished with Munition and Armour and Tyrones glory extolled By this the strength of the rebellion was increased In this desperate estate stood Ireland when Robert Earle of Essex was sent thither Lord Lieuetenant and Lord Gouernour Generall he led twenty thousand Soldiers sixteene thousand foot the rest horse-men as soone as hee came he called a councell touching the affaires It was thought fittest that Monster should bee first cleared of those petty Rebels lying nearest whereupon contrary to his owne opinion and his directions receiued from the Queene hee made first to Monster and cleared those parts though with more losse of time and men then was well liked of the state here from thence he went into Leâ—nster against the O Conars and O Neiles whom he vanquished Thence he sent Sir Coniers Clifford against Orork himselfe taking another way to distract the Forces of Tyrone Sir â—â—niers Clifford was defeated and slaine whereupon the Lord Generall made towards Vlster and came to Louth Tyrone shewed himselfe vpon the hills on the other side of the Riuer And falling vnto his wonted vaine of dissimulation desired a parley with the Lord Lieuetenant but hee reiected it answering that if hee would conferre with him hee should finde hâ—m the next morning in the head of his troupes on which day after a light skirmish a horseman of Tyrones troupes cryed with a loud voice that Tyrone was not willing to fight but to parley vpon peace with the Lord Generall which thing was againe denied The next day as the Lord Lieuetenant was in his march forward one Hagan sent from Tyrone met him and declared that the Earle most humbly desired to haue the Queenes mercy and peace and besought that his Lordship would be pleased to afford him audience which if hee would grant then would he with all reuerence attend at the foord of the Riuer not farre from Louth To this motion at last he consented and sent to discouer the place and hauing a troupe of horse vpon the next hill came downe alone to the Riuer Tyrone attending on the other side as soone as he saw his approach rode into the Riuer vp to the Saddle and with semblance of reuerence saluted the Lord Lieuetenant And hauing had some conference together the space of an houre both returned to their companies after this Tyrone making suit for a further conference the Lord Lieuetenant taking with him the Earle of Southampton Sir George Bourchier Sir Warram Saint Leger Sir Henry Danâ—ers Sir Edward Wingfield and Sir William Constable went to the Foord where Tyrone with his
Savage a barbarous fellow vpon the instigation oâ— Rhemish Priests voweth to kill Queene Elizabeth Babingtons treasonable practise to take away the Queenes life vpon a motion from Ballard the Priest defeated and he with his Complices deservedly punished CHAP. X. The French Ambassadours plot with Stafford to take away the life of the Queene detected by Stafford himselfe The end of Yorke and Stanlâ—y traytors to their Countâ—â—y CHAP. XI The Spanish preparations for the Invincible Navie The Duke of Parma treateth of a peace Delegates sent over about it The conference of the Delegates broke off without fruit CHAP. XII The Invincible Armie described At the first setting out shaken sore with a tempest The gests of each day related particularly and punctually The trusted in their strength we in the name of our God They are fallen and we stand vpright CHAP. XIII Trouble from Ireland by Tyrone lurking in Spaine His many dissembling submissions to the Queene of England A treatie of peace concluded CHAP. XIV Vpon the comming of the Earle of Essex into England from Ireland Tyrone contrary to his promise stirreth and rebelleth afresh and is incouraged by the Pope and ayded by â—he King of Spaine These forces are vanquished by the Lord Deputie Herevpon Don Iohn de Aqâ—ila a Spanish Captaine who was sent to ayâ—â—e the rebells and kept Kinsale capitulates for peace Tyrone forsaken of his followers submits himselfe to the Lord Deputie and is pardoned Plotting a new rebellion when he was called by Processe to answer a suit of the B. of Derry thinking the treason to be discovered by O cane who inforced the Bishop in his suit sted out of Ireland In â—hese troubles and treasons see the Machinations of Satans seed against the seed of the Woman that is the Church and the miraculous deliverances and victories of the Church according to that The Womans seed shall breake the serpents head spoken of Christ appliable to the Church and particularly to our Church of England which that Bâ—laam of Rome seeks now by all meanes to draw from God because he knowes he cannot prevaile against vs till we for sake God CHAP. XV. A great mischiefe intended to the Kings Maiestie at his first entrance into the Kingdome of England before his Coronation Watson and Clark Priests administring oaths of secresie and applauding the proiect It came to nothing by Gods mercie The Kings Maiesties clemency towards the Conspiratours after iudgement paâ—t vpon them No treason in England attempted but had a Romish Priest in the practise CHAP. XVI A horrible treason was a hatching and breeding in the last yeare of Queene Elizabeth By Garnetts meanes and others the King of Spaine is delt withall for an invasion he entertaines the motion but vpon the entrance of King Iames did not proceed to any forcible enterprise The Gun-powder treason takes ground and life from the doctriâ—e of Parsons and the Iesuites It was first propounded by Catesby to Winter The oath of secresâ—e taken by the Conspiratours Provision of Powder and Wood for the mine Their consultation what to doe after the blow was given The letter sent to the Lord Mounteagle scanned by the Earle of Salisbury and other Prâ—vy Councellers but truely interpreted by the King in whose mouth there was a divine sentence at that time so that he did not erre in iudgement The Examination of Fawks The apprehension and confusion of the Powder-traytors God from heaven both by his Word and protection hath manifestly showne our Church to be the true Church and the Popish Church to be the malignant Church and degenerate from the auncient Romane Church both in manners and doctrines Coronis The Conclusion containes diverse Considerations proposed to such as are not well affected to Religion A THANKFVLL REMEMBRANCE OF GODS MERCY CHAPTER I. HAving a purpose to obserue Gods great and merciful deliueraÌ„ces of the Church of England and Gods holy protectioÌ„ of the same against the manifolde most dangerous most desperate practises of the adversaries that haue with strange malice and crueltie sought the destruction thereof and intending to fetch the beginning of this search from the beginning of the Raigne of Queene ELIZABETH of blessed memory I knew no better way how to enter into this Narration then to begin with the consideration of the State of Queene ELIZABETH at her first entrance for therein will appeare a wonderfull Worke of God and my intention is to obserue the great Workes of God that God may be glorified When this famous Queene first entred shee found the State much afflicted and weakned All the great States about her were enemies Friends none King Philip who offred his loue and kindnesse to her and would haue married her offering to obteine the Popes dispensation for him to marry two Sisters as the like dispensation was obteined by Ferdinand his great Grand-father for hâ—s daughter Katharine to marry two Brothers he offering this kindnesse and being refused and reiected grew first into dislike and discontent afterwardes into hatred and at last brake out into open Warres The French King Henry the 2. with whom she sought peace fell off also into open Warres His sonne Francis having married Mary Queene of Scotland was moved by the Guysians to cause the Armes of England to be ioyned to the Armes of Scotland to professe the Queene of Scots the heire of England and because Elizabeth was accounted by them an Heretike therefore they sought to put her by to set the Queene of Scots in her place so should the French King haue England also For the effecting of this they sent their Armies into Scotland purposing fâ—om thence to haue subdued England In so much that Sebastianus Martignius a young Noble man of the family of Luxenburg who was sent into Scotland with a thousand â—oote and some Companies of horse could hardly be disswaded from entring England presently So that Spaine France and Scotland were enemies The State was then much troubled and oppressed with great debt contracted partly by Henry 8. partly by Edward 6. in his minoritie The treasure was exhausted Calis was lost Nothing seemed to be left to her but a weake and poore State destitute of meanes and friends If shee would haue admitted the Popish Religion then might all these difficulties haue beene removed But establishing the Gospell shee vnderstood well that shee drew all these troubles vpon her owne head Yet she gaue the glory to God and in hope of Gods holy protection she established Gods holy truth And verily she did not serue God in vaine For it is a thing to be wondred at that the Land being then without strength without Forces without Souldiers yea without Armour all things necessary should be so suddenly furnished She had provided Armour at Antwerpe but King Philip caused that to be stayed Yet was she not discouraged but layd out much money vpon Armour though she found the Treasury but poore She procured Armour and weapons out of Germany She caused many great
to Neuil whom I entertained at my table and this was done full six moneths before he accused me After this he came to me And let vs dare said he to doe something seeing of the Queene we can obtaine nothing And he proposed some things of the delivery of the Scots Queene I did here interpose O but I haue a greater matter in my head and more profitable for the Catholike Church The next day he came and swearing vpon the Bible that he would keepe my counsell and constantly prosecute whatsoever was vsefull for the Catholike Religion And I sware in like sort Our determination was to set vpon the Queene with ten horsemen as she was riding in the fields and so to kill her Which thing Neuil concealed all this while But when the newes came that the Earle of Westmerland was dead whose inheritance he hoped to haue presently not respecting his oath he opened these things against me These things Parry confessed in the presence of the Lord Hunsdon Sir Christopher Harton and Sir Francis Walsingham privie Councellers and farther by his Letters to the Queene to Burghley Lord Treasurer and to the Earle of Leicester he acknowledged his fault and craued pardon Some few dayes after he was brought to VVestminster hall to iudgement Where the heads of his accusation being read he confessed himselfe guiltie Sir Christohper Hatton to satisfie the multâ—â—de present thought it fit that the crime should punctually be opened out of his own confession Which Parry himselfe acknowledged to be free not extorted and the Iudges intreated that he would reade them But the Clarke of the Crowne read them and the Letters of the Cardinall of Come Parry his Letters to the Queene to the Lord Burghley and the Earle of Leicester all which he granted to be true Yet he denied that he was at any time resolved to kill the Queene He was therefore commanded to speake if he had any thing to say why iudgement should not passe Here he answered with perturbation as one troubled with the conscience of the crime I see I must die because I was not resolved And being desired to speake more plainly if he would say any thing My bloud said he be among you When sentence of death was pronounced against him he ragingly cited the Queene to the tribunall seat of God Being brought to the gallowes he bragged much that he had beene a faithfull keeper of the Queene because he had not killed her Thus like a glorious Roman Catholike never once in one word coÌ„mending himselfe to God he died like a traytor in the court before VVestminster Hall where the Lords and Commons were then assembled in Parliament In this Parliament some lawes were enacted for the Queenes safety against the Iesuites and Priests who attempted daily horrible treasons from the Bull of Pius V. It was therefore enacted that within forty daies they should all depart the Land If any came in againe after that and stayed here they should be guilty of treason that if any received them wittingly and willingly or interteined them nourished or helped them such should be guiltie of fellony that they who are brought vp in the seminaries if they returne not within sixe monethes after warning given and should not submit themselues to the Queene before a Bishop or two Iustices of peace they should be guiltie of treason And they who had submitted if they should within ten yeares come to the Court or nearer then ten miles of the Court that then their submission should be voyd They who sent any money by any means to the Students of the seminaries should be guiltie of Praemunire If any of the Peeres of the Realme that is Dukes Marquesses Earles Vicounts Barons of the Parliament should offend against these lawes he should be tryed by his Peeres They who know any Iesuites and Priests to lye lurking in the Realme and within twelue dayes doe not detect them shall be fined at the Queenes pleasure and put in prison If any be suspected to be one of those Iesuites or Priests and shall not submit himselfe to examination for his contempt he shall be imprisoned vntill he submit He that shall send any Christian or any other to the Seminaries and Colledges of the Popish profession shall be fined an hundreth pounds They that are so sent shall not succeed in inheritance nor inioy any goods what way soever they may chance And so shall it be to them that within a yeare returne not from those seminaries vnlesse they conforme themselues to the Church of England If the keepers of havens permit any to passe the seas without the Queenes licence or the licence of six Councellers except Mariners and Merchants they shall be remoued from their places the Ship-master that carries them shall loose the Shipp and all the goods in her and be imprisoned a whole yeare The severitie of these lawes which were no lesse then necessary for such times and such mischiefes made the Papists in England afeard and among others Philip Howard Earle of Arundell in so much as fearing least he might offend against those lawes he purposed to leaue his countrey He had his bloud restored by the Queenes favour three yeares before And after that being dis-favoured by reason of some secret suggestions of certaine great personages against him he secretly gaue himselfe to the Popish Religion and made choice of an austere life Surely if good instructours might haue beene admitted to him he might haue beene easily and happily confirmed in the truth He was once or twice called before the Councell table and refuted the things obiâ—cted to him Yet was he commanded to keepe his house Six moneths after he was set at libertie and came to the Parliament but the first day whilst the Sermon was preached he withdrew himselfe out of the company The Parliament being ended being as then resolved to depart he wrote to the Queene a long and a mournfull complaint which Letters he commanded should be delivered after his departure he complained of the envie of his potent adversaries wherevnto he was forced to yeeld seeing they triumphed over his innocency He recounted the vnfortunate destinies of his ancestors of his great grandfather condemned his cause not being heard of his grand-father who for matters of small moment was beheaded and of his father whom he affirmed to be circumvented by his adversaries who yet never had an evill minde against his Prince nor Countrey As for himselfe least he should succeed the heire of his fathers infelicitie said he to the end that he might serue God and provide for the health of his soule he had forsaken his Countrey but not his alleagance to his Prince After these Letters were delivered he went into Sussex and having provided a shippe in an obscure corner and now being ready to take ship he was apprehended by the meanâ—s of those whom he trusted and by the master of the ship discovered and was sent into the Tower as a prisoner CHAPTER
foot and two thousand horse to guard the Queene The Lord Grey Sr Francis Knolles Sr Iohn Norrice Sr Richard Bingham Sr Roger Williams men famously knowne for Military experience were chosen to confer of the land fight These thought fit that all those places should be fortified with men muâ—ition which were commodious to land in either out of Spaine or out of Flanders as Milford hauen Falmouth Plimmouth Portland the I le of Wight Portsmouth the open side of Kent called the Downs the mouth of Thames Harwich Yarmouth Hull c. That trained souldiers through all the maritim Provinces should meet vpon warning given to defend these places that they should by their best means and power hinder the enemy to take land if he should take land then should they wast the country all about and spoile every thing that might be of any vse to the enemy that so he might find no more vittals then what he brought vpon his shoulders with him And that by continuall Alarums the enemy should finde no rest day or night But they should not try any battell vntill divers Captaines were mett together with their Companies That one Captaine might be named in every Shire which might command At this time divers told the Queene that the Spaniards were not so much to be feared without as the Papists within for the Spaniards durst make no attempt vpon England but vpon confidence of their helpe within And therefore for the securitie of the whole their heads were vpon some pretenses to be cut off Producing for this thing the example of Henry 8. For when the Emperour French King at the Popes instigation were combined and ready to invade England King Henry presently executed the Marquess of Exceter the Lord Montacute Edward Neuil and others whom he suspected to favour the enemies which thing as soone as he had done the intended invasion was stopped and proceeded no further But this advise the Queene vtterly disliked as being cruell she thought it enough to commit some of the Papists to Wisbich Castle in cuâ—tody and casting her eyes and mind on every side she stirred vp her Nobles with Letters often though they were carefull watchfull of themselues She certified Fitz Williams Lord Deputy of Ireland what she would haue done there She sent to the King of Scots to warne him to take good heed of Papists and the Spanish faction But he knowing well what a tempest and desolation was hanging and threatning both alike having already set his heart vpon the maintenance of true religion and resolving to take part with the truth in prosperitie and adversitie which is onely able to saue and deliver her maintainers had a little before refused to heare the Bishop of Dumblan sent thâ—ther from the Pope and had caused a league to be made among the Protestants of Scotland for resistance of the Spanyards and himselfe comming to Anandale with an army besieged Maxwell and tooke him and committed him to prison who was lately returned out of Spaine against his faith and alleagance and came with an intent to favor the Spanish side he declared the Spanyards should be held as enemies and against them caused all with great alacritie to be ready in Armes Among these preparations for warre which were great on both sides the councels of peace were not vtterly cast away Two yeares before the Duke of Parma considering how hard a matter it was to end the Belgick warre so long as it was continually nourished and supported with ayd from the Queene he moued for a treaty of peace by the meanes of Sir Iames Croft one of the privy councell a man desirous of peace Andrew Loe a Dutch man and professed that the Spaniard had delegated authority to him for this purpose But the Queen fearing that there was some cunning in this seeking of peace that the friendship betweene her and the confederate Provinces might be dissolved and that so they might secretly be drawne to the Spanyard she deferred that treaty for some time But now that the Warres on both sides prepared might be turned away she was content to treat of Peace but so as still holding the weapons in her hand For this purpose in February delegates were sent into Flanders the Earle of Derby the Lo Cobham Sr Iames Croft Dr Dale and Dr Rogers These were received with all humanity on the Dukes behalfe they presently sent Dr Dale to him that a place might be appointed for the treating that they might see the authoritie to him delegated from the Spanish King He appointed the place neare to Ostend not in Ostend which then was holden of English against the King his authority delegated he promised then to shew when they were once met together He wished them to make good speed in the businesse least somwhat might fall out in the meane time which might trouble the motions of peace Richardotus spake somewhat more plainly that he knew not what in this interim should be done against England Not long after D. Rogers was sent to the Prince by an express commandement from the Queene to know the truth whether the Spanyard had resolved to invade England which he and Richardotus did seeme to signifie He affirmed that he did not so much as thinke of the invasion of England when he wished that the businesse might proceed with speed And was in a maner offended with Richardotus who denied that such words fell from him The 12 of April the Count Aremberg Champigny Richardotus D. Maeâ—ius Garnier Delegated from the Prince of Parma mett with the English and yeelded to them the honor both in walking and sitting And when they affirmed that the Duke had full authority to treat of Peace the English moued that first a truce might be made Which they denied alledging that that thing must needs be hurtfull to the Spanyard who had for six moneths maintained great Army which might not be dismissed vpon a truce but vpon an absolute peace The English vrged that a truce was promised before they came into Flanders The Spanyard against that held that six moneths since a truce was promised which they granted but was not admitted Neither was it in the Queenes power to vndertake a truce for Holland and Zealand who daily attempted hostility The English mooued instantly that the truce might be generall for all the Queenes territories and for the Kingdome of Scotland but they would haue it but for foure Dutch townes which were in the Queenes hands that is Ostend Flushing Bergen vp zom the Briel and these onely during the treating and twenty dayes after and that in the meane time it might be lawfull for the Queene to invade Spaine or for the Spanyard to invade England either from Spain or Flanders Whilst these delayes were made concerning the truce and place which at last was appointed at Bourburg Crâ—ft vpon an earnest desire to peace went privatly to Bruxells without the knowledge of the other Delegates and
some small Barkes to the next English shore to supply the provision And deuided all his Navy into foure squadrons The first was vnder his owne government the second Drake governed the third Hawkins the fourth Forbisher And he appointed out of every squadron certaine little shippes which on divers sides might set vpon the Spanyards in the night but a suddain calme tooke them and so that advise was without effect The 25 day being S. Iames day S. Anne the Galeon of Portugall not being able to hold course with the rest was set vpon by some small English shippes For whose ayd came in Leua and Didacus Telles Enriques with three Galeasses which the Admirall and the Lord Thomas Howard espying made in against the Galeasses the calme was so great that they were drawne in by boates with cordes and did so beat vpon the Galeasses with great shot that with much adoe and not without great losse they hardly recouered the Galeon The Spanyardes reported that the Admirall of Spaine was that day in the hindmost company and being nearer the English shippes then before was sore beaten with the English great ordinance many men slaâ—e in her her great mast overthrowne And after that the Admirall of Spaine accompanied with Râ—caldus others did set vpon the English Admirall who by the benefit of the winde turning escaped The Spanyardes hold on their course againe and send to the Duke of Parma that with all speed he should ioyne his shippes with the Kings Fleet. These things the English knew not who write that they had iâ—ricken the Lâ—ntern from one of the Spanish shippes the stemme from another and had sore beaten a third doing much harme to her That the non Parigly and the Mary Rose fought a good while with the Spanyards and the Triumph being in danger other shippes came in good time to helpe her Thus it is in battell they who are present and actors report not alwayes the same of the same things each reporting what himselfe observed The next day the Lord Admirall knighted the Lord Thomas Howard the Lord Sheffield Roger Townsend Iohn Hawkins and Martin Forbisher for their valour well imployed in the last fight After this they resolued not to set vpon the enemy vntill they came into the straight of Calis where Henry Seimor and William Winter stayed for their comming Thus with a faire gale the Spanish Fleeâ— goeth forward and the English followed This great Spanish A mado was so farre from being 〈◊〉 invincible in the opinions of the English that many yong noble men and gentlemen in hope to be partakers of a famous victory against the Spâ—nyards provided ships of their owne châ—rges and ioyned themselues to the Englâ—sh Fâ—eet among whom was the Earles of Essex of Northumberland of Cumberland Thomas and Robert Câ—cilles Hâ— Brookes Charles Blunt Walter Raleigh William Hatton Robert Cary Ambrose 〈◊〉 Thomas Gerard Arthur Gorge and other Gentlemen of name The 27 day at even the Spanyardes cast anchors neare to Calis being admonished of their skilfull sea-men that if they went any farther they might be indangered by the force of the tyde to be driven into the North Ocean Neare to them stood the English Admirall with his fleet within a great guns shot To the Admirall Seimor and Winter now ioyne their shippes so that now there were 140 shippes in the English Fleet able and well furnished for fight for saile and to turne which way was needfull and yet there were but 15 of these which bore the burden of the battell and repulsed the enemie The Spanyard as often he had done before so now with great earnesâ—nesse sent to the Duke of Parma to send fortie Flie-boats without the which they could not fight with the English because of the greatnesse and slownesse of their owne shippes and the agilitie of the English shippes And intreating him by all meanes now to come to sea with his army which army was now to be protected as it were vnder the wings of the Spanish Armado vntill they tooke land in England But the Duke was vnprovided and could not come out at an insâ—ant The broad ships with flat bottoms being then full of â—hinks must be mended Vittails wanted and must be provided the mariners being long kept against their wills began to shrink away The portes of Duâ—kerke and Newport by which he must bring his army to the sea were now so beset with the strong shippes of Holland and Zealand which were furnished with great and small Munition that he was not able to come to sea vnlesse he would come vpon his own apparant destruction and cast himselfe and his men wilfully into a headlong danger Yet he omitted nothing that might be done being a man eager and industrious and inflamed with a desire of over-comming England But Queene Eâ—izabeth her providence and care prevented both the diligence of this man and the credulous hope of the Spanyard For by her commandement the next day the Admirall took eight of their worst shippes and dressed them with wild-fire pitch and rosen and filled them full of brimsâ—on some other matter fit for fire and these being set on fire by the ministery and guiding of Yong and Prowse were secretly in the night by the helpe of the winde set full vpon the Spanish fleet as they lay at anchor When the Spaniards saw them come neare the flame shining and giving light over all the sea they supposing those ships besides the danger of the fire to haue bin also furnished with deadly engines to make horrible destruction among them lifting vp a most hiddeous woefull cry some pull vp anchors some for haâ—â— cut their cables they set vp their sailes they apply their ores and stricken with a pannick terror in great hast they fled most conâ—usedly Among them the Praetorian Galeas floating vpon the seas her rudder being broken in great danger of feare drew towards Calis and sticking in the sand was taken by Aâ—ias Presâ—on Thomas Gerard and Haâ—ueâ—â— Hugh Moncada the governour was killed the souldiers and mariners were either killed or drowned in her there was found great store of gold which fell to be the prey of the English The ship and ordnance fell to the share of the governour of Calis The Spanyards report that the Duke when he saw the fiery shippes comming commanded all the fleet to pull vp their ancâ—ors but so as the danger being past every shippe might returne againe to his station And he himselfe returned giving a signe to the rest by shooting off a gun Which was heard but of a few for they were farre off scattered some into the open Ocean some through feare were driven vpon the shallowes of the shore of Flanders Over against Graueling the Spanish â—leet began to gather themselues together But vpon them came Drake and Fenner and battered them with great Ordnance to these Fenton Southwell Beeston Crosse Riman and presently aâ—ter the Lord Admirall Thomas Howard and Sheffiâ—ld came in and all
Brother Cormac Mac Gennis Mac Guiâ— Ener Mac Cowly Henry Ouiâ—gton and O Quin attended their comming And vpon conference it was concluded that certaine Commissioners should the next day meet for a treaty of peace and in the meane time there should be a cessation of warres from sixe weekes to sixe weekes vntill the first of May yet so as it might be free on both sides after fourteene dayes warning giuen to resume hostility afresh And if any of Tyrones confederates would not thereto consent to be prosecuted at the Lord Lieuetenants pleasure CHAPTER XIIII THe Queene was presently informed that in Ireland the Spring Summer and Autumne were spent without seruice vpon the Arch-rebell that her men were diminished large summes of money consumed without doing that for which he was sent that by this meanes the Rebels were incouraged and the Kingdome of Ireland laid at hazard to bee lost Whereupon the Queene wrote somewhat sharpely to the Lord Lieuetenant which mooued him so much as leauing his charge to bee managed by others he came into England hoping to pacifie the Queene When he came he was commanded to keepe his Chamber and soone after was committed to the custody of the Lord Keeper No sooner was the Lord Generall departed from Ireland but that Tyrone notwithstanding the cessation from warre drawing his Forces together tooke the field to whom Sir William Warren was sent to charge him with breach of promise he answered that his doings were according to couenants hauing giuen warning before his cause was iust for that the Lord Lieuctenant was committed in England vpon whose honor he reposed his whole estate neither would hee haue any thing to doe with the Councellors of Ireland Hereupon presuming vpon Spaine hee sent Odonel into Connaught receiued tumultuous persons strengthened the weake glorying euery where that hee would restore againe the ancient Religion and liberty of Ireland and expell the English out of Ireland To which end some money and munition was sent from Spaine and Indulgences from Rome And for an especiall fauour the Pope sent him a plume of Phoenix feathers for a Trophy of his victories Tyrone vnder pretence of deuotion in mid-winter went to the Monastery of Tipperary to worship the Crosse from thence hee sent out Mac Guir with a number of rifeling robbers to spoile and prey vpon the peaceable subiects with whom Sir Warram Saint Leger met and at the first incounter ranne Mac Guir through the body with a Lance and was likewise runne through with his Lance. Whereupon Tyrone made ready to returne from Monster sooner then was expected or himselfe meant At this time Charles Blunt Lord Mountioy was sent Lord Lieuetenant generall into Ireland At his first comming hearing that Tyrone was to depart out of Monster hee hastened to stop his passage in Feriall and there to giue him battell which the Earle preuented by taking another way hauing intelligence of the Lord Generall his designes The spring drawing on the Deputy put himselfe in his march toward Vlster with purpose to driue the Earle to a stand In the meane time Sir Henry Docwray at Loughfoil and Sir Maâ—thew Morgan at Belishanon planted the Garrisons which they effected with small resistance and repressed the Rebels in diuers ouerthrowes The Lord Generall likewise held Tyrone very hard and with light skirmishes euer put him to the worst sothat he now perceiuing his fortunes to decline withdrew himselfe backwards into his ould corners The Lord Lieuetenant entred in Lease the place of refuge and receit of all the Rebels in Leinster where hee shew Ony Mac Rory-Og chiefe of the family of the O Mores a bloudy bould and desperate yong man and so chased out the rest of his companions as that neuer since they were seene in those parts And though winter began to draw on yet marched hee forward to the entry of the Mairy three miles beyond Dundalk The passage into Vlster is euery way naturally cumbersome and it was helped by the Rebels who had fortified and blocked vp the entrance with fences of stakes stucke in the ground with hurdles ioyned together and stones in the midst with turfes of earth laid betweene hills woods and bogges and manned the place with a number of souldiers But the English brake through their Pallisadoes and beate backe the enemy The Lord Deputy placed a garrison eight miles from Armagh where in memory of Sir Iohn Norrice he named the Fort Mount Norrice In his returne he had many skirmishes At Carlingford the enemies were assembled to stop his way but were all discomfited and put to flight In the midst of winter hee entred the Glinnes that is the vallies of Leinster a secure receptacle of the Rebels There he brought into subiection Donel Spanioh Phelim Mac Pheogh and the O Tooles of whom he tooke hostages Then went he to Fereall and draue Tirell the most approued warriour of all the Rebels from his fastnesse that is his bogs and bushes vnto Vlster and after some other good seruices done here the spring approaching he marched into Vlster fortified Armaugh and remoued Tyrone from the Fort of Blacke-water where hee had fortified himselfe In the meane time the Pope and the King of Spaine laboured to maintaine the rebellion in Ireland and to helpe Tyrone Their agents were a Spaniard elected Archbishop of Dublin by the Pope the Bishop of Clowfort the Bishop of Killaloe and Archer a Iesuite These by prayers and promises of heauenly rewards perswaded the Spaniard to send succours into Ireland which hee did vnder the Generall Don Iohn d' Aquila a man that conceiued great hopes and was confident of much aid from the titular Earle Desmond and Florence Mac Carly a Rebell of great power wherein the man was much deceiued for Sir George Carew Lord President of Munster had preuented all his designes and sent them prisoners into England where they were fast Don Aquila with two thousand Spaniards of old trained souldiers with certaine Irish fugitiues landed at Kinsale in Monster the last of October Anno 1600. and presently published a writing wherein he stiled himselfe Master Generall and captaine of the Catholike King in the warres of God for holding and keeping the faith in Ireland this drew diuers distempered and cuill-affected persons on his side The Lord Deputy gathering his companies hasted to Kinsale and incamped neere vnto the Towne on the land side In the meane time Sir Richard Leuison with two of the Queenes shippes inclosed the hauen to forbid all accesse to the Spaniards Then on both sides the Canon played vpon the towne But newes was brought that two thousand Spaniards more were arriued at Bere hauen Baltimor and Castle hauen Sir Richard Leuison was imployed vpon them in which seruice he sunke fiue of their shippes Vnto these new landed Spaniards whose Leader was Alfonso o-campo O-donel ouer the ice by speedy iourneyes and vnknowne by-wayes repaired vnseene of the English And a few dayes after Tyrone himselfe with O Roik Raimund
Burk Mac Mahun Randall Mac Surly Tirrell the Barron of Lixnawe with the choise of the Nobles making sixe thousand foot and fiue hundreth horse All confident of victory being fresh strong and more in number then the English who were out-wearied with a winter siege with scarcity of victuals their horse weake with fore trauell In this hope Tyrone vpon an hill not a mile from the English campe made a brauado two dayes together intending to haue put these new supplies of Spaniards with eight hundreth Irish by night into Kinsale as did appeare by letters intercepted from Don Aquila To preuent this the Lord Deputy appointed eight Ensignes to keepe watch and himselfe with the President of Monster and the Marshall at the foot of the hill chose out a conuenient plot to giue the Earle battell who the next morning seeing the English so forward by his bag-pipers sounded the retreat whom the Lord Generall followed and forced them to a stand in the brinke of a bogge where their horsemen were disordered and routed by the Earle of Clan-Ricard The maine battell was charged by the Lord Deputy himselfe who discharged the parts of a prouideâ—t Captaine and of a valiant souldier The rebels not able to withstand him brake their arrayes and fled confusedly in disorder In the pursuit many were slaine Tyrone O-donel and the rest flung away their weapons and shifted for themselues by flight Alfonso Ocampo and sixe Ensigne bearers were taken prisoners nine of their Ensignes were born away by the English and twelue hundreth Spaniards slaine This victory obtained dismaied both the Spaniards in Kinsale and the rebels Tyrone was forced into his starting holes in Vlster O-donel fled into Spaine The rest of the Rebels were driuen to hide themselues The Lord Generall returning to the siege of Kinsale began to raise Rampires and to mount his Cannons nearer the towne in which worke sixe dayes were spent without any impeach from the Spaniards Don Aquila seeking now to get cleare and be gone sent his Lieuetenant with the Drum-maior to the Lord Deputy wherein hee craued that some Gentleman of credit might bee sent into the towne with whom he might parly for peace The Lord Deputy sent Sir William Godolphin to whom Don Aquila signified that hee had found the Lord Deputy though his eager enemy yet an honourable person the Irish of no valour rude and vnciuill yea and that which hee sore feared persidious and false That hee was sent from the King of Spaine his Master to aide two Earles and now he much doubted whether there were any such in rerum natura considering that one tempestuous puffe of warre had blowne the one of them into Spaine and the other into the North so as they were no more to bee seene willing therefore he was to treate about a pace that might bee good for the English and not hurtfull to the Spaniards Albeit he wanted nothing requisite to the holding out of the siege and expected euery day out of Spaine fresh supplies to finde the English worke and trouble enough The matter thus proposed the English being weake and wearied with a winter-siege the Lord Deputy consented to an agreement vpon these Articles 1. That Iohn d'Aquila should quit the places which he held in the Kingdome of Ireland as well in the towne of Kinsale as in the Forts and Castle of Baltimar Berâ—hauen and Castle-hauen and should deliuer them vnto the Lord Deputy or to whom hee should appoint 2. That Don d' Aquila and his Spaniards should depart with armes money munition and banners displayed The souldiers notwithstanding to beare no Armes against the Queene of England till such time as they were vnâ—hipped in some part of Spaine 3. That Ships and Victuals should be granted to them in their departure for their money at such reasonable prises as the country could afford 4. That if contrary windes inforced them into any other part of Ireland or England they might bee intreated as friends with safety of harbour and prouisions necessary for their money 5. That a cessation should be from warre a security from iniuries 6. That the Shippes in which they should be imbarked might freely passe by other English Shippes without molestation and the Shippes arriuing in Spaine might safely returne backe againe without any impeachment of the Spaniards For security whereof the said Don d' Aquila should deliuer for hostages such three of their Captaines as the Lord Deputy would choose Tyrone seeing his hopes gone his men slaine his restlesse conscience gaue him no repose hee shifted from place to place in much feare and perplexity In the meane time the Lord Deputy refreshed his weary and winter-beaten souldiers repaired the decayes renewed the Garrisons in Monster This done hee departed for Dublin From thence toward the spring by an easie march well appointed hee returned into Vlster meaning to belay the enemy on euery side by planting his Forts so to take him in his toile thus comming to Blackwater hee transported his Army ouer the Riuer vpon floats and beneath the ould Fort he erected a new which thing so terrified the Rebell that he set on fire his owne house at Dunganon and got himselfe fartheâ— from danger The Lord Deputy followed him close spoiled the Corne-fields and burnt the villages and booties were brought in on euery side The Forts in Lough crew Lough Reogh and Magher lecond were yeelded vp and Garâ—isons placed in Lough Neaugh or Sidny and in Mâ—naghan whence with their continuall sallies they kept the enemies in such feare that they hid themselues in woods complaining and exclaiming against Tyrone that had brought them all to ruine for his priuate discontents and began to repent them so farre as they made hast who should first come in to the Lord Deputy The Earle seeing how the world went thought good to preuent the worst by his submission which in humble letters he sent to the Queene who gaue the Lord Deputy authority to pardon his life though hardly drawne to remit his offences his friends daily solicited the Lord Deputy for his peace which at last was granted to put his life and reuenues without any condition to the will of the Queene Whereupon all Mellifont accompanied with two persons and no more he had accesse to the Chamber of Presence where the Lord Deputy sate in a Chaire of Estate Tyrone in base and poore array with a deiected countenance at the first entrance fell downe vpon his knees and so rested till hee was commanded to arise and comming neerer stepping two paces he fell downe prostrate and with great submissâ—on acknowledged his sinnes against God and his fault against her Maiesty The next day the Lord Deputy departing from Dublin tooke Tyrone thither meaning to transport him for England But the death of Queene Elizabeth staied that designe and King Iames succeeding and being receiued with admirable loue of all sorts at his first entrance â—ardoned Tyrone And Ireland hath beene since held in greater peace
by the great and admirable applause and affections of all good men from the highest to the lowest of England And declaring his constant resolution for the maintenance of Religion deferred his Coronation till Saint Iames day In the meane time some vnquiet spirits entred into a conspiracy their vaine hopes for aduancing of their Religion failing their designe as is said was to surprize the King and Prince Henry Of forces they presumed meaning to retaine them prisoners in the Tower and with treasures therin to maintaine their intent or to carry them to Douer Castle and there by violence either to obtaine their owne pardons a tolleration of Religion and a remouall of some Counsellors of state or else to put some other proiect in execution To conceale this treason Watson the Priest deuised oathes for secrecie and himselfe with Clark another Priest taught that the act was lawfull being done before the Coronation for that the King was no King before hee was annointed and the Crowne solemnly set vpon his head The other persons inuolued in this practise were Henry Brooke Lord Cobham Thomas Lord Gray of Wilton Sir Walter Ralegh Sir Griffin Markham Sir Edward Parham George Brooke Bartholomew Brookesby and Anthony Coply All which were apprehended and committed The sicknesse being then rife in London the Tearme was kept at Winchester the place designed for their arraignement whether they were conueied vnder strong guard The first brought to triall was George Brooke brother to the Lord Cobham Sir Griffin Markham Sir Edward Parham Brooksly Coply Watson and Clark The inditement was that they had conspired first to destroy the King then to raise rebellion to alter Religion to subuert the State to procure forraine inuasion These their intents they had made known to the Lord Gray whom they intended to make Earle Marshall of England Watson Lord Chancelour Georke Brookes Lord Treasurer Markham Secretary that with the King the Lords also should be surprized in their Chambers at Greenwich and the Lord Maior and Aldermen of London should be sent for and so shut vp in the Tower George Brooke answered that he had commission from the King to doe that he did onely to trie faithfull subiects but being required to shew his Commission hee could produce none Sir Griffin Markham excepting onely the imputation of bloud confessed his offence penitently alledging it was through a discontented minde and desired the Lords to bee a meane to the King for mercy Watson and Clark the former of which confessed that he had drawne all those Gentlemen into those plots like true Roman Priests auerred that they held the King for no King vntill hee was crowned and therefore it could not be treason alledging that Saul was no King till hee was chosen in Mispeh though hee had beene annointed in Ramoth by the Prophet Samuel Neither Ieroboam who in the dayes of Salomon had beene confirmed by the Prophet to raigne ouer Israel vntill the people made him King vpon the foolish answere of Rehoboam making no difference betweene the mediate and ordinary succession of lawfull Kings in Common-wealths established and those which God himselfe extraordinarily aduanced to be scourges to an vngratefull land It was tould them that in England the King neuer dieth that there is no interregnum that the Coronation is but a ceremony to shew the King to the people Two dayes after was Sir Walter Ralegh brought to the barre hee was indited for combining with the Lord Cobham his accuser as it was said in the foresaid designes he pleaded not guilty and so stood for his purgation Hee pleaded for himselfe a long time and with some admiration of men who thought that a man of such vnderstanding would hardly bee drawne into a plot so foule and so foolish yet hee was found guilty and had sentence of death The like iudgement a few dayes after passed vpon the Lord Cobham and Gray arraigned on two seuerall dayes The former was indited for combining with Sir Walter Ralegh and George Brooke to procure forces from the King of Spaine and the Arch-Duke for inuasion the other for ioyning with the foresaid Priests Knights and Gentlemen in their conspiracies Sir Edward Parham was only acquitted by the Iury. Of the rest onely three died Watson Clark and George Brooke Watson had before in Print laid open at large the treasonable practises of the Iesuites and at his death left this suspition on them that they in reuenge had cunningly drawne him into this action which brought him to his end After this the Lords Cobham and Gray and Sir Griffin Markham were by a Warrant to be executed the Friday next But the King inclined to mercy sent at the day appointed a Pardon for them the manner whereof was such as gaue vnexpected ioy to them that looked for nothing but death The Pardon was brought to the place where they were to be executed by Master Gibb a Gentleman so secretly that none present vnderstood any thing thereof Sir Griffin Markham was first brought to the Scaffold erected in the Castle Greene and made himselfe ready for the stroke of the Axe When secretly Master Gibb deliuered to the High Shiriffe the Kings warrant to the contrary who vnderstanding his Maiesties intent tooke backe the prisoner as if he were first to confront the two Lords vpon some seruice of the King and brought him vnto the Castle Hall Then was the Lord Gray brought forth who hauing poured out his prayers vnto God at length kneeling downe for the stroke of death the Sheriffe bad stay telling the Lord that some further seruice was expected of him and thereupon led him likewise into the Castle Hall The Lord Cobham was last brought forth who being in preparation and prayers the Lord Gray and Sir Grâ—ffin were brought backe againe All the three prisoners appearing together on the Scaffold the Sheriffe notified his Maiesties warrant for the stay of the execution At which example of Clemency vnexpected both of the prisoners and spectators there arose great shoutes of the people crying God saue the King The condemned wished that they might sacrifice their liues to redeeme their faults and to repurchase so mercifull a Prince his loue This attempt seemed to be a matter of lesse danger because there appeared neither strength to act the businesse intended nor heads to carry it But our thankfulnesse must appeare to God for our least deliuerances It is certaine by their confessions that a great mischiefe was intended howsoâ—uer they might seeme vnable to effect it And this we may obserue that no treason was euer attempted without a Romish Priest The treasons attempted in England haue that proper and peculiar marke to haue a Priest in the practise CHAPTER XVI NOw I enter vpon a Narration which may fully open our aduersaries to the world wherein appeareth the profundity of malice and cruelty and vngodlinesse and whereby all men may vnderstand by what spirit these men are led The Histories of former times containe no example
might discouer his plot laying all the blame vpon himselfe Whereunto he said he was moued onely for Religion and conscience sake denying the King to be his lawfull Soueraigne or the annointed of God in respect he was an Heretike and giuing himselfe no other name then Iohn Iohnson seruant to Thomas Percy But the next morning being carried to the Tower hee did not there remaine aboue two or three dayes being twice or thrice in that space re-examined and the racke onely offered and shewed vnto him when the maske of his Romiâ—h fortitude did visibly begin to weare and slide off his face And then did he begin to confesse part of the truth and thereafter to open the whole matter Out of his conscience and especially out of the confession of Thomas Winter haue we drawne the praeceding narration The confession of Fawkes was taken presently after his apprehension The confession of Winter was taken the 23. of Nouember before the Lords of the Councell They that were first in the treason and laboured in the mine were Robert Catesby Robert Winter Esquires Thomas Percy Thomas Winter Iohn Wright Christopher Wright Guido Fawkes Gentlemen and Bates Catesbyes man They that were made acquainted with it though not personally labouring in the mine nor in the cellar were Euerard Digby Knight Ambrose Rookewood Francis Tresham Esquires Iohn Grant Gentleman and Robert Keies The newes was no sooner spread abroad that morning which was vpon a Tuesday the 5. of Nouember and the first day designed for that session of Parliament but some of those conspirators namely Winter and the two Wrights brethren thought it high time for them to hasten out of the towne for Catesby was gone the night before and Percy at foure of the clocke in the morning the same day of the discouery and all of them held their course with more hast then good speed to Warwicke-shire toward Couentry where the next day morning being Wednesday and about the same houre that Fawkes was taken in Westminster one Grant a Gentleman hauing associated to him some others of his opinion all violent Papists and strong Recusants came to a stable of one Benock a rider of great horses and hauing violently broken vp the sâ—me carried along with them all the great horses that were therein to the number of seauen or eight belonging to diuers Noblemen Gentlemen of that country who had put them into the riders hands to be madâ— fit for their seruice And so both that company of them which fled out of London as also Grant and his complices met altogether at Dunchurch at Sir Euerard Digby his lodging the Tuesday at night after the discouery of this treacherous attempt The which Digby had likewise for his part appointed a match of hunting to haue beene hunted the next day which was Wednesday though his minde was Nimrod-like vpon a farre other manner of hunting more bent vpon the bloud of reasonable men then of bruit beasts This company and hellish society thus conuened finding their purpose discouered and their treachery preuented did resolue to runne a desperate course and since they could not preuaile by so priuate a blow to practise by a publike rebellion either to attainâ— to their intents or at least to saue themselues in the throng of others And therefore gathering all the company they could vnto them and pretending the quarell of Religion hauing intercepted such prouision of armour horses and powder as the time could permit thought by running vp and downe the Country both to augment peece by peece their number dreaming to themselues that they had the vertue of a snow-ball which being little at the first and tumbling downe a great hill groweth to a great quantity by increasing it selfe with the snow that it meeteth in the way and also that they beginning first this braue shew in one part of the Country should by their sympathy and example stir vp and incourage the rest of their Religion in other parts in England to rise as they had done there But when they had gathered their force to the greatest they came not to the number of fourescore And yet were they troubled all the houres of the day to keepe and containe their owne seruants from stealing from them Who notwithstanding of all their care daiâ—y left them being farre inferâ—our to Gedeons host in number but fâ—rre more in faith and iustnesse of the quarrell And so after that this Catholike troupe had wandred a while through Warwickshire to Worcestershire and from thence to the edge and borders of Staffordshire this gallantly armed band had not the honour at the last to be beaten with a Kings Lieutenant or extraordinary Commissioner sent down for the purpose but onely by the ordinary Sheriffâ— of Worcestershire were they all beaten killed taken and dispersed Wherein ye haue to note this following circumstance so aâ—mirable and so â—iuely displaying the greatnesse of Gods iustice as it could not be concealed without betraying in a manner the glory due to the Almighty for the same Although diuers of the Kings Proclamations were posted downe after these traitors with all speed possible declaring the odiousnesse of the bloudy attempt the necessity to haue had Percy preserued aliue if it had beene possible and the assembly of that rightly-damned crew now no more darkened conspirators but open and auowed Rebels yet the farre distance of the way which was aboue an hundreth miles together with the extreame deepnesse thereof ioyned also with the shortnesse of the day was the cause that the hearty and louing affections of the Kings good Subiects in those parts preuented the speed of his proclamations For vpon the third day after the flying downe of these Rebels which was vpon the Friday next after the discouery of their plot they were most of them all surprised by the Sheriffe of Worcestershire at Holbeach about the noone of the day in manner following Grant of whom mention was made before for the taking of the great horses who had not all the praeceding time stirred from his owne house till the next morning after the attempt should be put in execution he then laying his accompt without his Host as the prouerbe is that their plott had without failing receiued the day before their hoped-for successe tooke or rather stole out those Horses for inabling him and so many of that soul-lesse society that had still remained in the Country neare about him to make a sudden surprise vpon the Kings elder daughter the Lady Elizabeth hauing her residence neare to that place whom they thought to haue vsed for the colour of their treacherous designe his Maiestie her Father her Mother and male-Children being all destroyed aboue And to this purpose also had that Nimrod Digby prouided his hunting-match against the same time that numbers of people being flocked together vpon the pretence thereof they might the easilier haue brought to passe the sudden surprise of her person Now the violent taking away of those horses