with intent to make sedition and discorde betweene the King and his Nobles 24 That at diuers times and places he said the Lords of the counsell at London intend to kill mee but if I dye the King shall dye and if they famish mee they shall famish him 25 That of his owne head he remoued the King so sodainly from Hampton courte to Windsore without any prouision there made that he was thereby not only in great feare but cast into a dangerous disease 26 That by his letters he caused the Kings people to assemble in great numbers in Armor after the manner of warre to his aide and defence 27 That he caused his seruants and friends at Hampton court Windesore to be apparelled in the Kings armor when the Kings seruants and guarde went vnarmed 28 That he intended to fly to Iernsey and Wales and laid posthorses and men and a boat to that purpose Now albeit there is little doubt but that some of these articles were meerely deuised others enlarged or wrâ—…sted or otherwise inforced by odious interpretation yet the Duke being of base golde and fearing the touch subscribed with his owne hand that he did acknowledge his offences contained in them and humbly vpon his knees submitted himselfe to the Kings mercy That in like manner he entreated the Lords to be a meanes to the King that he would conceiue that his offences did proceede rather from negligence rashnes or other indiscretion then from any malitious thought tending to treason and also that he would take some gratious way with him his wife and children not according to extremity of lawes but after his great elemency and mercy Written with my owne hand 23 December Anno 3 o Edw. Regis To this I make no other defence but intreat the reader not to condemne him for perishing so weakly and for that he who should haue lost his life to preserue his honour cast away both his life and honour together Assuredly he was a man of a feeble stomacke vnable to concoct any great fortune prosperous or aduerse But as the iudgement of God and malice of a man concurre often in one act although it be easie to discerne betweene them so is it little to be maruailed that he who thirsted after his brothers blood should finde others to thirst after his Notwithstanding for that present his blood was respited but hee was stripped of his great offices of being Proteâ—…tor Treasurer and Marshall lost all his goods and neere 2000 lande in which estate if he had continued the longer he had liued the more punishment he should endure herewith it was sâ—…ossingly said that he had eaten the kings goose and did then regorge the feathers After this he sent letters to the Lords of the counsaile wherein he acknowledged himselfe much fâ—…oured by them in that they had brought his cause to be fineable which although it was to him impoâ—…able yet as hee did neuer intend to contend with them nor any action to iustifie himselfe as well for that he was none of the wisest and might easily erre as for that it is scarce possible for any man in great place so to beare himselfe that all his actions in the eye of iustice shall be blamelesse so hee did then submit himselfe wholly to the Kings mercy and their discretions for some moderation desiring them to conceiue that what he did amisse was rather through rudenes and for want of iudgement then from any malitious meaning and that he was therefore ready both to doe and suffer what they would appoint Finally hee did againe most humbly vpon his knees entreat pardon and fauour and they should euer finde him so lowly to their honours and obedient to their orders as hee would thereby make amends for his former follies These subiections obiections deiections of the Duke made a heauenly harmony in his enimies eares But they wrought such compassion with the King that forthwith he was released out of the Tower his fines discharged his goods and lands restored except such as had beene giuen away either the malice of the Lords being somewhat appeased or their credit not of sufficient strength to resist within a short time after he was entertained and feasted by the King with great shew of fauour and sworne againe of the priuy counsaile at which time betweene him and the Lords perfect amity was made or else a dissembling hate And that all might appeare to be knit vp in a comicall conclusion the Dukes daughter was afterwards ioined in marriage to the Lord Lâ—…sle sonne and heire to the Earle of Warwick and the Earle also was made Lord Admirall of England yet many doubted whether the Earle retained not some secret offence against the Duke which if hee did it was most cunningly suppressed doubtlesse of all his vertues he made best vice of dissimulation And as this friendship was drawen together by feare on both sides so it was not like to be more durable then was the feare And thus the second act ended of the tragedie of the Duke the third shall follow in the proper place In the meane time the Earle of Warwicke for what mischeiuous contriuance it was not certainly knowne but conceiued to be against the Duke ioined to him the Earle of Arundâ—…ll late Lord Chamberlaine and the Earle of Southhampton sometimes Lord Chancellor men of their owne nature circumspect and slow but at the time discountenanced and discontent whom therefore the Earle of Warwicke singled as fittest for his purpose Many secret conferences they had at their seuerall houses which often held the greatest part of the night But they accustomed to afford at other times either silence or shorte assent to what he did propose did then fall off and forsake him procuring thereby danger to themselues without doing good to any other For when the Earle of Warwicke could by no meanes draw them to his desires hee found means that both of them were discharged from the counsell and commanded to their houses Against the Earle of Arundell obiections were framed that he tooke away bolts and locks at Westminster and gaue away the Kings stuffe Hee was fined at 12000 l to be paid 1000 l yeerely But doubtlesse the Earle of Warwicke had good reason to suspect that they who had the honesty not to approue his purpose would not want the heart to oppose against it During these combats among the nobility many popular insurrections were assayled One Bell was put to death at Tyborne for mouing a new rebellion in Suffolke and in Essex hee was a man nittily needy and therefore aduentrous esteemed but an idle fellow vntill he found opportunity to shew his rashnesse Diuers like attempts were made in other places but the authors were not so readily followed by the people as others had done before Partly because multitudes doe not easily moue but chifly because misaduentures of others in like attempts had taught them to be more warily aduised About this time a Parliament was held at
to new titles of 〈◊〉 The Lord Marquis Dorsâ—…t a man for his harmelesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 neither misliked nor much regarded was 〈◊〉 Duke of Suffolke the Earle of Warwick was created 〈◊〉 of Northumberland the Earle of Wiltshire was 〈◊〉 Marquis of Winchester Sir William Herbert 〈◊〉 Cardiffe was created Earle of Pembroke Sir 〈◊〉 Darcie Vice-chamberlaine and Captaine of the 〈◊〉 was created Lord Darcie William Ceâ—…il was made of the chiefe Secretaries Master Iohn Cheeke the 〈◊〉 Schoole-master and one of the guides of his 〈◊〉 hope and with him M r. Henry Dudley and M r. 〈◊〉 Neuill of the Priuie Chamber were made Knights which was the accomplishment of mischiefe Sir 〈◊〉 Dudley one of the Duke of Northumberlands sonnes 〈◊〉 heire both of his hate against persons of Nobility 〈◊〉 cunning to dissemble the same was sworne one of the six ordinary Gentlemen he was afterwards for lust and cruelty a monster of the court as apt to hate so a most sure executioner of his hate yet rather by practise then by open dealing as wanting rather courage then wit After his entertainment into a place of so neere seruice the King enioyed his health not long The Duke of Northumberland being now inferior vnto none of the nobility in title of honour and superior to all in authority and power could not restraine his haughty hopes from aspiring to an absolute command But before he would directly leuill at his marke the Duke of Somerset was thought fit to be taken away whose â—…re did was so great with the common people that although it sufficed not to beare out any bad attempt of his owne yet was it of force to crosse the euill purposes of others And now to begin the third act of his tragedie speeches were cast that he caused himselfe to be proclaimed King in diuers countries which albeit they were knowne to be false insomuch as the millers seruant at Battlebridge in Southwarke lost both his yeares vpon a pillory for so reporting yet the very naming of him to be King either as desired by himselfe or by others esteemed worthy brought with it a distastfull rellish apt to apprehend suspition to be true After this he was charged to haue persuaded diuers of the nobility to choose him Protector at the next parliament The Duke being questioned neither held silence as he might nor constantly denie it but entangled himselfe in his doubtfull tale One Whaly a busy headed man and desirous to be set on worke gaue first light to this appeachment but the Earle of Rutland did stoutly auouch it Herewith S r Thomas Palmer a man neither louing the Duke of Somerset nor beloued of him was brought by the Duke of Northumberland to the King being in his garden Heere he declared that vpon S t George day last before the Duke of Somerset being vpon a iourney towards the North in case S r William Herbert M r of the horse had not assured him that he should receiue no harme would haue raised the people and that he had sent the Lord Gray before to know who would be his friends also that the Duke of Northumberland the Marques of Northampton the Earle of Pembrooke and other Lords should be inuited to a banquet and if they came with a bare company to be set vpon by the way if strongly their heads should haue beene cut off at the place of their feasting he declared further that S r Ralph Uane had 2000 men in a readinesse that S r Thomas Arundell had assured the tower that Seymor and Hamond would waite vpon him and that all the horse of the Gendarmorie should be slaine To this M r Secretary Cecill added that the Duke had sent for him and said that he suspected some ill meaning against him whereto M r Secretary answered that if he were not in fault hee might trust to his innocencie if he were he had nothing to say but to lament him The Duke being aduertised of these informations against him by some who had some regard of honestie did forthwith defie the Secretary by his letters Then he sent for Sir Thomas Palmer to vnderstand what he had reported of him who denied all that he had said but by this hot humorous striuing he did but draw the knots more fast A few daies being passed the Duke either ignorant of what was intended or fearing if he seemed to perceiue it came to the court but somewhat later then he accustomed and as too mindes possessed with feare all things vnvsuall seeme to menace danger so this late coming of the Duke was enforced as a suspition against him and so after dinner he was apprehended Sir Thomas Palmer Sir Thomas Arundell Hamonde Nudigates Iohn Seymor and Dauid Seymor were also made prisoners the Lord Gray being newly come out of the country was attached S r Ralph Uane being twice sent for fled vpon the first message it was reported that he said that his Lord was not stout and that if he could get home he cared not for any but vpon pursuit he was found in his seruants stable at Lambeth couered with straw he was a man of a fierce spirit both sodaine bold of no euill disposition sauing that he thought scantnesse of estate too great an euill All these were the same night sent to the tower except Palmer Arundell and Vant who were kept in the court well guarded in chambers apart The day following the Dutches of Somerset was sent to the Tower no man grieuing thereat because her pride and basenesse of life ouerballanced all pitty and doubtlesse if any mischiefe were then contriued whereof many were doubtfull euery one giuing forth as he belieued it was first hammered in the forge of her wicked working braine for shee had alwaies wicked instruments about her whom the more she found appliable to her purposes the more fauors she bestowed vpon them who being engaged by her into dangers held it dangerous to fall from her also with her were committed one Crane and his wife and her own chamberwoman After these followed S r Thomas Holdcroft S r Miles Partridge Sir Michaell Stanhope Wingfield Banister Vaughan and some others In diuers of these was then neither any cause knowne or afterwardes discouered but the number raised the greater terror and doubled the conceit of the danger Sir Thomas Palmer being againe examined added to his former detection that the Gendarmorie vpon the muster day should be assaulted by 2000 foote vnder Sir Ralph Vane and by 100 horses of the Duke of Somersets besides his friends which should stand by and besides the idle people which were thought inclineable to take his part that this done he would runne throw the cittie and proclaime liberty and in case his attempt did not succeed hee would goe to the I le of Wight or to Poole Crane confessed for the most part as Palmer had done and futher added that the Lord Pagets house was the place where the nobility being inuited to a banquet should
mixture of honest delight Vnder these teachers the Prince thrived so well that in short time he spake the French tongue perfectly In the 〈◊〉 tongue he could declaime vpon the suddaine no lesse both readily and purely then many who were reputed amongst the most learned of these times He attained not only commendable knowledge but speech in the Greeke Spanish and Italian languages having alwaies great iudgment in measuring his words by his matter his speech being alike both fluent and weightie such as best beseemed a Prince as for naturall Philosophie for Logicke Musicke Astronomie and other liberall sciences his perfections were such that the great Italian Philosopher Cardane having tasted him by many conferences and finding him most strongly to encounter his new devised paradoxes in Philosophie seemed to be astonished betweene admiration and delight and divulged his abilities to be miraculous These his acquirements by industrie were exceedingly both enriched and enlarged by many excellent endowments of nature For in disposition he was milde gracious and pleasant of an heavenly wit in body beautifull but especially in his eies which seemed to haue a starrie liuelynes and lustre in them generally hee seemed to be as Cardane reported of him A MIRACL'E OF NATVRE When he was a few moneths aboue nine yeeres of his age great preparation was made either for creating or for declaring him to be Prince of Wales Duke of Cornewall and Count Palatine of Chester In the middest whereof K. Henry his Father ended his life of a dropsie accompanyed with a spreading scaâ—…e of his thigh Herevpon Edward Earle of Hartford and S r Anthony Browne knight of the order and Master of the horse were forthwith dispatched by the residue of the counsâ—…ile to the young King then lying at Hartford These came vnto him and the next day brought him to Enfield neither with preparation nor traine any more then ordinarie Here they first declared vnto him and to the Lady Elizabeth his sister the death of K. Henry their father Vpon which tidings they both brake forth into such vnforced and vnfained passions as it plainely appeared that good nature did worke in them beyond all other respects Never was sorrow more sweetly set forth their faces seeming rather to beautifie their sorrow then their sorrow to clowde the beautie of their faces Their young yeares their excellent beauties their louely and liuely enterchange of complaints in such sort graced their griefe as the most yron eies at that time present were drawne thereby into societie of their Teares The next day following being the last of Ianuarie the young king advanced towards London The Earle of Hartford riding next before him and S r Anthony Browne behinde The same day he was proclaimed King and his lodging was prepared within the Tower He there was received by the Constable and Lieuetenant on horse backe without the gates and vpon the bridge next the Ward-gate by all the chiefe Lords â—…o his counsailo These attended him to his chamber of presence and there sware allegiance vnto him Here he remained about three weekes and in the meane time the counsaile appointed vnto him by his Fathers will dayly sate for ordering the affaires of the Kingdome Among these the Earle of Hartford was elected and forthwith proclaimed protector of the Realme and governour of the kings person vntill he should accomplish the age of eighteene yeares To this office he was deemed most fit for that he was the kings vnkle by the Mothers side very neere vnto him in bloud but yet of no capacitie to succeede by reason whereof his naturall affection and dutie was lesse easie to be over-carryed by Ambition A few daies after the Lord Protector knighted the king within the Tower and immediatly the king stood vp vnder his cloath of estate tooke the sword from the Lord Protector and dubbed the Lord Maior of London knight Herehence ensued diverse other advancements in honour For S r Edward Seymer Lord Protector and Earle of Hartford was created Duke of Somerset The Lord William Parre Earle of Essex was proclaimed Marquis of Northampton Sâ—… Thomas Seymer the kings vnckle was made Lord of Sudley and high Admirall of England S t Richard Rich was made Lord Rich Sâ—… William Willoughby Lord Willoughby of Parreham and Sir Edmund Sheffield Lord Sheffield of Buterwike And because high titles of honour were in that time of the Kings minority sparingly granted because dignity then waited vpon desert which caused it againe to be waited on by respect every of these testified for others that it was the pleasure of the Kings Father before his death that these titles should thus bee conferred During this time the body of King Henrie was with honorable solemnities conveyed from London to Sheene and thence to Windsore and there buryed within the Colledge All his officers brake their staues and threw them into the graue but at their returne to the tower new staues were delivered vnto them this solemnitie being finished the King vpon the nineteenth of Febr. 1547. rode in great state from the Tower to the Palace of Westminster and the day following was crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury assisted with other Bishops and all the chiefe nobilitie of the Realme About the twenty-ninth yeere of the Empire of Charles the fifth and the 33 of the Raigne of Francis the first of France and in the fifth yeere both of the raigne and age of Marie Queene of Scotland The same day a generall pardon was granted to all persons as it hath beene vsuall at coronations But by some envious oppositions or for some other causes vnknowne fixe onlie were excepted The Duke of Northfolke Cardinall Poole Edward â—…e Courtney eldest sonne to the Marquesse of Exceter Doctor Pates Master Fortescue and Master Throgmorton But they overlived that envie and had their pardons afterwards in the first yeere of the Raigne of Queene Marie A few daies after the Earle of Southampton Lord Chancellor of England for being opinatiue as it was reported and obstinately opposite to the rest of the Lords in matters of counsaile was removed both from his office of being Chancellor and from his place and authority in counsaile and the great seale was delivered to Sir William Pawlet Lord S â— Iohn who was Lord great Master of the Kings houshold But this wound of disgrace never left bleeding vntill it was stopped by the Protectors fall It is certaine that from the first entrance of this King to his raigne never was King either more loving to others or better beloved generally of all The one whereof proceeded from the goodnes of his disposition the other from many graces and vertues illustrious in him for besides his excellent beauty and modestie beseeming a Prince besides his sweet humanity the very life of mortall condition besides a naturall disposition to all literature whereto he seemed rather borne then instructed many noble and high virtues sparckled in him especially Clemencie Courage Care and knowledge in affaires of
might both discourage his peope and bring diâ—…reputation to himselfe forbad any report to be made not only of the euent but of the iourney After this the French King leuied an army by lande wherewith marching towards Bulloine he tooke Blackenesse and Newhauen two fortes of the English neere vnto Bulloine This he did effect chiefly by the treason of one Sturton a bastard sonne of Lord Sturtons and by reuolt of diuers Almaines who serued in the garrisons who being meerely mercenarie did easily encline to the strongest From whence the French King marched towardes Bullaine vpon whose approach S t Nicholas Arnault captaine of Bullingberge holding the place not of strength to be held withdrew all the ordinance matters of worth into high Boullaine and with gunpowder blew vp the Forte So the French Kinge brought his armie before Boulline but because the plague raged amongst his souldiers the weather was vnseasonable by reason of much fall of raine he departed from his army and left Chastilion gouernor in his steed Chastilion bent his siege against the Pierre which was erected in Boulline haven and after batterie of 20000 shot or more the breach was thought reasonable and therevpon the assault was giuen But the same was so well encountred by the valour of the defendants helped with advantage of place that the obstinacy of the assailaÌ„ts did nothing but increase their losse so as the first fury being broken and spent The French resolued to attempt the peice no more by assault notwithstanding they continued the seige presented diuers skermishes false attempts but they spent both their labour shot without putting the defendants in any feare Then they planted their artillery against the mouth of the hauen to impeach supply of victualls to the towne Yet the English victualers surceased not at the Kings adventure to bring all things necessary vntill the end the souldiers of the towne set vpon the French suddainly by night slue many of them and dismounted their pieces Then the French applied their batterie againe wherein they sometimes spent 1500 shot in one day But finding this to be a fruitlesse fury they afterwards vsed it more sparingly and rather vpon a shew of hostility then vpon any hope thereby to prevaile In the meane season they charged a galley with grauel and stones and prepared to sinke it in the middest of the hauen But the English tooke the galley before it sunke and drew it to the shoare and vsed the stones to reenforce the Pierre After this they made faggots of light matter mixed with pitch tarre tallow rosin powder and wildfire with intention to fire the ships in the hauen but that enterprise was defeated by the Bullenois and their fagots taken from the French During these enterfeits diverse skirmishes passed betweene the English and the French about the frontires of Calleis which as they were but light so most of them ended with disadvantage to the French And now if all these troubles had not beene sufficient to trauaile the realme of England at once a great diuision fell among the nobility so much the more dangerous by how much the spirits were more actiue and high And albeit the heat thereof was much appeased for a timâ—… by the great iudgement and moderation of the King yeâ—… did it breake forth in the end to tragicall euents not vpon particular persons only but did much ouerslow and 〈◊〉 ouerwhelme the whole realme with disquiet and here of the most apparent originall was this The King had two vnkles brothers to Queene Iaue his deceased mother Edward D. of Somerset Lord Protector Thomas Lord Seymer Baron of Sudley high Admirall of England as the Duke was elder in yeares so was hee more staied in behauiour The Lord Sudley was fierce in courage courtly in fashion in personage stately in voice magnificent but somewhat empty of matter both were so faithfully affected to the King that the one might well bee termed his sword the other his target The Duke was greatest in fauour with the people the Lord Sudley most respected by the nobility both highly esteemed by the King both fortunate alike in their advancements both ruined alike by their owne vanity and folly whilest these two brothers held in amity they were like two armes the one defending the other and both of them the King but many things did moue together to dissolue their loue and bring them to ruine First their contrary disposition the one being tractable and milde the other stiffe and impatient of a superior whereby they liued but in cunning concord as brothers glued together but not vnited in graine then much secret enuy was borne against them for that their new lustre did dimme the light of men honoured with ancient nobility Lastly they where openly minded as hasty and soone moued so vncircumspect and easy to be minded By these the knot not only of loue but of nature between them was dissolued so much the more pitty for that the first cause proceeded from the pride the haughty hate the vnquiet vanity of a mannish or rather of a diuelish woman For the Lord Sudley had taken to wife Katharine Parre Queene Dowager last wife to King Henry the 8 th A woman beautified with many excellent vertues especially with humility the beauty of all other vertues The Duke had taken to wife Anne Stanhope a woman for many imperfections intollerable but for pride monstrous she was exceeding both subtle and violent in accomplishing her ends for which she spurned ouer all respects both of conscience and of shame This woman did beare such invincible hate first against the Q. Dowager for light causes and womans quarrells especially for that she had precedency of place before her being wife to the greatest Peere in the land then to the Lord Sudley for her sake That albeit the Q. Dowager dyed by childbirth yet would not her malice either dye or decrease But continually she rubbed into the Dukes dull capacity that the Lord Sudley dissenting from him in opinion of religion sought nothing more then to take away his life as well in regard of the common cause of Religion as thereby happely to attaine his place Many other things she boldly fained being assured of easie beliefe in her heedlesse hearer alwaies fearfull and suspitious as of feeble spirit but then more then euer by reason of some late opposition against him Her perswasions she cunningly intermixed with teares affirming that she would depart from him as willing rather to heare both of his disgraces and dangers then either to see the one or participate of the other The Duke embracing this womans counsaile a womans counsaile indeede and nothing the better yeelded himselfe both to aduise and deuise for destruction of his brother The Earle of Warwicke had his finger in the businesse and drew others also to giue either furtherance or way to her violent desires Being well content she should haue her minde so as the Duke might thereby incurre infamy
and discretion did equally appeare For albeit the gentlemen of those families did often skirmish with the Earles men and slew many of them yet were they neuer therein aided by the English neither would they assaile him vpon any aduantage But when any of these gentlemen were distressed by the Earle the English did then encounter him by armes Generally the English would not offer to offend the Scots but only in defending their friends About this time the French king sent Mounsier Lansat to request of the King of England that the fishing of Tweâ—…de Edrington the debatable ground and the Scottish Hostages which had beene sent into England in the time of King Henry the 8 th might be restored to the Scots and that the English prisoners who were bound to pay their ransomes before the peace should not be comprised in the conditions thereof The King sent S r William Pickering to declare to the French King that to the last demand he agreed without exception and albeit he had to the places required yet he was content as well for them as for other demands to performe whatsoeuer should be agreed on by commissioners on both sides so commissioners were appointed and the matters setled in quiet agreement In the meane time the King sent new supply of forces and other prouisions into the North parts of the Realme wherevpon the French King sent a nauie of 160 saile into Scotland laden with graine powder and ordinance of these 16 of the greatest perished vpon the coast of Ireland two charged with Artillery and 14 with graine the residue so shaken and torne that it gaue a maine checke to their further designes but because many saued themselues in the harbors of Ireland The King sent thither 4 ships 4 barkes 4 pinnaces and 12 victualers These possessed themselues of three hauens two on the south side towards France and one towards Scotland The Lord Cobham was appointed Generall lieuetenant who fortified those hauens and drew downe the chiefest forces of the country towards the south parts thereof and thus euen in peace either of the Kings so vigilantly obserued euery motion of the other as if they had liued vpon the Alarme The will of friends is best assured when they haue no power to doe hurt In France a difference did rise about a place called Fines wood whether it pertained to the English or to the French On the French part 800 men assembled at armes vpon this quarrell on the English 1000. But the readines of the English to fight moued the French to abstaine from blowes and to permit the English to enioy their ground Herevpon the King fortified Calais and his other pieces in France in such sort as they had neuer beene in like condition of defence And whereas one Styward a Scot was apprehended in England and imprisoned in the Tower for intending to poison the young Queene of Scots the King as well to manifest his iustice as his loue and respect towards the young Queene deliuered him to the French King vpon the frontires of Calais to be iusticed by him at his pleasure And yet this aduice was not approued by many for albeit it be both honourable and iust that they who offend against their proper prince should be deliuered to him to be punished yet is it growne out of common vse And for this cause the condition is often expressed in leagues that the subiects of one Prince should be deliuered by the other in case they be required the contrary custome may happely holde reasonable in ordinary offences in which case the Scripture forbiddeth to deliuer a slaue to his angrie Lord but in grieuous and inhumane crimes in such as ouerthrow the foundation of state in such as shake the surety of humane society I conceiue it more fit that offenders should be remitted to their Prince to be punished in the place where they haue offended But of all other the Kings amity with the Emperor was least assured being as fullest both of practise and distrust so in danger euery houre to dissolue Certaine ships were appointed in the Lowe Countreys with men and furniture sutable to the attempts to transport the Lady Mary either by violence or by stealth out of England to Antwerpe Diuerse of her gentlemen departed thither before and certaine shipheres as they are termed were discouered to view the English coast Hereupon S r Iohn Gates was sent with forces into Essex where the Lady then lay and besides the Duke of Somerset was sent with 200 men the Lord Priuy seale with other 200 and M t Sentlegier with 400 men more to seuerall coasts vpon the sea diuerse of the Kings ships were addressed to be in readines for the sea M r Chamberlaine Embassador for the Queene of Hungarie in the Lowe Countries aduertised by his letters that it was intended by this means to raise an outward warre to ioine with some sedition within dores that the Queene of Hungarie had openly saide that the Shipheres were towards who for feare of one gentleman durst not proceede in their attempt Vpon these either dangers or feares the Lord Chancellor Secretary Peeter were sent to the Lady Mary who after some conference brought her to the Lord Chancellors house at Lyes in Essex and from thence to Hunsdon and from thence to the King at Westminster Here the counsell declared vnto her how long he had permitted her the vse of the Masse and perceiuing by her letters how vnmoueable she was he was resolued no longer to endure it vnlesse she would put in hope of some conformity within short time To this she answered that her soule was Gods and touching her faith as shee could not change so she would not dissemble it Reply was made that the King intended not to constraine her faith but to restraine the outward profession thereof in regard of the danger the example might draw After some other like enterchange of speeches the Ladie was appointed to remaine with the King but D r Mallet her chaplaine was committed prisoner to the fleete and almost herewith arriued an Embassador from the Emperor with a menacing messuage of warre in case his cozen the Lady Mary should not be admitted the free exercise of the masse The King presently aduised with the Archbishop of Canterburie and with the Bishops of London and Rochester who gaue their opinion that to giue license to sinne was sinne but to conniue at sinne might be allowed in ease it were neither to long nor without hope of reformation Then was answere giuen to the Embassador that the King would send to the Emperor within a moneth or two to giue him what satisfaction should be fit In the meane time the counsaile considering how preiudiciall it would be to the realme if the subiects should loose their trade in Flanders that the Flemmings had cloath for a yeere in their hands that the King had 500 quintals of powder and much armor in Flanders and the merchants much goods at
haue lost their heads and that the Earle of Arundell was made acquainted with the practise by S r Michaell Stanhope and that it had bin done but that the greatnesse of the enterprise caused delaies and sometimes diuersity of aduice and further said that the Duke of Somerset once faining himselfe to be sicke went to London to assay what friends he could procure This Crane was a man who hauing consumed his owne estate had armed himselfe to any mischiefe Hamonde confessed that the Duke of Somersets chamber had beene strongly watched at Greenwich by night All these were sworne before the counsaile and the greatest part of the nobility of the realme that their confessions were true and as fauourably set downe in behalfe of the Duke as with a safe conscience they could and forthwith vpon the information of Crane the Earle of Arundell and the Lord Paget were sent to the Tower so were Stradley and S t Albones seruants to the Earle of Arundell the Lord Strange voluntarily enformed how the Duke desired him to moue the King to take to wise his third daughter the Ladie ◅ane and that he would be his especiall about the King to aduertise him when any of the counsaile spake priuatly with him and to acquaint him what they said Herevpon to giue some publique satisfaction to the people the Lord Chancellor who had words at will wit enough to apply them declared openly in the starre chamber all these accusations against the Duke of Somerset letters were allso published to all Emperors Kings Embassadors chiefe men in any state wherein these matters were comprised By other letters the muster of the Gendarmorie was deferred for certaine moneths other letters were directed to Sir Arthur Darcy to take charge of the tower and to discharge Sir Arthur Markham For that without acquainting any of the Lords of the counsaile he suffered the Duke of Somerset to walke abroad and permit entercourses of letters betweene Dauid Seymor and M rs Poynes Whilest these matters were in trauerse messengers arriued from Duke Mauris◅ of Saxony the Duke of Mickleburge and Iohn Marques of Brandenburge Princes of the religion in Germanie to vnderstand the Kings minde whether he would agree to aide them with 400000 dollars in case any necessity should assaile them they consenting to doe the like to him in case he should be ouercharged with warre the King gaue them an vncertaine answere but gentle and full of faire hopes that because their message was only to know the Kings inclination and not to conclude he could giue them no other answere then this that he was well enclined to ioyne in amity with them whom he knew to agree with him in religion but first he was desirous to know whether they could procure such aide from other Princes as might enable them to maintaine their warres and to assist him if need should require and therefore he willed them to breake this matter to the Duke of Prussia and other Princes about them and to procure the good will of Hamborough Lubecke and Breme then he desired that the matter of religion should be plainly set downe least vnder pretence thereof warres should be made for other quarrells lastly he willed that they should furnish themselues with more ample instructions from their Lords to commune and conclude of all circumstances pertaining to that businesse The Kings answere was framed with these vncertainties and delaies least if the King had assured his consent at the first it might haue beene taken as breach of league with the Emperor afterwards they and other Princes of Germany made a league offensiue and defensiue with the French King against the Emperor into the which the French King desired the King of England to come but because the French K. was the chiefe of the league the King did plainly perceiue that the warre was not for the cause of religion wherefore he answered that he could not doe it with breach of his league with the Emperor against whom hauing no pretence of hostility he was not so desirous of warres as without iust cause of his owne to pull them vpon him About the same time the Lord admirall was sent into France as the Kings deputie to be Godfather at the baptisme of the French Kings sonne also a French man who had committed a murther at Diepe and fled into England was remitted into France and deliuered vpon the borders to receiue iustice by the same lawes against which he had offended And now the Duke of Northumberland being impatient of long working wickednesse the 4 th act of the Duke of Somersets tragedie must not be delaied least thereby feare abating as being false it could not be durable either the Kings gentle disposition or the loue which he had formerly borne to his vnkle might happily returne to their naturall working So the Duke of Somerset after a short aboad in the tower was brought to his triall at Westminster The Lord William Paulet Marques of Winchester and Lord treasurer sate as high Steward of England vnder a cloath of estate on a bench moūted three degrees the Peeres to the number of 27 sate on a bench one step lower These were the Duke of Suffolke and of Northumberland the Marques of Northampton the Earles of Darby Bedforde Huntington Rutland Bath Sussex Worcester Pembrooke and Here◅orde The Barons Abergauenny Aud◅ly Wharton Euers Latimer Borough Louch Stafford Wentworth Darcie Sturton Windesore Cromwell Cobham and Bray First the inditements were read in number 5 containing a charge of raising men in the north parts of the realme at his house of assembling men to kill the Duke of Northumberland of resisting his attachment of killing the Gendarmorie of raising London of assaulting the Lords and deuising their deaths when the prisoner had pleaded not guilty and put himselfe vpon triall of his Peeres the examinations before mentioned were read and by the Kings learned counsaile pressed against him Hereto albeit he was both vnskilfull and much appalled causes sufficient to driue him out of matters yet after a short entreaty that words either idly or angerly spoken might not be enforced to any high crew to the points obiected he answered That he neuer intended to raise the north parts of the realme but vpon some brutes he apprehended a scare which moued him to send to S r William Herbert to remaine his friend That he determined not to kill the Duke of Northumberland or any other Lord but spake of it only and determined the contrary That it had beene a mad enterprise with his 100 men to assaile the Gendarmory consisting of 900 when in case he had preuailed it would nothing haue auailed the pretended purpose and therefore this being senselesse and absurd must needs dis◅redid other matters which otherwise might haue beene belieued That at London he neuer proiected any stirre but euer held it a good place for his surety That for hauing men in his chamber at Greenwich it was manifest he meant no harme
and maintained the sâ—…cond to be cured and relecued and the third to be chastised and reduced to good order When this was 〈◊〉 to the King he gauâ—… to the Citie for education and maintenance of the first sort of poore the Gray-Friers Church neere Newgate-market with all the reuenues there to belonging for cure and releefe of the second â—…ort he gaue Saint Bartholomewes neere 〈◊〉 for correction of the third hee appoinâ—…ed his house at Brideâ—…ell the ancient Mansion of many English Kingâ—… and which not long before had beene repaired and beautified by Henry the â—…ighth for the entertainment of the great Emperour Charles the fifth for increase of 〈◊〉 of their places together with the new re-edified Hospitall of Saint Thomas in Southwork the King gaue seuen hundred and fifty markes yearely out of the rents of the Hospitall of Saint Iohn Baptist or the Sauoy with all the bedding and furniture at that time belonging to that place and when the charter of this gift was prâ—…sented vnto him with a blanke space for lands to be afterwards receiued in Mortmâ—…ine to a yearly valew without further licence the King presently with his owne hand filled vp the void space with these words foure thousand markes by yeare this done with reuerenâ—… gesture and speech he thanked God for prolonging his life to finish that businesse and so hee was the first Founder of those three pious workes which by many additions are now growne to be the most absolute and famous of that kinde in Europe The Kings sicknesse daily increased and so did the Duke of Northumberlands diligence about him for he was little absent from the King and had alwayes some well assured to espie how the state of his health changed euery houre and the more ioyfull hee was at the heart the more sorrowfull appearance did he outwardly make whether any tokens of poyson did appeare reports are various certainly his Physitians discerned an inuincible malignitie in his disease and the suspition did the more increase for that the complaint being chiefly from the lights a part as of no quicke sense so no seat for any sharpe disease yet his sicknesse towards the end grew highly extreme but the Duke regarded not much the muttering multitude knowing right well that rumours grow stale and vanish with time and yet somewhat either to abate or delay them for the present hee caused speeches to be spread abroad that the King was well recouered in health which was readily beleeued as most desired to be true Hereupon all persons expressed ioy in their countenance and speech which they inlarged by telling the newes to others whom they incountred who haply had heard it often before and as the report increased so there with increased also the ioy Thus whilest euery men beleeued and no man knew it was made more credible by religious persons who openly in Churches gaue publike thankes for the Kings recouery But when the speech of his danger was againe reuiued and as in newe it happeneth the more stopped the more increased to the worse then as if the second time he had beene lost the people did immoderatly breake forth into passions complaining that for this cause his two Vncles had beene taken away for this cause the most faithfull of his Nobilitie and of his Councell were disgraced and remoued from Court this was the reason that such were placed next his person who were most assuredly disposed either to commit or permit any mischiefe that then it did appeare that it was not vainly coniectured some yeares before by men of iudgement and fore-sight that after Somersets death the King should not long enioy his life To qualifie these and some broader speeches it was thought conuenient that the King sometimes should shew himselfe abroad albeit little either with his pleasure or for his health yet a thing which in long consuming sicknesses euen to the last period of life men are often able to doe Whilest the King remained thus grieuously sicke diuers notable mariages were solemnized at once in Durham place The Lord Guldford fourth sonne to the Duke of Northumberland married Lady Iane the Duke of Suffolkes eldest daughter by Frances daughter to Mary second sister to King Henry the eighth also the Earle of Pembrokes eldest sonne married the Lady Katherine the Duke of Suffolkes eldest daughter by the said Lady Frances who then was liuing and Martin Kayes Gentleman Porter married Marie the third daughter of the Duke of Suffolke by the said Lady Frances lastly the Lord Hastings sonne to the Earle of Huntington tooke to wife Katherine youngest daughter to the Duke of Northumberland hereupon the common people vpon a disposition to interpret all Northumberlands actions to the worst left nothing vnspoken which might serue to stâ—…rre their hatred against the Duke or pitie towards the King but the Duke was nothing moued herear for being equally obstinate both in purpose and desire and mounting his hopes aboue the pitch of reason he resolued then to dissemble no longer but began openly to play his game For albeit the Lady Iane married to his fourth sonne had not right to the succession of the Crowne for that shee was excluded first by the two Ladies Mary and Elizabeth daughters of King Henry the eighth next by the issue of Lady Margret married into Scotland eldest sister to King Henry the eighth lastly by her owne mother the Ladie Frances who then was liuing yet Northumberland sottishly mad with ouer great fortune procured the King by his Letters Patents vnder the great Seale of England to appoint the Lady Iane to succeed him in the inheritance of the Crowne in this contriuance he vsed the aduice of two especially Lord chiefe Iustice Montague who drew the Letters Patents and Secretary Cecil these furnished the Patent with diuers reasons whereof some were of Law and some of policie in State The pretensions of Law were these that albeit the Crowne of the Realme by an Act of the fiue and thirtieth of King Henry the eighth was in default of his issue of his body and of the body of Edward his sonne lawfully begotten limited to remaine to the Lady Mary his eldest daughter and to the heires of her body lawfully begotten and in default of such issue the remainder thereof to the Lady Elizabeth his second daughter and to the heires of her body lawfully begotten vnder such conditions as should be limited by the said King vnder his Letters Patents vnder the great Seale or by his last Will in writing signed with his hand yet because the said limitations were made to persons illegitimate both the marriages betweene King Henry the eighth and their seuerall mothers being vndone by sentences of diuorce and the seuerall diuorcements ratified by authoritie of Parliament in the eight and thirtieth yeare of King Henry the eighth which Act remained then in force both the Lady Mary and the Lady Elizabeth were thereby disabled to claime the Crowne or any honours or hereditaments as heires
great in multitude in bodies able assured in minde not only for the safetie but the glory of their common state That hereby would follow assurance of desence strength to enterprize ease in sustaining publike burthens and charge That herein the English desired no preheminence but offered equalitie both in liberty and priviledge and in capacitie of offices and imployments and to that end the name of Brittaines should be assumed indifferent to both nations That this would be the accomplishment of their common felieitie in ease by their evill either destinie or advice they suffered not the occasion to be lost The authority and reasons of this letter weighed much with persons of most weighty iudgements but others more powerful in that state partly vpon vaine hope in regard of the young yeares of the king partly vpon feare of alteration in religion and partly in favour of their ancient amitie with the French and doubting to be brought vnder by the English were altogether carryed another way yet they dispatched an Embassador into England but neither was any thing done neither do I finde what was propounded to haue bin done Herevpon diverse hostilities began to be practised And first a small ship of the kings called the Pensie hovering at sea was assailed by the Lyon a principall shippe of Scotland The sight began farre off and slow but when they approached it grew very furious wherein the ' Pensie so applyed her shot that therewith the Lyons or◅ loope was broken her sailes and tacklings torne and lastly shee was boarded and taken But as shee was brought for England shee was cast away by tempest and negligence neere Harewich haven and most of her men perished with her I would not haue staide vpon this small adventure but that it seemed a presage to the succeeding warre wherein the English acquired a glorious victorie but lost the fruit thereof by reason of their stormie disorders at home Many such small actions were enterprised dayly which were but scattering drops in regard of the great tempest which did ensue For in the meane season an armie was prepared for invasion of Scotland vnder the fortune and commande of the Lord Protector The souldiers first assembled at Newcastle and were there mustred by the Earle of Warwicke Heere they so◅ourned three daies in which time the kings fleete arrived consisting of 65. Bottomes whereof one galley and 34. tall ships were well appointed for fight the residue served for carriage of munition and victuals Of this sleete Edward Lord Clinton was Admirall and Sir William UUoodhouse his Uiceadmirall in this time also a generall muster was taken and order appointed for the March. In the whole armie were betweene 12. and 1300 thousand foot 1300 men at Armes 2800 light horse being such men for their goodly personages their ready horses their braue apparell their armour and weapons as never before was an armie set forth into those parts in all points better appointed The Lord Protector being Generall represented the person and Maiestie of the king The Earle of Warwicke was Lieutenant generall The Lord Gray of UUilton was Marshall of the field and captaine generall of the horsemen Sir Ralph Uane Lieutenant of all the men at Armes and Dimilances Sir Ralph Sadler was generall Treasurer other gentlemen had their particuler charges But vpon the Generall and the Earle of Warwicke both the hopes and hazards of the maine adventure did wholy turne And because much shal be said of these two hereafter because during the raigne of king Edward they were the principall actors in every sceane I will briefly declare both what persons and of what demerits at that time they were Edward Seymer Duke of Somerset Lord Generall was a man little esteemed either for wisedome or personage or courage in armes But being in favour with king Henry and by him much imploied was alwaies observed to be both faithfull and fortunate as well in giving advise as in managing a charge About fiue yeares before hee being Warden of the Marches against Scotland the invasion of Iames the 5. was by his direction encountred and broken at Solome Mosse whereof diverse of the Scottish nobility were taken prisoners The yeare next after hee and the Earle of Warwicke with a handfull of men to speake of fired Lieth and Edenburgh and returned by a leasurely march 44 miles through the body of Scotland The yeare next ensuing he invaded the Scottish borders was◅ed T◅uedale the marches and deformed the country with ruine and spoile The yeare then next following being appointed to view the fortifications vpon the marches of Cale◅s he not only did that but with the hardy approach of 7000 English men raised an armie of 21000 French encamped over the River before Bulloine wanne their ordinance carriage treasure and tents with the losse only of one man and returned from thence by land to Guisnes wan in his way within shot and rescue of Arde the castle of Outing cōmonly called the redpile The yeare next ensuing this he invaded spoiled Picardy began the forces of Newhaven Blacknesse and Bullingberge and so well applyed his endeavours that in a few weekes and before his departure they were made tenible vpon these and other like successes his succeeding fortunes were esteemed alwaies rather new then strange and his onlie presence was reputed a susticient surety for an army and yet did he never rise hereby either into haughtines in himselfe or contempt of others but remained courteous affable choosing a course least subiect to envie betweene stiffe slubbornes and filthy slattery never aspiring higher then to be the second person in state Iohn ' Dudley Earle of Warwicke was a man of ancient nobilitie comely in stature and countenance but of little gravitie or abstinence in pleasures yea sometimes almost dissolute which was not much regarded if in a time when vices began to grow into fashion a great man was not over severe He was of a great spirit and highly aspiring not forbearing to make any mischiefe the meanes for attaining his ambitious endes Hereto his good wit and pleasant speeches were altogether serviceable having the art also by emptie promises and threats to draw others to his purpose in matters of armes he was both skilfull and industrious and as well in fore-sight as resolution present and great Being made L. Lieutenant of Bulloine when it was first taken by the English the walls sore beaten shaken and in very truth searce mainetaineable he defended the place against the Dolphine whose armie was accounted to consist of 52000 men And when the Dolphine had entred the base towne not without slaughter of divers of the English by a braue sally he cast out the French againe with the losse of aboue 800 of their men esteemed the best souldiours in France The yeare next ensuing when the French had a great ◅leete at sea for invasion of England he was appointed Admirall and presented battaile to the French Navy which they refused and returned home
with 3000 Almaines and as many borderers to demolish the towne and to bring the artillerie a way to Barwicke The Earle not only accomplished his Charge but made wide wast in his passage by ruine and spoyle Herewith the castle of Hame was sodenly surprised by the Scots and all the English therein either taken or ◅laine This was effected by meanes of certaine Scots who vsed to bring victualls to the English and were reputed their assured frindes these both obseruing the weakenes of the place and orders of the garrison discouered them to their fellowes and gaue entertainement for the surprise Giueing also warning to others never to trust either the cur◅syes or services of those whom they haue provoked to be their enimies About these times S r Edward Bellingham Lo Deputie of Ireland first with great diligence and care then credite and ◅eputation especially gained by that service tooke Ocanor and Omor and reduced the other seditious Lords to good subiection Ocanor and Omor guided by overlate counsaile of necessity left their Lordships and had a yeerely pension of 100 l assigned to either of them And now the French supposing that by reason partly of suspence of hostility betweene England and France and partly of the English affaires in other places matters with them would be neglected determined to attempt a suddaine surprise of the fortresse of Bullingberge to this end 7000 men were appointed vnder the conduct of M r Chastilion furnished with ladders and other preparations for the surprise They marched secretly in the dead time of the night and when they approached within a quarter of a league On Carter who had beene discharged of his pay by the English for takeing a French woman to wife and then serued vnder the French ranne privily before and gaue the Alarme to those in the Forte The English drewe him vp the walles betweene two pikes and vnderstanding the danger addressed thē selues to their defence by reason wherof the French at their approach had so warme a welcome every of the English contending that his valour might be noted for some helpe in the fight that at their departure they laded 15 wagons with their dead Carter himselfe adventured brauely in places of greatest danger and receiued two great hurts in his body S r Nicholas Arnault the captaine was likewise hurte with a pike in the face diuers others were wounded about 25 slaine The assault continued with great obstinacy from midnight vntill somwhat after the breake of day Shortly after 300 English on foote and 25 horsemen were appointed to goe to a wood about 2 leagues from Bullingberge hauing carriages with them for bringing certaine timber for mounting great Artillery and some other vses when they approached neerer the edge of the woode about 500 French horsemen issued forth and gaue three sharpe charges vpon them the English empaled themselues with their pikes and therewith bare off their enimies and being lined with shot the cruell plague of horsemen the French were in such sort galled with arrowes that many were wounded M r Ca◅ret and diuers others slaine 70 great horses lay dead in the field and one Cornet was taken The English fearing greater forces began to retyre and therewith appeared about 2000 French and Almaines on foote But the English maintained an orderly retreat vntill they came within favour of the shot of Bullingberge and then the enimy adventured no further in this manner the old wounds of warre began freshly to open bleede betweene England and France But in this meane time such tempests of sedition tumbled in England more by default of governors then the peoples impatience to liue in subiection that not only the honour but the safetie of the state was thereby endangered For as the commissioners before mentioned passed to divers places for establishing of their new iniunctions many vnsavory scornes were cast vpon thē ◅he further they wenr from London as the people were more vnciuill so did they more rise into insolencie contempt At the last as one M r Body a commissioner was pulling downe images in Cornwall he was sodainely stabbed into the body by a Priest with a knife Herevpon the people more regarding commotioners then commissioners slocked together in diverse parts of the shire as clouds cluster against a storme and albeit iustice was afterwards done vpon the offenders the Principall being hanged and quartered in Smithfield and divers of his chiefe complices executed in divers parts of the Realme albeit so ample a pardon was proclaimed for all others within that shire touching any action or speech tending to treason yet could not the boldnesse be beaten down either with that severity or with this lenity be abated For the mischiefe forthwith spread into Wiltshire and Somersetsoire where the people supposing that a common wealth could not stand without Commons beat downe enclosures laid parkes and fields champaine But S r William Herbert afterwardes Earle of Pembroke with a well armed ordered company set sharpely vpon them and oppressing some of the forwardest of them by death suppressed all the residue by feare But their duty depending vpon feare the one was of no greater continuance then the other The like motions followed in Sussex Hampshire Kent Glocestershire Warwickeshire Essex Hartfordshire Leicestershire Worcestershire and Rutlandshire But being neither in numbers nor in courage great partly by authority of Gentlemen and partly by entreaty and advice of honest persons they were reduced to some good appeasement as with people more guided by ◅age then by right yet not altogether mad it was not vneasy But herein happely some error was committed that being only brought to a countenanc◅ of quiet regard was not had to distinguish the rebellion fully For soone after they brake forth more dangerously then before for no part could content them who aimed at all After this the people in Oxfordshire ' Devonshire Northfolke and Yorkeshire fell into the same madnes incensed by such who being in themselues base and degenerate and dangerous to the state had no hope but in troblesome times To Oxfordshire the Lord Gray of Wilton was sent with 1500 horse and soote to whō the gentlmen of the country resorted drawing many followers with them the very name of the Lord Gray being knowne to be a man of great valour and fortune so terrified the seditious that vpon the very report of his approach more then halfe fell away and dispersed of the residue who being either more desperate or more sottish did abide in the field many were presently slaine many taken and forthwith executed To Devonshire was sent Iohn Lord Russell Lord of the priuy seale whose forces being indeed or being by him distrusted to be inferior to the importance of the service he sate downe at Honington whilest the seditious did almost what they would vpon this heavines of the kings forces going forward interpr◅ted to be feare and want of mettle divers either of the most audacious or such as pouerty
iudgment and care was reduced to the same manner as Christ left it as the Apostles vsed it as the ancient Fathers receaued practised and left it But you would in sober earnest haue the six Articles againe reviued Doe you vnderstand what you would haue or ate you masters of your owne iudgment If you vnderstand them and yet desire them it is not long since they were enacted and haue since drawne much blood from the subiects as would you haue bloody lawes againe in life or would they any long time be endured Vpon pitty they were taken away vpon ignorance they are againe demanded Verily that in the Gospell may truly bee said of you yee aske yee knowe not what for you neither know what good you shall haue by receiuing them nor what evill you haue lost by their abolishing our intention is to haue our lawes written with milke but you would haue them written with blood They were established by law and so observed although with much expence of blood they are abolished by law with sparing of blood and that also must be obserued for vnlesse lawes be duly obserued neither the authority of the Prince nor safetie of the people can be preserved And whereas you would haue them remaine in force vntill our full age if you had knowne what you speake you never would haue giuen breath to such an vnseasoned thought for what is our authoritie the lesse for our age or shall we be more King hereafter then now or are you lesse subjects now then in future times you shall be Verily as a naturall man we haue now youth and by Gods sufferance expect age but as a King we haue no difference in yeares we are rightfull king by Gods ordinance and by descent from our roiâ—…ll ancestors and not by any set number of yeares and much it is to bee feared that they who moued you to require this suspence of time would absolutely denie our royall power if they durst so plainely expresse themselues The seditious as men alwaies dangerous when they haue once broken awe interpreted this or any other milde dealing to proceed from some faining or fainting disposition either doubting or daring most when they are most fairely entreated and the more to enslame the popular rage fresh rumors were devised and divulged that the people should be constrained to pay a ratable taxe for their sheep and other cattle and an excise for every thing which they should eat or drinke by which and other like reports the simple were blinded the malitious edged all hardned from applying to any peaceable perswasion And now vnable to support themselues either with their own estate or by wast of villages they aspired to the spoile and subiection of citties and first they came to Exâ—…ter and demanded entrance but the citizens as they were both civill and rich so were they better advised and therefore closed their gates and refused to haue any entercourse with the seditious but either by common obedience or else by hostility and armes the popular fury being thus stopped swelled the more Wherevpon they resolued to apply their endeauours for taking the citty and either by destroying it to increase terror or else by sparing it to winne an opinion of moderation they had no great artillery to open a breach and yet without reason they gaue an assault and vsed divers meanes to mount the walls but the more madnesse they shewed in their attempt with the greater losse they were driuen bâ—…cke then they fired the gates at two severall times but the citizens at both times by casting in wood maintained the fire vntill they had cast vp a halfe moone within vpon which when the seditious attempted to enter they were slaine from the corners like dogges After this they mined the walls laid the powder and rammed the mouth but the citizens made a countermine whereinto they powred such plentie of water that the wet powder could not be fired In the meane time the L. Privy Seale lay at Hunnington expecting more strength and knowing right well that as the multitude are slow to danger so are they most desperate when they are stirred but whilst he expected more companie many of those he had slipped away from him Herevpon he resolued for retaining the rest to entertaine some present enterprise and first he assailed by a by way to enter and relieue the citty but the seditious for prevention hereof had fâ—…led all the trees betweene S. Mary Outry and Exeter laid them crosse the waie in such sort as they impeached his passage herevpon firing such places as hee thought might serue either for vse or ease to the seditious he determined to returne to Hunnington But the seditious forelaied a bridge over which hee should passe called Fennington bridge and in a great faire meddow behinde the bridge placed a great number vnder banners displaid The Lord privy seale had but a small company in regard of the seditious Yet with good order and courage hee attempted the bridge but could not force it at the last finding the riuer to be fordeable at the foot of the bridge he there set ouer his horse wherevpon the guardes appointed to defend the bridge forsooke their charge and retyred to their strength in the meddow Then the kings forces charged liuely vpon them and they againe as stoutly receiued the charge but being an vntrained multitude without either souldier or guide they were soone broken and put to slight yet they valued themselues and tumultuously charged vpon the kings forces but were presently rowted and cast out of the field the châ—…se was not far pursued for feare of fresh succours from before the citty Notwithstanding the seditious lost 600 of their men and the Lord Privy seale returned without losse to Hunington At this time the seditious liued by rapine and ruine of all the country omitting nothing of that which savages enraged in the height of their vnruly behâ—…viour doe commit but the Cittizens driven to great distresse for want of victuales bread they made of coursest branne moulded in cloathes for that otherwise it would not cleaue together Thâ—…ir finest flâ—…sh was of their owne horses especially for 12 daies they endured most extreame famine During this time they were much encouraged by an aged cittizen who brought forth all his provisions and said that as hee did communicate vnto them his store so would he participate of their wants And that for his part he would feed on the one arme and fight with the other before he would consent to put the citty into the seditious hands Herewith the Lord privy Seale for want of power to performe any services was about to rise and returne to London But in good time the Lord Gray came to him with supply of forces most Almane horsemen and with him came Spinola with his band of Italians consisting of 300 shot purposed for Scotland also 200 men were sent vnto him from Reading so being in all not much aboue 1000
people might haue destroied the Nobility and gentry who are the defence and safety of the people and so at pleasure haue reduced all vnder his tyrannous subiection Which how insupportable it would haue beene may well be coniectured by his actions already past what pride and insolency of his men made vp of naught What instruments had he in euery shire to worke his purposes to spread his rumors to harken and to carry tales And those what flatterers What lyers How greedily gaping for other mens liuings How vigilant to grope mens thoughts and to picke out somewhat whereof they might complaine and such vile vermine how deere were they to him and namely Iohn Bonham his one hand in Wiltshire Sir Gyles Partridge his other hand in Glocestershire his customer in Wells Piers country his minister in Deuonshire besides many his bad conditioned minions in courte what monsters were they How esteemed they his fauour aboue all mortall respects And further to accomplish his ambitious ends he devised to make the French king his friend by bewraying vnto him the Kings fortresses beyond the seas which the late noble K. Henry with great charge courage and glory had brought vnder his power which practise was so caryed that no man but such as discerned nothing but did perceiue it And that aswell by his often private conference with the French Embassadors and their secretaries as by failing to furnish those pieces with necessarie supplies as also by the speeches which himselfe and his servants cast abroad that Bulloine and the fortresses about it were an vnprofitable burthen to the realme But for the charge no man will conceiue that he wanted money to keepe them who vndertooke so great a charge as the conquest of Scotland and wasted euery day a 100â—… vpon his phantasticall building Besides it hath beene often heard from his owne communication how he intended to procure a resignation of the rights of the Kings Maiesties sisters and others who are entitled to the possession of the Crowne and to haue entailed the same vpon his owne issue which when he had effected and hauing the Kings person in his power the chaine of soueraignty could not long haue tied him short he might haue atchieued all his ambitious intentions at will Wherefore surely he hath thus put on the person not only of a robber and of a murtherer but of a traitor to the state since we haue euidently discouered both his lofty and bloody minde It behoueth you to ioyne in aide with the Lords of his Maiesties privy counsaile as in extinguishing a raging fire as in repelling a cruell enimie for assuredly wee must either weakly yeelde to his rule and commande or else the ambitious author must be taken away In the afternoone of the same day the Lord Maior assembled a common counsaile in Guildhall where two letters arriued almost in one instant one from the King and the Lord Protector for 1000 men to be armed for defence of the Kings person another from the Lords at London for 2000 men to aide them in defence of the Kings person both parties pretending alike but both intending nothing lesse The Recorder whose voice accordeth commonly with the Lord Chancellor did so well set forth the complaints of the Lords against the Protector that many were inclinable to fauour their side But one named George Stadlowe somewhat better aduised stept vp and spake vnto them as followeth This businesse right Honorable Lord Maior the residue of this court as it is a very high passage of state so it is worthy of serious consideration that vpon sodeine aduice nothing be done or determined them least happely by being serviceable to the designes of other men whose purposes we know not we cast our selues into the throat of danger which hitherto wee doe not see two things I much feare in case wee afford present aide to the Lords either of which should cast vpon vs a bridle rather for stopping a while then for stepping or stirring too soone or too fast at their incitement One is the certaine dangers of the citty the other the vncertaine aduenture of all the realme First then if wee adioine to the Lords whether they prevaile or not wee engulph our selues into assured danger an example whereof I finde in Fabian whose report I entreat you all to obserue In the time of King Henry the third the Lords in a good cause for maintenance of divers beneficiall lawes desired aide of the citty ogainst the King Ayde was granted and the quarrell brought to the arbitrement of the sword In this battaile the King and his son â—…e were taken prisoners vpon their enlargement free pardon was granted not only to the Lords but the cittizens of London which was afterwards confirmed both by oath and by act of Parliament But what followed Was the displeasure forgotten Noe verily nor euer forgotten during that Kings life for afterwards the liberties of the Citty were taken away strangers were appointed governors and the cittizens perpetually vexed both in their persons and in their estates So heauy and durable is the wrath of Kings That Solomon saith The indignation of the King is death For it is naturall for princes to vphold their soveraignty and to holde it in highest esteeme in no case to endure their supreame authority to be forceably either oppressed or dispressed by their subiects Insomuch as they mortally hate such subiects as haue once attempted either to ouerrule them by power or to cast any terror vpon them And howsoeuer they may be either constrained or content to beare saile for a time yet are they so sure paymasters in the end that few haue held out their liues I will not say prosperously but safely who haue offered enforcements against their King Now touching my seare for the commonwealth I much suspect these considerations I alwaies expect from them some lurking mischiefe which the more cunningly it be kept in the more dangerously it will breake forth For albeit there be many hands in this action yet one is the head who doubtlesse hath skille to play his owne game and albeit the pretences giuen forth are alwaies faire and for the publique good yet are the secret intentions commonly ambitions only aime at priuate ends yea many times the end is worse then the first intent Because when a subiect hath obtained the hand against his prince I will not say he will be loath but doubtlesse it is not safe for him to giue ouer his advantage wherefore I am of opinion that for the present if wee will not be so vneurteous as to delay and suspend our giuing aide to the Lords for a time Vpon this aduice the courte resolued to arme 100 horsemen and 400 foote for defence of the Citty To the King they returned answere that they would be ready vpon any necessity to apply all their forces either for his defence or for his honour But they intreated him to bee pleased to heare such complaints as were
Somerset for hereafter he must be no otherwise called was committed into their power and committed to custody in Beâ—…uchampe tower within the castle The next day he was brought to London as if he had bin a captaine caried in triumph He rode through Holborne betweene the Earles of Southhampton and of Huntington and was followed with Lords and Gentlemen to the number of 300 mounted on horsebacke At Holborne bridge certaine Aldermen attended on horsebacke and the cittisâ—…ns housholders stood with halberds on all sides of the streets through which he passed At Sopherlane he was receiued by the Maior Shâ—…riffes Recorder and diuers Knights of especiall note who with a great traine of officers and attendants bearing halbeards carryed him forthwith to the Tower all this was to beare in shew both that the Duke was a dangerous man and that the common both aide and applause concurred in his restraint Forthwith the King was brought to Hampton courte where all things being borne as done well because nothing was ill taken seauen of the Lords of the counsaile and 4 Knights were appointed by turnes to attend the Kings person The Lords were the Marquis of Northhampton the Earles of Warwicke and Arundell the Lordes Russell S t Iohn and Wentworth the knights were these S r Andrew Dudley S r Edward Rogers S r Thomas Darcy and S r Thomas Worth As for affaires of state the gouernment of them was referred to the whole body of the counsaile Soone after the King rode to his house in Southwarke then called Suffolke place there dined all-After dinner he rode in great estate through the citty to Westminster as if the people should be giuen to vnderstand that nothing was dâ—…minished either from the safety or glory of the King by imprisonment of the Duke And now when the Duke had breathed a small time in the tower certaine Lords of the counsaile were sent vnto him who after a shorte preface in such termes as hate and dissimulation could temper together remembring how great the amity had beene betweene them and of what continuance Then acknowledging what offices seruices he had done for the commonwealth yet enterlacing some errors defects wherewith they seemed to reproach him Lastly they presented him certaine articles as from the residue of the priuy counsaile desiring his present answere whether hee would acknowledge them to be true or else stand vpon his iustification The articles obiected against him were these 1 That he tooke vpon him the office of Protector vpon expresse condition that he should doe nothing in the Kings affaires but by assent of the late Kings executors or the greatest part of them 2 That contrary to this condition he did hinder iustice subuert Lawes of his owne Authority aswell by letters as by other commande 3 That he caused diuers persons arrested and imprisoned for treason murther manslaughter and felloâ—…y to be discharged against the lawes and statutes of the realme 4 That he appointed Lâ—…euetenants for Armies and other officers for the weighty affaires of the king vnder his own writing and seale 5 That he communed with Embassadors of other realmes alone of the weighty matters of the realme 6 That he would taunt and reproue diuers of the kings most honourable counsailors for declaring their aduice in the Kings weighty affaires against his opinion sometimes telling them that they were not worthy to sit in counsaile and sometimes that he needed not to open weighty matters to them and that if they were not agreeable to his opinion he would discharge them 7 That against law he held a court of request in his house and did enforce diuers to answere there for their freeholde goods and did determine of the same 8 That being no officer without the aduice of the counsaile or most part of them he did dispose offices of the Kings guift for money grant leases and wards and presentations of Benefices pertaining to the King gaue Bishoprickes and made sales of the Kings lands 9 That he commanded Alchimie and multiplication to be practised thereby to abase the Kings coine 10 That diuers times he openly said that the nobility and gentry were the only cause of dearth Whereupon the people rose to reforme matters of themselues 11 That against the minde of the whole counsaile he caused proclamation to be made concerning enclosures wherevpon the people made diuers insurrections and destroied many of the Kings subiects 12 That he sent forth a commission with Articles annexed concerning enclosures commons highwaâ—…es cottages and such like matters giuing the commishioners authority to heare 〈◊〉 determine those causes whereby the lawes and statutes of the realme were subuerted and much rebellion raised 13 That he suffered rebells to assemble and lie armed in campe against the nobility and gentry of the realme without speedie repressing of them 14 That he did comfort and encourage diuers rebells by giuing them money and by promising them fees rewards and seruices 15 That he caused a proclamation to be made against law and in fauour of the rebells that none of them should be vexed or sued by any for their offences in their rebellion 16 That in time of rebellion he said that he liked well the actions of the rebells and that the auarice of gentlemen gaue occasion for the people to rise and that it was better for them to dye then to porish for want 17 That he said the Lords of the Parliament were loath to reforme enclosures and other things therefore the people had a good cause to reforme them themselues 18 That after declaration of the defaults of Bouline and the pieces there by such as did surview them he would neuer amend the same 19 That he would not suffer the Kings pieces of Newhauen and Blacknesse to be furnished with men and prouision albeit he was 〈◊〉 of the defaults and aduised thereto by the Kings 〈◊〉 whereby the French King was emboldned to attempt vpon them 20 That he would neither giue authority nor suffer noble men and gentlemen to suppresse rebells in time conuenient but wrote to them to speake the rebells â—…aire and vse them gently 21 That vpon the fifth of October the present vâ—…ere 〈◊〉 Hampton courte for defence of his owne priuate causes hee procured seditious bills to be written in counterfeit hands and secretly to be dispersed into diuerse parts of the realme beginning thus Good people intending thereby to raise the Kings subiects to rebellion and open warre 22 That the Kings priuy counsaile did consult at London to come to him and moue him to reforme his gouernment but he hearing of their assembly declared by his letters in diuers places that they were high traitors to the King 23 That he declared vntruly aswell to the King as to other yong Lords attending his person that the Lords at London intended to destroy the King desired the King neuer to forget but to reuenge it and required the yong Lords to put the King in remembrance thereof
as they held the first summe to be vnreasonable so all the other they esteemed excessiue Then the English demanded what the French would giue first they offered 100000 crownes afterwards 200000 which they said was the most more theÌ„ euer had bin giuen with a daughter of France they followed a stiffe contention both by reasons precedents but the French in no case would rise any higher only they agreed that the French K. at his proper charge should send her to the K. of England 3 moneths before she should accomplish her age for marriage sufficiently appointed with Iewells apparell furniture for house that bands for the performances should then be deliuered at London by the K. of England and at Paris by the French King and that in case the Lady should not consent after she should be of the said age for marriage the penalty should be 150000 crownes the French set downe these offers in writing and sent them to the King of England Soone after Mounsier lâ—… Marshall and other commissioners were sent by the French King into England where they arriued at such time as the sweating sicknesse was most furious a new strange violent disease for if a man were attached therewith he dyed or escaped within 9 houres or 10 at the most if he tooke cold he dyed within 3 houres if he slept within 6 hours as he should be desirous to doe he dyed rauing albeit in other burning diseases that distemper is commonly appeased with sleepe It raged cheifly among men of strongest constitution and yeares of whom 120 perished in some one day within the liberties of London few aged men or children or women died thereof Two of Charles Brandons sonnes both Dukes of Suffolke one of the Kings Gentlemen and one of his groomes died of this disease For which cause the King remoued to Hampton court with very few followers The same day the Marshall and other French commissioners were brought by the Lord Clinton Lord Admirall of England from Grauesend to London They were saluted by the way with all the shot of more then 50 of the Kings great ships and with a faire peale of Artillery from the Tower and lastly were lodged in Suffolke pallace in Southwarke and albeit they had more then 400 gentlemen in their traine yet was not one of them nor any other stranger in England touched with the sweating disease and yet the English were chased therewith not only in England but in other countries abroad which made them like tirants both feared and auoided wheresoeuer they came The next day the French were remoued to Richmond whence euery day they resorted to Hampton court where the King remained the first day after they had performed the Ceremonies of court and deliuered to the King their letters of credence they were led to a chamber richly furnished for their repose the same day they dined with the King and after dinner being brought into an inner chamber the Marshall declared that they were come not only to deliuer vnto him the order of S t Michaell but therewith to manifest the entire loue which the King his Master beare him which he desired him to conceiue to be no lesse then a father can beare to his naturall sonne That albeit diuers persons either witlesse or malitious raise diuers vaine rumors to draw the King as it is thought from his 〈◊〉 friendship yet he trusted that the King would not listen vnto them That it much concerned the common quiet that good officers be placed vpon the Frontires for as good may doe good in moderating things amisse so euill will doe euill albeit no bad occasion be offered Lastly he desired in case any new controuersie should arrise it might be determined by commissioners on both sides and not by conflicts the parent of warre To this the King both suddenly and shortly answered that he much thanked the French King for his order as for the large expression of his loue which he would be ready in all points to requite Touching rumours they are not alwayes to be credited nor alwayes to be contemned it being no lesse vaine to feare all things than dangerous to doubt of nothing and in case at any time hee listned to them it was only to prouide against the worst and neuer to breake into hostilitie concerning officers he appointed such as hee esteemed good and yet preferred the ouerdoubtfull before the ouer-credulous and secure new controuersies he would alwaies be readie to determine by reason rather than by force so farre as his honour should not thereby be diminished The French after this returne to their lodging at Richmond and the next day resorted againe to the King inuested him with garments of the order and accompanied him to the Chappell the King going betweene the Marshall de Guise both which after the Communion kissing his cheek The residue of that day and a few dayes following were passed ouer with pastimes and feasts At the last the Lord Marquis of Northampton and the residue who had beene formerly sent with commission from the King into France were appointed to treat with the French Commissioners touching the great matters of their Embassage And because the French could be serued no higher than their offer of 200000. crownes it was accepted The one moitie to be paid vpon the day of marriage and the other six moneths after the Dote was agreed to be 10000. markes of English money and not to be paid in case the King should die before marriage This agreement was reduced into writing and deliuered vnder Scale on both sides at the same time an Embassador arriued out of Scotland to demand an exemplification of the articles of peace betweene England and France vnder the great Seale of England which without any difficultie they obtained The Marshall at his taking leaue declared to the 〈◊〉 how kindly his Master did conceiue of the Kings 〈◊〉 nesse to conclude this treaty and also commended his 〈◊〉 sters great inclination to the agreements thereof Then presented Mounsier Boâ—…s to be Embassador Legier for 〈◊〉 French and the Marquis presented M r. Pickering to Embassador for the King of England in France The 〈◊〉 of the Marshall was three thousand pound in gold 〈◊〉 a Diamond taken from the Kings finger esteemed 〈◊〉 an hundred and fifty pound Mounsier de Guy had 100â—… Mounsier Chenault 1000 l. M r. Mortuillier 500 l. the 〈◊〉 cretâ—…ry 500. l and the Bishop of Pâ—…riguer 500 l. The 〈◊〉 were exceeding sumptuous and at their returne they 〈◊〉 wafted ouer the seas by certaine of the Kings ships reason of the wars betweene the Emporour and the 〈◊〉 King The Lord Marquis reward was afterwards 〈◊〉 red at Paris worth 500 l. the Bishop of Ely 200 l. Sir 〈◊〉 Hobbies 150 l. and so were the rewards of the rest Now the King supposing his estate to be most safe 〈◊〉 indeed it was most vnsure In testimony both of his 〈◊〉 and of his loue aduanced many
because when he might haue done it he did not and further against the persons of them whose examinations had beene read against him he obiected many things desiring they might be brought to his face which in regard he was a person of dignity and estate he claimed to be reasonable especially against S r Thomas Palmer he spake much euill and yet in opinion of many farre short of the truth Hereto no answere was made but that the worse they were the fitter they were to be his instruments fit instruments indeed said he but rather for others then for me The fast being made the Kings learned counsaile auouched the law to be to assemble men with intent to kill the Duke of Northumberland was treason by a statute of the 3 4 th or K. Edward then raigning made against vnlawfull assemblies that to raise London or the North parts of the realme was treason that to minde resisting his attachment was felony that to assault the Lords and to devise their deaths was felony But vnder fauour of their iudgement the statute alleaged bears no such sense either for treason or for felony indeed by a statute of K. Henry 7 it is felony for inferior persons to contriue the death of a Lord of the counsaile but Lordes are therein expresly excepted The Lordes went together and first the Duke of Suffolke nobly said that he held it not reasonable that this being but a contention betweene priuate subiect vnder pretention thereof any meane action should to draw to intention of treason The Duke of Northumberland in countenance bearing shew of sadnesse but in truth stifly obstinate denyed that he would euer consent that any practise against him should be either imputed or reputed to be treason yet this was not taken to proceede from modesty as he expected but for that he could not with his honour or with reason so enforce it The Marques of Northampton was crossed and contentious with many but neuer replied to any answere a manifest marke of no strong spirit Some of the rest plainly brake forth that they held it vnfit that the Duke of Northumberland the Marques of Northampton and the Earle of Pembrooke should be of the triall because the prisoner was chiefly charged with practises intended against them But hereto answere was made that a Peere of the Realme might not be challenged After much variation of opinions the prisoner at the barre was acquit of treason but by most voices most fauouring the Duke of Northumberland he was sound guilty of felony Hereupon iudgement followed that he should be hanged but this would neuer haue gone so hard had they not prosecuted all vnder pretence of treason The Duke of Somerset might haue craued his clerge but he suffered iudgement to passe thanked the Lords for his gentle triall craued pardon of the Duke of Northumberland the Marques of Northampton and the Earle of Pembrooke for his ill meaning against them and made suit for his life in pitty to his wife children and seruants and in regard of paiment of his debts As he departed because he was acquit of treason the axe of the tower was not openly carried whereupon the people supposing that he was altogether acquit shooted halfe a dozed times so loud that they were heard beyond Charing Crosse. It is certaine the people fauoured him the more because they saw that there was much secret hate borne against him But as this immoderate fauour of the multitude did him no good so will it vndoe so many as shall trust vnto it It was told the King that after the Dukes returne to the tower he acknowledged to certaine Lords that he had hired Bartuile to make them away that Bartuile confessed so much and that Hamond was not ignorant thereof which whether it were true or whether deuised to make the King more estranged from him of iudgement could not hold themselues assured About this time Cuthbert Tonstall Bishop of Durham a man famous in those times for learning and integrity of life was sent to the tower for concealement of I know not what treason written to him I know not by whom and not discouered vntill what shall I call the party did reueale it But the Lord Chancellor Rich hauing built a faire estate and perceiuing what nimble ears were borne to listen after treason also for that a parliament was towards wherein he was doubtfull what questions might arise made suit to the King that in regard of the infirmities of his body he might be discharged of his office giuing good example to men sometimes by their owne moderation to auoid disgrace So he deliuered the seale at his house in great S t Bartholomewes to the Duke of Northumberland the Earle of Pembrooke sent by the King with commission to receiue it The same seale was forthwith deliuered to D r Godricke Bishop of Ely a man if happily able to discharg the place assuredly no more It was first deliuered vnto him only during the sicknesse of the Lord Rich but in short time after he was sworne Lord Chancellor because as keeper of the seale he could not then execute such matters as were to be dispatched in parliament And now after iudgement against Somerset the Lords were not negligent to entertaine the King with all delights they could deuise partly to winne his fauour but especially to conuert his thoughts from his condemned Vnkle to this end they often presented him with stately masques braue challenges at title and at barriers and whatsoeuer exercises or disports they could coniecture to be best pleasing to him then also he first began to keepe hall and the Christmas time was passed ouer with banquetings masques plaies and much other variety of mirth Often they would call him to serious affaires wherein he tooke especiall pleasure Sometimes they would remember him how dangerous the Duke of Somerset was who hauing made away his only brother contriued the death of the chiefe of the nobility And where say they would his mischiefe haue rested Would it haue raged against all and left the King only vntouched Verily hauing beene alwaies both cruell and false there would haue beene no end of his mischiefe and all his submissions must now be taken for counterfeit and dissembled But his auarice and ambition once remoued the way will be laid open to vertue and merit So about two moneths after his iudgement the 5 th and last act of his tragedie was brought vpon the stage When being so often exposed to fortunes mercy before he was placed by a strong guard vpon a seaffold at tower hill about eight of the clocke in the morning to suffer death albeit straight charge had beene giuen the day before to euery housholder in the citty not to permit any to depart out of their houses before ten of the clocke that day yet the people the more vnruly by this restraint by such thick throngs swarmed to the place that before seauen of the clocke the hill was couered and
that he had made leases in reuersion for more then xxi years for these offences he surrendred his office and submitted himselfe to be fined at the pleasure of the King So his fine was gessed at 6000 l whereof 2000 were remitted vpon condition that the other 4000 should be paid within the compasse of that yeare This he endured with a manly patience as knowing right well that he held all the residue of his estate vpon curtesie of those who hated him at the heart It was at the first suspected and afterwards expected by all that among other matters obiected against the Lord Paget the chiefe or at least one should haue beene for contriuing to Banquet the Lords at his house and vnder pretence thereof to take off their heads which was the only cause for which the Duke of Somerset lost his head But because no mention was made thereof because about the same time the Lord Gray of Wilton Bannister and Crane and a little after the Earle of Arundell were freely discharged hauing beene imprisoned for this conspiracy the conceit was taken that the Dukes head was the only aime and that the residue were vsed but as a countenance of state to dazle the people Letters were sent to the gouernor of Gernesey that divine seruice should there be vsed according to the forme of the Church of England A King of Armes named Vlster was newly instituted for Ireland his prouince was all Ireland and he was the first 4 th King of Armes the first herald appointed for Ireland Whilest these matters were in action the Emperors Embassador in England deliuered letters to the King from the Regent in the low Countries importing that whereas the King was bound by a treaty betweene the Emperor and the Kinges Father at Lutrect in the yeare 1542 that if the low Countries should be inuaded the King should aide him with 5000 foote or 70 crownes a day during 4 moneths and that this aide should be performed within one moneth after request For so much as the French King inuaded Luxembourg the Emperor required aide of the King of England according to the effect of that treaty Herevpon order was giuen that if the Embassador did moue for answere to this letter he should be told by two of the counsell that during the Kinges progresse his counsell was dispersed whose aduice he was desirous to heare And further that the K. had committed the same treaty to be perused by men whose iudgments as he did much respect so would he expect a time vntill their opinions might be heard And in case that after this the Embassador should againe require an answere then they should say that the King hauing lately wrestled out of most dangerous warres wherewith his yong years were ouerburthened he hoped well that the Emperor would not desire to thrust him into the like againe That he had sworne amity with the French King which he could not with his honour breake therefore if the Emperor should deeme it so meete he would mediate a peace as a friend to both which he should best effect by forbearing to vse hostility against either And in case the Embassador should still perseuere to vrge the treaty they were lastly directed to answere that the King did not hold himselfe bound by that treaty as both made by his Father and euidently preiudiciall to his real◅ for albeit agreements of peace are perpetuall bind the successor yet it is not so in agreements of society cōsederation And this the Emperor did right well vnderstand for whē the King in his last warres desired to enter a new treaty with the Emperor he returned answere that it should not need for albeit the King were discharged by his Fathers death yet the Emperor was still bound And againe the Emperor had not for his part performed the treaty as well in hindring the carriage of horses armor and munition which the King had prouided for his warres as also in neglecting to send aide when the low Country of Calais was forraged and therefore he did not iustly demand performance thereof from the King I know it hath beene often in like sort answered that treaties dissolue by death of those who made them for so the Fidenates held themselues discharged of the league which they had made with Romulus after his death And the Latines did the like after the death of Tullus and likewise after the death of Ancus The Etrurians affirmed the like after the death of Priscus And the Sabines after the death of Seruius And againe after that Tarquinius was cast out of state I know also that the difference is great betweene a league of peace and a league of society confederation But I will not touch euery string of this question which Hottoman calleth a noble question and much tossed and debated partly because it consisteth of many knotty and thorny distinctions wherein approued authors doe not well agree but chiefely because at this time it fell not to be a difference betweene the Emperor and the King For when the Embassador first came for answere to this letter M r Wotton and M r Hobbie answered according to the first branch of their instructions wherewith he departed well satisfied for the present and before he called for answere againe one Stukely arriued out of France and declared to the counsell how the French King being persuaded that Stukely would neuer returne into England because he departed without leaue vpon apprehension of the Duke of Somerset his master bewraied to him that if he could procure peace with the Emperor he intended to besiege Calais and was in hope to carry the towne by way of the sand hills and that from thence winning rice banke he might both famish the Towne and beate the market place how he further said that he intended to land in some angle of Scotland about Falmouth because boulewarkes there might easily be wonne and the people were for the most part Catholiques And further how at the same time Mounsier de Guise should enter England by the way of Scotland not only with good leaue but with aide and conduct from the Scots Vpon this discouery the King assembled his counsell at Windesor entred with them into deliberation whether it were either safe from him or to no disaduantage to rely so securely either vpon the strength or faith of France as either to refuse or neglect to afford aide vnto the Emperor and thereby happily incurre his hostility Many were of opinion that the King should condescend to aide the Emperor First for that if the King were desirous to hold the Emperor bound by the treaty made with the Kinges father he must also be obliged thereby Otherwise it was a lame halting league and could not possibly goe vpright Then for that if the Emperor should not be aided the house of Burgundie was like to be deuoured by the French whereby their greatnesse might grow dreadfull especi◅lly to England Then for that againe
and hate Herevpon the Lord Sudley was arrested and sent to the tower and in very short time after condemned by act of parliament And within few daies after his condemnation a warrant was sent vnder the hande of his brother the Duke whereby his head was deliuered to the Axe His owne fierce courage hastened his death because equally ballanced betweene doubt and disdaine he was desirous rather to dye at once then to linger long vpon curtesie and in feare The accusations against him contained much friuolous matter or terme them pittifull if you please The act of parliament expresseth these causes of his attaindor For attempting to get into his custody the person of the King and gouernment of the realme For making much prouision of mony and of victualls for endeauouring to marry the Lady Elizabeth the Kings sister for persuadinge the Kinge in his tender age to take vpō him the Rule order of himselfe The proofes might easily be made because he was neuer called to his answeare But aswell the protestations at the point of his death as the open course carriage of his life cleered him in opinion of many So doubtfull are all weighty matters whilest some take all they heare for certaine others making question of any truths posterity enlarging both D r Latymer pretending all the grauity and sincerity of a professed diuine yet content to be seruiceable to great mens ends declared in a sermon before the King that whilest the Lord Sudley was a prisoner in the Tower he wrote to the Lady Mary and the Lady Elizabeth the Kings sisters that they should reuenge his death which indeed the Lady Mary afterwards more truely did by ◅ting the Earle of Warwicke then either shee was or at that time could in particular be required Many other imputations he cast forth besides most doubted many knowne to be vntrue and so whereas Papinian a ciuill lawyer but a heathen chose rather to dye then to defend the murth◅r which the Emperor Caracalla had done vpon his brother Geta some theologians haue beene imploi◅d to defile places erected only for religion and truth by defending oppressions and factions deste◅ning their professions and the good artes which they had learned by publishing odious vntruths vpon report and credite of others O wiues The most sweete poison the most desired evill in the world Certainly as it is true as Syracides saith that there is no malice to the malice of a woman so no mischiefe wanteth where a malitious woman beareth sway a woman was first giuen to man for a comforter but not for a counsailor much lesse a controler and directer and therefore in the first sentence against man this cause is expressed because thou obeyedst the voice of thy wife And doubtlesse the protector by being thus ruled to the death of his brother seemed with his left hand to haue cut off his right For herevpon many of the nobility cryed out vpon him that hee was a bloodsucker a murtherer a parricide a villaine and that it was not sit the K. should be vnder the protection of such a rauenons wolfe Soone after it was giuen forth and belieued by many that the King was dead wherevpon he passed in great estate through the cittie of London to manifest that he was both aliue and in good health whether this speech were spread either by aduenture or by arte it is vncertaine certain it is it did something shake the strength of the Kings affection towards the Protector B◅sides many well d◅sposed mindes conceiued a hard opinion of him for that a church by strand-bridge and two Bishops houses were pulled downe to make a seat for his new building in digging the foundation whereof the ◅ones of many who had beene there buried were cast vp and carried into the fields and because the stones of those houses the church did nothing suffice for his work the sle◅ple and most part of the church of Saint Iohn of Ierusal◅m neere Smithfield most beautifully erected and adorned not long before by Docray Priour of that church was mined and ouerthrowne with powder and the stones applied to this spatious building And because the worke could not be ther with finished the cloister of Paules on the north side of the church in a place called Pardonne churchyearde and the dance of death very curiously wrought about the cloister and a chappell that stood in the midst of the church-yeard also the charnell house that stood vpon the south side of Paules now a carpenters yeard with the chappell tombes and monuments therein were beaten downe the bones of the dead carried into Finsbury fields and the stones conuerted to his building It is constantly affirmed that for the same purpose hee intended to pull downe the church of S Margaret in Westminster and that the standing thereof was preserued only by his fall assuredly as these actions were in an high degree impious so did they draw with them both open dislike from men and much secret reuenge from God And now hath the Lord Protector played the first act of the tragedie of his life namely his high and prosperous estate he is now stopping into the second act wherein he beginneth mainly to decline For the Earle of Warwicke espying opportunity shewing him selfe and knowing that in troublesome times the obedience of great persons is most easily shaken drew about 18 of the priuy counsaile to knit with him against the Lord Protector These he did so winde vp to his purpose that they withdrew from the courte fell to secret consultations and walked in the citty with many seruants weaponed and in new liueries the causes thereof many coniectured but few knew They were all desirous that the Protectors greatnesse should be taken lower but none conceiued that the Earles malice did extend vnto death But the Lord Protector as humble then as he had beene haughty before sent secretary Peeter to them in the Kings name to vnderstand the causes of their assembly and to declare vnto them that he would thanke them for hating him in case they did it in loue to the King intreating them for the Kings sake if not for his safetie yet for his quiet that they would forbeare open shew of hostility and resort vnto him peaceably that they might commune together as friends In the meane time he armed 500 men parte of the kings parte his owne the court gates were rampard and people raised both by letters and proclamation to aide the King and the more to encrease the present terror he remoued the king by mightfrō Hampton courte to Windosor with a company more resembling an army then a traine On the other side the Lords at London first taking possession of the tower sent for the Maior and Aldermen of the citty to the Earle of Warwicks lodging at Ely house in Holborne here they presented themselues secretly armed and the Lord Rich then Lord Chancellor of England a man of quicke and liuely deliuery of speech but